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The Murray State News TheNews.org

Oct. 25, 2013

Vol. 88, No. 11

Students volunteer for local causes Community benefits from plentiful service Alex Mahrenholz Contributing writer amahrenholz@murraystate.edu

As the old saying goes, to help another is to help yourself. Murray State students frequently help the local community. Students are taking advantage of the many volunteer opportunities

the city of Murray has to offer. Whether they prefer helping animals, adults or youth, Murray has several ways for students to volunteer their time toward a good cause. Angela Survant, senior from Princeton, Ky., enjoys volunteering with her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, at West Kentucky Mentoring, which helps underprivileged children within the community. “As a student who volunteers, the benefits are countless,” Survant said. “You have the opportunity to help children grow into responsible young men and women who are well-rounded, as well as developing networking and professional skills for yourself.” Matthew Hamblen, executive direc-

tor of the Calloway County Red Cross chapter, said there are several ways for students to give their time in a variety of events within the Red Cross. Hamblen said students usually volunteer for Red Cross-sponsored services such as blood drives and health and safety fairs. He said there are several other opportunities available, such as disaster relief teams for different catastrophes such as tornados and house fires. Hamblen said another option for students is the Holiday Hero mail campaign, a venture for active service members of the U.S. military. “Anyone can take as many cards as they wish, decorate them or write a message inside and return it to our

office around the week before Thanksgiving and they will be delivered overseas to members of our military,” Hamblen said. “This is a simple way for students to give back to soldiers who cannot be home with their families during the holidays. Students can solidify the hours they need for whatever reason, but volunteering also gives the ‘feel-good’ vibe that comes with helping someone.” Kennadie Potter, freshman from Cadiz, Ky., said she enjoys helping neglected animals in Murray by volunteering at the Murray-Calloway County Animal Shelter. “I came here because I really miss my dogs at home, and I need some puppy therapy and they definitely need human therapy,” Potter said.

“Volunteering here gives you a really good feeling, to have an animal that has been neglected trust you.” If a student wishes to volunteer at the animal shelter all they have to do is check in with the shelter. Animal shelter officials said all types of students come in to the shelter for anywhere between 20 minutes to three hours. Anna Stonestreet, senior from Evansville, Ind., said she likes to volunteer at the animal shelter because it is a stress reliever and has a meaningful impact on the local community. “Volunteering can spark a new interest or a new hobby as well giving

see VOLUNTEER, 2A

Campus safety report released QUICK FACTS

Ben Manhanke Assistant News Editor bmanhanke@murraystate.edu

The Murray State Police released its annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report for the 2012 calendar year last week. The report noted, along with the amount of other criminal activities such as theft, stalking, sexual assault, liquor and drug offenses which took place over the past year, that 47 more reports of criminal damage had been reported between 2011 and 2012. According to the 2011 report, only three cases of criminal damage were reported from Jan. 1 until Dec. 31. This year’s report noted there being 50 cases of criminal damage. Criminal damage is typically constituted underneath the broader banner of criminal mischief and entails the damaging of public or private property, anything from vandalism and keying cars to damaging buildings and road signs. Criminal mischief varies in degrees of severity depending upon the amount of damage done. David DeVoss, chief of the Murray State Police, said that while he found this change in the number of reported incidents for this particular crime to be the most shocking revelation made from the security report, he believes it to be an aberration and not the indication of a new trend.

• 47 more reports of criminal damage between 2011 and 2012 • the increase in criminal damage may be due to an increase in students reporting crime • criminal damage is likely a problem involving interpersonal relationships • the number of alcohol-related incidents has not increased since last year

Sports Editor mrichardson5@murraystate.edu

Meghann Anderson News Editor manderson22@murraystate.edu

Senior wide receiver Walter Powell was arrested Sunday night after an altercation nearly 24 hours earlier. According to the warrant of arrest obtained from the Calloway County Circuit Court Clerk’s office, Powell was charged with one count of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence – minor injury) and one count of theft by unlawful taking of less than $500. The warrant of arrest was issued Sunday morning, and Powell was arrested at his residence that night at 11:16 p.m. by Calloway County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Troy Doss. The incident occurred at the

US senator visits Murray Rand Paul discusses Affordable Care Act, rising cost of college Kate Russell || Staff writer

He said the rise in reports may not indicate a rise in the rate of the crime itself, but may actually be a result of a campus which is more alert to crime and willing to report any instances of crime it observes. “If our students and our faculty

see SAFETY, 2A

Football player to face charges Ryan Richardson

Lori Allen/The News

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) poses for a photo with (left to right) Leeman, Seth and Lowell Stevens. Leeman, freshman, and Lowell, senior, are Murray State students, and Seth is a high school junior.

krussell13@murraystate.edu

Rand Paul (R-Bowling Green), Kentucky’s junior senator to the U.S. Congress, met many of his western Kentucky constituents Monday as he visited several locations in the region, including Martha’s Restaurant in Murray. Martha’s Restaurant was filled to capacity with dozens of people wanting to meet the senator. Paul made his way through the restaurant, first introducing himself to the media representatives gathered at the door, and then walking through to meet and greet the members of the crowd. Those in attendance could ask Paul questions, inquire about his opinions on issues such as the debt ceiling or the Affordable Care Act, or simply talk and share their opinions with him.

“I like coming to communities I haven’t visited in a while,” Paul said. Three Murray State seniors, Hannah Knapp, of Xenia, Ill., Dylan Gerlach, of Louisville, Ky., and Elizabeth Tarter, of Greenville, Ky., spoke with the senator about the Affordable Care Act, and what it will mean for them as they graduate college and enter the healthcare field. Tarter and Gerlach, both biology pre-med majors, asked Paul why they should be doctors after the passing of the Affordable Care Act. “Being a doctor is about more than the money, it’s about caring for people,” Paul said. “I would practice for free any day.” The three students said meeting the senator was a good experience, and that they liked what he had to say about healthcare. In addition to recent government ac-

Murray-Calloway County Fairgrounds in Murray at 11:46 p.m. Saturday. The female victim’s affidavit regarding what happened reads: “We said words to each other and then walked away. He then approached me and we went to the back of the building to talk. “He took my phone and threw it on the ground. A girl that I did not know picked it up and gave it to me. The screen was severely cracked and it did not work. “He went away and I stood in the back crying. He then approached me again and took me to the back of the building. “We talked and he got mad so he punched me in the right side of the face. He then took my clutch which had my keys, my credit card and $10 in it. “I didn’t know what to do so I

see CHARGES, 2A

Lori Allen/The News

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) discusses national issues with local residents.

tion, Paul also shared his opinions on education. He said he believes primary education should be decentralized, with more decision-making power given to the state and local governments. When asked about secondary education, Paul said college is too expensive, and there are not enough jobs for graduates. “The biggest problem with college right now is the rising cost,” he said. “Students are graduating with increasing loan burdens and it’s hard for them to find a job, let alone a job where they make enough to pay off loans.” He talked about the need for more jobs, so college graduates can find work, and when asked about the impact government welfare programs are having on the job search, he quickly touted statistics on the issue. “In 11 states right now, welfare pays better than a starting teachers’ salary,” Paul said. “In 39 states, welfare pays more than minimum wage.” He said he does not believe young adults do not want to work. He believes there just are not enough jobs for them. Susan and Joe Walker, a couple from Murray, said they came to Martha’s Restaurant to thank Senator Paul for his efforts, and to let him know they appreciate him. “People like him need to know they’ve got support back home,” Joe Walker said. Susan Walker agreed with her husband, and said she likes Paul. “He’s got common sense, and he stands up for it,” she said. The couple had no questions or concerns for the senator. They simply wanted to thank him for the work he has done in Washington. Paul’s meet and greet in Murray was part of a series of stops he made in the region, including Benton, Ky., and Cadiz, Ky.

WHAT’S

SCOUT AWARD

OUR VIEW

YOUNG GUNS

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

INSIDE

Student wins prestigious national recognition, 3A

A quarter of Murray residents live below the poverty level, 4A

Rifle team wins first tri-match of fall season, 1B

A guide to find the perfect attire for Halloween, 5B


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