5-Year-Old Brings Gun To School For Show-And-Tell

No charges for kindergartner


LES VIQUES, Wellington--The lockdown at an elementary school in northeastern Wellington is over after school officials confiscated a gun brought by a five-year-old student.

School administrators say the student had a hand gun in his backpack. When the boy's teacher discovered the weapon, she notified the school principal and police.

The school, John P. Hutton Elementary, was briefly put under a lockdown, but it was lifted about 10 minutes later.

After interviewing the boy, police believe he took the gun from his dad's dresser. He brought the gun to school for show-and-tell, according to police.

"This is another example of a young child being fascinated by a gun and the gun not being secure," Sgt. Jim DeHont of the Les Viques Police Department said. "Parents need to remember: keep your guns locked up. The consequences could be devastating for children and their parents."

The boy will be suspended for the rest of the week, a school district spokesperson said. And it's unclear if charges could be filed against the boy's parents.

Blu Ray Ray Arrested For Shoplifting

Hip hop artist to face court Monday


BROOKINGS, Biereland--Hip hop artist Blu Ray Ray has been arrested for shoplifting, according to the Greene Mountain Press.

Ray, whose real name is Nicholas Tiogonda, was in Brookings for a sold-out concert Saturday night.

The next day, Tiogonda and a group of friends spent the evening shopping in downtown Brookings at luxury stores. The group also hit up several pubs.

While shopping at Elon's, a luxury clothing store, a store employee noticed Tiogonda discreetly pick up a jacket and walk out without paying. The jacket was priced at more than $600.

Store managers confronted Tiogonda, who denied stealing.

He was arrested and charged with one count of petty theft. Tiogonda will face a judge Monday in Brookings. His publicist did not return comment.

Pergich Slashes State Jobs

Lial governor says state must eliminate jobs to balance budget

CLOTHEN, Lial--Gov. Todd Pergich (NAT) says a large lay-off of state employees in unavoidable.

The freshman governor was unable to compromise with state house and senate leaders, and has wrangled with legislators over the state budget, which is facing a $3.2 billion deficit.

The only option left is lay-offs, about 600 of them, according to the governor.

"This is our last resort, and we have tried everything we can to prevent lay-offs, but to help balance the budget, we have no choice," Pergich said at a news conference at the capitol Friday.

The almost 600 state employees range from high-paid professionals to custodial staff at the capitol building.

Some of the lay-offs may be temporary, according to Pergich, depending on state tax revenue.

State labor unions are vehemently opposed to the governor's plan.

"This is not a last resort. This is an easy-out," said Ron Blauck, chair of the Lial State Workers Union (LSWU). "It's much easier for the governor to say, 'they've forced my hand, this is the only choice I'm left with,' but in fact, that's the easiest route. That's the lazy route. If the governor would actually go through the budget line by line and find where things can be cut, we could minimize the damage quite a bit."

Some state legislators agree.

"This governor is using state employees as pawns in his battle over the state budget," state Senator Mike Correll (C-Lygwood) told the NPF. "Instead of playing politics with the budget, he should be going through the budget and cutting real waste."

The governor's office responded, saying state leaders have left no choice.

"Without compromise on the budget, there is no other alternative," Dani Childress, spokeswoman for the governor said.

Childress added that lay-offs would probably be "unavoidable anyway," even if a compromise were reached between the governor and legislators.

Barring a last-minute deal between the three parties--state house and senate leaders and the governor--the pink slips will begin going out next week.

Already, labor groups are planning demonstrations. A protest is planned for next Monday at the state capitol in Clothen.

Man Goes Over Waterfall

Developing Story

LAYTON, Province of Grassadellia--Police in southeast POG have recovered the body of a man who went over a large waterfall.

The 22-year-old man, who has not been identified, went over Loradack Falls, a drop of about 100 feet. Passersby called for help after finding the victim floating in the Loradack River.

Investigators aren't sure if the man died from the impact or from drowning.

Loradack State Park is closed until police finish their investigation. The San Leandro County Sheriff's Department says the park should re-open tomorrow.

Gabler Asks DeMont To Continue Leading NATGA

E. Deschire gov led group in 2010 election


MADAGEN, Ceona--Governor General Christine Gabler has asked her Nationalist colleague, East Deschire Gov. Lynn DeMont, to continue leading the Nationalist Governors' Association, also known as NATGA.

Traditionally, the Governor General leads their party's campaign recruiting and strategy. But on Friday, Gabler asked DeMont to continue as the head of NATGA.

Gabler told Madagen's Royal Herald newspaper she asked DeMont to stay on as the head of NATGA because she is facing re-election in 2012, and won't have sufficient time to serve as governor, chairwoman of the governors' board, and head of the NAT's re-election strategy.

"It just comes down to time," Gabler told the Herald. "I can't sufficiently serve as governor of Ceona, and governor general and heading up NATGA. That's just too much for one person to handle."

Gabler added that DeMont did "such a fine job" during the 2010 gubernatorial elections, and that the affable governor from East Deschire is well-suited for the job.

"Lynn wears that hat very well," Gabler said, of his work as NATGA's leader.

Meanwhile, Damoign Gov. Sid Hoffa has been recruited to head the Conservative Governors' Association, or the CGA. He takes over from POG Gov. Donna Almone, who headed the CGA in 2010.

Search Continues For Campers Caught In Landslide

Campers disappeared in landslide along Armana coast


MOREN'S COVE, Armana--The search for two campers who went missing following a landslide in northeastern Armana continued today.

The campers, two men in their twenties, were sleeping in a tent on top of a high cliff above the ocean, along state highway 51 near Moren's Cove State Park. A landslide caused the cliff and part of the highway to slide into the sea three days ago.

Divers called in from Hablanas Shores have been searching the water. Search crews have found a tent and camping supplies, as well as the campers' vehicle. But there is no sign of the missing men.

Highway 51 is shut down indefinitely until it can be repaired.

Alliance Corp. Posts Big Loss

Insurance company sees drop in shares prices


CHRISTON, Wilkonshire--The Alliance Corporation, an insurance giant, has posted a big loss for the previous quarter.

The Christon-based company reported a loss of over $3 million, or a drop of about 1.6% in share prices, which now stand at $20.85 per share.

The company blames the loss on rising benefits costs for more than 3,000 employees, and a drop in revenue.

CEO Jason Blaine told Christon's Daily Reflector newspaper the company remains strong.

"Alliance is still a strong company, and like most other companies in all industries, we are facing real challenges with this recession, but overall Alliance remains a strong corporation, one of the strongest in the industry," Blaine said.

The insurance industry is crucial to Wilkonshire's economy, as more than 50 major insurance corporations are headquartered in the greater Christon area.

Blaine refused to rule out lay-offs, but a company spokesperson said lay-offs are not likely.