AMITY- A third victim was attacked by a shark during this past Fourth of July holiday. The victim is James Parks, 30, of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.
Parks was on his boat in a pond connected to the main beach when the shark attacked. Another sailboat full of three young boys, including Chief of Police Martin P. Brody’s son, were also knocked off into the water. The three boys got out safely, but Michael Brody was in shock and taken to the hospital.
The police department has ordered that all beaches remain closed until further notice. Residents are urged to take extreme caution and report any incidents to the police or Coast Guard.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
July 4 Celebrations Come to an End
AMITY- The beaches re-opened for the holiday after local fishermen caught a 16-foot shark believed to be responsible for two previous deaths.
With the tragic deaths of 16-year-old Wendy Watson and 10-year-old Alex Ferguson this past week, the town has been on edge about a vicious predator in the waters.
The fishermen responsible for the capture of the shark wish to remain unnamed, but they will be receiving the $3,000 reward. Matt Hooper a marine biologist from the Woods Hold Oceanographic Institute was brought in to accurately identify the predator as a nurse shark.
"I am pleased to say we have caught a large predator,” said Mayor Bob Farley at an interview at the beach.
Amity was once again brought alive by tourists and locals flooding to the famed beaches. The atmosphere was peaceful as boat loads of families filed on to the island.
The beach was covered with families, yet there was no one swimming in the water. With encouragement from Mayor Farley a family of four ventured into the waters. Following shortly after everyone from kids to adults piled in.
While the turnout pleased Mayor Farley, Chief of Police Martin P. Brody was still cautious about the waters.
Chief Brody announced in a press release that armed shark spotters will continue to patrol the waters off the beach. Hooper will be out on one of the boats along with coast guard and policemen. If there are any shark sightings the necessary precautions will be taken.
The boats and a circling helicopter kept a close watch on the waters as people swam around.
Everything seemed to be under control until a “fin” was spotted in the water. Panic ensued the lifeguards blew their whistles, and people were racing to get out of the water.
Young children and the elderly were trampled over as panicked vacationers piled back on to the safe beaches.
The gunmen in the boats quickly drove to the sighting, while Chief Brody tried to calm the panic.
It was discovered that the “fin” was a prank pulled off by two young boys swimming deep out in the waters.
The two young boys are Timmy Twamble and Johnny Faker of Worcester, Massachusetts. Police also reported that their parents made the fins and videotaped the prank. No charges have been filed yet.
Even with this discovery the damage was done. The July 4 celebrations quickly came to an end at Amity.
With the tragic deaths of 16-year-old Wendy Watson and 10-year-old Alex Ferguson this past week, the town has been on edge about a vicious predator in the waters.
The fishermen responsible for the capture of the shark wish to remain unnamed, but they will be receiving the $3,000 reward. Matt Hooper a marine biologist from the Woods Hold Oceanographic Institute was brought in to accurately identify the predator as a nurse shark.
"I am pleased to say we have caught a large predator,” said Mayor Bob Farley at an interview at the beach.
Amity was once again brought alive by tourists and locals flooding to the famed beaches. The atmosphere was peaceful as boat loads of families filed on to the island.
The beach was covered with families, yet there was no one swimming in the water. With encouragement from Mayor Farley a family of four ventured into the waters. Following shortly after everyone from kids to adults piled in.
While the turnout pleased Mayor Farley, Chief of Police Martin P. Brody was still cautious about the waters.
Chief Brody announced in a press release that armed shark spotters will continue to patrol the waters off the beach. Hooper will be out on one of the boats along with coast guard and policemen. If there are any shark sightings the necessary precautions will be taken.
The boats and a circling helicopter kept a close watch on the waters as people swam around.
Everything seemed to be under control until a “fin” was spotted in the water. Panic ensued the lifeguards blew their whistles, and people were racing to get out of the water.
Young children and the elderly were trampled over as panicked vacationers piled back on to the safe beaches.
The gunmen in the boats quickly drove to the sighting, while Chief Brody tried to calm the panic.
It was discovered that the “fin” was a prank pulled off by two young boys swimming deep out in the waters.
The two young boys are Timmy Twamble and Johnny Faker of Worcester, Massachusetts. Police also reported that their parents made the fins and videotaped the prank. No charges have been filed yet.
Even with this discovery the damage was done. The July 4 celebrations quickly came to an end at Amity.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Amity Beaches Closed
AMITY, MA- A press conference was held today at Town Hall with Amity Mayor Bob Farley, Chief of Police Martin P. Brody, and the Amity Board of Selectmen to discuss the future of Amity’s beaches on July 3.
“We are going to put on extra summer deputies and shark spotters,” said Brody. “Yes we are going to close the beaches.”
This decision came after a possible shark attack that killed 10-year-old Alex Ferguson of Amity at Village Beach earlier in the day.
Ferguson’s body has not been recovered, but his damaged raft floated on shore. This attack follows the possible shark attack of a young teenage girl the previous day.
Citizens of the town piled into the room to hear what Brody and Mayor Farley had to say about the incidences.
Brody announced that they plan on closing the beaches and bringing in a specialist to determine what is really happening with the attacks. Mayor Farley quickly told the unsettled crowd that they will only close the beaches for 24 hours.
“Twenty-four hours is like three weeks,” said an angry citizen.
While the investigation into the exact cause of death has not been verified as a shark, Brody wants to take every precaution to keep the town safe.
“Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city,” said Brody.
As the meeting was coming to a close fishermen and citizen of Amity Ben Quint offered to catch the shark.
Marian Ferguson, mother of Alex Ferguson, had offered up a bounty of $3,000 to whoever catches the shark. Quint offered to do it but for $10,000.
Quint reiterated the fear of loss of money by closing down the beaches when he warned everyone that they would be on welfare all winter if they do not catch the
shark.
Brody told the town that the investigation is still ongoing at this time.
“We are going to put on extra summer deputies and shark spotters,” said Brody. “Yes we are going to close the beaches.”
This decision came after a possible shark attack that killed 10-year-old Alex Ferguson of Amity at Village Beach earlier in the day.
Ferguson’s body has not been recovered, but his damaged raft floated on shore. This attack follows the possible shark attack of a young teenage girl the previous day.
Citizens of the town piled into the room to hear what Brody and Mayor Farley had to say about the incidences.
Brody announced that they plan on closing the beaches and bringing in a specialist to determine what is really happening with the attacks. Mayor Farley quickly told the unsettled crowd that they will only close the beaches for 24 hours.
“Twenty-four hours is like three weeks,” said an angry citizen.
While the investigation into the exact cause of death has not been verified as a shark, Brody wants to take every precaution to keep the town safe.
“Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city,” said Brody.
As the meeting was coming to a close fishermen and citizen of Amity Ben Quint offered to catch the shark.
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Marian Ferguson, mother of Alex Ferguson, had offered up a bounty of $3,000 to whoever catches the shark. Quint offered to do it but for $10,000.
Quint reiterated the fear of loss of money by closing down the beaches when he warned everyone that they would be on welfare all winter if they do not catch the
shark.
Brody told the town that the investigation is still ongoing at this time.
Missing Girl's Body Discovered on Beach
AMITY, MA- The Amity Police Department discovered the body of a missing teenage girl on South Beach on July 1.
The girl is 16-year-old Wendy W. Watson of Amity. She was last seen alive leaving a beach party with an unidentified male at 11 p.m.
Witnesses at the party say that the two had been drinking. Her male companion told police that Watson decided to go skinny-dipping in the water. When she did not come out he phoned the police at 3 a.m.
A brief search took place early this morning, when a deputy found Watson’s mangled body on the beach.
The cause of death is still unknown, and Watson’s body has been sent to the coroner’s office for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case at this point.
“Though a shark attack has not been completely ruled out,” said Chief of Police Martin P. Brody. “We want to assure all residents and visitors on our fine island that they are in no danger.”
Brody has confirmed that beaches in the area will stay open until further notice.
The girl is 16-year-old Wendy W. Watson of Amity. She was last seen alive leaving a beach party with an unidentified male at 11 p.m.
Witnesses at the party say that the two had been drinking. Her male companion told police that Watson decided to go skinny-dipping in the water. When she did not come out he phoned the police at 3 a.m.
A brief search took place early this morning, when a deputy found Watson’s mangled body on the beach.
The cause of death is still unknown, and Watson’s body has been sent to the coroner’s office for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case at this point.
“Though a shark attack has not been completely ruled out,” said Chief of Police Martin P. Brody. “We want to assure all residents and visitors on our fine island that they are in no danger.”
Brody has confirmed that beaches in the area will stay open until further notice.
Monday, November 24, 2008
11/24 Blog
The Story Behind the Cover Story: Angelina Jolie and Her Image, was one of the cover stories on Friday’s issue of the New York Times. I found it to be interesting that a story about how the actress Angelina Jolie maneuvers her publicity would garner a spot on the front page of a leading newspaper. It goes to show that the public is very interested in the lives of celebrities in today’s time.
The lead to this story got right to the point. It told the reader exactly why Jolie deserved this much attention. I felt thought that the lead could have gone more into exactly what the story is about. It just gives a little background information about how much money they received from cover pictures of their newborn twins. The main issue of the story is how Jolie manipulates articles and cover stories about herself and her family in the positive light. I feel that the lead should have focused more on this part, and that they could have given exact facts in the following one or two paragraphs.
The beginning of this article discusses how People magazine was the fist magazine to show pictures of Jolie and Brad Pitt’s baby twins. It spent quite some time on this, and does not really delve into Jolie’s style of publicity until farther into the article. I feel that the story should have started off more towards the beginning with how Jolie works with different publication outlets when they do a cove story on her.
The end of the article goes more in depth about Jolie’s charity work. This has become a very important aspect of her life, and the public associates her with her charity work now. The article explains how the money that Pitt and Jolie received from baby pictures with some of their children goes directly to their charity foundations. The article also paints a picture of a younger Jolie, and how that image contrasts with the one she has created for herself now.
The article does exactly what the subject matter is discussing. The story explains how Jolie manipulates her image in magazines in a positive light, and this article does shine a positive light on Jolie. Even without her input (Jolie refused to comment) she is shown as a smart woman who is very generous with her charity work.
The lead to this story got right to the point. It told the reader exactly why Jolie deserved this much attention. I felt thought that the lead could have gone more into exactly what the story is about. It just gives a little background information about how much money they received from cover pictures of their newborn twins. The main issue of the story is how Jolie manipulates articles and cover stories about herself and her family in the positive light. I feel that the lead should have focused more on this part, and that they could have given exact facts in the following one or two paragraphs.
The beginning of this article discusses how People magazine was the fist magazine to show pictures of Jolie and Brad Pitt’s baby twins. It spent quite some time on this, and does not really delve into Jolie’s style of publicity until farther into the article. I feel that the story should have started off more towards the beginning with how Jolie works with different publication outlets when they do a cove story on her.
The end of the article goes more in depth about Jolie’s charity work. This has become a very important aspect of her life, and the public associates her with her charity work now. The article explains how the money that Pitt and Jolie received from baby pictures with some of their children goes directly to their charity foundations. The article also paints a picture of a younger Jolie, and how that image contrasts with the one she has created for herself now.
The article does exactly what the subject matter is discussing. The story explains how Jolie manipulates her image in magazines in a positive light, and this article does shine a positive light on Jolie. Even without her input (Jolie refused to comment) she is shown as a smart woman who is very generous with her charity work.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Killings May be Clue to Heroin Operation
NEW YORK CITY- A shooting broke out on Sunday afternoon between a suspected assassin, Pierre Jeantot and New York City Police Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. Doyle shot and killed Jeantot after a chase through the city.
Doyle was walking through the park when Jeantot, on top of a nearby roof, shot several shots. In Jeantot’s attempt to assassinate Doyle he shot Betty B. Badluck, 63, of the Bronx as she was walking her granddaughter.
Doyle ran into the building where the Jeantot was, but found only his gun and empty shell casings on the rooftop. As Doyle looked over the side of the building he saw the assassin running away.
Doyle quickly followed Jeantot to the 35th St. Station. As he climbed on to the platform the shooter was nowhere to be seen. Jeantot had managed to get to the opposite platform and boarded the passing train.
The following sequence of events was a high speed and dangerous chase between Doyle and the train. Doyle sped through the streets of New York City in a commandeered car, hitting two cars in the process, while in hot pursuit of the train with Jeantot on it.
While on the train Jeantot shot Roland Evans, 34, a cop from Brooklyn and the conductor Horatio C. Hornblower, 30, of White Plains for trying to stop him. Jeantot also held the trainman Peter Howe, 27, of Queens at gun pint, ordering him to not stop the train. Howe had a heart attack at the controls.
The train stopped suddenly causing Jeantot to lose his gun. He then climbed out of the train on to the tracks.
Doyle met Jeantot at the stairs leading to the platform when he shot Jeantot for trying to escape. Jeantot was shot once in the back.
The scene stems from a heroin investigation that Doyle and his partner Buddy “Cloudy” Russo have been investigating.
According to Homeland Security records, Jeantot entered the country on November 4 from Paris, France. The police suspect that he was associated with a local crime syndicate that is laying down plans for a major heroin shipment from France to New York City. The other men involved in the plan are being sought out.
Police believe that Jeantot was sent to assassinate Doyle for leading the investigation.
Doyle’s use of deadly force was justified under the circumstances. Jeantot had tried to kill Doyle multiple times while on the rooftop.
“We would have preferred to see Jeantot prosecuted in the courts,” said Ruth L. Ess, the New York City Police commissioner. “we believe Doyle was close to a breakthrough in the case.”
It is unfortunate that so many innocent bystanders were harmed in the process of the chase said Ess. Detectives Doyle and Russo are in pursuit for fellow conspirators regarding the heroin shipment.
“We commend Detective Doyle for his bravery and quick thinking. We will continue a vigorous and thorough investigation into what appears to be a major smuggling operation,” said Ess.
Doyle was walking through the park when Jeantot, on top of a nearby roof, shot several shots. In Jeantot’s attempt to assassinate Doyle he shot Betty B. Badluck, 63, of the Bronx as she was walking her granddaughter.
Doyle ran into the building where the Jeantot was, but found only his gun and empty shell casings on the rooftop. As Doyle looked over the side of the building he saw the assassin running away.
Doyle quickly followed Jeantot to the 35th St. Station. As he climbed on to the platform the shooter was nowhere to be seen. Jeantot had managed to get to the opposite platform and boarded the passing train.
The following sequence of events was a high speed and dangerous chase between Doyle and the train. Doyle sped through the streets of New York City in a commandeered car, hitting two cars in the process, while in hot pursuit of the train with Jeantot on it.
While on the train Jeantot shot Roland Evans, 34, a cop from Brooklyn and the conductor Horatio C. Hornblower, 30, of White Plains for trying to stop him. Jeantot also held the trainman Peter Howe, 27, of Queens at gun pint, ordering him to not stop the train. Howe had a heart attack at the controls.
The train stopped suddenly causing Jeantot to lose his gun. He then climbed out of the train on to the tracks.
Doyle met Jeantot at the stairs leading to the platform when he shot Jeantot for trying to escape. Jeantot was shot once in the back.
The scene stems from a heroin investigation that Doyle and his partner Buddy “Cloudy” Russo have been investigating.
According to Homeland Security records, Jeantot entered the country on November 4 from Paris, France. The police suspect that he was associated with a local crime syndicate that is laying down plans for a major heroin shipment from France to New York City. The other men involved in the plan are being sought out.
Police believe that Jeantot was sent to assassinate Doyle for leading the investigation.
Doyle’s use of deadly force was justified under the circumstances. Jeantot had tried to kill Doyle multiple times while on the rooftop.
“We would have preferred to see Jeantot prosecuted in the courts,” said Ruth L. Ess, the New York City Police commissioner. “we believe Doyle was close to a breakthrough in the case.”
It is unfortunate that so many innocent bystanders were harmed in the process of the chase said Ess. Detectives Doyle and Russo are in pursuit for fellow conspirators regarding the heroin shipment.
“We commend Detective Doyle for his bravery and quick thinking. We will continue a vigorous and thorough investigation into what appears to be a major smuggling operation,” said Ess.
Monday, November 17, 2008
11/17 Blog
Amid Brickbats From China’s Government, Tibetans Will Ponder a New Strategy deals with the issues between China and Tibet. The lead sets a powerful scene, “As the flames on anti-Chinese riots and protests engulfed many Tibetan areas of western China last spring, soldiers send to the towns and villages of the deep river valleys around here encountered nothing but silence.” This lead effectively sets the scene and the feel for the situation between Tibet and China.
The article deals with the Dalai Lama’s goal of Tibet’s autonomy from China in a peaceful manner. This has become difficult because China is refusing to cooperate. There are some groups forming in Tibet that want a more radical approach to the issue.
The article is good at giving background to the current issue, but at times I felt myself getting a little confused. I think it would have been clearer if the article organized its background information more clearly, and defined certain things better.
The article’s main focus is a meeting that the Dalai Lama will hold in India regarding the matter. I felt that the article also did a great job at painting the scene in Tibet. The article states the many restrictions the Chinese government is putting on Tibet. The reader gets the feel that the article is very pro-Tibet and anti-China.
Overall the information was presently clearly. The one aspect I would change was the information regarding the history of the two countries.
The article deals with the Dalai Lama’s goal of Tibet’s autonomy from China in a peaceful manner. This has become difficult because China is refusing to cooperate. There are some groups forming in Tibet that want a more radical approach to the issue.
The article is good at giving background to the current issue, but at times I felt myself getting a little confused. I think it would have been clearer if the article organized its background information more clearly, and defined certain things better.
The article’s main focus is a meeting that the Dalai Lama will hold in India regarding the matter. I felt that the article also did a great job at painting the scene in Tibet. The article states the many restrictions the Chinese government is putting on Tibet. The reader gets the feel that the article is very pro-Tibet and anti-China.
Overall the information was presently clearly. The one aspect I would change was the information regarding the history of the two countries.
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