Space Shuttle Safely Lands #15

(Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper)

I read an article about a space shuttle called Endeavour and how its seven astronauts safely returned to Earth on Sunday, but landing in California because of the storms that hit in Florida, which was where their family members were waiting for them. When they landed, the spacecraft's sonic booms caused firefighters to come to the scene thinking it was a fire."Welcome back. That was a great way to finish a fantastic flight," Mission Control radioed when they landed safely in California. Endeavour came home after a 16-day trip that left the international space station newly remodeled and capable of housing bigger crews. The shuttle dropped off all kinds of home improvement equipment, including a new bathroom, kitchenette, exercise machine, two sleeping quarters and a recycling system. The trip wasn't without flaws though, one woman, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, let go of a one hundred thousand dollar tool bag during the first space-walk, and could not do anything about it as it floated away in space. The space station additions should enable NASA to double the size of the space station crew by June, astronauts say. The space shuttle's journey, spanned 6.6 million miles and 250 orbits of Earth.

Jellyfish #14

Waikiki lifeguards on Saturday are closing a beach because of an infestation of box jellyfish. They also are warning users of other Oahu beaches to watch out for them, because they can give you a nasty sting. About 2,300 jellyfish were estimated at Waikiki beaches on Saturday and another 1,000 at Ala Moana. More than 20 stings have been reported, and ambulances responded to two incidents. This is a big deal because the amount of jellyfish has been rising. "The monthly influx of the critters began Friday when about 400 were spotted," said an official. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve was closed on Saturday because of the jellyfish. Warning signs were posted at Ala Moana Beach Park, Diamond Head Beach Park, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park, Kapiolani Beach Park, Kuhio Beach Park and San Souci Beach. Officials are saying that people should avoid the beaches for a while so they can clear all of the Jellyfish. They are very dangerous so people should be careful knowing there are jellyfish ready to sting in the Hawaii beaches.

Vampire article # 13

There was an article I read on the movie Twilight which is coming out tomorrow. The article was about how vampires are so attractive to young teenage american girls. Emma Holly throughly explains the Twilight phenomenon. "It's the bad-boy fantasy," says Emma about how teenage girls are raving over the blood sucking vampire. Not only do teenagers like the books, but moms have really come to enjoy then as well, Holly says. She talks about how delightful the desires of a vampire is and how well Stephanie Meyer explains then and portrays them. She says that she is excited about the movie coming out and wishes it the best. Just about 17 million Twilight books were sold along with more than 350 fan sites. Michele Hauf of Coon Rapids, author of the Dark Rapture vampire series, talks about the series Twilight and says, "They drink from animals only, but the whole myths [of vampires] is the moral dilemma of having to drink from mortals, or they could die. They have to struggle with that." He predicts that Twilight the movie, will be "dramatic and titillating." He hopes it will be even more than that.

California Fires #12

A fire in Los Angeles will need at least a week to get control of the wildfires that have destroyed more than 900 homes. High winds have come from Santa Barbara to Anaheim since Thursday, blazing about 40,900 acres of land. Sustained winds eased, but locally gusty conditions and humidity could continue, the National Weather Service has predicted. Everyone is trying to be optimistic in this devastating disaster, but firefighters are very hopeful to get work done. The most extensive losses have been in the Oakridge Mobile Home Park, where winds were clocked at 70 mph that drove a wall of flames across the hillsides and destroyed nearly 500 homes. No bodies were found after going through the wreckage after the fires. Police think most of those living in the 608 mobile homes fled the fire, Deputy Police Chief Michael Moore said. But he also told those who escaped to call in and let investigators know they survived. One woman who survived said, "I am so thankful that I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to those not as fortunate."Most of the damage was in Orange County, where more than 100 homes were destroyed.n Santa Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles, firefighters said they had the Tea fire 95 percent contained after it destroyed more than 100 homes. Among the losses in the 1,900-plus acres it incinerated were a monastery and several mansions in a community where celebrities have homes. One man on Good Morning America even said, "it's amazing, its just gone, rebuilding would be -- it's too much. You can't rebuild that."

Hunter saves another hunter #11

In central Minnesota, a hunter is being called a life saver for trying to pull another hunter stuck in slough. Peter Schmidt of Orrock Township was hunting in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge because of deer hunting season, and heard a hunter calling for help. Schmidt discovered the hunter in the muddy water and unable to move. Schmidt tried to help the man as much as he could then phoned the authorities and the man's family. Rescue then came and pulled the hunter out with a life line. He was taken to Princeton Fairview Hospital for treatment of hypothermia, where Schmidt was also was treated for hypothermia. The sheriff's office guessed that the hunter had been in the slough for at least an hour and the water was slightly above freezing, which could have led to death in about thirty minutes. The sheriff's office said, "Had Schmidt not found him when he did, the results could have been far different." It was a very brave of Schmidt to risk his life for another person who he didn't even know.

Bombing in Iraq #10

Bombs in Iraq killed at least eight people today, wounding many others. The president blamed the bombing on the U.S. military and ordered them to leave. In the city of Mosul, a roadside bomb killed three soldiers and wounded four others. Down south, a bomb attached to a bike wrapped in a trash bag exploded north of Baghdad killed two people, and wounded at least 13 others, including the mayor. A car bomb was discovered last Sunday and they arrested four people because of suspicions. There was also an attack in Amiriyat al-Fallujah which killed eight people and wounded seventeen people at a police checkpoint. This violence has put Iraq in a rocky state, causing government problems. The Prime Minister is studying the U.S. response in changing the draft security. If Iraq doesn't approve the deal, all military units will cease. The Syrian president said that he thinks the U.S. troops should evacuate Iraq as soon as possible. The president himself said, "The latest American aggression on Syrian territory shows that the presence of American occupation forces constitutes a source of continuous threat to the security of Iraq's neighboring states and a factor of instability for the region." (President Bashar Assad). I agree with his statement and I think that the troops also need to return home.

Star Tribune #9

I read about a school in Haiti collapsing on November 9th. Rescuers scurried in search for victims, some rescuers included those from the U.S. The collapse crushed about eighty-eight adults and children and one hundred and fifty people have been treated for injuries, making many wonder about the stability of the country. Also, about five hundred kids crowded the school that morning. This event also brought a lot of global attention, which regularly would be ignored. The president, Rene Preval, said he blamed the government and lack of respect for the law. Rene Preval, the president of Haiti, said, "There is a code already, but they don't follow it. What we need is political stability." (President Rene Preval). Some were even saying that they need to rebuild the city altogether. Haiti's country consists poorly constructed schools and shabby churches. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has had many struggles this year, including riots and many hurricanes.