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.
Another strange creature in the Five States?
By Lucien Privitt
Strange creatures have been reported all over the Five States. From the Monster of Flat Iron Lake to the Roanoke Ridge werewolf. Even creatures from other worlds, doppelgangers and shape changers have been reported. A new creature has been reported, though, there have been no actual sightings. Several witnesses have reported a creature that makes a strange clicking sound in the bayou. “I was out to check my crayfish traps, best to check them at night you see,” the man said, “the bayou is dangerous if you ain’t careful, but I know what to look for, but I heard a sound I never heard that night, a strange repeated clicking.” They decided to leave the crayfish for he night and fled. Others have reported the same sound. Witnesses traveling through the area reported repeated clicking.
A hunter heard the clicking and attempted to track down the sources. “I never heard such a sound but figured better to identify it than run,” the hunter said, “so I followed the sound, tracked it like I would any animal.” However, it proved illusive. “But every time I was certain I was getting close, the sound moved away,” the hunter said, “like it was moving quickly and aware that I was following it.” The creature is being called the Clicking Monster by locals. “You heard the clicking and it’s best to go home,” a local said, “it won’t bother you if you just go home.”
Whatever the source of the sounds, it seems one must be wary while traveling through the bayou. Or, more wary than usual.
Grizzly bear killed at MacFarlane’s Ranch
By Jose Chavez
Farmhands at MacFarlane’s Ranch were shocked to see a Grizzly Bear roam onto the property, but it happened. “We were on a break and looked over yonder and saw a big bear running toward the ranch,” said one of the farmhands, “it broke right through the fence and headed for the livestock.” The hands pulled out rifles and opened fire, killing the bear. Bears do not typically travel into New Austin, though they do frequent the region north of MacFarlane Ranch: Tall Trees.
“Bears can certainly find themselves just outside of their usual territory, “said one expert, “usually for food or some other resource it may be lacking.” While grizzly bears are not a typical hunting target, they are hunted from time to time by trophy hunters. Hunting a grizzly bear can provide sustenance but is also seen as evidence of a hunter’s skill. Being hunted may force bears to move south toward New Austin.
“It is plausible that bears move south sometimes,” said an expert, “humans also compete for resources with bears, which could also push them south but, New Austin is not an ideal climate.” There is concern that humans are causing a disruption of natural animal territory and migration behaviors. Others say this is an isolated incident and should not be looked into further.
Trial for alleged Executioner begins
By Jane Duran
Though not held in Ambarino, the trial has a unique connection to the state. Victims have come from all over the Five States but the vast majority of bodies were recovered in Ambarino bodies of water. In the first day of the hearing, state prosecutors made the case for why Ambarino bodies of water were chosen. “Ambarino is very remote, and its cold temperatures keep its waters frigid,” the prosecutor said, “this makes it difficult to determine the dates of their deaths to match to the dates of their disappearances.” The prosecution argued this was a thought out tactic meant to lower the quality of the evidence. The defense however, countered by asking how a woman could lift bodies in some cases double her weight.
“Could Mrs. Haven have pulled a trigger and killed someone? Certainly,” the defense started, “but could she have lifted a bodies that, in some cases, outweighed her by over 100 pounds!” The defense also laid out that Mrs. Haven’s late husband was also a victim of the killer. “Instead of being able to grieve for her loss, Mrs. Haven has had to fight for her freedom!” the defense said. For her part, Mrs. Haven remained silent and impassive. The trial is expected to last another week at least.
Man filing a lawsuit against transportation company
By Odell Clifton
A man had to get to Strawberry and decided to give his horse a break. He hired a transport company to get him there. Everything was fine, at first. “The ride was smooth, limited view but a nice ride,” they said, “then we got to Strawberry and, well, things went bad.” The wagon had made a sharp turn and in doing so, sent the wagon into a dive. A witness explained that after the turn the covered wagon became disconnected from the horses. The front dove into the ground while still turning, causing the wagon to tip over. The sole passenger was sent flying out of the wagon and onto the ground outside.
Their injuries were not life threatening. In fact, nobody was seriously injured, horses included. That is not stopping the rider from contacting an attorney to file a lawsuit. It is unclear what he is suing for, as he had no injuries of note, but said nobody should have to go through that kind of experience. The company hired for the job said it does not comment on pending legal matters.
Hunter killed in Valentine
By Emery Cosberry
A murderer was arrested following a killing in broad daylight. A hunter was riding through Valentine toward the town butcher. As is often the case in Valentine, the calmness of the day was broken by a gunshot. Several witnesses reported hearing the gunshot and several along the main road reported seeing it. “He was on a horse, watching the fella he shot,” the witness said, “he raised his rifle and shot him from behind.” Local lawmen confirmed the shot was fatal, striking the victim in the back of the head. Deputies acted quickly and arrested the man, however, they did have to shoot him to bring him down.
“We told him he was under arrest but he aimed his rifle at a deputy,” one lawman said, “we fired on him.” At least four deputies fired, but only one shot hit the killer. That shot was not fatal, but did take the killer down. He was stitched up and put in a jail cell. The pelts on the victim’s person and horse were sold and used to put toward his burial services.
Strange flying craft seen in the bayou
By Aloysius Levron
A cowpoke said they came across a strange flying object. The flying object made strange noises and emitted bright lights. “I couldn’t see no horses pulling it, but it moved,” the cowpoke said, “didn’t have no wings neither but, it flew.” They said watching it was eerie, saying it was, “like watching something you know ain’t real, but there it is, you know?” Others in the area confirmed the sightings, telling their own stories.
“I saw it come out of the thick copse of trees,” said one witness, “and it came right at me, like it was chasing me.” They said when they fled the flying object flew over them and kept on going. Based on other witness statements the flying object likely was not chasing any one person, but instead was flying this way and that in unrelated pursuits. It is unclear what the flying object was or why it was flying around the Lemoyne bayou. One witness believes the object came from another planet. “I’ve been around the world, seen how the technology is so different from place to place,” a witness said, “what’s to say people on another planet haven’t figured out flying cars already?”
The flying object did not cause any harm of property or of any person.
Colonial Town to be Recreated in America!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
Let the past come alive is a phrase so often spoken, but what does it mean? It usually means, to try and remember the past for what it was, good or bad. We bring the past alive through memory, written sources, photos, and sketches. At least, that’s how most see it; some might be taking that more literal.
It has recently been announced that the government intends to bring a colonial town back to life at some point in the near or far future. What they mean is intentionally vague, but most seem to believe that money will be spent to redevelop an old town somewhere within the nation, to make it appear as it did centuries ago. It is also speculated that some people, likely actors, will play roles and simulate life in colonial times, for the purpose of education.
Needless to say, this has garnered a mixed reception. Some see it as a bright future to remind this generation of how this nation was born. Some feel America has grown past its colonial roots, and it’s a regression to wallow in the past. Some question how educational actors can genuinely be; they are not historians. A few are angry, knowing their money is being taxed to create an amusement park.
I personally have no proper stance on the subject, for there isn’t even a subject to discuss at this time; it’s all theoretical. However, seeing how I can’t vote, it’s a moot point to wonder about the honor of the past, when the present so politely reminds me my opinions are lesser.
The Five States Herald 