The Chalk Bluff Landslide in Hardin County Daniela Evans
On Sunday, February 16th, there was a landslide in Hardin County, Tennessee along the Mississippi River. This caused a crack in the road. It also caused two homes to collapse. Some roads are still closed, and some damage was done. This isn’t the first time a landslide has happened in that area, known as Chalk Bluff. Eight years ago, there was a similar landslide, but it was smaller than this one. In November 2012, heavy rains and the flooding of the nearby Tennessee River caused a landslide. The landslide has been active for a few years, but the size was shown to increase drastically between 2012 and the 16th of February in 2020. This area has always been somewhere to watch out for, as it is so close to the Tennessee River. The homes didn’t just collapse in one day. There was a sequence of events that led up to it. First was the start of the landslide on Saturday. Then on Saturday afternoon the Hardin County Fire Department saw that the houses were in danger of collapsing. One house was vacant, but the other had to be evacuated. The residents had to take just a few personal belongings with them. An hour later, the house that was previously vacant collapsed down the bank. By the next afternoon, the other house had also been swept into the Tennessee River. The road that the houses were next to, Glendale Road, began to crack on Monday, causing several surrounding roads to also close. Although those who would’ve been involved are safe, the landslide is still active and those around Chalk Bluff are told to remain cautious. The amount of damage that was done was excessive, but we are glad that those who lived in one of the two unfortunate houses were okay. They are safe and staying with nearby friends. The landslide present February 16th, 2020 was not a small one and it will not be forgotten.
The US is the Leading Country With the Most School Shootings Zophia Jaurigue
“The U.S. has had 1,316 school shootings ever since 1970 and these numbers are increasing. Eighteen percent of school shootings have taken place since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012." The U.S. is the leading country with the most amount of school shootings. We can prevent future school shootings from occurring. Most school shooters had difficult and hard lives. Bullying is one of these leading causes. Many suffer from psychological problems like depression, and don’t get the help they need. It might be really hard for them to find someone to talk to. They probably couldn’t ask for help or no one ever noticed that they needed support. According to researchers, when someone has been struggling alone for a while and failing, their despair can turn into rage, or revenge. These shooters had no one to turn to, and they had no support at all. They need someone to just listen to them and hear their side. Offer that anyone can talk to you, regardless if you know them or not. “In 4 out of 5 school shootings, at least one other person and knowledge of the attacker’s plan but failed to report it” (Vosseekuil, 2002). People knew about the attack, but they did not tell anyone. It’s better to tell a trusted person that someone is going to get hurt, than not. Telling someone can give that person help. It’s okay if they get mad at you, at least you care about their well-being. Not all school shootings can be prevented, but you can at least prevent some of them. If you know someone who’s planning to hurt someone or hurt themselves, tell someone you trust, or help them. Try talking them out of it. Some people just need someone to talk to.
The Cookie to Eat With Mustard Taylor Moore
Have you ever had an Oreo? Have you ever had mustard? How about both together? Many people love to eat Oreos and Mustard. Though it is an odd addiction, many people love it! Let’s see what these 6th graders and teachers think when they try the combination! I had Veronica Batch, Josiah Headly, Lilly Swanger, Jesse Hearn, Hannah Hunt, Mrs. Duffy, Mrs. Eaton, and Mr. Greenburg try the odd combo. Their reactions were priceless!
Major Chain Restaurants Close Down Riley Fletcher As sit-down restaurants become less popular, we start to see major chain locations close. Even some of the places we know and love such as Applebees, Pizza Hut, and Burger King are starting to disappear. One of the main reasons for these closings is that more and more people lose interest in sit-down restaurants. Drive through and delivery services are more convenient and cheaper for people’s budgets. There has also been a recent shift in eating habits. Many have started healthier diets, which contradicts the rather unhealthy fast food chains. And, of course, then there is less advertising for new items at restaurants. Now that everyone is on social media, wouldn’t it be smart to put advertising online instead of billboards and signs? But no, there are only a handful of chains that do that. Even Subway has closed down over 1,000 locations worldwide. Although the closing of the chains allow for more business for smaller family owned restaurants, it is still causing others to lose their jobs. We can only hope that they might stick around for good.
Diverse Barbie Dolls
The maker of Barbie dolls have released a new designs to broaden the diversity of the dolls. These new barbies include a doll with no hair, one with the skin condition vitiligo and one in a wheelchair. They added these dolls to showcase “a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion,” in the past the brand Barbie has struggled with showing a wide variety of different skin tones. In 1980, the first African American Barbie was released but it still had caucasian features. The history of Barbie Doll reveals that there have been numerous types of Barbies made, but the barbie’s body hasn’t have much change until 1998 slight regulations have been made. Now in present day they sell at name local toy store with many different kinds of barbies with different skin tones, conditions and so many jobs to pick from! Mattel, the brand of Barbies, have really showcased “a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion” through their beautifully created dolls.
The Start of 6th Grade Taylor Moore
Lots of 6th graders are very nervous to start middle school. There are lots of things to be nervous about, there’s your teachers, homework, friends, and a ton of other things to be worried about. That’s why I interviewed two 6th graders to see what their experience has been in 6th grade so far. I interviewed Hannah Hunt who said she could help a future 6th grader who is nervous and needs help with all their new middle school responsibilities. She says 6th grade is hard in some classes and that the most challenging thing about it is the homework. She says most 6th graders struggle with keeping up with their stuff. Hannah's main piece of advice is to try your best. Raelyn Taylor says that 6th grade is only hard at times. She says 6th grade takes more effort, but it is better than 5th grade. Raelyn thinks most 6th graders struggle with is organization. Some advice she would give is get your work done on time. She also says 6thgrade is fun most of the time. All in all, both of them agree, that 6th grade is fun and that there is very little to worry about!
Mardi Gras 2020 Daniela Evans
New Orleans is known for its awesome food, cool parades, and my importantly, its excitement. A great example of this is Mardi Gras, which happens to be February 25, 2020, but the date can fall anywhere from February 3rd to March 9th. Mardi Gras, A.K.A Fat Tuesday, is a great celebration of excitement to enjoy good food and have lots of fun. Parades, parades, and more parades! Mardi Gras is known for its colorful parades. They have so many that they start in January! Parade floats are a big part of Mardi Gras. Some can be funny, while others are beautiful and intricate. Floats are taken seriously, and thousands of dollars can be spent on them. Marching clubs also roam the streets so everywhere you go it is a party! Do you want to have fun at Mardi Gras but not get hassled about money or crowds of people? Friday, February 14th through Sunday February 16th have something called Family Gras. It is free and you still get the Mardi Gras experience! Another big part of Mardi Gras is the food. Since Mardi Gras is celebrated in New Orleans, food is really flavorful. One big food on Mardi Gras is Kings Cake. Kings Cake is a braided and baked ring of dough that is colored in Mardi Gras colors, green, purple, and yellow and is a Mardi Gras tradition. Other Mardi Gras foods include seafood, spicy food, or whatever food you would like. In Conclusion, Mardi Gras is a very fun tradition and a good excuse to throw a big party and eat good food. Celebrate yours by going to a local parade, throwing your own party, or just making and enjoying some King’s Cake.
Flu Season Riley Fletcher
As the cold temperatures really start to set in, so does the flu. In fact, many of our fellow students have caught the illness. To prevent the spread of the flu, there are some ways to avoid catching it. Of course there are the obvious options, such as getting a flu shot. It may not completely stop you from getting the flu, but it reduces the chances by 40-60%. You can also just regularly wash your hands. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle you can also build up your immune system. You can do this but having a regular sleep cycle, eating healthy, and exercising. Hopefully those of us who are out of school eventually feel better and return. And to those of you who haven’t caught it, it would help to practice these methods.
2020 GRAMMYS: Billie Eilish Wins All Top Awards Zophia Jaurigue
The 62nd Annual GRAMMYs had some very memorable moments. Alicia Keys was the award show’s host, and the opening of the show was Lizzo... Other performers included Aerosmith, Joshua Bell, Camila Cabello, Lang Lang, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker, Billie Eilish, Kirk Franklin, DJ Khaled, John Legend,, Ariana Grande, H.E.R., the Jonas Brothers, Lil Nas X with BTS, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diplo, Mason Ramsey, Demi Lovato, Bonnie Riatt, Blake Shelton, The Roots, Gwen Stefani, and Usher. Billie Eilish won Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best New Artist. Lizzo won the Best Pop Solo Performance and Best R&B Performance. “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus won the Best Pop/Duo Performance. “A Lot” by Jermaine Cole, Dacoury Natche, 21 Savage & Anthony White, songwriters (21 Savage ft. J. Cole) won Best Rap Song. IGOR, by Tyler, the Creator won the Best Rap Album. The 62nd Annual GRAMMYs was packed with some memorable moments for everyone. A lot of things happened during that night.
Bryants Die in a Helicopter Crash: Forever in our Hearts Taylor Moore
On Sunday January 26, 2020 Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi Bryant died in a helicopter crash. For many fans, family, and friends this was a devastating day. Though it is sad that this basketball star lost his life, to make matters worse, his 13-year-old daughter was with him as well. Not only did two of the Bryant’s pass, but also there were no survivors resulting with a total of nine deaths. The crash occurred in Calabasas, California. He was on his way to a youth basketball game with his daughter Gianna, also known as Gigi. Nobody knows the reason for the crash, but we do know that it was reported at 9:47 am. Yes, this is sad for his friends and fans, however it has the biggest impact on his family. He also had a daughter who was 17, a daughter who was 3, and a daughter who was only 6 months old. Two of his daughters will never really know their father. The only thing they will know is he was one of the NBA’s best played and was a great influence all around the world. You can learn a great lesson from this, and that is to always love your family and to treat them like it might be your last day with them because you never know when an accident will happen.
Australia Day 2020 Daniela Evans
It was 1786, Arthur Phillip had just been appointed Captain of the HMS Sirius. His job was to establish a penal colony in New South Wales. Denied farmers with much experience, he had to make do what he could while being poorly funded. Eight months had passed and the travel around Africa was rough, as a result about 30 men died. On January 26, 1788, they landed in Sydney Cove, Australia. By raising the Union Jack they began a colony and although they didn’t know it, a nation. January 26 marks two hundred thirty-two years since the raising of the Union Jack in Sydney Cove. A traditional way to celebrate Australia Day is to enjoy a barbeque. Some other traditional Aussie foods are sausage rolls, lamingtons, pavlova, and vegemite sandwiches, and meat pies. While you’re at it, you might as well throw a neighborhood street party! This represents sharing and coming together in your community. Southbank also has some nice fireworks that afternoon that all can enjoy. Australia Day is a public holiday that is important in Australian culture. The celebration of that day is a big one when friends and family come together, to celebrate the establishment of Australia.
Coronavirus Spreads from China to the U.S. Zophia Jaurigue
The first case of the coronavirus has been reported here in the U.S.A. A man in his 30s recently came back from Wuhan, China. He is the first confirmed case of the coronavirus here in the United States. On January 19, he started to feel ill. Since he was already aware of the coronavirus, he decided to send a sample to the CDC (Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention). The test for the virus came out as positive. Since he was positive, the man was transferred the Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington and is now in isolation. Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are mostly found in animals. This coronavirus is zoonotic, meaning they can be transferred from animals to humans. This virus causes respiratory problems, a runny nose, cough, sore throat, headaches, and fevers that last for a few days are symptoms of this virus. It takes a long time to notice these symptoms of the virus. The virus originated in Wuhan, China and has now spread to Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. So far, there are no medicines or vaccines for this virus. The CDC recommends avoiding travel in Wuhan. Avoid touching animals (dead or alive) or any animal products. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. If you think you have any of the symptoms, visit a doctor for a checkup. Stay safe, Lynx!
Climate Change Riley Fletcher
We’ve all heard about climate change and how Greta Thunberg is fighting to fix it, but do we really know how serious it is? I mean, yeah there is pollution and animal species going extinct, but what else is there? There are actually more causes of climate change than just those two. For one, there is the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is when the Earth’s atmosphere traps in the suns heat. This then causes the oceans to warm, and ice to melt. Warming oceans kills the plants that live in the ocean. And yes, pollution has a role in climate change as well. The smoke emitted from cars and factories make the air dirty, as well as warm it up. This also causes more precipitation because water sources are evaporating quicker. But how can we stop this? Obviously, we can start by trying to recycle, and pick up garbage that we see. In fact, there are recycling bins in every classroom of BLMS! To reduce greenhouse gasses, we can try to use less hot water, because it uses more energy to use it. We can also learn to turn off the lights when we aren’t in a room. By now, it’s a habit for me! Ok, so after reading this you may think, “Ugh, this is so dumb, nobody is going to do any of these things!”. But you should really try! Although some have made efforts to save our planet, it doesn’t seem to be working. Anyways, just think about it, and hopefully we can live out the rest of our lives on a clean, safe planet.
Dogs vs. Cats: The War of Love and Cuteness Taylor Moore
Many people in America have pets. Two of the most popular pets to own in America are dogs and cats. In the US, freshwater fish out-number the cat by a lot. But that is because most people have them in numbers. 142 million freshwater fish are owned in the United states. The cat also outnumbers the dog by 14.5 million. In America there are 88.3 million owned cats. Though cats are amazing animals they do not have the most owners. Cats are typically owned in numbers, so that is why they are more owned than dogs. There are 74.8 million dogs that are owned in America. Let’s check in with some middle schoolers to see what they think about the pets. 6th grader Roury Thibodeaux has three dogs and loves all of them! Her dogs’ names are Annie, Rudy, and Lola. She likes dogs better than cats because “They are cute, snuggly, and can’t talk back to you or be mean to you!” She only likes cats because she can name them funny things like, Alfred. Roury says that most people like dogs because they have more of a personality. Cats and dogs are both largely owned in the United States, and each animal has its advantages and disadvantages. Which do you prefer, cats or dogs?
Lockdown Procedures Annalee Guthrie
During school we have practiced procedures on what to do during a lockdown and how to be safe if this ever occurs. The classes have practiced where you should go, which is the corner closest to the door so the intruder will not be able to see the students in the class room. When in this situation you must be quiet and keep clam. Your teacher should have already locked the door. Everybody should stay close to the wall and put up the cover on the door window. If you are in the hallway, there are many things you could do to stay safe. You’ll most likely want to get back into a class room, but the teachers aren’t allowed to let you in once the door is closed. The best way to stay safe is to go into the restrooms, close and lock the stall, and then get on top of the toilet so they don’t spot your feet. These procedures are meant to keep you safe during a lockdown.
Chinese New Year Daniela Evans
It’s 2020! That means new fun, new traditions and, overall, a new year. While we might have already had the official start to 2020 and the New Year, Chinese New Year is right around the corner. Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is the celebration of the first day of the first month on the Gregorian calendar, which is a type of lunar calendar. This year, Chinese New Year is Saturday, January 25th. Chinese New Year is one of the most important celebrations in China, if not the most important. Every Chinese New Year, there are lots of different traditions that people do. Big traditions are things like parades, festivals, and even fireworks shows. On the few days before Chinese New year, people clean their homes for a clean start in the New Year. They also put up decorations including intricate paper cranes, decorative lanterns and dragons, and the color scarlet red. Scarlet red is an important color because it is said that it brings wealth and good fortune. It is also said a lion-like monster named Nian is scared of scarlet red. There is also a huge family reunion feast on the eve of Chinese New Year, called nián yè fàn. They say “Guo Nian Hao” to each other which is a greeting of "Happy New Year". Families try their best to gather together for this feast, no matter how far apart they are. These traditions are lots of fun and even bring families closer together. Since 2020 is the beginning of the cycle of the Gregorian calendar, this year is the year of the rat. Every year, there is a sacred animal to go along. If you are born in any of the years of the rat--which are 1912,1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, etc. you are said to have special traits. Some of those include having a lucky number of 2 or 3 and being a positive hard worker! Some of the more negative traits include having an unlucky number of 5 or 9 and being timid, conservative, and sometimes even suspicious. Nevertheless, those who are born in the year of the rat are not always this way. In conclusion, January 25th is a special day for the Chinese. This Chinese new year, make sure to say "Guo Nian Hao" to someone. After all, the first day in the first month in the cycle of the moon doesn’t come around very often.
Baby Yoda is Everywhere Riley Fletcher
As you may know, the Baby Yoda meme has recently taken the world by storm. People are absolutely obsessed with him! Moreover, Build- A-Bear has even revealed a Baby Yoda stuffed animal. People are excited, and it is clear as to why! However, what brought about Baby Yoda's popularity? Ever since The Mandalorian, an original Disney+ series, came out in November of 2019, everyone has fallen in love with Baby Yoda, known as The Child. The idea of a Baby Yoda wasn’t enough to cause a sensation in the media, but it was the designers themselves that made him the cute meme we know and love. After The Mandalorian was released, the hero of the show was quickly overshadowed by Baby Yoda. You really can’t go on any social media without seeing his face! There have been comparisons of him drinking out of an oversized cup to the Kermit sipping tea meme. It truly is a mystery as to how these memes started, but mostly everyone understands why we love Baby Yoda so much! We may have ended 2019 with Baby Yoda, but I think that he will still continue to be just as popular, if not more, in 2020.
Sick: Ways to Prevent the Flu in Flu Season Taylor Moore
The flu is an awful illness that leaves its victims with viruses in the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. There are three different types of the flu, some worse than the others. There are many ways to prevent the flu. Some people have come up with their own hacks to prevent the flu and there are ways that are also proven to help. One of the best ways to keep from catching the flu is to keep your immune system healthy. A great way to do this is to use Elderberry gummies. They are healthy and they taste great! They also prevent sickness and help boost your immune system. The other way you boost your immune system is to eat healthy foods. Salads, fruit, and veggies are healthy. The more healthy foods you eat the healthier your immune system is—that means you have a smaller chance of getting sick or the flu. The next way to help you not get sick is to always make sure you have healthy habits. This includes washing your hands, bathing, wiping things down, and even getting enough sleep. You should wash or sanitize your hands after using the bathroom, coughing, or sneezing, touching someone or something that belongs to someone else, and before and after eating. This keeps your hand clean and prevents germs from getting into your body and getting you sick. Bathing is a very important part of preventing germs. It keeps your whole body clean and also stops a lot of orders. Bathing should be done 2 – 3 times a week. Sleeping is very important because it can boost your immune system as well. Everyone should sleep 11 hours a night. Sleeping restores energy, gives immune boost, and helps us grow. Make sure to get plenty of sleep every night. Now you know some tips to help you stay flu-free this season! Stay healthy!
8th Grade Night and the Final Basketball Home Game Annalee Guthrie
Tuesday, January 7 was the last home basketball game of the lynx basketball season, we played against Memphis Home Education Association (MHEA). We sadly lost 22 to 32 for the girls game and 41 to 52 for the boys game. Eighth grade night was an intermission between games; all the 8th grade boys on the basketball team were recognized as well as the 8th grade girls. The 8th grade cheerleaders were recognized as well. It was a great time to appreciate all the amazing players and cheerleaders. It was also a great time to show all the hard work that the parents put in for the students to attend and show their support.
Australia is on Fire! Daniela Evans The dictionary defines havoc as widespread destruction. I would say this describes half a billion animal deaths, 14.5 million acres burned, and an SOS alert sent out to an entire continent. Since September 2019, Australia’s bushfires have been raging and they do not seem like they are going to stop anytime soon. The bushfires that have been happening in Australia didn’t just start at the end of last year. Summer for Australians is fire season, because it is so hot and dry there that fires are likely to happen, as they do every year. These are just the biggest and largest amount of fires seen to Australians in a long time. According to the nation’s Bureau of Meteorology, in 2019, weather in Australia was the driest and hottest it has ever been. This is likely due to human impact, climate change, and all of the coal mines, as they are the largest coal exporter in the world. Although all of this seems like a lot, Australia is getting help. Since New Year’s Eve, more than 8 million dollars has been raised to help the firefighters’ efforts and to help those whose homes have been damaged by the fires get back on their feet. American firefighters have also been helping Australian firefighters because they say, “We stand with the people of Australia who have supported us during our catastrophic wildfires”. (They are referring to when Australian firefighters came and helped us during the fires in California.)The Australian Red Cross has also been helping those in need who have been affected by these fires. Go to https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate to donate or if you just want to help.
Will There Be a World War III? Zophia Jaurigue
We’re currently a few days into 2020 and World War III has already become one of the trending searches in Google. US airstrike has killed Qassim Soleimani, a top military general in Iran. Trump and Iran are currently in conflict because of this attack. Trump calls Soleimani’s death a victory. Iran mourns Soleimani’s death. “Death to America,” says Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Many Americans thought that Khamenei wanted Americans to die. They thought that a possible World War III might happen. Then, in Twitter and TikTok, many memes about World War III were made. For example, one of these memes says, “Don’t forget to place your beds in the trenches so you can respawn,”. Since many think that World War III might happen, also some teens are scared to be drafted. Khamenei clarified what “death to America” means. He doesn’t mean death to all of America but to Trump. He even is offering $80 million bounty for Trump’s head! Some joke about giving his head for free or even half! Hopefully, this war doesn’t happen this year. Stay safe Lynx!
Happy New Year! It's 2020! Riley Fletcher
2020 has finally come! It’s a new year, but also a new decade. The 2010’s have come and gone, and now we are ready for a new year of trends, stories, and memories. Although we have no idea of what is yet to come, we do remember all the interesting and fun things that have happened in the last decade. In 2012, the Gangnam Style dance trend went viral. Everybody was doing it. There was also the Harlem Shake, and even the Baby Shark song that came with a dance. Remember the dress? Some people are still arguing over whether it was white and gold or black and blue! There were fidget spinners, and for some reason there was the whole tide pod eating thing. More recently, there was a full solar eclipse in August of 2017. And finally, after the star wars show, “The Mandalorian,” Baby Yoda has gone viral. Over the past ten years, there have been many trends and viral sensations, and there will definitely be more in years to come. There will be many new and exciting things!
Why should I get a yearbook?: Answers from the Pros Taylor Moore “Should I get a yearbook?,” you might ask. Well if you are asking this question, I have an answer for you! I interviewed Maya Burgess and Roury Thibodeaux who are both 6th graders in yearbook. They have helped create the yearbook and have worked very hard on it along with all the other students in yearbook! When I interviewed Maya Burgess, she said that she is getting a yearbook because she wants to remember her 6th grade year. She thinks everyone should buy a yearbook because it will help them “remember the things that happened over the year.” She thinks the thing people will like most about the yearbook is it has surveys. She also says she is proud of her work. She likes yearbooks and is in yearbook. She says she would recommend yearbook because you get to work on something everyone will see, and you get to be proud of it. Roury Thibodeaux is getting a yearbook because she gets to remember her clubs, friends, and enemies. She thinks everyone should get a yearbook because it helps you remember past memories. She thinks people will like the yearbook because “you get to remember stuff”. Roury recommends yearbook if you are hard working. She also says she is proud of her work. The last thing she told me is that the theme of the yearbook must remain a secret. In conclusion, many people suggest that you should get a yearbook. They are only $45. Get online and order yours today.