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.
Trade slows down across the Five States
By Adam Parvey
Traders have had to reduce operations as the snow storm continues to rage in the Five States. The snow has reduced visibility tremendously. Travelers following the main roads are likely to see several crashed wagons and various goods spread across the snow covered ground. “I have lost three wagons this month to the snow,” one trader said, “unable to see and so you crash into trees and then you gotta gather what you can and leave a lot behind.” In fact, several secondary markets have reported wholesale goods showing up. “I deal mostly in previously owned items, things people no longer want,” said a shop own in Saint Denis, “but I’ve had more than a few folks trying to part with clearly wholesale furs.”
Several traders have resorted to sticking to local deliveries. “The only way to manage this is to drive slower,” a trader said, “that means deliveries take longer and the longer they take the more risk they have, so locals only for now.” Meteorologists predict the storm will end in a few weeks, but for traders that is not soon enough. It is not just the transport of goods that is more difficult, but the hunting process as well. Several hunters have taken to gambling through the winter while others have left the region altogether until fairer weather returns.
Reseller arrested for robbery and conspiracy!
By Jose Chavez
Ray McCowen was arrested this week in Tumbleweed. Miss McCowen has lived in New Austin for years and been one of the state’s largest resellers. According to those who have worked with her, she does business through various proxies and for a long time, few people knew she was even a she. “I saw Ray on the forms and just figured it was a fella, right?” said one of her victims, “I had no idea she had been setting me up this whole time!”
Miss McCowen had been making business deals with New Austin traders, buying their wares wholesale and transporting them all over the country. However, she was also running a robbery crew that would target some of her most lucrative clients. “We noticed the trend months ago and started an investigation,” New Austin Rangers said, “though her identity was an unknown, which hampered our early investigation.”
Eventually the Rangers were able to gather the evidence they needed. They will not discuss how the evidence was obtained. Miss McCowen was arrested during a game of poker but left with lawmen peacefully.
Dead body found in Ambarino, has a murder returned?
By Jane Duran
Ambarino Rangers have been patrolling the state heavily since the end of the Emmaline Haven’s trial. State authorities still believe her to be the serial killer the Executioner and have sought to catch her the act of disposing another body. While they have yet to catch her, this week they did find a body. It was not what they expected, however.
“I saw the body laying face up in the snow, partly covered,” said the patrolling Ambarino Ranger, “I figured maybe the Executioner gave up on the dump, with the water being frozen and all, but it wasn’t them.” The victim had been shot through the heart and a lump of coal was found in their chest pocket. Last year, a serial killer referred to as the Coal Killer had many in the Five States afraid. The killer targeted people who had abused their authority. They were arrested in the act and police were stunned to find that the killer was a heavy white man with a great white beard, with a striking resemblance to Santa Clause.
While the entire city seemed to turn out to watch the killer be taken to jail, he disappeared and was never seen again. Until now.
Authorities warn travelers to be wary of strangers
By Odell Clifton
A string of robberies in the relatively peaceful Big Valley comes just as the Christmas season falls upon us. While outlaws are known to frequent the area given its remote location, the robberies have increased. Authorities believe the snow provides cover. “These outlaws usually have one member play the damsel, pretend they need help,” a state lawman said, “then the rest come out and ambush the fella trying to do a good deed.” While this tactic is used year around, the extra snow cover provides security for the bandits while the friendly atmosphere of the season has travelers letting their guard down.
A cowpoke known as Mr. Husk heard these stories and said they would take care of it. Last anyone heard, Mr. Husk left Strawberry headed to Big Valley to track and take out the outlaws in the area.
Attempted bank robbery ends with a sick town
By Emery Cosberry
A group of outlaws numbering nearly a dozen according to some accounts, assaulted Valentine this week. The outlaws kept their faces covered and managed to keep lawmen at bay with a toxic substance. “One of them tossed a couple bottles into the sheriff’s office,” a witness said, “and a strange odor released, it was awful and I was far away!” The outlaws cleared out the bank by tossing similar bottles inside, causing fumes to spread inside. Patrons and bankers came running out gagging and even throwing up. The bank, being rather solid and with few openinings, remained full of fumes for several minutes. Witnesses say the outlaws seemed to grow agitated at that point. “They started arguing about when they could get into the bank,” a witness said, “they didn’t think it would take so long to clear.. the fumes I mean.” A couple of the outlaws grabbed a banker and headed into the bank despite the heavy fumes still in the building.
A few deputies did manage to take up defensive positions around the bank, but were unable to act with so many outlaws having positions on various roofs. “They really had most of this planned well,” a deputy said, “we couldn’t do much, but of course, they didn’t plan well enough.” Two of the three outlaws that walked into the bank came stumbling out gagging and throwing up. At this point, those holding defensive positions fled, allowing the deputies to finally act. The remaining outlaws gave up quickly though half of them, along with their presumed leader, escaped.
The fumes cleared in the next few hours. Inside of the bank were two dead bodies. One belonged to one of the outlaws and the other to the banker forced to go back inside. The outlaws who are in custody will be charged with attempted bank robbery and murder.
Sicilian Population Booms in Lemoyne!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
Life goes on, as so many say; grief is an old friend, but work continues. As I shuttle through my day, I have come across more and more men who sound Italian, but are not. The citizens of Sicily, not an independent nation exactly, but not entirely connected with Italy. More thoughtful people could explain that one, but there is a distinction.
New York carries its many immigrants, more arrive with each passing year, to such an extent that some come to places like Saint-Denis. Why they come is unique to each individual, but it is true that reform, upheaval, natural disasters, and conflict are the leading causes.
Many flee from the violence of clans that demand power and money across the many towns and villas. Locals already understand this; such criminal elements are already here, but they had to come from somewhere. I suspect it was Sicily long ago.
There are fears that those ruffians are immigrating with the masses, something I suspect is true to some extent. Perhaps they shall stay and join imitations of their homebound clans; maybe they shall spread out to the east and to the west, or perhaps they shall find new work. It is impossible to say how someone will behave in a new environment. I find the talks with these Sicilians productive if a bit difficult; time will show how this will change the city.
Fire contained in Saint Denis
By Lucien Privitt
For a moment, the city of Saint Denis was in a panic. The Bastille Saloon had been attacked by a couple of drunks who were refused service. “I will serve anybody here, even those who don’t dress properly,” the bartender said, “but at minimum, you need to have some money!” The two drunks were already stumbling when they came into the Bastille. When they attempted to open a tab, they were asked to leave. The two drunks got belligerent and eventually stole bottles of alcohol off the tables of other customers. A witness said they saw one of the men stuff a piece of fabric in the bottle and they fled. The drunk lit the rig on fire and threw the bottle. A fire started in the Bastille and patrons notified the police, who rang the fire alarm.
Fires can easily rage unchecked and destroy a city. Saint Denis itself nearly burned down earlier this year. Thankfully, the fire did not spread. While some suggested the heavy snowfall snuffed out any flame before it could spread, the real answer is much simpler. The fire never left the Bastille. “People left in a panic but do you think I don’t know how to handle an alcohol fire started by a drunk?” the bartender asked, “I ain’t new at this.” He smothered the flames and by the time volunteer fire fighters arrived, the fire was over. The town remained panicked for another hour and several people fled the city with their valuables.
The Five States Herald 