Media Convergence Initiative

Two out of Four Oklahoma Detention Center Escapees were Recaptured on Monday

Posted on October 28, 2013 by evannebersberger

Two of four inmates who escaped from an Oklahoma jail were recaptured on Monday.

Dylan Ray Three Irons, 21, Prime Brown, 23, Triston Cheadle, 32, and Anthony Mendonca, 24, managed to escape from Caddo County Detention Center in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

On Sunday, the men found an escape route and acted. According to CNN, the four inmates pried open a maintenance hatch by breaking a lock above a shower head. They proceeded to crawl 30 feet through a narrow pipe chase until they reached a cement wall. When they reached said wall, they knocked out cement blocks that brought them to an unlocked door that led to outside the jail.

Sheriff Gene Cain said, “All they had to do was push the door and walk out because it’s not in the jail.” Witnesses reported seeing men in orange jumpsuits around 2:40 am local time. That night, three guards had been on duty and were patrolling about 200 inmates according to NBC News.

The two who were recaptured, Three Irons and Brown, were found at the Frisco Stop convenience store in Chickasha a day after escaping. Though the store’s employees did not recognize the two as escaped prisoners, police were on the scene immediately. An employee, Linda Harley, reports that, “As soon as they walked out, the cops were there. When they saw the police, one of the guys just stood still and dropped his stuff on the ground.”

Three of the four men, all but Cheadle, were already sentenced and were awaiting transfer to the state Department of Corrections. According to Fox News, Cheadle was awaiting his trial on a federal gun charge after committing a robbery with a firearm. Mendonca was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest. Three Irons was convicted of a probation violation, and Brown was guilty of a second-degree burglary. Cheadle was also charged with methamphetamine possession.

NBC News reports that “prison officials knew that some of the hatches in the two-year-old facility were not secured and were in the process of welding them shut. All but two of the hatches had been tended to when the escape occurred.” In the two years since the center has opened, there have been no other escapes.

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Music Artist Chris Brown Arrested For Felony Assault

Posted on October 28, 2013 by ash6128ucf

There was a time Chris Brown was known for his music and not his bad boy image. But ever since the 2009 beating of his on-again, off-again girlfriend Rihanna just before the Grammy Awards. Singer Chris Brown has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Almost every year, since the Rihanna incident Chris Brown has had an incident that has led many people to think that he has anger management issues and has not learned his lesson.

On Saturday October 26^th, Chris Brown was in Washington DC to host a homecoming party with the singer August Alsina at The Park at Fourteen nightclub. Later on that night, Chris Brown and his bodyguard Christopher Hollosy got into an altercation. According to the victim, Chris Brown was taking pictures with two female’s fans and Chris Brown went nuts when the victim and his buddy photo bombed their picture. According to sources connected to Chris Brown, the victim was trying to get on the tour bus and Brown was simply trying to stop a trespass.

Brown and Hollosy were charged Sunday October 27^th with felony assault in the altercation that started early Sunday morning. The man who was attacked during the altercation received treatment for his injuries at a local hospital and was released Sunday.

Chris Brown is expected to appear in court today on an assault charge after a fight broke out over the weekend near a Washington hotel. This incident can result Chris Brown being sentenced to prison for nearly four years.

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A Weekend In Miami

Posted on October 28, 2013 by bosimpson

This weekend I was in my home town Miami. I went down for my two close friend’s birthdays. I had heard about a recent phone call from my ex, he called my friend and told him “If any guy is trying to get with Noslen I am going to lose it” so I got nervous, really nervous. I couldn’t help think of what would happen when I saw him. I hadn’t spoken to him in 3 weeks, that is the longest I had ever gone without speaking to him and as I was approaching the door that I knew he was going to be on the other side of I couldn’t help to feel butterflies and excitement. I had missed being around him so much, that was basically the whole reason why we broke up.

He said my name and I couldn’t help but smile so big and jump in to give him a hug and everything felt just like before. Then after the night kept going I realized, this is not the same as before at all. We sat far from each other at the dinner. When we went to the club afterwards and we avoided each other, he was on one side and I would go to the other and vice versa until I realized I couldn’t deal with that anymore. I didn’t know what I liked worse, not being around him at all or being around him and having to treat each other like we weren’t the most important thing in each other’s life just one month ago. He looked so good, feeling his touch again felt nice, hearing his voice was refreshing but I couldn’t make eye contact for too long. His eyes were holding back so much pain. A part of me wanted to tell him to forget what happened and dance with me like we did before and hold me like he did before but another part of me knew it wasn’t the right thing to do.

He told me things I didn’t want to hear and really wanted to hear at the same time, things that made me feel guilty about my choice. He was heart broken and all I could think of is “What’s wrong with me?” I left this guy that loves me to pieces…but I had to. I needed my space, I need to be alone for a little and figure things out. The distance had gotten so hard to deal with and I just didn’t want us to turn into a couple that no longer liked to be around each other. I wanted to love him unconditionally until the very end, and I still do. I love him, he will always have a part of me and I can’t change that even if I tried. I feel so confused, I wish I was back home and then I wish he could just move here all at the same time. And then, I’m not even sure if that’s really what I want. The only thing I could do is hope that time gives me the wisdom I need so that the future becomes clearer to me.

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged Life, love, Miami, venting | Comments Off

Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots Recap and Analysis

Posted on October 27, 2013 by jmoore524

The Miami Dolphins headed into their matchup with their vaunted division rivals on the heels of three straight losses, two of which in absolute heartbreaking fashion; this game would be no different.

Miami got off to a fantastic start after their first drive which would be a trend (at least in the first half). On his first pass of the game, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was picked up off on a beautiful break by Dimitri Patterson which was quickly turned into a Ryan Tannehill-to-Brandon Gibson touchdown.

The Dolphins would go on to suffer, what appeares to be, a season-ending injury to Gibson, however that would not slow their roll as they went into the half up 17-3, and if we’re being honest, that score could have been a shutout going into the half as the Patriots were aided by a terrible pass interference call on cornerback Jimmy Wilson which led to their only score of the half.

**Cue abysmal second half meltdown which we’ve seen all too many times this season from the ‘phins.**

The Patriots came out of the half with the ball, however their first drive was squelched as the squad went three-and-out. All appeared to be going well for the Dolphins; they got the ball back and drove it down the field but were stopped short of the endzone and settled for 46 yard field goal attempt. The wind swirled as Caleb Sturgis lined up his try which perhaps led to the attempt schtoinking off the right field goal post.

After the missed field goal all momentum swung in favor of the Pats. The team immediately drove down the field for their first touchdown of the game putting the game within a score at 17-10.

If Miami fans thought their trials with the referees had ended with Jimmy Wilson’s pass interference call at the end of the first half, they were sorely mistaken.

The Patriots would again be allowed a field goal as Dimitri Patterson was called for an atrocious defensive hold when the receiver he was covering slipped, yet was bailed out by the zebras. 17-16.

The dagger for the Dolphins came when it appeared Jimmy Wilson had sacked and stripped Brady and pushed the Pats back twenty yards on a ball eventually recovered by Patriots offensive lineman Nate Solder. However they would again be bailed out by the black and white as Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon was inexplicably called for illegal batting in the process of trying to recover the football.

So instead of being knocked out field goal range facing a 3rd and 20+ yard try, the team was set up in the red zone and would go on to score the touchdown that effectively put the game out of reach.

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The Required Class For the Future, Why don’t we have it?

Posted on October 27, 2013 by natalie.izquierdo

Many students in college often do not know where to begin as graduation approaches. Through out our years in college and even high school, we are required to take many different classes that essentially do not apply to us or our majors and will likely never help us in the future. Why isn’t there a class for the things were about to face in the real world? A class that helps us with resumes and interviews as well as the things that come with being an adult like filing taxes.

Graduating students all face the same challenges when they leave college. They are all about to be faced with the real world and its challenges. Instead of requiring electives outside our majors, why not require a class like this, that will help you with the full adult life you’re about to face. A class like this could help many students and prevent them from ruining their credit or help them successfully get their first job. Teaching students skills that could help them, like networking everywhere they go could make a major difference in their life.

Of all the general education requirements in college, this one could be the most useful if they decided to create the class. The class would teach you real world skills and would apply to every major, because whether students want to face it or not interviews and networking are part of every major and the after graduating process. Potentially, if created, the class would prepare you for everything life throws at you, or at least the basics for when you initially are set to face the world.

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Coupon Couture: From Rags to Riches.

Posted on October 27, 2013 by stephaniemmuniz

Imagine being able to finally purchase that beautiful leather bag you have always wanted. It breaks your heart to have to pass by that boutique on your way to work and see that expensively gorgeous black leather purse on display just begging you to take it home, until today, when you can finally walk out of that boutique with the bag propped on your arm. Saving money can be as simple as cutting paper these days, so says coupon expert Jill Cataldo. Jill saves hundreds of dollars by making the most of common coupons found in newspapers, online, and even with the touch of a screen. These coupons can range from a markdown on an item in the store, to even free BOGO (buy one get one) on anything in the store. From grocery stores to sporting stores, merchandisers give coupons to customers that gives them incentive to go to their store, as well as save money on products they were already going to purchase. Some places even allow for consumers to use their coupons in other locations or even retailers. With a rocky economy, it’s great that everyone can still save some money while they shop.

Although couponing can benefit consumers by saving money on products, there is a black hole to this method. The key to couponing is to master the art of knowing when and where to cut. For example, a buy one get one free coupon for Cosmopolitan Magazine would not be too useful for a forty-five year old farmer. Couponers should only be cutting out deals on products that they currently use or are familiar with. Also, coupons usually have an expiration date that the consumer must abide by to use at the time of checkout. Some shoppers might not pass up on a deal and end up with an abundance of toilet paper rolls and no storage. In that case, it might not necessarily be the smartest way to shop with coupons. These smart shoppers have to devote and dedicate time to searching, sorting, and cutting these savings which can at time take hours. Being smart with their time, and their cutting, these couponers can easily save hundreds, and might even be walking out of that boutique with a leather bag on their arm.

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Wonder Dreams: Child Like Fantasy or Wasted Opportunity

Posted on October 27, 2013 by iweezy

Disney is one of the most lucrative companies on the planet, but there’s a good reason for that claim. This year video game developer Avalanche Software has created a game called Disney Infinity. Where the player (i.e. child) can purchase a plastic toy character in any retail store and begin to play as that character on their video game console in what many developers’ call a sand box style video game, where anything is possible. As I mentioned before Disney has published and created a lot of different media content throughout the years, but none come as close to pure genius Disney Infinity. A game that is sure to provide hours upon hours of entertainment to children.

Thing is, this video game requires many plastic toys in order to work which could be considered nothing more than a glorified waste of money. Since the game itself doesn’t advance in any special way unless you purchase more and more plastic toys to play as various Disney owned characters. That said, this video game is strictly meant for children because who else but a child is likely to fall for such an obvious marketing scheme. Basically, you might as well call the video game a trading card game were children constantly desiring more and more characters each time they get bored with the ones they already have.

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Game Two of the World Series, The Cardinals Even the Score

Posted on October 24, 2013 by andreat

If anyone didn’t notice, the 2013 World Series has started. Game two is tonight and the St. Louis Cardinals will be taking on the Boston Red Sox. Game one was a pretty interesting game. The Cardinals game was filled with errors and mistakes and needless to say the Red Sox won big time.

Tonight I think it will be a different outcome. I think the Cardinals will tie the series 1-1 when rookie sensation Michael Wacka for the Cardinals takes on John Lackey for the Red Sox. Wacka has been great this post season and I think that he continues that trend tonight against the Sox. One downfall for the Cardinals is, even though right fielder Carlos Beltran is in the lineup they cannot be certain how he will fair. Last night on a spectacular play he robbed David Ortiz of a grand slam homerun. It was a great play. But something bad happened on it. He ran into the wall and hurt his ribs. Will that have an affect on him tonight? We shall see.

The Red Sox are a very good team, with weapons all over the place. They could pull this one out tonight, but I have a guy feeling that the Cardinals will come away with the victory. This team never gets frazzled. With the exception of last night, they usually play with extreme poise. There is no doubt in my mind they change things around this game and win it.

As for the overall series Victor? I am not sure. I think this series could go all the way to seven games and I really hope it does. Baseball needs some excitement and I think that this series is the one we have been waiting for. Good luck to both of the teams.

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Steller Sea Lions Taken off of Threatened Species List Due to Surge in Population.

Posted on October 24, 2013 by jsjones

With the ever-dwindling numbers of species that are depicted each year on various endangered and threatened species lists, it has come as great news that at least one species has had a surge in population.

The Steller sea lions, found along the coast of Alaska and on to northern California, have just been taken off of the threatened species list. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced this wondrous news today, stating that the growth in population of the sea lions has led them to no longer needing that designation on the list.

Sadly, this is the first time in 19 years that an animal has been taken off of the threatened species list. For this reason, marine biologists and animal enthusiasts are celebrating the news as it is a major milestone in the fight for the recovery of species worldwide.

The NOAA stated that the Steller sea lion population has increased by over 50,000 since 1979, bringing it to a record number of 70,000 sea lions in that region. The incredible increase in sea lions came about after heavy restrictions were put in place that targeted fishermen in that area who would kill the sea lions so that they wouldn’t have to compete with them for fish. The NOAA assured the public that this type of protection would still be enforced by the Marine Mammal Protection Act even though the sea lions were removed from the threatened species list.

Additionally, the NOAA stated that they would closely monitor the sea lions for the next decade so that they would be able to ensure their successful rehabilitation.

Posted in Environment, General | Comments Off

Kanye Proposes to Kim Kardashian on her Birthday

Posted on October 24, 2013 by xchellz

Well it’s official! Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are finally engaged. Four months after the birth of their baby girl, North West, Kanye popped the question.

It happened on the night of Kim’s 33rd birthday. Of course she spent the day with her beloved family and boyfriend and it all seemed to be “perfect,” but it only got better. Many sources say that Kanye West went all out for this proposal to be special and an unforgettable experience and birthday present. He allegedly blindfolded her, flew her to San Francisco, and took her to AT&T Park – the home of the Giants where her family was waiting. He then had a full orchestra play one of her favorite songs, Young and Beautiful, by Lana Del Rey.

Next, he had the giant screen in the middle of the park read, “Pleeease Marry Meee!!!” He then was said to have gotten down on one knee and proposed, which is very traditional in light of everything else he had planned for the proposal. Kim was given a 15 carat diamond ring. She has flashed her giant rock on the social networking site, Instagram, and has gotten lots of attention from all over the world for it. An engagement will always get a slew of “awwwws” and women giving their congratulations, however, not everyone felt the same. A lot of people mocked it since this will now be her third marriage. Although this is true, he is the father of her child and this could possibly work out the best for her.