Mission Statement:
To endeavor to bring to all residents of the Five States the most current and important news from across the entire Five States region. Never yellow, the Five States Herald vows to serve only the people of the Five States, from New Austin to Lemoyne, free of charge now and forever.
Knowledge over murder, say naturalists
By Frederick Vannesse
A naturalist organization has put together their resources and organized a month long promotion of sampling animals instead of killing them. “We understand that for many, hunting is a way of life and gaining sustenance,” said one of the organizers, “but it is just as important to sustain our minds as it is our bellies, so we must learn more about these animals we share the world with.” While most naturalists do not killed or eat animals and urge others to join them in that commitment, this organization is focused expanding knowledge and resources instead of changing behaviors. “I don’t like hunting, but I can’t well judge folks who need to eat,” said another naturalist, “but if I can persuade them to learn a bit, maybe they will realize they do not need to hunt as frequently.”
I spoke to a hunter who was more than happy to collect samples. “I hunt to survive and be one with the world I am in,” they said, “I hunt only what I need and will use, so collecting samples here and there seems a worthy cause.” Naturalists point to traders who make a living trading products made from animals as the true problem. “Hunting to survive has a certain, balance,” one naturalist said, “but mass hunting and mass selling, that ain’t natural.” Organizers are hoping that by encouraging the collection of samples and learning about animals that they will change their behaviors on their own.
Trader goes to state police following attack
By Jose Chavez
A trader is taking his case to the New Austin Rangers following an attack during a delivery. “I agreed to make a delivery, one that was further away than usual,” the trader said, “I knew there was some risk but the state law has to do something about attackers, right?” To the trader’s surprise, the Rangers said no. “There are some cases, where, the law is limited” admitted a Ranger I spoke with, “folks really ought to know how to defend themselves, particularly on those long deliveries far from civilization.” Some traders are trying to form a trader’s union to combat this type of attack by patrolling the wilds, where the law of civilized lands has limited reach.
Ambarino moonshiner shutdown after hiring undercover agent for remodel
By Jane Duran
The Revenue Bureau is celebrating an arrest this week, after weeks of clever planning. It has been no secret that the Bureau has had difficult enforcing alcohol taxes in the Five States. The individual states in the region are generally against working with the federal government. The Bureau got creative recently and though they refused to comment on the details of the bust, I was able to find out through a well placed source. A moonshiner in Ambarino had been looking for a contractor to redecorate their personal bar. The Bureau caught wind of this and placed an undercover agent with the contractor. The undercover agent was shown the stills and then they returned with more agents later that same day. The moonshiner and their associates were arrested. I was unable to get information regarding the identity of the contractor that let the agent be planted as a worker.
Investigation into bloodbath at Little Creek River
By Odell Clifton
Last week bodies were discovered in Big Valley that indicated a massive shootout. Investigators discovered that outlaws had taken up residence at Hanging Dog Ranch. What they do not yet know is what started the fight. Old Lady Watson, who lives in a nearby cabin was questioned by she had no new information to provide. “I just heard a lot of shooting,” Miss Watson said, “I went into the basement and hid until it stopped, didn’t see nothing.” Investigators are sure that a rival gang fought the outlaws at Hanging Dog Ranch but they have no leads on who that rival gang is. West Elizabeth State Police have cleaned up the crimes scene but a closing the investigation. They will increase patrols in the area.
Wagon driver arrested for endangerment and accidental murder
By Emery Cosberry
Accidental deaths are not common in Valentine, but that is how Sheriff Curtis Malloy described the deaths caused by a wild wagon driver. “This man was not in his right mind,” said Sheriff Malloy, “he seemed malnourished and under the influence of multiple intoxicants.” Witnesses say the man barreled through the town, speeding down the town’s main street in a completely out of control fashion. One cowpoke had to jump onto the wagon to avoid being ran over, only to be thrown off the wagon and sent rolling through the mud. The driver could not maintain a straight line and steered the wagon side to side, taking out people and horses along the side of the road. The wild ride only ended when the man crashed his wagon. Two horses were injured, one had to be put down as a result of the injuries. Three people were injured and one died. Though the sheriff believes it was not intentional, the man still took a life and was arrested.
He will likely face trial for the reckless endangerment he caused. “He may not have intended to take a life, but his actions led to someone dying all the same,” said a state prosecutor, “for that, he’ll have to pay.”
Newcomer to the Five States says they were transported to Saint Denis magically
By Aloysius Levron
The most modern city in the Five States still carries a lot of the old world in it. There is not a place you can go in Saint Denis where you will not hear some supernatural story. This week, a cowpoke who just arrived in the Five States was taken for a bizarre ride that ended in Saint Denis. “I was in Blackwater and went to sleep,” they said, “I woke back up and I was in Valentine, which I fled from promptly owing to its reputation.” The cowpoke said they fled south, headed toward Blackwater. Then, without warning, they found themselves in Saint Denis. “I had never been to Saint Denis so it was quite the shock,” they said, “and a bunch of other folks seemed to have been transported there somehow because they were all around me.”
Saint Denis police investigated but could not confirm the claims. “While I do not know how we can confirm this, magical transportation,” a policeman said, “we have found no evidence to suggest anything nefarious.” The others who found themselves transported to Saint Denis did not suffer any harm aside from their confusion. They were each checked by the city doctor and allowed to leave and continue living their life.
Robbery under the cover of fireworks
By Ivy Seager
The Valentine bank was just about to close this Thursday when fireworks began shooting into the sky. Residents were drawn to the color explosions, staring into the sky in awe. So distracted were the townsfolk of Valentine that nobody noticed gunslingers forcing their way into the bank. Nobody noticed when the gunslingers forced the bank teller to open the vault then looted money and gold belonging to townsfolk. The explosions were so loud nobody noticed when one of the robbers shot the bank teller, killing them. The gunslingers left the the bank with most townsfolk still focused on the fireworks in the sky.
By the time someone noticed that the bank door was wide open and investigated, the robbers were gone. Once deputies saw the dead body and the missing money, they immediately searched for the robbers. One witness saw two people leave the bank and acting suspicious, but could not identify either of them. It is unknown how much money was stolen.
The Five States Herald 