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How to stay productive on Spring Break Dellinger wins Miss Sam Houston pageant Weather to blame for third place golf finish

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Errors hurt baseball in Top 20 matchup

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Thursday, March 6, 2014

CAMPUS

Bomb threat hoax, Lee Drain evacuated KASSIDY TURNPAUGH Assistant News Editor An icy half-day quickly became one of shivering terror after a bomb threat was called into the Lee Drain Building at Sam Houston State University Tuesday.

An unknown individual called a high-traffic, on-campus phone number claiming a bomb had been placed in LDB, according to Ron Cleere, the University Police Department’s patrol sergeant and lead investigator.

According to Cleere, the call was made from a payphone outside of Huntsville to a common number.

Once aware of the situation, UPD released a KatSafe Alert at 1:13 p.m. and began clearing students, faculty and staff from the building.

UPD responded to the building and used the fire alarm to evacuate

the building, Cleere said.

At the time of the evacuation, many students were unaware of the circumstances surrounding the sudden interruption of their classes.

“We were sitting in the middle of class when the alarm went off,” freshman criminal justice major Roby Pennartz said. “We were kind of nonchalant about it and thought it was just the tornado drill that was supposed to happen.”

Pennartz was referring to Wednesday’s planned tornado drill.

Pennartz said even with such little preemptive notice of the circumstances, students were calm about the evacuation process.

“No one really knew what was going on, so there really wasn’t a reason for anyone to be chaotic,” Pennartz said.

After successfully evacuating all persons from Lee Drain, UPD

ASH WEDNESDAY

officers swept the building in search of the alleged explosive but found nothing.

A K-9 unit from Montgomery County Sheriff ’s Office was used to sweep the building yet found nothing of suspicion. The K-9 unit gave the all-clear at 3:20 p.m. and declared it safe for re-entry.

At 3:45 p.m., two and a half hours after the initial alert, a second KatSafe alert was released clearing the building for re-entry and allowing students to return to classes.

According to Cleere, while the evacuation of the building was quick, the perpetrator still managed to get a reaction out of the university, which was more than enough for them.

“I think we did very well,” Cleere said. “It was a very professional and orderly evacuation. But someone obviously wanted to cause a reaction and that’s what

UP FROM THE ASHES. Ordained Episcopal priest and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Marry Robbins (right) lays ashes on sophomore nursing major Ashley Undie (middle) and sophomore criminal justice major Jessica Spencer (left) in observation of Ash Wednesday.

they got.”

No arrests have been made by press time.

If anyone has any information

in relation to this criminal threat, call UPD at 936-294-1794.

Ex-ATF talks raw side of work JENNIFER JACKSON Contributing Reporter

Brynn Castro | The Houstonian

Stacy Hood | The Houstonian

BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION. University Police Department SUV’s and Huntsville Fire Department trucks block Ave. I at Bowers Boulevard after a bomb threat was given to Sam Houston State University. The suspect called a university number and claimed to have placed a bomb in the Lee Drain Building, but the threat was later revealed to be a hoax.

Jay “Jaybird” Dobyns has posed as a hired mercenary, successfully infiltrated the Hells Angels and has been shot multiple times during his time as a federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Although Dobyns has hung up his badge, he relives his time as an undercover agent teaching students how to “bet on yourself.”

Dobyns unveiled his story to Sam Houston State University students and the Huntsville community Tuesday to expose the “real side” of undercover work in conjunction with the SHSU Global Center for Journalism and Democracy spring speaker series.

Standing in front of an audience of 270, Dobyns said there was nothing “glamorous or sexy” working undercover, but he still knew it was what he wanted to do.

In 2001, Dobyns was selected as the lead undercover agent investigating the Hells Angels in what was called “Operation Black Biscuit.”

His focus was to challenge the gang’s founding member Sonny Barger, who said that the Angels

could never be infiltrated by police.

Pictures were shown to the audience of the propaganda campaign Barger had been running for the Hells Angels.

Using toy runs, selling their own beer, the group marketed themselves as outlaws with a heart instead of a criminal organization involved in murder and violence.

Dobyns said grew up in a white, middle class neighborhood, so infiltrating the Hells Angels and similar criminal groups were a challenge. He said he “studied the enemy” and made them believe he was one of them by putting thoughts into their heads. For example Dobyns said he carried a baseball bat at all times while undercover not necessarily for self-protection, but to establish himself among the people he was trying to deceive, he said.

Once the operation was completed and he had successfully led the first-ever police infiltration of the Hells Angels, Dobyns’ identity was exposed. He earned a place on the Hells Angels hit list.

After receiving death threats from criminal groups like the Aryan Brotherhood and MS-13, Dobyns looked to the ATF for protection, but he found none. So

instead he went to the press and was featured on CNN. Junior criminal justice major Whitney Blonquist said Dobyns’ speech changed her perspective of her major.

“It was more eye-opening of the darker side of criminal justice,” she said. “I always thought undercover work would be so cool, but now I’m not so sure.”

A year and half later, he nearly lost his family when his house was burned to the ground. According to Dobyns, ATF did not investigate the alleged arson and went even further to name him as a suspect. He charged ATF with breach of contract in a lawsuit in 2008, which only heard closing arguments two weeks ago.

Dobyns said during the presentation all he wants out of the lawsuit is to ensure future protection of agents and their families.

What Dobyns made clear throughout his presentation was that his was not the story of a hero. While successfully doing his job, he failed to maintain and care for his family. He shared moments with his children who were scared for him and wanted to protect —

DOBBINS, page 2

CAMPUS

Tornado drill directed to inform students, faculty JAY R. JORDAN Associate Editor The suck zone. It’s the point basically when a twister sucks you up (and maybe a good three-word review for a certain Bill Paxton movie), but it doesn’t happen too often in Huntsville.

Although only seven tornadoes have been reported in Huntsville since 1957, one of which that caused a fatality in 1981, Sam Houston State University activated its tornado alarm Wednesday as a drill in conjunction with the Southeast Texas Severe Weather

Awareness Week.

On-campus alarms located on the emergency callboxes went off at 10:01 a.m. KatSafe alerts were sent through text and displayed on on-campus computers at the same time, although phone call alerts came 10 minutes after the first alarm.

According to SHSU’s director of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Steve Shields, the alert will not necessarily go out in the event of a tornado warning, as KatSafe (in this situation) pertains only to the campus.

NOAA’s website states the current

average advanced warning time is 13 minutes before a tornado strikes.

Shields said only in the event of a tornado “imminently” striking the university would KatSafe be activated.

“There wasn’t a specific requirement for this tornado drill,” Shields said. “There are some new changes within the state legislature where they’re requiring institutions to hold drills and record them.”

He’s referring to multiple state mandates, one of which in a section inside Title I of the

Texas Administrative Code that states every institution of higher education must maintain and test safety procedures for events like tornadoes and other severe weather.

“This was a tough time,” Shields said. “We had midterms going on, so we tried to be as unintrusive as possible, primarily testing the system and giving information to people.”

According to Shields, the drill’s purpose was to inform university students, faculty and staff what to do in the event of severe weather or a tornado on campus.

According to a press release by the university, the best places to take shelter during a tornado are either the interior of a building, or a low lying ditch or ravine.

The release also said to avoid large, open rooms, like gymnasiums with skylights or numerous windows, open fields, tasking refuge under trees or attempting to outrun the tornado.

To figure out an emergency plan for your organization, building or class, contact the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management at 936-2942342.

THE SAM HOUSTON MEMORIAL MUSEUM Presents

“The Letters”

AM OUSTON MEMORIAL MUSEUM 1836 SAM HOUSTON AVENUE

Step back in time and read a sampling of letters exchanged between Sam and Margaret Houston.

February to April Main Museum Rotunda

SHSU Students recieve FREE ADMISSION with BEARKAT ONECARD 936-294-1832

WWW.SAMHOUSTONMEMORIALMUSEUM.COM

Page 2

News

Thursday, March 6, 2014 houstonianonline.com/news

ELECTIONS

Primaries yield win for incumbents KASSIDY TURNPAUGH JAY R . JORDAN Houstonian Editors Texas’s incumbent representatives successfully defended their spots on the November ticket after primary elections votes were tallied Tuesday.

The primaries select which candidate each party wants on the November ticket, but

for Huntsville’s Republican candidates who do not have a non-Republican opponent, the winner of the primary essentially wins the position for which they’re running.

ALMOST OTTO-MATICALLY State Rep. John Otto (R-District 18) has claimed victory for his fifth consecutive election.

Otto has held his title since 2004, but this is only the second time he has faced a challenger in the Republican primaries.

Taking to Facebook after the results came in, Otto expressed his appreciation of the continued support he has received. “[My wife] and I would like to thank you for your encouragement and support,” Otto said. “I am grateful and humbled by your confidence to continue representing your interests in Austin. God bless you and the great state of Texas.”

Otto took the polls with 61.8 percent of the nominative votes, according to the Texas Tribune.

Challenged only by fellow Republican Terry Holcomb, and having no Democratic opponent for the fifth time, Otto has an all-butguaranteed return to the Texas House of Representatives awaiting him.

Holcomb, a newcomer to Texas political races, received 38.2 percent of the vote.

Despite a somber loss, Holcomb exited with a final call to action and a reminder of all his campaign represented.

“We fought a good fight,” Holcomb said. “We were able to bring something to District 18 that has been missing for some time. Truth, hope, conviction and the desire to right the wrongs in our state. This fire that has been lit will not be extinguished now.”

Holcomb also eluded to his potential run in the 2016 representative elections and refused to view Otto’s win as a loss for his campaign.

“This is far from over, and we now begin the journey to 2016,” Holcomb said. “I want to thank all of my many friends, family and volunteers and my amazing campaign team. Last night was not a loss. It was a building block to victory.”

KEV-WIN BRADY Incumbent U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-District 8) came out on top after 68 percent of voters chose him to be the only majorparty candidate on the November ticket.

After ousting fellow Republican

challenger Craig McMichaels, who only received 32 percent of the vote, Brady said on Facebook he was “appreciative.”

“In an anti-incumbent year it was a decisive win, and I have [my constituents] to thank,” Brady said. “Now, let’s get back to work in Washington to stop the liberal Obama agenda and get our country back on track.”

McMichaels said that although he lost the election, he was still victorious in one way.

“Although this is not the result we were working for or expecting we did pull off a small victory in the fact that no other opponent to Brady has ever received more than 23 percent of the vote,” McMichaels said on Facebook.

“We would like to thank the many supporters, volunteers, and poll workers who have dedicated a large portion of their time to get us to this point.”

Before the vote, Brady announced that he is challenging Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) in the bid for the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Midterm elections will be Nov. 4.

CAMPUS

Texas health majors at deficit CONNOR HYDE Editor-in-Chief Sam Houston State University’s College of Health Sciences is forecasted to undergo curriculum expansion slated for the 2015 fiscal year.

SHSU Provost Jaime Herbert, Ph.D., said during Wednesday’s Academic Affairs Provost Address the demand of health science majors in the Texas workforce has resulted in the need to broaden the curriculum.

“The holes within the Texas workforce in those areas, they are just begging for graduates,” he said. “We know the students will come. We know our graduates will get jobs.”

According to the Texas Board of Nursing licensure file for 2011, there were 184,467 registered nurses in 2011, a 7.7 percent growth from 2009 and a 19.9 percent growth since 2000. Yet, only 38.8 percent of active registered nurses had achieved a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

Herbert said for the expansion to be successful, there is a need of “strategic

budgeting” to bolster the health sciences program and avoid hindering the success and development of other departments within the university.

“We can no longer think in the way we’ve always thought around Sam Houston State University,” Herbert said. “At the same time we do that, we can’t push aside the other expansions and the other progress at the university.”

The College of Health Sciences became available to students in September 2013. Of the degree tracks offered, including pre-nursing, nursing, health, kinesiology and medical and allied health, a large percent of the curriculum is dependent on other departments.

Herbert added that a 10-year curriculum plan is currently being composed and will entail the cost of expansion for the host college. The impact to other colleges within the university will be included in the plan.

“The impact of the sciences, the humanities and the social sciences is going to be immense when we do this,” Herbert said. “I know this is going to take tremendous resources to accomplish that.”

JUMP

DOBBINS,

page 1

him. These were mistakes Dobyns said he made and learned from.

With a 24-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son, Dobyns said he wants to encourage students now is the time to “bet on yourself.”

He said to not let risk come in the way of becoming something spectacular, but keeping the ones you love in mind as well.

Be sure to check out the Houstonian Orientation Guide located around campus and the City of Huntsville! Can’t find one? Let us know and we’ll get you a copy.

Page 3

Viewpoints

Thursday, March 6, 2014 houstonianonline.com/viewpoints

VACATION

Spring break can be productive

COLIN HARRIS Viewpoints Editor Spring break is just around the corner, and it’s too late to make out-of-town reservations, so you’re stuck at home.

Don’t despair just yet, because while your friends are out partying, you can spend the week being productive.

Who wouldn’t want to spend the most fun week of the year cracking your books or exercising or punching the clock? Yeah it sucks, but you know what else sucks? Getting alcohol poisoning and chlamydia.

The first productive thing you can do next week is to get caught up in all your classes.

Remember that online class you signed up for in October and get weekly emails about? Me

either, and I have two such classes.

There’s definitely something due or past due in there and spring break provides the ultimate opportunity to binge on online classes.

If you’re just enrolled in regular in-person classes, like some retrograde student from 2005, you probably have something due the week after spring break, because professors are the worst.

Work on that and party the week after spring break while all your tan, sleep-deprived classmates are freaking out over the assignment.

Let’s face it though, if you’re not doing anything fun for spring break, you’re a responsible human being and already ahead in your schoolwork, so what else is there to do? Volunteer!

Even though everyone else is having a raging time in South Padre Island or Cancun or wherever, poor people are still poor. They need help now more than ever, since the volunteer labor market has dried up with people on vacation. Find a food bank or nursing home and see what they need. If you’re a churchgoer, visit your house of worship and seek out volunteer opportunities.

Finally, you can do that thing

you need to do, but have been too busy or distracted, the past three months to do it.

Maybe it’s organizing your baseball card collection from when you were a kid and selling it on eBay. Maybe it’s shuffling through your closet and getting rid of clothes you haven’t worn since high school.

For me that thing is a mountain of laundry. Christ, it’s been about a month since I’ve washed any clothes, because the weather keeps changing, so I’ve rotated through my entire wardrobe since mid February. I’m also a lazy sack of shit.

However your spring break goes, just because you aren’t going on a destination vacation doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your time. Walk your dog, help your dad in the yard, start flossing, whatever. So what if all your friends are having the time of their lives? While they’re spending another week procrastinating and forgetting about their problems, you can confront yours head on and save yourself from some stress further down the line.

Word on the Street: What are you doing for Spring Break 2014?

“I’m going to the valley. It’s my birthday week so I’ll be going to the beach and partying. Family, and the live stock show, the best of both worlds” -Cristina Garcia, Sophomore Mass Communications

“I’m going to be at the rodeo, and I will be studying for my test and papers. I will be voulenteering as well”

ELECTIONS

Mad at Capitol Hill? It’s your fault

STEPHEN GREEN Web Editor There are two well-known facts that when juxtaposed present an illogical scenario: Americans have no trust in government, yet incumbents nearly always win.

The poor, dumb bastards in Congress can’t help it though.

The American public is to blame.

Specifically in Texas – the nation’s worst voter turnout state – by the time primary elections are over, the election is basically decided on the local and Congressional district level. Take Huntsville’s three representatives: Texas Sen. Charles Schwertner, Texas Rep. John Otto and U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady.

Brady faced Craig McMichael in the March 4 primary and won 67.6 percent to 32.4 percent. He has no Democratic challenger and will face Independent Theodore A. DeMatteo, and either Russ Jones or Ken Petty, Libertarians, in the general election. His closest nonRepublican election came in 2006 where he beat his opponent by 35 percent. The last time he faced a third party-only election? He won 87 percent of the vote.

Otto won re-election in 2012 unopposed in the general election after defeating his Republican

challenger. He will be re-elected again this year due to lack of a general election challenger at all.

He defeated Republican challenger Terry Holcomb by 23 points.

Last year, Schwertner had no Democratic challenger and a Libertarian challenger who only managed 23 percent of the vote.

Schwertner has never received less than 70 percent of the vote in an election. This year he had no primary challenger but will face his first Democratic opponent (also unopposed in the primary) in November.

Although I have no doubt they would have won and will win the conservative Walker County either way, the margins should be much closer. Only about 14 percent of Texans voted in the primary election, which I think is the most important (for local and district elections) in the state. Essentially anyone who doesn’t vote in the primary election lets the politicos pick their representatives.

There are 13.65 million registered voters in Texas – about 72 percent of the voting-age population – while only about 14 percent voted. At least it’s more than the last gubernatorial primary in 2010 with 12 percent and seven percent in the 2006 primary.

These non-presidential elections are just as important, because senators and representatives on the national and state level are elected and are done so by the minority. Thirteen percent of people might not disapprove of Congress if they actually elected someone they really wanted.

The second reason is lack of choice. In an analysis of the

most recent primary elections Democrats had 83 singlecandidate races for Texas House, six for Texas Senate, and 21 for U.S. House. Republicans had 71 single-candidate races for Texas House, six for Texas Senate and 16 for U.S. House. Even in districts that have been gerrymandered into being either staunchly conservative or liberal, there should be more option than the same guy. The more Republicans/ Democrats to choose from, the more accountable representatives are.

More frighteningly, there are 111 races for the Texas House (out of 150) that will have only one major party candidate, six of the same in the Texas Senate (out of 26) and 11 of the same in the U.S. House (out of 36). There has to be some choice at the voting booth. No wonder why people feel that their vote doesn’t matter. I’ve at times not voted, because I could simply not decide between any candidates with whom I would endorse with my vote.

In short, it’s easy to point the finger at the government as a bunch of apathetic, lazy and insane goofs who have lost touch with reality all together. And while that’s true, the rest of your fingers should rightfully point backwards. More people must get out to vote in the general and especially the primary elections so that politically minority groups don’t control the future of politics.

We also have to have more people to run in both primaries to get the best possible candidates in the general election.

The political environment of Texas demands it.

-Andrew Sanchez Senior, Marketing

“I’m going to Las Vegas. I’m going with my mom and my grandma so I’m ready to travel” -Shelby Voelkel Senior, Business

“ I’m going camping with bros.

We have a cool private beach, hopefully we will have a good time” -Chris Faison Freshman, International Business

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The Houstonian Editorial

The Houstonian was named in the top 100 college newspapers for journalism students by JournalismDegree.org. Members of Associated Collegiate Press and Texas Intercolligiate Press Association.

EDITOR’S NOTE Articles, letters and cartoons by Houstonian staff members or others in this paper are their own and not the opinion of the Houstonian, unless it is noted as such. Submissions and letters to the editor are welcome. Please send submissions to viewpoints@houstonianonline.com. Articles may be edited for grammar and spelling at discretion of editor. Unsolicited oppinions should be 150 words or under. Please contact us if you wish to submit anything longer. Deadline for submission is by 5 p.m. on Mondays or Wednesdays.

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Page 4

Arts&Entertainment

Thursday, March 6, 2014 houstonianonline.com/a-e

CAMPUS

New Miss Sam Houston crowned KIZZIE FRANK A&E Editor

Courtesy Briarley Dellinger | Facebook

ROYALTY. Fashion merchandising major Briarley Dellinger assumed the Miss Sam Houston title Tuesday night.

Dellinger competed against eight other contestants and now has the right to compete in the Miss Texas pageant.

After hours of practices and dress shopping, another queen has been crowned as Miss Sam Houston.

Fashion merchandising major Briarley Dellinger assumed the role as Miss Sam Houston after winning over the judges’ panel at the Lowman Student Center Tuesday night.

Dellinger competed against eight other contestants that included Miss Project Sunshine Katie Coston, Miss African Student Association Kenetra Portley, Miss Alpha Chi Omega Peyton Hughes, Miss Sigma Sigma Sigma Catherine Till, Mis Chi Alpha Kelsey Miller, Miss Phi Gamma Delta Carissa Ferguson, Miss Alpha Delta Pi Martheya Nygaard and Miss Sigma Chi Katelynn Knight.

Dellinger, and first runner up Catherine Till as Miss Piney Woods, now have the opportunity to compete in the 2015 Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant. Like the women preceding her, the nine contestants competed against each other in a sequence of dance, fashion, and a questions portion.

For the talent portion of the show, Dellinger took the stage in a 1920s style flapper dress to show off her dance moves paired to Sam Sparrow’s “Black and Gold.”

SHSU senior dance major Otis Berry helped choreograph Dellinger’s dance and said she took it upon herself to help with the choreographing process.

“Briarley put as much into it as I did. She was my co-choreographer if you will,” said Berry. “It’s up to a dancer to truly bring the choreography to life and she did that.”

As the winner of the $2,000 scholarship that comes along with her title, Dellinger said she has not fully realized the impact her win may have.

“It hasn’t really set in yet,” she said. “Once my schedule starts filling in with all the events I need to attend, I think I’ll be able to say to myself, ‘I am Miss Sam Houston 2014’.”

Now that Dellinger is in a position that requires her presence as many campus events, she feels she has a better chance of spreading platform message of creating awareness and prevention of child abuse, while giving young children self-confidence.

Dellinger said she hopes to exhibit the same personality to the community as she did for the judges.

As for her new found role, Dellinger said she still feels she is the same person.

“I feel that all the hard work I put in paid off,” she said. “I feel an overwhelming sense of support.

It’s truly a blessing.”

TELEVISION

Netflix viewership on rise against networks SEAN SMITH Contributing Reporter

The humble beginnings of a mail order movie rental company have become one of the most successful media entertainment sources.

It changed the way people all over the world watch their favorite movies or TV shows, whether it is through DVDs in the mail or streaming a whole season of “House of Cards” in one night.

Netflix has revolutionized the media industry indefinitely.

According to online technology and culture news site The Verge, with over 31.1 million subscribers in the United States by the end of 2013, Netflix has been considered one the most successful internetbased companies in history. Its recent shift from mail-order movies to on-demand streaming has taken the company into a whole new direction.

Netflix began streaming content online in 2008. While streaming was slow to take off, it has now become one of the most

widely used services provided by the company.

The on-demand access of Netflix’s streaming content has changed the way sophomore nursing major Brooke Nell watches TV. “I like being able to watch what I want when I want to,” she said.

“When it’s four in the morning and all that is on is infomercials, I’ll watch my shows on Netflix.”

Netflix began producing original content in 2011 starting with political drama “House of Cards.”

By producing its own shows, Netflix moved into competition with HBO, according to the New York Times.

HBO is no stranger to quality original programming with 463

Emmy wins. While Netflix has only three Emmy’s to its name, viewers and critics alike are embracing its new shows.

Sophomore mass communications major Logan Self has become a fan of “House of Cards” recently.

“I was hooked after the first few episodes,” he said. “For a show produced by Netflix, it’s really great.”

Self said the availability of episodes is what drew him to the series.

“I’m a really impatient person so not having to wait every week for a new episode is a bonus,” he said. “I finished both seasons in two weeks.”

During “House of Cards’”

first weekend, 670,000 people “binge watched” all 13 episodes in the first weekend, according to Procera Networks.

With whole seasons becoming available at once, having a show spread out over several months may soon become a thing of the past. However, broadcast and cable television is still showing strong.

Six to 10 percent of Netflix users watched at least one episode of “House of Cards” during its first available weekend equating to about two or three million viewers.

By broadcast and cable television standards, that is relatively low for a hit show.

According to NBC, “The Big Band Theory” averages 9.5 million

viewers per episode, even in reruns.

The trouble with comparing Netflix and broadcast and cable television is that they are not monitored by the same system according to associate professor of mass communication Christopher White, Ph.D. “Nielsen measures — in their national sample — how households view TV both in home and out of home,” he said. “This gives some rough measure of viewing streaming content — but not all of that is Netflix viewing.”

According to White, Netflix claims that ratings are irrelevant to their business model. It is subscribers that they count.

Regardless of how they stack against broadcast and cable television programs, Netflix’s original series have made a splash in the sea of media content. With Netflix gaining subscribers every fiscal quarter, it is only time before viewership of “House of Cards,” “Orange is the New Black,” and other original content becomes as widely watched as the most popular shows on TV.

GAMING

‘Stick of Truth’ lives up to hype, I’m super cereal JP MCBRIDE Contributing Reporter “South Park” fans have been waiting a long time for a video game that lives up to the name of the Emmy award-winning television show.

“South Park: The Stick of Truth,” developed by Ubisoft, is worthy of the “South Park” name and lives up to all of the hype it has received.

There have been a handful of “South Park” games made in the past, but unfortunately none of them have been able to replicate the show’s greatness.

This game provides an authentic experience because it is written and voiced by the series creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

It can be hard to distinguish between playing the game and watching an episode since it perfectly emulates the show’s construction paper look and satirical humor.

The story begins with the chosen character acting as the “new” kid searching for some new friends after having just moved to South Park.

The avatar quickly gets caught

Courtesy Ubisoft

RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH. “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker voiced their original characters in “South Park: The Stick of Truth,” which was released Wendesday for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

up in a seemingly innocent “Lord of the Rings” type fantasy game

that the rest of the kids in “South Park” are pretending to play. As

the story progresses, things start to intensify in typical “South Park” fashion with aliens and the government getting involved.

Many characters from the series including Mr. Hankey, Al Gore and Mr. Slave appear in the game on side quests built into the storyline.

Like most role playing games, the goal is to continually level up and acquire stronger abilities, weapons and outfits. While the combat and role playing elements are solid, the humor and little details packed within the game are what make it special.

The interaction between the characters induces non-stop laughter, as well as some of the collectible items, which include Chinpokomon dolls, and the Easter eggs that can be found in some of the character’s rooms and closets.

This game is tailored specifically for fans of “South Park” the show as it is not revolutionary to the role playing genre.

The game can last anywhere between 10 to 14 hours depending on how much time is devoted to the side features and has some replay value for those wanting to play as different avatars.

Overall, “The Stick of Truth” is an authentic representation of the show and would be a joy to play for any fan of the crude-humored Comedy Central series.

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Violinist Wanted Wedding in Coldspring

March 22 Play during seating, the Wedding March and Here Comes the Bride

$125 Contact: Elaine

Page 5

Sports

Thursday, March 6, 2014 houstonianonline.com/sports

BASEBALL

Errors leave Kats on losing end, 8-5 KYLE KELLY Staff Reporter Sam Houston State came into Wednesday’s powerhouse matchup against No. 20 Rice looking to top the Owls for the second time in a week.

Unfortunately for the No. 28 Bearkats, a disastrous fifth inning would ultimately allow the Owls leaving Don Sanders Stadium with an 8-5 victory.

The tale of the tape for Wednesday’s game would be the Owls capitalizing on Bearkat errors, while the Bearkats could not mount any consistent offensive effort against the Owls’ pitching staff.

Logan Boyd got the nod for the Bearkats coming into the game with a 2.25 ERA, but his stay on the field would fall short.

Boyd lasted four and two-thirds innings and surrendered three earned runs. The Bearkats offense would answer the first two runs of the game that were put on the board by the Owls in the third and fourth innings with Ryan Farney and Colt Atwood both getting RBIs to tie the game 2-2.

Dylan Ebbs would come in to relieve Boyd, but couldn’t fare much better, lasting only one and one-third inning and giving up four runs. The kicker being none of the four runs were earned, coming all off of two Bearkat errors.

Ebbs short lived outing brought the Bearkats’ bullpen churning at full speed with Andrew Godail and Nolan Riggs coming into the game in relief.

“We’ve been preaching pitching and taking care of the baseball for weeks now, and obviously we did not take care of the baseball,” head coach David Pierce said.

Situational hitting also hindered the Bearkats as SHSU left runners on early, having the Bearkats relying on two out rallies late in the game.

“I think things started in first inning,” Pierce said. “We had the bases loaded and we had to get some runs there and we couldn’t capitalize.”

The Bearkats came into the bottom of the eighth inning with hopes of starting a desperate rally down 8-3 after a two out RBI from designated hitter Spence Rahm in seventh. Carter Burgess was the

Alex Broussard | The Houstonian

PITCH DON’T KILL MY VIBE. Designated hitter Shea Pierce walks off after taking a fastball to his right hand while attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt in the 5th inning of Wednesday night’s game. Pierce did not return to the game later due to injury. The Bearkats play host to Cal State Northridge for a three-game weekend series.

center of the rally for the Bearkats getting a two out two run RBI single to turn the momentum in the game in favor of Sam Houston State setting the score at 8-5.

“You know losing is never fun, especially when you beat yourself,” Burgess said. “In that situation I was just looking for a pitch to hit, and I got it, but it wasn’t enough.”

Sam Houston State plays host to Cal State Northridge for a threegame weekend series. The first game of the series will be Friday at 6:30 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Kats make final push for league tourney MARISSA HILL Sports Reporter Sam Houston State’s women’s basketball team is on the outside looking in the Southland Conference tournament with

their final two regular season games against Southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans this week.

Only the top eight teams in the league will earn berths to the SLC tournament, and the Bearkats are currently sitting in 10th place.

The women’s race is tense with only one

victory separating SHSU from a three-way tie for eighth place between SELA and Houston Baptist.

If SHSU defeats SELA Thursday, SHSU will get the go ahead over the Lions in a tiebreaker due to the Bearkats’ potential season sweep over them.

“The chances of us getting the conference are very low, [but] there may still be a way,” junior post Angela Beadle said. “At the end of the day we just need to focus on winning these last two games and just showing the potential we can have for next season.”

When SHSU and SELA played in mid January, it was an 86-85 overtime thriller.

The Bearkats came out of Hammond, La. with the victory behind the performances of senior guard Jasmine Johnson and Beadle.

Johnson nailed a three-point shot with only four ticks remaining on the game clock, tying the contest 75-75.

She came back again in the overtime period and sank the game-winning free throw with 0.6 seconds left.

Beadle played her career-best that night, tallying 34 points for the Bearkats. The offense ran through her as the guards found her open around the basket for layups the entire night.

She was flawless at the free throw line for the matchup, draining all six shots.

Together, Johnson and Beadle scored 60 of SHSU’s 86 points – commanding nearly 70 percent of the offense.

The Bearkats owned the rebound advantage over the Lions 49-38, which

allowed them to put up 40 points in the paint.

SHSU’s defense became vicious, stifling the Lions’ offensive firepower from 54 percent in the first 20 minutes to 37 percent in the second 20 minutes.

For SHSU to complete the sweep, they need to repeat their offensive effort and spread their defensive stinginess throughout both halves. They must find a way to quiet Lions’ junior guard Elizabeth Styles and senior post Aja Gibson.

Styles led the Lions with 23 points for that contest, 14 of them coming from behind the charity stripe.

Gibson added insurance to Styles’ performance with her own 12 points, going 6-for-11 from the floor.

“I think one of the biggest things [on defense is] boxing out and moving on the pass,” Beadle said. “I sometimes think we get caught up with our man, especially when we play our own defense.”

New Orleans will roll into Huntsville Saturday on a season-long losing streak (027). SHSU routed UNO at their last meeting in January 78-47.

With the last few berths in the conference tournament coming down to the wire, picking up two victories this weekend will be crucial for the Bearkats. If they can meet this last challenge, SHSU could possibly punch their ticket to the Merrell Center in Katy next week.

Chancy Johnson contributed to this report.

Lillie Muyskens | The Houstonian

Page 6 Thursday, March 6, 2014 houstonianonline.com/news

Weather hinders men’s golf in La. GOLF

ROBERT SANDOVAL Contributing Reporter

SHSU men’s golf team fell just short of University of North Texas’ first place score of 586, with a final team score of 594.

The Bearkats took third place and sat six strokes behind host team Louisiana Tech at the Louisiana Tech Argent Financial Invitational Monday and Tuesday in Ruston, La. Heading into the second round of the tournament, the Bearkats were slated sixth while senior Albert Miner stood five strokes out of first place. Miner produced an impressive tournament-best 68 scorecard, which revamped him to make a run for the leader.

“I felt that if I played my game going into the second round then anything could happen,” Miner

Courtesy GoBearkats

MORE THAN MINER PROGRESS. Sam Houston State University senior Albert Miner (left) had his second top five finish of the spring season with a second place finish at Louisiana Tech’s Argent Financial Invitational in Ruston, La.

said.

Yet, it would be one stroke that was Miner’s downfall.

Miner’s final score of 143 would

be just one stroke too many to tournament champion, and Southland Conference opponent, Pep Angles of Central Arkansas.

Followed closely behind Miner was junior transfer Zach Cabra.

Cabra came into the tournament off a record-breaking fall season

for the Bearkats. The junior was tied for 20th after the first round yet would swing things around to hit a 69 in the second round and finish the tournament with a final score of 145.

The frigid weather proved difficult for SHSU on their approach to the green. The 35 degree temperatures hindered Miner and Cabra from getting the much needed help at making a run toward first place team finish.

Freshman standout Klein Klotz would finish the tournament tied with teammate Logan Boatner seeded 32 with Andrew Johnson finished 66.

The bad weather canceled the third round for the teams, leaving the Bearkats from getting a final chance at clawing back in for first.

The Bearkats will tee off next March 14-15 in Laredo at the Border Olympics.

LOCAL

Council unsure with Kroger expansion

The fate of an ongoing project to relocate the current Kroger in Huntsville and expand it into a superstore was a topic of concern at Tuesday’s Huntsville City Council meeting.

Councilmembers voted in a split-decision of 5-3 to waive $75,000 worth of permit and inspection fees to enter into an economic development agreement with Kroger Texas, L.P. The motion passed but not without discourse among the council.

One of the main concerns

among council members was that they felt guilty of giving more consideration to the propositions of large corporations as opposed to those of small, local businesses.

“I have nothing against Kroger. I just can’t see this as a necessary expense for the city,” councilmember Joe Rodriguez said. “Huntsville is growing, and we’re going to continue to grow.

However, I want to do it on a level playing field.”

Councilmember Ronald Allen said that local and small business should be given the same opportunities.

“We just can’t pick Kroger and then the next time someone comes in, because they don’t

have a good lobby and they’re not a big corporation, then we don’t give them the same look at,” Allen said. “I think we just don’t have a procedure in place to treat everyone the same.”

However, Mayor Pro Tem Keith Olson disagreed, saying that Huntsville does treat all business proponents fairly and equally. Olson said he couldn’t remember a day in his three-plus years on city council where they considered one person differently than another.

“I’ve had local developers come with opportunities that live here, vote here, spend money here, pay taxes here—do everything in Huntsville, Texas, just like all of

us do,” Olson said. “And they’re considerations have been worked on in executive sessions and in open meetings just like Kroger, Target, Walmart—anybody that’s come here.”

Huntsville will initially only receive 50 percent of the sales tax revenue from the superstore, according to the deal.

Although the increase in sales tax revenue won’t be immediate, according to councilmember Tish Humphrey, a long-term expansion could have positive benefits for the city.

The proposed superstore would be 90,000 square feet with an additional 30,000 square feet on reserve for expansion, making it

equal in nearly every aspect to its sister store in Willis.

Yet, despite the increase in size, councilmember Don Johnson said he isn’t convinced the expansion will see the city will lose sales revenues.

“The present Kroger, which is a horrendous parking situation, is approximately half [the size] of the proposed new Kroger here, so I just think that half the tax deferred for another few years on a twice as big of a store, selling more goods in a more attractive condition—I’m not convinced that we’re going to suffer any kind of loss of sales revenue at all,” Johnson said.

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