"Dia de los Muertos" Showcase Embraces Mexican Culture SOL's "Dia de los Muertos" showcase takes an abstract view of Mexican culture and legend. Pages D-1
Friday November 7, 2014 • Volume 98, Issue Number 9 • Slippery Rock University's Student Newspaper
the rocket
www.theonlinerocket.com
Student threatens ex-girlfriend's life By Haley Barnes News Editor
Russel Ferguson, 24-yearold political science major of Harrisville, Pennsylvania, was charged with aggravated assault among with seven different charges on Wednesday following an attack on a female Slippery Rock University student after reading her Facebook messages. Ferguson was also charged with carrying a firearm without a license, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, simple assault, indecent assault, providing alcohol to
minors, and harassment. On Oct. 29 at 5p.m., Ferguson picked the female student up in his green Toyota Tacoma at her on-campus residence hall, according the police complaint. He took her to Giant Eagle and Wines and Spirits, where he bought groceries and Black Velvet Whiskey. Ferguson took the female back to his Butler county residence of 115 Barr Lane and they ate dinner together. As the evening progressed, they began to argue about actions that had been taken since they broke up. He demanded to
read her Facebook messages and after reading them, he became angry and broke the computer. Ferguson began to strike the female and choke her with his hands. The female now has red marks and scratches on her throat area. Ferguson pointed a Smith & Wesson Revolver at her and threated to kill her too. “Later [the victim] was on the floor in the living room with Ferguson on top of her,” the complaint says. “Ferguson did pull down her pants and stick his fingers in her vagina while calling her a ‘whore’ and asking her ‘you like this don’t you?’ Ferguson
later told [the victim] to leave the residence and then threatened her when she attempted to.” Ferguson demanded that she go to bed with him and in the morning, they continued to argue. Ferguson took her back to her on-campus residence hall. The female reported the assault to the Slippery Rock University Police. While reporting, Ferguson began texting her saying he was going to pick her up again at 4 p.m. While being arrested, Ferguson was carrying the revolver he used to threaten the female’s life.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY
Russel Ferguson (pictured above) is a 24-year-old politcal science major arrested for aggravated assault along with seven other charges.
Native Americans embrace their culture at SRU
ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET
Native American dancers showcase their culture at The Native American Day Celebration on Thursday. At the events, students were welcome to learn more about the culture through the traditions of the Native Americans.
Student verbally and physically assaults Library undergoes renovations police officers charged with simple assault Third floor closed on the Instructional Material Center By Haley Barnes News Editor
Drew Venesky, 19-year-old mathematics major from Cabot Pennsylvania, was charged with simple assault on Wednesday after he attacked three police officers verbally and physically in September. According to the police criminal complaint filed on Venesky, on Sept. 4, officers, Tyler Gray and Lt. Brian Houk were dispatched to Building F for a fire call when they noticed a white male under the influence of alcohol stumbling around the lobby. Concerned for the Venesky’s health and safety, the officers approached him. Venesky responded by flexing his muscles and shoving his hands into his pockets. Gray ordered Venesky to go to the health center, but Venesky refused and verbally abused the officers. Venesky was handcuffed and arrested for underage constumption. On the way to the health center, Veneksy continued to verbally abuse the officers with profanity and threatened them several
times. Venesky was verbally abusive towards the health center nurses and threatened them by standing up and thrusting his chest towards them, the claim says. Officer Lawrence Straub escorted Venesky to his parents in the health center parking lot at midnight. Venesky continued using profanity and Straub ordered him to get into his father’s, SUV. Venesky pushed Straub and Straub pushed back in order to gain control and get Venesky into the backseat, according to the claim. Venesky refused and punched Straub in the chest. Venesky was handcuffed and transported to the Butler County Prison. After a plea-bargain at Venesky’s hearing on Wednesday, the charges were dropped from aggravated assault to simple assault. Senior District Judge, Joseph O’Donnell explained parts of the bargain. He said Venesky is not permitted consume alcohol, he must live with his parents and if he wants to change his address it must be approved. O’Donnell said Venesky is in a bad situation.
Night Happy Bus Back By Vote
The Bible is All
Vice President of Campus Outreach pushed for the night route to return. Page A-3
In a letter to the editor, Kristopher Hawkins speaks out on using the Bible for hate. Page B-2
About Love
Tuesday and Thursday mornings By Bridget McClure Rocket Contributor
An inconvenience many students have run into lately is the closing of the third floor, also known as the “quiet floor,” of Bailey Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:45 AM to noon. Built in 1973, Bailey Library is composed of three levels and a basement. As time has played its toll, the library has been under reconstruction for quite some time and is currently focusing on the third floor. Jessica Jordan is the Education Assessment Librarian at Bailey Library. She became involved with the renovations because the library is looking to make the second floor
Rock Holds Off Fighting Scots Rock football powered past Edinboro University Saturday, winning 29-7. Page C-1
(IMC), which includes all the education based resources. “We renovated the first floor during the last academic year,” Jordan said. “Once we completed that project, we looked through the rest of the building and realized how archaic it truly was.” The library has been working with Mary Ann King, Director for Academic Resources, to renovate the third floor. Renovations to the third floor were not only sparked from previous renovations, but also from the addition of the math emporium, Jordan said. The math emporium was implemented by the Provost at the back of the second floor and is used for different beginner math courses such as basic algebra. “With the addition of the math emporium taking up a lot of room, we were forced to reevaluate the space and materials we had left,” SEE, FINISH PAGE A-2
Empty Bowls Gives Back Local charity benefits from the annual Empty Bowls lunch and dinner. Page D-3