Local News (09/09/09-09/20/09)

So, I’ve decided that every week (on Sunday), I’m going to do a quick re-cap of what’s happened in the news the past week that might be of some interest to you. (I’m still debating if I should list them in the order that they occurred or in ascending order of importance. What do you think?)

Here’s the local news:

Teens Looking for “Fame,” the Old-Fashioned Way…With their Talent, September 20, 2009, NYDN

Cute article on 5 NYC teens who are pursuing their dreams at performing arts schools around town.

Hofstra Student Lied About Sexual Assault, 09/16/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

Last Tuesday, an 18-year-old female student at Hofstra accused five men of sexually assaulting her and four young men were arrested. She then recanted the claim, setting off a flurry of debates about if race played a part in the way the suspects were initially villainized in the media. What basically happened is that she had sex with multiple men in a freshman dorm bathroom and one of them recorded some of it on his cell phone. Speculation about why she accused them ranged from her not wanting to get a bad reputation and mental instability. I’m not going to give a speech, because I see several issues at work here; but the main three lessons learned- 1) don’t lie about sexual assualt.ever. (the results are always disastrous for everyone involved and there is no excuse for ruining lives) 2) don’t “run trains” on people or participate in lewd sex acts that make you vulnerable to such accusations. (just because it’s legal, doesn’t make it right. have some respect for yourself. be a better person). 3) if you need psychological attention, please get it.

Bronx Teen Sues over Misuse of Photos, 09/16/09, NYDN and The New York Post (phot0)

Katelyn Lee Aviles, a 17-year-old from the Bronx is suing a Bronx catering hall for using a picture taken at her Sweet 16 party in advertisements for their business, without her permission. The photo is one Katelyn and her uncle took at her Sweet 16 party, but the ads for the catering hall (which works mostly with brides and weddings) make it look like they are married. How dreadful, no?

F.B.I Raid in Queens, 09/14/09, The New York Times (NYT)

The F.B.I. raided several homes in a Queens neighborhood as part of a terrorism investigation. Detailed timeline  here.

Missing Yale Graduate Student Found Dead, 09/14/09, NYT

Annie Le, a 24-year-old Yale University graduate student was found dead in a campus lab after an exhaustive search; a vigil was held to remember her life; and a lab technician has been charged with her murder.

New Jersey Teens Suing the Newark Bears, 09/14/09, NYT

Apparently, three teens attending a (minor league) Newark Bears baseball game refused to stand during the singing of “God Bless America,” and were asked to leave by Bears’ president Thomas Cetnar. The boys claim their constitutional rights were violent and, surprise, surprise, are suing the Newark Bears.

Bronx Teen Founded Murdered, (09/08/09), NYDN

Jamia Hazel, a 17-year old from the Bronx was found stabbed to death and dumped in an alley. Her foster mother said that the teen wanted to turn her life around (get a GED, become an anesthesiologist) but “couldn’t break her bad habits” (running away, staying out late, running the streets, dealing with older guys). One of those older men she was seeing has been charged with her murder. Very sad story.