News Writing Project

Twenty year old thought to have killed his mother, shot his father

Story Highlights:

• A 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, Ben Wagner, allegedly shot his mother and father in their home Wednesday, Oct. 2.
• Police arrested him and are investigating to see if he is guilty.
• Wagner will go to court Oct. 7 to set a date for trial.

Ben Wagner, the suspect, is a
20-year-old employee of
Burger King.

Ben Wagner, a 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, is a suspect in the murder of his mother, Dianne Wagner, and attempted murder of his father, Bert Wagner.

A 911 call came in at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 from an anonymous caller, reporting that gunshots were heard from the Wagner house. When officers Shane Barrow and Mindy Johnson arrived, they found Dianne Wagner dead in her kitchen and Bert Wagner passed out in the garage. Both suffered gunshot wounds. Dianne Wagner died of two gunshots to her chest, and Bert Wagner had a gunshot in his leg.

Bert Wagner was rushed to Lynchburg General Hospital. A spokesperson from the hospital stated that Bert came through surgery with no complications and is in recovery.

Ben Wagner was reported as carrying a gun and speeding off in his white Camaro. Police issued an all-points bulletin at 6:15 p.m. Ben Wagner's car was spotted at a Shell gas station 8:21 that evening. Police were able to take Ben into custody peacefully from the store.

Police found a 9mm handgun in Ben's car and are currently testing it to see if it matches the bullets from Dianne and Bert Wagner's wounds. Ben is scheduled to appear in Lynchburg General District Court on Oct. 7. He will faces charges for one count first degree murder, one count attempted murder, and one count malicious wounding. His official trial date will also be set.

"I lost my wife and my son. Ben may still be alive but things will never be the same. I will stand by my son's side and continue to give him the love he has always had," Bert Wagner, in a media interview, said.

Police have stated that Ben Wagner has had prior arrests. They include:

• an altercation at his job
• finding cocaine in a car that he was riding in, after the driver of the car was stopped
• speeding, with a blood alcohol level of .15

No charges were filed for the first two arrests, but  a $1,200 was paid fine for speeding.

The Wagners live at 134 Donald Street in Lynchburg.

"The Wagners seemed like good people. They kept to themselves mostly. Ben was a nice boy who used to cut my lawn," Jane Smith, a neighbor, said.

"This crime has shaken the city to its core. We have made this case a priority and are working to restore peace to the Wagners' neighborhood," Police detective Randi Bennet said.

(Word Count: 406)



Local Man Suspected of Murder/Attempted Murder of Parents
Ben Wagner, a 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, was arrested for killing his mother and shooting his father. Police are investigating to determine if he is guilty or innocent.

CNA: Pop Culture

Miss Piggy joins Kermit at Smithsonian

On Tuesday, Jim Henson's daughter Cheryl Henson, announced that she and her family would be donating the Miss Piggy puppet to the Smithsonian. Kermit the Frog is already on display there, and along with Miss Piggy, The Swedish Chef, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Red Fraggle, and Travelling Matt are also being donated. The Henson family has expressed that the puppets should not just sit around in boxes.

Miss Piggy Article

Boyfriend Says He'll Propose to Girlfriend After She Makes Him 300 Sandwiches [Insert Eye Roll Here]

Due to a rise in movies coming out of blogs, a new website (300sandwiches.com) has gained popularity. On this blog, the writer Stephanie Smith, chronicles how she has accepted the challenge of making 300 sandwiches for her boyfriend Eric in hopes that he will propose to her. Aside from the obvious sexist nature of this challenge, there is comedy in that Eric is apparently a better cook than Stephanie.

Sandwich Article

Bullock cements her status in Hollywood -- literally

Sandra Bullock added her hand and foot prints in the cement in front of the TLC Chinese Theater. While she was "cementing" her fame, she heard news of a bill passed to protect the children of celebrities from the paparazzi. The news of the bill, along with getting to add her hand prints to the theater, caused for lots of celebration on Bullock's part.

Sandra Bullock Article

Exercise 7.3

Chicken Truck Causes large pile-up, 25 Injured

Story Highlights:

• A 12 car pile-up occured Monday at the corner of McFarland Boulevard and 15th Street
• The driver, Jeff Johnson, and a local retired teacher, Sarah Bernell, were both hospitalized
• Thirty chickens died in the accident and about 40 remain unaccounted for
• Both Johnson and Bernell are in good condition
• The damage to the 12 cars was minor
• The injuries to the 23 other people were also minor, most just with bruising
• If any chickens are found, please take them to Alabama Poultry Inc.

Alabama Poultry Inc. uses their 20,000 chickens to
suppy eggs to IGA stores across the south. 

Monday evening on the corner of McFarland Boulevard and 15th Street, the driver of a semi-truck full of chickens made an illegal left turn and caused a 12 car pile-up.

The pile-up resulted in 2 hospitalizations, 23 injuries and approximately 40 missing chickens.

Jeff Johnson, the 45-year-old truck driver for Alabama Poultry Inc., made it out with bruises and what appeared to be a broken ankle. Sarah Bernell, a 63-year-old passenger in one of the cars involved, was also admitted to the hospital due to injuries sustained in the accident.

About 300 chickens suffered injuries and at least 30 died in the accident. Many more were trapped inside the truck wreckage until firemen arrived.

Clarence DiMotta, the hospital's spokesperson, reported that Johnson and Bernell are both in good condition. Bernell is thought to have a slight concussion.

"It was the biggest pile-up I've ever seen. Lots and lots of smashed bumpers but the worst part was the screams of the chickens. Those things sure do make a lotta noise, you know," Sergeant John Jones of the McFarland Police said.

The chickens were being driven to one of the company's new farms near Gadsden. Alabama Poultry president Carlton Fitzsimmon reported that the dead and missing chicken will cost his company around $700. If any of the chickens are found, they should be returned immediately to Alabama Poultry Inc.

Other than Johnson and Bernell, 23 people were injured in the pile-up, but only with bruising. No one else was admitted to the hospital. The damage done to the 12 cars involved was minor. The same cannot be said of the eggs, though, as a lot of smashed ones were found in the truck's wreckage.

"It was so hot out there I thought we might have fried eggs for dinner," Jones said.

Exercise 5.14

5.14 Creating Lists

A High School World Religions Course:
Johansen High School in Modesto, California, has a 9-week religion course that covers:

• Hinduism
• Christianity
• Islamism
• Confucianism
• Buddhism
• Sikhism
• Judaism

Polio:

Wild polio is still an endemic in northern Nigeria because:

• there are stigmas against vaccinations.
• some think the vaccines  carry AIDS.
• some believe the vaccines are meant to sterilize Muslim girls.

Home Runs:

The record for home runs has been set by:

1. Babe Ruth
2. Hank Aaron
3. Barry Bonds

Bees:

Something positive bees can be known for is:

• their provision of food for humans.
• their pollination process, which helps grow food for humans.
• their hive location influencing healthy growth in gardens.
• their fascinating social structure in which no bee can live on its own.

CNA: Sports News

Trent Richardson dealt to Colts

The Cleveland Browns decided to trade Trent Richardson, a running back, to the Indianapolis Cults. Richardson was a first-round pick during the 2012 NFL draft. Since the Browns decided to trade him, they now need to find new running backs to fill in the hole left by Richardson.

Richardson Article

Stalock unbowed after adversity

Alex Stalock of the San Hose Sharks suffered through a severed tendon and nerve, and then a broken finger tip, all the while trying to just finish a season of hockey. Recently, Stalock has been able to play with the Sharks. He is not sure if his leg injury will ever get better, but he is still determined to play ice hockey and hopes to one day make it to the NHL.

Stalock Article

RG3 dodges talk of Redskins name controversy

Robert Griffin III, the quarterback of the Redskins, claimed that he was advised not to speak about the controversy surrounding his team's name. The controversy has existed for years but is now resurfacing because of a symposium held earlier this year to discourage using Native American names in sports. Those over Griffin claim they never said he could not talk but that he just chooses not to.

Redskins Article

Exercises 5.11, 5.12, & 5.13

5.11 Writing Leads & Second Paragraphs 1
Curriculum Changes
The president of Liberty University recently announced changes in graduation requirements, making students take one math, one computer science, and one foreign language course.

"We feel that these new course requirements will allow us to turn out better-educated persons," David French, Liberty's president, said. The change in curriculum was caused by a recent study, showing that 15 percent of students took a foreign language course and 20 percent took a math course while attending the university.

Arrest
On Friday a 22-year-old senior from Vanderbilt was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol for the third time in six months.

The driver, Cathy Bensen, is the daughter of Jim Bensen, the locally known attorney, and Sharon Bensen, who resides in Canada. Bensen was a straight-A student, this year's homecoming queen, and a member of the cheerleading squad.

Record Weather
It has been unseasonably warm, with Tuesday's temperatures reaching the 80s. On Tuesday the temperature reached 82 degrees, making it the hottest for this date since 1888.

The Port Colombus weather office stated that the high for Tuesday was 82 degrees at 3:30 p.m. It is the hottest temperature for this date since 1888. <<--- make lead

5.12 Writing Leads & Second Paragraphs 2
Protest
At Perdue University, a group of citizens led by the pastor of Ever-Faithful Church of the Living Water has been angered by the university's decision to teach evolution in biology courses.

Laura Cliff, the professor of the class under scrutiny, and Perdue's own president would not give comment on the situation. However, Wibur Striking, the pastor, did. "I plan to lead a group of 25 dedicated Christians to the state capital next Monday to speak with legislators abut this problem. We believe the teaching of evolution is against the principles of this Christian country, and we want to put a stop to it."

Lawsuit
A local woman is suing Amburn's Produce Market in Circuit Court Monday for $100,000 due to negligence.

The woman, Ellie Maston, allegedly slipped and fell on some green beans left on the floor of the market on April 1 earlier this year. Maston broke her hip slipping. According to her lawsuit, Maston has "suffered permanent bodily and mental injuries, incurred medical expenses and lost income."

Agreement Announced
The presidents of Ambrose Steel Company and United Steelworkers Local 923 have joined together to announce a collective bargaining agreement. An agreement between a local steel company and steel union have put a stop to a strike set in motion for midnight Tuesday.

^^This new turn of events stopped a strike set in motion for midnight Tuesday. Had the agreement not taken place, Ambrose would have stopped production and put 457 steelworkers out of jobs. The terms of agreement and "substantial wage agreement" (as Clyde Parris, present of Amrbose, said) will be announced Monday night. The union will vote on the contract next week.

"[This is] the best we can get out of the company," Charles Pointer, president of United Steelworkers, said.

5.13 Writing Leads & Second Paragraphs 3
Malpractice Suit
Two doctors from Riverside Hospital save a lawyer's life from a heart attack during a suit against them for malpractice.

Barney Olive and Stephen Rogers both quickly worked on lawyer William Hamilton when he suffered a heart attack during the final arguments of the case. Hamilton is now recovering in Riverside and the case is suspended until next week.

Alumni Festival
Lynchburg College is planning a spring festival for the month of April, hoping to send proceeds to the school library.

The festival will include games and contests on the football field, along with a barbecue lunch and an exhibition baseball game. The date of the festival is not set yet because it depends on whether or not the baseball team makes it to the play-offs this year.

"This kind of activity is one of the positive things we can do to make this college a better educational institution," Bobby Don Willis, a Lynchburg College alumni, said.

Exercise 5.9

5.9 Writing Leads 2

Plant Accident:
An employee of Gross Engineers suffered from third-degree burns while installing new pipes on the roof of Petal Municipal Power Plant 3 p.m. Thursday.
Who: Duane LaChance
What: Third-degree burns/intensive care unit
Where: Petal Municipal Power Plant
When: 3 p.m. Thursday
Why: He was installing new pipes on the roof
How: He touched a wrench to a power line

McCartney Illness:
Peter McCartney was admitted Thursday to Riverside Hospital for exploratory throat surgery after losing his voice during a performance in Bennett Auditorium and surgery is scheduled for Friday.
Who: Peter McCartney
What: Needs throat surgery
Where: Riverside Hospital
When: Today (Thursday)
Why: His voice was reduced to a whisper during a performance
How: Uncertain

BOE Meeting:
Hattiesburg Board of Education met Friday morning to discuss the recent drop in enrollment and pass a set of new dress code rules suggested by the administration.
Who: Hattiesburg Board of Education
What: BOE Meeting
Where: Hattiesburg
When: Friday morning (today)
Why: Discussing drop in enrollment, voting on new rules that ban miniskirts for girls and jeans for all students, and accepting a bid from Farmer's Dairy to provide milk
How: ?

Exercise 5.8

5.8 Writing Leads 1
Crash:
A plane crash at noon Wednesday in a new Super Shopping Mall, killed an Air Force pilot from Little Rock Air Force Base and destroyed 15 cars in the lot.
Who: Rufus N. Hebernowski
What: Plane Crash
Where: Super Shopping Mall
When: Today at noon (Wednesday, Sept. 11)
Why: Uncertain
How: Uncertain

City Council:
Thursday's city council meeting determined a 10 percent increase in property tax to expand the city park that will take effect on the first of next month and raise average taxes to $50 yearly.
Who: City council
What: Deciding to increase taxes
Where: The city council meeting
When: Today (Thursday, Sept. 12)
Why: To pay for doubling the park size
How: They are going to pay for the new park size by increasing the taxes, up to $50 yearly

University Raises:
Perdue University's vice president of finances announced all faculty and staff get a 15 percent pay raise, the first raise in two years, that will take effect this fall.
Who: Harold R. Drazsnzak faculty and staff
What: Announcing pay raise for university faculty and staff
Where: Perdue, The front steps of the administration building
When: Recently This fall
Why: First raise in two years
How: Increased revenues from the state made it possible

Journalism Students Meet:
Thursday's Journalism Student Association met to start a boycott against a raise in tuition, which is believed to increase by 10 percent beginning in the fall semester.
Who: Journalism Student Association
What: Boycotting rise in tuition
Where: Perdue
When: Boycott starts Friday
Why: Tuition is supposed to raise by 10 percent in the fall semester
How: They are going to boycott classes tomorrow to protest

September 11th: A Student's Perspective

Twelve years ago, on September 11, two planes crashed into the World Trade Center, one crashed into the Pentagon, and one landed in a field in Pennsylvania. This event shook America to its core. Currently, the last of the youth who lived through this event are college-aged. One student (who wishes to remain nameless) agreed to answer some questions about her experience during the event.

When asked how old she was, she said was in third grade and only nine. Because of her young age, she was not greatly effected by the event. She said she did not understand what was going on. She also recalled being at home, getting ready for school when she found out about it. When asked how her parents reacted, she said "They were running around the house, freaking out."

At the time, the student did not personally know anyone who served on the scene or who passed away because of it. "Well...I met [someone] this past summer."

Her reaction then was not a very big one, but if this event occurred while she was in her twentys, it would have looked a lot different. "I'd be really freaked out. I wouldn't know what to do. Because I'd be more aware of it, I would be more scared about what was going to happen."

Looking back on the scene, she said she believed people jumped out of the building because they were desperate and did not want to die in a fire. If she were on one of the planes or in the building, she said she would have liked to stop the people, but in reality, she probably would have just "screamed and prayed."

Since this event occurred, there has been a memorial erected where the buildings once stood. Though the student was not aware of the memorial, she believes it to be appropriate considering the lives lost.

CNA: World News

New van Gogh painting discovered: 'Sunset at Montmajour'

The van Gogh museum discovered a new painting by Vincent van Gogh and is displaying it in September. Lots of research went into the painting to check things like techniques and canvas style. It has been determined that he probably painted "Sunset at Montmajour" during a period where he painted several other well-known pictures.

van Gogh Article

Afghans celebrate soccer win over India, a rare victory after years of war
On Wednesday, the streets of Afghanistan were full of celebrating men and boys. The country's soccer team beat India in an international soccer championship. The win symbolized to a lot of the citizens the country's new freedom from the suffering of the past 12 years, where they had to deal with the stereotypes of terrorism and the harsh rule of Taliban.

Soccer Article

Badger cull sets off a fight in Britain

Due to a recent spread in tuberculosis among cattle, badgers, the main spreader of TB, have been targeted for killing. A large amount of activists have decided to start an "annoy campaign" to slow down the process. Though their intentions of preserving an animal that has lived in Britain for a longer period than humans are good, the farmers are suffering from the lack of healthy cattle and believe that something must be done.

Badger Article

Exercise 3.9, 3.10 & 3.14

3.9 Using the Stylebook 7

1. Estalene Smoots dropped her French class the first day of school.
2. Sadie Hoots won $3.2 million on "Wheel of Fortune."
3. Frustrated that their professor required them to eat fried rutabagas, the students walked out of class at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.
4. The office manager hat 21 plants, 62 cats and two puppies.
5. President Aubrey Lucas is originally from Compton, Calif.
6. On Oct. 25, Ruth Ann Bobetski will turn 41.
7. Goober Hicks lives at 10 West Hardy St. He used to live in a run down shack at 2803 Williamsburg Road.
8. Abby gave birth to a 9-pound baby boy.
9. The president invited me to dinner at the White House, but I could not fit it into my schedule.
10. Sen. Davies said his earnings had increased 10 percent in the 1980s.
11. Barney the dinosaur will be executed on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
12. In front of the hub, 25 vagabons attacked me from behind. (only spell out numerals if you keep it first in the sentence)
13. Snarkle found a 10-inch bug crawling in her spaghetti. "Great! Now I won't need seconds," she exclaimed.
14. All the men in the ROTC chapter wore red, white and blue pantyhose to class in January 1991.
15. The Bay City baseball team lost its final game 2-1 and climbed dejectedly back onto its bus.

3.10 Using the Stylebook 8

1. What is the acceptable form of abbreviation for miles per hour? mph
2. What is the difference between civil and criminal cases? Civil = "one in which an individual, business or agency of government seeks damages or relief from another individual, business or agency of government" Criminal = "one that the state or the federal government brings against an individual charged with committing a crime"
3. Correct this sentence: The eye witness found himself in an eye-to-eye confrontation.
4. If GMT is used on second reference, what must accompany it? A clock reading
5. When do you capitalize grand jury? Never
6. Which is correct: Scene two, Scene 2, scene two or scene 2? Scene 2
7. Correct the spelling of "cuetips." Q-tips (or cotton swabs for the generic kind)
8. Which one of these refers to the building where government resides: capital, Capital or capitol? Capitol
9. What use of the term working class needs a hyphen? Adjective form
10. Which term is correct: Christian Science Church or Church of Christian Scientists? Christian Science Church

3.14 Using the Stylebook 12

The Bay City Bluebirds rallied from a 3-run deficit last night Wednesday to defeat the Carmel Cardinals 6-3 and win the Western Tri-State Division Championship.

The Bluebirds are now assured a place in the Tri-State playoffs, which begin next week. Their opponent will be determined Friday in a game between the Santa Ana Generals and the Redwood Knights.

The Cardinals led the Bluebirds for most of the game, and they had a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning.

In the Bluebird's half of the eighth, Tim Story, the first baseman, walked and stole second. Left fielder Biff Carbosi was walked intentionally, and both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch by Cardinal starter Ronnie Miller. Miller was then relieved by Chuck Nelson.

Bluebird second baseman Carbo Garbey lined Nelson's first pitch into deep center field, scoring both base runners. Two pitches later, Garbey stole home to tie the game.

Nelson got the next two hitters out, but then Carey Clark, the Bluebird catcher, homered to put the Bluebirds ahead. The Bluebirds added two more runs in the ninth to insure ensure their victory.

CNA: National News

Babble bloggers: 'We're pissed' to be pregnant with twins

After trying in vitro fertilization and successfully becoming pregnant with not one but two baby boys, an anonymous set of parents have expressed their anger and regret towards trying the fertilization process by starting a blog. They expressed that they only wanted one child and are worried as to how they can afford two on top of the older son they already have. This blog has received a few understanding replies and a whole lot of criticism.

Babble Article

Mass. justices review Pledge of Allegiance

In Boston, Massachusetts, atheists have challenged the state to consider a statewide banning of the phrase "One nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Their main concern is that it "validates" a belief in God and "invalidates" a child's ability to be atheistic. The argument went back and forth for a while, and the final decision has yet to be made.

Pledge Article

Schools try new strategies to battle college drinking

At the University of Virginia, students partied and drank all night long before their graduation ceremony. An inside look at the school's drinking policies reveals that U-Va's main concern is the safety of the students who drink. They, like many other college campuses, struggle to keep alcohol regulated and students informed about the dangers of binge drinking.

Alcohol Article

Exercises 3.5, 3.7 & 3.8

3.5 Using the Stylebook 3

1. The United States is sometimes not the best market for U.S. products.
2. The correct form:
1. upward
2. Labour
3. Avenue
4. cupfulls
5. eyeing
3. The Republican differed from the Democrat many times during the debate.
4. Drs.  John Smith and Mary Wilson performed the operations.
5. The correct form:
1. good will
2. USS Eisenhower
3. cigarette
4. mid-America
6. He said he was neither a Communist nor a member of the Communist Party.
7. After her surgery, she had to wear a pacemaker.
8. "What a hare-brained scheme!" she exclaimed.
9. preempt, speedup, 55 mph, hooky
10. The underworld, or Mafia, was responsible for the murder.

3.7 Using the Stylebook 5

1. The 25-year-old man wept as he left Hattiesburg, Miss.
2. This Nov. 10 will mark our anniversary.
3. Do not park the car on Rodeo Drive. Instead, park at 12 Davies St.
4. They spent $130 to buy a new set of nose rings.
5. Smoots moved to the North because the people there are so nice.
6. At 7 p.m. this evening, the rodeo will begin in the Town Square. (it'd be better to say something like "Tuesday")
7. Yesterday On Tuesday, the terrorists blew up their home at 123 Melrose St.
8. Twenty-two seamstresses were needed to mend the prom dresses.
9. About 5 percent of the professors have lost their hair.
10. After 2 feet of snow fell at his home in Columbus, Ohio, Jones decided to leave.
11. Miss Smith bet $50 that her brother weighed more than a 1964 Chevy.
12. Guy Reel, the Governor of California, set his trailer on fire Sept. 1. (don't capitilize titles that come AFTER the name)
13. A fire began at 3325 McDonald Drive when an oven full of rutabagas exploded.
14. During the 1970s, everyone wore bell-bottom blue jeans to church.

3.8 Using the Stylebook 6

1. In August 1985, Davies rented a rutabaga stand in Augusta, GA. (Ga.)
2. Pomerantz tied the beehive to Senator Gramm's cowboy hat.
3. About 1,200 Easter rabbits were killed in the explosion at Big Dave's Bunny Warehouse, located at 2525 Hackensack Drive.
4. In the 1980s, Davies left the Midwest and moved to the Loire Valley in France.
5. Smoots brought two cups of coffee to the Governor.
6. About 8 percent of the cantaloupes have been stuffed with rutabagas.
7. Jones bet $40 that his roommate had hidden the sandwich.
8. The three university professors share a house at 613 25th Ave.
9. After two feet of snow fell at his home in Columbus, Ohio, Davies decided to leave the Midwest and move to the South.
10. On Dec. 11, all classes will be canceled.
11. Yesterday On Tuesday morning, the mayor skipped her aerobics class.
12. Davies drove 2 million miles in his old Toyota Corolla before it blew up.
13. Dr. Kildare said he had filed a malpractice suit against Marcus Welby.
14. At 8 p.m. in the evening, Governor Jim Guy Tucker of Arkansas will give a short speech in front of the Gorgas Library.