Towards the end of class I recall hearing a large magnitude of different wails and cries echoing their way through the windows. My curiosity was sparked, however classwork kept my head somewhere else. It was not until after rugby practice that my roommate informed me a WCSU student was hit by a car that night.
An article today describes the situation and stability of the victim. Apparently the 59 year old Waterbury resident was crossing the road when a fellow student, 17, failed to stop at the crosswalk, striking the pedestrian heavily enough to ricochet her off the windshield. Thankfully the woman is now in, "Fair condition," as The News Times quotes a Danbury Hospital representative.
The campus seems to be getting rather crowded, with more students this year arriving than ever before. Overpopulation on campus can result to more accidents like these and other possible conflicts. Traffic has increased a fair amount around school making parking andeven getting to a parking garage a much more difficult practice. Granted I am not aware of the amount or persons allowed or even if there are such regulations, but it definitely deserves some more looking into.
http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13410668?source=most_viewed
Friday, September 25, 2009
Auto Shop Speakeasy
An interesting story appeared in today's news involving an auto repair shop and a bar, the problem was they were the same place. The shop was a rented garage that was filled with anything but mechanical tools and repair equipment.
A citizen complaint sparked an investigation of the repair shop that led to its police raid. Multiple people were sitting at a bar enjoying their alcoholic beverages when the raid took place, seemingly having a good time.
Obviously the act was illegal considering there was selling of alcohol without a license, along with numerous hazards. The question I ask is what drove the owner of the "bar" to do everything illegally? The idea of the bar in an undercover repair shop reminds me of the speakeasies in basements and below businesses of the 1920's. Sure some paper work would be necessary, as well as a proper building, but it isn't an impossible feat. It even seems as if he already had a wide variety of customers considering about a dozen people were at the bar drinking.
Is this a reaction to overly expensive bar drinks or, a simple way deviated to make a couple extra bucks?
http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13413806?source=most_viewed
A citizen complaint sparked an investigation of the repair shop that led to its police raid. Multiple people were sitting at a bar enjoying their alcoholic beverages when the raid took place, seemingly having a good time.
Obviously the act was illegal considering there was selling of alcohol without a license, along with numerous hazards. The question I ask is what drove the owner of the "bar" to do everything illegally? The idea of the bar in an undercover repair shop reminds me of the speakeasies in basements and below businesses of the 1920's. Sure some paper work would be necessary, as well as a proper building, but it isn't an impossible feat. It even seems as if he already had a wide variety of customers considering about a dozen people were at the bar drinking.
Is this a reaction to overly expensive bar drinks or, a simple way deviated to make a couple extra bucks?
http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13413806?source=most_viewed
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
News Writing on Withering News Writing
As an adolescent, Paul Steinmetz was one, of surely many, California students aspiring to move forward and take the college route. With the usual family drive and expectations he attended a local community college to discover a News Writing course which changed his mindset around completely.
Eventually Steinmetz managed to transfer schools and graduate from San Francisco State. On the prowl looking for any available reporting positions he was willing to accept the midnight shift at a local news service. Steinmetz gradually climbed his way into the days lastly ending up in Connecticut holding a career with the Danbury News Times for 24 years as a reporter and later editor.
"Newspapers have not figured out how to make the transformation," Steinmetz said in reference to the national move to on-line news and reporting.
In previous years newspapers earned enormous amounts of profit-for-product unlike other businesses, for example grocery stores. When local grocery stores earned 3%-5% profit newspapers gained 20%-30% profit. The substantiality of profit being from local businesses, particularly car dealers. Before the time of the widely used internet there was no certain way to reach vast numbers of customers besides local papers.
With the presence of the internet businesses refer to websites of their own in order to contact the customer directly, and for a mere fraction of the price. With the drop in advertisements in the papers the major concern became in boosting the profit margin rather than the actual writing. Newspapers are cutting employees and enhancing the workload for an even more stressful environment.
Paul Steinmetz was fired after 24 years of dedication to the Danbury News Times, and is glad for the oppertunity it gave him at his current position of Director of University Relations with Western Connecticut State University.
Regarding the new news atmosphere Steinmetz advises the News Writing class that the first question to be asking is, "How am I going to get on-line?"
Eventually Steinmetz managed to transfer schools and graduate from San Francisco State. On the prowl looking for any available reporting positions he was willing to accept the midnight shift at a local news service. Steinmetz gradually climbed his way into the days lastly ending up in Connecticut holding a career with the Danbury News Times for 24 years as a reporter and later editor.
"Newspapers have not figured out how to make the transformation," Steinmetz said in reference to the national move to on-line news and reporting.
In previous years newspapers earned enormous amounts of profit-for-product unlike other businesses, for example grocery stores. When local grocery stores earned 3%-5% profit newspapers gained 20%-30% profit. The substantiality of profit being from local businesses, particularly car dealers. Before the time of the widely used internet there was no certain way to reach vast numbers of customers besides local papers.
With the presence of the internet businesses refer to websites of their own in order to contact the customer directly, and for a mere fraction of the price. With the drop in advertisements in the papers the major concern became in boosting the profit margin rather than the actual writing. Newspapers are cutting employees and enhancing the workload for an even more stressful environment.
Paul Steinmetz was fired after 24 years of dedication to the Danbury News Times, and is glad for the oppertunity it gave him at his current position of Director of University Relations with Western Connecticut State University.
Regarding the new news atmosphere Steinmetz advises the News Writing class that the first question to be asking is, "How am I going to get on-line?"
Sunday, September 13, 2009
"Eight Years After 9/11" -Michael Yon
The conflict of our generation belongs to the Middle-East, specifically Iraq and now Afghanistan. Michael Yon, provides vivid detail and spots his article with vibrant photography to capture the readers eye and allow more perception.
From Iraq, now moving to Afghanistan, the article captures the foot soldiers daily obstacles and dangers throughout each day overseas. A reflection of brutal, yet necesary, progression since the tragic day.
To be in the field risking his own neck each and every day Yon shows phenominal dedication to his country and Allies in order to spread the reality few are burdened discovering. More than the text, his pictures bring the reading to life.
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/eight-years-after-911.htm
From Iraq, now moving to Afghanistan, the article captures the foot soldiers daily obstacles and dangers throughout each day overseas. A reflection of brutal, yet necesary, progression since the tragic day.
To be in the field risking his own neck each and every day Yon shows phenominal dedication to his country and Allies in order to spread the reality few are burdened discovering. More than the text, his pictures bring the reading to life.
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/eight-years-after-911.htm
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Raising The Valley
As a heavily enthused reporter and writer Eugene Driscoll appeals as a very dedicated individual to his craft. Being one of only two people responsible for valleyindy.org his accomplishments pour from the pages posted throughout the website.
Driscoll expressed his concern for the current Newspaper industries, focusing on the lack of interest becoming more and more abundant as time draws on. Through printed newspapers funding and advertising, as well as profit, are the primary goal of the paper since it is a needed element in funding the business itself. Although, this advertisement disrupts the distribution of the real words trying to be delivered. Not to say all newspaper employees goal is to acquire profit, but it is an obvious requirment.
Through the internet, many expenses may be eliminated and a broader crowd may be reached. Driscoll highlights the importance to readers of local news over that of a larger scheme ranging from county to state. It is clear that a readers concerns are those that will directly effect his/her self and local community, Driscoll also, "Lives in the community they cover".
For one, just about every time I lay my hands on a local paper such as the Danbury News Times, my focus is mainly on events regarding the Danbury area rather than that of Newtown, New Milford or New Fairfield.
Referring to the actual neccessity of press is another matter. If all paper presses were to fall, which is a concern especially with the current econoomy, where would the "News" come from. Would it be right for government to directly deliver propaganda...sorry I mean news? The news would inevitably be biased and lack freedom of speech the people may offer.
The idea of an imediate news source from a local man determined to deliver the news to his fellow peers is a much more comforting thought.
Driscoll expressed his concern for the current Newspaper industries, focusing on the lack of interest becoming more and more abundant as time draws on. Through printed newspapers funding and advertising, as well as profit, are the primary goal of the paper since it is a needed element in funding the business itself. Although, this advertisement disrupts the distribution of the real words trying to be delivered. Not to say all newspaper employees goal is to acquire profit, but it is an obvious requirment.
Through the internet, many expenses may be eliminated and a broader crowd may be reached. Driscoll highlights the importance to readers of local news over that of a larger scheme ranging from county to state. It is clear that a readers concerns are those that will directly effect his/her self and local community, Driscoll also, "Lives in the community they cover".
For one, just about every time I lay my hands on a local paper such as the Danbury News Times, my focus is mainly on events regarding the Danbury area rather than that of Newtown, New Milford or New Fairfield.
Referring to the actual neccessity of press is another matter. If all paper presses were to fall, which is a concern especially with the current econoomy, where would the "News" come from. Would it be right for government to directly deliver propaganda...sorry I mean news? The news would inevitably be biased and lack freedom of speech the people may offer.
The idea of an imediate news source from a local man determined to deliver the news to his fellow peers is a much more comforting thought.
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