Westside Lance

Just like to say...

2011-09-04T23:40:00.000-07:00

I apparently still have the power to post on this blog. That's great.

Also, I changed my title from "Managing Editor" to "Wood Nymph." Just a heads up.

Love you, Lance! Let the legacy live on...

Love,

Mary

Bloody Noses, Bruises and Natural Gas

2010-05-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't know, Wednesday night was the Tech N9ne concert. It was a fun night down on 13th street at Sokol Auditorium, but there were some problems. There was a natural gas leak inside of Sokol, so everybody had to be evacuated, therefore the concert ended early. What a shame.

Oil Spill Recalculated

2010-05-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

So I was reading an article in the NY times about the estimations of the oil spill. And it said that the estimations were inaccurate and everyone is criticizing BP for their measurements. Okay? With this new information, the government can do what? There are no huge disadvantages to not know exactly how much oil was leaked. So can you please stop getting angry, and worry more about the actual problem at hand, the oil spill!

I LOVE My Yearbook!

2010-05-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

Kudos to everyone who worked on the yearbook...it looks really great! I especially like the "splotches" on the front and the theme of reality check. Awesome job and I'm definitely going to have fun looking at it!

Skutt boy is an inspiration!

2010-05-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

Omaha Skutt freshman is diagnosed with cancer...these stories always entice me. This boy is a freshman and made the varsity soccer team, which stands alone as a great accomplishment. From the way he talks about soccer you can tell it is his passion, and will be for the rest of his life.

The fact that he is fighting through cancer and continuing to live his dream is amazing. I have so much respect for people as passionate as him. He truly is an inspiration.

I wish Skutt all the best at State!

Tom White

2010-05-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

Democrat Tom White won the democratic primary Tuesday and looks to take down Lee Terry, who is seeking his seventh term, in the fall. Let's go Tom!

PinPoint

2010-05-12T06:12:00.000-07:00

There's a new discount card in town. It's call the PinPoint Card and what it does is takes care of debit payments, discounts and loyalty points. A loyalty point is tallied for each dollar spent. After a costumer is awarded with a large amount of loyalty points, they can receive coupons to the retail stores. These retail stores include small businesses within the city.

Why not get this? It not only lightens your wallet, you'll get rewards along with it!

Dear Mother Nature,

2010-05-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

It is May. If you look at a calendar, it will say May 12. Do you know what that means? It means right now the season is spring. A time known for its warmth and beauty. If you look outside right now, it is neither warm nor beautiful. It is, however, raining. And while rain is alright for spring, 46 degrees is not. I would like to make a formal request for 70 degree weather. That is all.

Thanks,

Allie

Voting

2010-05-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

I voted today. So yeah, its good to get your voice heard. Honestly, more people should vote. I read a statistic that said that only 15% of registered voters will vote today. What a shame.

-Ian

Today is Voting Day

2010-05-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

Today is voting day! I saw the people on 9oth and Pacific (if I have my streets correct) holding Scott Hazelrigg signs. Voting is good so people should definitely go and do that today! Also, kudos to Grace for her awesome quote in the World Herald!

Alex Gordon

2010-05-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

Alex Gordon, the former first round pick of the Kansas City Royals organization and third baseman for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, has been demoted (again) and this time sent to the outfield. This comes after the first season with a fielding percentage under 90%. The real cause is obvious since he has been demoted before for his terrible batting and this year is no exception since he was batting "below the Mendoza Line" (.200) for the third straight year.

Charlie Ziegenbein Sports Editor

Immigration

2010-05-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

According to New York Times, in 2008, the amount of illegal immigrants outnumbered legal immigrants. It hasn't been this bad since the 1920's. In AZ, if any police believes one is suspicious, they may ask for legal documents. This is not official until July 29, 2010.

Dinosaurs Linked to Birds (FO SHO)

2010-05-11T06:27:00.001-07:00

Scientists at Stanford have chemically linked dinosaurs to birds with x-ray technology. Although it has been highly speculated that dinosaurs and birds are related, the experiment, involving a high-energy X-ray beamed at a species known as Archaeopteryx (often cited as the missing link between dinosaurs and birds, and also the first feathered animal) identified key chemicals within the creatures bones, wings, and most excitingly soft-tissue.

I know this has been highly debated in the Lance staff, and is a controversial issue, but not at least we know without a doubt, that dinosaurs and birds are family.

Graphics Editor- Julius Fredrick

Perfection

2010-05-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

Congrats Jahan Claies, Matthew Deveney, Zachary Christensen, Thomas Gilgenast, Anna Heffron, Grace Lyden, Zion Schell, Elizabeth Thoresnsen, and Nick Ryan for their perfect scores on the ACT, SAT or both. Way to beat the system!

Horse mauled by cougar

2010-05-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

A Sidney, Iowa local was reportedly mauled by a cougar yesterday. "I was just grazing in the pasture, when all of a sudden this very rude cougar leaps upon my haunches and tried eating me," said the 2-year-old quarter horse mare. "Naturally I was upset." Despite sustaining cuts and scrapes, the horse, who we'll call Cincinnati, is in stable condition. The cougar was unavailable for comment.

Sam Raybine

Yay Grace!

2010-05-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our own Lance Staff member GRACE LYDEN! Your amazing!! We are so lucky to have you on staff!

marijuana

2010-05-11T06:22:00.001-07:00

Nebraska is finally considering the legalization of medical marijuana. A meeting will be held May 22-25 in Anaheim, California. Diana Wulf, the spokeswoman of the Nebraska group H.E.M.P (Helping End Marijuana Prohibition), and the rest of the group plans to attend the meeting to learn more about medical benefits of marijuana. Woot.

Poor Tiger

2010-05-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

He's been having a super rough time lately. He withdrew this weekend due to injury, and he hasn't found his swing ever since his infamous "cheating scandal." Hopefully Tiger pulls it together sometime this year.

Keyboard and Topknots

2010-05-10T10:39:00.001-07:00

I don't really have much to say other than I got a new keyboard for my laptop and it feels really weird typing on it. Also, that article about topknots (a type of hairdo) in the Living section was kind of interesting. Sometimes, I wear my hair in a bun but definitely not that high, so it probably doesn't count as a legitimate "samurai topknot".

900

2010-05-10T10:37:00.001-07:00

Omaha has one of the largest populations of Somali Bantus. They first began arriving in 2003 covered from head to toe in colorful headscarves/dresses or hijabs. This African ethnic group has come to the U.S. for better job opportunities, and to learn English, but they have much to sacrifice, including the alteration of their hijabs.

Just a thought...

2010-05-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

This isn't really about any news, but it was mothers day yesterday and I was wondering to myself if a teen girl is pregnant, do they receive gifts, or anything for that matter, on mothers day? Just curious.

Sam Raybine

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

2010-05-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

The seniors last Monday is drizzly and wet. As I sat in the drafty auditorium taking my Chemistry final I wondered what the next three weeks would hold. Once the seniors are out there is hardly any class left, and for some classes hardly any students. One sohpomore in chemistry will be in a class of one come next week. Still the learning continues, accumulating in a chapter test during the finals period. This begs the question, is the material we are going to cover in the last weeks just not important enough to appear on the final? Wouldn't that time be better spent at other endeavors? If a class has its final early, and its student body drained, I vote classes be converted into open mods so students can use their time wisely.

Runaway Run

2010-05-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

I am a long distance runner. Although I don't do it competitively I absolutely love running outdoors, with my ipod in hand of course. I love the change of scenery and the change in terrain. It's not something you can get in a gym. So, I am loving this runaway run. I wish I would have known about it and I would have been there in a heartbeat. I love finding new trails and places to run that make my jog somewhat more exciting, and pushes me to go further. And what is more unique than running through offutt air force base!

Next year, I am so there!

Potholes

2010-05-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

It's almost the middle of May and we still have potholes. This is overly frustrating and just ridiculous! They have overstayed their welcome on our Omaha streets and I believe something should be done about them.

Julie Dworak, News Editor

UN Day Was Not Even Worth It

2010-05-07T15:06:00.001-07:00

Seriously, UN Day is sort of a waste of time. No one really gets anything accomplished and it's basically a whole bunch of teenagers waving their signs in the air, hoping to get called on just so that they can get a good grade. This day would be a lot better if (somehow) smaller groups of people were used - this way people would actually discuss issues instead of not really caring about what is even going on. For instance, someone wanted to amend a resolution so that the British pay the United States because the British caused the Revolutionary War. Funny, yes, but totally irrelevant!

Klitz Saves Life

2010-05-07T07:08:00.001-07:00

I'm proud of the UNL student Cameron Klitz for saving a man. But she needs to wear less eye liner. Somebody please get this girl some eye makeup remover.

Shelby Pieper

we're all Neanderthals

2010-05-07T07:08:00.000-07:00

Researchers have discovered that most humans today contain a small amount of Neanderthal DNA. The first humans left Africa 80,000 years ago and came across Neanderthal settlements in the Middle East. The reason humans today have some Neanderthal DNA in them was because of this crossing 80,000 years ago. In a G-rated explanation, they made love not war.

MR. HOWE?!

2010-05-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

Mr. Howe's twin is on the front page of the OWH.

Just kidding.

But seriously, they look the same.

And Charlie's last name is spelled incorrectly in the sports section.

Powering Campus

2010-05-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Creighton University is soon to go solar! I think that is awesome because the environment is obviously a huge issue for the future. By taking the initiative to go solar, Creighton will be able to power three of its main buildings. The university will also be the largest producer of solar power in Nebraska. Hopefully, other universities will follow suit and develop programs like Creighton's!

Voting Low

2010-05-05T06:08:00.002-07:00

In the days when everyone has something to say about government it is amazing that so few exercise their voice. Voting the the most powerful weapon of democracy, and lately it has been neglecteed. So, register voters of Omaha, make sure you get to the primary elections, because every ballot in every race counts.

Second day of silence

2010-05-05T06:08:00.001-07:00

This is so weird. I am sitting in class and it's extremely quiet. I miss the seniors! I don't know what I will do when they actually leave. Stay at Westside forever! Please...

Shroom Supervisor

2010-05-05T06:07:00.000-07:00

In Iowa new experts have been put in place to watch the safety of mushroom hunters. If you are not sure that your mushroom is edible take it to the shroom supervisors. Way to be Iowa!

Julie Dworak, News Editor

2010-05-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

A Pakistani-American was charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He had sold his Nissan Pathfinder to a women. Inside the pathfinder was a large amount of propane, gasoline, fertilizer and fireworks. The Pathfinder was parked at Times Square, but no one was hurt.

Treasure!!

2010-05-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

Aye, ye scurvy bilge cows! Hoist the Johnny Deer! We set tractor at dawn! A mysterious treasure lies in the rolling farmland of southeast Nebraska. We seek the rare metal niobium har har har!! With the jet engines and laptops made from our treasure, we'll be the most technologically advanced prairie-pirates in the world!ARGH!!!

Graphics Editor- Julius Fredrick

Low voter turnout

2010-05-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

According to the Omaha World Herald, record low voter turnout is expected for this primary. I can't vote yet, but for all who don't take the time to, the old adage applies; If you don't vote you can't complain.

Sam

George Loomis

2010-05-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

Dr. George Loomis passed away Friday after a long illness. He was 86. We all remember when Loomis graduated in 1952. We were all there when Loomis founded Internal Medicine Associates of Omaha. We will miss you Loomis.

Where is All the Violence Coming From?

2010-05-04T06:30:00.001-07:00

WHERE is all of the recent violence in Omaha coming from? Is this normal for a city of Omaha's size? Hopefully, the violence is stopped soon so that Omaha's residents do not feel threatened! We don't want Omaha ending up on the most dangerous cities in the world list! Although, I doubt that would ever happen. Anyway, Omaha needs to get this violence figured out SOON.

Grand Island Man Survives Impaling

2010-05-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

A Grand Island man was in stable condition this Monday after he fell from his roof and impaled himself on a floor lamp. He had a one and a half inch wide pipe jutting from the pelvic area to the lower abdomen. The man, Edwin Henriquez, fell through a hole in the roof and inconveniently landed upon a decorative lamp in the corner. Tough break Edwin.

Sam Raybine

mower runs over boy

2010-05-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

machines always have the possibility of causing massive bodily hard, especially when driven by teenagers. true fact.

Sam

Teen Mows Over Three Year Old

2010-05-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Carter Geddings, a 3-year-old from Fremont went outside while his 17-year-old neighbor was mowing the lawn and accidently mowed over him. Gedding lost a toe on his right foot and part of his left leg was mangled. He is scheduled to go under surgery today to save his leg. Poor little boy!

Julie Dworak, News Editor

Boy Run Over by Mower

2010-05-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

A three year old boy was run over by a Hank Hill style riding lawn mower driven by a neighborhood teen and is expected to have surgery today.

Apparently, the teen was hungover from an intense, prom-instigated weekend of ceaseless binge drinking which had subsequently blunted his reflexes.

Just kidding, it was an accident, and my heart goes out to all involved.

Jobs

2010-05-04T06:23:00.001-07:00

Today's front page said if teens have a job, they are less likely to be on the streets. Garry Kern was one of those teens years ago and it got him in jail for about 15 years. Douglas county's unemployment rate is much more lower than north Omaha. The Urban League, Goodwill, and Omaha Public Schools offer many summer opportunities for teens.

5,113

2010-05-04T06:22:00.001-07:00

The exact number of nuclear warheads in the United States, 5,113. At least not counting those in deconstruction or already in pieces. Regardless this new open policy endorsed by the Pentagon is a great shot at the Iranian nuclear weapons ambitions. It follows up the START treaty with Russia to decreased the total amounts in both countries and commit to non-nuclear aggression against non-nuclear countries; excluding Iran. Both times President Mahmoud Ahmandinejad threw a public fit, but I think it is a great show of strength by Obama. It may not be possible to stop nuclear technology from continuing to spread to dangerous countries, but we can make our displeasure and poweress known as a method of prevention.

Sophomore Group Guidance

2010-05-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

It's virtually useless! Honestly, I have learned absolutely nothing from it. I suppose Guidance may be helpful for about 1/25 of the population, but I already know what I want to do with my life. Who cares what my favorite color is or what career cluster I land in? Those interest surveys are a complete waste of time. They don't prove anything. Just because I like to read, doesn't mean I should be a literature professor and just because I like to help people doesn't mean I should be a nurse. Every time I am in guidance, I feel my I.Q. dropping. I vote to abolish the class. Who's behind me?

car bombing

2010-05-03T11:58:00.003-07:00

A car bombing would have possibly been at fault for 3-4 deaths, but fortunately it did not go off. New York City time square was the location of this too-be bombing. Luckily the fertilizer used would not have blown more then a fire ball of the car. FBI are still investigating to who was the driver or owner of the car. Since New York is so amazing they had 83 cameras on the scene, and they are now able to review those tapes.

Jersey

2010-05-03T11:58:00.001-07:00

I don't understand the obsession with New Jersey. Can someone please explain this to me?

Oil Spill

2010-05-03T11:56:00.001-07:00

Nothing about this fiasco is optimistic. The first method they are using has only ever been used in shallow waters, not 5,000 ft below the surface of an ocean. If it doesn't work, then the oil will continue to spill out for months. MONTHS. I really hope the people running the other rigs will take a look at the rigs' safety. This all just makes me sick.

Real Housewives

2010-05-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

Don't judge me. It grows on you.

At first I wasn't some super fan of the show. The ladies are plastic — literally — and the drama can get out of control. But it really has the power to hook you in.

Tonight is the season premier of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Is it trash? Yes, sort of. But it's fun trash that, if you're going to waste your time, sure beats out playing bubble shooter.

I can't wait.

Great Big Paddle

2010-05-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

Have you seen a picture of the giant paddle Warren Buffet used? Even I could win any ping pong tournament with that thing!

Smartness is Interesting!

2010-05-03T10:42:00.001-07:00

Warren Buffet's annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting was this past weekend, as most of you probably know. I didn't go, but personally, I find really smart people very fascinating. Warren Buffet just reminded me of that. Artemis Fowl (if you've read the books) is another one of those people who has always intrigued me, even though he is a fictional character. Kids that are really young who skip a whole bunch of grades and go to college when they are 12 are also super interesting, although I wonder how they adjust to college life socially. Do their parents still drive them to college? I'm assuming they don't stay in dorm rooms, like the typical collegiate.

Alex Gordon

2010-05-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

This guy used to be my hero! All-American third basemen at Nebraska and getting drafted very high in the MLB draft, now he's being sent down to the minor leagues! I was in Kansas City watching a game a couple weekends ago and on the first play of the game he made a diving play. Seems like he was doing fine to me, but maybe he needs some work.

What a disaster...

2010-05-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

The oil spill that is hurting the gulf is showing little signs of slowing down. BP is working on methods for shutting down the leak, but if the fail the oil could continue for months. Some have even put it on a scale of Katrina.

-Ian

Responsibility in the Private Sector

2010-05-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

Transocean Ltd. owns the plant, BP operates it, and Obama is blamed as it oozes around 200,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Sometimes it seems if Obama made it rain cookies people would claim he was depriving them of milk. The private sector moans everytime the government takes a monitory role, and groans everytime its irresponsibility causes monetary or natural disasters. It's time companies started taking blame, not placing it.

immigration flow decreases

2010-05-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Due to the U.S cracking down on illegal immigration laws, more immigrants are returning to their homelands and staying there. Because of the recession, more legal citizens in the U.S are in need of jobs, and employers have more to choose from. Hiring illegal immigrants is a risk employers aren't as willing to take anymore, which is good news for Americans.

ewww

2010-05-03T10:32:00.001-07:00

Can i just say, no woman should wear mini skirts/dresses once they're over 20. The front page of the living section disturbs me in a sense that a bunch of "grown" women dye their hair, go tanning every day, and wear disturbingly short dresses.

Crazy Weekend

2010-04-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe the awful planning that has gone on for this weekend. There are what, 7 proms this weekend? And Berkshire convention. The restaurants are going to be insanely busy!

MONDAY THE THIRD OF MAY & PROM

2010-04-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Is my birthday. I just wanted the Lance staff and our seven followers to know that.

Hopefully, if Mr. Schmeckpeper's warnings are not neglected, the conception date of my child is not two days prior.

HAVE FUN! BE SAFE!

Graphics Editor- Julius Fredrick

oil spill

2010-04-30T10:35:00.001-07:00

Oil spills are really upsetting. Industry is hurt, but much more important it destroys the already fragile environment. Nothing is more depressing than a baby seal that drowned in oil.

Sam

Softball Player Turned Baseball Player

2010-04-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

In the sports section today, there is an interesting article about a girl at Northwest, Paige Hulne, who is playing with the varsity baseball team this spring. It must take a lot of courage to play with the boys! For her efforts, I applaud her. The article says that she was looking for a way to stay in shape for softball and asked if she could workout with the baseball team. Later on, the coach figured out that he didn't have enough people to play and so he called the NSAA to see if she was eligible and SHE WAS!

PROM!!!

2010-04-30T10:34:00.003-07:00

Today all of the teachers I encountered said make good choices. Are they implying that high school students go wild on the night of prom? Chad Schmeckpeper even told his class to not come back with STDs and babies! Needless to say, his students were shocked.

Walgreens Shooter

2010-04-30T10:34:00.001-07:00

I do believe Harry James McCullough had a right to walk in there in a scary situation and shoot the robber. The two kids should have not been robbing the place anyways. Five bullets is a little to much to unload in a body, so maybe there was a hint of anger. The boy's family will be sad, yes. But they should have been there to stop him from doing such a crime. We can not just put the blame on Harry for trying to dissolve a situation.

Burgers

2010-04-30T10:32:00.001-07:00

So I couldn't help but notice the delicious looking burger on the front page of the Living section of the OWH...could somehow they have possibly read my story?.....hmm

Oil Spill

2010-04-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

Hopefully this oil spill doesn't affect the food industries in the Gulf Coast. If the fish are affected by this spill, this would hurt everyone everywhere. We might eat infected fish (nasty!) and the fish industry might be hurt by this. Save the fish!!

Golf

2010-04-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

In the varsity golf tournament on Thursday, our very own Ian Holmes shot a 76 and tied for tenth against the best competition in a tournament this year. The team turned in an overall score of 322, which is the best this year and, for that matter, the last several as well. As for yours truly... let's just say Ian beat me.

Charlie Ziegenbein Varsity Golf Beat Writer

Oil Spill in the Gulf

2010-04-30T07:12:00.001-07:00

A large oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico has exploded and spilled hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil into the Gulf. This could prove to be the greatest ecological disaster in decades. The environment in the Gulf is very delicate. Many areas are just beginning to come back to life. This oil spill threatens to ruin all the efforts this nation has made in that area to restoring the environment.

Sam Raybine

Big News

2010-04-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

News is fairly slow this week. This is one of the best things to be thankful for...it means that nothing horrible or terrifying is going on. The front page story is a feel-good. Harry James McCullough III prevented a drugstore robbery. People should take this ordinary man's story and apply it to their life. We should do a Lance story on do-gooders at Westside High School instead of the things we need to fix.

new hospital

2010-04-30T07:09:00.001-07:00

Next month, a new hospital in Bellevue will open. The new hospital will provide cancer and diabetes care, along with maternity, surgical and rehab services. Not only that, the new medical center uses natural resources and energy-efficient machines as a way to "go green". Yay!

Opinion

2010-04-30T07:08:00.001-07:00

Bob Nelson wrote a great column about the Walgreens shooting and how handguns and weapons are good and bad for society. He is a heck of a columnist and his column should not be missed.

-Ian

Walgreens Shooter

2010-04-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs to calm down about the Walgreens shooting. Yes, it's awful, and I feel bad for everyone involved. But there are other things going on in this city and this country that deserve some space in the paper. What about the Arizona Illegal Immigration Bill? Or the Oil Spill? Yes the Walgreens shooting deserves attention, but not an article on the front page and the front page of the Midlands.

Shelby Pieper

PROM!!!!

2010-04-30T07:07:00.001-07:00

TOMORROW IS PROM!! EVERYONE SHOULD GOO!!! ITS GOING TO BE THE BOMB!!!

The end of the year is creeping closer and closer, one indicator of this- PROM! It's time to party it up in honor of making it almost all the way through another full year.

Julie Dworak, News Editor

mmm new burger!

2010-04-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

mmm...I am so pleased with the front page of living section. Sometimes I feel like I have visited every food venue in Omaha. I absolutely love it when I find a new place to eat, one of my favorite activities. Burgers are probably in the top 5 of my favorite food choices, so when the the article introduced Tropics Bar and Grill with a mouth-watering picture of the humongous double cheeseburger, I was thrilled!

I know where I am going to eat this weekend!

Journalism Banquet Tonight

2010-04-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Get excited everyone! I heard there's going to be the same Cheesecake from last year. EEEEEEE!

Splits!

2010-04-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

I really like the story about Mary Skaggs and her ability to do the splits. I think it's awesome that she's 90, yet is still flexible. I wish the World Herald did more stories on people like this, I find people with unusual hobbies/skills intriguing!

Is This Seriously a Story?

2010-04-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

What has this world come to? Does the article about Mary Skaggs, who has a passion for doing the splits, really count as journalism? Sure, it's super funny, but it must have been a really slow news day because when else would a story about a woman who can still do the splits at 90 be considered good enough to be on the front of the Midlands section? Plus, the second, third, fourth and fifth paragraphs all begin with the word "she". Great job, World Herald. Keep entertaining us!

eenie meenie minie moe

2010-04-28T11:39:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I heard Justin Bieber singing for the first time in the song Eenie Meenie Minie Moe Lover. Can't say I am sad to not have heard him before. I was surprised to hear the song change from Sean Kingston to what I thought was a girl, however it was not a girl, but lo and behold the infamous Justin Bieber! He sings about dancing with a girl, but he doesn't even sound old enough to be talking with girls. Don't little boys his age still believe girls have cooties?

Mary Skaggs

2010-04-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

What a lady! Now we know when we run out of stories for politics, just call up and old lady and tell her to do the splits. Who would have known it would bring out such a reaction. This is way better then the chocolate covered bacon. Way to step it up Midlands.

Deadly Force

2010-04-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

Harry J. McCullough got a misdemeanor for killing 18-year-old Marquail Thomas on, Monday April 28. Charged for killing him with an illegally concealed weapon during an attempted robbery that is. Thomas and his 17-year-old accomplice, Angelo Douglas, were using a short shot gun to rob the 601 Northwest Radial St. Walgreen's. When a women was help at gunpoint from the back McCullough decided to take action. Since both his life and those of the other customers were endangered he will not get charged for the slaying. Scandalously enough I agree his force was justified. I wish we would all wear our guns in holsters like a wild west movie, but people do have the right to protect themselves, this is the perfect example. I'm all for carrying, just not concealed.

Parliament Gets Rowdy

2010-04-28T06:09:00.000-07:00

The parliament in Ukraine became violent after a controversial bill was passed. Eggs and smoke bombs were thrown in the chamber as angry crowds attempted to riot outside. It won't be long before Congress starts this.

-Ian

Benson shooting

2010-04-28T06:08:00.002-07:00

An 18 year old was shot and killed at a Benson Walgreens Monday night. The 18 year old victim was actually planning to rob the store, and when Harry McCullough and the other customers felt threatened, he shot. The 18 year old was shot and killed, and McCullough was only charged for carrying a concealed weapon. The police determined it was self-defense.

WOAH GRANDMA!

2010-04-28T06:08:00.001-07:00

I would have to say that the dominant photo on the front page in the Midlands is quite disturbing. I realize the article is about a 90 year old woman who still loves doing the splits, but come on. I'm sure a picture of her on the ground doing the splits would still be somewhat odd, but on a stop sign? She looks like a 90-year old stripper. If your going to have an old lady doing the splits the least you could do is take away the stripper pole.

Prostesting in New Jersey

2010-04-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

Students took to the streets as New Jersey's Gov. Christopher Christie announced school budget cuts. It all began with Facebook. An 18-year old created a Facebook event; 18,000 people accepted creating one of the largest local protests in New Jersey history. They walked out in the middle of school disrupting standardized testing. They help up signs and yelled out against the budget cuts. The budget cuts would reduce aid to over 600 districts by about 5%. Five percent may not sound like a lot, but 1% of our district's budget amounts to all of our laptops. So think what 5% could do.

Obama Visits Iowa

2010-04-28T06:04:00.000-07:00

Obama visited Iowa on Tuesday to speak in a town hall-style meeting. The topic of discussion was criticism of Senate Republicans who blocked proposed legislation to tighten regulation of the financial system. I was about to ask why Obama usually visits Iowa instead of Nebraska, but I don't think that topic would sit that well with the Republican die-hards.

Papillion Woman

2010-04-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

I think it's awesome that the 90 year old woman can still do the splits. Some people say the key to living longer is to keep doing what you've been doing all your life. This lady has been doing the spits since she was 5, and today she's still going strong. We should all follow her example and stay active as long as we can (even if we can't do the splits).

Shelby Pieper

Girls Soccer

2010-04-27T13:32:00.001-07:00

Congrats to the girls soccer team for winning their game vs. Papillion La-Vista South last night in a shoot-out! The girls won 4-3, and are currently ranked 7th by the NSAA point system. Next up is the Westside Tournament, April 29th- May 1st. Go support the girls in some of their final regular season games!

In-Depth Troubles

2010-04-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

The Omaha North High School newspaper, the North Star, has been pulled by the administration due to inappropriate content. The inappropriate content includes a step-by-step analysis of how to put on a condom. The student's journalism teacher gave the OK for the issue. It's controversial, but not offensive.

Music therapy aids in healing

2010-04-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

In the 13th century, Islamic intellect Abu Nasr al-Farabi's treatise on music described its positive effects on the soul. In the 17th century, Robert Burton's treatise on melancholy stated music as a way to lift the mood. And in 1944, Michigan State University launched the first undergraduate program in music therapy. Music has been proven to aid mental and physical health. It can improve moods, get stroke patients to talk, help straighten out children with behavioral disorders, and calm nerves.

Omaha North

2010-04-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

Step-by-step photos of how to put a condom on.. Not the best thing to put in the In-depth section. Hopefully everyone realizes that this wasn't a good thing to put in the school newspaper. I think this actually was good that the publication was stopped of that issue, just think of the ruckus this would've caused at North.

New Coach

2010-04-27T06:28:00.001-07:00

There will be a new face for Creighton University basketball. Dana Altman, after 16 years of being the head coach, is leaving Nebraska to seek employment elsewhere. In his place will be Greg McDermott. Both of my parents went to Creighton, so I have essentially grown up with Altman as a coach. It will be interesting to see how the dynamics of the basketball program change, if they change.

On a side note, the article "Coaching carousel spins quickly" is very well written with a good lead.

Arizona

2010-04-27T06:28:00.000-07:00

Immigrants are protesting against Arizona senators that are preaching for more control over the border. John McCain was on KETV this morning saying that border control needs to be more strict on keeping the illegals out. I agree with him, it's not fair to those immigrants who waited decades to become legal citizens to see others getting away with hoping the border and taking Americans' jobs scot-free.

Removing Principals

2010-04-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

What I don't understand is how the Obama administration would want to remove a principle from a school they have come to love. De Ann Currin has been a principle at Elliott Elementary School for 17 years. It doesn't seem fair to the students or kids who have previously gone there. If she is doing a fine job I say let her stay and finish out her time at the Elementary. Obama or his administration should not be the ones to tell her when she can or can not leave. Seems to me that some people are taking their power way to far.

Music to our Hospitals

2010-04-27T06:23:00.004-07:00

I think it's safe to say that many of us probably don't know how it feels to be in and out of hospital, facing surgery after surgery. But there are so many kids who do. Thankfully I have heard more and more stories of nurses, doctors and the community reaching out to make patients feel at home and at ease. This woman takes time out of her day to lift the spirits of hospital patients. And stories such as these are becoming more and more familiar. Our children's hospital has also been undergoing a huge renovation, part of which is aimed at making kids feel more comfortable on their visits to the hospital.

So, I think we owe some thanks to the doctors, nurses and the Omaha community. For making these patients hospital stay a little easier.

That's Bomb Kid!.. But Now You're in Juvie.

2010-04-27T06:23:00.003-07:00

Around eight p.m. last night officers were called to investigate an explosion at a home in south-west Omaha. Apparently an as of yet unidentified fourteen year-old boy and 76 year-old Johnna Zych suffered "superficial" injuries.

The bomb squad was called (we have a bomb squad?!) and diffused (hehe) the situation. The teen was sentenced to the Douglas County Youth Center under the legal term Manufacturing an Explosive Device. All I know is that they didn't teach us how to manufacture an explosive device in arts and crafts when I was in middle school... Crafty freaking kids.

Graphics Editor- Julius Fredrick

2010-04-27T06:23:00.002-07:00

North Star's newspaper crossed the line with their most recent issue. Staff writers wrote articles about teens and sex. There were graphics too. Yuck. How could anyone approve of this? This is the topic that is discussed at home, not at school where corruption may be created.

Omaha North's Newspaper

2010-04-27T06:23:00.001-07:00

Sure, there is such a thing as freedom of the press. But it seems like Omaha North took it way too far. Some of the topics discussed in their In-Depth section don't even seem like they count as journalism. The topic of the In-Depth section itself wasn't the issue, in my opinion. The issue was that they reported it in a way that was truly not appropriate. We're lucky that Pat Hutchings doesn't have to approve all of our issues; however, I doubt that The Lance would ever take the subject of sex this far.

North High School

2010-04-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

The journalism teacher and students showed a lot of bravery by covering an in-depth section on teen sex. Although perhaps they should have considered interviewing parents or students who were pro-abstinence, that was not their angle. The articles seemed informative and although controversial, necessary. As newspaper students we are suppose to report issues that are the most relevant to our audience, and these taboo topics are certainly relevant.

North High School

2010-04-27T06:22:00.000-07:00

It's awesome that North High School wrote about a controversial topic that they thought mattered to their school. However, it does seem like it was a little over the top, and no stories from the abstinence were included. The principle might've allowed the issue to be distributed if the in-depth had been done in a more fair and balanced manner. Next time a newspaper staff wants to write about something like this, they should be extremely careful and check with an administrator before they go to all that work only to have the issue pulled.

Shelby Pieper

Freedom of the Principal

2010-04-27T06:21:00.001-07:00

Omaha Public Schools spokeswoman Luanne Nelson can say anything she chooses, except maybe "FIRE!" in a public place and "I am going to Kill the President." North High School's newspaper does not have the same liberty. Principal Gene Hanynes's reason?

"There were inappropriate items in that edition, especially for a high school," Hanynes said in an interview with the Omaha World Herald.

He was probably right, from what I can collect of the description by the World Herald of the North Star indepth. The step-by-step how-to on condoms was probably too much, but then a paper has never been pulled for supporting abstinence.

Way to stir controversy Omaha North!

2010-04-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

North's paper was pulled because of a four-page in-depth section on sex. The main photo was of a guy reaching to unclamp some girl's bra. The article featured issues such as the districts pro-abstinence approach to teaching, masturbation, and sex drive. The headline titled, "Life of the Sheets. Everyone has hormones, but learning how to control them is what matters." Personally, I am surprised their instructor approved this spread. And if she did, then I think it's fine to run the issue. However, the principal saw the paper before it was distributed and deemed it "inappropriate." I completely and totally think this is SILLY. We have classes that openly talk about sex. Our society is so open that what was "inappropriate" 20 years ago could be talked about at breakfast today. So why can't North run that issue principal, why? They may have taken it a bit too far, but that's life...

Tony Fulton

2010-04-26T12:02:00.001-07:00

I don't think the Treasurer position should be eliminated. Someone needs to run the states' budget so we don't get into debt. And, I think Tony Fulton would be a great person for the position.

Shelby Pieper

Tornado

2010-04-26T11:59:00.001-07:00

I'm an thankful that the tornado on friday never surfaced in the Omaha area. Needless to say that Yazoo City, Mississippi was not so lucky. Lets keep the 10 people who were killed in our thoughts, and the others injured as well.