THE COLLEGIAN FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
FRESNO STATE'S STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1922
FRESNOSTATE.EDU/COLLEGIAN
Federal drug sting leads to Fresno deputy police chief’s arrest
ASI ELECTIONS
By Collegian Staff @TheCollegian
Fresno Deputy Police Chief Keith Foster was among four who were arrested Thursday as part of a federal drug investigation. The arrests, which were announced during a press conference at the Fresno FBI office, were a product of an ongoing, yearlong, joint investigation conducted by the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Foster, 51, who oversaw the police department’s four patrol operations districts as the second-highest ranked officer in the department, was arrested for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, heroin and marijuana. Also arrested were Rafael Guzman, 41, for conspiring with Foster to distribute heroin;
See ARRESTS, Page 3
HUDSON BY A LANDSLIDE ASI executive vice president will lead student government next year 2051
Total number of students who voted in the election
1337-629
Hudson-Ruiz vote count A Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sister bear hugs Abigail Hudson following her ASI presidential election win Thursday. Darlene Wendels • The Collegian
By Tomas Kassahun | @TomasKassahun
›› RESULTS: A list of this year’s winners on Page 3.
Fresno State’s Associated Students, Inc. executive vice president Abigail Hudson was elected next year’s ASI president Thursday after handily defeating senior Interfraternity Council President Ralph Ruiz by a vote of 1337 to 629. Key issues for Hudson’s campaign included campus safety, community revitalization, improving lighting projects on campus and increasing student representation and involvement. Hudson said her experience as executive vice president has prepared her to uphold her promises. Hudson is also thankful for the relationships she has built in the community. “It’s about talking to a lot of different people, a lot of clubs, fraternities, sororities, just making connections with
“I’m just really excited that it’s over, and I can’t wait to start next year.”
– Abigail Hudson
See ASI, Page 3
@yvette_mancilla
On tour since 2002, Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai” made its way to Fresno on Wednesday for its first of seven performances at the Save Mart Center. Since 1984, the internationally-famed Canadian entertainment group has been touring the world with performances of its now 19 produc-
tions along with its permanent Las Vegas residence. With its ambitious stunts, acrobatics, original music and colorful costumes, the production of “Varekai” came into fruition with about 100 people -- cast and crew -- in addition to 80 local hires for set up. “Varekai” tells a rendition of the Greek myth of Icarus, who is gifted with wings of wax and feathers but falls to his demise into the depths of the ocean after ignoring his fa-
ther’s warning not to fly high close to the sun. In this elaborate show, Icarus instead falls into the deep, mystical world of “Varekai,” where a “magical forest, an ancient prophecy and fantastical creatures” come to help Icarus in his journey to take flight once again. “It’s a story of rebirth,” spokeswoman Vanessa Napoli said. “When you fall in life, the people around us are the ones who help us move forward and
By Megan Ginise @SimplyMeg13
Two parents whose children were kidnapped and were thought to have been killed nearly six months ago in Iguala, Mexico will speak tomorrow in the Fresno State Peace Garden as part of an effort to raise awareness and support. Members of the Caravana 43 coalition will be speaking at several events this weekend in Fresno in solidarity with the 43 killed students from the Ayotzinapa Teacher Training school. The purpose of Caravana 43 in the U.S. is to grant an international forum to the parents who have allegedly lost their children to violence by the Mexican government. “We have spent these last six months, and there’s no way that they did anything for the disappearance of their children, so part of our job is to support our communities in any way possible,” said Leoncio Vasquez Santos, exec-
See STUDENTS, Page 3
Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Varekai’ takes flight at SMC By Yvette Mancilla
Parents of missing Mexico students to speak in Fresno
gain our strength back. That’s exactly what Icarus’ journey is about.” The word “Varekai” (pronounced ver • ay • 'kie) means “wherever” and comes from the Romany language of the gypsies -- the universal wanderers. Much like the gypsies, the performers who make up the world of “Varekai” span from across the globe.
See CIRCUS, Page 6
A Cirque du.Soleil flyer prepares to land during the rehearsal of the Russian Swing as part of the “Varekai” production. Darlene Wendels • The Collegian