FRESHMAN BRINGS
inthestars life | 7
TALENT FROM OVERSEAS
SPORTS | 8 125th YEAR | ISSUE 7 @REFLECTORONLINE f /REFLECTORONLINE
SEPTEMBER 13, 2013
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Maroon Alert reports attempted abduction Property owners experience tax increase BY ZACK ORSBORN & KAITLYN BYRNE Multimedia Editor & Editor-in-Chief
The Maroon Alert system reported a possible attempted abduction behind Sessums Hall at 11:39 p.m. on Wednesday. At 11:57 p.m., Mississippi State University Police Department dispatcher Nick Guyton said the event is under investigation.
According to the Maroon Alert system, a person walking behind Sessums Hall reported an unidentified black male wearing a gray shirt tried to grab the victim. The male released the victim and ran toward Burger King. A resident of Sessums Hall said an African-American male jumped out from between two cars, grabbed the victim, hoisted her onto his
shoulder and started to run. The victim started to scream, when an unidentified male ran up to help her, and the perpetrator dropped the victim. Bill Kibler, vice president for Student Affairs, said the investigative arms of MSU Police Department are viewing video footage, but the investigation is still on-going. He said the victim was not injured.
BY PRANAAV JADHAV
is minimal and is absolutely necessary for Starkville. “For a typical apartment, which may be worth $100,000, the tax hike is only $2 a month,” he said. The funds generated by the tax increase will pay for the construction of bus stop pads required for the new transit system connecting the city to the campus. Jason Ingram, president of
Staff Writer
Starkville residents will pay more for housing due to the property tax hike decided in the Sept. 3 board of aldermen meeting. The city leaders agreed for a 1.98 millage increase instead of the 2.78 millage proposed earlier. Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard said the tax increase
United Country Bulldog Realty, said he does not object to this tax increase and believes it is reasonable. Maynard “You go to Noxubee County and check out their tax rates — it will make you buy in Oktibbeha County,” he said. SEE TAXES, 3
GIRLS GET DOWN
COURTESY PHOTO | DAVID JONES
Shannon Voges-Haupt, Brawl Stars captain, competes at a local bout.
AND DERBY Local Roller Derby team, The Brawl Stars, combine feminitity and strength while competing.
BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN Staff Writer
The Mississippi Brawl Stars do not smash chairs over each other’s heads. There are rules and ladies involved. The Brawl Stars roller derby team will host its last home bout “Malice in Wonderland” Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Columbus Fairground’s Lavender Coliseum. The North Shore Lethal Ladies from the Mandeville-Covington areas of Louisiana will be the Brawl Stars’ opponents. Admission to the fair is $2. The Brawl Stars enter the final stretch of the season with a record of 2-2. Andi Hannigan or
“Kandi Pain,” certified veterinary technician at the College of Veterinary Medicine and MSU alumna, said the derby team has grown and got better. “We’re not horrible,” Hannigan said. “We are beating other people.” The derby ladies come together as a team from across the Golden Triangle area. Among the team members are MSU students, alumni and Starkville residents. One of the Starkville residents is Shannon Voges-Haught or “Shananconda.” Voges-Haught is the team’s president and captain. She discovered the team through an article in the “Starkville Daily News” and has been on the team for four years. “I thought it was really awesome,” Voges-Haught said. “I just showed up to a practice, and they haven’t been able to get rid of me since.” Founded in April 2010, the
Brawl Stars have built a fierce family unit as well as an improving derby team. Amanda Ready or “Snarly Quinn,” junior animal and dairy science major and the Brawl Stars’ head of recruitment and treasurer, said she is close with all of her teammates. “It’s like we are one big, happy family,” Ready said. “It’s really amazing that we are all so different, and we have this one huge thing in common. That’s what makes us so close to one another. We’re like siblings.” Even though no two members are alike, the team is a cohesive unit. “It’s really a sport for all women of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities,” Voges-Haught said. “Our youngest player is 18, and our oldest player is 47. We have women who are 5’2” and 100 pounds, and we have women who are 6’2” and weigh 200 pounds. There’s a place for everyone in the sport.” SEE BRAWL, 2
COURTESY PHOTO | ALLEN GRESHAM
COURTESY PHOTO | DAVID JONES
The Brawl Stars duel together as sisters.
Students question constitutionality of roadblocks C-CERT offers free emergency
preparedness training session
BY LACRETIA WIMBLEY Contributing Writer
During the first few weeks of the new semester, many students noticed the prominence of roadblocks in Starkville and some questioned their legality, while others encourage them. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution states unreasonable searches and seizures require any warrant to be supported by probable cause. However, basic protocol requires officers to make sure the law is followed. Starkville Police Department DUI Enforcement Officer Charlie Jones said roadblocks reduce the percentage of those who drive impaired. KAITLIN MULLINS | THE REFLECTOR | PHOTO ILLUSTRATION “About one out of 25 peo- Starkville police use roadblocks to check for suspended licenses and intoxicated drivers. ple in Starkville are arrested for drunk driving. Roadblocks especially because more young lice should be posted at vari- the street and did not see any ensure that drivers have licens- people are caught driving im- ous spots on campus at least indication of a vehicle coming. As I proceeded, I was ales, insurance and allows the paired due to Starkville being once or twice a month. “About a week ago, while most hit by a car going about check for sobriety,” Jones said. a college town. Ciara Carey, senior second- coming out of my residence 30 mph. The speed limit is 20 Jones also said roadblocks have every right to be in place, ary education major, said po- hall on campus, I was crossing mph,” Carey said.
BY ESHAN NEWAZ Staff Writer
The Mississippi State University Campus-Community Emergency Response Team and the Maroon Volunteer Center will conjoin to offer training opportunities during Emergency Preparedness Week Sept. 16-21. Training sessions are free and open to MSU students, faculty, staff and Starkville and Oktibbeha County residents. Meggan Franks, assistant director at Mississippi State University Office of Student Leadership & Community Engagement and a member of C-CERT, said training is conducted by experts in disaster preparedness and agency representatives. Last year, 130 people were trained — 13 of which were students. “The feedback we received was extremely positive, so that
SEE ROADBLOCKS, 2
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is why we made the week longer,” Franks said. Franks said the events will help participants be prepared to cope with disastrous situations. “Our agencies have emergency preparedness advice and experience that students, faculty, staff and community members could find valuable and helpful,” Franks said. Franks said students will obtain a certificate upon completion of the training. This is also an exclusive opportunity to meet experts in disaster preparedness and agency representatives from various agencies. “How to be prepared when a natural disaster strikes? This is information everyone needs,” Franks said. “It’s a great opportunity that any students, regardless of whether they have an interest in disaster preparedness or not, as it’s information that they need and their future families will need.” SEE PREPAREDNESS, 2
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