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Saturday, September 20, 2014

NFL Out of Control?

The NFL has always been known for having genuinely nice players. They also are known for having “tough guys” that make nothing but bone-headed decisions. Lately, the league is at an all-time high with players committing crimes, from DUI and drug use to child abuse, domestic violence, and even bomb threats.

Players that get arrested for DUIs are usually back playing within a couple of games; that isn’t anything new. Also, the NFL is loosening their drug use policy because of the legalization of marijuana in so many places now. However, even if you subtract the number of DUI arrest and drug test failures, crime is still at a peak.

Here’s a list of some of the various crimes:

· Greg Hardy- dragged his girlfriend through the apartment by her hair and threw her on a futon covered in guns

· Ray Rice- knocked out his girlfriend

· Aldon Smith- falsely yelled "bomb" in an aiport

· Adrian Peterson- allegations of child abuse

· Johnathan Dwyer- domestic violence involving 18-month-old son and his mother

Players like Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson were formerly placed in the “good guy” category, but that seems to be fading. The NFL will not last much longer if this crime rate does not decrease soon. Why is all of this taking place? No one knows for sure, but some believe it’s because of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s tendency to let things slide.

-Isaiah Addair

Sources- NFL.com; NFL Network TV

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Yik Yak Causes Stir at E&H

On Wednesday, September 3rd, there was a major scare on the Emory and Henry College campus. The day before, a student posted on an app known as Yik Yak, “Freshman killing spree. Tomorrow at the cafe at 12. All upperclassmen come prepared.” The student turned himself in soon after an email was sent out to all students warning them of the threat, but that didn’t stop the media from swarming the area. While most newspapers and articles refer to the incident as a threat towards freshmen, that may not actually be the case. Rural Retreat High School newspaper staff member Isaiah Addair met with an Emory and Henry student and asked him what he thought about the situation. The student said, “I believe it was actually a freshman that posted the threat onto Yik Yak, so instead of a killing spree against freshman wouldn’t that make it a killing spree against upperclassmen? I mean, it did tell the upperclassmen to come prepared,” which makes since considering the threat says “freshman” rather than saying “freshmen."

Said student did also state that he is very appreciative for how campus faculty and staff handled the situation. On another note, there are still other alarming posts on Yik Yak that are taking place and E&H seems to be taking no precautions. As of September 4th
there was someone threatening rape. How will campus security handle this situation?

Below is the email sent to Emory and Henry students the morning of the threats:

Dear Students,
Yik Yak is a social media application that can be used for communicating with those around you. Unfortunately, we have received a report that a threat was posted on Yik Yak today that reads, "Freshman killing spree. Tomorrow at the cafe at 12. All upperclassmen come prepared." We take threats like this seriously and will investigate. The College can pursue all avenues open to us to hold those who threaten the safety of our campus responsible to the fullest extent of the law. If you know who sent this post, please contact Campus Safety at 276.356.7783 or me at 276.944.6122 and report it. Please note that Yik Yak will work with law enforcement in cases involving threats to safety. In several cases, their assistance has led to the arrest of users. The Yik Yak team has developed a protocol on how to handle these situations and we are seeking their assistance. As a safety precaution, we are making all of our community members aware that this has been posted. If you are concerned about your safety, please contact my office in Wiley 121. I am also asking faculty to discuss this threat briefly in classes tomorrow in the context of our responsibility to each other as members of this learning community.In addition, some in our community have reported concerns about the messages coming across Yik Yak that are sexual, offensive, and derogatory. We are better than this and need to hold each other accountable. We are a community built on trust and respect, whether you are communicating in person or anonymously through social media. Please act responsibly.

UPDATE: On Friday, September 5th it was released that the student was charged with a class one misdemeanor, which can carry $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail. The student was released Thursday night on $1,000 bail.

-Isaiah Addair

Source: WCYB

Obama: ISIS Killers Will Not Intimidate U.S.

Terrorist group ISIS, or Islamic State in Irag and Syria, released a second video Tuesday of the apparent beheading of yet another American journalist, Steven Sotloff. This beheading was the second murder of an American journalist in two weeks, and the reasoning of ISIS is that it is a result of Obama deciding to conduct airstrikes against them in Iraq. "Those who make the mistake of harming Americans will learn that we will not forget ... that our reach is long and that justice will be served," the President said. "Our objective is clear. That is to degrade and destroy (ISIS) so it's no longer a threat," he said. "We can accomplish that. It's going to take some time; it's going to take some effort."

Obama also said that he believes the world needs a regional strategy if they wish to take down ISIS. Furthermore, there was also a British hostage showed at the end of the most recent video. The United Kingdom Prime Minister practically said what Obama did, “We will not be intimidated by the ISIS killers.”

-Isaiah Addair

Source: CNN

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Pics from Friday's Pep Rally

Indian Mascot


Big Indian Band

the football team entering the gym

welcoming the freshman class 
the junior class winning the spirit stick



musical chairs

Indian Football Team Debuts for the 2014 Season

August 29, the Rural Retreat Indians played the Fort Chiswell Pioneers for their first game of the season. This football game, because it was the first, was filled with anticipation. Yet another season is underway, and this year everything feels new. As some of you may know, the football team is under new management: Chris Akers is now head coach in succession to Coach Moore. The presence of a new coach makes the football team seem fresh, and everyone was anxious to see what the football team could do with a new coach in command.

The football team started early, and has worked hard after school every day. Even before this school year started, the football team was preparing in the spring and summer for this upcoming season. Countless hours have been put in by players and coaches alike. Practices after school last until “dark-thirty” to some players. No doubt, the football team has worked hard, and they came to The Fort ready for action.


-Dylan Crigger

These football players would face the Pioneers: the team who had an excellent season last year. The first game of the season would not be so easily won, but the Indians were pumped, and I was taken aback by what I saw. Nolan Ryan and Stone Mullins both had some excellent runs down the field, and Ty Boyd played well despite being new to the team. The most spectacular moment was a long pass from about midfield that brought the Indians only yards from the end zone.

Yes, the Pioneers won the football game 50 to 22, but the Indians put up a tough fight. I’m not necessarily the greatest when it comes to pointing out a good football team from a bad one, but I feel the Rural Retreat Indians have great potential this year. Their hard work was displayed on the field tonight, and despite it being a loss, I expect to see victories in the future. Through practice and perseverance, the football team is sure to do well this season. Keep up the good work coaches and players!