Who is Paris Hilton?

So what Paris Hilton was arrested! What has the world come to? I for one don't give a damn what she ate for breakfast or what color the sheets on her bed are! Hell, she's a normal person like everyone else. If she were poor she would definetely not have gotten out of jail for "mental" reasons as quickly as she did. Also, if she were a famous black woman she wouldn't have gotten out as quickly either. However rich black people get breaks too (Lil' Kim). Any way, it really is money first not justice first. It's really sad that we try and say we have this just and equal society yet the rich can get away with murder if they wanted too. But honestly besides all that, who really cares about Paris Hilton being in jail. She's not some big time politician or anything. I mean what does she really do for society? What is her purpose or what does she contribute? Only thing she contributes is gossip and Hollywood drama. I'm sure we and the media can find more important things to talk about rather than, OMG Paris is in jail!

Judge says man accused of threatening the president is sane

Judge Orinda Evans struck the mental health evaluation for defendant David Cook when it was determined by a psychiatrist that he was competent. “My client doesn’t need help,” said Cooks attorney, Whitman Matthew Dodge, “He is mentally stable and we are asking the court to strike the mental health portion of the sentencing.” Judge Evans, who was appointed Chief District Judge in 1999, agreed with the Dodge based on the psychiatric evaluation stating that she once was “concerned that [Cook’s] mental state might contribute to him harming people,” but that she will now strike that from his record and sentencing. In 2006, the judge sentenced Cook to 22 months in federal prison, a $300 dollar fine, and three years supervised release. Cook has already served the prison term and his attorney assured the judge that the fine has already been paid as well. Cook told the judge that he is a good human being who has preached to and aided the homeless for over 30 years. “I’ve never had any problems with the law,” said Cook, “Ever since God has come into my life, I’ve been doing well.” Cook says he is a notarized prophet and heard God’s voice in his heart warning him about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He said after the attacks he found evidence that there was a conspiracy involved with incidents linking to the government. As evidence, Cook presented two DVDs, one showing the towers falling and the other, a PBS broadcast with a confession of a government official planning the Sept. 11 attacks. He sent this information that he had to the U.S. Marshall. “The next thing I know they showed up at my house to arrest me,” says Cook. Cook was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm and one count of assaulting a police officer. He claims, however, that he has a license to carry a concealed weapon since 1990. He was also charged with false address and making threats against the President. “I was in prison 583 days, 23 hours in a two man cell,” says Cook. He says he was exposed to various diseases and put through a mental health program. Cook believes the government wanted to start a war and that the planes did not cause the World Trade Center’s to collapse because jet fuel cannot get hot enough to melt steel. Cook says he was happy with the outcome of the judgment, although he believes he was done wrong by his government. He even went on to say that he believes that his lawyer was working on “their” side the whole time. “You still believe that?” commented Dodge in response to that state meant. Dodge refused to give any comment. An assistant to U.S. District Attorney, Angela Jordan said that Ms. Jordan believes that Mr. Cook is mentally stable and able to function alone, without mental supervision, in society. Cook and his attorney have 10 days to appeal the judge’s decision if they wish.

Ms. Shundrell Spann

It’s late in the evening for 22-year-old Georgia State student Shundrell Spann. Her hair is pulled back neatly into ponytail and she rocks back-and-forth in her computer chair as she takes notes in her journalism class. Spann is a senior this year and although this class is a requirement for her minor, she may still be able to use it in her future career. She hopes to one day become a host for a popular Hip Hop and R&B radio station. The only thing holding her back now is an essay she must write for an internship at Atlanta’s Hot 107.9. “I don’t know how to write it without sounding redundant” she says. She asks the teacher for advice.Spann’s dreams started back in her home town, Jackson, Miss. She loves her family and is the middle child of three. She moved to Atlanta to go to college and stays on campus at the Georgia State Commons. Although her family is only a six-hour drive away, Spann says she still misses them dearly. Spann gives credit for her success so far to her parents. She says they were the ones who truly inspired her saying “they remained a positive influence on me and helped guide me.” Spann even says that if she had $1 million dollars she would spend it on her family. She continues to visit her family often. “I only have Tuesday and Thursday classes,” she says, “So I can drive there and have four day weekends.” Back in Atlanta, Spann enjoys going to clubs, playing basketball, watching movies, and bowling. When she’s not at school or having fun you can find her working at Ladies’ Foot Locker®. She’s a sales associate there. Although Spann plans to continue living in Metro Atlanta, she says if she could live anywhere, she would definitely live in New York. “The environment,” she says is what truly attracts her to the major city. “It’s more fast-paces,” she adds, “which makes it different than Atlanta.” Excited about the presidential race, Spann says that she is hoping for Illinois Senator, Barrack Obama. “He’s well-educated,” she says and adds that she would love to see him as the “first Black president.” The thing Spann finds most interesting in the news today however, is the mysterious death of Actor Heath Ledger. “I just want to know how he died,” she says. She is very surprised by his death all together. Her favorite music is Hip Hop and R&B, which explains why she wants work at a Hip Hop and R&B radio station. The summer internship means a lot to her. She would like to accomplish that before graduating next Fall. Until then, Spann will continue working hard to achieve her goals which includes writing a 2-paged profile on a class member. She turns her chair to the side and displays a confused expression. She holds up her paper scribbled with notes and asks, “How do you get two pages out of this?”

The Westin Peachtree Plaza recovers from tornado damage

One of Atlanta’s beautys, the Westin Peachtree Plaza, was damaged during the tornado that hit the area on March 14. The 735-foot cylinder building is the tallest hotel in the city and one of the oldest. It has 73 floors and its outer structure is composed of glass held together by steel. It has long been seen as one of the romantic spots in Atlanta because of its beautiful revolving rooftop Sun Dial Restaurant.About 100 guest room windows were blown out by the storm causing the hotel to have to relocate some of its guests. There were no injuries reported but the glass, sundial elevator that runs on the side of the building was completely destroyed. Walking through the building you barely notice any changes. It’s flooded with people and small conventions. Everyone still seems to be smiling and enjoying the uniqueness of the hotel. As you get toward the back of the building however, you see tall metal construction railing wrapped in yellow tape reading “Caution”. White paper stretches up the poles as well, covering up damage and a flight of stairs. The hotel has set large poster boards asking people to continue pass certain points. Walking around you notice that there are freshly repaired windows indicated by the tools lying right beneath them.The tornado was a surprise to Westin employee Theodore Lucas. “It was wild,” he said with a look of shock on his face. Lucas is Top Flight Security at the hotel and was working the night the storm hit. “I was about to go across the street to get some McDonalds and a lady told me a tornado was about to hit,” he says, “I looked at her like she was crazy and said ‘Tornados don’t hit in Atlanta’ and went over to McDonalds.” Lucas laughs. He says he did notice the weather was bad but it simply looked like a lot of wind to him and therefore he didn’t take it serious. “When I got outside I realized that a tornado was coming,” he says, “So I ran back into the hotel right before they began locking the doors.” Lucas says he saw huge chunks of ice and glass was falling down. He said he couldn’t see the complete damage to the building until the next day and his reaction was simply “wow”. “I just couldn’t believe it,” he said, “I was wondering if we were going to close. I was just really uncertain about the future of the hotel and my job,” he added. Lucas says he was thankful that the hotel did manage to stay up and in business. He says that the hotel was only running at 25 percent for about four days after the storm, however the are now fully operational. Lucas says that most of the damage is glass damage so to prepare for reconstruction they are taking the first steps and boarding up windows. “I’ve heard it may take anywhere from one month to eight months,” says Lucas, “It depends on how quick we can order the glass and get crews out here to work on it.” He says that the hotel didn’t have an emergency plan for situations like this and that they still have not updated or made future plans on what to do during harsh storms. Mr. Lucas says he is just happy that he still has a job and the hotel is up and running. He says they have not yet released the total amount of damage caused, but he doesn’t think that it’s as bad as it looked before. “I love my job,” says Lucas, “But now I know tornados can hit downtown!”

Tornado strikes downtown Atlanta

A tornado ripped through downtown Atlanta on Friday, March 14, causing a lot of damage and shock. “I can’t imagine a tornado hitting downtown” says Amanda Corbitt. She was on her way to the downtown area but changed her mind when the weather looked bad. “I’m so glad I didn’t go down there,” she says, “I don’t know what I would have done.” The tornado reached speeds up to 130mph and was classified as an EF2 according the National Weather Service. The storm took a 6-mile path through the city, damaging many of its popular sites. The CNN Center, Georgia Dome, and Phillips Arena are just a few of the major buildings who suffered at the hands of the storm. Many windows were blown out of the Equitable Building and tall columns were knocked over at Centennial Olympic Park. Many hotels, such as the Omni and Westin Peachtree Plaza, had severe damage as well.So far no casualties have been reported and officials are encouraging citizens not to travel into the downtown area. The city has not yet given an estimated amount of damage.

Georgia State Students Want a New Menu

It’s 5p.m. and the cafeteria at Georgia State is overrun with rushing, busy students. Some stand back and glance over the menu as they try and decide exactly what it is they crave today. The choices, however, are limited to the sandwich deli, the philli cheese steak and burger spot, and the most popular, Chick-Fil-A. The dining area is loud and full of laughter and conversation of students relaxing while enjoying a meal. Dustin Ramsey sits at his table accompanied by his iPod. He opens his black Styrofoam container and reveals a delicious Chick-Fil-A grilled chicken sandwich. He pulls back the lettuce to add his own special sauces. Finally he takes a huge bite. He wipes the corner of his mouth with his napkin and then proceeds to lick each and every finger. “Subway,” says Ramsey, “I would like to see a subway on campus. Because everything here is already generated,” he adds as he points toward the cafeteria. Grad students April Ingalsbe and Orsolya Kolozsvari agree. “I would like to see a Subway,” says Ingalsbe, “Or even a Wendys. I just love their salad, that’s why.” The two had been sitting together conversing after enjoying what seemed to be Chick-Fil-A, indicated by the empty fry container. Kolozsvari adds that she would like to have a sit-in restaurant on campus. She says she would love to go to a place that serves, what she calls, “real food.” “This is fast food,” she says, “Everyone is always in a rush here, but it would be nice to have somewhere to sit like a real restaurant.” Student Emily Dewey sits alone with a burrito in one hand and flips through the pages of her text book with the other. She says she is satisfied with the campus food selection, however, she says she would like to see a Chipotles. “It’s like a Moes,” she says, “But better.” Dewey says it’s different from places already on campus. “I like it,” she says, “And it’s just what I prefer.”

Parents, Students, and Teachers Speak Up in Clayton County

Citizens of Clayton County are extremely upset and embarrassed by their school board. The board is under investigation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the investigation could lead to the Clayton County Schools losing their accreditation. This would mostly affect high school juniors set to graduate in 2009 and those students are the ones that are suffering.Erica Harris, a junior at Riverdale High School, expressed her anger about possibility of Clayton County Schools losing there accreditation. “I think it’s irresponsible of the three board members,” she says, “To cause 52 thousand students to suffer. It makes my high school career worthless. What can you do when you’re so close to graduation?” Harris says she doesn’t know what she would do if the county were to lose its accreditation because she says she would have to switch schools and doesn’t have the money to move. Clayton County came under investigation in December after citizens and board vice chair Rod Johnson filed a complaint with SACS. The complaint claimed that some of the board members acted unethically while serving their term. Interim Superintendant Gloria Duncan says that she will do all that she can to work with the board on this matter. In mean time students and parents are upset with the board. The investigation could possibly end in the county losing accreditation for the 2009 school year. This would mean that students set to graduation in 2009 would have trouble getting into colleges, transferring credits, or even receiving the Hope scholarship according to SACS. “I think it’s a shame and a disgrace that we have made the effort to clean up crime and improve the environment in Clayton County, but we can’t find a way to give our students the best possible education that we can offer,” says parent Ramona Clark, “The education and safety of our children should come first before anything.” Clark is a Youth Librarian and her son attends E.W. Oliver Elementary. Clark says she blames the board members and the former superintendant because she claims they don’t care about the students. She even suggests that the county and the board members turn to other counties who have been in this situation for help. “I am taking my child out of Clayton County Public Schools to a private school,” says Clark, “That way I’ll insure that my child receives an education from an accredited school.” She encourages other parents to go to school board meetings and try to keep our schools accredited. Janice Moore is the grandmother of four Clayton County students. Two of them graduate in the spring. “I think it’s an awful thing,” says Moore, “You can’t go to college. Education is based on accreditation. Who wants to accept a child from an unaccredited school?” She compares this situation to the Morris Brown College incident in which students were not able to graduate because the school loss its accreditation. This is the second time Clayton County has faced trouble with SACS and accreditation. “We’ve let them go too far,” says Moore, “The first time was a warning. Now it’s time for a change in leadership and we have to speak up to make those changes.” Moore claims the school board does not have its priorities in order and that they are “out of control”. “We, as parents and grandparents, are losing respect for them” she adds. Seventeen-year-old student Kelita Almond says she almost literally cried when she heard the news. “I knew, somewhat, to an extent what the situation was,” she says, “But when my teacher explained it to us in depth, I almost cried.” Almond says that the teachers and her parents are always pushing her so hard and she feels that all that could be wasted. “I would have to move,” Almond says, “And I just made all these new friends, grown to know my teachers and it would all be wasted.” She says she is also depending on the Hope Scholarship, along with other scholarships to go to college. Students and parents aren’t the only ones afraid for the future of the school system. Teachers are also concerned about the investigation. Sean Antonettie is a teacher at Riverdale High School and says that the loss of accreditation would be more detrimental toward the students than the teachers. He says people are reluctant to speak about it or give out information. “As for teachers there are many rumors but we don’t really know the truth,” says Antonettie, “I hear things about how it could effect future employment but know one knows, and that’s the worse part about it, know one knows.” “I’ve done all this work, staying up late studying,” says Almond, “And it’ll all be wasted.”