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.
Federal authorities say they have spotted Jessica LeClerk
By Adam Parvey
Jessica LeClerk, widow of the deceased businessman Philip LeClerk, has been spotted by the federal authorities. Federal investigators have not officially made this announcement, though a source close to the investigation confirmed it to be true. Though my source could not confirm a location, they did say they believe it to be not far from the Five States. Mrs. LeClerk is wanted for the murder of her husband Philip LeClerk. She managed to evade authorities and is linked to several prison breaks following her escape. Those escapees have laregely meddled in the affairs of Mrs. LeClerk’s late husband’s business partners, particularl Amos Lancing.
Mrs. LeClerk blamed her late husband’s death on Mr. Lancing, claiming he murdered Philip LeClerk over a business deal. Mr. Lancing himself was killed in Blackwater when Mrs. LeClerk and a few of the prison escapees confronted Lancing. Several witnesses reported watching Mrs. LeClerk pull a pistol out of her purse and shoot Mr. Lancing in the chest. Blackwater Police attempted to apprehend Mrs. LeClerk and her escorts but were unable to do so. Mrs. LeClerk has not been seen since. If authorities have located her and are able to make an arrest, she will be transferred to the Five States to answer for her crimes.
Prison transfer attacked by outlaws
By Jose Chavez
A prisoner was being transferred from Tumbleweed across New Austin to Blackwater, West Elizabeth. Had everything gone to plan the prisoner would have been transferred to a ship and been on their way to Sisikia Penitentiary. Thigs did not go to plan, however. A posse of outlaws attacked the prison transfer, quickly dispatching the guards. The only surviving guard was shot in teh shoulder, but fell off their horse and hit their head. “I was quite dizzy and unable to react, even comprehend what was happening,” the guard said, “it was just a bunch of blurs.” By the time the guard’s head was cleared of cobwebs the attackers were gone and the prison wagon was empty.
The guard quickly reported the attack and Tumbleweed deputies rode out to investigate. The trail led to the San Luis River, where it was lost. “They likely fled into the river, swam their horses across or down river to escape,” one of the deputies explained. The criminal being transported was a low level offender, so authorities are unsure why such an effort was made to free them.
Large bear spotted in the Grizzlies East
By Jane Duran
Ambarino Rangers now face another challenge in their ongoing investigations into the serial killer known as The Executioner. A massive grizzly bear routed a group of investigators as they were looking into O’Creagh’s Run. “We have expanded our search to find other bodies of water that The Executioner may use to dump bodies,” said one of the investigators. While a pair of Rangers investigated the forest to the north of the lake they awoke a bear. “I don’t know if bear is the right word to describe this beast,” one Ranger said, “this beast was bigger than any bear I saw, with scars on its face that barely matched its fury.”
The beast attacked, killing one of the investigators with a blow to the head. The others fled, firing their guns desperately. “We packed up and left,” one Ranger admitted, “if we can’t investigate I doubt a serial killer could dump bodies here safely.” The Ambarino Rangers are planning to issue a bounty on the beast.
Man knocked out in single punch after asking others’ opinions on their outfit
By Odell Clifton
The Blackwater Saloon turned unfriendly very quickly for one patron. “This fella walked in, dressed rather dapper if I’m being honest,” said the bartender, “but another feller seem to take offense.” The ‘dapper man’ asked saloon goers to rate their outfit. A cowpoke who had been drinking most of the morning stood up, grunted, and said, “not this damn shit again.” As he walked by the dapper man, he knelt down and then in a single stroke punched the dapper man in the jaw. “That well dressed fella went down like a sack of potatoes,” the bartender laughed, “everyone else clapped and went back to drinking.” The dapper man woke up a couple of minutes later and witness say he just shook his heard, ordered a meal and a drink and kept to himself until he left.
Seems between worlds unraveling?
By Emery Cosberry
For weeks stories have been told about strange occurrences, explained as incursions from parallel worlds by Dr. W. Bishop. Another such story comes this week. A cowpoke entered Smithfield’s Saloon in Valentine only to be trapped in a repeating loop. “I couldn’t quite understand what was happening,” the cowpoke said, “folks would literally disappear in front of me and others would just appear out of thin air.” The patrons who were appearing and disappearing acted as if nothing was amiss, going about their day until they disappeared. The shocked patron looked down at their stop watch and reported a very strange observation. “Time was moving backwards and forwards again, over and over,” they said, “I thought maybe my watch was broken but after I left, it started working fine again.” Dr. Bishop said the time anomaly is certainly strange. So far, such events have not been reported to contain time anomalies,” Dr. Bishop explained, “but this is useful data, perhaps these parallel worlds are out of sync with us, behind us or ahead of us in time!”
Other patrons in the saloon at that time did not report anything strange. One regularly said, “ain’t not time problems in here and ain’t no fellas disappearing, but one fella did look pretty far eyed, maybe they smoked something they shouldn’t have.” It is unclear if the ‘fella’ the regular mentioned was the one reporting the strange occurrence. Either way, the story could not be corroborated though Dr. Bishop believes it completely.
Woman Gives up Law Career to Help Others!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Walking through Saint-Denis right now, you’ll see countless Italian immigrants trying to adapt to a new nation. Despite such a difficult task, many are optimistic for the future, due to the help of one woman. You might assume it’s the Virgin Mary or a local nun, but it appears there’s an angel on Earth not associated with the church here to help.
Caterina Paluzzi is originally from New York. She managed to get out of crushing poverty and become a successful lawyer there, rare for women, rarer still for immigrants. But she isn’t practicing law in New York; she is in Saint-Denis, helping Italians via free legal assistance and food.
She has a house near the market; anyone can ask her for help at any hour. She never turns away people, even when it’s late at night. Rightfully, the Italian community sees her as a saint, but why does she do this? Why give up a career for something that pays far less?
Because she wants to leave the world in a better place, comes her reply. Corny as it may appear, she appears righteously honest about her intentions. Saints are usually supposed to be pious people who have died; they aren’t supposed to walk among us. Perhaps Saint-Denis is unique; it has its very own living saint.
Solemn Anniversary of Famous Treasure Ship Passes
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Tragedies come and go with people’s memories and lives. One might forever remember a terrible battle or disaster, and some will move on and forget names, dates, and faces. The latter appears to have happened to a once well-remembered ship disaster. Two days ago was the 41st anniversary of the loss of the SS Central America, few memorials were held.
It wasn’t always like this; in 1857, it was an Earthshattering event, its loss led to an economic panic. Hundreds of people were lost, funerals across the country were held. The ship had been carrying gold from California alongside 578 people. In the middle of a storm near South Carolina, it sank; the reasons as to why are still hotly debated. By chance, a few passing ships spotted the ship and managed to rescue some passengers. Ultimately, 425 people drowned that night, 30 thousand tons of gold also went down.
Various officials from every state paid their condolences; even with the Civil War on the horizon, this tragedy was treated with dignity and respect. Now, it’s just a relic. Some occasionally fantasize about getting the gold, but the human loss has fallen by the wayside. Time is the one master we must all obey, no matter what. I just wish we didn’t have to.
National Afro-American Council meets in New York
By Frederick Vannesse
Bishop Alexander Walters and Timothy Thomas Fortune have come together to establish the National Afro-American Council in Rochester, New York. The Council is a first of its kind organization focused on advancing civil rights in the United States. Bishop Walters and Mr. Fortune previously attempted to create a civil rights organization under the name the National Afro-American League, but that group was unsuccessful. At this meeting, Bishop Walters was elected president of the organization and will serve a four year term. While this first meeting only took place in a single city, Bishop Walters says that someday soon the Council will have meetings in all major cities. Though slavery was ended in the United States, Black Americans have faced widespread discrimination that the Council will combat energetically and with grit and determination.
The world awaits news of mountain climbers
By Ivy Seager
First found by Europeans in 1849, Mount Kenya has been thought to be more myth than legend. Dr. Johann Ludwig Krapf was the first European to lay eyes on Mount Kenya and many rejected his claims that the mountain existed. Mr. Krapf would be the last European to see Mount Kenya until three explorers known as Mackinder, Ollier and Brocherel, who planned to climb the highest peak of Mount Kenya; the peak called Batian. The trio began their ascent this week and now people all over the world are eagerly waiting their return. Should the trio make it, they will have proof of the mountains existence and be etched into the history books.
The Five States Herald 