Sunday, February 28, 2010
News Story Gas Line Break
A gas line ruptured today in San Francisco during a sewer line repair. Four streets in the vicinity of Folsom and 11th came to a standstill, when a private construction company working on a sewer line, ruptured a two-inch underground gas pipe with a backhoe. A little before 12:30 p.m.; today residents, business owners, and lunchtime diners in the south of market area were forced to leave their food and work behind while PG & E began to make repairs. Police were involved in cordoning off streets and keeping traffic flow to a minimum in the surrounding area. Crocker’s Lockers located on Folsom near 10th tried to keep customers moving by walking outside the police perimeter to offer service. Cariann Lauria the manager of Crocker’s Lockers didn’t voice her personal frustration but said, “Ask my customers, they were pretty irate.” PG & E said that the gas was turned back on by 5:09 pm.
Fact Set #2 An Alarming Event
Ninety-five candles, five fire engines, two ladder companies, and one birthday cake. Firefighters responding to a fire alarm and cloud of smoke were instead offered carrot cake by ninety-five-year-old birthday girl Mabel McCullough. Ok, so they didn’t stay for cake, but they were quite surprised to find a celebration ensuing instead of a five-alarm blaze. “In my twenty-three years on the job, I’ve seen a lot of things set off a fire alarm, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of one going off because of a birthday cake,” said Fire Chief Lonnie Lamb. The birthday to remember was planned by Mabel’s’ First United Church women’s group who decided to light all ninety-five candles. “There wasn’t an inch to spare. By the time we had them all lit, it looked like a torch,” said Eddie Carlin one of the party goers. Tulsa, Oklahoma would like to wish Mabel a blazing birthday but cautions that next years she uses one simple candle, a number ninety-six.
Fact Set #1 A Squirrelly Situation
If only the squirrel had chosen to board the train using the front door, forty-seven thousand rail commuters would not have been stranded Monday afternoon in New York. The squirrels’ power line ballet caused an electrical surge that not only electrocuted the commuting squirrel but set a domino effect of problems in motion for the Metro-North commuter railroad. When the power surge occurred it weakened some overhead power brackets on the rail line, this loosened some wires which then fell onto the tracks, and become entangled under a passing train. Metro-North spokeswoman Donna Evans reported that commuters waited for hours. No one could get out of Manhattan. Even though power was restored by Tuesday morning commuters have learned a valuable lesson, whether animal or human, always use the door.
Monday, February 22, 2010
News Story #3 Firefighters
A San Jose man is in grave condition today after being burned in a house kitchen fire yesterday. The victim fifty-year-old Robert Kent lives in the single story house on Annapolis Way.
According to San Jose Fire Captain Rob Piper the fire was reported at around 3 p.m. The cause of the fire is being investigated but it was stated that there was no smoke detector in the house. The fire started in the kitchen and spread to the attic causing the entire house to be engulfed in smoke. The man was already surrounded by flames when the firefighters reached him, and suffered second and third degree burns on over fifty-percent of his body. Kent is listed in grave condition at Valley Medical Center in San Jose.
According to San Jose Fire Captain Rob Piper the fire was reported at around 3 p.m. The cause of the fire is being investigated but it was stated that there was no smoke detector in the house. The fire started in the kitchen and spread to the attic causing the entire house to be engulfed in smoke. The man was already surrounded by flames when the firefighters reached him, and suffered second and third degree burns on over fifty-percent of his body. Kent is listed in grave condition at Valley Medical Center in San Jose.
Fact Set #2 Devil’s Slide Crash
A man traveling on Highway 1 today drove off Devils Slide and plummeted 150-feet of off a cliff. The 24-year-old motorist, whose name has not been released suffered minor injuries and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital.
The man was driving his Mazda sedan north towards San Francisco at 4:10a.m.; in very dense fog when he missed a turn and drove over the side of the cliff. The car landed on its wheels and the man was able to dial 911.
The road was closed for two hours in both directions while rescue crews worked to locate the man. The dense fog did not help the rescue efforts which were already difficult because of the precarious position of the vehicle. CHP and Cal Fire worked together during the rescue which involved rappelling off the side of the cliff to reach the vehicle and bringing the man back up the cliff in a protective cage.
Although the day started out badly for the man things could have been worse, the only visible injury he sustained was a bump on the head. CHP Sgt. Trent Ross said, “He did what he was supposed to do, he wore his seat belt, there is no doubt it would have been fatal.”
The man was driving his Mazda sedan north towards San Francisco at 4:10a.m.; in very dense fog when he missed a turn and drove over the side of the cliff. The car landed on its wheels and the man was able to dial 911.
The road was closed for two hours in both directions while rescue crews worked to locate the man. The dense fog did not help the rescue efforts which were already difficult because of the precarious position of the vehicle. CHP and Cal Fire worked together during the rescue which involved rappelling off the side of the cliff to reach the vehicle and bringing the man back up the cliff in a protective cage.
Although the day started out badly for the man things could have been worse, the only visible injury he sustained was a bump on the head. CHP Sgt. Trent Ross said, “He did what he was supposed to do, he wore his seat belt, there is no doubt it would have been fatal.”
Fact Set #2 Devil’s Slide Crash
A man traveling on Highway 1 today drove off Devils Slide and plummeted 150-feet of off a cliff. The 24-year-old motorist, whose name has not been released suffered minor injuries and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital.
The man was driving his Mazda sedan north towards San Francisco at 4:10a.m.; in very dense fog when he missed a turn and drove over the side of the cliff. The car landed on its wheels and the man was able to dial 911.
The road was closed for two hours in both directions while rescue crews worked to locate the man. The dense fog did not help the rescue efforts which were already difficult because of the precarious position of the vehicle. CHP and Cal Fire worked together during the rescue which involved rappelling off the side of the cliff to reach the vehicle and bringing the man back up the cliff in a protective cage.
Although the day started out badly for the man things could have been worse, the only visible injury he sustained was a bump on the head. CHP Sgt. Trent Ross said, “He did what he was supposed to do, he wore his seat belt, there is no doubt it would have been fatal.”
The man was driving his Mazda sedan north towards San Francisco at 4:10a.m.; in very dense fog when he missed a turn and drove over the side of the cliff. The car landed on its wheels and the man was able to dial 911.
The road was closed for two hours in both directions while rescue crews worked to locate the man. The dense fog did not help the rescue efforts which were already difficult because of the precarious position of the vehicle. CHP and Cal Fire worked together during the rescue which involved rappelling off the side of the cliff to reach the vehicle and bringing the man back up the cliff in a protective cage.
Although the day started out badly for the man things could have been worse, the only visible injury he sustained was a bump on the head. CHP Sgt. Trent Ross said, “He did what he was supposed to do, he wore his seat belt, there is no doubt it would have been fatal.”
Fact Set #1 Parking Lot Crash
One person was killed today and three others were injured when a construction barreled down a hill and plowed through the crowded parking lot of Mollie Stones Grocery Store in San Mateo.
At 1:15 p.m.; the container truck was traveling down 43rd Avenue when it, “apparently suffered some kind of mechanical failure,” according to San Mateo Police Captain Kevin Nguyen.
The truck broadsided a black SUV and dragged it 75 feet through the parking lot where it made contact with at least eight other vehicles. An occupant in one of the vehicles was killed at the scene but has not been identified. One of the injured victims was a pedestrian and one other was taken to Stanford Hospital by Helicopter.
At 1:15 p.m.; the container truck was traveling down 43rd Avenue when it, “apparently suffered some kind of mechanical failure,” according to San Mateo Police Captain Kevin Nguyen.
The truck broadsided a black SUV and dragged it 75 feet through the parking lot where it made contact with at least eight other vehicles. An occupant in one of the vehicles was killed at the scene but has not been identified. One of the injured victims was a pedestrian and one other was taken to Stanford Hospital by Helicopter.
News Story #1
A 74-year-old driver plowed through the front window of a convenience store yesterday evening in hopes of buying a six-pack of beer. Lynn Rice drove her 1988 Cadillac half way into the store, exited her vehicle, went straight for the cooler, and attempted to purchase a six-pack of Budweiser beer, according to Joe Awada the stores owner.
The shocked but uninjured cashier refused to make the sale and immediately called Norwalk police. Lt. Jenny Han of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs department said that Rice was taken to the hospital for examination, was arrested and is subsequently being investigated for driving under the influence.
The shocked but uninjured cashier refused to make the sale and immediately called Norwalk police. Lt. Jenny Han of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs department said that Rice was taken to the hospital for examination, was arrested and is subsequently being investigated for driving under the influence.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Top News Story 3
I found this new of a plane crash in Palo Alto especially significant because one of our class assignments was a lead for a plane crash.
Starting with the lead, it lists a news value, when it mentions the Tesla employees first. Tesla is currently a very prominent company worldwide because of its great financial investments as well as its ties to improving environmentally safe cars. The news value of proximity is here because Palo Alto is a prominent bay area city. The currency of the story is also a factor here. It is well know that the Palo Alto airfield has had strife with homeowners that surround it. Today on of the residents speaking on KCBS news radio station alluded to the residents concern about crashes. This safety issue has been in the spotlight in East Palo Alto and now the nation is hearing about it. The Impact of the story here I think alludes to two things. First the sadness of the news story has an impact because three local lives were lost. Second a plane crash always has a great impact on the local news.
http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_14419427?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com&nclick_check=1
Starting with the lead, it lists a news value, when it mentions the Tesla employees first. Tesla is currently a very prominent company worldwide because of its great financial investments as well as its ties to improving environmentally safe cars. The news value of proximity is here because Palo Alto is a prominent bay area city. The currency of the story is also a factor here. It is well know that the Palo Alto airfield has had strife with homeowners that surround it. Today on of the residents speaking on KCBS news radio station alluded to the residents concern about crashes. This safety issue has been in the spotlight in East Palo Alto and now the nation is hearing about it. The Impact of the story here I think alludes to two things. First the sadness of the news story has an impact because three local lives were lost. Second a plane crash always has a great impact on the local news.
http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_14419427?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com&nclick_check=1
Thursday, February 18, 2010
REVISED Lead #5 Fact Set #2
Actor comedian Chevy Chase was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Bard College.
Chase’s appointment was announced during homecoming week festivities and he is well known as a famous alumnus of the college.
Chase’s appointment was announced during homecoming week festivities and he is well known as a famous alumnus of the college.
REVISED Lead #5 Fact Set 1 Pipe Fitter
A Springfield man suffered third degree burns Wednesday after he accidentally touched a power line while installing new popes on the roof of Springfield Municipal Power Plant.
Duane La Chance, age 55, is in serious condition at the Springfield Hospital Intensive care unit.
Duane La Chance, age 55, is in serious condition at the Springfield Hospital Intensive care unit.
REVISED Lead 4b
A missing boy who was kidnapped three years ago was found Thursday night in Brick Township, NJ, after a neighbor recognized his photo and called police.
The seven year old boys’ mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, age 27, faces charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant. The Neighbor recognized the boys’ photo after watching the movie, “Adam: The Song Continues.”
The seven year old boys’ mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, age 27, faces charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant. The Neighbor recognized the boys’ photo after watching the movie, “Adam: The Song Continues.”
REVISED Lead 4a
A Northwest Airlines jet carrying 40 passengers was evacuated today in Wisconsin after smoke was spotted near the wheel.
Flight 428 traveling was en route from Minneapolis to LaCrosse Municipal airport when landing tower employee spotted the smoke.
Flight 428 traveling was en route from Minneapolis to LaCrosse Municipal airport when landing tower employee spotted the smoke.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
FOG Index
My FOG calculated index was 1.39. I am assuming that means that someone with a first grade education would be able to understand my writing. I think on one hand that it’s good because my writing is simplistic and east to understand however I feel like it denigrates my educational level and does not make me shine as brightly as I would like. I hope to improve my writing style during this class and am aiming to follow Winston Churchill’s example ship. As stated by my textbook “Inside Reporting” his FOG index comes to about 3.4. If that’s good enough to become the prime minister of Great Britain then I figure I wouldn’t be doing half bad.
Writing Sample:
"My favorite speech? That was hard to choose. I felt that many of my classmates did an excellent job. I was persuaded to take action so there is one I would say was my favorite. I was convinces though of the fact that I should give blood regularly. I was informed that there is a blood shortage and because of that If I or family members need blood there is a possibility that we could not receive some. I don’t want to leave the responsibility up to someone else but I want to make a change in someone’s life by donating blood on a regular basis. I also liked the speech about general education requirements in the respect that it is a known fact that American children lag behind the rest of the world in learning. I believe that a overhaul is needed and the American way and schedule throughout out primary and higher learning institutions is needed."
Writing Sample:
"My favorite speech? That was hard to choose. I felt that many of my classmates did an excellent job. I was persuaded to take action so there is one I would say was my favorite. I was convinces though of the fact that I should give blood regularly. I was informed that there is a blood shortage and because of that If I or family members need blood there is a possibility that we could not receive some. I don’t want to leave the responsibility up to someone else but I want to make a change in someone’s life by donating blood on a regular basis. I also liked the speech about general education requirements in the respect that it is a known fact that American children lag behind the rest of the world in learning. I believe that a overhaul is needed and the American way and schedule throughout out primary and higher learning institutions is needed."
Top News Week 3
For my top news story this third week I chose to highlight some developments in kidnapping case of Jaycee Dugard, She had been taken eighteen years ago from South Lake Tahoe and was found last year in the Bay Area city of Antioch. The impact of this story is great because kidnapping is a worldwide issue. Parents speak to there children at a very young age to educate them about kidnapping. This story has an impact on every parent who reads it.
Currency also is a news value to be highlighted here because of the public concern and spotlight of kidnapping. The proximity of this case makes it newsworthy because those of us who live here in the bay area are still in shock and awe that this tragedy was playing itself out right in our backyard. Even thought Jaycee Dugard was unknown by most her kidnapping and rescue pushed her into view and her story was prominently covered nationwide. However I truly believe that if it was up to MS. Dugard she would rather have lived a quiet unknown life with her family.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14395046
Currency also is a news value to be highlighted here because of the public concern and spotlight of kidnapping. The proximity of this case makes it newsworthy because those of us who live here in the bay area are still in shock and awe that this tragedy was playing itself out right in our backyard. Even thought Jaycee Dugard was unknown by most her kidnapping and rescue pushed her into view and her story was prominently covered nationwide. However I truly believe that if it was up to MS. Dugard she would rather have lived a quiet unknown life with her family.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14395046
Lead #5 Fact set #2
Actor comedian Chevy Chase appointed to the board of trustees as Brad College.
Chases appointment was announced during homecoming week festivities and he is well known as a famous alumnus of the college.
Chases appointment was announced during homecoming week festivities and he is well known as a famous alumnus of the college.
Lead #5 Fact Set 1 Pipe Fitter
A Springfield man suffered third degree burns Wednesday after he accidentally touched a power line.
Duane La Chance, age 55, is in serious conditon at the Springfield Hospital intensive care unit.
Duane La Chance, age 55, is in serious conditon at the Springfield Hospital intensive care unit.
Lead 4b
A Missing boy found who was kidnapped three years ago was found Thursday night in Brick Township, New Jersey.
The seven year old boys’ mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, age 27, faces charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant. A neighbor recognized the child’s picture after watching the movie, “Adam: The Song Continues” and notified Police.
The seven year old boys’ mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, age 27, faces charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant. A neighbor recognized the child’s picture after watching the movie, “Adam: The Song Continues” and notified Police.
Lead 4a
A Northwest Airlines Jet was evacuated today after smoke was spotted near the wheels.
Flight 428 carrying forty passengers was traveling from Minneapolis to Wisconsin when on arrival a LaCrosse Municipal airport a landing tower employee spotted the smoke.
Flight 428 carrying forty passengers was traveling from Minneapolis to Wisconsin when on arrival a LaCrosse Municipal airport a landing tower employee spotted the smoke.
Lead 3b-Accidental Death
The death of a Pacifica woman who was found at Sharp Golf Course last month has been ruled accidental by the San Mateo County Coroner.
The death of thirty four year old Laura Jessica was ruled, “consistent with freshwater drowning, associated with probably hypothermia,” as stated by Robert Foster. The coroner also added that she had methamphetamines in her system.
The death of thirty four year old Laura Jessica was ruled, “consistent with freshwater drowning, associated with probably hypothermia,” as stated by Robert Foster. The coroner also added that she had methamphetamines in her system.
Friday, February 12, 2010
LEAD 2-AIR CRASH
131 people were killed yesterday outside Pittsburgh when their plane crashed on impact while attempting to land. There were no survivors on the domestic flight, traveling from Chicago, which is now being called the worst air disaster in the United States in three years.
Revised Lead Exercise 2
A small earthquake struck the Santa Clara county foothills today at 9:33a.m, no injuries were reported from the quake whose epicenter was about nine miles northeast of San Jose city hall.
Revised Lead Exercise 1
Highway 9, at pierce road just north of Saratoga, was closed for almost nine hours yesterday after several trees fell over the roadway last night during the storm
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Top News Assignment
While I was trolling the San Jose Mercury news paper for a noteworthy story I saw SJSU’s name in the headline. My eyes lit up immediately. New of late for our strong but struggling university has been grim. Most of what we read mentions additional budget cuts. This is a newsworthy story for anyone that currently attends SJSU or is considering it for their future education. This story is also important for the hundreds of employees at SJSU that are also facing budget cuts, work hour reduction and layoffs.
I saw in the news heading that SJSU was actually getting money instead of loosing it ,and immediately was interested. Because our textbook states that “Readers want stories that personally connect.” I felt that this story was worthy of Top News. Many students, employees and parents will see this story and read it to figure out how it will impact them. The proximity of this story to our bay area residents allows them to read news that will immediately effect their community. Because country wide budget cuts are in the spotlight the currency of this story is high because it highlights a topic that is on the mind of almost everyone in American and it brings it back down to our local community level.
The lessons I learned this week about top news including the news values from the previous paragraph are; one, if it doesn’t grab your thoughts immediately, you may pass it by. Two, if it personally effects the reader they are more likely to scan or read the story in its entirety. Last but not least number three, Money always make for a good storyline and attention getter.
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_14343886
I saw in the news heading that SJSU was actually getting money instead of loosing it ,and immediately was interested. Because our textbook states that “Readers want stories that personally connect.” I felt that this story was worthy of Top News. Many students, employees and parents will see this story and read it to figure out how it will impact them. The proximity of this story to our bay area residents allows them to read news that will immediately effect their community. Because country wide budget cuts are in the spotlight the currency of this story is high because it highlights a topic that is on the mind of almost everyone in American and it brings it back down to our local community level.
The lessons I learned this week about top news including the news values from the previous paragraph are; one, if it doesn’t grab your thoughts immediately, you may pass it by. Two, if it personally effects the reader they are more likely to scan or read the story in its entirety. Last but not least number three, Money always make for a good storyline and attention getter.
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_14343886
Leas Exercise 1
Highway 9 was closed for almost nine hours yesterday after several trees fell across the roadway overnight. Caltrans crews closed Pierce Road just west of Saratoga until 4 p.m. to remove the trees.
Lead Exercise 1
A small earthquake struck Santa Clara county today at 9:33am. No injuries or damage was reported. The epicenter was about nine miles northeast of San Jose city hall.
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