Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is a form of harassment. Many teens become targets as they become part of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and other websites. What exactly is cyber bullying? It is where one or more persons can send mean, vulgar, or insulting threats to another, posting sensitive or private information about another person, posing as someone else to make the victim look bad, and intentionally excluding someone on an online conversation. Only 58% of kids admit someone has said something hurtful to them or a friend. Cyber bullies can make someone feel so worthless inside and that no one cares. This kind of act can make someone commit suicide. This kind of violence needs to be stopped. If you or someone you know is being bullied, please call this number and receive help. 1-800-RUNAWAY.

 By Crystal Morse

NEW GUN CONTROL PLAN

            President Obama went to Minneapolis and talked to the police department on his battle to fight gun violence. His plan was to include background checks for all gun buyers, a renewal of assault weapons ban, and a new school safety and mental health programs. All guns can only have a total of 7 rounds, if the law passes.

             Obama also has called for stricter laws against gun trafficking, which is a measure that has broader support in Congress. “We don’t have to agree on everything, but it is time to agree, it’s time to do something,” Obama said. Now we'll just have to see if the law actually does pass on this new stricter gun control. If this law is to pass, the future for Independence High School looks like a safe environment to be in. 

           By Crystal Morse

Man Charged For Threat to Bomb Liberty Bell

An Arizona Collage Professor has been charged for threats of   having a bomb at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.

On January 26^th, 2013, 41 years old Carlos Balsas entered Liberty Bell center were he was stopped by a security officer who wanted to search Balsas backpacks. While the officer was searching the bags, Balsas stated, “I have explosives in there.” Balsas then left the scene. The Officer then notified Park Rangers and gave a physical description. Balsas was stopped by Park Rangers on Market Street where Balsas was uncooperative but was eventually arrested and taken into custody. Balsas backpacks were found nearby. Police shut down the 700 block of Market Street and then the bomb squad was called in. The backpacks were cleared for having no explosives in them.

Balsas’s bail was set at $250,000 and he has been scheduled for a court appearance on February 1^st. Balsas has been charged with terrorist threats, bomb threats, possessing an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment and related offenses. 

By Chauntae Franklin

Immigration Reform

The new immigration reform President Barrack Obama has might just succeed.  Obama said he would look into it in his first term, but failed to do so.  Now, with his re-election, Obama won 71% of the Hispanic vote while Mitt Romney only got 27%.  On January 29^th, Obama presented this new reform at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas.  Their student body is made up of 54% Hispanics. Obama said “If you are a citizen, you shouldn't have to wait years before your family is able to join you in America.”

Although the changes to the immigration laws are not yet decided, immigrants are already celebrating. We do know Obama is now taking action in the immigration law.  Will these changes help immigrants reunite with their families? We'll just have to wait to find out. 

                                                                                            

By Marco Martinez

Utah Jazz Worst Loss at Home

The Utah Jazz suffered their worst home loss on Jan. 28, 2013. They played the Houston Rockets. The Jazz were losing from the start. They never had the lead in the game. The whole active roster for Houston scored points. The Rockets top 3 scorers were Harden with 25, Morris a 2^nd year player with 16, and Delfino with 14. The Jazz lost by 45 at the end of all of this. After this game the Jazz notice that they still have a long way to go and to get better as a team. They will have to fix their defense because that’s were they were getting beat at. They had a pretty solid offense; it’s just that the Rockets had a good defense that night. The Jazz will just have to learn from this so it won’t happen again in Jazz history at home and also on the road.

-David Estrada

Confidence Quote

Lupita Guzman
01/08/13

Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place.
Have faith in your own abilities, work hard and
there is nothing you cannot accomplish.

Newtown Connecticut Shooting Family Update

Newtown Connecticut Shooting Family Update

Becky and Stephen Kowalski (parents of Chase Kowalski) have started a fund. The
family has set up the Chase Kowalski memorial fund. Becky said one of the plans is to build
a community center for the town of Newtown. The family doesn’t want to stop there. "If I
can get enough funding, I'd love to see one in every town in the United States,” Becky said.

The community of Newtown CT has made a fund for the families that lost children
and loved ones during the shooting. The Sandy Hook Family Fund is hoping to meet their
goal of $260,000.00 by January 30, 2013. Want to help make a donation? https://
www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/10076 This link will take you to were you need to go.

By: Lorena Gonzalez