School Bullying Council

A former North Chicago police officer who was recently fired for disciplinary reasons says he will fight for his job and challenge the accusations against him.

The statements by Officer Casimir “Casey” Rincon mark something of a departure for the city police force, whose rank-and-file members have rarely spoken publicly in response to claims of wrongdoing against some department officers.

Rincon said he is a former Parent-Teacher Organization president who never missed a field trip or fundraiser and used to read books to children at South Elementary School in North Chicago. He said he was an informal “Officer Friendly” who spoke to students at various schools against bullying. Living within a short walk of South, he often dropped in to see his son or daughter there.

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• North Chicago, IL

So Rincon said he was shocked when a parent of a student at the school claimed that last March, Rincon handcuffed the student, threw him against a locker and told him to stay away from the officer’s son. The allegations came to light in a federal lawsuit against the city filed in November.

Rincon flatly denied the claim, saying he didn’t even know the boy in question, other than his name.

“It’s just absurd,” he said. “My friends and co-workers are all really supportive. They’re like, ‘If there’s anyone this could not be, it’s you.’ They all know how I am with kids.”

North Chicago School District 187 Superintendent Ben Martindale said the district did not have a formal “Officer Friendly” program. He said he was not aware of Rincon speaking at schools informally but said it’s possible he did.

Rincon was fired the day after Christmas, but not for the school incident. City officials said they could not confirm the handcuffing allegation but that Rincon’s dismissal was based in part on his taking expensive night-vision binoculars that belonged to a co-worker.

Rincon suggested the matter was blown out of proportion.

“If you notice sunglasses on your co-workers, wouldn’t you say, ‘Those look like mine, can I look at them?’” he said.

Rincon, 52, said that In terminating him, officials also cited a couple of other incidents in which he was involved that had taken place at least a year ago and which he thought had been resolved. Neither he nor city officials detailed the nature of those incidents.

He was fired shortly after being named in two lawsuits: one over the alleged school incident and another involving a case in which he confiscated seven pit bulls from a North Chicago resident for failure to pay numerous fees.

“Timing is crucial,” Rincon said. “Somewhere in between all this mess is the truth. I think the truth will prevail.”

After the South Elementary allegation, Rincon said department officials told him to cut all direct contact with the school to avoid any further trouble, which Rincon said he reluctantly did as a “good soldier.”

The firing is the latest development in controversy that has embroiled North Chicago police for the past several years.

In 2007, police beatings prompted an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department and the NAACP calling for greater oversight of the Police Department, with proposals to track and respond to complaints. Some aldermen later complained that those plans were never fully implemented.

Then in November 2011, Darrin “Dagwood” Hanna died one week after a violent confrontation with officers as they took him into custody on allegations he slapped his pregnant girlfriend and held her head underwater. An autopsy determined that the police beating and repeated use of Tasers contributed to his death, along with his chronic cocaine use and kidney disease. A lawsuit was filed against the city and officers in that case.

Subsequently, numerous people came forward to claim they had been beaten by North Chicago police. Some sued, some got settlements and some have lawsuits still pending, while in at least one case the city was cleared of wrongdoing.

In response to the accusations, former Chief Michael Newsome resigned and the city hired James Jackson, a former top Chicago police supervisor, to replace him. Investigations ensued, and prosecutors decided there was no criminal wrongdoing in the Hanna case, but Jackson fired one officer and suspended another for their roles in the case. He also fired another officer after repeated complaints of excessive use of force.

After he left office, Newsome was accused of stealing more than $140,000 from a city fund that held drug forfeiture money. He awaits trial on charges of theft, official misconduct and misapplication of funds.

As for Rincon’s alleged misconduct, Jackson called it “outrageous” but would not discuss specifics.

Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. backed up his chief’s decision.

“I respect each and every officer we have. They put their lives on the line every day,” Rockingham said. “But if an officer crosses the line and is not doing his job in the proper way, it doesn’t matter if it’s in the public eye or the Police Department itself. If they cross that line, they’re going to be dealt with, and we’re going to look at the whole picture.”

Rincon was not involved in the Hanna case but said each allegation of police brutality should be considered on its own merits.

“I’d hate to think one of my brothers was in part responsible for someone dying,” he said. “That’s a terrible thing. (But) I don’t point fingers. I don’t know anything other than what I’ve read about it.”

Rincon said he comes from a long line of family members who’ve worked for Chicago police. He came to police work later in life, after serving in the Marine Corps, both in active duty and as a reservist who was activated during the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War but stayed in the United States.

He is certified as a juvenile officer, a senior citizen officer, an evidence technician and a member of a tactical team. He still hopes the department will take him back to work as he seeks to appeal the firing through arbitration.

“I’m definitely fighting this,” he said. “I believe my department is doing everything they can to distance themselves from me in light of other lawsuits. … All I want is to finish my time and retire with honor.”

rmccoppin@tribune.com

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-north-chicago-fired-officer-speaks-20130108,0,3166383.story

Maine Township High School District 207 has a series of preventative measures regarding hazing and bullying planned, and has taken several steps already to address the issue, D-207 stated on Jan. 3. The statement came in response to allegations outlined by a former Maine West student at his attorney’s office in Chicago on Jan. 3.

Among the accusations, the former student and soccer player, now 19, said he believed coaches were aware of the physical and sexual assaults that he and many other players endured because, in part, he saw former boys varsity soccer coach Michael Divincenzo wink before and after the assaults took place.

The D-207 board of education voted unanimously to begin dismissal proceedings on Divincenzo in December, and the district was still considering disciplinary action against other staff members involved with the investigation into hazing and bullying incidents, D-207 stated.

Four current and former Maine West families have filed a hazing and bullying lawsuit, which names Divincenzo, Emilio Rodriguez, Maine West Principal Audrey Haugan and other D-207 administrators, faculty and staff.

In D-207’s statement on Thursday, the district noted two preventative measures it has already taken to address the issue, an anti-hazing pledge to be signed by all students and faculty who take part in extracurricular activities and additional training for faculty and staff, and five additional measures it intends to take. D-207 stated focus groups on hazing with students, parents and faculty would be conducted, an attorney will be hired to conduct an independent investigation into the matter, a hotline for students to report hazing and other incidents would be established and several other measures would be taken moving forward.

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http://desplaines.patch.com/articles/d-207-to-hold-hazing-focus-groups

A YEAR HAS passed since the ban on plastic bags at 42 grocery stores in Marin’s unincorporated areas took effect.

What seemed a radical idea just a few years ago is now part of the mainstream, with more cities and counties following suit.

The threat of bullying lawsuits by industry groups has diminished and no longer is a factor because cities and counties refused to be cowed.

In Marin, consumers and retailers have gotten used to the program and seem largely supportive. Not everyone, of course, for different reasons, but the county is pleased with compliance and the result.

Fewer plastic bags are showing up at the landfill, which is encouraging. “I’ve been here a long time. We can see the difference,” said Nelson Alcantara at the Marin Resource Recovery Center.

The program isn’t perfect. Many grocery stores are exempt because they are in the limits of one of Marin’s 11 incorporated cities and towns. Of course, those grocery stores could do what United Markets in San Rafael and other stores have done and voluntarily stopped providing plastic bags at their check-out stands. The law also only applies to grocery stores.

Paper bags aren’t environmentally perfect, which is what shoppers get (and pay for) if they forget to bring their own bags to the grocery store. Paper bags also aren’t cheap. Retailers charge customers 5 cents for a paper grocery bag.

But Marin’s law is working

and was a good first step. It has encouraged consumers to change their bag behavior (piles of reusable bags are a common sight in cars in the county). For some, cool reusable bags provide another opportunity to make a fashion or political statement.

Supervisor Susan Adams, who along with late Supervisor Charles McGlashan pushed for Marin’s law, is pleased with the result after a year. “It was a small, but important step in creating a culture change,” Adams said.

She’s right. It also is a step that all the cities and towns in Marin need to take so the entire county is on the same page when it comes to plastic bags at grocery stores.

http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_22317653/editorial-plastic-bag-ban-at-marin-grocery-stores

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The mother of a Booker T. Washington High School girls basketball player is seeking more than $75,000 in damages from Tulsa Public Schools, Twitter and others after a picture of her daughter in her underwear was circulated online following a basketball game last school year.

DeAnn Cooks filed suit against Tulsa Public Schools and Twitter as well as two students and their parents on Dec. 28, Tulsa County District Court filings show.

The petition asserts that Cooks’ daughter, 16, was physically restrained and photographed by two of her teammates after a basketball game in Sand Springs on Nov. 23, 2011. The picture was posted on Twitter and circulated among her peers for several weeks, which the suit alleges resulted in bullying, including physical attacks, according to the document.

Cooks filed a report with the Sand Springs Police Department on the day of the incident, said Deputy Police Chief Mike Carter. One of the girls in the locker room where the photograph was taken reportedly had made a comment about the victim’s underwear before the assault, the police report indicates.

Carter said an investigator attempted to contact Cooks on at least one occasion to follow up on the report but was unable to reach her. The case is pending and may result in a municipal misdemeanor charge of assault or disturbing the peace.

A basketball coach who was alerted to the incident reportedly told Cooks he would “handle the issue.”

In the suit, Cooks alleges that her daughter was physically and verbally assaulted throughout the remainder of the school year.

When she contacted Booker T. Washington administrators, they told her there “was nothing they could do about the verbal and physical assaults being committed upon” her daughter, Cooks contends in the petition.

She also alleges in the lawsuit that school administrators also told her when she attempted to contact district administration that “she needed to drop her complaint because these incidents make the school look bad.”

The suit maintains that the school district was negligent of its duties by failing to “use reasonable care in the administration of school-sponsored activities which required students to undress in front of each other and to protect against the unwanted taking of photographs of each student while undressing.”

Cooks also alleges that the school failed to prevent the injuries her daughter suffered after the picture was posted.

Cooks and her daughter are represented by Donald Smolen II, Laura Lauth and Jack Beesley of Smolen, Smolen and Roytman.

A Union High School student recently pleaded guilty to criminal charges stemming from a Twitter post in August after he allegedly photographed a mentally disabled student using a urinal and shared it with friends using the site.

Jonathan David DeVito, 18, pleaded guilty in October to misdemeanor charges of being a peeping Tom and one count of violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

He received a 14-month sentencing deferral and was ordered to complete 60 hours of community service, with 20 of those hours to be specifically related to speaking at church youth groups, schools or other organizations related to anti-bullying or social media topics. He was also required to write a letter of apology to the victim and his family.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2013/01/06/mom-sues-over-unclothed-twitter-pic-of-daughter/

A former director of the University of Iowa’s Study Abroad program, who lost her job in April, is suing the state and two UI employees for discrimination, retaliation and failure to follow procedures.

Janis Perkins, who became the UI’s first director of Study Abroad in 1997 and was appointed as assistant dean of International Programs in 2010, was notified on Jan. 4, 2012, that her position was going to be eliminated on April 4, according to a lawsuit filed in Johnson County District Court.

She was told her dismissal was part of a “comprehensive reorganization” of International Programs, which also resulted in the discharge of Scott King, who was assistant dean of the Office of International Students and Scholars.

But, in her lawsuit, Perkins argues that Downing Thomas, associate provost of International Programs, and Lori Cranston, a financial officer for the Office of the Provost, had harassed, bullied and discriminated against her for months because of her health disabilities.

She argues in the suit that the UI retaliated against her for her disabilities, her complaint of discrimination and because she took leave to treat her disabilities.

“The reorganization was hastily done over the university’s winter break and was a mere pretext for terminating (Perkins) based on her disability,” she states in her lawsuit.

Perkins describes her disabilities in the lawsuit as an autoimmune disorder diagnosed in 2000 that required periods of leave for treatment and severe depression, including an episode that required hospitalization in 2005.

She says in the lawsuit that her employer knew about her disabilities, but she repeatedly received excellent performance reviews until June 17, 2011, when she was placed on a performance improvement plan.

Perkins said Thomas’ concerns with her performance came out of nowhere and, after months of bullying and harassing ensued, she made a complaint to the UI’s ombudsperson. In September 2011, Thomas sent Perkins a letter warning that she was not meeting expectations and her job was in danger, according to the lawsuit.

Days later, Perkins was placed on medical leave by her doctor for severe depression. Two months later, the UI notified Perkins that it did not believe she was acting in good faith with regard to her leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to the lawsuit.

In January, she learned her position was being cut.

Perkins is suing the state, Thomas and Cranston for disability discrimination and retaliation that she says caused damages including past and future medical expenses, mental and emotional harm, anxiety, fear, depression, and future loss of wages, earning capacity and full mind and body.

She’s also suing the defendants for depriving her of due process by eliminating her job “without cause and in violation of the law” and for depriving her of equal protection, according to the lawsuit.

UI spokesman Tom Moore said the university can’t discuss the matter because of the pending litigation.

http://thegazette.com/2013/01/04/former-director-of-ui-study-abroad-suing-for-discrimination-retaliation/

TULSA, Oklahoma -

A Tulsa mother has filed a lawsuit against Tulsa Public Schools and Twitter.

The lawsuit claims embarrassing locker room pictures were taken of a high school girl and then posted online. It says the picture of the girl in her underwear was tweeted and TPS and Twitter didn’t do enough to prevent it and keep it from being re-tweeted.

The case brings more attention to the growing problem of cyberbullying.

The lawsuit says a Booker T. Washington basketball player was restrained in a locker room in November, while other students took a picture of her in her underwear.

It says the picture was posted on Twitter and then re-tweeted, causing it to be seen by the majority of the schools’ student body, which led to significant emotional trauma and embarrassment.

1/2/2013 Related Story: Mother Suing TPS, Twitter Over Pictures Of Daughter Posted Online

“I think that’s an issue Twitter is going to have to face, along with other social networking sites—are going to have to face as things go on,” said Cheryl Lawson.

Lawson, founder of Social Media Tulsa, a group that meets monthly, is following reports of the lawsuit filed against TPS and Twitter.

She says it could bring more awareness to the issue of cyberbullying.

“I’m not sure that suing Twitter is going to get or do anything other than recognition of this issue,” Lawson said.

The lawsuit says school leaders failed to act, and that Twitter failed to reasonably monitor and remove the photograph, which led to bullying and taunting.

The suit asks for in excess of $75,000 in damages.

TPS isn’t commenting.

Lawson says, on the whole, social media is used in a positive way, but should be used carefully.

“You’ve gone beyond joke, fun, prank to you’re really offending somebody or embarrassing them to the point where they’re scarred, so think about your actions,” Lawson said.

Lawson said the case is a good reminder for parents to monitor what their children are seeing on social media sites.

“If it starts to get out of bounds or you are not comfortable with it, then you need to sit down and talk to your kids,” Lawson said.

And Lawson said people should immediately report or flag abuse or anything objectionable, as soon as possible.

“At some point, we as a community have to say enough is enough,” Lawson said.

The parents of the teens in the lawsuit are also being sued.

The lawsuit says they’re liable, because they should have adequately supervised their children and should have known their children were careless, reckless and incompetent in using their cell phones.

http://www.newson6.com/story/20498405/tulsa-mothers-lawsuit-against-tps-twitter-brings-awareness-to-cyber-bullying

The mother of an Oklahoma teen is suing Tulsa Public Schools, Twitter and others after a half-naked photo of her daughter was posted to the social networking site. The incident, the mother claims, subjected her daughter to severe taunting and physical harassment at school.

DeAnn Cooks says in the lawsuit that her daughter, identified only as S.C., was changing out of her uniform following a basketball game in November 2011 when a teammate grabbed her and restrained her so that a second teammate could take photos of S.C. in her underwear. The students, who attend Booker T. Washington High School, later posted the picture to Twitter, where the image was retweeted “numerous” times, according to the suit.

Cooks says she complained to school officials, who told her there was nothing the school could do about the harassment and urged her not to complain further, for fear of “making the school look bad to the Tulsa Public Schools District administrators,” according to court documents. Tulsa Public Schools is not commenting on the case, but Superintendent Keith Ballard told KRMG that the district is investigating the allegations.

Cooks seeks $75,000 in damages from TPS, Twitter and the families of the girls who allegedly took the photos. The two students involved in the incident are accused of intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault, battery and invasion of privacy, and their parents are being accused of negligence. Cooks also accuses TPS of negligence for failing to act on her bullying reports.

The suit alleges that Twitter should have “used reasonable care in the administration of its website so as to prevent the publication of photographs of minors while undressing.” While Twitter’s terms of service assert that “all content … is the sole responsibility of the person who originated such content,” Cooks’ attorney tells FOX 23 that the image was “essentially child porn, a minor in her underwear,” and Twitter did nothing to stop its dissemination.

As teens increasingly take to the Internet to share information, more schools are grappling with how to handle sensitive issues on social media, both on and off campus. According to The National Crime Prevention Council, 43 percent of teens are subject to some form of cyberbullying.

Attorneys and experts say that cyberbullying laws being considered or passed by states are not strong enough, and lawsuits like Cooks’ will only become more common.

Also on HuffPost:

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• Cequan Haskins

  Chilling video of 10-year-old Cequan Haskins being viciously bullied on a school bus in May 2011 was a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/23/cequan-haskins-10-year-old-bus-bullying-video_n_1695719.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying”released publicly by the boy’s mother at a press conference/a in Appomattox County, Va. Video of physical and verbal abuse goes on for 40 minutes and includes racial and sexual slurs, as well as Cequan screaming as two 15-year-old boys allegedly hold a hot cigarette lighter to his skin.

• Nadia Ilse

  To ward off school bullies who began taunting her in the first grade for her ears, Nadia Ilse begged her mother at the age of 10 for an otoplasty — an operation to pin her ears back. At the age of 14, Nadia was a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/28/nadia-isle-bullied-georgi_n_1712548.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying”granted her wish by the Little Baby Face Foundation/a, a charity that provides free corrective surgery to children born with facial deformities.

• Isabella Lounder

  Isabella Lounder, a 7-year-old student with special needs, was afraid to return for her first day of school in the fall of 2012. Mother Nicole Lounder says Isabella, who has dwarfism, was ignored by school officials, wetting her pants numerous times after failed attempts to use toilets that were out of her reach. Students would also pick her up, hurting her arms, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/17/isabella-lounder-student-_n_1798770.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying”and she was once locked out of the school./a

• Indiana Teen

  A student from Franklin Township Middle School East in Indiana was arrested after a cell phone video of a vicious school bus fight was posted to Facebook in August 2012. The fight broke out a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/franklin-township-middle-_n_1843062.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying”when one student had taken a seat on the bus that another wanted./a

• Washington Teen

  A Washington state student was terrorized in a bullying attack by peers — a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/john-rosi-washington-midd_n_1841998.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying”and at some points, by the teacher/a. The incidents occurred in February at a Gig Harbor middle school. Cell phone footage shows more than a dozen students dragging the then-eighth-grade boy around the classroom, carrying him by his arms and legs, burying him under chairs, writing on his feet and stuffing his socks in his mouth. The antics last about 15 minutes while teacher John Rosi watches, and later joins in.

• Katie Uffens

  Katie Uffens left Westview High School earlier in 2012 and enrolled in a home-school charter program after she was told about the existence of a group called the “KKK” —a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/bullying-continued-for-sa_n_1919888.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying” short for the “Kill Katie Klub.”/a But the 16-year-old San Diego cheerleader who was repeatedly bullied by her peers says the taunting continued even after she dropped out.

• Dalton Fleenor

  Oklahoma high school junior Dalton Fleenor reportedly told another student — while away from campus — “What he did was a p—- thing to do,” referring to a fellow classmate. The next day at school, the classmate in question punched Fleenor twice in the back of the head. Both students faced suspension, as Newcastle High School a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/06/oklahoma-high-school-stud_n_1862748.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying”treated the incident as a case of bullying/a.

• Whitney Kropp

  Whitney Kropp, a Michigan 16-year-old sophomore, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/30/community-lauds-victim-of_0_n_1927380.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying”was the victim of an apparent prank by classmates./a Kropp was named to the homecoming court of the 800-student school in the fall of 2012, but said she felt betrayed after some students suggested her selection was a joke. She said she had been picked on in the past, but it intensified afterward.

• Preston Deener

  Preston Deener, a sophomore at Brunswick High School in Maryland, was the a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/10/preston-deener-brunswick-_n_1954821.html?utm_hp_ref=education”victim of a bullying attack/a in October 2012 just as he was preparing for an on-camera interview with a local television station about his experience being bullied.

• Karen Klein

  Karen Huff Klein, a bus monitor for the Greece School District in Greece, N.Y., received an outpouring of support after a a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/20/greece-school-district-bullied-footage-causes-outrage_n_1612925.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”ten-minute video of her enduring vicious bullying/a while watching over students on a bus ride home was uploaded to YouTube.

• Stormy RIch

  Stormy Rich, an 18-year-old Florida student, says she was punished in May 2012 a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/28/stormy-rich-florida-high-_n_1551350.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”after reporting bullying of a special needs student/a on a school bus, and standing up to those bullies when the school didn’t take action.

• Rachel Ehmke

  Rachel Ehmke, a 13-year-old seventh grader in Mantorville, Minn., died April 29, 2012 after hanging herself at her home. The months leading up to the tragedy a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/rachel-ehmke-13-year-old-_n_1501143.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”were a whirlwind of peer abuse instances/a, her parents say.

• Akian Chaifetz

  In April 2012, Stuart Chaifetz sent his 10-year-old son Akian to New Jersey’s Horace Mann Elementary School wearing a hidden audio recorder, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/23/stuart-chaifetz-father-wire-son-records-teacher-abuse_n_1447330.html” target=”_hplink”uncovering verbal and emotional abuse from his son’s classroom aide and teacher/a.

• Joel Morales

  Joel Morales, a 12-year-old student in East Harlem, New York City, hanged himself in May 2012 a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/31/joel-morales-hangs-self-bullying-dead-father_n_1559450.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”after bullies at school taunted him/a for his size, intelligence and the death of his father.

• Darnell “Dynasty” Young

  Darnell “Dynasty” Young, a 17-year-old gay student at Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis, Ind., a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/02/darnell-dynasty-young-gay-student-stun-gun_n_1471921.html” target=”_hplink”faced expulsion in May 2012/a after he fired a stun gun at bullies he claims were about to beat him up.

• Oklahoma Student

  A 14-year-old student from Longfellow Middle School in Enid, Okla., a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/26/oklahoma-middle-schooler-seriously-injured-in-school-bullying-incident_n_1456356.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”was left seriously injured/a and had to undergo surgery after an incident of bullying went too far.

• Corey Pingeton

  Cory Pingeton, an 18-year-old student at Franklin High School in Franklin, Mass., a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/30/cory-pingeton-high-school-student-sucker-punched-at-school_n_1465390.html?utm_hp_ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”required medical attention/a in April 2012 after an unnamed suspect viciously attacked him in the school’s hallway. After fleeing the campus following the attack, the suspected assailant now faced criminal charges.

• Julio Artuz

  15-year-old Julio Artuz in November 2011 spoke out about his special needs teacher bullying him, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/julio-artuz-15-records-teacher-verbally-abusing_n_1097166.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”filming an encounter with the teacher at Bankbridge Regional School in New Jersey./a

• Ohio Boy

  A 10-year-old Ohio boy in April 2012 brought a BB gun to school a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/19/ohio-school-bb-gun-bullies_n_1438333.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”to fend off bullies./a

• Sawyer Rosenstein

  New Jersey student Sawyer Rosenstein received a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/nj-bullys-paralyzing-punc_n_1435176.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”a $4.2 million settlement/a from the Ramsey school district years after a bully’s punch paralyzed him for life.

• Female Students

  In March 2012, two female students from Mooresville High School in North Carolina were suspended after another student used her cellphone to a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/22/mooresville-high-school-bus-bullying-video_n_1373894.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”film the girls viciously bullying a male student on a school bus./a

• Lennon Baldwin

  15-year-old Lennon Baldwin, a freshman at Morristown High School in New Jersey, committed suicide in April 2012, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/02/lennon-baldwin-15-year-old-commits-suicide-after-being-bullied_n_1398147.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”and police are investigating whether bullying was to blame./a

• David Pecoraro

  David Pecoraro, a math teacher at Beach Channel High School in New York, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/19/david-pecoraro-serial-spi_n_1287929.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”was reassigned to an administrative office /aafter video of him swatting at and spitting on a student surfaced online in February 2012.

• Kaleb Kula

  Kaleb Kula, a sixth grader with autism, was brutally beaten to the ground at his Maryland school bus stop in January 2012 while his peers stood by to watch — a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/22/kaleb-kula-autistic-6th-g_n_1222068.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”and catch the act on camera./a

• Warren Lewis

  Warren Lewis, a Houston teenager accused of shooting a classmate in the leg at school, said in January 2012 that he was defending himself from a a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/11/teen-in-texas-school-shoo_0_n_1200385.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”group of boys who had been bullying him./a

• Phoebe Prince

  A lawsuit brought by the parents of Phoebe Prince, a 15-year-old Irish immigrant in Massachusetts who committed suicide after relentless bullying,a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/28/phoebe-prince-bullying-la_n_1172755.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink” was settled for $225,000 in December 2011./a

  strongCorrection:/strong A previous version of this slide incorrectly stated the date of settlement.

• Restraining Order

  Kentucky mother Joy Furman claims her 9-year-old daughter has been bullied for two years at school, and seeks a restraining order against a fourth-grade boy she accused of tormenting her daughter, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/24/girls-mom-seeks-restraini_n_1450299.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”kicking her in the chest and chasing her with scissors./a

• Ashlynn Connor

  In November 2011, 10-year-old Ashlynn Connor hanged herself in her closet by a scarf, just a few weeks after she told her mother she was being bullied at Ridge Farm Elementary School in Illinois a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/ashlynn-conner-ten-year-o_n_1092683.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”and her mother denied the girl’s request to be home schooled./a

• Kelly Chafins, Christy Wilt

  Kelly Chafins and Christy Wilt of Miami Trace Middle School in Ohio were caught on tape in the fall of 2011 a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/08/kelly-chaffins-christy-wi_n_1081980.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”verbally abusing a 14-year-old special needs student./a Chaffins resigned and Wilt was scheduled to undergo a probation period as well as eight hours of mandatory training in “how to recognize child abuse and stop bullying.”

• Patty Fabian

  In October 2011, 15-year-old Patty Fabian was left with black eyes and a broken nose after a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/07/patty-fabian-15-year-old-bullied_n_1079761.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”a peer at Garland High School in Texas viciously assaulted her./a Video of the assault was posted on YouTube while Fabian was rushed to the hospital.

• Rebecca Arellano, Haileigh Adams

  In the fall of 2011, Rebecca Arellano was crowned Patrick Henry High School’s first lesbian homecoming king. The next day, her girlfriend Haileigh Adams was crowned queen. Despite widespread support from the school and the couple’s friends and family, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/rebecca-arellano-haileigh_n_1070436.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”the couple subsequently received waves of hateful phone calls and emails./a

• Nicolette Taylor

  In the fall of 2011, 13-year-old Nicolette Taylor from Long Island a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/12/nicolette-taylor-13-year-_n_1007371.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”decided to get plastic surgery/a after enduring online harassment and name-calling multiple times a week because of the shape of her nose.

• Jamey Rodemeyer

  Taunted since grade school for hanging out with girls, 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer told his parents things were finally getting better since high school started. Meanwhile, on a blog his parents didn’t know about, he posted increasingly desperate notes ruminating on suicide, bullying, homophobia and pop singer Lady Gaga. A few days later, he hanged himself outside his home in suburban Buffalo, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/29/jamey-rodemeyers-suicide-_n_987054.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”quickly gaining a fame like that described in one of his idol’s songs. /a

• Justin Aaberg

  15-year-old Justin Aaberg committed suicide in July 2010 after what his mother Tammy Aaberg says was relentless anti-gay bullying at his Minnesota school. Tammy Aaberg has since gathered signatures for a petition and marched to the office of her congresswoman, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/16/tammy-aaberg-mother-of-te_n_966455.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, to call on Bachmann to publicly address gay bullying./a

• Zachary

  When video of 15-year-old Zachary being beaten over and over again by a classmate went viral in October 2011, the school told the gay teen that he need to “tone [himself] down.” The school’s handling of the attack outraged Zach’s mother Becky Collins, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/15/teen-speaks-out-after-vic_n_1095874.html?ref=school-bullying” target=”_hplink”who couldn’t understand why officials would say her son needed to change, instead of the bullies. /a

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/03/deann-cooks-sues-twitter_n_2403120.html

The Boy Scouts got an early (and unexpected) Christmas present from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on Dec. 20. The “present” came in the form of a decision that reversed the 2003 ruling by District Court Judge Napoleon Jones in the Barnes-Wallace case. Jones had ruled – erroneously, in the view of the 9th Circuit – that the City of San Diego violated the federal and state constitutions by leasing city property to the Boy Scouts on the same terms as it routinely does to many other nonprofit organizations. Jones literally ordered the Boy Scouts evicted from Balboa Park, where they had maintained a presence since 1918. Represented by the ACLU, two couples, one agnostic and the other lesbian, had filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts and the city in 2000 claiming that the leases for city property used by the Scouts in Balboa Park and on Fiesta Island were unconstitutional because the Boy Scouts disapprove of homosexuality and require its members to profess a belief in God. In a thoughtful, well-reasoned opinion, the three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit unanimously found that the relevant facts were “undisputed” and that under the applicable legal standards the leases did not confer an unconstitutional benefit on a religious organization.

Why, then, was the 9th Circuit decision so unexpected? For one thing, because Judge Jones’ decision banishing the Boy Scouts from city property was so one-sided and intemperate that many observers felt that the playing field was tilted in the ACLU’s favor. Jones’ bias against the Boy Scouts was so pronounced that he refused to allow the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division to file a brief in support of the Boy Scouts’ position, an astonishing display of judicial insolence.

Second, the 9th Circuit is often viewed as the most liberal court of appeals in the nation, and the one most likely to disregard controlling precedents of the U.S. Supreme Court, such as the 2000 Dale decision, which held that the Boy Scouts have a First Amendment right to exclude homosexuals.

Third, the Barnes-Wallace case had been pending in the 9th Circuit for almost a decade (the most recent round of oral arguments took place in June 2011, 18 months before the decision was issued!), creating a perception that the issues were so controversial that the decision was a “hot potato.”

Incredibly, soon after Jones issued his deplorable decision in 2003 (reached without even the benefit of a trial), the city decided to settle with the plaintiffs instead of joining in the appeal, and in fact agreed to pay the plaintiffs almost $1 million for attorneys’ fees (even though the behemoth law firm Morrision Foerster had supposedly been handling the case for the ACLU “pro bono”) and not to assist the Boy Scouts. In other words, the feckless city council (on the dubious advice of then-City Attorney Casey Gwinn, and with the shameful support of Donna Frye, Scott Peters, and Michael Zucchet) threw the Boy Scouts under the bus at the same time as it prematurely threw in the towel to the ACLU.

The 9th Circuit overturned Jones’ overreaching and misguided decision against the Boy Scouts in its entirety, holding that “[t]here is no evidence that the City’s purpose in leasing the subject properties to the Boy Scouts was to advance religion, and there is abundant evidence that its purpose was to provide facilities and services for youth activities.” In other words, Jones’ ruling was completely and totally wrong. The ACLU’s case was utterly baseless, lacking even a shred of factual or legal merit. The 9th Circuit delivered the best Christmas present possible for the youth of San Diego. Justice at last, after 12 years of frivolous, bullying litigation!

The 9th Circuit’s lucid decision should restore the Boy Scouts’ (and the public’s) faith in the rule of law. We should not, however, forget the lessons taught by this sorry chapter in San Diego’s history. When the ACLU, with the complicity of activist judges and arrogant “pro bono” law firms, tries to destroy venerable American institutions, we cannot passively stand by. We all have an obligation to stand up for what is right. Justice was finally done, but it was long overdue.

http://www.nctimes.com/news/opinion/perspective/decision-means-justice-at-last-for-boy-scouts/article_325182bd-cf5d-53aa-a50c-80124030e14e.html

If only it were so easy to pithily proclaim 2012 as the Year of the (fill-in-the-blank). But there’s really no one thread that neatly ties together the Chicago restaurant scene these last 12 months. A restaurant that put Chicago on the culinary map 25 years ago closed its doors. Doughnuts became “a thing.” Digging up mushrooms from the forest preserve took on high status.

Food truck culture inched forward. Chinatown consigliere Tony Hu opened his, oh, gazillionth restaurant in town. Chicago chefs found glory on both a cable cooking competition and a theater stage. Like every potluck, there were good, bad and surprising dishes to be found on the 2012 table. And yet we still slink away, stuffed by the collective experience. —Kevin Pang

Goodbye, Charlie
Few chefs are able to orchestrate their final bow as did Charlie Trotter in 2012. First came Trotter’s announcement, moments after ringing in the New Year and in front of stunned celebrants, that he would close his eponymous restaurant after its 25th anniversary. Then followed a “victory lap” of special dinners and events, culminated by a final party at the end of August. Trotter’s wine collection fetched more than $1.1 million at auction, but a subsequent auction of the restaurant’s equipment, tables and chairs attracted meager sales and was cut short by Trotter himself. The Tribune’s coverage of the event was also cut short, when Trotter ordered reporter Mark Caro — author of a three-part profile of the chef — out of the building during the auction preview.

Phil Vettel

Chef du Soleil
That other chef marking his 25th anniversary, the one not closing his restaurant, found a more interesting way to celebrate. Rick Bayless, whose Frontera Grill turned 25 this year, added another line to his glittering resume when he teamed with Lookingglass Theatre Company to star in “Cascabel,” a dinner-theater show Bayless co-created with Tony Hernandez and Heidi Stillman. It wasn’t the biggest stretch by Bayless — he played a chef who cooks really, really well — but it turned out that Bayless can act a little, and he can dance a little. And the guy sure can sell tickets; virtually every seat of “Cascabel’s” too-short run was snapped up.

#8212 P.V.

Hole foods
The Wheel-of-Food-Fads spun, slowed down and stopped at doughnuts. It was deemed official, notarized by food writers, a trend! It was bolstered by Michelin-starred chefs, who approached fried dough with the same standards as an artichoke veloute — names like Do-Rite Donut’s Francis Brennan (formerly of L2O) or Glazed and Infused’s Christine McCabe (of Charlie Trotter’s). The lines stayed long outside 4011/2 N. Franklin St., where The Doughnut Vault fries its cinnamon-sugared pillows, while food truck Beaver’s Donuts parked permanently inside the Chicago French Market. Here’s hoping doughnuts won’t head toward that dreaded category of trends: passing. The outlook, though, is bright.

#8212 K.P.

Top of the pots
Bravo’s “Top Chef” is such a weird reality competition: It’s one of the few in the genre where viewers can’t gauge the contestant’s output. We’re left to place faith in head judge Tom Colicchio and believe that, indeed, the tuna tartare was oversalted. We know they can all cook — making it to one of the 16 finalist spots requires chops. So “Top Chef” becomes, then, what every reality show from “Survivor” on forward is really about: A competition of personalities, of who can outshout and out-snark and out-histrionics the best on camera. Chicago paid close attention to “Top Chef’s” Season 9, which ended Feb. 29, because six of the 16 contestants cook in town (Moto’s Richie Farina and Chris Jones, Sable’s Heather Terhune, Chilam Balam’s Chuy Valencia, Aria’s Beverly Kim and Spiaggia’s Sarah Grueneberg — Jones, Valencia and Kim have since left those restaurants.) As always with “Top Chef,” the food was the least interesting part of the show. Even though Grueneberg came in second place, the tears, infighting, bullying, knife injuries and bro-hugs (with an assist from the show’s editing crew) still made for a season of compelling television.

#8212 K.P.

Rolling derby
Ask a food truck operator in Chicago what he or she thought about 2012, and the response will be along the lines of “one step forward, one step back.” Yes, Chicago aldermen finally passed legislation in July allowing food to be cooked on board vehicles, instead of prepackaging beforehand in a kitchen. Operating times were expanded from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. But the food truck vendors still feel the ordinance’s restrictions — such as not parking 200 feet from an existing food establishment or installing a mandatory GPS tracking device in their vehicles — inhibits business rather than nurtures it, not to mention prevents a thriving mobile food culture, such as those in Portland, Ore., or Austin, Texas. Even as Chicago established 23 “stands” around town where food trucks can park for two hours, some businesses are fighting back. In November, two trucks — Schnitzel King and Cupcakes for Courage — filed a lawsuit in the Cook County Circuit Court that aims to strike down restrictions in the city ordinance.

#8212 K.P.

Dig it
Foraging, particularly in the city, became a restaurant trend with the opening of Iliana Regan’s Elizabeth, which bills itself as “new gatherer cuisine” and serves dishes like wild-rice-crispy treats with cured deer. City Winery, Blackbird, Longman Eagle and many restaurants along Randolph Street also used foraged food in their kitchens. And although foraging is an ancient practice, the trend may have been influenced by Noma, the famed restaurant that has based its philosophy around foraged food.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/ct-dining-0103-year-in-review-20130103,0,2371895.story

Tulsa Public Schools is accused of negligence after claims that a student was held down by fellow students and photographed in her underwear.

The lawsuit says the Booker T. Washington student was changing after a basketball game in November of 2011 when two fellow players took the picture of the girl and posted it on Twitter.

According to the lawsuit, the unnamed female member of the BTW girls basketball team was changing from her basketball uniform into street clothes after a basketball game in Sand Springs.

The defendants, identified in the lawsuit as A.W. and M.G., are accused of grabbing and restraining the girl and photographing her in her panties despite pleas to stop.

The girl’s mother called the Booker T. Washington girls basketball coach to complain the next day and was told that the coach would “handle the issue.”

The lawsuit goes on to claim that the photo of the plaintiff was uploaded to Twitter where it was retweeted by numerous other Booker T. Washington students, causing the photograph to be seen by a majority of the student body.

The girl and her mother, according to the lawsuit, complained to Booker T. Washington officials, including the Dean of Students and an Assistant Principal,  who told the girl and her mother that there was nothing the school could do about the abuse the girl was being subjected to.

According to the lawsuit, the photo remained on Twitter for several weeks which caused embarrassment to the girl and subjected her to bullying.

The lawsuit claims that Tulsa Public Schools is negligent because the district, after being informed of the incident and the subsequent bullying, did nothing after the incident was reported and allowed the continued bullying of the plaintiff.

Twitter is also named in the lawsuit because the social media organization did not remove the photograph for several weeks.

The lawsuit also seeks damages from the basketball players, A.W. and M.G., and the girls’ parents.

http://www.krmg.com/news/news/local/mother-tulsa-high-school-student-sues-tps-twitter-/nTkg6/

Fort Lee Patch last week looked back on 2012, as we were nearing the end of the year, with the year in pictures, the year in review (January to June and July to December) and the most-read stories of the year.

Today, as we embark on a new year, we take a look forward at some of the local stories that are likely to play out in 2013:

Fort Lee Board of Education Challenges

The Fort Lee Board of Education will get right down to business in 2013 with a reorganization meeting scheduled for New Year’s Day at 1 p.m. and a host of issues to deal with.

Four new members of the board will be sworn in; Esther Han Silver, David Sarnoff and Holly Morell were elected to three-year terms in November and Candee Romba was elected to serve out the one-year, unexpired term of former board president Arthur Levine, who resigned in August 2012.

A look at what the board plans to discuss during a special private session on Jan. 1 sandwiched in between the re-org meeting and a special public business meeting provides a preview of just some of the issues the board faces in the coming year—among them “personnel matters, including the Superintendent of Schools.”

In June, the school board appointed Steven Engravalle Superintendent of Schools for three years in a 5-2 vote, also appointing Dr. Sharon Amato Assistant Superintendent of Schools through the end of the school year.

Then in November, the board approved a nearly two-month leave of absence for Engravalle for medical reasons and appointed Amato Interim Superintendent of Schools until Jan. 2, 2013.

Also in November Assistant Superintendent, Anti-Bullying Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer Keith Lockwood abruptly resigned from the positions he had only served in since the beginning of the school year.

In the summer of 2013, the school district will also see work continue on what have come to be known locally as the “referendum projects,” or those approved by voters in January 2012.

Redevelopment Area 5 Progress

In January, Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich said that Fort Lee residents should “expect progress” on Redevelopment Area 5 in 2012, and “progress” there was.

After weeks of public hearings, the Fort Lee Planning Board in March unanimously approved Fort Lee Redevelopment Associates (FLRA)’s site plan for the East parcel of the long-vacant site. The plan included two 47-story towers with 902 luxury residential units, a 1.7-acre public park, a restaurant and a small movie theater, among other amenities.

Then the public hearing and approval process was repeated for the West parcel, culminating in Planning Board approval in June of Tucker Development Corporation’s mixed-use site plan, which includes more than 165,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel, about 477 residential units and parking for about 1,200 cars.

The developer of the eastern half of the 16-acre property held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $500 million development in October, but Sokolich said at the time that a similar event for the West parcel could still be months away.

The Mayor and Council in December passed a resolution settling a lawsuit and an ordinance financing the acquisition of land at 183 Main St., the current location of Woori Bank, for a park on the West parcel.

Many residents are eagerly waiting to learn what comes next, a question the mayor is likely to address at the governing body’s annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 3.

Fort Lee Police Department New Leadership

On Jan. 1, the new Chief and Deputy Chief of the Fort Lee Police Department will officially assume their duties, with now former Chief Thomas Ripoli retiring on Jan. 31.

Former Captains Keith Bendul and Timothy Ford were sworn in on Dec. 20, with Ripoli, who served as Chief since 2004, having reached the mandatory retirement age. The official appointment before Ripoli’s departure provided the opportunity for a transition period in the police department.

Bendul said he and Ford were “optimistic” about the future of the local police department.

“Tonight, I, along with every member of our department, begin the task of working together as a team and taking my vision for the department and putting that into action,” Bendul said at Borough Hall in December. “We plan to develop an organizational culture of ownership—one of personal responsibility and accountability. We will build on the best successes that [former] Chief Tessaro and Chief Ripoli have put in place, and we will continue to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of our department.”

What do you think are going to be major issues in Fort Lee in 2013? Tell us in the comments section.

http://fortlee.patch.com/articles/fort-lee-issues-2013

Amid a year full of anti-LGBT rhetoric from people, organizations and businesses (One Million Moms, Chick-fil-A, and Kirk Cameron, among others, spring immediately to our minds), there were many remarkable, brave — and touching — moments from our straight allies who have spoken up and reached out to show that our fight for equality is one that is hugely important to them, too.

So, to thank and recognize our straight allies, take a look at our slideshow of the best statements and moments from them in 2012 and be sure to let us know what other incredible, heartfelt ally moments stood out to you in our comments section below.

Loading Slideshow

• Barack Obama Endorses Marriage Equality

  In an unprecedented and historic event, President Obama became the first sitting president to a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/obama-gay-marriage_n_1503245.html”affirm his support for same-sex marriage/a, when he made his announcement on national television to ABC’s Robin Roberts.

  Obama’s proclamation came soon after North Carolina voted in favor of an amendment that defines marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman and at the heels of Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan saying they support marriage equality as well.

• Football Players Brendon Ayanbadejo And Chris Kluwe Voice Support For LGBT Rights And Marriage Equality

  In a world that’s often seen as homophobic, there’s perhaps no greater influential voice for LGBT support than when it comes from a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/19/straight-pro-athletes-allies-lgbt-rights_n_1891616.html”straight male athletes/a.

  What started with Baltimore Raven Brendon Ayanbadejo (who’s been a long-time LGBT rights supporter) donating Ravens tickets to Marylanders for Marriage Equality, and drawing a href=”http://www.wbaltv.com/news/politics/Delegate-unhappy-with-Ravens-player-s-support-of-same-sex-marriage/-/9379266/16487740/-/mro08gz/-/index.html?absolute=true”criticism from Baltimore County Delegate Emmett Burns Jr. in late August/a, turned into another national headlining story. Burns’s letter caused fellow NFL star Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe to lash out a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kluwe/an-open-letter-to-emmett-burns_b_1866216.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices”at Burns/a in a letter of his own.

  Click the links above to read the full stories.

• Brad Pitt Donates $100,000 To HRC’s Gay Marriage Campaign

  Brad Pitt (along with his beau, Angelina Jolie) has always been a fervent ally for the LGBT community.

  In October, just before the general election where four states would vote on the issue, the Hollywood A-lister gave a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/brad-pitt-hrc-gay-marriage-campaign-donation-_n_2049092.html”$100,000 to the Human Rights Campaign’s National Marriage Fund/a.

  “It’s unbelievable to me that people’s lives and relationships are literally being voted on in a matter of days,” Pitt is quoted as saying on the HRC website. “In Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington, voters will go to the polls to decide if gay and lesbian couples — our friends and neighbors — are worthy of the same protections as everyone else.”

• Starbucks Supports Marriage Equality In Washington State

  After a year full of anti-gay Chick-fil-A stories, we at least had a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/starbucks-same-sex-marriage-washington-_n_1231047.html”Starbucks in our corner/a the whole time. In January, the world’s largest coffeehouse chain, which is based in Seattle, came out in support of marriage equality in its home state.

  Starbucks Executive Vice President Kalen Holmes issued a statement that read: “Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples … This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. It is core to who we are and what we value as a company.”

• CNN’s Carol Costello Kicks Bryan Fischer Off Show For Spewing Anti-Gay Hatred

  When the American Family Association’s Bryan Fischer was on CNN’s “Newsroom” in October, he offered his usual anti-gay rhetoric, claiming that Hitler recruited homosexual soldiers because they had “no limit to the savagery and brutality they were willing to inflict on whoever Hitler would send them after.”

  He went on to say that there are “known health risks” associated with homosexuality, which prompted a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/16/cnn-carol-costello-bryan-fischer-anti-gay-hatred_n_1970751.html”Carol Costello to stop Fischer/a. “I’m going to end this interview right here, because that’s just not true,” Costello said, interrupting Fischer. “I’m sorry, that’s just not true. Mr. Fischer, thanks for sharing your views, I guess.”

• Kelly Clarkson Endorses Obama, Citing President’s Gay Marriage Stance

  Pop diva sensation Kelly Clarkson, who once voiced her support for GOP candidate Ron Paul and claimed she was a “Republican at heart,” said that a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/23/kelly-clarkson-endorses-obama-gay-marriage-stance_n_2006018.html”she would vote for Obama/a because of his pro-LGBT views.

  Clarkson, who’s originally from Texas, told the emDaily Star/em: “I’ve been reading online about the debates and I’m probably going to vote for Obama again… I can’t support Romney’s policies as I have a lot of gay friends and I don’t think it’s fair they can’t get married.”

• Zach Wahls Speaks At DNC Convention

  Zach Wahls became a household name in February 2011 when the 19-year-old son of two lesbian moms a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/zach-wahls-defends-gay-ma_n_818194.html”spoke in front of the Iowa House of Representatives/a when it was hearing testimonies on a resolution that would end civil unions in the Midwestern state.

  Since that touching speech over a year ago, a href=”http://www.zachwahls.com”Wahls/a has become a prominent ally and activist for the LGBT community. This year, Wahls, founder of a href=”http://www.scoutsforequality.com”Scouts for Equality/a, urged Intel to end funding to the Boy Scouts of America, who reaffirmed its policy of excluding gays and he spoke at the Democratic National Convention proclaiming, “Mr. Romney, my family is emjust/em as real as yours.”

• Intel Ceases Funding To The Boy Scouts Of America

  When the Boy Scouts of America reaffirmed its policy of excluding gays from joining its ranks in July, Intel, the BSA’s largest corporate funder, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/22/intel-stops-boy-scout-don_n_1905856.html”stopped donating to the youth organization/a.

  Intel, who reportedly gave more than $700,000 to the boy scouts in 2010, came under pressure from LGBT rights organizations, including Scouts for Equality founded by Zach Wahls. The young activist garnered more than 30,000 signatures on a change.org petition, urging the corporation to cease funding.

• Macklemore And Ryan Lewis Release “Same Love” Video

  Seattle-based rapper Macklemore, along with producer Ryan Lewis, released their song, “Same Love,” in July in support of marriage equality.

  “It was not easy to write,” Macklemore said in a a href=”http://macklemore.com/post/27481163762/this-song-which-i-wrote-in-april-is-a-response”blog post/a about the song. “I struggled with how I, as a straight male, could genuinely speak upon this issue.”

  After a Michigan teacher was suspended for allowing a student to play the song in class in November (a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/susan-johnson-michigan-teacher-gay-song-suspension-reversed_n_2237217.html”she was later reinstated/a), Macklemore a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/30/macklemore-susan-johnson-same-love-gay-song-_n_2218715.html”wrote on his blog/a that the suspension was “completely out of line and unjust.”

• Two Straight Women Kiss In Front Of Anti-Gay Protesters In France

  Two straight women a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/24/two-women-kiss-in-front-of-protests_n_2009616.html”caught the world’s attention in October/a when they kissed in front of an anti-gay protest in France. The women explained that their lip-lock was a simple act to draw attention to gay marriage and they wanted it to be seen as a symbol of support and solidarity.

  Several French cities were holding protests against a bill that would allow gay marriage and adoption in the Western European country. The photo, which was taken in Marseille, quickly went viral with over 1,500 retweets on Twitter in just a few hours.

• San Francisco 49ers Join “It Gets Better” Campaign

  The San Francisco 49ers became the a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/24/san-francisco-49ers-it-gets-better-campaign-_n_1828488.html”first NFL team to make a video/a for the “It Gets Better Project.”

  Other sports teams who have made videos include L.A. Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and the San Francisco Giants.

• Gay Pride Oreo

  America’s beloved cookie had an amazing — and gay — year. After celebrating its a href=”http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/business/media/the-oreo-turns-100-with-a-nod-to-the-past-advertising.html?_r=0″100th birthday/a in March, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/28/oreo-backlash-companies-anti-gay-boycott_n_1634767.html”Oreo came out in support for LGBT Pride Month/a when Kraft released a rainbow-filled Oreo ad in June, which was heralded by LGBT-rights advocates especially coming from an iconic family-friendly cookie.

  “As a company, Kraft Foods has a proud history of celebrating diversity and inclusiveness,” said a spokesperson for Kraft. “We feel the Oreo ad is a fun reflection of our values.”

• Sally Field Receives The HRC’s Ally For Equality Award

  “We love you, Sally! We really love you!”

  In October, the a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/08/sally-field-hrc-award-speech-gay-son_n_1948110.html”Human Rights Campaign awarded Sally Field with its “Ally for Equality Award”/aand the veteran actress delivered a heartwarming speech in which she spoke about her own gay son.

  One quote from her speech truly went viral: “You’ve changed and are changing the lives of little boys and girls who realize somewhere along the way they’re just different from their other brothers and sisters…and so the f**k what?”

• Black Clergy And NAACP Lend Voice To Marriage Equality

  After President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage, prominent black pastors — such as a href=”http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/rev-sharpton-black-clergy-urge-support-of-md-same-sex-marriage-referendum/2012/09/21/53ca94a2-0436-11e2-91e7-2962c74e7738_blog.html”Rev. Al Sharpton/a and Rev. Jesse a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/jesse-jackson-dnc-maryland-gay-marriage_n_1880535.html”Jackson/a — lent their support as well.

  Within a week of Obama’s declaration, the a href=”http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/us/politics/naacp-endorses-same-sex-marriage.html”board of the NAACP voted to endorse same-sex marriage/a, lending the prominent group’s influential voice to a controversial issue in the black community.

• Ben Cohen Poses In Underwear To Benefit His StandUp Foundation

  One very active a href=”http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/sports/two-straight-athletes-combat-homophobia.html?pagewanted=all”straight ally is Ben Cohen/a, an English rugby World Cup champion, who retired from the sport to start a href=”http://www.standupfoundation.com/”The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation/a. The organization “supports organizations, programs and people that advance equality for the LGBT community and help for at-risk youth by standing up against bullying.”

  This year, Cohen surely made his many gay fans happy when he stripped down to his underwear to benefit his foundation. He a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/06/ben-cohen-strips-for-equa_n_1747838.html”spoke with Huffington in August/a saying, “No one should have to tolerate that [bullying], no matter what your sexual orientation, the color of your skin, your size or the color of your hair is.”

• Joe Biden Says He Supports Marriage Equality

  When the Vice President was asked in May on NBC’s “Meet The Press” if his views on same-sex marriage have evolved a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/06/vice-president-biden-gay-marriage_n_1489235.html”he answered/a: “I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women and heterosexual men marrying women are entitled to the same exact rights. All the civil rights, all the civil liberties.”

• Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos Donates Unprecedented $2.5 Million Toward Marriage Equality

  Jeff Bezos, the founder of the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon, and his wife, MacKenzie, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/jeff-bezos-gay-marriage_n_1709052.html”gave $2.5 million in July/a to defending Washington state’s same-sex marriage law.

  The unprecedented donation instantly made Bezos, whose estimated worth according to Forbes is $18.4 billion, a href=”http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/27/news/la-jc-jeff-bezos-pledges-2-point-5-million-to-help-samesex-marriage-in-wa-20120727″one of the largest financial backers of marriage quality/a.

• Hip-Hop Artists Rally Behind Frank Ocean

  After acknowledging he had a relationship with another man, Frank Ocean garnered support from a handful of other hip-hop artists, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and Russell Simmons.

  “[The support for Frank is] an extension of the overall kind of support we’re seeing across the country for LGBT people, and not just in a broad sense, but specifically from iconic members of the black community,” said Daryl Hannah, director of media and community partnerships for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

  “There is still a very nasty streak of homophobia in this country that we have to overcome,” Simmons, a founder and former owner of the Def Jam label, a href=”http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/07/arts/music/frank-ocean-draws-praise-for-declaring-his-homosexuality.html?pagewanted=all_r=0″told The New York Times/a. “I’m hoping the support by his friends and the members of the creative community will override it and, whatever he loses, he will gain more.”

• Congressmen And Women Pose For NOH8

  There were 26 congressmen and women who came out in support of marriage equality by participating in the second “NOH8 on the Hill” event on Sept. 13. They joined 10 other members of Congress who were a part of the first round of photographs in February.

  Read the full story and see the photos a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laurence-watts/noh8-on-the-hill_b_1955382.html#slide=more255708″here/a.

• Jesse Ventura And His Wife Endorse Marriage Equality

  The sports-entertainment world of wrestling has had its fair share of homophobic culture in the news. Though there have been anti-gay remarks made by a href=”http://www.cagesideseats.com/2011/3/25/2071241/glaad-forces-wwe-and-john-cena-to-knock-off-the-homophobic-jokes”John Cena/a, a href=”http://www.tmz.com/2011/07/04/cm-punk-wwe-wrestler-wrestling-homo-homophobic-slur-australia/”CM Punk/a and a href=”http://www.towleroad.com/2011/03/wwe-commentator-.html”Michael Cole/a, Jesse Ventura, former Minnesota governor and wrestler, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/jesse-ventura-vote-no-minnesota-governor-pro-wrestler-same-sex-marriage-antigay-amendment_n_1884626.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices”offered his support to the marriage equality fight in September/a.

  Ventura, who appears alongside his wife, Terry, in a video for “a href=”http://mnunited.org”Minnesotans United for All Families/a,” an initiative asking voters to say no to the 2012 constitutional amendment that defined marriage is being between a man and a woman said, “Government should not be telling people who to fall in love with.”

• Leon Panetta, James Amos Support DADT’s Repeal

  It’s been over a year since the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but continued support for the decision poured in from top leaders this year, including Defense Secretary a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/15/leon-panetta-gay-troops-pride-month-dadt_n_1599642.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular”Leon Panetta/a and head of the U.S. Marine Corps a href=”http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/08/28/top-u-s-marine-openly-gay-servicemembers-not-an-issue/”James Amos/a.

  Amos, who first opposed the repeal of DADT, revealed openly gay servicemembers haven’t been an issue, saying, “I’m very pleased with how it’s turned out. I’m very proud of the Marines.”

• Madonna Continues Her LGBT Support

  It’s been quite a year for the material girl. Madonna released her 12th album, “MDNA,” had the a href=”http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/98653/Madonnas-Ninth-World-Tour-MDNA-Highest-Grossing-Of-2012-With-141-Million”highest grossing concert tour/a of 2012 and headlined the Super Bowl.

  But besides that, Madge continued her fierce support of the LGBT community. She was a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/23/madonna-lawsuit-russia-gay-rights_n_2176566.html”threatened with a lawsuit/a when she gave a gay rights speech in St. Petersburg, urged people to a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/25/madonna-obama-black-muslim_n_1912400.html”vote for Obama/a) and appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’s show where the comic revealed how Madonna comforted her when DeGeneres was going to come out of the closet.

• Morgan Freeman Lends His Inimitable Voice To HRC’s ‘Dawn Of A New Day For Marriage Equality’ Video

  After marriage equality wins in this year’s general election, there’s still more work — and urging — to be done. Morgan Freeman lent his iconic voice to the Human Rights Campaign, proclaiming in a promotional video, “Freedom, justice and human dignity have always guided our journey toward a more perfect union” and that the road to full marriage equality has just begun.

• Phil Snider, Missouri Pastor, Gives Anti-Gay Rights Speech With Surprise Twist Ending

  Many pastors who have delivered anti-gay speeches this year, a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/21/phil-snider-missouri-pastor-anti-gay-rights-speech-surprise_n_1997036.html”and Rev. Phil Snider of the Brentwood Christian Church seemed to deliver one of his own/a at the Springfield City Council hearing on the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity protections in the areas of employment, public housing and accommodations.

  But, in a surprise twist ending, Snider’s anti-gay rhetoric was only an act. Snider explained that he borrowed his arguments from the “wrong century,” getting confused by the arguments against racial integration made by white pastors in the ’50s and ’60s. Snider implored the council to not make the same mistakes as those pastors and to be on the right side of history.

• Mayors Refuse Business From Chick-Fil-A

  Boston a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/20/chick-fil-a-gay_n_1689800.html”Mayor Thomas Menino/a told the Boston Herald that he doesn’t support a business “that discriminates against a population.” Menino’s comments caused controversy as many believed that even if Chick-fil-A is guilty of being anti-gay, it should not, in a free country and market, be barred from operating its business.

  Rahm Emanuel and Edwin M. Lee, mayors of Chicago and San Francisco, respectively, a href=”http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/04/us/taking-sides-on-chick-fil-a-is-a-temptation-few-can-resist.html”shared Menino’s sentiments/a.

• Janet Jackson Producing Transgender Documentary

  Janet Jackson announced in June that she would be the executive producer (and conduct some on-screen interviews) for a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/janet-jackson-truth-transgender-documentary_n_1570667.html”"Truth,” a documentary about transgender people/a around the world, which started filming this summer.

  “All people are very important to me. I’ve been fortunate to make friends and learn about very different lives,” Jackson said.

  “‘Truth’ is our small chance to ask that you try and understand someone who lives their life in a way that is a little bit different from yours, even though all of our hearts are the same. We want to stop the hate and find understanding.”

• Arne Duncan Throws His Support Behind Same-Sex Marriage

  Secretary of Education Arne Duncan followed Joe Biden’s lead in May, saying that a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/07/arne-duncan-gay-marriage_n_1495224.html”he supports marriage equality/a.

  Duncan, who was on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” became the second cabinet secretary to endorse marriage equality after Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan did in November 2011.

• Mariela Castro Discusses Transgender Health Issues In San Francisco

  Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, paid a visit to San Francisco in May for a prestigious academic conference. a href=”ttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/mariela-castro-transgender-talk_n_1538854.html”Castro, who is a fierce LGBT-rights activist/a who has vouched for same-sex marriages in Cuba and worked to have gender confirmation surgeries covered under the Cuban health plan, also attended meetings on transgender health care at the University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital.

• CollegeHumor Releases “Gay Men Will Marry Your Girlfriends” Video

  Our friends at CollegeHumor (perhaps unknowingly) created one of the year’s most viral internet memes in November with its a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/college-humor-gay-men-will-marry-your-girlfriends-video_n_2117777.html”"Gay Men Will Marry Your Girlfriends” video, which was captioned, “We support gay marriage. Here’s why you should too.”/a

  The gay guys’ argument for why straight men should be worried about gay men marrying their girlfriends if gay marriage isn’t legalized? They’ll make quiches with a side of hummus for breakfast and take her to a Broadway show. What gal wouldn’t want that?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/31/lgbt-straight-allies-2012_n_2332560.html

JANUARY

• Sultana High School senior Ricky Mendez, 17, of Hesperia, performed on international television when he marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade as a saxophone player in the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band.

• After 31⁄2 years, Karen Kelly was to once again be Hesperia Unified School District’s assistant superintendent of Personnel Services when school resumed. Kelly’s return was the result of a yearslong legal battle in which she alleged the HUSD systematically treated women administrators differently than their male counterparts — especially when it came in the wake of alleged sexual relationships.

• Assemblyman Tim Donnelly was cited and released after security officials at LA-Ontario International Airport discovered a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag.

• After a hard-fought battle against cancer, Sgt. Randy Gwaltney, of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Apple Valley station, succumbed to the disease on Jan. 4. He was 51 years old.

• The city of Adelanto cracked down on its first known medical marijuana facility — Regenesis Health medical marijuana collective — in an attempt to set an example for others who may try to set up dispensaries within Adelanto’s limits.

• Nearly 50 people were arrested when San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials broke up a cockfight at a Baldy Mesa home.

• Victorville Mayor Ryan McEachron, U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon and SANBAG President Larry McCallon pushed down a detonator at the groundbreaking of the La Mesa/Nisqualli interchange where plumes of smoke filled the sky as the words on the hillside changed from “Mission Impossible” to “Mission Possible.”

• Fort Irwin announced it would break ground in the summer on a new $400 million hospital, which would replace the post’s current 40-year-old facility.

• U.S. Rep. Jerry Lewis announced he would retire from Congress after serving 17 terms, ending months of speculation on whether he would seek re-election in the High Desert’s new 8th Congressional District.

• San Bernardino County Fire Department officials decided to close Fire Station 301 on 11th Avenue in Hesperia after voters rejected Measure F, a five-year, $85 parcel tax.

• Members of the Bernardino County Sheriff’s Cold Case Team arrested Steven Sylvester, 57, in Texas on suspicion of the 1992 murder of Robert Dennis, of Victorville.

• For the seventh time in 10 years, the Spring Valley Lake Association named a new general manager: Leo Riley.

• A default on debt payments triggered one of the top credit rating agencies to downgrade $51 million in Southern California Logistics Airport Authority bonds another two notches, with Moody’s Investor Services predicting the airport would not catch up on debt payments until 2029.

• Boxing coach Roberto Espinoza, who volunteered at two local Police Activities Leagues, was declared Citizen of the Year by both the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Victorville and Hesperia stations.

• DaShan Donique White, an 18-year-old good Samaritan who was stabbed after stepping in to prevent a woman and a child from being attacked in Victorville, was named California’s Witness of the Year for his bravery.

• The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was spotted at Emma Jean’s Holland Burger on Route 66 as the drivers took a break to eat before heading toward their final destination: the Super Bowl.

FEBRUARY

• Two people died and southbound Interstate 15 was shut down just north of Bear Valley Road for nearly three hours after a wrong-way driver caused a head-on collision.

• After months of public battles with the superintendent and school board president, Hesperia Unified School District’s Chief of Police Mike Graham was fired.

• Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board signed a $3.6 million agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric, dedicating half of that money to build a new water filtration system at Hinkley School.

• A Route 66 Economic Impact Study by Rutgers University indicated potential economic growth for communities along Route 66 in the future.

• Joel Green, founder and host of the award winning national PBS program ‘Curiosity Quest’ and ‘Curiosity Quest Goes Green,’ was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Youth Environmental Leadership Conference hosted by the Lewis Center for Educational Research.

• MaKayla Gregory, 9, was recognized by the mayors of Adelanto, Hesperia and Victorville for her and her family’s effort to raise awareness of heart disorders.

• At least one Oak Hills High School student had to be hospitalized after the teen ate a pot brownie, illustrating the issue of children — some still in junior high school — bringing drugs and alcohol to school. Students were caught with marijuana-laced brownies and water and juice bottles filled with alcohol at various Victor Valley campuses.

• A Victorville jury decided that 34-year-old Sherhaun Kerod Brown should be put to death for breaking into a Yucca Valley house before murdering one female resident and raping another.

• The Victor Elementary School District Board of Trustees decided to buy a $2.15 million property for a new district office.

• Organizers estimated that more than 30,000 people showed up for the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers off-road race, a grueling 14-hour contest combining open- desert racing with rock-crawling.

• City officials use a $990,000 state grant to fund the North Adelanto Sustainable Communities Area Plan. Through decisions about issues including land use, circulation, development standards and transit, Adelanto would set out to develop a model for desert communities in San Bernardino County.

• Several maps of the High Desert Corridor were on display during a community meeting at Victorville City Hall. The $6.9 billion project would be a 63-mile interstate linking Highway 14 in Palmdale to Highway 18 near Lucerne Valley and could open for traffic in 2020.

• WeTip, the anonymous crime-tip telephone line that by the beginning of the year had assisted various California law enforcement agencies to make nearly 16,000 arrests and contributed to more than 8,000 convictions, celebrated its 40th anniversary.

• Chelsea Emma Franko, of Apple Valley, was crowned L.A.’s Next Great Stage Star 2012.

• An Oak Hills substation for Southern California Edison caught fire, causing several small explosions as burning mineral oil sent thick black smoke into the air.

• Stevie Ryan, 27, of Victorville, starred in a new sketch comedy show, “Stevie TV” premiering on VH1.

• Lareece Chambers, 15, of Victorville, bowled a perfect game during junior league play at Victor Bowl in Victorville. She was awarded with a 300-game ring and a Hall of Fame gold plaque by Victor Bowl and the United States Bowling Congress.

• Kyle Lee Smither, 21, of Hesperia, was sentenced to five years in state prison for a stabbing that authorities believe was a gang initiation for a white supremacist group.

• After battling more than a year to get a new trial, John Yablonsky was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering a Lucerne Valley woman in 1985.

• When the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors announced its appointment of Phyllis Morris as interim public defender, her co-workers at the meeting gave a standing ovation. Backed by overwhelming support and popularity from fellow lawyers, Morris became the county’s first black public defender in December 2010, overseeing a $32-million budget and 245 positions.

MARCH

• Teachers and students at Apple Valley Christian School consoled each other as word spread that teachers were laid off and the school would shut its doors permanently in June.

• Mathew James Santos, 19, convicted of shooting and killing 17-year-old Sultana High School football player Steven Gonzales in 2008 was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

• Spc. Edward J. “Doc” Acosta, 21 — a Hesperia soldier and the father of an infant daughter — died March 5 at a hospital in La Jolla from wounds he received during an explosion in the Wardak province of Afghanistan. Acosta, a light infantry line medic, was honored posthumously with the Bronze Star — the fourth highest medal for valor.

• The Newell Rubbermaid distribution center at SCLA announced plans to expand. It will increase the warehouse by 52 percent and may offer more jobs.

• Mesa Linda Middle School students of the Kids Taking Action community service club helped plant trees and shrubs for an animal play area at the Victor Valley Animal Protection League in Apple Valley.

• A Victorville man was airlifted to a trauma center after allegedly shooting his wife and then barricading himself in his home for more than five hours as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s SWAT Team tried negotiating with him.

• The federal government pumped more than $7 million into agencies serving the homeless throughout San Bernardino County.

• Joseph Flores, 16, an Academy of Academic Excellence student, and his grandfather, Jack Moore, 80, participated in the L.A. Marathon. This was Moore’s fifth time running the event. Flores was among 20 or so AAE students to run as part of Students Run L.A., an organization that sponsors teenagers to run the marathon and provides guidance.

• The Securities and Exchange Commission investigated whether bond broker Jeff Kinsell illegally funneled campaign contributions to Victorville officials who approved taking on more than $400 million in taxpayer-supported bond debt over the past decade, according to records from U.S. District Court.

• Eight students from Phoenix Academy were hospitalized after they reportedly ingested a prescription sedative on campus.

• Charlie Barcio, of Victorville, celebrated his 108th birthday March 22 and credits his long life to never smoking or drinking alcohol, and riding a bicycle almost every day of his life.

• California is in the middle of a far-reaching demographic shift: Hispanics, who already constitute a majority of the state’s schoolchildren, will be a majority of its workforce and of its population in a few decades.

• Don Trapp, who has been with the San Bernardino County Fire Department for 23 years, was named Victorville’s new fire chief.

• When his administrators gave him more freedom in his lesson plans this year, Options for Youth English teacher Martin Votruba decided to make a big change: He switched out some traditional novels for the latest popular young adult series, “The Hunger Games.”

• Victor Valley College suspended its federal loan program amid climbing default rates.

• As many around her cheered, Valentine, a 10-month-old pit bull found badly abused in February in Lucerne Valley, was too busy playing and healing to even notice that the person officials believe inflicted serious injuries on the small pup, a 17-year-old Lucerne Valley boy, had been caught and was finally behind bars.

• Pearl Nichole Coleman, 34, of Victorville, was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison for stabbing her husband to death in 2004 after a lovers’ spat over a movie and a toilet seat.

• Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group opened a new urgent care facility that will provide some of the diagnostic services performed in hospital emergency rooms.

• Joseph Ray Rice, a 30-year-old Crips gang member, was sentenced to 90 years to life in prison for shooting and killing Delvon Williams at Karma Nightlife to benefit a gang.

• Carol Burnett, Tracey Walczak, Jaclyn Parslow, Jillynne Allison, Trish Watkins, Linda Glaudel, Kim Summers, Irene Gagne and Becky Otwell were featured in a series profiling some of the High Desert’s most Inspiring Women, as voted by Daily Press readers.

APRIL

• Wrightwood fifth-grader Reagan Mackenzie Slomback’s anti-bullying video went viral. The 10-year-old was inspired by the death of a Long Beach girl, Joanna Ramos.

• Less than 15 percent of students enrolling in Victor Valley College were ready to take college-level courses, according to data from the school’s institutional research department.

• Former Hesperian of the Year Becky Otwell received another accolade for her wall: Assemblyman Tim Donnelly named her the 2012 Woman of the Year for the 59th Assembly District.

• The Helendale Community Services District launched a teen center, offering a place for junior high and high school students in Helendale to hang out and initiate community services.

• The Desert Trails Parent Union, seeking to become the first in the nation to force a major school overhaul by invoking the “Parent Trigger” law, filed a lawsuit against the Adelanto School District and its Board of Trustees.

• It had been 20 years since Apple Valley resident Jean Moore went missing, and despite the case going cold, her friend Jack Fales had not given up hope he will be able to find her.

• While numbers indicated the economy was recovering slowly, the lack of qualified local workers and the state’s elimination of redevelopment money were the main concern of local business leaders who attended the High Desert Economic Summit.

• The Victor Valley College’s Model United Nations team brought home the highest honor of Outstanding Delegation, which put the Victorville community college in the top 10 percent of participating schools. It marked the seventh time VVC students won the award. They also earned four Outstanding Committee Position Paper awards and one Outstanding Committee award.

• State Controller John Chiang brought his message of economic uncertainty and hope to 90 regional and local leaders during a luncheon hosted by the Desert Mountain Chapter of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers.

• Cries of sadness were heard from the back rows of a Victorville courtroom as Judge Eric Nakata sentenced Michelle Gomez to 25 years to life in prison for killing her husband — the final chapter in a controversial, two-year trial.

• Three brothers were airlifted to trauma centers after they were struck by a vehicle near Liberty Elementary School while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk.

• Jose Alcala and Guillermo Barajas, both employees with the Victorville Public Works Department, volunteered their time and spent 30 hours to renovate the large ‘V’ on the hill behind Victor Valley Community Hospital. The ‘V’ has been on display on the hillside since 1943, according to the date inscribed on the landmark.

• Convicted of murdering 18-year-old Michael Subacz after a fight among children escalated, Rayford Newsome, of Apple Valley, was sentenced to 74 years to life in prison.

MAY

• Sixty-eight people were arrested and $20,000 was seized when members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Rural Crimes Task Force broke up a cockfighting operation in Hesperia.

• About 50 protesters lined up on the sidewalks in front of the Victorville courthouse as 22-year-old murder defendant Collin Lee McGlaughlin — who’s facing the death penalty if convicted — appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing. They held signs claiming the victims’ right to a speedy trial and asked passers-by to honk their horns for the slain teens, Bodhi Sherzer-Potter and Christopher Cody Thompson.

• A Mariachi band played and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies watched as “America’s Toughest Sheriff” Joe Arpaio squared off with a handful of protesters during a campaign rally to endorse 8th Congressional District candidate Phil Liberatore.

• The Daily Press was recognized in six categories during the California Newspaper Publisher Association’s annual Better Newspapers Contest in San Jose, including a first place finish in the features category for papers of similar size.

• Terri Smethers helped make a Facebook page to raise $2,500 for a wheelchair for 2-year-old Tyler Canedy and his family. Within 19 hours, they raised the amount needed for the wheelchair and then hoped to raise enough for other equipment.

• Sgt. Brian L. Walker, 25, of Lucerne Valley, was killed on Mother’s Day while serving in Afghanistan.

• Apple Valley High School student Sydney Toney put in the key that started a 2012 Jeep Patriot that was given away as part of the “It’s a Gas to Go to Class” campaign for perfect school attendance.

• Elias Llerenas was recognized by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and awarded the Medal of Valor for saving his neighbors’ life when Frank and Diane Masi’s estranged son-in-law attacked them in their home in December 2011.

• Granite Hills High School graduate Patrick McElree passed auditions to join the Blue Man Group.

• Jackie Salcido, 13, along with a 14-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy identified as Ricardo Saldana — all Ranchero Middle School students — were booked for attempted murder, conspiracy and burglary when San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Hesperia station investigators learned of the teens’ plan to murder the girl’s mother.

• San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Hesperia deputies, Fish and Game officials and Animal Control officers from Adelanto and Hesperia spent two hours locating and tranquilizing a roaming 200-pound brown bear.

• Victor Valley High School’s “Super Jairo Brothers” — Jairo Fuentes, Keith Butler, Joseph Echevaira and Victor Wyatt — won a national gaming competition with an educational game they created.

• More than 800 people from as far away as Brazil took part in the Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation series at the former George Air Force Base in Victorville.

• Danielle Hendrix, of Apple Valley, served as a massage therapist for Team USA during the 2012 London Olympics.

JUNE

• A father doing construction work in the backyard of his Hesperia home accidentally ran over his twin sons, killing one and slightly injuring the second.

• The city of Hesperia paid a $200,000 settlement to a family that rescues slaughterhouse-bound horses two years after the city seized animals from the property for code enforcement violations.

• Steve McHugh, who owns Express Super Pawn on Hesperia Road, and business partner Antonio Palazzola were set to be stars of AE Network’s new 13-episode reality show “Barter Kings.”

• An annual survey on public opinions revealed that two-thirds of San Bernardino County residents considered the county a pleasant place to live. But Victor Valley residents continued to fear increasing crime and gang activities, while complaining there was nothing to do in the area.

• Diley Greiser, of Spring Valley Lake, was set to be one of the featured firefighters on a new Oprah Winfrey Network show “Lives on Fire.” The show focused on women working for Cal Fire. Greiser is a firefighter/paramedic out of a Riverside station.

• Sherhaun Brown, convicted of murdering a Yucca Valley woman, raping and attempting to kill her daughter-in-law, was sentenced to death.

• Nationally, violent crime dipped in 2011, according to the FBI’s Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report. However, data showed crime in the Victor Valley increased during the same period of time. Violent crimes — which include murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault — declined 4 percent across the U.S., the report indicated. However, numbers released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department earlier in the year showed a nearly 10 percent jump in violent or Part 1 crimes.

• Students and staff mourned the loss of Tamara Dawe, a 40-year-old English teacher from Mesa Linda Middle School, who was found dead in her classroom.

• The Air National Guard held a ceremony to unveil its new $5 million hangar at Southern California Logistics Airport. The 163rd Reconnaissance Wing will conduct MQ-1 Predator operations at the facility, specifically designed for unmanned aerial systems.

• Apple Valley residents Philip and Sharon Rogone, of High Desert Church, were in shock after they discovered their home Bible study was in violation of town law, according to a citation found on the their front door. A code enforcement manager later cleared the citation and informed the Rogones that their private Bible study at their residence was not a violation.

• St. Joseph Health, St. Mary was on track to open its new Victorville hospital in early 2016 as the City Council easily approved the project.

• Sid Hultquist received a hearty round of applause as the 27-year fire veteran was named Apple Valley Fire Protection District’s newest fire chief.

• Dropout rates decreased at every Victor Valley school district for the 2010-11 year, according to data released by the California Department of Education.

• Fino Hernandez, 48, and his nephew, Miguel Ortiz Jr., 9, both of Hesperia, died after the boy fell into the aqueduct near Main Street and his uncle jumped in to save him.

• The San Bernardino County grand jury issued a 100-page report blasting Victorville for decisions that have jeopardized the city’s solvency, including mishandling bond funds, losing track of $13 million and potentially breaking the law by financing failed energy ventures with restricted money.

• In a surprising turn of events, bankrupt Victor Valley Community Hospital agreed to a $33.8 million purchasing offer by Riverside-based KPC Global medical group, who had once failed to close a deal.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/year-38376-january-review.html

January

1 – Numerous arrests made in Wyoming County in connection to drug-related burglaries.

2 – Faces of Faith organizes a walk to reach out to drug users and families affected by drugs.

3 – Major fire destroys downtown Beckley buildings, including Trio Consignment and Kopy Xpress.

4 – After uptown Beckley fire, around 40 tenants displaced indefinitely from Presidential Hall apartment building.

5 – Lawmakers discuss host of issues on horizon for upcoming legislative session.

6 – Beckley Fire Department Capt. and Fire Marshal Kevin Price begins investigating origin and cause of Uptown Beckley fire.

7 – Boy Scouts of America make first move toward securing $200 million tax-exempt bond to further construction at The Summit Bechtel Reserve.

8 – Lawmakers expect texting and driving bill to come early in 2012 session.

9 – Overcrowding at West Virginia regional jails causing upward trend in assaults on officers.

10 – Raleigh County Judicial Annex sees minor damage from Uptown Beckley fire.

11 – All wrongful death lawsuits settled with families of 29 victims of Upper Big Branch mine disaster.

12 – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin pledges to lead West Virginia into “a new and dynamic chapter” by creating jobs, making mines safer and fighting drug epidemic.

13 – West Virginia Board of Education votes to close Danese Elementary and Nuttall Middle schools.

14 – Mercer County delegate plans to introduce bill to have turnpike tolls removed seven months after bonds are paid off in July 2019.

15 – West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses gives Mountain State University 30 days to correct nursing school’s deficiencies.

16 – Raleigh County chapter of NAACP celebrates life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

17 – Former Gov. Hulett C. Smith passes away at age 93.

18 – Sen. Joe Manchin visits Woodrow Wilson High School and New River Community and Technical College to talk about jobs and evolving education.

19 – West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses posts findings about MSU Nursing Program, asserting university disregarded past mandates.

20 – Mountain State University Board of Trustees terminates Dr. Charles H. Polk as university president.

21 – U.S. Supreme Court blocks ruling that had struck down West Virginia’s congressional redistricting plan, allowing state to rely on that map in 2012 House of Representative races.

22 – Several southern West Virginia lawmakers back legislation that would increase salaries of county commissioners, sheriffs and other elected officials by $10,000 or more.

23 – Fayette County representatives hopeful for impact of Boy Scouts’ arrival on small business economy.

24 – Wyoming County Sheriff Randall Aliff announces five arrests in drug bust.

25 – Theatre West Virginia’s future remains in limbo, four weeks after general manager Gayle Bowling announced it would close temporarily due to financial difficulties.

26 – House panel approves legislation to make texting or talking on cell phone while driving a secondary offense.

27 – Mountain State University has closed-door forum for nursing students; meeting was held while many nursing students were in clinical rotations.

28 – Fayette County Commission authorizes $200 million tax-exempt bond for Boy Scouts to finance further design and construction at The Summit Bechtel Reserve.

29 – With Raleigh County redistricting, voters will see new delegate districts and new polling places.

30 – West Virginia immunization requirements changed for seventh- and 12th-graders for 2012-2013 school year, now requiring booster dose of Tdap and MCV4 vaccine.

31 – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin proposes mine safety bill, making a tip to underground crews of an inspector’s arrival a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

February

1 – Carbon monoxide leak in South Charleston hotel pool heater kills one and leaves four ill.

2 – White Sulphur Springs Mayor Thomas Taylor cleared of charges against him by a Greenbrier County prosecutor.

3 – Richwood Mayor John D. McClung arrested for fraudulent scheme and false pretenses involving improper use of Richwood funds.

4 – Greenbrier Chief Circuit Judge Joseph C. Pomponio Jr. orders Thomas Taylor to be reinstated as mayor of White Sulphur Springs.

5 – After his reinstatement, Mayor Taylor fires police chief James Hylton.

6 – Fans gather across town to cheer on favorite Super Bowl teams.

7 – Correctional officers look at pay raises to attract new officers and keep them on payroll.

8 – Senate discusses bill to strengthen copper theft laws.

9 – Senate unanimously approves bill making it unlawful for anyone under age 16 to get tattoo.

10 – Town goes blue to support Mountain State University during Higher Learning Commission visit.

11 – Bon Jovi, Toby Keith, Rod Stewart and Lionel Ritchie announced to headline Greenbrier Classic concert series in July.

12 – Lawmakers discuss bill to legalize marijuana for medical purposes.

13 – Heart of God Ministries hosts special service in honor of Black History Month.

14 – Local police officers and doctors team up to fight drug epidemic.

15 – Lawmakers present bill to raise taxes on tobacco products.

16 – West Virginia Division of Highways sets public hearing to discuss East Beckley Bypass section of Z-Way project.

17 – State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses votes to terminate MSU School of Nursing accreditation, effective Aug. 31.

18 – Police identify body as that of missing Wyoming County woman, Rachel Michelle Toler.

19 – Students speak out about graduation, fears and stresses after MSU School of Nursing gets accreditation pulled.

20 – Heavy snow brings down trees and power lines, leaving 50,000 APCO customers without electricity.

21 – Putting staggering post-employment health care costs of retired state workers on payment plan has turned West Virginia into “the shining star of the nation.”

22 – Senate panel agrees to let more police have access to Board of Pharmacy drug database in effort to help fight prescription drug epidemic.

23 – Former Upper Big Branch mine boss Gary May faces federal conspiracy charges from deadly explosion.

24 – Officials of state Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training unveil Upper Big Branch findings that massive buildup of coal dust was set off by explosion of small pocket of methane gas.

25 – Coal mine safety and anti-drug bills discussed in Legislature.

26 – West Virginia Public Broadcasting offers special viewing of “The Winding Gulf: Stories from West Virginia’s Coalfields.”

27 – State Sen. Erik Wells seeks to allow West Virginians working overseas to register to vote.

28 – U.S. District Judge Irene Berger denies new trial for former mine security chief Hughie Elbert Stover Jr.

29 – Gas prices are up 40 cents per gallon from this time last year, according to www.westvirginiagasprices.com.

March

1 – Former UBB mine security chief Hughie Elbert Stover Jr. sentenced to serve three years in federal prison and pay $20,000 for lying to federal investigators during investigation of April 2010 mine explosion.

2 – Concord University cancels classes after bomb threat scare, but law enforcement finds nothing in search.

3 – Department of Justice investigates possible environmental violations by Chesapeake Energy at three of its well sites in West Virginia.

4 – House of Delegates members from six counties and both sides of aisle join to create Southeastern Caucus, coalition of legislators focused on supporting regional interests.

5 – Lewisburg Planning Commission approves minor subdivision of property sought by owner of crucial parcel, clearing way for U.S. 219 and Fairview Road connector.

6 – Amendment is made to mine safety bill, dropping requirement for certified worker on surface when fireboss calls attention to underground problem.

7 – Federal inspectors either missed problems at Montcoal’s UBB mine or failed to inspect areas where those problems existed in 18 months before deadly 2010 explosion, but MSHA posted internal review concluding there is no evidence those failures caused explosion.

8 – Raleigh County Commission hires outside attorney to handle Freedom of Information Act request.

9 – Raleigh County fire departments receive $772,000 grant to outfit each fire truck with interoperable-capable communications equipment.

10 – State officials announce intention to start working to find new airline to provide commuter service to three West Virginia airports after Colgan Air filed notice that it intends to stop offering daily commercial flights at Beckley, Morgantown and Bridgeport.

11 – Westside High School girls basketball team captures school’s first ever Class AA state title, completing unbeaten season. Greenbrier East win AAA girls’ hoops title, its second ever.

12 – No money has been set aside to alleviate burden of redistricting; total of 24 new precincts must be added to Raleigh County to make adjustment.

13 – UBB memorial gets second-largest donation, $35,000, from Joy Mining Machinery.

14 – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signs bill aimed at preventing suicides among young people, making West Virginia seventh state to enact such a law.

15 – West Virginia goes from failing grade to one of nation’s top scorers for providing online access to government spending, with nonpartisan group heralding state’s recent launch of transparency website.

16 – West Virginia loses battle to attract Shell’s multibillion-dollar chemical plant because of costs of relocating casino that occupies company’s in-state choice for site.

17 – In-home care for people with developmental disabilities, rape crisis center and projects earmarked by lawmakers for their districts are among beneficiaries of $11.6 billion budget passed by Legislature.

18 – Study from Institute of Outdoor Drama shows Theatre West Virginia pumps between $2 million and $8 million into community each year.

19 – Police release names of three shooting victims, Charles Treadway, Sheila Fay Miller and Rexanna Elaine Curry. Police say incident was domestic-related; Howard Junior Curry is charged with murders.

20 – Preliminary hearing set for Howard Junior Curry, 83, who is charged with three murders, including his 47-year-old wife, Elaine.

21 – Mountain State University Board of Trustees appoints Dr. Richard Sours as interim president.

22 – Raleigh County School Board President Richard Snuffer discusses what an applicant needs to fill superintendent position after Dr. Charlotte Hutchins announces retirement at end of academic year.

23 – New River Community and Technical College prepares for new 78,000-square-foot education center in Beaver.

24 – Federal judge rules U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its authority last year in revoking water pollution permits that another agency had issued for one of West Virginia’s largest mountaintop removal sites.

25 – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin talks to The Register-Herald editorial board; he says West Virginia is in good financial position and he believes new penitentiary isn’t best answer to prison overcrowding.

26 – Deer farmers attempt to enact legislation that would remove them from supervision by Division of Natural Resources and transfer their livestock to Department of Agriculture.

27 – Mayor Emmett Pugh hosts public meeting for input on ideas for Heber Street property where major fire occurred Jan. 2.

28 – Raleigh County Board of Education meeting has full house of citizens, employees and teachers to discuss what they want to see in new Raleigh County Schools superintendent.

29 – Fayette County Schools seek $14 million from West Virginia School Building Authority to renovate and build addition onto Midland Trail High School, making space for ninth- through 12th-graders from Fayetteville and Meadow Bridge high schools.

30 – Former UBB mine superintendent Gary May pleads guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to defraud federal government.

31 – Social media gossip spread false rumor about gunman at Woodrow Wilson High School.

April

1 – Salvation Army teams up with The Register-Herald to raise funds for its annual summer programs, Camp-4-Kids and Kids Off The Streets.

2 – Rumor of gunman at Woodrow Wilson High School spread rapidly because of calls and texts; Raleigh County Schools’ Director of Pupil Services Jeff McClung said we all need to learn from this.

3 – Using handheld wireless device to send or receive text messages, or to engage in conversation while driving, will be illegal after Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signs bill.

4 – Panel representing West Virginia Ethics Commission releases information alleging Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh has violated Ethics Act by using his public office for private financial gain.

5 – Alpha Natural Resources announces it will soon begin work to permanently seal UBB mine with concrete and finish job by summer.

6 – Miners who died in UBB mine explosion remembered during ceremonies in Beckley and Whitesville.

7 – Silver Airways bids to provide flights at Raleigh County Memorial Airport; Tom Cochran, manager, see it as positive move with Boy Scouts coming next summer.

8 – Raleigh County residents to get 20 percent discount at Lake Stephens.

9 – Theatre West Virginia prepares for its 52nd season with new slogan, “Where Legends Live,” and new casting director, Marion Waggoner.

10 – Richwood Mayor John D. McClung pleaded guilty in Nicholas County Magistrate Court to false pretenses involving improper usage of Town of Richwood funds.

11 – Suit filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court by 12 former MSU students claims university negligently or purposefully kept accreditation issues from students long after national and state nursing accreditation bodies took action.

12 – Sen. Joe Manchin assures local political and business leaders he would never vote to assume more federal debt.

13 – National drug summit closes in Florida; Rep. Nick Rahall says he sees Congress acting on pill epidemic.

14 – Trinity Works, Boy Scouts of America developer, has offered $80,000 monetary gift to Mount Hope Planning Commission, intended to help city create comprehensive plan.

15 – After three-day manhunt, police arrest Tracey Lee Atwell and charge him with murder of his wife and abduction of his 8-year-old daughter.

16 – Parents group, We the Parents, fights law on school immunizations to make them optional for religious purposes.

17 – Bond denied for Tracey Lee Atwell, who faces charges for murder of his wife and  abduction of his 8-year-old daughter.

18 – Raleigh County Sheriff Steve Tanner said he intends to use county’s share of $63,502 Justice Assistance Grant to buy Ford Expedition, which will be used as K-9 unit.

19 – Smithsonian Magazine names Beckley 19th best small town in country, for its opportunities for cultural enrichment.

20 – Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital has groundbreaking ceremony for nearly $7 million renovation that will include facelift for building’s exterior, heating and cooling upgrades, and fourth-floor remodel.

21 – Beckley Police and Raleigh sheriff’s deputies arrest Justin Sharieff Rolls, 29, of New York, and seize over a quarter of a kilo of cocaine with estimated street value of $25,000.

22 – Boy Scouts to partner with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia for service projects prior to scouts’ arrival.

23 – Community members gathered at Carter Hall at MSU to observe Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Day of Remembrance.

24 – State School Building Authority chooses not to fund $14 million request by Fayette County Schools to renovate and build addition onto Midland Trail High School.

25- Virtual tower, as opposed to physical control facility, may be answer to Raleigh County Memorial Airport’s quest for enhancing safety and security.

26 – Raleigh School Board unanimously votes to offer James “Jim” Brown, currently McDowell County superintendent, position as superintendent of Raleigh County Schools.

27 – Department of Transportation urges travelers to use caution after heavy downpours cause high water in many areas.

28 – Charlie Houck named Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce 2012 community service award winner.

29 – Raleigh County volunteer firefighters face mounting costs, with fully equipped suit costing approximately $8,000.

30 – Lawmakers plan to address prison overcrowding, UBB and road funding after primary election.

May

1 – Martha Stewart visits The Greenbrier to share secrets of her success with more than 150 businesswomen.

2 – After strong response from residents, Division of Highways decides to build new bridge over New River in Prince from ground up, against its original preference of placing new bridge on old pillars.

3 – Lawyers representing former Sophia City Police officer Damon McDowell have filed federal lawsuit against Town of Sophia, Town Council of Sophia, Sophia Police Chief Tomi Peck, and five members of Beckley Police Department, alleging racial discrimination, racial profiling and civil rights violations.

4 – West Virginia State Police joins forces with state Department of Education to raise awareness of school bus safety and crack down on motorists who pass buses illegally.

5 – State Farm agent explains if the fire levy fails and local fire departments go under, home insurance premiums will soar.

6 – Beckley Police Capt. Jeff Shumate said stabbing incident left one man dead and suspect is at large.

7 – As of June 8, drivers will no longer be allowed to send and receive text messages in traffic.

8 – Officials from MSU meet with trustees from Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools for question-and-answer session following school’s Show Cause Order and February on-site visit.

9 – Raleigh County voters OK fire levy with 7,447 votes, just over 63 percent.

10 – Post offices in West Virginia to stay open, but with shorter hours of operation.

11 – Beckley Police arrest Semaj Nygee Lowry, Michael Matthew Pfost and Richard James Pfost, for intimidation of state witness after police interview with confidential informant was leaked on YouTube.

12 – Annual Rocket Boys/October Sky Festival, traditionally on first weekend in October each year in Coalwood, will move to Beckley this fall.

13 – Speakers celebrate diversity represented in class of 2012 as MSU confers academic degrees to more than 600 students.

14 – Former Army POW Jessica Lynch gives commencement address at New River Community and Technical College’s graduation ceremony.

15 – Raising Division of Corrections’ daily pay would finance parole-mandatory courses for state-sentenced inmates and reduce number awaiting transfer, according to Regional Jail Authority.

16 – Law enforcement officers gather at Fayette Courthouse lawn to honor fallen police officers who died in tine of duty.

17 – Ground will be broken next week on Phase I of construction of The Greenbrier Medical Institute, according to Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier.

18 – Aggressive search and rescue mission on New River for Bradley Alexander Sr., 40, turns into recovery mission, according to National Park Service.

19 – State figures show coal mining employment in West Virginia is at its highest level since 1990s.

20 – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Rep. Nick Rahall will headline forum targeting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “War on Coal” in Beckley.

21 – Organizers expect attendance at annual West Virginia Veterans Reunion/Run for the Wall event to top 3,000 again this year.

22 – Former Mountaineer football coach Bill Stewart dies of heart attack at age 59.

23 – After voters approve t$4 million fire levy, volunteer fire departments find they can use that money to pay off debts, according to Raleigh County Commission.

24 – West Virginia Department of Education recognizes Liberty High School as School of Excellence.

25 – Biker veterans make annual stop in Rainelle on way to Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

26 – Jim Justice acquires Wintergreen Resort in Virginia for reported $16.5 million.

27 – Four bodies are recovered from wooded area in Nicholas County; police believe they are bodies of Steven Hendrix, his girlfriend Amber Martin and two children ages 4 and 6, who were reported missing.

28 – Memorial Day candlelight vigil is at Huse Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Fayetteville.

29 – James Roy Belknap is arrested and faces four counts of first degree murder for slayings of Steven Hendrix, Amber Martin and two children ages 4 and 6.

30 – James Roy Belknap was sentenced to prison five years ago in another drug dispute, according to court documents.

31 – Some Beckley area business leaders see Health Insurance Tax as added burden that could cost small firms more than they can afford to pay.

June

1 – Raleigh County leads West Virginia in disbursement of money yielded by severance tax on coalbed methane, a form of natural gas extracted from beds of coal.

2 – Lawmakers consider looking at outlawing snake handling in worship services after another fatal bite by rattlesnake in West Virginia church.

3 – Independence, Liberty and Woodrow Wilson high school celebrate 2012 commencements.

4 – Wyoming East Warriors baseball team celebrates its victory over Herbert Hoover in Class AA State Championship game at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston.

5 – “Hatfields and McCoys” television series on History Channel gives Theatre West Virginia show a boost, says general manager Gayle Bowling.

6 – Arthur Emmanuel Agnew, 43, of Beckley, arrested on malicious wounding charges after a domestic dispute, is charged with first-degree murder of Teresa Wilson, 48, his long-term, live-in girlfriend.

7 – Gerald Steven Shulock, 51, of MacArthur, is sentenced to serve 40 years in prison for first-degree murder of Anna M. Shores, 38, of Cool Ridge.

8 – Former Police Chief James Hylton files lawsuit claiming City of White Sulphur Springs violated West Virginia Human Rights Act in terminating his employment.

9 – Eight people are arrested as part of warrant sweep conducted by Beckley Police Department, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force.

10 – Veterans and residents come together for dedication service at Mabscott Veterans Memorial Park.

11 – Interim President Dr. Richard Sours ensures students and community the university has changed, promising “a new MSU.”

12 – Since its purchase of 10,636-acre Garden Ground tract near Mount Hope in October 2009, Boy Scouts have increased their land holdings in Fayette County by nearly a third, owning approximately 14,092 acres of Fayette County land now.

13 – America is shoveling coal aside, opting for cleaner and cheaper alternatives, as the share of U.S. electricity that comes from coal is forecast to fall below 40 percent for the year, lowest since government began collecting data in 1949.

14 – Theatre West Virginia opens “Hatfields and McCoys” to large crowd at Cliffside Amphitheatre.

15 – Police arrest Christian Hine, 26, and Kevin Saunders, 25, who both face laundry list of charges after breaking into house of 86-year-old woman.

16 – Fayette County Commission gives go-ahead to county’s fire coordinator to buy property owned by North American River Runners for use as fire training academy.

17 – West Virginia Department of Transportation announces it is creating website to provide traffic updates, road conditions, and weather alerts to travelers around the clock.

18 – Rainelle Mayor Andrea Pendleton meet with officials from Army Corps of Engineers and State Department of Environmental Protection to try to find solutions to Rainelle’s perennial flooding issues.

19 – Several of West Virginia’s top Democratic leaders say they would not attend Democratic National Convention, furthering their attempts to distance themselves from a president who is wildly unpopular in the state.

20 – After 44 years serving public schools of West Virginia, Fayette County Schools Superintendent Dwight Dials will resign from his post at end of June.

21 – Final concrete seal is put in place at UBB mine, according to officials with mine’s current owner, Alpha Natural Resources.

22 – Former Rainelle Mayor Eugene McKenzie’s ethics hearing continues; Randy Pendleton, whose wife, Andrea Pendleton, was elected to  mayoral post last summer, testifies he believes McKenzie targeted him for harassment in 2006.

23 – Now in his second stint as Rainelle’s police chief, J.P. Steven testifies in ethics hearing involving his former boss, then-mayor Eugene McKenzie.

24 – Operation Family Freedom, community outreach effort trying to combat growing drug abuse epidemic in southern West Virginia, is at Linda K. Epling Stadium.

25 – Despite some citizen protest and concern, surface mining in Fayette County continues to move forward, with 2,162 acres of pending surface mining permits potentially adding to the 12,704 acres already permitted but not yet released from bond.

26 – Mandatory overtime is being phased out in West Virginia’s 10-unit regional jail system with potential huge savings in dollars and lessening “burnout” among officers.

27 – West Virginia University professor unveils that 27.5 percent of West Virginia children are obese, compared to national average of 17 percent.

28 – Oak Hill is in preliminary stages of $14 million sewer improvement project, ultimately aimed at cleaning up New River.

29 – “Obamacare” passes in Supreme Court decision; West Virginia state leaders have varying opinions.

30 – Vicious winds and heavy rain from thermodynamic weather front pummel southern West Virginia and southcentral Virginia, knocking out power for more than 500,000 customers.

July

1 – Brief but powerful storm rips through southern West Virginia and Virginia on its way to mid-Atlantic, leaving nearly 60 percent of Appalachian Power Co.’s customers without electricity; West Virginia is placed under state of emergency.

2 – Hundreds of thousands remain without power after huge storm; many area stations are out of gas and some communities are short on water.

3 – Rep. Nick Rahall and West Virginia National Guard tour southern West Virginia to take first-hand look at storm damage.

4 – Power is slowly being restored and many businesses are opening up shop again.

5 – First round of The Greenbrier Classic begins after massive cleanup efforts at resort; CEO Jim Justice gets to see Tiger Woods play up close in Pro Am event.

6 – Another deluge of rain, high winds and lightning sets power restoration back, leaving more than 300,000 still in dark.

7 – West Virginia Department of Homeland Security offers tips on how to be prepared for emergencies.

8 – Webb Simpson ends third round atop The Greenbrier Classic leaderboard.

9 – Ted Potter Jr. captures his first PGA Tour victory after three-hole playoff at The Greenbrier Classic.

10 – Power restoration efforts continue after area sees fourth storm in less than week and a half.

11 – Higher Learning Commission, MSU’s general accrediting body, announces it has decided to withdraw school’s accreditation, effective Aug. 27.

12 – MSU Faculty Senate Chairman Andrew Wheeler says faculty are concerned but moving to develop teach-out plans for students.

13 – Community leaders are devastated at Higher Learning Commission’s decision to withdraw MSU accreditation; students attend advising fair to weigh options.

14 – Raleigh County emergency management planner Mark Wilson praises public response during storms that left 94 percent of county without power.

15 – Bosten Miller takes lead in first round of annual Beckley Newspapers Invitational golf tournament.

16 – Miller, a Marshall University graduate, up by four going into final round of BNI.

17 – Miller beats Brandon Reece for championship of 32nd annual Beckley Newspapers Memorial Golf Classic.

18 – After closed faculty and staff forum at MSU, interim president Dr. Richard Sours says he encouraged employees to “dust off their resumes.”

19 – Students in MSU’s physician assistant program struggle with transfer options, some still hoping for teach-out.

20 – MSU has forum for students; Sours says possibility of university closing is real.

21 – Third lawsuit is filed against Michael Jason Dickens, former Independence Middle School science teacher, claiming third female minor was sexually exploited.

22 – Friends of Coal Auto Fair offers something for all ages — cars, funnel cakes, and carnival rides.

23 – According to Division of Highways briefing, publicly funded rail trail project in Fayette and Greenbrier counties could be at risk of losing its rail bed to coal company, although no company will confirm its involvement.

24 – MSU cuts 50 percent of workforce, leaving about 145 employees without job effective Sept. 21.

25 – MSU officials are concerned with lack of transparency at Higher Learning Commission.

26 – In accordance with its appeal process, HLC grants Mountain State University an accreditation extension through fall semester.

27 – Upper Big Branch Miner Memorial dedication and unveiling is in Whitesville.

28 – Regional lawmakers plan to attend Southern Legislative Conference, marking first time in 15 years West Virginia has hosted it.

29 – Seven new Beckley Police officers conclude training by learning basics of defense tactics.

30 – Target Red, campaign to reduce red light violations, is in its fourth year.

31 – Rep. Nick Rahall secures $25,000 federal grant for specialty Ford Explorer for Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department as K-9 unit.

August

1 – U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton rules that Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its authority in trying to force state and industry to come up to standards not provided for in its own rules, and that its rules weren’t properly promulgated.

2 – Mountain State University and University of Charleston officials announces UC will serve as primary partner through teach-out process and will establish four-year private college center in Beckley after MSU closes in December.

3 – Four Raleigh County roadways are blocked after CSX train derails while traveling through Raleigh.

4 – State officials anticipate how six regional task forces will share in $7.5 million budget crafted by West Virginia lawmakers to help combat drug abuse epidemic.

5 – Homer Hickam says Theatre West Virginia’s “Rocket Boys” musical is more true to his book’s vision than the film.

6 – Safety on the Blue is at Bluestone Dam during final day of 48th annual West Virginia Water Festival.

7 – Based on State Bar opinion suggesting his service would pose conflict as criminal defense lawyer, veteran Beckley attorney and Democratic nominee John Wooten bows out of Raleigh County Commission race.

8 – Congressman Nick Rahall announces $400,000 West Virginia Division of Highways grant will be combined with $150,000 in local funding to complete alternate access road to Raleigh County Memorial Airport and its industrial parks.

9 – Reaching the Summit service projects begin; southern West Virginians get sneak peek at what Boy Scouts can offer region.

10 – New $6 million computer system could bring in $75,000 from West Virginia Turnpike toll cheaters.

11 – Bugging device uncovered in air duct in office of Regional Jail Authority’s chief of operations becomes target of FBI investigation.

12 – Lilly family gathers for annual reunion at Flat Top, with “Guinness Book of World Records” title for largest family reunion.

13 – Raleigh County Schools will implement parent notification system for fall 2012, says technology coordinator Mary Ann Foster.

14 – Sen. Clark Barnes, R-Randolph, asks Division of Corrections to tell key legislative panel in September how inmate population can be lowered.

15 – Leading Boy Scout official makes renewed pitch for constitutional amendment that would open up Fayette County complex to other activities without putting its tax-exempt status in jeopardy.

16 – Widows of two West Virginia coal miners killed in 2006 fire want state Supreme Court to rule private and federal mine safety inspectors can be held legally accountable when workers die as result of their negligence.

17 – Study by West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources shows Raleigh and Greenbrier counties have had significant increase in DUI arrests between 2008 and 2010, in contrast to declining state totals.

18 – New Regional Jail Authority Director Joe DeLong labels a claim “blatantly false” that audio snooping device was planted this summer in central office to discredit him and help underling who was after his job.

19 – Raleigh County Schools will consider computer-based supplements to help grow better readers.

20 – Dr. Ed Welch, University of Charleston president, says he is eager to help MSU students transition.

21 – New River Community and Technical College President Dr. Ted D. Spring announces his resignation after accepting position as president of Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C.

22 – Beckley Police Chief Tim Deems confirms internal inventory of department’s evidence holding room is under way.

23 – Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Keller confirms any drug-related cases involving evidence housed in Beckley Police Department property room in past 15 months will be dismissed.

24 – U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin confirms Drug Enforcement Agency Tactical Diversion Squad will take over criminal investigation of Beckley Police Department where drugs have been reported missing from evidence holding room.

25 – West Virginians for Affordable Health Care is on a mission to educate state residents about what new health care reforms mean for them.

26 – Taste of Appalachia brings huge crowd to uptown Beckley.

27 – Raleigh County Schools will phase in First Grade and Social Studies K-12 Next Generation Common Core State Standards as they progress to meet 2014-2015 state deadline.

28 – Change the Future West Virginia promotes healthy eating and exercise at conference at The Greenbrier.

29 – Beckley Common Council members remain quiet about ongoing Beckley Police Department investigation during regularly scheduled meeting.

30 – Luke Baber, 20, of Oak Hill, fatally shoots State Police Cpl. Marshall Lee Bailey and critically injures trooper Eric Workman.

31 – West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Summit members spoke about solutions for state’s educational challenges.

September

1 – Second trooper, Eric Workman, dies at Charleston Area Medical Center from shooting injuries.

2 – Hundreds of families come to Main Street in Oak Hill for Oak Leaf Festival Parade.

3 – Slain trooper Cpl. Marshall Bailey is laid to rest; thousands attend his funeral at Charleston Civic Center.

4 – West Virginia union leader Elaine Harris says Romney-Ryan ticket will be bad for workers because Republicans tend to favor wealthy.

5 – After Theatre West Virginia’s comeback from brink of bankruptcy last winter and season filled with electrical outages and rain, 53rd season will depend on aggressive fundraising and community support leading into 2013.

6 – Thousands gathers at Charleston Civic Center to pay tribute to Eric Michael Workman, 26, second state trooper killed in line of duty last week.

7 – Cell towers will soon be erected on Turnpike property; Verizon is interested in up to six new sites.

8 – More than 700 men who died digging Hawk’s Nest Tunnel are honored at dedication ceremony at Old Main High School.

9 – Nancy Kissinger, president of Chase Bank in Uptown Beckley, is named 2012 Spirit of Beckley award winner.

10 – At least one West Virginia student has killed herself since school year began; state officials step up suicide prevention efforts.

11 – FBI agent’s memo, unveiled by legislative leader, appears to confirm official inquiry into alleged snooping device in office at Regional Jail Authority.

12 – Construction at 10,600-acre The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Fayette County is well under way, with 305 days left until Boy Scouts arrive for 2013 National Jamboree.

13 – Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Joe Thornton says shipping convicts across state boarders to ease prison overcrowding in West Virginia remains option.

14 – Engineer for Greenbrier County Public Service District No. 1 vows his agency will fight Ronceverte’s plans to build $28 million sewer treatment plant.

15 – Huge crowd turns out for Beckley’s first Dancing with the Stars fundraiser, which benefits United Way of Southern West Virginia.

16 -  U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin confirms that after preliminary review of federal cases, none should be affected by missing evidence housed at Beckley Police Department.

17 – Division of Highways says first phase of New River Parkway is on time for completion.

18 – University of Charleston receives official notice that its new Physician Assistant program has been granted provisional accreditation by Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant Inc.

19 – Alpha Natural Resources is set to close four West Virginia coal mines, blaming combined effects of upsurge in natural gas, soft markets, warm winter and rigid enforcement of environmental rules.

20 – Alpha Natural Resources works to assist 60 coal miners laid off during their transition.

21 – New River Community and Technical College receives $3 million federal grant to enlarge its nursing and allied health programs.

22 – William Roy Wilson, 29, of Beckley, jail guard charged with sexually abusing three women at West Virginia lockup since May, has been accused of misconduct before and has been sued 11 times for similar allegations.

23 – City officials prepare for 15th Annual Beckley Half-Marathon and 5K Run, as well as Chili Night.

24 – National Park Service members and other emergency rescue volunteers gather at McCreery boat ramp to practice search and rescue techniques.

25 – Landmark ruling is in offing that could alter how gas drilling permits are issued in West Virginia and extent of rights that surface owners may exercise when their properties give way to such operations.

26 – Virtual tower, run by sophisticated network of computers and possibly biggest wrinkle in flight history since powered engines, might come up for vote next month by Raleigh County Memorial Airport’s advisory board.

27 – Department of Agriculture makes temporary rule calling for all chicken litter to be composted for 30 days in area where it is produced.

28 – Autumn leaves draw many tourists into West Virginia as leaves reach their peak color.

29 – State decides to move forward with Meadow River Rail Trail, publicly funded project in Fayette and Greenbrier counties.

30 – Boy Scouts visit TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park at Adventures on the Gorge, as part of Fall Camporee.

October

1 – USS West Virginia crew members reunite at Raleigh County Veterans Museum.

2 – Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital reopens long-term care unit, Main Street Care, after two years.

3 – State-of-the-art radios come to Beckley Fire Department and all but two of 13 volunteer units, courtesy of Department of Homeland Security grant.

4 – University of Charleston continues its plan to create Beckley campus once Mountain State University has closed while awaiting final approval from Higher Learning Commission.

5 – Police search for Alfred Pittman, 23, Corneallus “Ty” Taylor, 20, and Dewayne Lane, 22, all suspected of first-degree murder of Shawn Rucker.

6 – U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announces that criminal charges have been filed against Gabriella Brown for obtaining oxycodone by fraud from Beckley Police Department evidence holding room.

7 – Rocket Boys Festival and Chili Night prove to be successful duo in Beckley.

8 – Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce will host event for candidates to speak at Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

9 – West Virginia suffers from fourth fastest growing inmate rate in America; some municipal police aren’t helping matters by hauling folks off to jail instead of writing citations.

10 – West Virginia Ethics Commission says hearing for Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh will be Jan. 28 in Beckley for his alleged ethics violations.

11 – Some 5,500 jobs in West Virginia have vanished since August, but unemployment compensation fund remains healthy.

12 – Raleigh County’s Academy of Careers and Technology students participate in National Anti-Bullying week activities.

13 – New program aimed at combating Fayette County’s truancy problem will create Community Truancy Board at Oak Hill High School this year, where 603 of 981 students last year were considered habitual truants.

14 – Nearly 50 vendors showcase their specialties for 28th annual Taste of Our Towns street festival in Greenbrier County.

15 – Future West Virginia public employees would have to work longer before retiring, pay more toward their pensions and lose ways to boost their benefits under proposal being discussed at Legislature.

16 – Officials cut ribbon to dedicate Beckley Intermodal Gateway in downtown Beckley; first phase is 90 percent complete and provides 350 parking spaces.

17 – During second presidential debate, gloves come off for President Obama, but challenger Mitt Romney holds his own.

18 – City Council had no role in firing that led up to wrongful termination lawsuit filed against White Sulphur Springs by former Police Chief James Hylton, says Mayor Thomas Taylor.

19 – Beckley-Stratton Middle School’s 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school program is one of 8,000 sites across United States to participate in After-School Alliance “Lights on Afterschool” celebration.

20 – Norfolk Southern Corp. lays off around 200 employees in railroad’s Bluefield-based Pocahontas Division and Roanoke, Va.-based Virginia Division.

21 – Jumpers and spectators gather at New River Gorge Bridge for 33rd Annual Bridge Day.

22 – Downtown Hinton fills with visitors and vendors during Railroad Days.

23 – Three men are arrested in connection with burglary rings in Glade Springs and around Lake Stephens.

24 – The Register-Herald and West Virginia State Police joins in school bus ride-along to get first-hand look at dangers facing school children and school bus drivers every day.

25 – One phase is done and two more are in offing as West Virginia Division of Highways gears up for completion of East Beckley Bypass.

26 – Steve McGowan, attorney and Boy Scouts leader, says amendment to West Virginia Constitution isn’t needed to extend its tax-exempt status to entities not engaged in charities.

27 – Dr. Jerry Forster, former administrator at University of Charleston, is named as new president for UC-Beckley.

28 – Rain from Hurricane Sandy plus blast of cold air from Canada could bring wintry mix.

29 – Blizzard warning is issued for region, as flights are canceled and residents stock up on food and supplies.

30 – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declares state of emergency as “Frankenstorm” hits region.

31 – Historic storm batters southern West Virginia, leaving 2 feet of snow and causing about 271,000 customers to lose power.

November

1 – Potential for high water is monitored as 2 feet of snow melts and precipitation turns to rain.

2 – Nicholas County receives up to 6 feet of snow in some areas from Superstorm Sandy.

3 – Road clearing and power restoration continues; Nicholas County still has 60 percent of customers without power.

4 – Trick-or-treaters venture into streets few days late after Superstorm Sandy left region blanketed in snow.

5 – Fayetteville’s Planning and Zoning Board green-lights plans for Cascade Resort, mixed-use development at 190-acre Gaines Estate on Maple Avenue, partly within town’s historic district.

6 – Officials relocate handful of polling precincts because of power outages from Superstorm Sandy.

7 – President Obama is re-elected for another four-year term, beating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

8 – Despite some polling locations losing time due to Sandy, county clerks across region report higher than average early voter turnout, which echoes generally high voter turnout overall.

9 – West Virginia Parkways Authority will approach J.P. Morgan Chase Bank with $20,000 offer for 8.5-acre tract across from Tamarack.

10 – Beckley Police Department executes felony drug warrants, nabbing 10 drug suspects and searching for additional eight.

11 – Division of Natural Resources says Hurricane Sandy shouldn’t affect West Virginia deer hunting.

12 – 15th Annual Veterans Appreciation Day is at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building in Fayetteville.

13 – Annual Beckley Veterans Parade honors those who served.

14 – Whayne-Walker Underground Mining will focus on supplying and serving large equipment used by underground mines in West Virginia, Kentucky, south Indiana and southeastern Ohio.

15 – Raleigh County Board of Education hears parent complaint about racial slur at Independence High School.

16 – Patriot Coal Corp. agrees to become first U.S. coal operator to phase out and eventually stop all large-scale mountaintop removal mining in central Appalachia under agreement with three environmental groups that sued over pollution from several West Virginia operators.

17 – West Virginia Board of Education members Jenny Phillips and Priscilla Haden raise questions about legality of 5-2 vote to fire state Superintendent Jorea Marple.

18 – Mac’s Toy Fund kicks off its 82nd year, making big difference in lives and hearts of needy children in Raleigh County.

19 – According to regulatory filings and government estimates, weather-related damage in West Virginia will cost more than $370 million this year.

20 – While West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency is not suggesting increases on premiums for fiscal year 2014, educators express concerns during public hearing over low-wage teachers being saddled with increased co-pays and higher prescription costs.

21 – West Virginia Board of Education will meet again to vote on Superintendent Jorea Marple’s firing because of concerns board may have violated open meetings law when it surprised many, including Marple, by ousting her.

22 – Turnpike manager Greg Barr says turnpike is prepared for heavy holiday traffic.

23 – Lewis Community Center feeds 1,500 for Thanksgiving; McBee’s Irish Pub opens its doors to anyone in need of hot meal.

24 – Christmas is in full swing at Tamarack; Santa arrives and shoppers browsed hand-crafted goods.

25 – Cimaron, N.M., is used as case study for future Boy Scouts of America Summit location in Fayette County.

26 – GOP is expected to push drug testing of welfare recipients.

27 – Excessive force accusations leave 15 officers at Western Regional Jail on suspension without pay; executive director of Regional Jail Authority, Joe DeLong, says he is more troubled by suspected cover-up than brutality itself.

28 – Powerball hits $500 million jackpot as residents rush to buy tickets.

29 – One of 36 new “urbanized areas” in United States, area from Beckley to Fayetteville along U.S. 19 corridor will soon have its own Metropolitan Planning Organization aimed at easing pressures that denser populations put on transportation infrastructure.

30 – West Virginia State Board of Education affirms its recent vote to fire Superintendent Jorea Marple, despite facing harsh criticism.

December

1 – Total of $13 million in road improvements are complete or currently being undertaken by Division of Highways in support of Boy Scouts’ The Summit Bechtel Reserve development in Fayette County.

2 – Nancy Kissinger is honored as Spirit of Beckley award winner at Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

3 – Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh and YMCA CEO Jay Rist share thoughts on Nancy Kissinger and her great service to Beckley.

4 – Mountain State University officials will present appeal to independent panel in Chicago, hoping to overturn Higher Learning Commission’s June decision to pull accreditation.

5 – Gabriella Brown pleads guilty to obtaining oxycodone pills by fraud from Beckley Police Department evidence holding room.

6 – General manager Gayle Bowling says Theatre West Virginia is debt-free and working to raise $80,000 needed to be sustainable.

7 – Southern Regional Highway Safety Program, specifically Raleigh County, is leading state in DUI arrests, driving while suspended arrests and occupant protection.

8 – Sen. Joe Manchin asks MTV producers to not air West Virginia-based reality show “Buckwild.”

9 – Lewisburg attorney Barry L. Bruce threatens legal action against Greenbrier County Commission if $1 million check issued to New River Community and Technical College’s foundation is not restored to county’s bed tax fund within week.

10 – Plans are under way to create new commercial development in downtown Fayetteville, centered on historic Ankrom-Dickerson House.

11 – Six officers have been fired or suspended, a seventh quit, and eight others remain under microscope in inmate brutality case at Western Regional Jail.

12 – Four homes go up in flames after natural gas line explodes in inferno that rages for at least an hour, melting guardrails and pavement on I-77 near Sissonville.

13 – James Phares will serve as West Virginia schools superintendent, for at least the short term.

14 – Beckley business leaders talk with University of Charleston President Dr. Ed Welch about opportunities UC-Beckley could bring to area.

15 – Adam Lanza, 20, kills his mother, then opens fire on 26 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

16 – Mac’s Toy Fund serves 2,200 in its 81st year; volunteers say Mac’s makes their Christmas.

17 – Wyoming County Toy Fund serves more than 1,000 at Wyoming East High School.

18 – Sen. Joe Manchin calls for dialogue on violence after Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, including firearms, mental health, video games and more.

19 – Raleigh County School leaders outline security; vigils honor Sandy Hook victims.

20 – Mountain State University has final commencement and bids farewell to Beckley after 80 years of providing education to students and jobs to many .

21 – Fearful teachers in West Virginia, anxious after elementary school massacre in Connecticut, want right to carry firearms, but West Virginia Education Association and American Federation of Teachers say schools are generally safe.

22 – Higher Learning Commission appeals panel denies Mountain State University’s final accreditation appeal.

23 – State is bankrolling nearly 40 percent of $15.5 million in roads projects being undertaken in support of The Summit Bechtel Reserve.

24 – John Aliff will vacate his Raleigh County Commission seat after dozen years, leaving legacy he sees as major stride in progress.

25 – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin orders school system reforms following recent audit; delegates offer insight on solutions.

26 – United Methodist Temple serves about 500 Christmas meals.

27 – Peak of 9,500 Appalachian Power customers are without power after strong winds move through area.

28 – Historic wall in downtown Fayetteville is crumbling; no one is sure who is responsible for estimated $200,000 repair; council members fear someone could be hurt if and when it falls.

29 – Health care professionals say many flu cases are being seen much earlier this season.

30 – West Virginia falls four spots to 47th in nation in overall health.

31 – Longtime Clerk of the state Senate Darrell Holmes will retire in January, ending 22 years of pouring daily over mountain of paperwork.

http://www.register-herald.com/local/x2056570480/A-look-at-the-events-that-shaped-2012

Nearly 10 years ago, the brutal attack on female Glenbrook North High School students — caught on video at an off-campus powder-puff football game — prompted many Chicago-area school districts to toughen their stances on student hazing.

Now, with recent allegations of hazing swirling around athletic teams at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, school officials are again turning to their own policies to ensure similar incidents don’t occur.

“We’re certainly using the incidents as a reminder and a time to reflect,” said Randy Konstans, athletic director at Downers Grove South High School. “Any time something like this happens, you have to see the teachable moment. You hate to hear about it. Then you say, ‘Thank God it’s not my school.’ Then you think, ‘I better make sure of it.’”

• Maps

• 1755 South Wolf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA

• 3801 West Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60026, USA

• 7 Happ Road, Northfield, IL 60093, USA

• 6301 Springside Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60516, USA

• 355 East Chicago Street, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

• 15100 South 94th Avenue, Orland Park, IL 60462, USA

Following reports of the alleged Maine West incidents, Konstans and his counterpart at Downers Grove North sent emails to district coaches to reinforce its zero-tolerance policy on hazing and to urge vigilance in supervising athletes. Hazing is also frequently discussed in meetings with coaches.

“I’m sure they’re tired of hearing about it, but they’ve got to,” Konstans said. “You have to worry about the culture of your school all the time. You don’t ever want to turn your back on it.”

A lawsuit filed on behalf of four alleged hazing victims at Maine West claims that some school administrators and coaches created a culture that resulted in multiple alleged hazing incidents involving boys soccer and baseball teams, one as far back as 2007.

Fallout from the hazing scandal continues. Six soccer players were charged with misdemeanor battery and hazing, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office is reviewing the allegations to determine if more charges are warranted, the head soccer coach was suspended without pay while the district pursues his dismissal, disciplinary action against other staff members remains a possibility, and Maine Township High School District 207 officials announced a variety of measures aimed at preventing future incidents.

Officials at several suburban school systems say hazing is an ongoing discussion topic among administrators, coaches, teachers and students. Some districts, like Elgin-based U-46, require student-athletes to sign a code of conduct that addresses hazing. Others, like Orland Park-based District 230, require some students to watch an anti-hazing video called “Dying to Belong.”

The Illinois Association of School Boards has long included hazing in a list of banned actions in its sample student discipline policy, said Melinda Selbee, the association’s general counsel.

Most school districts have adopted some form of that policy, as well as other general policies pertaining to student conduct that could apply to hazing, she said.

But defining what constitutes hazing can be a challenge.

“What is hazing? Is it wearing a T-shirt?” Selbee said. “Sometimes it is easy to identify, and other times it is not. This job we give school boards and administrators is very difficult when we talk about human conduct and what is OK and not OK.”

New Trier Township High School District 203 defines hazing in its student guidebook as “any act that subjects a student to physical or verbal harassment, mental or physical discomfort, intimidation, embarrassment, ridicule, or demeaning activity committed by an individual student or group of students for the purpose of initiation, maintaining membership, or holding office in any organization, club, or athletic team.”

But in a student newspaper editorial written in October and entitled “School administration’s ‘hazing’ policy is overzealous,” the paper’s staff argues for a distinction between initiation and hazing.

“Initiation is the process of welcoming underclassmen to a sport or activity, frequently through a previously established tradition,” the editorial states. “The administration seems to think that any form of freshman initiation that doesn’t involve sitting in a circle and holding hands is suddenly hazing.”

The editorial states that long-standing traditions such as picking up underclassmen from their homes in early-morning hours and taking them to breakfast — called “kidnapping” by the paper — or underclassmen wearing “We love our seniors” T-shirts are “harmless” activities that create bonds among members of extracurricular groups.

District spokeswoman Nicole Dizon said that the district encourages student bonding activities that are “safe, healthy and fun, and that don’t break any laws.” She said athletes regularly participate in “carbo-loading” dinners before games, and cast parties or receptions are common after productions or musical events.

“We don’t want any activities that could be perceived as hazing or bullying,” Dizon said, “or making one group of students feel less valued … or forced to do anything as a condition of joining a group.”

Following 2003′s powder puff game at Glenbrook North and a 2004 hazing incident involving members of the Glenbrook South High School boys varsity lacrosse team, officials in the Glenview and Northbrook school district solicited community assistance in their review of policies and procedures for preventing hazing.

“All the different entities that work with young people have time to influence decision-making,” said district Superintendent Michael Riggle. “It takes one bad idea for something to catch legs, and it’s off and running and spinning out of control.”

One area of examination focused on existing rituals and traditions that Riggle said could be misinterpreted or confusing for students trying to decipher what is expected of them.

For example, Riggle said, upperclassmen in Glenbrook North’s marching band used to visit underclassmen at their homes to wake them up early prior to band camp and participate in “good-natured ribbing” before inviting them to join the band.

Students decided to change that practice to instead visit freshmen homes prior to band camp and offer them a free breakfast.

“In that one little change, it changed a potentially negative situation into something positive and inviting, while still maintaining a tradition that welcomed the student into the group,” he said. “I find in working with high school-age students, they’re intelligent and bright and have a good sense of what will work. Through discussion, you can change a little, and it becomes something much better.”

Tribune reporters Andy Grimm, Sally Ho, John P. Huston, Dawn Rhodes and Kate Thayer contributed to this report.

jbullington@tribune.com

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/ct-tl-hazing-effects-20130103,0,5932826.story

This was Facebook’s year. The social network made its debut on the public market, and it crossed the unprecedented one-billion-users mark. For many of the social network’s earliest employees, it was the stuff dreams are made of.

But so much happened to make those two dreams into realities. And the realities weren’t always all they were cracked up to be: The initial public offering got off to a painful start. In fact, stock prices for Facebook still haven’t recovered. And a billion users means a billion opportunities for bullying, privacy mishaps, and user data breaches.

Still, all highs and lows being considered, Facebook came into its own this year in a way no one in the world could ignore. Here are the biggest moments of Facebook’s 2012.

10. Zuck’s first patent

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg got his first-ever patent this year. Some found it ironic that the patent dealt with online privacy. But since Facebook customers first began expressing growing concerns with how the network displays and handles user data, the company has viewed privacy in a much more serious light. And a few international lawsuits and investigations didn’t slow down that quest, either.

The story: “Patent #8,225,376 limits what users reveal online by implementing a privacy policy on their status updates and profile information … dynamically generating a view of a user’s profile page that is compliant with the user’s stated privacy preferences. … My friend gets all my information; my business contact only gets some.”

9. Facebook’s war with Google over data-center design

Facebook fired up its Open Compute Project a while ago. Its goal: to open-source the specs and designs for wildly innovative and efficient data centers, making the planet greener and lowering costs for large-scale Internet companies. In 2012, Facebook got a bunch of companies to sign on to the project, with one major exception: Google.

The story: “‘The benefits of sharing so far outweigh the benefits of keeping it all closed,’ said Facebook exec Frank Frankovsky. Of Google’s ‘competitive advantage’ argument, he added, ‘I have trouble getting myself in the mindset of thinking the infrastructure is a strategic advantage from a cost perspective. It’s really more about serving the end users — that’s what differentiates a business.’”

8. The GLAAD Award

After a few years of constant crusading for LGBT issues, especially antigay bullying by and toward teens and young people, Facebook got a huge vote of approval: a prestigious award from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). At a star-studded event, Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg both sent a video message of support from Facebook to the LGBT community at large.

The story: “‘After violent antigay images and comments were posted on a memorial page for LGBT youth, Facebook worked with GLAAD to monitor the highly visible page and launched, in conjunction with several LGBT organizations, the Network of Support,’ a Facebook rep said.”

7. A big mobile mistake?

After months of leading the charge in campaign for the mobile web, Facebook saw its leadership do an abrupt about-face. At a September event, Zuckerberg told a large audience, “The biggest mistake we’ve made as a company is betting on HTML5 over native.” But it reversed positions in a later, private chat.

The story: “Doug Purdy, the social network’s director of developer products, said HTML5 work at Facebook isn’t going away. ‘I have an entire team of folks that are focused on HTML5,’ said Purdy. ‘And [mobile browser standards project] Ringmark continues to be important to us; we have a team of people working on that.’”

6. Timeline launches to the world

Zuck introduced Timeline to the world back in 2011, and we got up close and personal with Timeline’s design mastermind just a month later. So when the new look and features of Facebook personal profiles finally rolled out to the world in January of this year, we were more than ready to share the good news and great design with everyone.

The story: “‘We think that people are really going to like these,’ said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. ‘We wanted to design a place that you’re proud to call your home. It’s a completely new aesthetic for Facebook.’ This ‘new aesthetic’ is probably the biggest change you’ll note when you start using Timeline.”

5. Real friends, real Gifts

Facebook acquired gift-giving startup Karma in February, but it took the company half a year to roll out its own, fully integrated version of the service. Facebook Gifts was the social network’s way to let you give real gifts — wine, toys, cookies, even Uber car rides — to the ones you care about most. Not just sweet but also savvy, Gifts should be great for Facebook’s bottom line. And the service rolled out to all U.S. users just in time for Hanukkah and Christmas.

The story: “‘We think gifting is really a form of communication,” said Gifts creator and Karma founder Lee Linden. ‘We think people want to give gifts the moment they think of someone … and it may not always be convenient to pull our your purse or wallet and find your credit card right now.’”

4. Facebook Actions take over the web

With Actions, Facebook began its long-promise invasion of the web. The company has a vision that its buttons and social graph and commenting system — its very architecture — will someday soon be present on every website and mobile app imaginable. That your bank will use Facebook for your logins; that your actions and interactions on every website will find their way back to your Timeline — if you want them to. And in January, that invasion began in earnest.

The story: “Ideally, said Facebook exec Carl Sjogreen at tonight’s event, any app you find meaningful will be able to connect to Facebook in a way that’s more meaningful than just clicking a “Like” button or automating shares from that app to your Facebook wall — and that all your stories will be told, not through a universe of apps, but universally on Facebook and with a structured context.”

3. Instagram

Zuck Co. bought a billion dollars’ worth (more or less) of hipster-ized photos with the surprising purchase of Instagram in April. As Facebook continued on its march toward total global domination and Internet ubiquity, it saw a couple things in this upstart mobile company. First, an emphasis on capturing and sharing images quickly and well that Facebook couldn’t duplicate. Second, a devoted (and huge) following of iPhone app fans. Both the users and the tech made this buy a one-of-a-kind for Facebook.

The story: “Instagram cofounder and CEO Kevin Systrom told VentureBeat when the Android app launched, ‘This release brings us closer to the idea that we can help every person on earth share their lives and discover the world through a series of beautiful images.’ Every person on Earth — did you notice that choice of wording? Can you think of any other apps aiming for a userbase of every person on earth? ‘Providing the best photo sharing experience is one reason why so many people love Facebook, and we knew it would be worth bringing these two companies together,’ said Zuckerberg.”

2. One bill-i-on.

One billion users — not just registered users, but monthly active users. Aside from Google web search, we can’t think of a single web application that’s reached that mark. The truly interesting part: With Facebook’s focus on the developing world and feature phone access, the first billion is just the beginning.

The story: “‘Helping a billion people connect is amazing, humbling, and by far the thing I am most proud of in my life,’ Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post. ‘I am committed to working every day to make Facebook better for you, and hopefully together one day we will be able to connect the rest of the world, too.’”

1. IPO

The shares were priced — conservatively, almost everyone in the Valley thought — at $38. The night before the initial public offering, Facebook employees celebrated at the HQ with a hackathon. On IPO day, Zuck rang the NASDAQ opening bell with a look of pride and elation on his face. But the same day, the company got slapped with a privacy lawsuit. Amid technical snafus from NASDAQ, the stock started to slide, taking other tech stocks with it.

Faceboook stock dipped as low as $17 in its tumultuous first months on the market, although it started clawing back some of those losses this fall, and it’s now trading at about $27 (as of this writing).  The most highly anticipated IPO of the decade left investors and onlookers — even Zuckerberg himself — disappointed, while the faithful (or optimistic) must wait and hope.

The story: “Analysts who had previously been bullish on Facebook are surprised. Early investors are disappointed. And social media enthusiasts are at least somewhat shocked. ‘I think it is a good long-term investment,’ said Mark Siegel, managing partner at Menlo Ventures. ‘The nature of the product itself makes it difficult to be displaced … I think it’s that kind of a core, bellwether company in a tech sector. It’s gotten there remarkably fast, but it’s there.’”

FB data by YCharts

http://venturebeat.com/2012/12/29/facebook-top-10-2012-news/

By STEVE KARNOWSKI, Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two Minnesota Republicans failed to make it onto the presidential ticket. Voters rejected efforts to enshrine in the state constitution a same-sex marriage ban and a requirement for presenting photo IDs at polling places. And Democrats took control of both houses of the Legislature for the first time since 1990 as politics dominated Minnesota’s news scene in 2012.

Deadly crimes, high-profile trials, natural disasters and a scandal at one of the state’s largest companies also grabbed headlines across Minnesota in 2012.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann were early casualties in the GOP presidential nomination race. Pawlenty dropped out in 2011 after failing to generate much excitement, while Bachmann’s campaign barely made it into 2012. The tea party favorite dropped out after her dead-last finish in Iowa’s precinct caucuses in January.

But Pawlenty remained a vice presidential possibility until August, when Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan instead, echoing 2008 when John McCain picked Sarah Palin over Pawlenty. Bachmann went back to defending her congressional seat, eking out a narrow victory despite vastly outspending Democratic hotelier Jim Graves.

The defeat of the same-sex marriage amendment set the stage for a fight in the Legislature over whether the state should grant same-sex couples the right to marry. But Democratic legislative leaders have been unenthusiastic so far about expending the political capital of their new majorities on the contentious issue during the 2013 session.

In a year marked by several mass shootings nationally, Minnesota did not escape. In September, officials at Accent Signage Systems in Minneapolis fired Andrew Engeldinger, who responded by killing the company’s founder and fatally wounding five other people before committing suicide.

Investigators are still trying to solve the November slaying of Cold Spring Police Officer Tom Decker, a father of four gunned down behind a bar as he checked on a man who lived above it, Ryan Michael Larson, who was reported to be suicidal. Police arrested Larson but released him five days later because of a lack of evidence. Larson has denied any role in the shooting. In a sign that investigators were struggling, authorities offered a $100,000 reward.

The Thanksgiving shooting deaths of two cousins in the home of a rural Little Falls man raised questions about the rights of citizens to use deadly force to defend their property. Byron David Smith is fighting second-degree murder charges in the deaths of Nick Brady, 17, and Haile Kifer, 18. The prosecution says audio and video recordings Smith made and other evidence show the killings were an ambush, not self-defense. Smith has said he’d been burglarized before. He is free on bail pending trial.

Minnesota’s highest-profile trial of 2012 was rife with overtones of celebrity, privilege and cover-up. It resulted in a 41-month prison sentence in July for Amy Senser, the wife of former Minnesota Viking Joe Senser. A jury convicted her of criminal vehicular homicide in the hit-and-run death of a Thai restaurant chef on a Minneapolis freeway exit ramp in 2011, unswayed by her tearful testimony that she didn’t realize she had struck anyone.

Another trial opened a window on a terror pipeline from Minnesota to Somalia. It ended in October with the conviction of Mahamud Said Omar on five terrorism-related counts, and exposed new details on the government’s long-running investigation into how alleged conspiracy leaders recruited more than 20 men to leave Minnesota and wage jihad in Somalia. Omar was the first defendant to go on trial. His sentencing date has not been set.

Minnesota’s largest school district, Anoka-Hennepin, averted a courtroom battle when it adopted a policy meant to prevent bullying of students who are gay or perceived that way. Over vocal opposition, the district in February replaced a policy requiring teachers to be strictly neutral in discussions about sexual orientation with a new one requiring a respectful learning environment for all students. That led to a settlement of two lawsuits that said the old policy was a gag order, and ended a federal civil rights investigation.

June brought 10 inches of rain in two days to northeastern Minnesota, drenching Duluth and several small towns. The flash flooding washed out roads, overwhelmed sewer systems, inundated some 1,700 homes and drowned 11 zoo animals. The Legislature held a one-day special session in August to pass a $167.5 million relief package.

Minnesota farmers escaped the worst of the drought that struck elsewhere. Record corn and sugar beet harvests were predicted as Minnesota producers reported decent yields even in dry areas. The high crop prices resulting from the drought were good for corn and soybean farmers, but squeezed livestock, dairy and poultry producers.

At Richfield-based Best Buy Co. Inc., Brian Dunn abruptly resigned as CEO in April ahead of revelations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a female subordinate. Company founder Richard Schulze agreed to step down as chairman after it emerged that he knew about Dunn’s relationship but failed to alert the board of directors. Schulze quit the board in June. In August, he launched an effort to buy back the company he started in 1966 as a stereo store called Sound of Music and take it private.

News and sports sometimes overlapped in 2012. The Legislature in May approved a new stadium for the Vikings. John Gagliardi left a lasting impact at St. John’s University, retiring in November after 60 years and more victories than any coach in NCAA history at 489. But another Minnesota football coach fought to keep his job. A judge in November decided Todd Hoffner did nothing illegal by shooting videos of his naked children acting silly after a bath. Officials at Minnesota State University, Mankato, said late Friday that Hoffner has been reassigned and will serve as the school’s assistant athletic director for facilities development.

Minnesota was not entirely gloomy in 2012. The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis had a huge hit in August with its first “Internet Cat Video Film Festival” to showcase what’s become a cultural phenomenon — clips of kitties behaving badly that draw tens of millions of page views on YouTube. The Golden Kitty award went to “Henri 2, Paw de Deux,” a bored French cat’s meditation on his empty life, which has recorded over 6.5 million views.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/12/29/regional/politics-dominates-minnesota-news-2012/

The controversy surrounding a proposal to demolish two of the Colliery dams is the Nanaimo Daily News’ top news story of 2012. Here are our top 10 news stories for the year:

1. COLLIERY DAM SAGA

The decision by city council in the fall to remove the aging lower and middle Colliery dams without consulting the public beforehand led to an outcry in the community and the formation of the Colliery Dam Park Preservation Society in an effort to save the iconic structures, remnants of Nanaimo’s coal-mining past.

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Council decided to demolish the century-old lower and middle dams in Colliery Dam Park in the summer of 2013, at a cost of $7 million.

Bowing to public pressure, council decided to hire consultants to prepare cost estimates on replacing and/or remediating the dams as an alternative to removing them.

2. NEDC

Susan Cudahy, CEO of the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, left her job after just eight months soon after it was revealed in April that website work for Tourism Nanaimo was outsourced to a Toronto firm.

The NEDC, responsible for Nanaimo’s marketing, tourism and economic development, faced public scrutiny for many weeks after a public firestorm erupted when the outsourcing contract was announced. Cudahy’s position remained vacant until September when Sasha Angus, manager of policy and public relations for the Victoria Chamber of Commerce took over responsibilities.

His knowledge and experience working with Vancouver Island’s business community is expected to be an asset as Angus leads the NEDC through 2013.

3. MALAHAT CRASH

Four families from Nanaimo were devastated by a crash that claimed three young lives and left two others severely injured on the Malahat on Oct. 14. Pheap (Sophie) Top, 28, Diane Muriel Bocacao, 19, and Kloie Jamisola, 16, died when the Honda CRV they were travelling in struck a pickup truck, splitting the car in half.

Sarina Top, 6, whose mother died behind the wheel, and J.R. Corpuz, 18, survived the crash.

The community immediately began spirited fundraising efforts to assist the families of the victims, many of whom worked at a number of Tim Hortons locations in Nanaimo, and raised thousands of dollars to help pay for their funerals and other expenses.

4. TRAGIC NANOOSE FIRE

A candle knocked over in the middle of the night caused a fire that killed two young brothers of the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation in February.

Brothers Jordan, 9, and Devon Drake, 7 were sleeping when the candle was accidentally knocked over onto a couch and started the fire during a blackout.

The adults in the home tried to extinguish the burning couch but the fire spread quickly to the rest of the home and within minutes the house was fully engulfed in flames and the two boys couldn’t be rescued.

The shattered family had no insurance but within a week of the fire, Nanaimo’s construction industry decided to come together to begin rebuilding their home.

5. SUIT AGAINST RCMP

A far-reaching class-action lawsuit launched against the RCMP in March over allegations of discrimination, bullying and harassment has a Nanaimo woman and former Mountie at its centre.

Janet Merlo, a 20-year veteran of the Nanaimo RCMP detachment, was named in a statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court that stated she was the subject of coarse sexual comments and was taunted with a blowup doll and sex toy while on the job.

The court document claims Merlo left the force in March, 2010, suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Since Merlo’s allegations were made public, hundreds of current and former female Mounties have come forward from across Canada to join the class-action lawsuit alleging harassment within the ranks of the RCMP.

Though Merlo’s lawsuit suit appears to be the broadest in scope, it joins several similar actions filed since Cpl. Catherine Galliford broke her silence in 2011 and unleashed a torrent of allegations. Since then, the force’s top brass have vowed to address complaints, even as more women come forward with their stories.

6. NANAIMO WATERFRONT

The issue of development along Nanaimo’s popular waterfront area was a major focus for many news stories in 2012. The latest was the announcement earlier this month that the City of Nanaimo intends to purchase the 27-acre Wellcox Railway Lands downtown for $3.4 million.

The city is considering a number of options for its new property, including creating a transportation hub, housing developments and possibly the construction of a new multiplex sports and entertainment complex.

The city is also reconsidering extending the waterfront walkway to Departure Bay beach, a plan that was rejected six years ago mainly due to opposition from the community.

City officials are proposing to hire a consultant in 2013 to develop a thorough $100,000 waterfront plan, which will include recommendations on expanding the walkway and other development options for the area.

The possibility of building a bridge to Newcastle Island was also raised again in 2012 by Ron Van Wachem, owner of the Nanaimo Shipyard.

Protection Island residents also were unhappy with plans by the Nanaimo Port Authority to lease marina property downtown to a private developer.

7. BEKKERS NOT GUILTY

Nanaimo mother Clare Suzanne Bekkers was found not guilty of impaired and dangerous driving in March in the tragic multi-car pileup on the Island Highway just south of Nanaimo that killed two of her children, Lukas, 9, and Cooper, 2, on Dec. 22, 2008.

Bekkers, 35 at the time, was taken to hospital with a punctured lung and daughters Lun-den, 7, and Pyper, 4, were also injured.

Witnesses said vehicles were travelling in the fast lane due to snow clogging the slow lane when the black Ford Escape SUV driven by Bekkers tried to pass on the right moving quickly.

The driver lost control in the effort return the SUV to the fast lane and veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with six cars.

A number of other people were injured. RCMP said at the time that Bekkers was too distraught at the crash scene to give a breath sample.

Justice Doug Halfyard of the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that while Bekkers was driving in an objectively dangerous manner she did nothing criminal when she lost control of her vehicle and plowed into oncoming traffic.

8. NEW ER OPENS

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s new $36.9-million emergency department opened in October.

The investment in the new ER was in response to the fact that patient volumes on Vancouver Island have been growing almost continuously since 1963.

A 1991 expansion boosted emergency capacity to 15,000 patients, but population growth continued unabated and in 2011, the department took more than 57,000 patients making it the busiest emergency department on Vancouver Island.

The new department is also expected to make a major step to improving mental health services in the community.

Those admitted with severe depression, drug or alcohol withdrawal or experiencing a psychotic episode can now be moved away from the high-stress environment of the general emergency department.

9. FERRIES CONTROVERSIES

Nanaimo’s Departure Bay ferry terminal and the vessel Queen of Coquitlam had to be evacuated on June 3, 2012, after a bomb threat was received by B.C. Ferries.

Approximately 600 weekend travellers were removed to safety on the Saturday afternoon as RCMP officers scoured the vessel in search of explosives after the menacing phone message.

The incident was one of a number of serious threats B.C. Ferries has dealt with in recent years, but the corporation claimed at the time that improved safety measures are working.

As well, the Duke Point Ferry terminal reopened on May 1 after its closure on Dec. 20, 2011, when the Coastal Inspiration crashed into a berth causing approximately $2.2 million in damages to the dock and to the vessel itself.

B.C. Ferries also made plans in 2012 to hike fares by 12% in 2013.

B.C. Ferry Commissioner Gord Macatee approved the fare increases as part of his mandate as the independent regulator of the ferry service.

It means fares can increase by 4.1 per cent starting April 1, 2013, followed by another four per cent increase in April 2014 and a 3.9 per cent hike in April 2015.

Meanwhile, service levels declined in 2012

Starting in October, B.C. Ferries cut some Saturday morning and evening sailings from the Tsaw-wassen and Duke Point runs.

A number of extra sailings on weekends on Nanaimo’s Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route were also cut.

10. FAKE KNIFE ATTACK

Nanaimo RCMP confirmed that the local reservist who reported having his neck slashed at a bus stop on March 6 was not truthful about how he sustained his wound.

Chad Shore, a 23-year-old private, told police that he had been approached by a strange man while walking home late at night from training at the Nanaimo Military Camp.

He said the man struck up a conversation about the military, expressing interest in joining, but then cursed, pulled out a knife and slashed him in the neck before running off.

Shore’s case received significant media attention across the country after police said they believed he was targeted because he was in the military and wearing his uniform. But a statement issued by Nanaimo detachment commander Supt. Norm McPhail on March 13 indicated the allegations made by Shore were false.

Evidence showed the reservist had no criminal intent when he made the claim, so no criminal charges were considered.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

. The province’s teachers, including approximately 1,100 members of the Nanaimo District Teachers’ Association, participated in a limited strike that impacted B.C.’s classrooms for most of the 2011-12 school year. A contract was finally signed in June.

. It was the lacrosse fight seen around the world after an Intermediate A game between the Nanaimo Timbermen and the Coquitlam Adanacs in May erupted into a bench-clearing brawl, and it was all caught on tape. YouTube views of the fight have climbed past 1.2 million and forced the Canadian Lacrosse Association to change their fighting rules.

. Local taxpayers will now pay to help get passenger rail service rolling again in the Regional District of Nanaimo after a vote by board members in November to approve taxing residents to collect the RDN’s share of a funding request from the Island Corridor Foundation, owner of the EN Railway.

The ICF needs all five member regional districts’ support, worth $3.2 million, so that it can use $15 million from senior government, already earmarked for rail bed repairs.

. Several Nanaimo house cats were found with their paws and tails covered with tape during the fall of 2012.

Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien said at the time that “significant” media attention to the issue has resulted in police receiving a number of tips through different sources.

The investigation is ongoing.

COMPILED BY ROBERT BARRON

© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2012

http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=e06801be-4bb2-4311-b6d8-c7a4cb40181a

This year began with Leander residents fearful that they could fall victim of the unsolved stun gun robberies where two masked men tied up a woman and her three children. Twelve months later, those same residents would be praying that news of the massacre of grade schoolers in Connecticut would be the last news ever of any school shootings anywhere.

Here are some of the top local news headlines that helped shape 2012:

January

• Leander police began searching for two masked robbers armed with a stun gun who tied up a woman and three children on Elkhorn Ranch.

• Cedar Park police investigate a report of child enticement after boy said he was offered candy by a stranger.

• Two Leander brothers arrested in rash of vehicle burglaries in Block House Creek.

• An Austin man was arrested after a baseball bat connected him to the death of a Cedar Park woman whose body was found in Austin dumpster.

• Leander police use stun gun on man accused of assaulting them.

• Local firefighter Rachel Zambrano, announces she is training to be the first woman to finish a marathon in full firefighter gear.

• Williamson County approves a new 348-acre park plan for Blackland Heritage County Park, located on state Highway 29, two miles north of Jonah.

• San Marcos man who was charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend from Texas State University allegedly bought ammo in Cedar Park.

• A Leander man was killed in ca rash in Lockhart.

• Leander Scott and White Clinic opens.

• Leander Mayor John Cowman hints that Randalls Food Mart is coming to Leander.

February

• University Interscholastic League realignment announcement means Leander High School will join other LISD schools in 4A.

• Woman charged with “throwing book” at WilCo deputy.

• Leander woman reportedly urinates on herself and police on purpose during a struggle.

• Avery Ranch man charged with murder after he allegedly shot a car crash victim outside his home.

• Sheriff’s office investigates an alleged sexual assault of a woman in a wooded area in Vista Oaks.

• Leander mayor’s race heats up as Councilman Chris Fielder files to run against incumbent Mayor John Cowman. Cowman had previously accused Fielder of assaulting him during a council retreat and Fielder later filed an open records request regarding Cap Metro reimbursements that resulted in Cowman resigning from the Cap Metro board.

• Cedar Park sex offender admits to new sexual assault.

• Leander woman threatens to slice and dice her son-in-law with a screwdriver.

• Austin motorcyclist who tried to escape from deputies in Leander runs out of gas.

• Cedar Park father charged with punching his 8-year-old son.

• H-E-B Plus! and Steinmart development announced for area near Lakeline Mall.

• Cedar Park welcomes first plastic surgeon.

• Controversy pops up after Cedar Park City Councilman Tony Dale finds a note complaining that by keeping a Bible nearby during open meetings, he is violating separation of church and state.

• Leander police continue to search for Stun Gun Robbers after a second home is targeted in Lakeline Ranch.

• Leander boy hospitalized for infection after he was attacked by a mountain lion in Big Bend National Park.

• Williamson County moves forward on parking garage repairs at the Justice Center in Georgetown.

• Rouse seniors help create a 25-ton sand sculpture to help raise money for project graduation.

• TxDOT and the city of Cedar Park announce that planned improvements to FM 1431 include a section of turning the five-lane, undivided roadway to a six-lane divided thoroughfare.

• Leander ISD names two new schools — Florence W. Stiles Midle School, named after retired teacher and longtime Leander resident, and Officer Leonard A. Reed Elementary, named for a former school resource officer who died after an on-duty motorcycle crash.

March

• A Cedar Park police officer fatally shoots an armed suspect, in the city’s first-ever police-involved fatal shooting.

• Cedar Park Police Chief Henry Fluck announces that he will be stepping down at the end of the year.

• LISD readies for a copyright crackdown on all unlicensed products depicting an LISD logo.

• Cedar Park mom sues the city for allowing a bar to open near a private school.

• Cedar Park Councilman Matt Powell announces his run for mayor after incumbent Mayor Bob Lemon withdrew his re-election application.

• Travis County investigators find the body of a Leander woman in Lake Travis after the woman had been missing for two weeks.

• Bullying lawsuit filed against LISD in federal court by mother who said the bullying her son endured made him suicidal in middle school and that he had to be hospitalized.

• Cedar Park city officials move into a new 12-acre city-hall complex on Cypress Creek Road.

• Low water levels prompt LCRA officials to cut off rice farmers downstream.

• Two students charged in Henry Middle School bomb threat.

• Cedar Park sells old City Hall for $1.7 million.

• Leander zone change request confirms Randalls grocery store has its eyes on the southwest corner of the Lakeline Boulevard and Crystal Falls Parkway intersection.

• A 12-year-old girl was severely injured when she was hit by a car on Bagdad Road in front of Leander High School.

• Two Vista Ridge High School students face felony burglary charges after $400 goes missing from a teacher’s locked file cabinet.

• New Alamo Drafthouse coming to Lakeline area along with the announced H-E-B Plus!

• A recovering Round Rock addict is sentenced to 30 years in prison after a Leander High School student was found dead in her bed last year.

April

• Leander city council weighs ethics accusations against both candidates for mayor. The council agrees to refer complaints on Mayor John Cowman to the city’s ethics commission. A complaint about Councilman Chris Fielder was dismissed.

• Leander FFA holds it’s inaugural Bull Riding Extravaganza outside Cedar Park Center.

• 183A extension through Leander opens seven years early.

• Williamson County becomes the No. 2 healthiest county in Texas.

• Mother finds nude videos of her sleeping daughter after a man living with her moves out.

• Cedar Park sues dog owner for $10,000 after officer bitten.

• Cedar Park High School head football coach Chris Ross is named LISD athletic director after longtime director Mike Bridges was placed on administrative leave amid a report of misconduct.

• Balcones Canyonlands Wildlife Refuge is designated as a “globally important” bird area.

• Officials with Schlitterbahn and investors announce they are close to reaching a deal to bring the water park to Cedar Park, however it also appears extremely unlikely the group will be able to move the already pushed back target opening of summer 2013.

• Austin Toros player Justin Dentmon was named NBA D-League’s Most Valuable Player for 2012.

• Brushy Creek Regional Trail improvements will include $650,000 worth of upgrades, including a 120-foot pedestrian bridge.

• Goodwill shoplifting complaint turns into felony manhunt in Leander.

• Drought closes county disc golf course in Leander.

May

• An Austin man was killed in MetroRail crash prompts further discussion about private railroad crossings.

• Authorities investigate two apparently unrelated suicides involving Cedar Park and Vista Ridge High school students.

• Austin Dog Alliance announces plans to move to Cedar Park.

• Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce President Harold Dean resigns for a position in Kerrville.

• Public Utility Commission announces 512 numbers will run out in 2013 and plans are underway for new 737 code for the Austin area.

•Vista Ridge High School Choir rocks out on stage with Foreigner after winning radio contest.

• Matt Powell elected as Cedar Park mayor.

• Chris Fielder beats incumbent John Cowman for Leander mayor.

• 76-year-old Leander man dies in three-vehicle crash in Leander.

• O’Leander Cafe closes.

• County Attorney Jana Duty edges out incumbent John Bradley for the WilCo District Attorney seat.

• Cedar Park Fire Chief Chris Connealy chosen for state fire marshal position.

• Cedar Park makes regional headlines when mystery beast sightings combine with rumors of the mythical chupacabra.

• WilCo grand jury finds Cedar Park officer was justified in using deadly force against suspected armed suspect in Little Ceasar’s robbery in February.

June

• Cedar Park police ask for help to find missing Vandegrift High School students.

• Motorist injured by debris during explosion at UT’s high-velocity impact research lab in Leander.

• Bomb threat hoax evacuates Walmart.

• U.S. Rep. John Carter announces he wants to block federal “endangered” classification for salamanders.

• Cedar Park toddler dies in apparent pool accident.

• UT announces it will halt impact research in Leander after explosion.

• Leander woman competes in H-E-B Slim Down Showdown.

• Premier Athletic Complex plans private sports complex in Leander.

• Cedar Park man killed in shoot-out with police. The shooting death is the second of its kind in Cedar Park history, but was only five months after the first police-involved fatal shooting.

July

• Fireworks return to Cedar Park and Leander after severe drought canceled last year’s Independence Day displays.

• Two Cedar Park police officers were arrested in separate incidents of driving while intoxicated.

• Winter break absences cost Leander ISD $193,000.

• Police raid Cedar Park massage parlor after complaints of prostitution and human trafficking. An Elgin man and a Cedar Park woman were charged with human trafficking.

• HCN publisher helps rescue motorist from overturned vehicle that fell into Inks Lake.

• A Liberty Hill man died after he was allegedly stabbed by his stepson after an argument about a vet bill for an injured cat.

• Avery Ranch homeowner indicted on murder charge in connection with February shooting.

• Speed limit for 183A increases from 70 to 75 mph.

• Construction worker survives a 30-foot fall at H-E-B Plus! construction site, due in part to recent rainfall and softer ground.

• Leander ISD sued in federal court by parents of an autistic elementary student who claims to have suffered continual bullying and sexual abuse at Mason Elementary School.

• Cedar Park nursing home aide arrested on suspicion of stealing pills from patients for profit.

• An arrest was made in the 1980 slaying of a grandmother near Research Boulevard and Anderson Mill.

• Off-duty hospital employees save 3-week-old baby who stopped breathing and was revived in bank parking lot.

• Woman claims she was robbed at gunpoint at Lakeline Mall.

• Austin Steam Train turns 20.

August

• Rabid bat found at Twin Lakes YMCA in Cedar Park.

• WilCo Sheriff’s office makes largest-ever bath salts bust.

• Elgin man arrested in Cedar Park after admitting he drove there in the hopes of meeting a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s mother for sexual relations.

• A 20-year-old Liberty Hill man suspected of fatally stabbing his stepfather was arrested on the run in California.

• West Nile spikes in Central Texas with two confirmed cases in Williamson County.

• Incoming Cedar Park chamber president turns down position days before she was scheduled to start.

• Four people were shot outside the Cedar Park Walmart after a group reportedly gathered there for a brawl. Six arrests were made.

• Habitat for Humanity expands to Leander area.

• Leander stepmom arrested after allegedly confessing to fracturing toddler’s skull.

September

• Cedar Park man charged after dog shot to death in The Ranch at Brushy Creek.

• Lago Vista man killed in motorcycle accident on Anderson Mill in Cedar Park.

• Cedar Park Post Office dedicated to war hero, Spc. Matthew Morris.

• County jail clerk admits to stealing inmates jewelry.

• Leander man takes his own life after a reported armed robbery in Lago Vista.

• Movie superstar Kate Winslet’s autism book features LISD students.

• Two men arrested in Leander during online child solicitation sting.

• Eric Church plays Cedar Park Center.

• Officials say suicide reports are up 25-percent from previous year in Williamson County.

• Of the 300 million Texas trees lost in the 2011 drought, about one-third of them were in Central Texas, according to a report from Texas AM Forest Service.

October

• A 72-year-old Round Rock man is arrested on suspicion that he purposefully ran over a woman in an H-E-B parking lot. The woman claims the man hit her three times with his vehicle.

• LISD officials launch a “Bring Your Own Technology” program in an effort to modernize and broaden instruction.

• Oprah Winfrey revisits two Leander children she never forgot and reunites them with the mother who abandoned them.

• A Liberty Hill woman and her boyfriend were charged in the sexual assault of the woman’s underage daughter.

• Cedar Park holds Conservation Fair.

ª Cedar Park’s Fable Fest moves to Milburn Park.

• Hazmat call that hospitalized deputies in Hutto lead authorities to a meth bust in Cedar Park.

• A Leander boy told police that a stranger tried to kidnap him when he was walking home from school. Police never found the suspect who reportedly drove a old Ford Pickup with antique Oklahoma tags.

• Gov. Rick Perry joined other officials from Jonestown to break ground on a new home awarded to a disabled vet through Operation Finally Home.

• Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce names Tony Moline as new president.

• News of big rigs moving through Cedar Park and shutting down roadways causes quite a stir, but the heavy equipment only caused minor traffic inconveniences as the transport company moved quickly through the area.

November

• Cedar Park City Councilman Tony Dale elected to represent the Cedar Park/Leander area for the newly created seat in the Texas House.

• TxDOT announces driver license mega center to open in Pflugerville.

• A Cedar Park cabinet shop goes up in flames near Hur Industrial Drive and a residential area on Wagon Way, but no injuries reported.

• Carrie Underwood announces her new tour will include a stop at Cedar Park Center in April.

• WilCo Humane Society celebrates five years as a “no-kill” shelter.

• Outgoing Cedar Park Police Chief Henry Fluck is one of six finalists for the police chief position at League City.

• A Williamson County deputy is grazed by a bullet during a standoff/domestic hostage situation with a Cedar Park man. The man later died at the hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No one else was injured.

• Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge began seeking public input in order to possibly provide additional hunting opportunities.

• Months after an explosion injured a motorist and damaged a UT high-velocity impact lab, official announced that the lab had been sold to Southwest Research Institute, which described the facility as “one of the largest impact testing and research facilities in the world.”

• Indoor skydiving facility coming to Cedar Park area early next year.

• All five Cedar Park officers involved in fatally shooting a man during a June gun fight were cleared by a grand jury.

• A 15-year-old Leander High School student dies after being hit by an 18-wheeler while walking along U.S. Highway 183, just south of Block House Creek.

• A 68-year-old Cedar Park man collapsed and died at the scene of a house fire in the Indian Springs area.

• Cedar Park doctor, Corey Fearheiley gets his dream assignment to be able to work with the medical team assigned to Austin’s inaugural F1 race.

• Leander ISD could open eight new schools, including two new high schools, one new middle school and five new elementary schools, within the next 10 years.

• A 2012 Cedar Park High School graduate who was attending school at the University of North Texas died in a head-on crash near Lampasas.

December

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church attracts nearly 10,000 people with its first annual Follow the Star outdoor drama.

• Cedar Park city council appoints Jon Lux to fill the vacancy left by Tony Dale who was elected to the state house.

• Cedar Park promotes Assistant Fire Chief James Mallinger to fire chief.

• LISD bus driver fired after being accused of assaulting a Cox Elementary school student.

• A Cedar Park woman was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping her two-year-old son, a few hours after the child had gone missing from his home.

• Child solicitation sting results in arrest of Austin man in Leander.

• Cedar Park Timberwolves advance for first time ever to state playoffs at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington.

• Leander Chamber of Commerce President Mary Bradshaw resigns only a few weeks after Leander Economic Development Director Kirk Clennan tendered his resignation unexpectedly and without public explanation by Clennan or the city.

• Leander’s Cars and Coffee announces plans to move monthly event to The Oasis on Lake Travis.

• Cedar Park city officials release CP Connect mobile app which enables residents to report problems using their smart phones.

http://www.hillcountrynews.com/news/article_7c920d90-506f-11e2-b6fd-001a4bcf887a.html

OTSU, Shiga Pref. — Police on Thursday turned over to prosecutors their case against two junior high school students in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, who allegedly harassed and assaulted a classmate who eventually committed suicide.

Another boy also believed to have been involved in the bullying was sent to a child consultation center because he was 13 years old when the abuse took place, thus is exempt from criminal prosecution, the police said. The other two boys were 14 at the time.

The three, all age 15 now, allegedly tied the hands of the 13-year-old victim and used adhesive tape to cover his mouth at the school in September last year, and assaulted him in a school lavatory the next month, according to police, citing just two examples of the victim’s torment, which also allegedly included having him go through the motions of committing suicide.

The trio were also accused of other misdeeds, including theft and property damage, the police said.

The victim jumped to his death from a condominium high-rise in October last year. The case drew little attention at the time, only to gain traction this year after it was revealed that the city and school were aware of the bullying but tried to hush it up. The police said they have yet to reach a conclusion on whether there was a link between the suicide and the alleged harassment.

The family of the victim filed a lawsuit against the three boys and the city of Otsu in February, and in September lodged complaints against the three, seeking a police investigation.

The police searched the school and the municipal board of education and questioned around 360 classmates of the victim and the three boys. It was believed that the classmates made the revelations regarding the nature of the youth’s harassment, including revelations that he was forced to act out his suicide in advance.

Separately, the police handed prosecutors their a case against one of the three boys, who allegedly assaulted and seriously wounded a female teacher at the school.

The names of the three students have not been released because they are minors.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121228a5.html