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.
Science To Bring About Apocalypse?
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Science fiction is among the most popular genres at the moment. Buy a book, and you will find beautiful worlds of different planets, time travel, and exploration of the stars. But it also comes with fears of Martian invasion, terrible weapons of mass destruction, and the inevitability of using science to cause harm.
Most of these books aren’t written by scientists, and the majority of them mock the very notion that science will be used to destroy the Earth. Of course, plenty of weapons in our history have been created with good intentions, or at least to make destruction less palpable.
One need only remember the tragic irony of Doctor Gatling, the man who designed a rapid-fire gun carriage with the belief that such a weapon is so awful, wars would no longer be fought. Instead, standing armies immediately started buying these guns and creating even deadlier automatic weapons. Now it seems the next big conflict shall be even deadlier due to Gatling’s invention.
We have a hubris, that whatever we make will be used for that expressed purpose. It rarely ever sticks to just that purpose. So when I read novels about scientists creating bombs that could cook a planet, I don’t mock the notion.
New Austin outlaws rounded up
By Jose Chavez
State authorities in New Austin have confirmed the largest round up of outlaws this decade. New Austin is one of the least “tamed” states in the region, with law enforcement limited largely to towns and their borders. The New Austin Rangers, a state police force, have formed to patrol the lawless state but have had difficulty recruiting members to patrol the area. To reduce the number of outlaws in New Austin, authorities offered gold nuggets as bonuses for bounties in the state. While the operation was successful and many bounty hunters answered the call, critics were quick to point out that those captured were all small time outlaws.
“The Del Lobo boys still running wild and free,” said one New Austin resident, “seems they can do whatever they want without getting punished.” This concern was echoed throughout the states, noting that no matter the effort crime never seems to be impacted. “I’m starting to wonder if outlaws are just grown on trees round these parts,” said one resident. Authorities recognize the never ending fight against outlaws, but refuse to accept that it is a winless fight. “While it seems like outlaws just popping out of holes like vermin,” said a local lawman, “it’s a good thing, place would be awfully boring without outlaws to chase down.”
Bodies found at Calumet Ravine
By Jane Duran
A fisherman spotted a floating body in the Calumet Ravine and alerted authorities. Ambarino State police arrived on the scene to find multiple dead bodies. “We received a report for a single dead body,” said the lead investigator, “we arrived and found three in various states of decomposition.” The bodies had post mortem marks on their limbs that suggest they were weighed down before being buried in the ravine. The different states of composition suggests they were not killed at the same time.
The bodies all showed evidence of blunt force trauma, but investigators cautioned this could have been from being dumped in the ravine. Each victim was shot in the back of the head with a handgun. Authorities are starting an investigation and will be searching the lake for additional bodies. An anonymous source in the Ambarino State Police suggested this could be the work of a serial killer.
Misunderstanding leads to shootout and arrest
By Odell Clifton
A traveler who frequents Blackwater was shocked when the general store clerk refused to serve him. The traveler had shopped here many times and had a great relationship with the clerk, or so he though. But here he was, being refused service. “I was angry, red hot,” the traveler said, “I felt disrespected and walked outside in a fit of rage.” Witnesses say they grabbed a shotgun off their saddle and fired at the storefront window. The gunshot brough the attention of Blackwater Deputies. A brief shootout occurred, though witnesses say shootout is an exageration.
“They shot a few times, but not close enough to be a real threat,” one witness said, “I didn’t stop drinking.” The store clerk came running out demanding the deputies not shoot at the man. “Don’t shoot don’t shoot!” he shouted, then added, “I just wanted him to take off his mask!” The traveler stood up from cover, gun held over his head. “Mask, I forgot I had this damn thing one!” the traveler chuckled. Since nobody was hurt, they were let off with a warning after they agreed to pay for damages they caused.
Coach robbery just north of Emerald Ranch
By Emery Cosberry
A group of outlaws robbed a coach near Emerald Ranch this week, getting away with money and other valuables. The coach was owned by a wealthy man in Saint Denis whose identity was kept out of official reports. An itemized list of stolen valuables was vague, with one item noted as “rock” and noted to be priceless. The stage coach was well guarded, but according to a survivor, the guards were killed before they knew the stage coach was under attack. “I heard a gunshot, but it sounded a far away,” said the sole survivor, “but one of the guards fell off his horse and another shot was heard and another guard fell.” Based on the witness’ statement, the Valentine Sheriff Curtis Malloy believes one of the attackers was a sniper.
“Often attackers will just use guns to threaten folks and steal without attacking,” said Sheriff Malloy, “but these folks shot first, which suggests they knew the loot was valuable enough for the guards to die for.” Before Sheriff Malloy could open a full investigation, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency got involved. The private security agency then took control of the investigation. Information about the case was quickly removed from the Valentine’s Sheriff office, making it impossible to get any further information.
Cheating Ring Exposed in Saint-Denis!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Studying for a major test is about the most stressful experience short of battlefield experience; it’s no wonder so many students crack and fail. But such pressure can also lead to people looking for easy ways out, and cheating is perhaps the easiest.
Recently it was reported by an unnamed paralegal student that instead of studying for a paper, he paid money to get the test answers from a shady individual in the school. When he got the grades back, he discovered he did worse on the test than when he wasn’t cheating, so he reported the incident to the headmaster.
Things spiraled out of control afterward; police were called in, there was a minor scuffle, and about a dozen students were taken to the local jail. It appears these students have been running a cheating ring for years, which was highly lucrative and successful. It’s also possible they had ties to more nefarious criminal elements.
Any student who spent money cheating will be given clemency if they admit to it within the next week; those who do not and are caught will be expelled. It’s almost funny to think of a gang running a racket around cheating on academic material, but when you’re desperate and scared, you’re willing to do a lot.
United Mine Workers announces effort to unionize in the Five States
By Adam Parvey
The United Mine Workers, a union for mine workers founded in 1890, has set their eyes on the Five States. The union has had moderate success for decades before forming as the United Mine Workers but most mine workers remain non-union. The union fights for fair wages and safer working conditions for mine workers, who they say are exploited at the behest, and to the benefit of, mine owners. Annesburg is the largest mining town in the Five States, though mines have been built all over Roanoke Ridge, and the United Mine Workers have noticed. “Mine workers in the Five States see the same poor wages and unsafe working conditions we’ve seen all over the nation and we won’t stand for it!” said the United Mine Workers in an official statement. As of press time, mine owners have not commented on the impending arrival of the mine workers’ union.
Puerto Rico becomes U.S. territory
By Frederick Vannesse
The shockwaves of the Spanish-American War are still being felt. Tensions are only starting to ease between the two super powers as tensions rise over the U.S. occupation of the Philippines. Another former Spanish territory became the focus this week as Puerto Rico was officially transferred to the U.S. from Spain. Technically, Puerto Rico was officially ceded when Spain surrendered, but now all of its internal operations are fully under U.S. control. U.S. leadership was vague when discussing the future of Puerto Rico and the nation’s hope for independence.
Revolutionaries wed in Russia
By Ivy Seager
Who says there is no time for romance while fighting for a revolution? Vladimir Lenin, a leader in Marxist based workers’ movements, married fellow revolutionary Nadezhda “Nadya” Krupskaya, a school teacher. The pair met three years ago while discussing Marxist ideas. Lenin has traveled to many European countries to foster the ideas of workers’ rights and Marxists ideology. Despite their busy schedules they have found time for each other. The ceremony was said to be simple and shared with close loved ones.
The Five States Herald 