Editors: Eva Seeley and Ayden Greschak
missions. Seek signs of ancient life and
Michigan Reports 635 New Cases of
Covid and 6 New Deaths on Saturday
February 13th
By:Natalie Moody
On Monday, January 11th, the state began
rolling out more vaccines to people over 65.
In Michigan, every country is in charge of
setting up appointments. Most countries
have said they don't have the supply
necessary, both pharmaceutical companies
are working to make and ship them to every
state. On February 17th chief medical Dr.
Joneigh Khaldoun said the state’s positivity
rate was 3.9%, the lowest rate of new
infections tracked by Michigan health
officers since October. She also announced
that Michigan is at 113 cases per million,
down 85%. Additionally only 5.2% of
hospital beds are used for COVID-19
patients, down 79% from December.
FOX 2 Detroit​, FOX 2 Detroit, 15 Feb. 2020,
www.fox2detroit.com/news/michigan-reports-1265-covid-19-cases
-8-deaths-since-saturday.
Mars Rover Perseverance
By: Riley Avery
Newest rover, Perseverance, landed on Mars
February 18, 2021 at 3:43 pm (eastern time
zone). The rover landed in the Jezero Crater
on mars. On July 30th 2020 the newest 10
foot long Rover was launched to head to
Mars from the CCAFS Space Launch
Complex 41. It was a seven month trip but it
finally made it. Perseverance was built in
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to complete 2
Edition 7 3-17-2021
collect samples of rock and soils. On
February 21, the Rover sent its first picture
back down to earth. The picture was of the
rover falling onto the alien planet, Mars. On
the rover there are Supercams, laser
micro-imager, ultraviolet spectrometer, a
subsurface radar, zoomable panoramic
cameras, oxygen producer, and a weather
station. Some of these items help the rover
get around and some of the other tools are to
help collect samples like dirt. Perseverance
got its name from a Virgina middle school
student, Alexander Mather. NASA held a
“Name The Rover” contest and out of all
28,000 entries, Alexander’s name,
Perseverance, won. On the “belly” of the
rover laid the Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity.
Ingenuity’s mission is to fly 2 or more times
in 30 days.
NASA​, NASA, 18 Feb. 2021, mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/.
Girl Scouts Go Digital with Cookie Sales
This Year Amid Pandemic
By: Lillian Brewer
​On February 2, 11-year-old Danity
Valentine of San Diego, California, wrote
and presented a five-minute marketing pitch
by computer to members of a Girl Scouts
San Diego committee. She used a Zoom
program to meet with them on video. The
sixth-grader is honing her online sales skills
after selling 1,040 packages of cookies in
2020 in the old-fashioned way she prefers
 face to face. Girl Scout cookies are big
business. More than 200 million packages
are sold nationwide each year. In 2020, Girl
Scouts San Diego which oversees more than
20,000 girls in two counties sold 2.9 million
packages. The $15 million those local sales
raised represents 68 percent of the local
council's budget. Girl Scouts of the USA,
began planning for a different cookie season
as the pandemic showed no sign of letting
up. They also haven't wheeled their treat
wagons through the neighborhood. Girl
Scouts have been forced to use computers,
phones and other ways to sell cookies in
2021. Door-to-door and booth sales are
banned under the health restrictions put in
place in California and other states because
of the coronavirus pandemic. Health experts
recommend avoiding crowds to slow the
spread of the covid-19. So the Girl Scouts
are using social media, door hangers, Zoom
meetings, food delivery service and other
ways to connect with customers.
Valliere, Jarrod. "Girl Scouts go digital with cookie sales
this year amid pandemic." ​newsla.com​, 22 Feb. 2021,
newsela.com/read/girl-scout-cookies-go-digital/id/2001018
860/.
Why Black Culture Thrives Alongside
Rampant Racism
By: Lillian Brewer
While this may seem odd, it's actually a
modern twist on something we experienced
in the early 20th century, during the Harlem
Renaissance. Black artists back then
responded to clear racism with cultural
productions that proudly displayed racial
pride. The main difference is that today's
artists are sharing their culture with a much
wider, more diverse and more receptive
audience. This offers them a significant
opportunity.
Beginning in the first decades of the 20th
century, the Harlem Renaissance
represented an explosion of black pride
expressed through art. It stood as a response
to Jim Crow segregation: the web of laws,
practices, traditions and attitudes that
reduced black Americans to second-class
citizens.
Overt racism was everywhere. Political
leaders were either boldly supportive or
powerless to stop it. Terrorist organizations
such as the Ku Klux Klan policed the color
line through violence. Black Americans
lived in fear of lynching — violent, deadly
mob attacks. This horror was implicitly
accepted by white Americans who refused to
punish the offenders.
Johnson,Fred."Why black culture thrives alongside rampant
racism."​newsla.com​,newsela.com/read/lib-why-black-cultu
re-thrives-amid-racism/id/55242/.
What Video Games Can Teach You
By: Riley Avery
Do your parents say that games aren’t good
for you? Well here’s some things to prove
that some games are good for you.
Among Us- Among us teaches you to never
trust strangers. It teaches you to never trust
strangers because people lie to protect
themselves so they won’t lose the game.
Minecraft- Minecraft teaches us to be
creative and build things.
Fortnite- Fortnite teaches us teamwork and
that even if you fail or lose multiple times,
you should always get back up and keep
trying. Eventually, practicing over and over
again will lead you to great success.
ROBLOX- ROBLOX is a platform where
anybody can create their own game to teach
you about history, animals, building, and
much more. ROBLOX can also teach kids
about real world coding.
Bobbit Worm
By Kayden Fahey- Anderson
The Bobbit Worm is a worm that
lives in the Atlantic Ocean but is also found
in the Indo Pacific, it lives in coral reefs it is
usually found in sandy and muddy places in
the ocean. Eunice aphroditois is what it's
called by marine biologists but it's normally
called the Bobbit Worm, sand striker and
trap jaw worm. The worm can range from
10 centimeters to 10 feet, it's body is
covered with a deep purple to black
exoskeleton.. The lifespan of E. aphroditois
is believed to be three to five years.
@t4r1. "Bobbit Worm - Monsters in the Tropical Ocean." ​Bobbit
Worm - Monsters in the Tropical Ocean,​ Steemit, 17 Mar. 2018,
steemit.com/science/@t4r1/bobbit-worm-monsters-in-the-tropical-
ocean-9a5e5c439aef9.
Surfing Snails
By: Ethan Hinton
With the scientific name of Bullia
Digitalis, the surfing snail is possibly the
most interesting sea snail ever. Instead of
slithering around the beach, they burrow
into the sand and use their little flappers to
navigate the beach. Their natural predators
are creatures such as crabs and squid. They
avoid predators by simply going back into
their shells and hiding until the threat has
given up.
"Bullia Digitalis."
Wikipedia,​ WIkipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullia_digitalis.
New Method to Trace Ancestry Back
Thousands of Years
By:Sarah Ingram
Throughout the years we have come
up with many ways to trace ancestry. This
year we found a new way to trace ancestry.
This way to trace ancestry is called CRI
Genetics. You can take a test and get it back
to find your results on your ancestors. You
can use this way to find out about lost long
siblings and other cool facts. A few people
have tried this and found out many things
they did not know about their past.
​ SA Today: New method
CRI Ancestry Test. Advertisement.​ U
Traces Ancestry Back Thousands Of Years​, GENETICS DIGEST,
geneticsdigest.com/best_ancestry_genealogy_dna_test/tbla/dusty_s
tory.html?utm_campaign=Taboola%20AWS&utm_source=Tabool
a&tclid=GiDY3nJ1fM2-e2vlMR2A2j0_j10drLVTGu_3Qal6eqNX
iiDXukUouImlrIrz34UD&u.
UM Planetarium Shows From Your Living
Room
By: Kamryn Michelz
The University of Michigan Museum of
Natural History is offering free virtual
planetarium program shows for you and
your family. You can go to the edge of the
solar system, and learn about planets and
constellations with this pretty cool education
 event, while in your living room, or
anywhere in your house.
The dates thus far are, March 4th, March
11th, March 18th, and March 25th. More
dates will be added in the future to the
website.
Bruckner, Meredith. "You can now enjoy free U-M planetarium
shows from your living room." , ANN ARBOR ,
www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/2021/02/25/you-can-
now-enjoy-free-u-m-planetarium-shows-from-your-living-room/#//
.
Most Underrated Book Characters of all
Time.
By: MaKayla Moore
1. Kreacher from ​Harry Potter​.
Although Dobby is my favorite
house elf. Kreacher falls close
behind. Kreacher is the house elf for
the Noble House of Black, he is a
very loyal and faithful house elf.
Although Sirius and Kreacher do not
get along, Kreacher still stays loyal
to Sirius’ mother. Hermione told
Harry, “he’s loyal to people who are
kind to him. I’ve said all along that
wizards would pay for how they treat
a house-elf.” Kreature
would later lead an army of house
elves at the Battle of Hogwarts.
2. Ginny Weasley from​ Harry Potter.
Ginny is a smart, funny, and creative
character. First off, Ginny was
possessed by a Horcrux when she
was just in her first year. Ginny later
would later join Dumbledore’s Army
in her fourth year. The books give
Ginny so much light and flaws, but
the movies turn and make the smart,
creative, and funny Ginny we all
know and turn her life upside down.
3. Ponyboy Curtis from ​The Outsiders.
Ponyboy goes through life the hard
way. Ponyboy is a Greaser and
Greasers are on the poorer side of
things. Ponyboy lost his parents at
14. Ponyboy lives with his two
brothers, Darry and Sodapop.
Ponyboy is constantly being jumped
by a group of Socs.
4. Lavender Brown from ​Harry Potter.
Potterheads all know the character
who is obsessed with Ron Weasley.
We understand that she didn’t
always treat Hermione with the most
amount of respect. She was a very
eager member of Dumbledore’s
Army and first sorted into Gryffindor
in Harry’s year. After getting her
heartbroken by Ron she would later
fight by his side in the Battle of
Hogwarts, where she is attacked and
killed by Fenrir Greyback.
5. Ernie MacMillan from ​Harry Potter.​
Ernie plays a bigger part in the books
than the movies. We watch Ernie
grow up alongside Harry Potter, Ron
Weasley, and Hermione Granger. In
his second year when The Chamber
of Secrets is opened, he is one of the
many to believe that Harry is the heir
of Slytherin. He yet comes to his
senses and does the right thing and
joins Dumbledore’s Army and fights
in the Battle of Hogwarts.
6. Zeilie from ​Children of Blood and
Bone. ​ I know Zeilie can be harsh,
speaking when it’s better she kept
her mouth shut. Getting involved
with the princess’s jailbreak. But it is
going to help her in the near future.
7. Draco Malfoy from ​Harry Potter​.
Draco has had his rough patch but he
had no choice against being a Death
Eater. He fought in the Battle of
Hogwarts alongside the Death Eater.
Draco spent his 5th year figuring out
how to use the Vanishing Cabinet.
Draco also was forced to kill Albus
Dumbledore but Snape was there
after making an unbreakable vow to
 Narcissa Malfoy to protect Draco at
all costs.
8. Severus Snape from ​Harry Potter​.
During Snape’s first year at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry, he grew to be immediate
enemies with Sirius Black and James
Potter and was a constant victim of
bullying. Snape became a member of
the Death Eaters alongside a bunch
of his fellow Slytherins. Snape later
would redeem himself by joining
The Order of the Phoenix. Snape
would later go on to kill Albus
Dumbledore during the Battle of the
Lightning Struck Tower. Snape
would also fight in the Battle of
Hogwarts, where he is killed by Lord
Voldemort, thinking that Snape was
the new rightful owner of the Elder
Wand, but in Lord Voldemort's plan
it was in Harry Potter’s ownership.
Lord Voldemort states in ​Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows, “​
The Elder Wand belongs to the
wizard who killed his last owner.
You killed Dumbledore Severus.”
Why Snow is White
By Joephine Brinker
Snow is made up of frozen water, but
if you turn on a faucet or open the freezer,
you'll notice that liquid water and ice usually
appear colorless. This is because When light
strikes a smooth flat surface like glass or ice,
its visible rays generally pass straight
through. Visible rays are the range of light
that humans can see. Our eyes can only see
objects when light waves are reflected off of
or absorbed by them, which is why glass,
water and some ice often appear clear. When
Light reaches an object a few things could
happen the light could be transmitted (it
passes through the object), absorbed (it is
taken into the object) or reflected (it bounces
off of the object). In the case of shattered
glass, countless uneven surfaces now exist.
When light strikes these irregular surfaces, it
reflects and scatters, bouncing off in all
directions. This is also true of snow. Each
flake is a tiny ice crystal that varies in shape
and structure. A crystal is a solid where the
atoms and molecules are arranged in a
repeating pattern ​. So when all visible light
bonuses off snowflakes, we see white.
Means, Tiffany. ​Why is snow white?,​ edited by Live Science,
newsela staff, 16 Jan. 2021,
newsela.com/read/why-is-snow-white/id/2001018324/?search_id=
c5d96d34-fa76-4006-bc1f-f7c2de5484dc
The Texas Power Outages
By Josephine Brinker
Over the month of February the
United States had set new winter records.
States like Texas have reached a whole new
level of cold. On average Texas coldest
temperature is 58 degrees fahrenheit. Texas
low was -23 degrees fahrenheit. Millions
suffered through the night of February 15
without power as a massive winter blitz sent
temperatures plunging. The winter storm
closed grocery stores and caused widespread
outages. With little certainty of when power
would be restored, thousands were left
facing another night in brutal, potentially
life-threatening conditions. Meanwhile,
politicians were angrily blaming the state's
electricity grid operator. At least 10 deaths
have been linked to the disaster. Hundreds
of people who live on the streets were being
directed to seek life-saving refuge at
shelters. With all these things many Texans
made the most of it like building their first
 snow men, sledding and enjoying winter
temperatures.
Tribune, Texas. "Power outages leave millions of Texans desperate
for heat and safety." ​newsela,​ edited by newsela staff, 24 Feb.
2021,
newsela.com/read/texas-storm-power-outage/id/2001019087/?sear
ch_id=f826c37f-59e4-4880-98b8-19bf20233a4a.
Why People Don't Like Cats
By: Samantha Hartway
Cats are known for being the most
hated pet in the world. From their sharp
claws to the morning meowing forcing you
to feed them or just making them wake you
up at 2 in the morning. But why are cats the
most hated pet in the world?
Cats are known for scratching
everything including furniture, carpet, and
even people. They do this for many reasons
like to mark their territory. A way to keep
your cat from scratching the furniture. Cats
are also known for biting things such as
people and animals. Cats bite so they can
protect themselves from predators. Some
people don't like cats because of their
scratching and biting but they do it to protect
themselves.
People don't like cats because of
allergies. Cats can sometimes cause
allergies. Some people hate cats because
they are hard to understand. For example
your cat might let you pet them bet then the
next second they will me mean and bite or
scratch you.
Picture by samantha hartway
Homework Tips for Jr High Students
By: Samantha Hartway
In school homework can be a
struggle to get done on time sometimes.
Sometimes you can't get it done because
maybe you have to go somewhere after
school or you have an after school activity.
Also you had some other homework to get
done and after you had to study for a test.
The point is that sometimes we don't have
time for homework or we are very busy.
My first homework tip is don't wait
until the last minute to do your homework.
You can do it at home or during A.A.A. If
you have an after school activity then maybe
you can do it before or after the school
activity.
Ask your teacher if you can have
extra time to do your homework. That can
help if you have something to do after
school or if you simply tried your hardest
and still need more time. But remember,
after school activities are extracurricular and
if you are not able to handle both, maybe
you should just focus on the school work.
My third homework tip is making
study cards. If you have a test or a quiz that
could help you study. It's also an easy way
to study instead of just reading the study
guide.
My last homework tip is to ask for
help. You should always ask for help if you
don't know how to do something. It will
make it easier for you to get better grades.
etj.plymouth.k12.ct.us/staff_directory/grade_7/A
ndrews,%20Carol/study_and_homework_tips_for_middle_
school_s.
 Dogecoin and How Their Stocks May Be The last sandwich is a deluxe crispy
Going Up chicken served on a potato roll and is topped
By: Ayden Greschak with shredded lettuce, roman tomatoes, and
The stock of dogecoin is currently racing in mayo.
popularity for a number of reasons from 1
memes to the increase of price and many
other reasons the list goes on. many of the
sales are increasing from what started as a
meme is now getting better sales every day.
Back in 2013 the meme of a dog also well
known back then as doge was a well
rounded meme for entertainment. By the end
of the year we might be looking at 10 dollars 2 3
maybe lower from how unlikely it is to be
bought. Most retailers are The Shake Shack made a new limited time
going to buy it when or if it sandwich. It is a gochujang-glazed crispy
hits high value such as 100 chicken sandwich seasoned with toasted
to 500 if it ever gets there. sesame seeds and topped on coleslaw.
google images.com.

Chicken Wars
By: Mia Stade
The fast foods of america are back in
what they would call a “Chicken War”.
This consists of a variety of fast food Next the KFC sandwich is a quarter
restaurants coming out with new chicken pound on a brioche bun that has a double
items. McDonalds, KFC, Shake Shack, and breaded piece of chicken, double thick cut
Taco Bell have all created a new crispy crinkle pickles, and can include spicy or
chicken menu item. They did this in hope to regular mayo.
grab the chicken centric success of Popeyes
and Chick-fil-a customers.
McDonalds has created three new
sandwiches the first one is a crispy chicken
on a roasted buttered potato roll, and crinkle
cut pickles.
Their second one is a spicy crispy chicken
served with a spicy pepper sauce, crinkle cut Taco Bell wasn’t going to miss out
pickles, and a toasted potato roll. on the chicken war so they created a crispy
chicken taco. They have created a crispy
chicken taco. This is a crispy chicken piece
marinated in jalapeno buttermilk, then
seasoned with bold Mexican spices and
rolled in a crunchy tortilla chip coating.
Then is served with a buttermilk sauce and
served on their “puffy bread”. This is
available spicy or mild and on the spicy they
have added jalapeno slices for those who
like the heat.
"It’s Here! Shake Shack’s New Korean-Inspired Chicken
Sandwich + Menu." ​Shake Shack,​ 5 Feb. 2021,
www.shakeshack.com/2021/01/05/its-here-shake-shacks-new-kore
an-inspired-menu/.
"KFC INTRODUCES ITS BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH
EVER." ​KFC,​ 7 Jan. 2021,
www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/kfc-newsroom/
detail/Vertical+Content_3-CW/KFC-Chicken-Sandwich.
"Chicken Fans, Mark Your Calendars: New Crispy Chicken
Sandwich Arrives at McDonald’s Next Month." ​McDonalds​, 4 Jan.
2021,
corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/en-us/our-stories/article/OurSt
ories.new-crispy-chicken.html.
Valinsky, Jordan. "Taco Bell joins the chicken wars with a
new taco." ​CNN Business,​
www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/business/taco-bell-crispy
-chicken-sandwich-taco/index.html.
Pomranz, Mike. "Taco Bell's New Menu Item Is Both a Crispy
Chicken Sandwich and a Taco." ​Food And Wine​, 22 Feb. 2021,
www.foodandwine.com/news/taco-bell-crispy-chicken-sandwich-t
aco.
Cocomelon
By Kayden Fahey-Anderson
Cocomelon also known as
“ThatsMEonTV” from 2006-2013 and
“ABCkidTV” from 2013-2018 has now
switched names again to “Cocomelon”.
Cocomelon is an American Youtube channel
and has been a Netflix series since June
2020. Cocomelon makes its own children's
songs and occasionally uses traditional
nursery rhymes. As of July 2020 they are the
most viewed YouTube channel in the United
States and second most viewed channel in
the world. Cocomelon has 106 million
subscribers and 94.5 billion views.
The real question is why do babies
love Cocomelon? Babies like Cocomelon
because they are drawn to bright flashy
colors because of how their vision is still
developing. The bright colors are easier for
babies to see. They are also easily distracted
and with everything moving in the
Cocomelon show holds their attention
longer by constantly redirecting their focus.
Those are pretty much the reasons why
babies love Cocomelon.
Booth, Jessica. ​romper ​, 4 Jan. 2020,
www.romper.com/p/why-do-babies-love-cocomelon-experts-expla
in-38055145.
Crayons for the children
By Jacalynn Pung
A little girl named Brooklyn Brown
loves to collect crayons, she is 5 years old
and lives in Michigan. She is in kindergarten
and has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is where all the
joints swell up and it makes it hard to move.
Brooklyn’s arthritis is sometimes better and
worse. She knows what it feels like to be in
the hospital and how boring it is there. She
is donating crayons to kids at the children’s
hospital. So far there are 2,639 packs
collected. Her idea started when her teacher
asked the kids in her class to think of ideas
to help the community. The hospital has
coloring pages and paper for the kids, but it
costs too much to buy crayons for every kid
in the hospital. Brooklyn’s family has a
website for people to donate to the crayon
drive.

Shamus, Kristen J. ​Kindergartner with arthritis starts crayon drive
to help other sick kids,​ Newsela, 18 Jan. 2019,
newsela.com/read/kindergartners-crayons-collection/id/48688/?sea
rch_id=5a1accfb-95ef-415c-a81f-58ab8b987c51.Shamus, Kristen
J. ​Brooklyn Brown, 5, of Huntington Woods, Michigan, is
surrounded by the crayons she has collected for sick children. She
has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and wanted to do something to
help other kids.​ 2019, Photograph on website, Newsela.Shamus,
Kristen J. ​Brooklyn Brown loves to color. She has juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis and is donating crayons to area children's
hospitals. Her hope is that the children there will be able to color,
taking the sting off.​ 2019, Photograph on website, Newsela.
University of Michigan Reopens after
Poisonous Spider was Discovered
By: Eva Seeley
On Monday February 20th a brown
recluse spider was found in the library. The
U-M Public Affairs spokeswoman Kim
Broekhuizen wrote “As the name implies,
they are reclusive and bites are extremely
rare. Recluse spiders usually stay in
mechanical spaces, tunnels and other
hideaways. We apologize for the
inconvenience to the university
community.” As of late brown recluse
spiders have been discovered in 22 states.
Bruckner, Meredith. ​U-M undergraduate library reopens after
poisonous spider scare​, Community News producer, 14 Apr. 2021,
www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/2021/02/23/u-m-und
ergraduate-library-reopens-after-poisonous-spider-scare/#//.
m-undergraduate-library-reopens-after-poisonous-spider-sc
are/#//.
Discoveries of the Ocean
By: Remy Kook
Lynnae Quick, A geophysicist
studies matter, energy of planets, moons,
and how the ocean works. Lynnae works at
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt, Maryland. Lynnae uses tools like
satellite data and what she already knows
about the area to make a model of the ocean.
Lyanne grew up in Greensboro, North
Carolina, and found her way to the sciences
through a high school biology course, she
wanted to become a zoologist but decided
not to. Lyanne got a masters degree in
physics after graduating from Catholic
University of America. Beyond what she
researches, lyanne leads a program that
gives undergraduates the opportunity to
work on NASA missions.``​Meet Lynnae Quick:
an investigator of ocean worlds." , Newsela, 18 Feb. 2020,
newsela.com/read/lynnae-quick-scientist-writer/id/2001018
710/.
Dog Stuck On Ice for Four Days
By: Mariah Shemwell
A dog now named Alfonso, was stuck on a
patch of ice on the Detroit River for four
days and survived.
On February 21st the rescue of a dog who
was stranded on ice for four days was
coordinated by ​LaSalle Fire Services in
Ontario, BASF Corporation, and others​.
Patricia Trevino, with the River Rouge
Animal Shelter, claimed to have watched the
dog from land as it floated on an ice patch
down the Detroit River. At one point the dog
was chased farther onto the ice by a coyote
It's still unknown who the dogs owner was
or how he got onto the ice in the first place
but the one year old Alfonso is now
adoptable after being taken care of at the
Woodhaven Animal Hospital as he was
suffering from frostbite on his paw pads,
dehydration, and pancreatitis thanks to the
whole ordeal. Though it is a miracle the
poor pup survived out in the harsh winter,
people are still trying to figure out how it
happened but it is believed that not being
groomed, causing matted fur due to his fur
type, saved his life.
Durr, Matt. ​Mlive.com​,
Mlive, 21 Feb. 2021,
www.mlive.com/news/2021/02/dog-rescued-from-detroit-river-afte
r-being-stuck-on-ice-for-4-days.html​.
Group Launches Petition Campaign to
Ban Bias Against Members of the
LGBTQIA+ Community in Michigan
By: Seicho Robinson
A group known as Fair and Equal Michigan
has launched a petition. Though, this is no
ordinary petition, for this is one to ban bias
and discrimination against members of the
LGBTQIA+ community! Though, has this
come too late? Shouldn’t have gender
identity and sexual orientation be recognized
earlier than January 2020? Former State rep.
Mel Larson says that it is “long past the time
to recognize sexual orientation and gender
identity.” Many people agree with this!
People of the LGBTQIA+ community are
just as equal as anyone else, and anyone
who says otherwise probably can’t handle
the world being different from themselves.
People in the community deserve respect,
for they are just as human as all of us.
Discriminating them basically says that you
want things to go your way only. In most
cases, people would use religion as an
excuse to discriminate against members,
though, that’s not all that valid. Be you, be
yourself, and you’ll be happy with it in the
end! Remember that people believe in you,
no matter who you are.
Mauger, Craig. ​Group launches petition campaign to ban bias
against gays in Michigan,​ The Detroit News, 7 Jan. 2020,
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/01/07/coalition-la
unches-petition-campaign-ban-gay-bias-michigan/2831388001/.
Egyptian Boat Crash Leaves 9 Dead
By: MaKayla Moore
On Monday February, 22, 2021, A
boat on an Egyptain Lake near Alexandria,
at least 9 people are dead and several others
are missing. The vessel was carrying at least
20 people from the same family, when the
vessel sank on Lake Mariout. As of Tuesday
February 23, only seven of the members are
alive, five of which are injured. But the
prosecutor general said the owner of the
boat, who was on board with the family, had
been arrested. People say, the boat was
overloaded and was driven in bad weather
conditions. Among the dead were three
children and two women. Rescue workers
are still working to find at least 5 missing
people. The children were from 1 to 4 years
old.
Rescuers and towns people are gathered and waiting
Beautiful Lake Mariout
during a warm day.
For scuba divers to return to the surface of Lake Mariout
The vessel after the boat capsized on Lake Mariout.
Clayton, James. ​Five of the seven survivors found by rescuers have
been taken to hospital​. 2021, , BBC.
Sinclair, Leah. ​Lake Mariout.​ 2021, , private collection.
The boat capsized on Lake Mariut, near Alexandria.​ 2021, ,
euronews, Alexandria,.
Clayton, James. "Nine die after boat carrying family capsizes in
Egypt lake."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56168936#:~:text=
At%20least%20nine%20people%20have,accident%20happened%
20on%20Lake%20Mariout.&text=The%20cause%20of%20the%2
0capsize%20is%20not%20known,​ BBC,
www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56168936#:~:text=At%20l
east%20nine%20people%20have,accident%20happened%20on%2
0Lake%20Mariout.&text=The%20cause%20of%20the%20capsize
%20is%20not%20known
MAGDY, SAMY. "Egypt officials: Death toll from lake shipwreck
climbs to 9."
https://sports.yahoo.com/egypt-officials-death-toll-lake-101728727
.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ
2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABKjiN6DFzsyHX7SBl8Is
HNhRHTbYGg9yTUBOhFhWieW_Fg​, Yahoo! Sports. , 23 Feb.
2021,
sports.yahoo.com/egypt-officials-death-toll-lake-101728727.html?
guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLm
NvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABKjiN6DFzsyHX7SBl8IsHN
hRHTbYGg9yTUBOhFhWieW_Fg.
Ice Volcanoes in the Great Lakes
By: Remy Kook
winds and waves cause ice to get stuck on
the Great Lakes shore and form ice shelves
if the weather stays cold enough for long
enough the ice shelf will expand with water
still flowing beneath it. The water
underneath the ice shelf will eventually
erode the ice creating a hole through the
bottom of the ice and any water that comes
out will immediately freeze causing the
volcano shape. The longer ice volcanoes sit
at the shore the bigger they get, at times they
can even get bigger then a person.
Eventually water from waves and wind will
crash towards the bottom of the ice volcano
and come out like lava on a real volcano.
​Post, Washington. "Ice volcanoes: Strange eruptions of beauty
around the Great Lakes." , Newsela, 26 Feb. 2021,
newsela.com/read/lib-ice-volcanoes-great-lakes/id/2001018866/.
Cow Breeds
By Mia Stade
Domestic Cattle:
Jersey: These cows are completely
brown and like all cows have the biggest
eyes. They are one of the biggest milk
producing cow breeds.
Angus: These cattle are usually used
for meat their range of color is between a
black and red cow, but are often black
genetically. Although they may have a
splotch of white on their heads or face.

In the winter you can see formations

called ice volcanoes in the Great Lakes.
While they look like real volcanoes they are
not actually hot. They only exist in
extremely cold waters. Because of the
weather conditions required for them to
form they do not last very long. Strong
 Brown Swiss: The brown swiss is a
black colored cow with a creamed color
muzzle. Their more profound name is
Braunvieh. Brown Swiss are used for milk;
they are usually more popular when wanting
to make cheese.
Wild Cows:
Bison: These animals can be
domestic or wild. When I say domestic I am
talking about the fact that humans feed them
and they are in enclosed fencing. Bison
typically have a larger head and neck than
cows and are highly likely to have horns
small or large. They have shaggy fur but
their skin isn’t as loose as cows skin. Bison
are genetically related to cattle or cows but
are different from one.
Yak: A yak has a long coat that can
almost reach the ground. They have a dense
under coat to keep them warm in the winter.
They use their horns to dig under snow for
food and for various uses of defence.
"List of cattle." ​Britannica​,
www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-cattle-2059071.
"Cattle Breeds." ​The Cattle Site​,
www.thecattlesite.com/breeds/beef/7/aberdeen-angu
s/#:~:text=Aberdeen%20Angus%20cattle%20are%
20naturally,yield%20with%20nicely%20marbled%
20meat.
Happy Chinese New Year!
By: Olivia Herman
Have you ever heard of Chinese New
Year? “​Chinese New Year is the most
important holiday in China. In 2021,
Chinese New Year will begin on February
12. Tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, the
holiday was traditionally a time to honor
household and heavenly deities as well as
ancestors. It was also a time to bring family
together for feasting” says the History
Channel website. In 2021 it is the year of the
Ox. There are 12 “signs” to cycle through.
The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake,
horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig
are all of the zodiac animals. Each year it is
different.
This year Chinese New Year began
on February 12 this year. Chinese New Year
is mostly celebrated in East Asia. The first
Chinese New Year was about 3,500 years
ago. Chinese New Year is a holiday that
marks the first new moon. In some Asian
countries Chinese New Year is One of the
most important holidays of the year!
Chinese New Year can also be known as
Spring Festival aor Lunar New Year. Spring
Festival is a 7-day long festival which is the
most colorful annual event.
Here are some things about the year
of the Ox. If you are born in the year of the
Ox you are a hard worker who is very
intelligent and reliable, you never demand
praise. In 2021 the zodiac animal is ox, the
element is metal and it’s yang. The
difference between yin and yang is yin is a
negative/feminine principle in nature and
yang is a positive/masculine principle in
nature. Men born in the year of the Ox are
reliable and trustworthy, and women born in
the year of the Ox are gentle and calm. Most
compatible animal signs with Ox are the
Rat, Snake and Rooster, but the least
compatible are Goat, Horse and Dog
according to chinesenewyear.net.
Happy Chinese New Year 2021 Wallpaper, Pictures | Year of Cow
2021​. 2020 , Private Collection, N/A.
HISTORY​, A&E Television Networks, 3 Feb. 2021,
www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year.
Ho, Fefe, and Chloe Chiao. ​Year of the Ox​, Chinese New Year,
chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/ox/.
​ Elliot Page, Coming Out!
By Seicho Robinson
As of the first day of December in 2020,
Elliot Page, who is “Juno”’s star, and who
also played in “The Umbrella Academy”
plus many other shows, has come out of the
closet as a transgender male. Through
inspiration and support, Elliot has finally
gained the courage to tweet out.
“I want to share with you that I am trans, my
pronouns are he/they, and my name is
Elliot,” is part of the tweet. He makes it
known that he loves himself and his
discovery and strives to support others. And
though he is scared and worried about the
violence to come his way, he stands happy
with himself regardless. The coming out of
Elliot Page should inspire many transgender
and non-binary youth to be happy with
themselves no matter what others say.
Though, Page also makes it clear that there
still remains the discrimination towards
trans people and it’s cruel. All trans people
deserve to be accepted into society.
Sblendorio, Peter. ​‘Juno’ star Elliot Page comes out as
transgender​, New York Daily News, 1 Dec. 2020,
www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/2020/12/01/juno-star-el
liot-page-formerly-ellen-page-transgend
er/115080714/.
​Painted Rocks for Texas
By Jacalynn Pung
During the pandemic, Chris Penny
liked to go to the nature park in Texas. He
loves how peaceful the park is. One time
when he was walking he spotted some
painted rocks along the trail. He thought that
they were a nice addition to the park. He
figured out that a man named Ron Olsen
painted them with his children. Chris
thought that it was such a great idea that he
painted some with his daughters. He told
people that if they wanted to paint rocks and
send them to him, he would pay for the
shipping and put them in the park for them.
Soon the park had more than 1,000 painted
rocks. One day he came home and there
were 11 packages on his porch. He sorted
through them with his daughters. People
painted the rocks all kinds of different ways
some painted them like their favorite
characters and others different animals. One
person even painted one as a giant
tic-tac-toe board! Chris says that the rocks
have really transformed the park. He walks
through and posts pictures of them on
facebook. He says that anything you can
name is out there at the park.
Free, Cathy. ​Art rocks transform
a Texas park during pandemic​, Newsela, 9 Dec. 2020,
newsela.com/read/texas-rocks/id/2001016378/?search_id=66d863c
5-5ae9-4a51-9572-68f476f65f3b.
Penny, Chris. ​These painted rocks will be placed along
a trail in Parr Park in Grapevine, Texas. People started sending
art rocks to the Texas park during the pandemic.​ 2020, Photograph
on website, Newsela.
Penny, Chris. ​Chris Penny's daughters, Julia and
Sophia, play tic-tac-toe with painted rocks.​ 2020, Photograph on
website, Newsela.
St. Clair County Businesses Being Fined
By: Raegan Majcher
Two St. Clair County businesses are
being fined for not following the COVID-19
workplace safety violations directed by the
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. According to the Michigan
state press release, Dana Incorporated,
located in St. Clair, and Complete
Maintenance & Cabinetry Inc., located in
Algonac, were among 16 businesses issued
violations for failing to protect workers and
take safety precautions.
Dana Incorporated was issued its
citation in January. The company was fined
$4,000 for violations of COVID-19
workplace safety requirements: failure to
require face coverings when social
distancing could not be maintained, not
contacting the local health department when
three known positive COVID-19 cases were
detected at the workplace, and not
maintaining a record of employee
COVID-19 training/daily health screenings.
Jeff Cole, the company’s spokesperson, told
Times Herald reporter Bryce Airgood in an
email, “The safety of our people and our
communities remains our highest priority,
and Dana has implemented safety protocols
across our facilities globally. This includes
increased cleaning, requiring facemasks,
limiting visitors, offering access to hand
sanitizers, and maintaining social distancing.
We strongly disagree with the findings of
MIOSHA and have filed an appeal of this
citation.”
Complete Maintenance & Cabinetry
Inc. was issued its citation in December for
violations at a Troy work site. Total
penalties, including other workplace
violations, were $5,360, according to the
press release. The company was fined
$2,800 for violations of COVID-19
workplace safety requirements: lack of
preparedness and response plan, failing to
train employees on COVID-19 control
strategies, lack of social distancing, and lack
of face coverings when workers could not
consistently maintain six feet of social
distancing. Company owner Norbert Pruss
explained to Times Herald reporter Bryce
Airgood that he provides employees safety
equipment like masks, but they refuse to use
it. He expressed that his employees are
young adults and should be responsible
without having to be reminded. He said
there is also a superintendent on work sites
every morning taking temperatures and
going through the list of symptoms with
employees. Pruss as well as many other
workers believe the citations are unfair and a
lot of the regulations are unnecessary for
their line of work.
Airgood, Bryce. ​Two St. Clair County businesses fined
for COVID-19 workplace safety violations,​ Port Huron Times
Herald , 19 Feb. 2021,
www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2021/02/19/two-st-clair-coun
ty-businesses-fined-covid-19-safety-violations/4512185001/.
 Square Watermelons
By: Olivia Herman
Have you ever heard of square
watermelons and wondered if they are real?
Well they are real! In Japan they put the
watermelons into square molds and then let
them grow. Japanese farmers need to think
of a new way to make watermelons not roll
all over the ground. They also put them in
the boxes so they don’t grow too big. If you
would like to buy one they retail for $82
USD. You can also square squash, tomatoes,
cucumbers and pumpkins. If you want to
grow a square watermelon then you're in
luck because it's not that hard to grow them!
All you need to do is grow your own
watermelon just a little and then have your
glass mold ready. Once the watermelon has
begun growing vines it’s ready to go into the
mold. After the melon has grown three
inches in the box you can take it out because
it will continue growing in a square shape.
Abbas, Safdar Safdar Abbas. ​How to Grow Square
Watermelons – Urban Farmer’s Guide.​ 2013 ,
Private Collection, N/A.
Tilley, Nikki. ​Gardening- Know How ​, Gardening-
Know How , 16 Nov. 2020,
www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/childre
n/grow-square-watermelons.htm.
Michigan State University Gets a $32
Million Donation
By: Raegan Majcher
Michigan State University athletics
received $32 million in a major donation
from one of its most successful basketball
players, on and off the court. Mat Ishbia,
now the CEO of United Wholesale
Mortgage, 1998 Spartan basketball walk-on
and 2000 NCAA champion recently made
the largest cash donation from one person in
the university’s history.
Twenty million dollars of the
donation will help change the face of
Michigan State, expanding the football
center and improving the auditorium, locker
rooms, and dining halls. There will be a
significant expansion of the Spartans’
athletics facilities. It is also expected that
there will be an altar to the look of the
middle of the campus, just south of Spartan
Stadium.
Ishbia wanted to leave a lasting
legacy, not for himself but for Hall of Fame
coach Tom Izzo, whose name will now be
on the building. Ishbia also made a donation
of $2 million to the Spartan Life Fund,
which helps MSU alumni connect with
companies looking for employees. Another
$2 million is going to MSU’s Men’s
Basketball Excellence Fund to be used at the
discretion of the head coach to support the
program.
Spartan football coach Mel Tucker
remarked that facilities show a commitment
to excellence. He stated that Mat’s gift will
make a profound impact on the program and
is a statement that Michigan State is
relentless about excellence, both on and off
the field, in their pursuit of championships.
Solari, Chris. ​Former walk-on Mat Ishbia donates $32
million to Michigan State for new football building​, Detroit Free
Press, 4 Feb. 2021,
www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2021/
02/04/michigan-state-football-basketball-mat-ishbia-donation-tom-
izzo-mel-tucker-facilities/4390156001/.Hermes, Grant. ​Former
Michigan State University basketball walk-on donates $32 million
to school​, Click On Detroit , 5 Feb. 2021,
www.clickondetroit.com/sports/local/2021/02/06/former-michigan
-state-university-basketball-walk-on-donates-32-million-to-school/.
 Maze#7
By Ayden greschak
google images.com.

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