Grassadellian Man Arrested In US For Threats To Obama

Suspect arrested without incident


COLORADO SPRINGS, USA--A Grassadellian man has been arrested in the US after making threats to President Barack Obama.

Police in Colorado Springs, in the US state of Colorado, tell GNN News that 57-year-old Charles Hebron, originally of Sussex, Ceona, was arrested at his home after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) traced email records to his personal computer at his Colorado Springs apartment.

FBI Special Agent Tom Presser would only describe the threats as "specific and detailed."

Hebron was arrested without incident and is charged with threatening a public official. He is being held without bond.

Hebron is a Grassadellian citizen, but is currently living temporarily in the United States on a temporary visa.

A spokesman for Secretary of State Jim McCaren told the NPF the secretary has spoken with US officials, and is "working to assure the rights of Mr. Hebron are respected while simultaneously assisting US law enforcement in the investigation process."

Collester Press Secretary, Adam Kolbert, told reporters Friday the Grassadellian government "wholly condemns threats to public officials and their families, both domestic officials and leaders from other countries."

"We take those threats very seriously, whether they are directed at Grassadellian political leaders or leaders and dignitaries from other countries," Kolbert said.

Kolbert pledged to aid US officials in their investigation.

CNS Congressman Says Moderate Colleagues Should Be 'Purged' From Party

Moderates 'betraying' Grassadellian people, congressman says

NEW DUBLIN, POG--With the Conservative Party facing a difficult election season this December, many are urging the party to move to the center to appeal to moderate swing voters.

But not Congressman Tanner Zannie of POG's 26th Assembly District, who is running for the CNS nomination for the Senate.

Zannie (pronounced "zaney"), appearing at a Conservative Party Senate debate Monday night, told fellow Conservatives that moderate members of Congress are "betraying the people they represent," and said they should be "purged" from the party.

"These people, that are out there proclaiming to be true Conservatives and campaigning as Conservatives, they're not any different than the Nationalists," Zannie said, in response to a question about the party's values. "They ought to be purged from the party. I really think we need a cleansing of our party. We need to get rid of the 'so-called Conservatives,' and bring in the real Conservatives."

Zannie's six opponents, who were also on-stage, were mostly unresponsive to his comments, with the exception of Assembly Majority Leader Mark Rolen, who scolded Zannie for his "hurtful" remarks.

"You know Congressman, I take exception to that. I really do. And I'll tell you why. Because our party is not an exclusive country club of far-right extremists," Rolen said. "The Conservative Party I know is a party that is welcoming to people of all walks of life and all backgrounds. The Conservative Party I know is one where people can agree to disagree but still hold the same values that all Grassadellians hold. The Conservative Party is a diverse group, and we should be encouraging that, not condemning it."

The Nationalist Party immediately jumped on Zannie's comments, saying his position is evidence that there is a "civil war brewing in the Conservative Party."

"Congressman Zannie's comments at tonight's debate illustrate what is wrong with the Conservative Party--the idea that only far-right, ultra-conservative people can be apart of the exclusive club," said Darren Christopher, a spokesman for the Nationalist Senate Campaign Organization (NSCO). "A party built on exclusivity and a twisted, far-right ideology is not what Grassadellians want, and it's not what they will choose in December."

Zannie addressed the comments after the debate, telling a local television station that he did not intend to bruise feelings.

"I know there are some members of my party that are more liberal than I am. I didn't mean to hurt anybody's feelings. But we are Conservatives. That's the name of our party. If you don't stand for freedom and conservative values, then get out of the party," he told reporters.

The POG Conservative Party declined to comment Monday night, as did the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC).

Zannie is running in a competetive Senate primary, which includes five of his fellow Conservative congressmen. POG is a "delegate state," meaning the winner of the party nomination is determined by a series of small elections in each of the state's 122 counties, rather than one large state-wide primary election. Currently, Rep. Reuben Stykes of northern POG is leading the delegate count on the Conservative side, with 93 delegates. He is followed closely behind by Congresswoman Fran Habries of Canton, who has 92 delegates, and Congressman Bobby Hafen, of central POG, with 91.

On the NAT side, former Lieutenant Governor George Mercott is leading, with 145 delegates. He is followed by Rep. Deacon Busby with 138, and Congresswoman Jill Yateri, who previously ran for Senate in 2008, with 135 delegates.

Mayors Take Sides In E. Deschire Primary Battle

Candidates seek to rack up endorsements before August 17 primary


CHRISTENKERR, EAST DESCHIRE--The race for the Senate is dividing competing sides of the political parties in East Deschire, as candidates for the seat being vacated by incumbent Seth Harkin (CNS) seek to earn endorsements and support before the August 17 primary election.

And this week saw three new endorsements emerge--all from mayors of some of the state's largest cities.

On the Conservative side, Derosa mayor and former gubernatorial candidate Sara Fraser endorsed businessman Mike Aventhalle, who is running in the four-way race for the CNS nomination for the Senate. At 32, Aventhalle is considered a rising star among many in the party, but lacks support from older voters, who feel a more experienced candidate would be ideal.

Praising him for his strong leadership in the private sector, Fraser said she "whole-heartedly" endorses him and believes he "is the only candidate in this race that can bring fresh leadership."

"We need young conservatives like Mike Aventhalle in Mavocke," Fraser said. "If we keep sending the same old people back to Mavocke time and time again, we won't have the fresh, innovative ideas that our country needs."

Fraser's endorsement is a blow to the two more seasoned candidates in the race, Congressman Sam Pyatt (C-Ridgeview) and State Senate Majority Leader Gerald Ivenroe, of Waverly.

The other Conservative candidate, Jim Reebis, a financial advisor from Clawfield, also landed an endorsement from Christenkerr Mayor Phil Qwenberry, who called Reebis a "perfect fit" for East Deschire.

"Jim brings not only experience and knowledge to the table, but also a strong sense of leadership that our state and country needs so desperately right now," Qwenberry said at his home in Christenkerr, where he hosted a fundraiser for Reebis. "Jim is the man for the job," Qwenberry said.

For Nationalists, the divided CNS primary is welcomed news, as the NAT is dealing with its own primary battle. Former senate candidate Marianne Licoule dropped out last month, which helped narrow the field. But a contentious battle between Secretary of State Allison Sweeten and Hansboro businessman John Blackman shows no signs of going away.

NAT party leaders and the party establishment have been privately urging Blackman to drop out, believing Sweeten to be the stronger and favored candidate. Blackman, however, entered the race long before Sweeten, and is continuing his campaign to the dismay of many party leaders, who want him out. And while many party leaders are backing Sweeten, Shansho Mayor Pat Dudragovsky bucked the will of his party's leaders Wednesday by throwing his support to Blackman.

"I'm supporting John Blackman because he is a man that can get the job done in Mavocke. His experience, combined with his integrity and bipartisanship make him the ideal person to represent our state at the national level," Dudragovsky said.

Blackman returned the compliments, hailing Dudragovsky for his "model leadership" and his "commitment to the people of Shansho." Blackman also thanked the mayor for his support, and urged people to "put aside regional differences" and "come together for the sake of our state."

Mayors of East Deschire's largest cities--Hansboro and Ridgeview--have not endorsed in the primary race. Many leaders from both parties have committed to staying neutral until the primary race is over.

Zogun Dead At Age 86

Award-winning journalist died of natural causes, police believe


RYDINGTON, CEONA--Award-winning broadcaster Robert Zogun passed away last night at his home in suburban Mavocke, the Rydington Fire Department confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

Police were dispatched to Zogun's home in the suburb of Rydington, Ceona, after he failed to arrive at his office at the GBC studios in Mavocke, about twenty minutes away.

When police arrived, his car was still in the home's garage. Zogun was found in his bed, already deceased.

The Hammington County Medical Examiner's office will perform an autopsy at the request of the family, however police believe the cause of death was natural causes.

"There is nothing at the scene that suggests this was other than a natural death," Lt. Dan Martinek told the NPF.

The GBC released a statement Tuesday afternoon, calling Zogun's passing a "sad occasion" and saying he "will be missed by all."

"Robert's passion for news and his warm, friendly personality will be missed by all at GBC and by viewers across the country," GBC CEO John Levy said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. "We are so thankful for the many dedicated years Robert spent with us here at GBC, and for the exceptional quality of work he brought to the broadcast industry."

Levy also called Zogun a "legend of broadcasting" that will "forever be remembered for his commitment to his work and for his appreciation of his viewers."

Zogun's long history in the business started in 1941, when he joined the Air Force at the age of 17. While serving overseas during World War II, he was stationed in Africa and eastern Europe and worked as a radio operator. After returning to Grassadellia in 1945, Zogun began a career in radio, starting in Lake City, and eventually moving to Grassadellia City.

In 1971, he joined the GBC, working as an international correspondent and then later a political reporter. In 1976, Zogun became the GBC's Chief Mavocke correspondent, and held that position until 1986, when he began working as a commentator and analyst. In 1999, Zogun retired, but signed a contract with the GBC to work on special assignments for the network.

Most recently, he had few on-air assignments, but instead spent most of his time producing and advising, the network said.

Friends and colleagues fondly remembered him as a serious journalist with a commanding knowlege of the business.

"He was a fixture in this newsroom," Jim Freeman, Executive News Producer at the GBC said. "Whenever Robert had something to say, people stopped and listened."

Colleagues from rival networks also paid tribute, with GNN National News anchor Fred Johnson calling him a "hero of journalism" and the STAR Network's Jim Brennan remembering him as a "giant of television."

Zogun never married and had no children. A spokesman for the family says they are grieving their loss.

The GBC is planning a special tribute to his honor, to be broadcast later this month.