News Articles

Black Comedy - AHS Winter Play, 2009

Posted Fri, 01/22/2010 - 10:01 by kbrewer

-by Andrea P.-

“Oh Blast! We’ve blown a fuse!” and with that pandemonium ensues in the dark as the cast of “Black Comedy” rehearses after school. AHS drama is hard at work on their next show titled “Black Comedy” by Peter Shaffer.

“Black Comedy” is a unique experience for many actors and director Jenni Newton. While “Black Comedy” only calls for a cast of eight, Mrs. Newton made the decision to have two casts for the show. The two casts will perform on alternating days but, rehearse together. Jenni made the decision to double cast the show because she felt that there were “enough strong actors to equally support two whole casts.”

Stress Free Valentine's Gifts!

Posted Fri, 01/22/2010 - 09:56 by kbrewer

-by Emily D.- Photo: Greg Dorcheus

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and I know how stressful it can be trying to pick out a perfect gift. Here are a few ideas to inspire you for your own gift ideas. There is also a great recipe and “do it yourself” homemade gift.

 For Her:

  1. Buy her a box of her favorite kind of chocolate or candy
  2. Bring her favorite flowers, (or just some pretty flowers if you don’t know her favorite)
  3. Make her a card or buy her one if you run out of time
  4. Take her out to a romantic movie (it’s probably not your first choice, but she’ll really appreciate it!)
  5. Take her out to dessert, such as at the Urban Café
  6. Buy her some good smelling perfume (ex: floral smelling)
  7. Buy her jewelry (ex: necklace, bracelet, earrings)

 For Him:Photo: Kyle Brewer

  1. Bake him cookies
  2. Take him out to an action movie (he’ll really appreciate it, even if you don’t)
  3. Watch a sports game with him that he’s really excited to see, and make him lunch
  4. Rent his favorite movie and make him popcorn
  5. Candy from Columbia Chocolates at Abeco.
  6. Good smelling cologne

7.   Buy him a hat (ex: baseball hat, beanie, etc.)

 For your mom:

  1. Make her breakfast and serve it to her in bed
  2. Coffee mug from Starbucks
  3. Bring her flowers from your garden, or store bought
  4. Make her a homemade card
  5. Buy her some chocolate

 For your dad:

Snowstorms Hit Everywhere but Astoria

Posted Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:26 by kbrewer

-by Jessica B.-

In the past couple of years, Astoria has experienced some kind of drastic winter weather.  In 2007, a huge storm hit the coast, causing power outages and many trees to topple.  Last year, the school district experienced an early winter break when snow caused three days of no school the week before school was out.  This year however, nothing has happened in Astoria to excite the people living here.

 

The Campus Cop

Posted Wed, 01/27/2010 - 09:58 by kbrewer

-by Terrah N.-

As of January 12th, Officer Kenny Hansen (a member of the Astoria Police Department) joined forces with Astoria High School. Its hopes are to prevent drug use, excessive unexcused absences, and behavioral problems. Hansen will be doing courses such as stranger safety, bike and helmet safety, drug and alcohol abuse, and many other safety course through out the elementary and grade schools in the Astoria School District.

 

The funds for an on campus officer is coming from a community based grant. The city and Astoria High School have paired together to get a three year grant. By the end of the three years, Astoria High School is hoping that the Astoria Police Department will pick up some of the fundings to keep Kenny Hansen at Astoria High.

 

Puppy Love

Posted Wed, 01/27/2010 - 09:52 by kbrewer

-by Andrea P.-

2010 has brought various new laws to the state of Oregon this January; many of them pertaining to animals.  One of the newest laws, aptly named the “puppy mill bill”, sets new restrictions on the conditions of puppy mills, commercial dog breeding facilities that often put the importance of profit first, instead of the welfare of the animals.  Puppy mill conditions are often grim and unsanitary. The puppies frequently live in stacked cages that are much too small for them. These cramped environments often lead to health problems such as hip dysplasia and pneumonia.   According to Illinois State University, there are an estimated 4,000 puppy mills in the US alone that produce more than half a million puppies a year. The bill sets strict standards on the living conditions of the breeding animals and puppies. The bill also sets a limit to how many breeding dogs can be in one facility and requires breeders to keep in depth medical records for all dogs.  Puppy mill owners now must also offer replacement puppies if the dog is diseased of as of 15 days of purchase and; offer the buyer a refund or replacement dog if their puppy is found to have birth defects that limit its life. While this law primarily goes after puppy mills there are many more laws that protect all kinds of animals.

A Recap of the Devastation in Haiti

Posted Wed, 01/27/2010 - 09:42 by kbrewer

-by Jessica B.- Photo: www.southcom.mil

After the largest earthquake in 200 years hit the little Caribbean nation, Haiti, people thought that it couldn’t get any worse.  Relief efforts were taking place all over the country and things were moving forward.  All of that came to a sudden halt when the most powerful aftershock yet hit poor Haiti once again on January 20 at 6:03 a.m. eastern time.  The enormity of the tremor was 6.1 and has been reported one of the largest of more than 40 major aftershocks to have followed the January 12 earthquake.  Rubble of former buildings once again rained down on people wandering in the streets.

Relief efforts have been in progress since the first earthquake hit and all across the U.S. and other nations.  Even in the little town of Astoria, relief efforts were being made to help out those in Haiti.  British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says that Haiti “has moved to center of the world’s thoughts and the world’s compassion.”  Search teams were brought to the scene, along with aid efforts and supplies to help the people in so much need.  The Red Cross and other aid groups have said they have plans for extreme relief operations.  People are able to text to a certain number and the money is donated to the cause in Haiti.  All of these efforts were established when the first earthquake hit Haiti, killing thousands.

London Prisoner Mocks Police Over Facebook

Posted Wed, 01/27/2010 - 09:39 by kbrewer

-by Stephanie K.-

Facebook is becoming more popular these days; especially when a famous convict was mocking police using the social networking site. Craig “Lazie” Lynch, 28, had escaped the Suffolk Hollesley Bay prison, England on September 23 2009.

Lynch had been sentenced for 7 years for burglary with a weapon, but has escaped and became a star amongst the users of Facebook. He reportedly had over 12,000 friends. Groups have formed to support the prison escapee; some are titled “no more arrest for Craig ‘Lazie’ Lynch” and “We all love Craig ‘Lazie’ Lynch”, as other groups are against the man, groups such as “Craig ‘Lazie’ Lynch is no hero” and “The Craig ‘Lazie’ Lynch is a LOSER! Club” What’s more, there are t-shirts being created in dedicated to Lynch. Police, Facebook users, and people who do not use Facebook are disgusted at the individuals cheering on this escapee.

Lynch’s profile had a profile picture of himself intimidating police with the middle finger. Another popular photo that is used or a group’s main picture was Lynch holding a turkey on Christmas; this photo apparently represents his freedom. However, the most daunting photo of them all is Lynch holding a handwritten sign stating, “Wanted, Craig Lynch… if found call 999” a drawing of the devil is placed next to 999 and Lynch is pointing to the sign with his middle finger. Police asked Facebook Administrators in aid of the frustrating situation. The London Authorities hadn’t been able to track down the whereabouts of Lynch, but were positive that he remained in the London area.

House Fire on Sixth Street

Posted Wed, 01/27/2010 - 09:23 by kbrewer

-by Dakota E.-

A Local family was forced to relocate after a fire damaged their home at 777 Sixth St., Wednesday evening December 16. After Marie and Harold Stone returned from First Assembly of God Church with their four grandchildren they discovered their house was engulfed in flames. Due to their circumstance, especially it being so close to Christmas their story touched many citizens in the community.

The Red Cross was notified to arrange the family to stay at the Holiday Inn through the following weekend subsequent to the fire incident. They have also provided assistance for food and clothing.  

Astoria Fire Chief Lenard Hansen said “The fire investigation team determined the cause of the fire was an electric short in the service conduit that ran from the electric meter base to the house circuit panel. He claims moisture got into the conduit causing a short. Finally, the metal conduit was so temperate it melted to a synthetic pipe joined to it and caused the house to burst into flames.”   

An Update on North Korea

Posted Fri, 01/22/2010 - 10:19 by kbrewer

-by Jacob S.-

The head of defense in South Korea Yu Myung-Hwan has responded to the North Korean threat to nuke Seoul.  He has called for a preemptive strike if there is any conformation that North Korea intends to wage an attack.  The two countries have been locked in an ever-present state of war since they signed a truce in 1953 after the last shot was fired in the three year conflict that ravaged the two countries.  This is because the 38th parallel (the border) is extremely militarized with huge military forces on each side poised for attack and/or defense.  The truce of these two nations is very fragile.  The countries have never signed off to an end of the war and are still very hostile to each other.

During the war in the 1950’s, the United States was among the many countries that fought for the survival of The South Korean nation.  Even after the truce was signed, the U.S continued to maintain a large military presence in South Korea just in case violence was to spark up again.  At this moment the United States has a presence of 28,500 troops in South Korea. 

Another Celebrity Death

Posted Fri, 01/22/2010 - 10:16 by kbrewer

-by Carissa C.-

Many brilliant celebrities passed away this year, such as Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, Ferrah Fawcett, and Brittany Murphy. Brittany Murphy was found dead on December 20, 2009, in her LA home shared with her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack. Brittany Murphy was only 32, with a very lively spirit. Her addiction to painkillers worried a lot of her friends and tried to get her help but Murphy wouldn’t listen. She was first addicted to Vicodin after undergoing some plastic surgery. When investigators looked through the house, they found many prescription medications in Murphy’s name, her husband’s, her mother’s, and some unknown 3rd parties. They found 10 prescriptions in all not including some vitamins. Investigators focused on Murphy’s drug use as the cause of death. Murphy was also known for a past abuse of heroin and cocaine; however LA county assistant chief coroner Ed Winter told Fox News that they didn’t find any illegal drugs at the residence.

Murphy’s mother found her passed out in the shower and she was rushed to the hospital. She was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from cardiac arrest. She was reported to have had flu like symptoms for the previous few days and uncontrolled vomiting right before her death. Her husband asked that there not be an autopsy but his request was not granted, and it should take a few weeks.