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.
Hurricane Approaching New Austin!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
It’s the time of year, when the days grow shorter, colder, and the wind picks up. It’s the time when all who dwell on the coast fear, hurricane season, and they come fast. In the last few days, it has been reported that a large hurricane is approaching the southern state of New Austin.
New Austin, in recent years, has been slammed by hurricanes, one devastated several major cities a handful of years ago. This new hurricane appears to be comparably strong and large; even the governor of the state has warned its residents to prepare for the worst.
Some denizens are already fleeing towards California or New Hanover, hoping to avoid the worst. Some are stubborn, refusing to leave their home, and are instead building makeshift defenses to shield themselves from the wind. Local general stores across the board are sold out of items, especially canned goods and bullets. US soldiers in regional forts are ready to prevent mass looting if things get extra grim.
Everyone who moves to the coast knows these are the risks of the region, but it’s easy to forget just how risky they can be. I only pray the damage and losses will be minimal.
Murders in New Austin connected to James Langton
By Jose Chavez
James Langton is a well known bounty hunter who operates in the Five States. However, in recent years, accusations have been mounting that Mr. Langton no longer serves the civilized world. “For some time now, we have seen evidence that Mr. James Langton has gotten involved in the criminal underworld, as a criminal,” said a New Austin Ranger. This week four people were found dead, killed in a gunfight. Three of the four were known outlaws, one had no criminal record at all. All four were connected to James Langton, according to the New Austin Rangers.
“While we are confident in our evidence, it is not yet sufficient,” a Ranger admitted on the condition of anonymity, “but we will continue to build our case, and bring Langton in along with anybody who works with him.” For his part, Mr. Langton denies allegations that he is an outlaw.
Massacre at Millesani Claim
By Jane Duran
Ambarino Rangers are investigating a bloody scene at Millesani Claim. Campers reported sounds of gunshots coming from the area and fled the area, reporting what they heard to local police in Strawberry, West Elizabeth. The Ambarino Rangers were notified and investigated the area, arriving a full twenty four hours after the report was made. While it is unclear what happened, there were over a dozen dead bodies. None among the dead were identified, however, Rangers believe the victims were part of the Skinner Brothers gang. “Based on their attire and other items found at the site, we are fairly certain they are Skinners,” one Ranger said, “The Skinner Brothers are a ruthless gang, seeming to enjoy torturing people.”
The Skinners do not usually keep valuables, so it is not clear why they were attacked. No law enforcement agency or bounty hunter has claimed responsibility for the deed.
Outlaw curses “metal ropes”
By Odell Clifton
An outlaw was brought into the Blackwater Police Department screaming and hollering. “This goddamn metal rope, it ain’t right!” he screamed as he was tossed into a vacant cell, “this ain’t no honest way to make a living, using ropes that can’t be cut!” The bounty hunter who brought him in explained. “He ran, so I lasso’d him, same as always, and he pulled out a knife to cut the rope,” the bounty hunter said, “but I use a high quality reinforced rope so you ain’t cutting through it quickly at all.” The outlaw was unable to cut himself free and instead, got his knife kicked out of his hand and hogtied and thrown on a horse.
He screamed all night about “dishonest tools in a dishonest world.” “Used to be, you could make an honest living in this world,” he screamed, “but us folk who don’t wanna be ‘civilized’ get squeezed out, left to rot and die in cells for trying to live honestly and within our means!” Blackwater Police ignored him until shipping him to Sisika on a ship the next morning.
Man-wolf terrorizing Roanoke Ridge
By Van R. Seldon
Travelers riding through Roanoke Ridge after the sun falls have reported a strange sighting: a man-wolf. Reports differ in some ways as some say they hear a man howling, others say they hear man men or man and wolves. Some reports have claimed a single man-wolf chased them alone while others have claimed a pack of wolves follows the man-wolf close by. But there are many similarities. The man-wolf is described as running on two legs like a man but having a wolf’s head. The sightings all happen not far from Van Horn as well. Van Horn residents do not discuss it and simply ignored my questions. Animal experts say there is no such thing as a man-wolf hybrid. So what is it?
“It’s just a man, wild and crazy man, but just a man,” said a hunter who hunts in the area, “I’ve seen him, he’s a bit feral but means nobody any harm.” The hunter also said that wolves in the area do not treat the man as a threat. “I don’t know if they are friendly or just tolerate him,” the hunter said, “but if he alerts to something they alert to it well, and, well a pack of wolves is a threat.” Witnesses maintain that they saw a man-wolf. “That makes no sense, a wild man living with wolves?” one witness said with a laugh, “much more likely it is an undiscovered creature that shares traits with humans and wolves.” Whatever the truth, use caution in Roanoke Ridge or you may find yourself being chased by a man-wolf or a pack of wolves. Or both.
Attempted theft ends with death, but could have ended differently
By Emeline Vickroy
A hunter was attacked in Rhodes while attempting to give away a rare pelt. At least, that is what the hunter claimed. “I was feeling generous and wanted to give away this pelt I had just obtained the hard way,” they said, “I found a fella who could’ve used it but he attacked me.” Witnesses say that the hunter was hogtied and then struck in the head head. The attacker took the pelt and fled Rhodes. The hunter woke up within a few moments however, and gave chase. A deputy who had also been chasing the thief said the hunter blazed past them and then took a long range shot with a rifle and killed the attacker. “As far as I’m concerned, it was a man taking back what was taken from him,” the deputy explained, “so I road back into town, my services no longer needed.” The hunter later told townsfolk that he had intended to give away the pelt when he was attacked. “While I had planned to give it away, the principle of the matter demanded I react,” the hunter said, “he attacked me and clearly intended to steal, so he paid the price.”
Saint Denis nearly burns down!
By Lucien Privitt
Saint Denis residents offered a collective sigh of relief this week when a massive blaze that threatened to burn the city to cinders was brought to heel by a miracle of the weather. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is known that it came from the northeast part of the city. This area is considered affluent, with well off residents connected to political elite in the state. Early theories have suggested that recent complaints by upper class residents about the working class residents has earned the ire of the latter toward the former. “We cannot be certain of anything at the moment,” said a Chief Benjamin Lambert, “and we are not endorsing any theories based on class.”
The fire erupted with a fury that sent residents fleeing the city. “I thought for sure the city was done for, like Chicago years back,” one resident said, “So I ran toward the bayou, better to deal with ‘gators than fire.” Policeman rang the alarm but the quickness with which the fire started and the speed at which it spread made it unlikely to be contained. Efforts shifted from containment to evacuation. Then, just as suddenly as the fire started, the sky darked in cloud cover and a heavy rain fell upon Saint Denis. “In the early moments of the rain, I thought the fire would win, just burn the clouds out the sky, such was its might,” one witness said, “but the flames were beat back until they were nothin’ but embers.” For many, this was a miracle. Though in truth, those on the other side of the city knew little of the fire until long after it was over.
“This could have been bad, untold death and property damage had that fire spread,” said Chief Lambert, “Fact is we were lucky and will need to improve our city’s infrastructure to better protect out people ,but that’s above my pay grade.”
The Five States Herald 