Spring is in full bloom at the Mill and the signs are everywhere. The students returned from Spring Break this past Monday and end-of-course testing preparations are in the works. Whatever the season, however, news is always in full bloom. A school shooting, Syrian turmoil, and a local firefighter’s tragic tale dominated news headlines like a thick blanket of pollen. The Prowler has the stories.

Two dead in shooting at San Bernardo Elementary School (4/10)

On Monday, a murder-suicide occurred at San Bernardino Elementary School in California. The police department first received word of gunfire at 10:27 a.m., soon receiving a report of an active shooter on the campus. The school was soon placed on lockdown as law enforcement and first responders swarmed the campus. The students were soon evacuated where their parents were waiting to pick them up.

Police reported the shooter was a man named Cedric Charles Anderson, husband to Karen Elaine Smith, a 53-year-old teacher at the school. Anderson killed Smith and an 8-year-old student by the name of Jonathan Martinez. He was taken to the Loma Linda University Medical Center in a helicopter. Sadly, he later died in the hospital. Another child was injured, but is identity has not been revealed to the public. Anderson killed himself after firing on all the victims.

Player hurt in blasts near Borussia Dortmund bus (4/11)

On Tuesday, the world of soccer was rocked once more. A.S. Monaco, a team based in France, was set to play Borussia Dortmund, a top tier team based in Germany, in the Champions League first leg quarter final match. Three bombs were set off near the team bus as Dortmund was traveling to their home stadium. Marc Bartra, a spanish center back, was injured with a broken arm. He went into surgery and is now recovering. No one else was physically injured or killed.

Police spokesman Gunnar Wortmann has reported the incident happened near the team hotel around six miles from the stadium. Around 7 p.m. local time, the bombs went off. The police have not yet discovered who was behind the attacks. The game was controversially re-scheduled for the next day, despite many players still mentally recovering from the attack.

Marietta firefighter killed in California (4/12)

Marietta fire fighter Ron C. Herens was tragically killed earlier this week while visiting Los Angeles. The 23-year-old is said to have been driving with four other members of the Marietta Fire Department around 4 p.m. when a suspected drunk driver hit the vehicle. Herens was ejected out of the vehicle and was killed at the scene. Two other firefighters were injured and taken to the hospital.

The man who crashed into the car has been taken into custody under charge of driving intoxicated. However, he was released after he bonded out of jail. Chief Gibbs, the fire chief for Marietta, has stressed LA has gone above and beyond to show brotherhood of public safety. The funeral is still being planned and a rare Code 3 procession will be used to transfer his body.

The Russian, UN veto (4/13)

Russia has voted to veto another Syrian investigation at an United Nations meeting. This is the eighth time the Syrian allie has voted to not allow something to be done about the crisis in the Middle East. Since it is one of the five countries on the Security Board it has veto power over any requested law. The U.S. had suggested the investigation and was backed by two other permanent members on the board, France and Great Britain. Their plan was foiled, however, when Russia and China voted no.

After the chemical warfare by Bashar al-Assad against the people of Syria last week, the U.S. has wanted to send in investigators. For this to occur the United Nation’s permission is needed and Russia is preventing this occurrence. Russia has been protecting Syria and according to U.S. officials, they could have known about the chemical attacks. They continue to veto the U.S.’s request, to protect the Middle Eastern nation. The U.S. has seen no change in Russia’s decision and the two countries may need to learn to work together if anything is to be done about the problems in Syria.  

Music and politics (4/14)

When one thinks of a politician, formal thoughts come to mind. In Hamilton, Montana, however, one legislative candidate is anything but formal. Democratic, Rob Quist, is running for the U.S. Legislative spot in Montana. His campaign technique is not all speeches and commercials, though. The sixty-nine year old is using his love of music to run his campaign and the people of Montana are planning on voting Quist because of it.

Quist plays the guitar in his free time and decided to make it part of his profession as well. Instead of forming gatherings for the people to hear his speeches he has decided to create concerts where he sings his campaign. The performances are used to get his message and philosophy on politics across and tell the people about his private life. One of his most popular songs deals with the time he went skinny dipping in a Montana lake. While this campaign tactics are not usual the people find them enjoyable and they go to his concerts whenever they occur.