20-year-old son of local Lynchburg couple arrested

• Mother killed by own son 
• Father severely wounded 
• Son taken into police custody 

The 20-year-old son of a local Lynchburg couple was arrested on Wednesday Oct. 2 for the murder of his mother and the attempted murder of his father.

132 Donald St. Home of the Wagner's 

48-year-old Bert Wagner of 134 Donald St. was found unconscious in his garage with one gunshot wound to his legs on Wednesday morning. Wagner’s wife, Dianne, was found dead in the kitchen with two gunshots to her chest. 

Police were called at 5:30 p.m. by a male neighbor explaining that he heard shots fired, and reported seeing the Wagner’s son, Ben, rushing into his white Camaro holding a gun.

Bert Wagner, a local construction worker, made a statement to the police confirming that Ben Wagner, his son, was the one who shot him and his wife. Police recovered Ben Wagner’s car at the Shell gas station on Lee Highway at 8:21 p.m. that evening.

Police found a 9mm handgun in the backseat of Ben Wagner's Camaro. Testing confirmed that the gun was used in the shooting.  Ben Wagner was taken into custody peacefully while he was buying a snack at the gas station.

“We are confident we have the one and only suspect behind bars for this crime. All the evidence we have collected points to him being the only suspect.” police detective, Randi Bennett, said.

Ben Wagner 

Bert Wagner has been admitted to Lynchburg General Hospital. Hospital spokesperson has reported that Bert is recovering after a surgery with no complications. Bert Wagner issued a statement to the public concerning the incident.

“I lost my wife and my son. Ben may still be alive but things will never be the same. I will stand by my son’s side and continue to give him the love he has always had,” Bert Wagner said.

Ben Wagner will appear in Lynchburg General District Court Monday Oct 7, 2013 represented by appointed attorney Harry Davis. Ben Wagner will face charges of one count first-degree murder, one count attempted murder and one count malicious wounding. An official trial date will be set at that hearing.

 Word count: 341

Chapter 6 Summary

Chapter 6 contained so much useful information and guidelines in regards to photo journalism and using graphics in writing. The chapter covers simple rules and ethics that allow journalists to gain a better understanding and practical knowledge of how to apply it into their work. 

 

The first part talks of different rule to live by when using photojournalism. These rules include the basics of taking a good picture. Being familiar with the technological aspects of photojournalism, understanding the software used to edit photos, and finally being able to think of how the photos will be used. More specifically, the chapter covered the three different types of shots photojournalists use; long range, midrange, and close-up. These different shots convey different messages to the reader. The other rule the chapter discusses is the rule of threes and how it can help a photographer take an image that will keep the viewers attention. Finally, the last aspect the chapter discussed regarding photojournalism is writing a cutline. Essentially a cutline is just fancier captions. A Cutline can either be used as brief descriptions of what the viewer is seeing called a “Skel line”, or it can be a long lengthy description, which would be called a “story line”. A well-written cutline would answer any questions the reader may have about the photograph.

 

In the final parts of the chapter the author takes time to explain and discuss the use of graphics in a story. Graphics in a story can be the attention getter that draws a person into the rest of your work. As with any tool of writing there are multiple choices and guidelines when using graphics. The major components of using graphics a journalist should be watching for when they are used are, accuracy, clarity, simplicity, attribution, and numerical data in charts, which would be presented as a bar chart, line chart, or pie chart.

Current News Assignment

Melissa Joan Hart's Shocking Tell-All

Child star Melissa Joan Hart revealed shocking details of her substance abuse past in her new book. Hart reveals the challenges that come with being young and famous. The book entitled, "Melissa Explains It All" is schedule to be released Oct. 29.

Source

Simon Cowell Will Be Present at Sons Birth

After some concerning comments during an on air interview with Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell said he would not be present for the birth of his first child. Since the interview Cowell has revealed he would not miss the birth for anything. Him and girlfriend Silverman are expecting any day now!

Source
Vera Wang Designs Philadelphia Eagles Uniforms

The renowned wedding dress designer, Vera Wang, designed the new cheerleader uniforms for the Philadelphia Eagles. The new uniforms include crop tops and jogging jackets to add variety to the look. The uniforms allow for the team to be the most stylish in the NFL.

Source

Exercise 7.3

Chicken truck makes illegal left turn causing severe pile up.

At least 25 were injured in an 11 car pile up on McFarland Boulevard and 15th st. on 6 p.m. Monday evening. Sergeant John Jones of the Birgmingham police explained the accident was caused when a  semi-truck holding 300 chickens made an illegal left turn.

Post crash site

Among the ones injured the 45 year-old truck driver, Jeff Johnson of Alberta, reportedly broke his ankle and obtained bruises.  63 year-old Sarah Bernell, a retired kintergarten teacher was brought to DCH hospital with Johnson.

Injuries do not seem severe according to the hospital spokesman, Calrence DiMotta. The other 23 injured seem to have only suffered from bruises and none were admitted to DCH.

 "It was the biggest pile up I've ever seen. Lots and lots of smashed bumpers, but the worst part was the screams of the chickens. Those things sure do make a lotta noise, you know," Jones said as he recounted to accident. Several smashed eggs were also found in the wreckage of the truck. "It was so hot out there I thought we might have fried eggs for dinner," Jones said

More than 30 chickens were killed in the crash due to the truck turning to its side, but according to authorities the 11 other cars involved only have minor damages. Concerningly, chickens were trapped until firemen came to the rescue.  As many as 40 chickens are still at large in downtown Birmingham.

The animals are property of Alabama Poultry and if found, the animals should be returned to the company.

Current News Assignment: Sports

Freshmen get early work
Jalen Ramey has become the first freshmen cornerback for Florida State University since the legendary Deion Sanders. According the FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher, Ramey is a heck of a player and has high expectations for his career at FSU. In just his first game, Ramey caught an interception and completed five tackles.

Source

Grace and Gridiron
The Pittsburg Steeler's nose tackle, Steve McLendon, takes a ballet class on a weekly basis to improve his football skills. The exercises McLendon does during ballet improves his flexibility for on the field. McLendon says he first started taking ballet as an elective in college to meet girls, but has since grown to enjoy dance.

Source

Rivalry raising funds to fight cancer.
A Michigan sky writer is using his occupation, and college football rivalry to fund the fight against cancer. On Saturday at the Michigan State Spartan's Stadium over $6,000 was raised to have a sky writer put the teams rivalry saying "GO BLUE" above the field. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantanio wittingly remarked, "Yeah, my high school coach was here, they are the Blue Devils, I figured somebody did that for him" about the entirety.

Source

Exercise 5.14

5.14 Creating Lists
A High School World Religions Course
History teacher Yvonne Taylor studies the beliefs of

• Muslims 
• Hindus
• Christians 
• Buddhists 
• Jews 
• Sikhs 
• and Confucianists

Polio 

Cases of Polio have been found in 

• Ghana 
• Togo 
• Nigeria 

Home Runs 

Players who have held the home run record

• Babe Ruth 
• Hank Aaron 
• Barry Bonds

Bees 

Bees help the environment by 

• Pollinating food we eat 
• Providing food for humans to consume 

Exercise 5.11, 5.12 & 5.13

5.11 Leads and Second Paragraphs 1

Curriculum Changes:

Liberty University announced new graduation requirements which invlude a math class, computer science class, and a foreign language course for incoming students this fall.

The new requirements were decided after a recent study showed only 15 percent of students took a foreign language course and only 20 percent of students took a math course while attending the institution. President, David Fench, was overheard explaining the new requirements will help the University produce more educated persons. The requirements will be added to degree completion plans starting for all new students for the up coming fall semester.

Arrest: 

A 22-year-old homecoming queen was arrested for the third time in six months for driving while intoxicated.

Cathy Benson, former cheerleader, straight A student, and this years homecoming queen was arrested Monday night for her third DWI. Benson is planning on attending Vanderbilt University for graduate studies in biology this coming fall.


Record Weather:

Port Columbus weather office says that the high yesterday was an unseasonably warm 82 degrees at 3:30 P.M., the hottest temperature of that date since 1888.

5.12 Leads and Second Paragraphs 2

Protest:

A group of concerned citizens are holding a protest because University biology professor is teaching evolution to students.

The group is being led by Wilbur Straking, pastor of the Ever-Faithful church of the Living Water. "I plan to lead a group of 25 dedicated Christians to the state captial next Monday to speak with legislators about this problem. We believe the teachings of evolution is against the principles of this Christian country, and we want to put a stop to it," said Straking. Laura Cliff, the professor of the biology class refused to comment on the situation as well as the President of the university.

Lawsuit:

A lawsuit was filed against Amburn's Produce Market on Tuesday for negligence, after customer sustained harmful fall in store.

The Suit was filed by Ellie Maston for $100,000 caliming negligence on Amburn's Produce Market. Suit says Maston slipped on green beans that were left on the floor causing her to slip and break her hip.

Agreement Announced:

United Steelworkers and Ambrose made a joint announcement Friday night that the company and union have reached collective bargaining agreement avoiding a strike.

The strike set for Saturday at midnight has been called off, and the terms of the agreement will be announced instead. According to Clyde Parris, Ambrose president, the contract includes a "substantial wage agreement" but will not release the amount until the press conference Saturday night.

5.13 Leads and Second Paragraphs 3

Malpractice Suit:

Two Riverside Hospital doctors are being sued for malpractice save plaintiff lawyers life during trials closing arguments.

Doctors Barney Olive and Stephen Rogers' quick action saved plaintiff lawyer William Hamilton's life when he suffered from a heart attack during the beginning of his final arguments. The malpractice suite will resume their malpractice trial next week, however Hamilton is recovering at Riverside Hospital.

Alumni Festival:

University Alumni Association planning spring festival for April, all proceeds will go to school library.

Date for the festival depends on whether or not the baseball team makes it to play-offs this year, since the festival will include a barbecue lunch and a exhibition baseball game. "This kind of activity is one of the positive things we can do to make the University a better educational institution," said Bobby Don Willis Alumni President.

Exercise 5.9

5.9 Writing Leads 2

Plant Accident: Pipe fitter from Gross Engineers suffered third-degree burns Thursday afternoon when working on installing new pipes on the roof of the Petal, Miss. plant.

McCartney Illness: Peter McCartney checked into the hospital late Thursday night and is scheduled for exploritory throat surgery Friday morning after his voice was reduced to a small whisper at his  Bennett Auditorium Thursday night.

BOE Meeting: Hattiesburg Board of Education met Thursday morning and dicussed the enrollment drop, the Board passed a new group of rules designed to help the schools future.

Exercise 5.8

5.8 Writing leads
Crash: An Air Force major was killed in a plane crash at Super Shopping Mall Thursday afternoon when the jet aircraft he was piloting crashed.

City Council: The City Council decided to raise property taxes 10 percent in a meeting Thursday morning that will become active this October. The tax will be used for doubling the size of the city park.

University Raises: University vice president for finance announced during the press conference at the administrative building explaining that faculty and staff will be receiving a 15 percent raise starting this fall.

Journalism Students Meet: Journalism Student Association met Thursday at noon to discuss the idea of a boycott of all journalism classes Friday to protest 10 percent tuition increase at Liberty University.

Current News Assignment: World News

Prince William: I dream of Africa
While the Duke of Cambridge continues to prepare for his future rule as king, he has been documented saying that when he is stressed out he reverts back into his time in Africa. With his life being so public, Africa represents peace and quiet for the prince. For William, Africa is an emotional place where and can reminisce of his late mother and enjoy the rich environment it has to offer.

Source 

Apple unveils gold iPhone 5s and colorful iPhone 5c
Apple release the long awaited iPhone 5s and the newly added product of the iPhone 5c. The 5c is a low cost plastic model which comes in five different colors, compared to the sleek aluminum 5s which comes in only three different colors. The purpose of the two models is the reach more people groups around the world, and the iPhone to be widely more popular.

Source

Chicken or egg question cracked: Hampton Creek scientists create plant-based egg.
The incredible, edible egg has taken a turn to be even more incredible and edible for those with allergies. The new plant based egg product is the most realistic egg-free egg product claims the biochemist Joshua Klein. Eggless product is created with 11 different types of plants.

Source

Interview Assignment

Nadine Snyder

1. Where were you on September 11th? (open ended)

"I was in 3rd grade in a private school. They came into the class room and pulled me out of the classroom to tell me ... only me, because my dad worked in the city at that point. I didn't understand what was going on, all I could picture was a plane in his office it did not register that it was an actual crash."

2. How old were you at the time? (probe)

"3rd grade, so 8"

3. Do you know anyone who was severely affected by the events that day? (probe)

"One of my grandma's friends was in the World Trade Center, but she did not die in the attack. She really liked shoes, so she kept them in her cubical in her office. So I just remember she lost a lot of shoes after the building collapsed."

4. Do you remember the emotions you felt? (personal)

 "I was scared, and I just remember seeing my mom-- not necessarily trying  to keep her cool, but trying to remain calm for me and my sister."

5. What was the moment your realized the severity of the situation? (personal)

"When we watched the news footage, but even before that. My friends mom picked us up from school because our dads both worked in the city. The car ride was silent and she seemed very stressed."

6. What were the days follow September 11th like for you and your family? (personal)

"Umm-- I don't really remember. The TV was on a lot. I remember hearing about the blackout, and my dad didn't get back from the city until the next day. All the power was out in New York City, and it took him an extra day to come home."

7. What do you picture the chaos being in the moment when the towers collapsed? (open eneded)

 "I just picture sirens and smoke, and screams. I just think about how there was probably families visiting and kids being in the area. Really just loud screams and tears"

8. What does remembering 9/11 mean to you? (open ended)

"I think it means, hmm, it is important to remember our history and to remember how fragile life is, and to think about how just an ordinary day could turn into a catastrophe. And also to remember the people who gave their lives for so many that day"

9. How do you think life would be different now if 9/11 never happened? (hypothetical)

"I don't think there would be an ongoing war and TSA would not be as strict. Flying has become a much more scary thing. Homeland security is so much more prevalent now that it happened. I think we wouldn't understand terrorism at all either."

10. How will you describe the event to your children someday? (hypothetical)

"I'll explain the story of where I was, and why I was scared, and the unity in America that followed the events."

Current News Assignment: National

Sen. McCain caught playing iPhone poker.
Even former presidential candidates and current law makers can be entranced by the distractions that come with having a smart phone. Sen. McCain was caught using his phone to play poker during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting. After being caught McCain wrote a tweet trying to make light of the situation explaining the worst part was he lost.

More information here

Will Syria negotiations become a 'candy store' of favors?
John Bolton, a former U.S. Ambassador was on record with Fox News saying the White House has turned into a candy store. With everything going on in Syria, president Obama has opened up the White House for major negotiations to ensure a majority vote in the Senate. Bolton explains to get that votes needed for a majority a lot is going to be promised.

More information here

N.C. pastor asks that 'only white people' greet congregation at church
An African-American pastor from Charlotte, N.C. sent an email out to volunteers asking that only white people greet congregation. The pastor explained that first impressions are important, and the church wanted to put their best foot forward. An apology was sent out within 24 hours explaining that her request was inappropriate.

More information here

Exercise 3.14

3.14 Using the Stylebook 12
The Bay City Bluebirds rallied from a 3 run deficit last night to defeat the Carmel Cardinals 6-3 and win the Western tri-state division championship.
The Bluebirds are now assured a place in the tri-state playoffs which begin next week. Their opponent will be determined tonight in a game between Santa Ana Generals and the Redwood Knights.
The Cardnals led the Bluebirds for most of the game, and they had a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning.
In the Bluebird half of the eighth, Time Story, the first baseman, walked and stole second. Left fielder, Biff Carbosi was walked intentionally, and both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch by Cardinal starter Ronnie Miller. Miller was then relived by Chuck Nelson.
Bluebird second baseman Carbo Garbey lined Nelson's first pitch into deep center field, scoring both base runners. Two pitches later, Garbey stole home to tie the game.
Nelson got the next two hitters out, but then Carey Clark, the Bluebird catcher, homered to put the Bluebirds ahead. The Bluebirds added two more runs in the ninth to ensure their victory.