News 3-21-06

Extreme Weather: major snowfall shuts down much of the Midwest.

Anniversary: The Beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom Observed Yesterday.

Even spring's arrival was unable to ward off a major snowstorm in the Midwest. At least a foot of snow blanketed the majority of Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and Colorado. Hundreds of schools were closed Monday across the area, while hundreds of miles of freeway were shut down. The South Dakota State Legislature was forced to postpone their final day of session due to the storm.

Yesterday marked the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, an occasion observed across the globe. President Bush addressed the City Club of Cleveland, pointing to the city of Tal Afar as an example of the success of Iraq's democratization. In Washington, about 200 protestors attempted to deliver a mock coffin to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. In Iraq, 39 people were killed in attacks by terrorists and gangs across the country. Much of this violence was targeted toward police officials.

A couple charged with abuse for forcing some of their 11 adopted children to sleep in cages were stripped of custody Monday, six months after a social worker discovered the enclosures.
Juvenile Judge Timothy Cardwell said there was a good chance Michael and Sharen Gravelle would mistreat the children again, citing a history of sexual abuse allegations against the father.
The couple has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including child endangerment, in a separate criminal case.
They deny abusing the children, ages 1 to 15, and say the cages were necessary to protect the youngsters, who suffered from psychological and behavioral problems. Prosecutors accuse the couple of locking the children in cages to discipline them. One child testified that he was forced to sleep in a bathtub as punishment for wetting the bed.
The children were removed from the home in September and placed with several foster families.

During the LA Marathon on Sunday to men never reached the finish line. Two retired law enforcement officers died after collapsing on the route. Det. Raul Reyna, 53, suffered a heart attack at mile 24 near Olympic Boulevard and Westmoreland Avenue, two miles short of the finish line. The 28-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran had worked on the use of force investigation team at Parker Center. Reyna is a related to Biola Mass Comm Professor, Mike Gonzales. The other Officer, Retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy James Leone, 60, collapsed at mile 3, near Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street. Sheriff's officials said Leone was participating in his 11th L.A. marathon. He was a 26-year member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and had retired in July 2000.

In sports news, a teacher in Japan was so gripped by baseball fever that he proceeded to watch the game against rival South Korea while his students were taking an exam, on television. After the test many students complained about not being able to concentrate. Fortunately for the students, the test scores will not be included in the final grades.

In Biola news, tomorrow marks the beginning of Missions Conference week. Speakers include Murray Decker, Chair of Anthropology and Intercultural Studies at Biola University and Paul Borthiwck, who serves on staff of Development associates International. Also "Something Like Silas" will be performing to provide the soundtrack for during the conference.


Have a great week!