February 28, 2011 Current Events

Local

Casino, convention center proposed for Meadowlands Sports Complex

The Record

Today local business leaders revealed an ambitious proposal for the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The proposal included a casino, convention center, six hotels, and a spa. Governor Christie wants to table this idea and focus on the revival of Atlantic City. However, chamber President JIM Kirkos said that it was urgent to start discussing a comprehensive long-term redevelopment plan now.

National

One Perosn dead, 130,000 acres burned in Texas Wildfires

CNN

Today in Texas, firefighters tried to contain fast moving wildfires. The fires had already destroyed 60 homes, caused an accident that killed a5-year-old child and burned over 130,000 acres. The fires started at around 12:00 pm Sunday. Officals believe that it was caused by power-lines that fell due to high winds. The fire department responded to 63 fires mostly across the Texas Panhandle. The fires caused Interstate 20 to be shutdown Sunday because heavy smoke from the fire limited drivers visibility.

Global

Last Living U.S. WWI Veteran Dies

CNN

On Sunday, February 27, Frank Buckles, the last living US WWI veteran died. Buckles was 110 years old. The Family stated that Buckles "died peacefully in his home of natural causes." In WWI Buckles served in Europe as a US Army ambulance driver, and eventually rose to the rand of corporal. After the war he worked as a ship's officer on merchant vessels. Later, during WWII, Buckles was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines and held as a prisoner of war for over three year. Buckles strongly advocated making a better monument for the WWI veterans. The proposal of a "Frank Buckles WWI Memorial Act" passed in the House but did not pass the Senate before Congress adjourned. Buckles' family asks that to honor him and the 4,734,991 Americans whom he served with, donations can be made to the National WWI Legacy Project.

February 14, 2011 Current Events

Local

Plan to rollback turnpike toll hike has critics, challenges

The Record

Under a bill in the state legislator that would roll back part of the toll hike schedule, New Jersey drivers would dave about $52 annually. However,this legislation has a slim chance of becoming a law. This is largely due to Governor Christie, because he needs the toll revenue to fix the sate fund, which pays for road and bridge improvement throughout new jerseys. Still, Democrats who control the state Legislature are planning to push the bill forward.

National

Mississippi governor asked to denounce attempts to honor KKK leader

CNN

Today, the Mississippi NAACP asked Governor Haley Barbour to publicly denounce an attempt by a a Confederacy group to honor a KKK leader. The Sons of Confederate Veterans launched the campain to recognize Confederate Gen. Nathan Forrest, a popular and controversial figure, best known for being a KKK leader. The group in known for terrorizing blacks in the South after the Civil War. Forest is also well known for an 1864 raid at Fort Pillow, Tennesse where hundreds of black Union Army members were killed.

Global

No Survivors in Honduran Plan Crash

CNN

There were zero survivors found after a 12 passenger small plane crashed into a mountain just south of the capital of Honduras Monday morning. The plane had taken off form the city of San Pedro Sula with a destination of Tonoctin International Airport in Tegucigalpa. The area where the plane had crashed was a mountaintop about 2,000 feet above sea level. Rescuers had retrieved the remains of 10 people from the wreckage, and stated taht another three bodies remained trapped.

Current Events February 10, 2011

Local

Woodcliff Lake prepares to widen roads

On Tuesday February 8^th, 2011, it was announced that many roads in Woodcliff lake will undergo improvements, such as widening roads and inserting traffic lights in densely populated intersections in an attempt to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians alike. The improvements were created by town engineer, Elliot Sachs, as he had received many complaints from residents about the hazardous driving conditions.

National

Blast Kills 5 in Pennsylvania

On February 10,2011 five people in Allentown, Pennsylvania died due to a natural gas explosion. It is believed a gas line that ran underneath the neighborhood fueled a fire that ripped through eight houses.

Global

Dozen Killed at Pakistan Army School

On February 10, 2011, a teenager suicide bomber in Pakistan killed twenty seven people when he walked into a major military training base with a bomb strapped to his chest. It is unknown why the fifteen year old boy committed this actions, but it is known that he snuck into the base by dressing up in the school’s uniform.

current Events January 31, 2011

Local

Christie to sign Atlantic City Rescue Package

On Monday, January 31, 2011, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie agreed to signed a bill that he believes will save Atlantic City from their four year decline. The bill includes measures such as improving sanitation and security in an effort to make it more attractive to tourists so that the city’s economy will rise; as many of the city’s businesses are dependent on tourists. Their economy has been declining steadily since 2006, as that is when many casino’s opened up in surrounding parts of Philadelphia.

National

Tuesday’s Forecast: Horrific

On Monday, January 31, 2011, it was reported that many states are facing difficult problems balancing their budget due to the bad weather. Many states have already exceeded their so called “snow budget” and now have to dig into and take out money from other parts of their budget to pay for the snow plows and salting of the roads.

World

Unrest In North Africa and Middle East May Spread to Syria

On Monday, January 31, 2011,it was reported that many people are fearing that the civil unrest that has arisen in Egypt may spread to other countries in which citizens are dissatisfied with their government. They list Syria as a country that will most likely be influenced by the riots in Egypt, as they will think that in order to overthrow the government they should follow Egypt’s example.