What is News?
Simply put, to me, news brings the public what they want to read, hear, or see through means of text, audio, and video content. News keeps us connected to what is going on around us, both near and far at all times, day or night. News delivers messages and helps us to stay informed, well-rounded, and able to form opinions on significant current events. News is a tool of teaching and keeps life interesting. If events and happenings didn't transform into stories, would they still matter?
News is important if it shows people the consequences of actions (American soldiers with PTSD) or provides an interesting glimpse into lives. News can be of significance from all over the world but the target audience favors proximity to catch their attention for more than just a glimpse.
Characteristics that make a topic newsworthy include being current, controversial, interesting, and informative. The news does not need to maintain positivity, nor negativity. As long as content can be considered to be on a must-know or want-to-know basis, it is news. Stories that are current events make for the most important characteristic at the foundation of news. If stories are of interest to a large demographic of potential viewers/readers/listeners such as gun control in the United States.
External pressures that might force publishing decisions include the paper's collective opinion on a matter needing/wanting to be heard, the demographic (target audience), a company that owns the news outlet, and so on.
Joan Didion on Journalism and Tragedy
Morals (values and beliefs)
-Sermon in the suicide
-Hope?
-Why?
-What were they thinking?
-How?
Translation:
I take Didion's excerpt as being about the pursuit of knowledge and keeping creativity alive. The reference to the naked woman and wanting to know her "story" pertains to that notion. Didion speaks about the our need to know what's going on in the world around us and the significance of news journalism in today's society. It is important to know the story to things happening around us. The world would be incredibly strange, barren, lonely place if things just happened without any sort of explanation whatsoever. Didion is just keeping things real and in perspective.
Selection:
Story #2 "Biden says White House is Determined to Tighten Gun Law" from the Wall Street Journal
My group's story, "Biden says White House is Determined to Tighten Gun Law" from the Wall Street Journal belongs at the top of our home page because it has the greatest appeal to the masses, seeing as how it serves as a follow-up to several recent unnecessary acts of violence in the United States in the form of President Barack Obama's plan of action to combat gun violence in our country.
Gun control is a hot, fiercely contested topic that everyone has an opinion on these days due to several recent gun-related tragedies at an elementary school in Connecticut, a movie theater in Colorado, and at the Empire State Building in New York.
This is news that many people want to hear. It shows progress and initiative to a nation that is still grieving the loss of 26 innocent lives (many of them young school children) at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.
Although the American public still remains largely divided on the issue of gun control, to me, what this story does is provide a positive response to a negative storyline. News is all about timeliness and keeping things fresh and invigorating both in style and substance. This story follows a trend, a current event that people will rely news outlets to hear about. That is what makes this story significant and noteworthy. The fact that it appeared in a publication with the clout of the Wall Street Journal also helps to promote its legitimacy.
Classification: Headline News
Critique:
Story #1 "Sacramento basketball team will relocate to Seattle, sources say" from Yahoo! Sports
As a Seattle sports fan, this story is of great interest to me. However, if you're not an NBA fan, a resident of the Emerald City or Sacramento for that matter, do you really care all that much? The answer is most definitely a resounding "No". This story might earn mention on the front page but certainly not something that should be a headliner for a national news outlet unless we're talking about the sports page. There just isn't enough national interest there, just civic pride and redemption for the basketball-loving citizens of Seattle. One might also make an argument that because the relocation is not yet a done deal that it takes away a bit from the need to highlight the story.
Classification: Sports (National and Local)
Story #3 "Dangerously Excessive" from Deadspin.com
This is another sports story that may not interest readers on a national level all that much. Also, the Pac-12 clearing WSU head football coach Mike Leach of any wrongdoing in the Marquess Wilson abuse allegations provides a more well-rounded story that will draw the readers in. I do not think that a story by a media outlet with questionable journalistic standards and practices such as Deadspin that revolves solely on what anonymous players think about particular incidents that drew the complaints of abuse to WSU football is enough to take over a front page on a respected source of news information and content.
Classification: Sports (Local)
Story #4 "Acting Out War's Inner Wounds" from the New York Times
The New York Times is a highly-respected juggernaut in the journalism business and provides quality writing covering a wide variety of topics from all over the news spectrum. This is a human-interest story that brings to light the horrors of war and the injuries suffered by the brave men and women that fight for America's freedom on a daily basis. This article discusses the hidden scars inflicted upon our soldiers meaning psychological problems, traumatic brain injuries, and PTSD among other things. We still have fighters over seas and thus this story is a current event that everyday Americans will be drawn to. People want and need to be aware of these things, even if they provide heart-wrenching narratives relating to our loved ones, neighbors, friends, etc. This story is one that needs to be told and thus, commands our respect and attention. This is a newsworthy piece on a national scale.
Classification: Features
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Event Story
Play for a Cure: WSU students organize playathon benefitting cancer research
By: Zack Menchel
PULLMAN, Wash. Visitors to the Terrell Library atrium were greeted by the brilliant melodies of classical music on Jan. 25 as part of a piano playathon that raised nearly $1 thousand dollars benefitting the American Cancer Society.
The event showcased a handful of talented young pianists from WSU’s School of Music performing both classical and jazz repertoire to show support for a beloved professor who is battling cancer.
Dr. Karen Savage was recently diagnosed with breast cancer but has since resumed her teaching duties at the university while undergoing treatment.
Juliana Witt, a student of Savage’s who helped to orchestrate the event said she and seven other students wanted to give back to Savage through the gift of music while simultaneously raising money and awareness for a good cause.
“I think we just wanted to show our collective love and support for a professor we all know and care for that is fighting cancer,” she said.
“We felt that in playing music, we’re doing what we do best in order to benefit the lives of others."
The playathon was intended as an addition to “Atrium Music”, an on-going series of impromptu concerts and recitals featuring aspiring musicians and was facilitated by WSU’s collegiate chapter of the Music Teachers National Association.
Sandra Albers, a performing arts facilities coordinator in her 17<sup>th</sup> year at the School of Music sees the playathon and other related atrium performances as not only a great dress-rehearsal for the musicians to perfect their craft but also a relaxing experience for any foot traffic meandering through the library.
“The Atrium Series helps people to be exposed to music while going about their business in the library,” she said.
“It also simply allows people to stop and take a break on Friday afternoon, sit down and just listen to something beautiful and inspiring.”
Leaning back comfortably in her chair, Stephanie Long gently closed her eyes and bobbed her head back and forth in unison with the plethora of calming sounds permeating the room around her.
Long, a junior secondary education major said she initially entered the library completely oblivious to the playathon but instantly felt compelled to take a seat near the atrium’s grand piano to soak up the atmosphere.
“I was raised around music and have loved it my entire life as it’s always been something that’s been there for me,” she said.
“I still play music to this day and see it as part of my genetics, my DNA, a portion of me I couldn’t live without it.”
Long said she appreciated the fact that the playathon raised funds for a beneficial organization and hopes that the atrium continues to house events such as these, encouraging students to attend.
“Music should be a part of every student’s life because it helps create balance,” said Long.”
“As stressful as school is, music helps build a place where people can escape to reflect, relax, or just deal with whatever it is an individual is facing regardless if one is playing, producing, or listening.”
The appeal of soothing music in the atrium is undeniable but the question remains as to whether events such as the playathon can become a regular occurrence in the future and thrive without the added bonus of promoting a good cause.
“The beauty of it all is that people can come and go as they please or sit down to eat their lunch in a relaxing setting,” said Witt.
“It creates a greater sense of community and is so much more than just a performance.”
Sources:
Julianna Witt
Student/Teaching Assistant
Email: julianawitt21@gmail.com
Sandra Albers
WSU School of Music Performing Arts Facilities Coordinator
Email: sandra_albers@wsu.edu
Stephanie Long
Student
Email: stephanie.long100@email.wsu.edu
Summary:
On Friday, Jan. 25 eight WSU students performed both classic and original compositions on a piano in the Terrell Library Atrium. The series of performances was organized by the students in order to support a professor who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, Dr. Karen Savage. The event raised $900 in funds.
Outline:
I). Lead
Time and Place
II). What/Why?
Showcase of young pianists
To benefit cancer research, honor Dr. Savage
III). Interviews
Purpose
Pros of event/music in general
IV. Wrap-Up
By: Zack Menchel
PULLMAN, Wash. Visitors to the Terrell Library atrium were greeted by the brilliant melodies of classical music on Jan. 25 as part of a piano playathon that raised nearly $1 thousand dollars benefitting the American Cancer Society.
The event showcased a handful of talented young pianists from WSU’s School of Music performing both classical and jazz repertoire to show support for a beloved professor who is battling cancer.
Dr. Karen Savage was recently diagnosed with breast cancer but has since resumed her teaching duties at the university while undergoing treatment.
Juliana Witt, a student of Savage’s who helped to orchestrate the event said she and seven other students wanted to give back to Savage through the gift of music while simultaneously raising money and awareness for a good cause.
“I think we just wanted to show our collective love and support for a professor we all know and care for that is fighting cancer,” she said.
“We felt that in playing music, we’re doing what we do best in order to benefit the lives of others."
The playathon was intended as an addition to “Atrium Music”, an on-going series of impromptu concerts and recitals featuring aspiring musicians and was facilitated by WSU’s collegiate chapter of the Music Teachers National Association.
Sandra Albers, a performing arts facilities coordinator in her 17<sup>th</sup> year at the School of Music sees the playathon and other related atrium performances as not only a great dress-rehearsal for the musicians to perfect their craft but also a relaxing experience for any foot traffic meandering through the library.
“The Atrium Series helps people to be exposed to music while going about their business in the library,” she said.
“It also simply allows people to stop and take a break on Friday afternoon, sit down and just listen to something beautiful and inspiring.”
Leaning back comfortably in her chair, Stephanie Long gently closed her eyes and bobbed her head back and forth in unison with the plethora of calming sounds permeating the room around her.
Long, a junior secondary education major said she initially entered the library completely oblivious to the playathon but instantly felt compelled to take a seat near the atrium’s grand piano to soak up the atmosphere.
“I was raised around music and have loved it my entire life as it’s always been something that’s been there for me,” she said.
“I still play music to this day and see it as part of my genetics, my DNA, a portion of me I couldn’t live without it.”
Long said she appreciated the fact that the playathon raised funds for a beneficial organization and hopes that the atrium continues to house events such as these, encouraging students to attend.
“Music should be a part of every student’s life because it helps create balance,” said Long.”
“As stressful as school is, music helps build a place where people can escape to reflect, relax, or just deal with whatever it is an individual is facing regardless if one is playing, producing, or listening.”
The appeal of soothing music in the atrium is undeniable but the question remains as to whether events such as the playathon can become a regular occurrence in the future and thrive without the added bonus of promoting a good cause.
“The beauty of it all is that people can come and go as they please or sit down to eat their lunch in a relaxing setting,” said Witt.
“It creates a greater sense of community and is so much more than just a performance.”
Sources:
Julianna Witt
Student/Teaching Assistant
Email: julianawitt21@gmail.com
Sandra Albers
WSU School of Music Performing Arts Facilities Coordinator
Email: sandra_albers@wsu.edu
Stephanie Long
Student
Email: stephanie.long100@email.wsu.edu
Summary:
On Friday, Jan. 25 eight WSU students performed both classic and original compositions on a piano in the Terrell Library Atrium. The series of performances was organized by the students in order to support a professor who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, Dr. Karen Savage. The event raised $900 in funds.
Outline:
I). Lead
Time and Place
II). What/Why?
Showcase of young pianists
To benefit cancer research, honor Dr. Savage
III). Interviews
Purpose
Pros of event/music in general
IV. Wrap-Up
ASWSU Meeting Story
ASWSU Presidential Candidates Debate Student Involvement, Fiscal Responsibility
By: Zack Menchel
PULLMAN, Wash. ASWSU presidential candidates and their running mates debated issues relating to student programs and fiscal priorities among other topics Wednesday night in the CUB Senior Ballroom.
Senior political science major Taylor Hennessey and his running mate junior sports management major Kevin Massimino sat on the left side of the stage.
On the right side of the stage sat their opposition, senior political science major Jake Mayson and his running mate sophomore hospitality business management major Harrison Diemert.
The night began with each pairing’s opening statement followed by seven questions regarding various on-campus issues prepared by the Election Board.
The questions addressed both the ticket and candidates individually and both tickets were allotted a one-minute rebuttal.
The most pressing issue on the campaign agenda this year focuses on a general deficiency in accessibility and knowledge of student programs.
Hennessey and Massimino utilized their platform of interaction to discuss a solution to the lack of visibility of many of WSU’s current programs.
The pair proposed a complete retooling of ASWSU’s website in order to create a central hub of information regarding student services such as tutoring and scholarships.
“The site would be introduced to incoming students at Alive! Summer Orientation,” said Massimino.
“We want them to know that ASWSU is the resource to answer their questions about any services the school currently offers,” Massimino said.
They also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong ASWSU presence at Alive! to assist students with any concerns they may have.
Mayson and Diemert cited Multicultural Services and Cougar Leadership Retreat, a program that allows students to voice their opinions, thoughts, and concerns about campus life as the answers to improving the identity of student programs as a whole.
“It begins with a core group of phenomenal leaders on campus,” said Mayson.
“By creating a connection between various programs and student government, we can really expand ASWSU’s reach and visibility here on campus,” Mayson said.
Financial responsibilities and planning provided another hot-button topic on the evening for the candidates.
Using their platform of affordability, Mayson and Diemert stated their primary commitment is to get money back into students’ pockets.
“If elected I think our top priority and one that excites students is the gas co-op,” said Mayson.
“The idea of taking a chunk out of the average $1,400 dollars the average WSU student spends on transportation every year would be huge,” Mayson said.
The ticket said if elected they would concentrate on funding student programs to make sure they fulfill what they’re tasked to do and would instill a zero increase budget policy unless the increase provided opportunity for student employment.
Highlighting Mayson and Diemert’s point on finances is their idea for the Bookie to provide four $1,000 scholarships to students who demonstrated exemplary leadership each semester.
Hennessey and Massimino related to the audience by discussing the pains of buying and re-selling textbooks at the Bookie.
The duo said that because the Bookie does not deal with state money and can be adjusted barring necessity, they would strive to be more fiscally responsible with the student bookstore’s dividend in textbook pricing.
In addition, Hennessey and Massimino expressed the significance of public fundraising to their campaign’s goals and pledged to donate $500 out of each of their salaries back to students in some form, be it scholarships or student program funding.
Other topics covered throughout the debate included academic colleges versus living districts, specific plans for ASWSU community programs, specific characteristics of each candidate’s leadership qualities, and how each ticket will stand out.
Director of Student Involvement Connan Campbell said he felt the debate was an overall success and was thrilled with the candidates’ presentations.
“The candidates were clear about their platform points and stuck to them consistently,” said Campbell.
“They did a good job highlighting their own strengths but also poked holes in their opponent’s agendas while pointing out their weaknesses,” Campbell said.
Campbell said voters could do no wrong with either campaign ticket, as they both possess the knowledge and experience to step in and make an immediate impact.
He said his hope for the election is that the candidates reach out to the students that don’t usually vote and try to get them educated and more informed about what’s happening around campus.
More than 800 students and staff members attended Wednesday’s debate, the first of at least three taking place leading up to the election.
The ASWSU president and vice president will be anointed on March 5.
Sources:
Kevin Massimino
ASWSU Director of Student Life/District 3 Senator
Email: kevin.massimino@email.wsu.edu
Jake Mayson
ASWSU Chief of Staff
Email: jkmayson@email.wsu.edu
Connan Campbell
Faculty Director of Student Involvement
Email: connan@wsu.edu
Summary: On Wednesday, Feb. 13 more than 800 WSU students and faculty members gathered in the CUB Senior Ballroom to watch a debate between the Hennessey/Massimino and Mayson/Diemert tickets. The debate was the first in a series leading up to the election in March. The debate’s two hot-button topics focused on prioritizing fiscal responsibilities and the need for exposure of student programs.
Outline:
I). Lead
Time and Place
Naming of Candidates
Brief Explanation of Debate Principles
II). Why? & What?
Debate of hot-button issues
To Decide ASWSU Presidency
III). Interviews
Candidate Agenda/Solutions
Faculty Advisor Thoughts on Event
IV. Wrap-Up Information
By: Zack Menchel
PULLMAN, Wash. ASWSU presidential candidates and their running mates debated issues relating to student programs and fiscal priorities among other topics Wednesday night in the CUB Senior Ballroom.
Senior political science major Taylor Hennessey and his running mate junior sports management major Kevin Massimino sat on the left side of the stage.
On the right side of the stage sat their opposition, senior political science major Jake Mayson and his running mate sophomore hospitality business management major Harrison Diemert.
The night began with each pairing’s opening statement followed by seven questions regarding various on-campus issues prepared by the Election Board.
The questions addressed both the ticket and candidates individually and both tickets were allotted a one-minute rebuttal.
The most pressing issue on the campaign agenda this year focuses on a general deficiency in accessibility and knowledge of student programs.
Hennessey and Massimino utilized their platform of interaction to discuss a solution to the lack of visibility of many of WSU’s current programs.
The pair proposed a complete retooling of ASWSU’s website in order to create a central hub of information regarding student services such as tutoring and scholarships.
“The site would be introduced to incoming students at Alive! Summer Orientation,” said Massimino.
“We want them to know that ASWSU is the resource to answer their questions about any services the school currently offers,” Massimino said.
They also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong ASWSU presence at Alive! to assist students with any concerns they may have.
Mayson and Diemert cited Multicultural Services and Cougar Leadership Retreat, a program that allows students to voice their opinions, thoughts, and concerns about campus life as the answers to improving the identity of student programs as a whole.
“It begins with a core group of phenomenal leaders on campus,” said Mayson.
“By creating a connection between various programs and student government, we can really expand ASWSU’s reach and visibility here on campus,” Mayson said.
Financial responsibilities and planning provided another hot-button topic on the evening for the candidates.
Using their platform of affordability, Mayson and Diemert stated their primary commitment is to get money back into students’ pockets.
“If elected I think our top priority and one that excites students is the gas co-op,” said Mayson.
“The idea of taking a chunk out of the average $1,400 dollars the average WSU student spends on transportation every year would be huge,” Mayson said.
The ticket said if elected they would concentrate on funding student programs to make sure they fulfill what they’re tasked to do and would instill a zero increase budget policy unless the increase provided opportunity for student employment.
Highlighting Mayson and Diemert’s point on finances is their idea for the Bookie to provide four $1,000 scholarships to students who demonstrated exemplary leadership each semester.
Hennessey and Massimino related to the audience by discussing the pains of buying and re-selling textbooks at the Bookie.
The duo said that because the Bookie does not deal with state money and can be adjusted barring necessity, they would strive to be more fiscally responsible with the student bookstore’s dividend in textbook pricing.
In addition, Hennessey and Massimino expressed the significance of public fundraising to their campaign’s goals and pledged to donate $500 out of each of their salaries back to students in some form, be it scholarships or student program funding.
Other topics covered throughout the debate included academic colleges versus living districts, specific plans for ASWSU community programs, specific characteristics of each candidate’s leadership qualities, and how each ticket will stand out.
Director of Student Involvement Connan Campbell said he felt the debate was an overall success and was thrilled with the candidates’ presentations.
“The candidates were clear about their platform points and stuck to them consistently,” said Campbell.
“They did a good job highlighting their own strengths but also poked holes in their opponent’s agendas while pointing out their weaknesses,” Campbell said.
Campbell said voters could do no wrong with either campaign ticket, as they both possess the knowledge and experience to step in and make an immediate impact.
He said his hope for the election is that the candidates reach out to the students that don’t usually vote and try to get them educated and more informed about what’s happening around campus.
More than 800 students and staff members attended Wednesday’s debate, the first of at least three taking place leading up to the election.
The ASWSU president and vice president will be anointed on March 5.
Sources:
Kevin Massimino
ASWSU Director of Student Life/District 3 Senator
Email: kevin.massimino@email.wsu.edu
Jake Mayson
ASWSU Chief of Staff
Email: jkmayson@email.wsu.edu
Connan Campbell
Faculty Director of Student Involvement
Email: connan@wsu.edu
Summary: On Wednesday, Feb. 13 more than 800 WSU students and faculty members gathered in the CUB Senior Ballroom to watch a debate between the Hennessey/Massimino and Mayson/Diemert tickets. The debate was the first in a series leading up to the election in March. The debate’s two hot-button topics focused on prioritizing fiscal responsibilities and the need for exposure of student programs.
Outline:
I). Lead
Time and Place
Naming of Candidates
Brief Explanation of Debate Principles
II). Why? & What?
Debate of hot-button issues
To Decide ASWSU Presidency
III). Interviews
Candidate Agenda/Solutions
Faculty Advisor Thoughts on Event
IV. Wrap-Up Information
Personality Profile: Residence Hall Director
Outline:
I). Background on Griffin Uchida
· RED duties
· Motivation
· Hice opinion
II). Managing Issues
· Proudest moment
· Response
· Overall Experience
III). Legacy
· Kiambuthi perspective
· Lasting impact
· Close
Helping others is contagious: Griffin Uchida Profile
By: Zack Menchel
PULLMAN, Wash. Griffin Uchida wakes up every morning with the mindset that he’s going to help somebody and to make a difference in the community he has come to know and love.
As the residential education director (RED) of McEachern Residence Hall at WSU, Uchida makes a career out of offering assistance and his expertise to students in a myriad of ways.
“My job is two-fold in the sense that I primarily manage people be it supervising resident advisors or dealing with residents that are having issues,” Uchida said.
“I also mange the building to make sure the hall is running effectively while properly utilizing its resources so students are getting what they pay for.”
Uchida knew he wanted to get involved in the field of education ever since he was five or six years old.
However, it wasn’t until he attended undergraduate school and became an RA at Western Washington University that he discovered his true calling and future profession.
“What interested me most was the experience and opportunity to get a more holistic view of the student and see them outside of class in their living situations,” Uchida said.
“I enjoy witnessing the growth of these young adults to a more traditional view of adulthood and prepping them to become responsible citizens.”
Sophomore Marissa Hice enjoyed her time working for Uchida and viewed him as a mentor that helped prepare her professionally.
“Griffin is one of the most phenomenal leaders I ever had the pleasure of encountering,” Hice said.
“I learned and grew so much as a person due to his guidance and he helped everyone stay enthusiastic and ready to work.”
Uchida said each passing day brings new challenges but the most trying time of his career occurred last year in which a resident of his hall accidentally set off the sprinkler system in their room.
The incident caused a great deal of personal and property damage and quite a stir among residents.
“That was one of those times that really encapsulates what I do,” Uchida said.
“The situation called for a quick response and I had to utilize a lot of different skills to connect with the various departments that were going to help solve the problem.”
Junior Kariri Kiambuthi, an RA at McEachern thinks highly of Uchida’s leadership skill and managerial abilities.
“Griffin’s communication skills, clarity on his expectations, and his ability to challenge us on multiple levels are all characteristics that make him a good hall director,” said Kiambuthi.
Uchida also works part-time in the dean of students’ office and engages himself in any odd-jobs they ask of him.
He is currently coordinating a volunteer project to aid students in moving into the residence halls in the fall and is also working on a new electronic version of the student handbook.
Uchida admits to getting embarrassed regarding any sort of public acknowledgement or praise for his achievements.
However, he said he wants to be thought of as part of the bigger picture, a legacy of educators who’ve made a difference in Pullman.
“If I am able to leave my community in better shape than it was when I got here, regardless of how well off they were functioning before I started then I will be satisfied,” Uchida said.
“I truly want to see students succeed and if I can know I had a part in that then that is definitely the kind of lasting impact I’d like to have.”
Helping others is a reward in itself as showing compassion for one’s fellow man can be a therapeutic experience but to Uchida, it means a whole lot more. it’s a career and his ever-lasting legacy.
Sources:
Griffin Uchida: griffin.uchida@wsu.edu
Marissa Hice: marissa.hice@email.wsu.edu
Kariri Kiambuthi: kariri.kiambuthu@email.wsu.edu
I). Background on Griffin Uchida
· RED duties
· Motivation
· Hice opinion
II). Managing Issues
· Proudest moment
· Response
· Overall Experience
III). Legacy
· Kiambuthi perspective
· Lasting impact
· Close
Helping others is contagious: Griffin Uchida Profile
By: Zack Menchel
PULLMAN, Wash. Griffin Uchida wakes up every morning with the mindset that he’s going to help somebody and to make a difference in the community he has come to know and love.
As the residential education director (RED) of McEachern Residence Hall at WSU, Uchida makes a career out of offering assistance and his expertise to students in a myriad of ways.
“My job is two-fold in the sense that I primarily manage people be it supervising resident advisors or dealing with residents that are having issues,” Uchida said.
“I also mange the building to make sure the hall is running effectively while properly utilizing its resources so students are getting what they pay for.”
Uchida knew he wanted to get involved in the field of education ever since he was five or six years old.
However, it wasn’t until he attended undergraduate school and became an RA at Western Washington University that he discovered his true calling and future profession.
“What interested me most was the experience and opportunity to get a more holistic view of the student and see them outside of class in their living situations,” Uchida said.
“I enjoy witnessing the growth of these young adults to a more traditional view of adulthood and prepping them to become responsible citizens.”
Sophomore Marissa Hice enjoyed her time working for Uchida and viewed him as a mentor that helped prepare her professionally.
“Griffin is one of the most phenomenal leaders I ever had the pleasure of encountering,” Hice said.
“I learned and grew so much as a person due to his guidance and he helped everyone stay enthusiastic and ready to work.”
Uchida said each passing day brings new challenges but the most trying time of his career occurred last year in which a resident of his hall accidentally set off the sprinkler system in their room.
The incident caused a great deal of personal and property damage and quite a stir among residents.
“That was one of those times that really encapsulates what I do,” Uchida said.
“The situation called for a quick response and I had to utilize a lot of different skills to connect with the various departments that were going to help solve the problem.”
Junior Kariri Kiambuthi, an RA at McEachern thinks highly of Uchida’s leadership skill and managerial abilities.
“Griffin’s communication skills, clarity on his expectations, and his ability to challenge us on multiple levels are all characteristics that make him a good hall director,” said Kiambuthi.
Uchida also works part-time in the dean of students’ office and engages himself in any odd-jobs they ask of him.
He is currently coordinating a volunteer project to aid students in moving into the residence halls in the fall and is also working on a new electronic version of the student handbook.
Uchida admits to getting embarrassed regarding any sort of public acknowledgement or praise for his achievements.
However, he said he wants to be thought of as part of the bigger picture, a legacy of educators who’ve made a difference in Pullman.
“If I am able to leave my community in better shape than it was when I got here, regardless of how well off they were functioning before I started then I will be satisfied,” Uchida said.
“I truly want to see students succeed and if I can know I had a part in that then that is definitely the kind of lasting impact I’d like to have.”
Helping others is a reward in itself as showing compassion for one’s fellow man can be a therapeutic experience but to Uchida, it means a whole lot more. it’s a career and his ever-lasting legacy.
Sources:
Griffin Uchida: griffin.uchida@wsu.edu
Marissa Hice: marissa.hice@email.wsu.edu
Kariri Kiambuthi: kariri.kiambuthu@email.wsu.edu
Demographic Story: Pain in the Parking Lot
Pain in the Parking Lot: WSU students fret over the price to park
By: Zack Menchel
PULLMAN, Wash. Owning a car in college is a privilege, but recent increases in parking permit costs and zone changes are making it quite the hassle for many WSU students and staff members alike on a daily basis.
According to Parking and Transportation Services, the price for a blue lot permit increased 78 percent between 2004 and 2013, 57 percent for yellow, and 14 percent for gray and red.
Annual parking permits at WSU are broken down into seven color-coded categories designated by color names with Blue being the cheapest and Orange being the most expensive.
Raising prices for parking is detrimental to college students and their families whom already pay out of pocket for expenses such as tuition, textbooks, food, and gas.
The issue becomes more problematic when Transportation Services fails to make the reasoning for their constant price hikes publicly available and improvements are often not visually evident.
WSU students such as Andrew Chamberlin are then left to wonder precisely how their hard earned money is being spent.
“Honestly, I do not even know where all the money we pay for parking goes,” said Chamberlin.
“The lines for spaces where you’re actually designated to park in some lots have disappeared due to lack of maintenance to snow and gravel.”
The transportation department is also independent from the university, meaning they do not receive any funding.
This leads to a department designated pricing system for parking lots, garages, and sports events.
It currently costs up to $30 to park in lots for Cougar football games alone.
The annual fluctuation in parking prices and general lack of information regarding changes is what caught the eye of a group of WSU students who hope to make a difference in the system.
WSU Parking Initiative is a small grassroots organization recently formed by five Pullman-based students seeking to provide their peers with a more extensive outline regarding parking updates at the university.
One of those students is senior Stephanie Long who said the group hopes to bring awareness of parking issues to the WSU community.
“We realized that parking prices seem outrageously high for a university located in such a small town,” said Long.
“Collectively, our group really wants to know where all of our money is being used by Transportation Services and when changes are made to parking facilities.”
According to the WSU Parking Initiative’s website, unannounced lot color changes have been a troubling practice. “Recently a Blue parking lot was changed to Gray without notifying pass-holders, “ the site reads.
“This meant individuals who purchased a Blue parking lot pass for that specific area were unable to use it and they had to either purchase a Gray lot pass or park elsewhere.
Neglecting to alert students to changes of this magnitude resulted in the issuing of steep parking tickets upwards of fifty dollars.
WSU Parking Initiative’s site also compares parking rates at WSU to five other major collegiate institutions in the state of Washington.
Their findings concluded that WSU’s rates are shockingly high when compared to other schools located in small towns such as Pullman.
For example, WSU’s annual parking rate of $70-604 dwarfs Eastern Washington University’s $94-221 range as well as Central Washington University’s $80-204 rate.
Another founder of WSU Parking Initiative, Kyle Toyra, said that the group’s efforts have been paying off thus far.
He says the group has collected fifty signatures on their petition and hundreds of participants in a survey on their website since it went online on Friday.
“It just shows that people are actually paying attention and care what’s going on around our campus as well as awareness of the difference they can make,” said Toyra.
“Having enough people sign the petition might make Transportation Services consider making vital parking information more readily available to students.”
Long said she hopes Transportation Services will listen to the student voice and prove their parking prices are fair and reasonable.
“They hold a monopoly over on-campus parking and provide no evidence that the services they provide are sufficient or reasonable,” she said.
“We are fighting to make that evidence public.”
When asked on how he thinks the transportation department will respond to the group’s efforts,
“I believe they will try to stonewall us just like they have done previously to ASWSU,” said Toyra.
“It's definitely going to be an uphill battle, but we’re willing to fight it out with the help of our peers and the WSU community as a whole.”
For more information on WSU Parking Initiative’s efforts, visit their website: wsuparking.wix.com.
Sources:
Andrew Chamberlin
<strong>Contact:</strong> andrew.chamberlin@email.wsu.edu
Stephanie Long
<strong>Contact:</strong> stephanie.long100@email.wsu.edu
Kyle Toyra
<strong>Contact:</strong> kyle.toyra@email.wsu.edu
WSU Parking Initiative Website:
http://wsuparking.wix.com/wsuparkinginitiative
Outline
I). Scope of the Issue
· What Is Happening
· WSU Parking Situation
· Effect On Students
II). What Needs to be Done/Opinion
· Chamberlin Student Reaction
· Transportation Department Pricing
· Action/Issues
III). WSU Parking Initiative
· Long perspective
· Website
· Toyra Perspective
IV). Closing Remarks
By: Zack Menchel
PULLMAN, Wash. Owning a car in college is a privilege, but recent increases in parking permit costs and zone changes are making it quite the hassle for many WSU students and staff members alike on a daily basis.
According to Parking and Transportation Services, the price for a blue lot permit increased 78 percent between 2004 and 2013, 57 percent for yellow, and 14 percent for gray and red.
Annual parking permits at WSU are broken down into seven color-coded categories designated by color names with Blue being the cheapest and Orange being the most expensive.
Raising prices for parking is detrimental to college students and their families whom already pay out of pocket for expenses such as tuition, textbooks, food, and gas.
The issue becomes more problematic when Transportation Services fails to make the reasoning for their constant price hikes publicly available and improvements are often not visually evident.
WSU students such as Andrew Chamberlin are then left to wonder precisely how their hard earned money is being spent.
“Honestly, I do not even know where all the money we pay for parking goes,” said Chamberlin.
“The lines for spaces where you’re actually designated to park in some lots have disappeared due to lack of maintenance to snow and gravel.”
The transportation department is also independent from the university, meaning they do not receive any funding.
This leads to a department designated pricing system for parking lots, garages, and sports events.
It currently costs up to $30 to park in lots for Cougar football games alone.
The annual fluctuation in parking prices and general lack of information regarding changes is what caught the eye of a group of WSU students who hope to make a difference in the system.
WSU Parking Initiative is a small grassroots organization recently formed by five Pullman-based students seeking to provide their peers with a more extensive outline regarding parking updates at the university.
One of those students is senior Stephanie Long who said the group hopes to bring awareness of parking issues to the WSU community.
“We realized that parking prices seem outrageously high for a university located in such a small town,” said Long.
“Collectively, our group really wants to know where all of our money is being used by Transportation Services and when changes are made to parking facilities.”
According to the WSU Parking Initiative’s website, unannounced lot color changes have been a troubling practice. “Recently a Blue parking lot was changed to Gray without notifying pass-holders, “ the site reads.
“This meant individuals who purchased a Blue parking lot pass for that specific area were unable to use it and they had to either purchase a Gray lot pass or park elsewhere.
Neglecting to alert students to changes of this magnitude resulted in the issuing of steep parking tickets upwards of fifty dollars.
WSU Parking Initiative’s site also compares parking rates at WSU to five other major collegiate institutions in the state of Washington.
Their findings concluded that WSU’s rates are shockingly high when compared to other schools located in small towns such as Pullman.
For example, WSU’s annual parking rate of $70-604 dwarfs Eastern Washington University’s $94-221 range as well as Central Washington University’s $80-204 rate.
Another founder of WSU Parking Initiative, Kyle Toyra, said that the group’s efforts have been paying off thus far.
He says the group has collected fifty signatures on their petition and hundreds of participants in a survey on their website since it went online on Friday.
“It just shows that people are actually paying attention and care what’s going on around our campus as well as awareness of the difference they can make,” said Toyra.
“Having enough people sign the petition might make Transportation Services consider making vital parking information more readily available to students.”
Long said she hopes Transportation Services will listen to the student voice and prove their parking prices are fair and reasonable.
“They hold a monopoly over on-campus parking and provide no evidence that the services they provide are sufficient or reasonable,” she said.
“We are fighting to make that evidence public.”
When asked on how he thinks the transportation department will respond to the group’s efforts,
“I believe they will try to stonewall us just like they have done previously to ASWSU,” said Toyra.
“It's definitely going to be an uphill battle, but we’re willing to fight it out with the help of our peers and the WSU community as a whole.”
For more information on WSU Parking Initiative’s efforts, visit their website: wsuparking.wix.com.
Sources:
Andrew Chamberlin
<strong>Contact:</strong> andrew.chamberlin@email.wsu.edu
Stephanie Long
<strong>Contact:</strong> stephanie.long100@email.wsu.edu
Kyle Toyra
<strong>Contact:</strong> kyle.toyra@email.wsu.edu
WSU Parking Initiative Website:
http://wsuparking.wix.com/wsuparkinginitiative
Outline
I). Scope of the Issue
· What Is Happening
· WSU Parking Situation
· Effect On Students
II). What Needs to be Done/Opinion
· Chamberlin Student Reaction
· Transportation Department Pricing
· Action/Issues
III). WSU Parking Initiative
· Long perspective
· Website
· Toyra Perspective
IV). Closing Remarks
Trend Story Write-Up: Alcohol and Energy Drinks
PULLMAN, Wash. Nearly 2,000 college students die from alcohol-related causes each year, according to a recent report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Irresponsible drinking is rampant among college campuses across the country as students leave home for the first time and away from the authority figures monitoring their behavior.
With the emergence of unofficial slogans such as “Win or lose, Cougs booze”, Washington State University has long been known as a “party school” and with that territory comes an abundance of alcohol-related hospitalizations.
Approximately 374 patients are seen in the Emergency Department at Pullman Regional Hospital annually for alcohol-related instances according to Dr. Pete Mikkelsen in a community newsletter.
Several WSU students were admitted to the hospital due to acute alcohol poisoning in one semester last year alone with various others receiving injuries from falls of rooftops and balconies while under the influence of alcohol.
In October 2012, WSU freshman Kenny Hummel, 18, was found unresponsive in a dorm room on campus.
Students administered CPR on the scene before the paramedics arrived but Hummel was later pronounced dead at Pullman Regional Hospital.
Members of Hummel’s family revealed that Kenny’s cause of death was a lethal concoction of caffeinated energy drinks and alcohol.
His blood alcohol level was .40, or five times the legal limit for driving in the state of Washington.
Energy drinks are popular among college-aged students looking for a boost to their academic performance but are also consumed with alcohol in order to stay alert and awake while partying.
The problem is that alcohol is a depressant while energy drinks serve as a stimulant. Feeling tired while drinking alcohol is the body’s natural defense and way of telling one to shut down at the end of the night.
When energy drinks enter the equation, it can lead to potentially life-threatening situations in which the caffeine masks the consumer’s sedation and causes them to continue drinking, past their body’s limit and into lethal levels of intoxication.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 34% of 18- to 24-year-olds regularly consume energy drinks and 71% admitted to mixing them with alcohol on multiple occasions.
WSU junior Jessica Roller first learned about the dangers of mixing energy drinks with alcohol in 2010 after Washington State banned Four Loko, a highly-caffeinated alcoholic beverage sold in convenience stores.
Roller said she still enjoys energy drinks mixed with vodka from time to time.
“I make sure to monitor how much of them I am drinking,” said Roller.
“Life is short and everything comes attached with risks these days.”
Sophomore Scott Wolf feels that the risks of consuming energy drinks with alcohol are not great enough for him to lose sleep over.
“I’m well aware of the potential health effects but I feel I am pretty careful with how much I drink,” said Wolf.
“I worry more for those of my classmates that I see consuming multiple energy drinks with alcohol every night as if its no big deal.”
Although pricey, averaging around $3-4 a can, the accessibility and exposure of energy drinks on college campuses only contributes to the growing problem and number of instances of overindulgence.
Numerous brands and varieties can be found at the Bookie, in vending machines, and are even given out and promoted by companies on school grounds.
Despite the appeal to party longer, sophomore Gabe Abram does not feel the need to cave in to peer pressure regarding the simultaneous consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
“I choose not to drink alcohol with energy drinks because I know not to mix stimulants and depressants,” said Abram.
“Seeing as though I am naturally hyper and energetic, I don’t really see a need for energy drinks when I’m partying.”
Junior Cordes Crawford, estimates he pours himself a glass or two of Crown Royal whiskey mixed with Monster energy drink about two times a month and didn’t need anyone to tell him about the risks involved.
“I went out on a limb and made an assumption that two things that are bad for you do not get better when they are combined,” said Crawford.
“It doesn’t bother me because short term rewards outweigh the long term risks in my opinion.”
Sources:
Jessica Roller
Email: jessica.roller@email.wsu.edu
Scott Wolf
Email: scott.wolf5@email.wsu.edu
Gabe Abram
Email: gabe.abram@email.wsu.edu
Cordes Crawford
Phone: (206) 859-0248
Irresponsible drinking is rampant among college campuses across the country as students leave home for the first time and away from the authority figures monitoring their behavior.
With the emergence of unofficial slogans such as “Win or lose, Cougs booze”, Washington State University has long been known as a “party school” and with that territory comes an abundance of alcohol-related hospitalizations.
Approximately 374 patients are seen in the Emergency Department at Pullman Regional Hospital annually for alcohol-related instances according to Dr. Pete Mikkelsen in a community newsletter.
Several WSU students were admitted to the hospital due to acute alcohol poisoning in one semester last year alone with various others receiving injuries from falls of rooftops and balconies while under the influence of alcohol.
In October 2012, WSU freshman Kenny Hummel, 18, was found unresponsive in a dorm room on campus.
Students administered CPR on the scene before the paramedics arrived but Hummel was later pronounced dead at Pullman Regional Hospital.
Members of Hummel’s family revealed that Kenny’s cause of death was a lethal concoction of caffeinated energy drinks and alcohol.
His blood alcohol level was .40, or five times the legal limit for driving in the state of Washington.
Energy drinks are popular among college-aged students looking for a boost to their academic performance but are also consumed with alcohol in order to stay alert and awake while partying.
The problem is that alcohol is a depressant while energy drinks serve as a stimulant. Feeling tired while drinking alcohol is the body’s natural defense and way of telling one to shut down at the end of the night.
When energy drinks enter the equation, it can lead to potentially life-threatening situations in which the caffeine masks the consumer’s sedation and causes them to continue drinking, past their body’s limit and into lethal levels of intoxication.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 34% of 18- to 24-year-olds regularly consume energy drinks and 71% admitted to mixing them with alcohol on multiple occasions.
WSU junior Jessica Roller first learned about the dangers of mixing energy drinks with alcohol in 2010 after Washington State banned Four Loko, a highly-caffeinated alcoholic beverage sold in convenience stores.
Roller said she still enjoys energy drinks mixed with vodka from time to time.
“I make sure to monitor how much of them I am drinking,” said Roller.
“Life is short and everything comes attached with risks these days.”
Sophomore Scott Wolf feels that the risks of consuming energy drinks with alcohol are not great enough for him to lose sleep over.
“I’m well aware of the potential health effects but I feel I am pretty careful with how much I drink,” said Wolf.
“I worry more for those of my classmates that I see consuming multiple energy drinks with alcohol every night as if its no big deal.”
Although pricey, averaging around $3-4 a can, the accessibility and exposure of energy drinks on college campuses only contributes to the growing problem and number of instances of overindulgence.
Numerous brands and varieties can be found at the Bookie, in vending machines, and are even given out and promoted by companies on school grounds.
Despite the appeal to party longer, sophomore Gabe Abram does not feel the need to cave in to peer pressure regarding the simultaneous consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
“I choose not to drink alcohol with energy drinks because I know not to mix stimulants and depressants,” said Abram.
“Seeing as though I am naturally hyper and energetic, I don’t really see a need for energy drinks when I’m partying.”
Junior Cordes Crawford, estimates he pours himself a glass or two of Crown Royal whiskey mixed with Monster energy drink about two times a month and didn’t need anyone to tell him about the risks involved.
“I went out on a limb and made an assumption that two things that are bad for you do not get better when they are combined,” said Crawford.
“It doesn’t bother me because short term rewards outweigh the long term risks in my opinion.”
Sources:
Jessica Roller
Email: jessica.roller@email.wsu.edu
Scott Wolf
Email: scott.wolf5@email.wsu.edu
Gabe Abram
Email: gabe.abram@email.wsu.edu
Cordes Crawford
Phone: (206) 859-0248
Enterprise Story: WSU extension scientists working to pair robots with humans for better harvest
Brief Outline:
Outline:
I). Introduction/Scope of the Developments/Labor Concerns
II). WSU Scientists Goals/Quotes
III). Concern Over Cut Jobs
IV). What's to Come/Funding Wrap-Up/Closing Quote
WSU extension scientists working to pair robots with humans for better harvest
By: Zack Menchel
PROSSER, Wash. Apples mean big business in the state of Washington, an estimated $2.5 billion business annually to be exact.
In fact, over half the world’s supply of fresh apples intended for consumption are picked in Washington orchards.
Therefore it should come as no surprise that leading scientists at Washington State University are teaming up to research and develop innovative new technologies that will provide growers with a more cost and labor efficient strategy to harvest their bumper crop, apples.
“As yields go up, we need to figure out different ways to harvest this fruit because labor is not only unreliable but the cost of it is going up,” said Karen Lewis, a WSU extension tree fruit specialist.
“Growers are looking at all kinds of ways to increase the efficiencies of a very large harvest.”
In conjunction with Lewis, Changki Mo, and Qin Zhang, Dr. Manoj Karkee, an assistant professor with the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS) at WSU is working on creating various robotic systems that will collaborate with humans in the process of picking tree fruit from orchards.
“This is the best place in the world to grow apples, its what we do best and what we strive to continue to do,” said Kate Evans, associate professor at the WSU Tree Fruit Research Center.
“We just need to figure out ways to stay profitable while doing it.”
Karkee’s team was recently awarded a $548,000 grant towards funding the research and eventual release of a prototype robotic hand that features force and pressure measuring sensors intended to enhance the delicate process of picking apples and other fruit from trees.
The potential mobile fruit identifier unit with a touch-screen interface also will see humans and robots in cahoots during harvest.
“Within the scope of this project, my associates and I are striving to create innovative new technologies commercially available to the growers for the long-term sustainability of their businesses and agriculture in the community as a whole,” Karkee said.
“We hope our work can in time make a lasting impact on this industry through economic and environmental growth and profit.”
Although the development of the prototype hand is still in the early stages, the team of scientists has begun the meticulous process of collecting data relating to the growth patterns of apples as well as conducting a study of the most effective hand motion utilized when collecting tree fruit be it rotating, twisting, pulling, etc.
One thing that observers are worrying about regarding the gradual advancement of tree picking robot technology is backlash due to the elimination of jobs within the agricultural workforce.
“While that is possibility, the upside is that there will be a lot of new high-tech equipment that will need to be serviced and monitored in the field,” said Brian Clark, a director of agricultural education at WSU.
“Leading researchers have long been searching for ways to automate and mechanize some of these agricultural tasks due to a crisis of labor shortage.”
According to Karkee, we should be viewing the technology as eliminating the problem of not having enough workers, rather than wiping out workers completely.
This is because there is already a lack of workers available for labor-intensive, seasonal operation such as tree fruit picking.
“We’d create higher-paying, employment job opportunities for workers to operate and maintain the technology,” said Karkee.
“This will in turn lead to a better economic, social, and cultural environment in these rural communities in Washington as well as around the country.”
Karkee made it known theat growers are very interested in applying his team’s technology to their operations.
“We hope to see a prototype field test within the next three years and if we can secure continuous funding for another 5-10 years, our goal would be to make it commercially available worldwide,” Karkee said.
The grant currently providing funding for Karkee and his team is being issued by the National Robot Initiative, and USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture among other programs.
“Our technology has been relatively successful and that makes for an industry that is willing to fund and engage in the process of experimenting with and validating new technology,” said Lewis.
“This is most certainly a great time to introduce new technology to this industry, it’s truly very exciting.”
<strong>Sources:</strong>
-Brian Clark, WSU Associate Executive Director of University Communications/Agricultural Research Writer
(509)335-6967
brian.clark@wsu.edu
Interviewed in person (on video)
Interview with Brian Clark:
http://youtu.be/zpLyCkVjNxQ
-Kate Evans, Extension Associate Professor/Scientist at WSU Tree Fruit Research Center
(509)663-8181 Ext. 245
kate_evans@wsu.edu
Interviewed via phone
-Manoj Karkee, Ph.D., WSU Assistant professor with the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS)
(509)786-9208
manoj.karkee@wsu.edu
Interviewed via phone
-Karen Lewis, WSU Extension Tree Fruit Specialist
(509)754-2011 Ext. 413
kmlewis@wsu.edu
Interviewed via phone
Outline:
I). Introduction/Scope of the Developments/Labor Concerns
II). WSU Scientists Goals/Quotes
III). Concern Over Cut Jobs
IV). What's to Come/Funding Wrap-Up/Closing Quote
WSU extension scientists working to pair robots with humans for better harvest
By: Zack Menchel
PROSSER, Wash. Apples mean big business in the state of Washington, an estimated $2.5 billion business annually to be exact.
In fact, over half the world’s supply of fresh apples intended for consumption are picked in Washington orchards.
Therefore it should come as no surprise that leading scientists at Washington State University are teaming up to research and develop innovative new technologies that will provide growers with a more cost and labor efficient strategy to harvest their bumper crop, apples.
“As yields go up, we need to figure out different ways to harvest this fruit because labor is not only unreliable but the cost of it is going up,” said Karen Lewis, a WSU extension tree fruit specialist.
“Growers are looking at all kinds of ways to increase the efficiencies of a very large harvest.”
In conjunction with Lewis, Changki Mo, and Qin Zhang, Dr. Manoj Karkee, an assistant professor with the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS) at WSU is working on creating various robotic systems that will collaborate with humans in the process of picking tree fruit from orchards.
“This is the best place in the world to grow apples, its what we do best and what we strive to continue to do,” said Kate Evans, associate professor at the WSU Tree Fruit Research Center.
“We just need to figure out ways to stay profitable while doing it.”
Karkee’s team was recently awarded a $548,000 grant towards funding the research and eventual release of a prototype robotic hand that features force and pressure measuring sensors intended to enhance the delicate process of picking apples and other fruit from trees.
The potential mobile fruit identifier unit with a touch-screen interface also will see humans and robots in cahoots during harvest.
“Within the scope of this project, my associates and I are striving to create innovative new technologies commercially available to the growers for the long-term sustainability of their businesses and agriculture in the community as a whole,” Karkee said.
“We hope our work can in time make a lasting impact on this industry through economic and environmental growth and profit.”
Although the development of the prototype hand is still in the early stages, the team of scientists has begun the meticulous process of collecting data relating to the growth patterns of apples as well as conducting a study of the most effective hand motion utilized when collecting tree fruit be it rotating, twisting, pulling, etc.
One thing that observers are worrying about regarding the gradual advancement of tree picking robot technology is backlash due to the elimination of jobs within the agricultural workforce.
“While that is possibility, the upside is that there will be a lot of new high-tech equipment that will need to be serviced and monitored in the field,” said Brian Clark, a director of agricultural education at WSU.
“Leading researchers have long been searching for ways to automate and mechanize some of these agricultural tasks due to a crisis of labor shortage.”
According to Karkee, we should be viewing the technology as eliminating the problem of not having enough workers, rather than wiping out workers completely.
This is because there is already a lack of workers available for labor-intensive, seasonal operation such as tree fruit picking.
“We’d create higher-paying, employment job opportunities for workers to operate and maintain the technology,” said Karkee.
“This will in turn lead to a better economic, social, and cultural environment in these rural communities in Washington as well as around the country.”
Karkee made it known theat growers are very interested in applying his team’s technology to their operations.
“We hope to see a prototype field test within the next three years and if we can secure continuous funding for another 5-10 years, our goal would be to make it commercially available worldwide,” Karkee said.
The grant currently providing funding for Karkee and his team is being issued by the National Robot Initiative, and USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture among other programs.
“Our technology has been relatively successful and that makes for an industry that is willing to fund and engage in the process of experimenting with and validating new technology,” said Lewis.
“This is most certainly a great time to introduce new technology to this industry, it’s truly very exciting.”
<strong>Sources:</strong>
-Brian Clark, WSU Associate Executive Director of University Communications/Agricultural Research Writer
(509)335-6967
brian.clark@wsu.edu
Interviewed in person (on video)
Interview with Brian Clark:
http://youtu.be/zpLyCkVjNxQ
-Kate Evans, Extension Associate Professor/Scientist at WSU Tree Fruit Research Center
(509)663-8181 Ext. 245
kate_evans@wsu.edu
Interviewed via phone
-Manoj Karkee, Ph.D., WSU Assistant professor with the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS)
(509)786-9208
manoj.karkee@wsu.edu
Interviewed via phone
-Karen Lewis, WSU Extension Tree Fruit Specialist
(509)754-2011 Ext. 413
kmlewis@wsu.edu
Interviewed via phone
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Crime Story (Technology Beat): Surveillance Cameras on Adams Mall
<strong>Outline:</strong>
-Background information and goals of SPI/SCI initiatives
-Explain why Adams Mall was selected
-SCI significance in high-profile David Warner case
-Expert opinion, the future of SCI, etc.
Criminals Caught On Camera: WSU surveillance on Adams Mall has been effective
By: Zack Menchel
<strong>Pullman, Wash </strong> When it comes to catching criminals, law enforcement officials know that a picture really can be worth a thousand words.
At least that’s the message being conveyed at Washington State University with the implementation of surveillance cameras on Adams Mall in February of last year.
The project, known as the Safety Camera Initiative took shape in the fall of 2011 with the Pullman Police Department’s acceptance of a $300,000 grant from the Smart Policing Initiative, a program that intends to provide police officers with the best new tools and information to aid them in apprehending criminals.
“We were initially a bit skeptical that we’d even receive the grant because we really don’t have that big of a crime problem in comparison to other cities,” said Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins.
“I think we met their criteria by having a community that’s close to a major university as well as having security cameras to monitor crime in a deemed hot spot area.”
According to Jenkins, public meetings were held before the implementation of the project in order to get community input on policy because the police were sensitive to privacy concerns that the public might have.
Located on the northeast hill, also known as College Hill or “Greek row”, Adams Mall is the epicenter of nearly all violent crime and public disorder calls in the city of Pullman.
According to the Smart Policing Initiative website, the three main focuses of the SCI are to “deter individuals from engaging in criminal behavior in the target area, increase investigation of previously unreported crimes, and increase police case clearance rates.”
“The premise behind is that we’re wondering if through the aid of another set of eyes, so to speak, we could possibly deter crime in the area altogether,” said Pullman Police administrative assistant Elysia Spencer, a grant manager for the project.
“At the very least, we seek to facilitate higher clearance, or arrest rates if crimes do persist in the area.”
WSU criminal justice professor Dr. David A. Makin originally volunteered his students to monitor the cameras back in 2011 but he altered the program this year to offer internship credit.
“I have about 12 students who have been specially selected and trained by Pullman P.D. and myself on how to use the cameras, write reports, and engage in spatial learning,” said Makin.
He said students can monitor the cameras at virtually any time but the typical hours range from 10 p.m.- 2 a.m.
Having students monitor the daily activity was not the original plan but Makin’s idea has provided a great deal of help to police officers who already struggle multi-task all throughout the day.
“The security cameras on Adams Mall have paid dividends and been a service to the university as well as the surrounding community in just a short time,” said senior criminal justice major Anthony Kuntz.
“I only wish I would have been able to participate in the program this year because I’ve heard good things from some of my classmates about their experience with it.”
The SCI played a significant role in both the rounding up of witnesses, as well as the eventual apprehension of suspects in the brutal beating of WSU professor David Warner last spring.
In fact, it was one of Makin’s students who first discovered the crime taking place on camera.
When witnesses failed to come forward, archive footage taken by the cameras at Adams Mall were put to the test.
“There is a unique situation when the police have to deal with a university population,” said Spencer.
“Sometimes there is often a code of silence in that once the blue lights flash and the cops show up, nobody saw anything.”
When it became apparent that the Adams Mall cameras had also captured the primary suspects in the Warner case, an anonymous tip about the suspects from the west side of the state became the key piece of evidence to crack the case.
Both Jenkins and Spencer attribute social media as well as local and regional news coverage that led to that tip and the eventual capture of the individuals responsible for the assault.
“We initially had no suspects in the case, just some descriptions,” said Jenkins.
“I think it’s ultimately because we had some relatively good video of the suspects in that case that made media outlets willing to pay more attention to the story.”
“The videos were most definitely crucial in helping to identify the suspects and also exactly what happened that night,” Jenkins added.
It is to Makin’s understanding that there are currently no plans to expand the use of security cameras at WSU but that campus police has expressed interest in the idea.
He said data evaluations regarding the impact of the cameras would need to be completed before any commitment to expansion will be entertained.
“We do have the capacity and ability to expand with more cameras on campus but part of that will be cost and whether or not there are other suitable locations to place the cameras,” said Jenkins.
Whether the program grows, or stays the same, it is clear that it has been a resounding success thus far and provided an invaluable experience to the future faces of justice at WSU.
“The intent of the program was to find out how to impart crime prevention and improve public safety,” said Makin.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish so we’ll continue the evaluation process and look forward to seeing what we can find towards a proactive resolution.”
<strong>Sources:</strong>
-Gary Jenkins, Chief of Police, Pullman P.D.
(509) 334-0802
-Elysia Spencer, Administrative Asst./SCI Project Grant Manager, Pullman P.D.
(509) 334-0802
-Dr. David A. Makin, WSU Criminal Justice Professor, Project Facilitator
(317) 797-1126
-Anthony Kuntz, WSU Criminal Justice Major
(406) 697-4359
David Makin Interview Audio:
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115625237" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
-Background information and goals of SPI/SCI initiatives
-Explain why Adams Mall was selected
-SCI significance in high-profile David Warner case
-Expert opinion, the future of SCI, etc.
Criminals Caught On Camera: WSU surveillance on Adams Mall has been effective
By: Zack Menchel
<strong>Pullman, Wash </strong> When it comes to catching criminals, law enforcement officials know that a picture really can be worth a thousand words.
At least that’s the message being conveyed at Washington State University with the implementation of surveillance cameras on Adams Mall in February of last year.
The project, known as the Safety Camera Initiative took shape in the fall of 2011 with the Pullman Police Department’s acceptance of a $300,000 grant from the Smart Policing Initiative, a program that intends to provide police officers with the best new tools and information to aid them in apprehending criminals.
“We were initially a bit skeptical that we’d even receive the grant because we really don’t have that big of a crime problem in comparison to other cities,” said Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins.
“I think we met their criteria by having a community that’s close to a major university as well as having security cameras to monitor crime in a deemed hot spot area.”
According to Jenkins, public meetings were held before the implementation of the project in order to get community input on policy because the police were sensitive to privacy concerns that the public might have.
Located on the northeast hill, also known as College Hill or “Greek row”, Adams Mall is the epicenter of nearly all violent crime and public disorder calls in the city of Pullman.
According to the Smart Policing Initiative website, the three main focuses of the SCI are to “deter individuals from engaging in criminal behavior in the target area, increase investigation of previously unreported crimes, and increase police case clearance rates.”
“The premise behind is that we’re wondering if through the aid of another set of eyes, so to speak, we could possibly deter crime in the area altogether,” said Pullman Police administrative assistant Elysia Spencer, a grant manager for the project.
“At the very least, we seek to facilitate higher clearance, or arrest rates if crimes do persist in the area.”
WSU criminal justice professor Dr. David A. Makin originally volunteered his students to monitor the cameras back in 2011 but he altered the program this year to offer internship credit.
“I have about 12 students who have been specially selected and trained by Pullman P.D. and myself on how to use the cameras, write reports, and engage in spatial learning,” said Makin.
He said students can monitor the cameras at virtually any time but the typical hours range from 10 p.m.- 2 a.m.
Having students monitor the daily activity was not the original plan but Makin’s idea has provided a great deal of help to police officers who already struggle multi-task all throughout the day.
“The security cameras on Adams Mall have paid dividends and been a service to the university as well as the surrounding community in just a short time,” said senior criminal justice major Anthony Kuntz.
“I only wish I would have been able to participate in the program this year because I’ve heard good things from some of my classmates about their experience with it.”
The SCI played a significant role in both the rounding up of witnesses, as well as the eventual apprehension of suspects in the brutal beating of WSU professor David Warner last spring.
In fact, it was one of Makin’s students who first discovered the crime taking place on camera.
When witnesses failed to come forward, archive footage taken by the cameras at Adams Mall were put to the test.
“There is a unique situation when the police have to deal with a university population,” said Spencer.
“Sometimes there is often a code of silence in that once the blue lights flash and the cops show up, nobody saw anything.”
When it became apparent that the Adams Mall cameras had also captured the primary suspects in the Warner case, an anonymous tip about the suspects from the west side of the state became the key piece of evidence to crack the case.
Both Jenkins and Spencer attribute social media as well as local and regional news coverage that led to that tip and the eventual capture of the individuals responsible for the assault.
“We initially had no suspects in the case, just some descriptions,” said Jenkins.
“I think it’s ultimately because we had some relatively good video of the suspects in that case that made media outlets willing to pay more attention to the story.”
“The videos were most definitely crucial in helping to identify the suspects and also exactly what happened that night,” Jenkins added.
It is to Makin’s understanding that there are currently no plans to expand the use of security cameras at WSU but that campus police has expressed interest in the idea.
He said data evaluations regarding the impact of the cameras would need to be completed before any commitment to expansion will be entertained.
“We do have the capacity and ability to expand with more cameras on campus but part of that will be cost and whether or not there are other suitable locations to place the cameras,” said Jenkins.
Whether the program grows, or stays the same, it is clear that it has been a resounding success thus far and provided an invaluable experience to the future faces of justice at WSU.
“The intent of the program was to find out how to impart crime prevention and improve public safety,” said Makin.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish so we’ll continue the evaluation process and look forward to seeing what we can find towards a proactive resolution.”
<strong>Sources:</strong>
-Gary Jenkins, Chief of Police, Pullman P.D.
(509) 334-0802
-Elysia Spencer, Administrative Asst./SCI Project Grant Manager, Pullman P.D.
(509) 334-0802
-Dr. David A. Makin, WSU Criminal Justice Professor, Project Facilitator
(317) 797-1126
-Anthony Kuntz, WSU Criminal Justice Major
(406) 697-4359
David Makin Interview Audio:
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115625237" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Political Story: SB 5849 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Guidelines
I). Introduction/Scope of the bill
II). Issue at hand/What the bill is doing
III). Quotes/EV sustainability
IV). Closing
Story: The Impact of SB 5849
PULLMAN, WASH. Owners and operators of electric vehicles (EVs) in the state of Washington can rejoice knowing that progressive action is finally being made on their behalf.
With the passing of WA SB 5849 in March, EV charging stations will soon feature more mandated signage indicating proper usage and functioning procedures.
The most significant aspect of the bill is the introduction of stiff fines to be handed out to violators who treat designated charging stations as parking spots for their non-electric vehicles.
This process, notoriously referred to by the EV community as ICE’ing (Internal Combustion Engine) has become an all too common occurrence according to Dan Davids, board chair at Plug In America, a non-profit coalition of EV drivers.
“It has unfortunately been a huge obstacle for EV drivers to overcome,” said Davids.
“People need to realize that this is just like parking your car in front of a conventional gas pump and then leaving it there overnight.”
Prior to the adoption of SB 5849, Davids and other EV owners feared that the abuse of charging stations would inhibit state legislators from recognizing their preferred methods of travel as a legitimate investment.
“We were making strides but EV operators desperately needed the law on our side in order to protect our rights to charge on the road,” said Davids.
Jeff Finn, the legislative issues coordinator for the Seattle Electric Vehicles Association (SEVA) said that state government officials fully supported the original SB 5849 proposal because they saw the positive environmental and economic impact of EV travel.
“EVs are beneficial to the state because they are clean and emission-free whilst using a resource we are more abundant in, electricity,” said Finn.
“I like to think of their use as a mini-boost to local economies because my wife and I spend money in whatever town we stop to charge in while traveling.”
One of the events commonly referred to as being a catalyst to the growth of the EV industry is National Plug In Day.
Tonia Buell, a project development and communications manager at WSDOT and three-time National Plug In Day participant says that the event raises awareness of electric vehicle availability and simplicity.
“It has been really exciting to see the growth of EVs turn into something more mainstream at this event,” said Buell.
“People from all over come to check out what EVs are all bout and I think they can see the benefits right away.”
Washington is one of the leading states in electric vehicle sales in the nation thanks to the low cost of hydroelectric power and a rise in the relative number of charging stations regionally.
This more easily allows EV users to travel from station to station on one four-hour charge including the trip from Pullman to Spokane, Bellingham to Pullman, etc.
In addition to National Plug In Day, the work grassroots organizations such as SEVA, Plug In America, and West Coast Green Highway have been instrumental in giving EV owners a collective voice and getting SB 5849 to come to fruition.
“The EV community is really shaping up to be a strong one and something more than just a fad,” said John Dorscher, a WSU student and Seattle EV owner.
“I hope to see this country continue to turn to more efficient means of living."
Finn wants all Americans to know that operating an EV would help to reduce their carbon footprint on the world with less gas meaning less pollution.
"Its about five times cheaper to fuel electric cars and it can be done conveniently at home, or on the road," said Finn.
With over 100,000 sold, EVs are growing in popularity as new technology arises and that only spells good things for the sustainability of our planet and natural environment.
Sources:
-Jeff Finn
(425)643-4694
jeff@voltrunner.com
-Dan Davids
(360)786-7694
dan@pluginamerica.com
-Tonia Buell
(206)696-0052
buellt@wsdot.wa.gov
-John Dorscher
(425)772-8772
john.dorscher@email.wsu.edu
II). Issue at hand/What the bill is doing
III). Quotes/EV sustainability
IV). Closing
Story: The Impact of SB 5849
PULLMAN, WASH. Owners and operators of electric vehicles (EVs) in the state of Washington can rejoice knowing that progressive action is finally being made on their behalf.
With the passing of WA SB 5849 in March, EV charging stations will soon feature more mandated signage indicating proper usage and functioning procedures.
The most significant aspect of the bill is the introduction of stiff fines to be handed out to violators who treat designated charging stations as parking spots for their non-electric vehicles.
This process, notoriously referred to by the EV community as ICE’ing (Internal Combustion Engine) has become an all too common occurrence according to Dan Davids, board chair at Plug In America, a non-profit coalition of EV drivers.
“It has unfortunately been a huge obstacle for EV drivers to overcome,” said Davids.
“People need to realize that this is just like parking your car in front of a conventional gas pump and then leaving it there overnight.”
Prior to the adoption of SB 5849, Davids and other EV owners feared that the abuse of charging stations would inhibit state legislators from recognizing their preferred methods of travel as a legitimate investment.
“We were making strides but EV operators desperately needed the law on our side in order to protect our rights to charge on the road,” said Davids.
Jeff Finn, the legislative issues coordinator for the Seattle Electric Vehicles Association (SEVA) said that state government officials fully supported the original SB 5849 proposal because they saw the positive environmental and economic impact of EV travel.
“EVs are beneficial to the state because they are clean and emission-free whilst using a resource we are more abundant in, electricity,” said Finn.
“I like to think of their use as a mini-boost to local economies because my wife and I spend money in whatever town we stop to charge in while traveling.”
One of the events commonly referred to as being a catalyst to the growth of the EV industry is National Plug In Day.
Tonia Buell, a project development and communications manager at WSDOT and three-time National Plug In Day participant says that the event raises awareness of electric vehicle availability and simplicity.
“It has been really exciting to see the growth of EVs turn into something more mainstream at this event,” said Buell.
“People from all over come to check out what EVs are all bout and I think they can see the benefits right away.”
Washington is one of the leading states in electric vehicle sales in the nation thanks to the low cost of hydroelectric power and a rise in the relative number of charging stations regionally.
This more easily allows EV users to travel from station to station on one four-hour charge including the trip from Pullman to Spokane, Bellingham to Pullman, etc.
In addition to National Plug In Day, the work grassroots organizations such as SEVA, Plug In America, and West Coast Green Highway have been instrumental in giving EV owners a collective voice and getting SB 5849 to come to fruition.
“The EV community is really shaping up to be a strong one and something more than just a fad,” said John Dorscher, a WSU student and Seattle EV owner.
“I hope to see this country continue to turn to more efficient means of living."
Finn wants all Americans to know that operating an EV would help to reduce their carbon footprint on the world with less gas meaning less pollution.
"Its about five times cheaper to fuel electric cars and it can be done conveniently at home, or on the road," said Finn.
With over 100,000 sold, EVs are growing in popularity as new technology arises and that only spells good things for the sustainability of our planet and natural environment.
Sources:
-Jeff Finn
(425)643-4694
jeff@voltrunner.com
-Dan Davids
(360)786-7694
dan@pluginamerica.com
-Tonia Buell
(206)696-0052
buellt@wsdot.wa.gov
-John Dorscher
(425)772-8772
john.dorscher@email.wsu.edu
Friday, November 8, 2013
Trend Story (Technology Beat): New "Search It" database at WSU Libraries coming soon
<strong>Outline:</strong>
-Introduction to trend
-Search It Nutgraph/Info
-Orbit Cascade Alliance
-General Consensus
<strong>Pullman, Wash.</strong> Washington State University students may find researching in the library a little less daunting when they boot up the computers in Holland and Terrell Libraries in January.
Over winter break, the school will be implementing “Search It”, an innovative new database tailored to the evolving needs of today’s college students.
Search It features a simplified, streamlined search box function that will in theory allow students to find what they’re looking for faster and grant them better and more plentiful results.
“Think of it as a way to collect resources that used to be separated from each other so that students can get one big bucket full of results quickly instead of having to look in a bunch of different places,” said web services librarian Ray Henry.
Corresponding with the adaptation of the new search interface, the WSU library system will also officially join the Orbis Cascade Alliance, a collection of 37 Pacific Northwest institutions for higher learning.
The main purpose of Orbis Cascade Alliance is the sharing of educational materials between each university, college, and community college that comprises the group, a growing trend within academic institutions.
Search It serves as the network that will neatly tie millions of new materials together for the participating schools.
According to Henry, six universities have already begun using Search It with rave reviews.
“The general consensus is that the program has been as good as advertised,” said Henry.
“It was rocky at first as all new technology is but as far as I know students are finding resources as available, and information is being transported between libraries.”
Beth Blakesley, the Associate Dean of Libraries at WSU, said she feels the project will be a big hit with students after receiving complaints regarding the complexities and unreliability of the library’s previous search technology.
“A lot of clicking and entering of key terms students currently have to do in terms of the article will now be more condensed and user-friendly,” said Blakesley.
“It seems to work better than our previous technologies because results will be more relevant and materials will be easier to get a hold of.”
Another advantage Search It offers over the previous Griffin technology is the ability for web administrators to more easily update and troubleshoot within the technology.
“The new cloud-based system will be more technically sound and any new developments in the technology will be brought to surface faster than before,” said Alex Merrill, digital initiatives librarian.
Victor Vargas, a library staff assistant said he is grateful for the changes being made because he always found the old system unnecessarily complicated.
“I’ve seen Search It in action at Western Washington University and I know its going to provide a welcome boost to the student experiences with research here at the library,” said Vargas.
Librarians will be on hand to guide students through operating Search It if necessary but Blakesley’s hope and intuition is that the program is self-explanatory and doesn’t cause students any headaches.
“Our librarians are going to make sure they’re properly supporting students through this change but for the most part we feel students will make a clean transition,” said Blakesley.
Students can expect to take advantage of the new library technology on the first day of spring semester.
<strong>Sources:</strong>
-Beth Blakesley
beth.blakesley@wsu.edu
-Ray Henry
ray.henry@wsu.edu
-Victor Vargas
509-431-4217
-Alex Merrill
merilla@wsu.edu
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119170940" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
-Introduction to trend
-Search It Nutgraph/Info
-Orbit Cascade Alliance
-General Consensus
<strong>Pullman, Wash.</strong> Washington State University students may find researching in the library a little less daunting when they boot up the computers in Holland and Terrell Libraries in January.
Over winter break, the school will be implementing “Search It”, an innovative new database tailored to the evolving needs of today’s college students.
Search It features a simplified, streamlined search box function that will in theory allow students to find what they’re looking for faster and grant them better and more plentiful results.
“Think of it as a way to collect resources that used to be separated from each other so that students can get one big bucket full of results quickly instead of having to look in a bunch of different places,” said web services librarian Ray Henry.
Corresponding with the adaptation of the new search interface, the WSU library system will also officially join the Orbis Cascade Alliance, a collection of 37 Pacific Northwest institutions for higher learning.
The main purpose of Orbis Cascade Alliance is the sharing of educational materials between each university, college, and community college that comprises the group, a growing trend within academic institutions.
Search It serves as the network that will neatly tie millions of new materials together for the participating schools.
According to Henry, six universities have already begun using Search It with rave reviews.
“The general consensus is that the program has been as good as advertised,” said Henry.
“It was rocky at first as all new technology is but as far as I know students are finding resources as available, and information is being transported between libraries.”
Beth Blakesley, the Associate Dean of Libraries at WSU, said she feels the project will be a big hit with students after receiving complaints regarding the complexities and unreliability of the library’s previous search technology.
“A lot of clicking and entering of key terms students currently have to do in terms of the article will now be more condensed and user-friendly,” said Blakesley.
“It seems to work better than our previous technologies because results will be more relevant and materials will be easier to get a hold of.”
Another advantage Search It offers over the previous Griffin technology is the ability for web administrators to more easily update and troubleshoot within the technology.
“The new cloud-based system will be more technically sound and any new developments in the technology will be brought to surface faster than before,” said Alex Merrill, digital initiatives librarian.
Victor Vargas, a library staff assistant said he is grateful for the changes being made because he always found the old system unnecessarily complicated.
“I’ve seen Search It in action at Western Washington University and I know its going to provide a welcome boost to the student experiences with research here at the library,” said Vargas.
Librarians will be on hand to guide students through operating Search It if necessary but Blakesley’s hope and intuition is that the program is self-explanatory and doesn’t cause students any headaches.
“Our librarians are going to make sure they’re properly supporting students through this change but for the most part we feel students will make a clean transition,” said Blakesley.
Students can expect to take advantage of the new library technology on the first day of spring semester.
<strong>Sources:</strong>
-Beth Blakesley
beth.blakesley@wsu.edu
-Ray Henry
ray.henry@wsu.edu
-Victor Vargas
509-431-4217
-Alex Merrill
merilla@wsu.edu
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119170940" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
Monday, November 4, 2013
Whitman County Humane Society Update
The WCHS is always in need of not only volunteers to help keep the shelter operating smoothly but also various items used in the everyday care and comfort of the animals.
Via their Facebook page, WCHS mentioned that they are in dire need of paper towels; down to three rolls as of today, Monday, November 4th.
The shelter also stated their desire for high-quality dry puppy food including such brands as Hill's Science Diet and Purina.
WCHS is ALWAYS appreciate of ANY help and/or donations and wants any individuals interested in donating in between the hours of 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM on any day except Sunday.
The shelter staff will accept donations tomorrow (Tuesday) even though the shelter will be closed for a deep cleaning.
The WCHS would like to thank everyone for their support.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)