Spartan Times

Irene damage

   By Kelsey Watkins, Reporter

   In the U.S. hurricane Irene caused lots of damage, in fact $7 billion in damages according to the New York Times.

   In places like New Jersey and New York there are major flood and wind damages. Houses ripped to pieces, mud filled the streets and some homes were flooded majorly.

   The power kept going in and out in the New York areas and was causing problem with street lights.
There were at least 45 deaths in the US (New York Times).

   Immediately after the Hurricane was over they have begun repairs on the road especially the major highways. They have also begun repairing homes that have been destroyed.
 
   This is the first hurricane to threaten the U.S. in 3 years. Hurricane Katrina was more intense than Hurricane Irene. Katrina was around 28 feet while Irene was a very small 4 to 8 feet. So, therefore, Hurricane Irene doesn’t even compare to Hurricane Katrina. While Hurricane Katrina reached 173 mph, Hurricane Irene never reached but came close to 130 mph. (Live Science)

   The people were given more warning time to be able to respond to the evacuation than when Hurricane Katrina hit. The people had 30 more hours to evacuate from Irene than they did from Katrina which helped in the way that less people died from Hurricane Irene than they did from Hurricane Katrina.(Live Science)

http://www.livescience.com

Tags: Huricane Irene

Palestinians bid (but not on ebay)

  By Sean Hart, Reporter

   Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas submitted an application for United Nations membership to the U.N. Security Council Friday, September twenty-third, according to Associated Press. Any vote for membership will likely be vetoed by the U.S.

    Abbas also went before the U.N. General Assembly and gave a “Fiery anti-Israel speech”, accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing, says Ynetnews.com. The speech was received with thunderous applause.

   Abbas said in his address:

    “Israel issues building permits to settlers so they can build in occupied Jerusalem, while it keeps confiscating lands in eastern Jerusalem and driving away Palestinians from their ancestral lands.”

    “Now, after the Arab springs emphasized their desire for liberty, it’s time for a Palestinian spring – the moment of independence. I do not believe that anyone with a shred of conscience can reject our application for a full membership in the United Nations and our admission as an independent state,”

    “Our people will continue their popular, peaceful resistance,” Abbas declared, slamming Israel’s settlement policy. “This settlement policy will destroy the chances of achieving a two-state solution and … threatens to undermine the structure of the Palestinian National Authority and even end its existence.”

   “Sixty-three years after the Nakba, I say enough, enough, enough,” Abbas said. “It’s time for the Palestinian people to get their liberty, and for the suffering of millions of Palestinian refugees to end.”

   Abbas said that the Palestinians “extend our hands to the Israeli government and the Israeli people.”

   Shortly before the meeting Abbas told 200 senior representatives of Palestinians in the U.S. that he would not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

    “They talk to us about the Jewish state, but I respond to them with a final answer: We shall not recognize a Jewish state,”  Abbas spat.

   Shortly after President Abbas’ speech Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly, according to the Weekly Standard.

   “Ladies and gentlemen, Israel has extended its hand in peace from the moment it was established 63 years ago. On behalf of Israel and the Jewish people, I extend that hand again today. I extend it to the people of Egypt and Jordan, with renewed friendship for neighbors with whom we have made peace. I extend it to the people of Turkey, with respect and good will. I extend it to the people of Libya and Tunisia, with admiration for those trying to build a democratic future. I extend it to the other peoples of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with whom we want to forge a new beginning. I extend it to the people of Syria, Lebanon and Iran, with awe at the courage of those fighting brutal repression.

   But most especially, I extend my hand to the Palestinian people, with whom we seek a just and lasting peace.”

   In his speech Netanyahu explained Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories as an act of self-defense.

   “Now the theory says it should all work out, and President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority now could build a peaceful state in Gaza. You can remember that the entire world applauded. They applauded our withdrawal as an act of great statesmanship. It was a bold act of peace.

But ladies and gentlemen, we didn’t get peace. We got war. We got Iran, which through its proxy Hamas promptly kicked out the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority collapsed in a day — in one day.

   President Abbas just said on this podium that the Palestinians are armed only with their hopes and dreams. Yeah, hopes, dreams and 10,000 missiles and Grad rockets supplied by Iran, not to mention the river of lethal weapons now flowing into Gaza from the Sinai, from Libya, and from elsewhere.

   Thousands of missiles have already rained down on our cities. So you might understand that, given all  this,Israelis rightly ask: What’s to prevent this from happening again in the West Bank? See, most of our major cities in the south of the country are within a few dozen kilometers from Gaza. But in the center of the country, opposite the West Bank, our cities are a few hundred meters or at most a few kilometers away from the edge of the West Bank.

   “So I want to ask you. Would any of you — would any of you bring danger so close to your cities, to your families? Would you act so recklessly with the lives of your citizens? Israel is prepared to have a Palestinian state in the West Bank, but we’re not prepared to have another Gaza there. And that’s why we need to have real security arrangements, which the Palestinians simply refuse to negotiate with us.”

   Associated Press also points out that any U.N. recognition won’t bring any changes to the current situation: Israel will still occupy the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. They also pointed out that any deliberations regarding Palestinian statehood and U.N. membership could take weeks or months.

   Tony Blair, Middle-east envoy for the U.S., E.U., U.N. and Russia said that Palestine’s U.N. bid must be followed-up by peace negotiations.

 “You can pass whatever resolution you like at the United Nations, or at the Security Council, and it doesn’t actually deliver you a state,” Blair told BBC Radio. “And if you don’t have a negotiation, whatever you do at the U.N. is going to be deeply confrontational.”

Tags: Palestine

SCC postion

By Jamie Bair, Reporter

Chris Herrara, the new safe campus Coordinator.

The new position of Safe Campus Coordinator, also known as the Security position, was filled on September 20, 2011. Colorado Northwestern’s Chris Herrera was selected to fulfill the job.

   Within this new position Herrera has become part of a larger team that is striving to create a safe environment on campus. The new position will consist of a variety of responsibilities ranging from keycards to parking, to legal documentation and judicial work throughout the campus.

   Herrera will be taking over some of the responsibilities that Chris Congemi and Leana Cox currently hold. Herrera will be in charge of creating and assisting students with keycards as well as creating student Ids. Herrera will also be in charge of legal paperwork that will help meet safe standards for the system. She will be dealing with parking and keeping a record of student files and incidences that occur. Herrera will also be working hand in hand with Residence Life.

   With all of these new responsibilities Herrera will no longer be in the bookstore nor the mailroom. Herrera has worked in the bookstore and mailroom since October of 2007. Currently they do not have anyone to take over Herrera’s old position, however they are working on finding someone to fill her shoes.

   Herrera commented that she felt like she needed to do something new and different.

   Herrera states “I am excited for the opportunity, it will be a challenge but I am looking forward to it”. She is sad to leave the bookstore but is looking forward to a different scenery. Herrera is also looking forward to getting out more and working closer with the students.

   Herrera will be fulfilling her new position of the Safe Campus Coordinator in a couple of weeks.

   Congratulations to Chris Herrera for her new job position as CNCC’s Safe Campus Coordinator

Tags: Safe Campus Coordinator, SSC

NBA lockout

By Carvel Clagget, Reporter

   The NBA will announce the postponement of training camps and cancellation of the first two weeks of preseason games after another lengthy negotiating session on Thursday failed to result in any meaningful progress, according to a YAHOO! Sports report.     

   The NBA lockout is solely due to a labor dispute between the NBA and its players, issues range from salary cap all the way to the drug testing policy. “The calendar is obviously not our friend, but we’re not going to give up on the process because of the time,” union president Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers said.

   NBA players have began accepting overseas basketball contracts to insure a steady income for the upcoming basketball season. As of September 23, 2011, superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant has several multimillion dollar offers to compete in overseas basketball leagues like Italy and Turkey.

   “We’re trying to figure out ways to come together,” Fisher said. “Hopefully we’ll get another opportunity next week to continue to try and figure this thing out. We’re committed to this process.”

Tags: NBA Lockout

Athlete of the week: Alexana Rotunda

By Bryanna McFadden, Reporter

Alexana Rotunda. Photo by Breanna McFadden.

Congratulations to, Alexana Rotunda, a sophomore at Colorado Northwestern Community College for receiving athlete of the week!

    Nineteen years old and from Colorado Springs; Rotunda is the Spartan Volleyball girls’ 5’5” defensive player.  She has been playing volleyball for eight years and is planning to continue to a four year college and follow her goal to play in the AVP Beach Tournament.

  She has been awarded MVP in high school along with two gold medals in doubles beach volleyball.  Knowing this and Rotunda’s motivation that she can go places with her playing, she keeps on the path to complete her goal. She usually trains four to five hours per day with heavy skill training, drills and polymeric workouts.

    This is Rotunda’s second year playing in college ball, her advice to all of the aspiring athletes who would like to participate is a college sport she says, “Don’t settle for anything, keep pushing yourself to improve, each time you step out on the court play for a purpose, practice for a reason,” as she does this herself, she is doing well at her game.

   Eight years ago Rotunda, started watching Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Trenur with their beach volleyball Olympics and she said right then she was hooked.

   Besides playing volleyball, Rotunda is attending Colorado Northwestern to receive her associates of science degree and transfer to a university to study nursing.  She also loves being outside and keeping active.  She enjoys wakeboarding and camping as well as cooking.

   As her motivational quote; “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will” –Vince Lombardi.  She always keeps this in mind, and is striving for achievement and a strong future in volleyball.

Tags: AOTW, athlete of the week

Ask Ashley

By Ashley Blake, Reporter

Ashley Blake. Photo courtesy of Facebook.

Q: What do you think about the parking situation at CNCC Rangely?

A: It is like they will give anyone a driver’s license these days! Also, if you have an expensive vehicle that you just have to take up two parking spaces or park at ridiculous angles just to avoid getting door slammed you should park nowhere near the main entrance of buildings.

Q: Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coca Cola?

A: Well, right. Pepsi is sweeter. Coca Cola has a more crisp taste. I prefer Coca Cola.

Tags: Ask Ashley

Fall 2011 album must haves!

Compiled by Alex Mackey, Layout/Design Editor

9/27 Machine Head – Unto the Locust

10/11 Five Finger Death Punch – American Capitalist › Continue reading

Tags: Albums, music

Constitution word search!

First Ten Constitutional Ammendments
Number of original states
Name of the Hall that was used for the signing of the Declaration that declared our freedom
Branch of Government that writes the laws
Branch of government that enforces the laws
Branch of government that interprets the laws
Commander in Chief
To change a law
September 17th, _____ Day

Tags: Constitution Day, Puzzle, Word Search

Constitution Day

September 17th is Constitution day, in honor of this here are 10 facts you may or may not know about the Constitution:

1.     The U.S. Constitution was written in the same Pennsylvania State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Continental Army. Now called Independence Hall, the building still stands today on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, directly across from the National Constitution Center. › Continue reading

Tags: Constitution Day, Holiday

Student senate electees

By Levi Cordova, Reporter

   Elections for student senate were held during the Fun Fact Fitness Fair on August 31st for the Fall semester offices. The newly elected officers are Vice President Ashley Blake, freshmen representatives are Emoney Brown and Sharayah Bachler. The sophomore representatives are Jaynelle Johnson and Jessica Madsen, and the off campus representative is Aleksei Sharp.

    ”My number one plan right now is to see what is needed to have a better unification with the town of Rangely and its neighboring college.” states Sharp. Sharp also adds that he would like to see more of a community being built, a relationship that will teach students about service and great moral values. “Im honored to be part of the student senate body.” Sharp stated. “When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.” stated Sharp.

   “Everyone wants to bring unity and Student Senate involvement to both campus as well as the town of Rangely.” President Mathew Steele stated.

   They are currently in the process of renovating the Bronco room into a student lounge, coffee bar, and smoothie bar. It will also include a pool table, a projector for movies, couches, a video game room, and a quite study room.

   “I am extremely excited about the group that we have this year. We all seem to be on the same page as far as our goals and desires for the year.” stated Steele.
If you have any concerns or you want to get your voice heard, your best bet would be to join Student Senate. Or talk to someone who is on SS.

Tags: Student Senate