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.
Wave of unexpected deaths at Owanjila Dam
By Adam Parvey
Despite being a rather new technology, camera use continues to grow. The technology allows users to take a photograph, a still copy of the world in a moment of time. This allows them to preserve memories in a timeless form. Photographers say that photographs can be passed down to future generations to show what the world looked like. Many photographers used a timer setting to immortalize their own images. “I set this timer and set my camera down,” one photographer said, “and then stand still so it takes the picture of me next to interesting natural features in the world.” The trend, some have called ‘selfies’ took a deadly twist this week.
It is not clear why, but many came to Owanjila Dam to take photographs of themselves with the lake in the background. What is clear, though, is that the trend led to several deaths. “I saw a body floating down the river and tried to help,” one fisherman said, “but, they were dead, bruised, bloody, and dead.” The fisherman had no sooner pulled the body out of the water when another floated down nearby. After a quick ride to Strawberry, a posse of locals and deputies rode to the river and began collecting bodies floating down the river. The posse rode up to Owanjila Dam and investigated the area. They found several cameras on the dam and a few in the water or broken upon rocks in the river. A couple of bodies had been found in the lake as well.
Investigators say there was no foul play involved. “We were able to develop some photographs and, well we think there were a series of unfortunate accidents,” an investigator said, “several photographs showed shocked men and women falling back, likely misjudging where the edge was while trying to get the perfect pose.” Authorities warn photographers to be more careful, but admit there is no law against being foolish.
Lost treasure trove found
By Jose Chavez
The scorching deserts of New Austin have long been a haven for treasure hunters, but few find success as remarkable as that of collector Loretta Crane. Miss Crane unearthed a rare and valuable cache in Rio Bravo this past week. The discovery, consisting of a collection of gold coins, antique jewelry, and a gilded pocket watch, is said to date back to the early days of the frontier.
Miss Crane, known among locals for her uncanny knack for finding lost relics, credited her success to a mix of intuition and a recently acquired map from an old prospector. “It’s not just about luck,” she explained while displaying the gleaming artifacts in Tumbleweed’s saloon. “You’ve got to read the land and listen to its stories.” The treasure, hidden in an abandoned cabin buried under years of sand and rock, has sparked a frenzy among other collectors in the region, all eager to claim their piece of New Austin’s hidden wealth. As for Miss Crane, she plans to use the proceeds to fund further expeditions, proving that the desert still holds secrets for those bold enough to uncover them.
Investigators believe the Executioner is active again
By Jane Duran
Investigators were hesitant to announce their belief that the Executioner was once again active in the Five States due to there being only one confirmed kill following the serial killer’s MO. However, this week they did just that. “We believe that the Executioner still active,” investigators announced this week, “the body found recently was consistent with their previous kills and it would be a mistake to not warn the public.” Ambarino Rangers have been given federal resources to increase patrols. Though very few of the victims have come from Ambarino, it is the most used dumping ground. As a result the remote snowy state has become the focal point of investigations. Authorities hope to cut off the Executioner from the state’s lakes and in doing so, force them to make a mistake. “I take it as a personal offense they have resumed killing,” the lead investigator said, “they could have rode off into the sunset but they came back and taunt us, but I promise you, they will be caught this time.”
Fugitive caught by bounty hunter
By Odell Clifton
The notorious fugitive Elias “Quickhand” Kane, wanted for a string of robberies and assaults across the Five States, was captured this week after a tense standoff in the wooded outskirts of West Elizabeth. Kane, whose exploits have earned him large bounty, was tracked down by seasoned bounty hunter Clyde Harper, a figure well-known for his relentless pursuit of justice.
Harper reportedly trailed Kane for three days through the dense forests near Strawberry, relying on his knowledge of the terrain and a sharp eye for tracks. The final confrontation occurred at an abandoned hunting cabin, where Kane had taken refuge. A hunter who witnessed the scene described a brief but intense exchange of gunfire before Harper subdued Kane with a well-placed shot to the shoulder. “He fought hard, but I fought harder,” Harper quipped while turning Kane over to the Blackwater sheriff. With Kane in custody, Harper’s actions have brought relief to the region, restoring a sense of security to the towns and ranches that had lived in fear of Kane’s next move.
Thieves mee their end in Van Horn
By Van R. Seldon
In the rugged and lawless port town of Van Horn, justice is often swift and brutal. This was made evident yesterday when two thieves, caught red-handed after robbing a local family’s home, met their demise at the hands of an outraged community. The incident has reignited debate over the town’s lack of law enforcement and the extreme measures its residents take to maintain order.
The thieves, whose names remain unknown, reportedly broke into the modest home of the Dwyer family in the dead of night. When their intrusion was discovered, the family raised the alarm, and a mob of townsfolk quickly gathered. Cornered near the docks as they attempted to flee with stolen goods, the pair were dragged back to the town square, where tempers flared. According to witnesses, a makeshift trial was held, though it was more a formality than a true hearing. Within minutes, the mob’s verdict was clear, and the thieves paid the ultimate price.
While some residents defended the mob’s actions as necessary for survival in a town without formal law enforcement, others expressed unease over the grim display. “We’re not animals, but what choice do we have?” asked Harriet Greaves, a local innkeeper. “Without a sheriff or deputies, it’s up to us to keep the peace.” The Dwyer family, though grateful to have their possessions returned, was visibly shaken by the ordeal. As Van Horn continues to operate on its own terms, the New Hanover state government has expressed the possibility of forcing the town’s hand and requiring some form of legally recognized law enforcement.
Train goes through fire, literally
By Mathilde Orry
Passengers of a train traveling from Rhodes to Saint Denis were in for a horrible surprise. “Everything seemed fine and then we heard the bell and whistle being sounded,” one passenger said, “we weren’t sure what was going on but it was very frightening.” The conductor said that the tracks were blocked by several wagons that clearly presented a hazard. “At least two of the wagons looked like tankers, and a few other covered wagons with contents I could not see,” they said.
The conductor then explained that their first thought was to bring the train to a stop, but realized that could be far worse. “There was no way I could stop the train before collision, so were hitting it,” they said, “if it was enough to derail us, well it wouldn’t matter how fast but, if we could get through it, I figured we had a chance.” The conductor’s intuition turned out to be right. The wagons did not cause an explosion but did combine to create a massive wall of flame upon collision. Had the train been brought to a stop it may have been stuck in that flaming wall. As it happened, the conductor picked up speed and pushed through the flaming eruption.
Passengers screamed as the train pushed forward. Many saying the increase in speed was frightening on its on but as they passed through the flames their fear grew. Flames licked through several open windows and some of the interior of the train burned. Though there was significant damage, there was no major injuries or deaths. investigators are unsure of the motive behind the attack.
Airship Looms Over Europe!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
Air travel is one of those romantic notions that always crosses our minds, flying through the air like a bird, without a care in the sky. For a long time, balloon flight has been possible, but it’s not romantic; it’s a box that flies upwards and floats about. What we imagine is powered flight, steadily sailing through the sky with the controls in our hands. Many have tried creating this, often the result is a smoldering wreckage. In Germany however, it appears success is on the horizon.
Airships is the official name, but it’s already being called a dirigible. Large cloth-covered giants propelled and kept in the air by gases, by all accounts, it earned its flying nautical name. Demonstrations are occurring as we speak, and development will likely continue for the next few years.
Rival nations are already attempting to copy the design, with long-term goals like air travel or perhaps even air combat being considered. The United States so far has not put much thought into joining this airship race, but government officials have been invited to see it.
The future begins tomorrow is a self-evident and obvious phrase. Yet, it feels more true, when discussing humans flying through the clouds.
The Five States Herald 