The Encounter After Dark

Remembering The Las Vegas Shooting p.22

Human Trafficking p. 26

Stop The Abuse: Domestic Violence p.29 Media: Enemy of the People? p.34

Editorial Board Delainey Smith

Editor-in-Chief delaineysmith@stfrancis.edu Emily Plummer

Layout Artist emilyplummer@stfrancis.edu Katie Wozniak

Assistant Online & Print Editor katherinewozniak@stfrancis.edu Antonio Smithberg

UNIVERSITY Campus Calendar................................4 Student Spotlight................................5

NEWS

Campus News.....................................6 Joliet News..........................................8 World News...................................... 10

FEATURE Splash Page....................................20 Vegas Shooting Anniversary...........22 Dark Web......................................24 Human Trafficking........................26 The Black Market..........................27 Domestic Violence........................28 USF Hauntings............................. 30

COMMENTARY

Conspiracies..................................32 Media Commentary...................... 36

Sports Editor antoniosmithberg@stfrancis.edu Jalen Williams

Entertinment Editor jalenwilliams@stfrancis.edu Amber James

Feature Editor amberjames@stfrancis.edu Chandler Kowaliczko

PR Manager chandlerkowaliczko@stfrancis.edu Alex Guglielmucci

Promotions Manager alessandroguglielmucci@stfrancis. edu Blake Tomac

PR Specialist blaketomac@stfrancis.edu Angelica Bibian

Advertising Manager angelicabibian@stfrancis.edu

ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS

Ask Ashley..........................................12 WCSF Top Ten..................................13 Joliet Prison Haunted House..............15 Will County Fall Events.....................16 Concert Review..................................18 Bar Review.........................................19

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October 1, 2018

Cubs Update......................................36 Local Sports.......................................38 Spotlight Athlete................................39 Fall Fresh Faces..................................40

Dr. Scott Marshall

Advisor smarshall@stfrancis.edu

Staff Writers Ashley Hare Chandler Kowaliczko Lauren Wozniak Evelyn Odum Rodolpho Perez Sara Hill Richie Mroz Bennie Radford

Hello Students and Faculty, Welcome to the October edition of the Encounter. Myself and the rest of the staff wanted to change up the traditional “spooky” edition that normally comes in October. Our focus this month is not only about ghost hauntings and trickor-treating, but about the real “dark” issues in society.

Rather than just covering the typical Halloween stories, in this edition you will find hard issues facing our society such as the black market, sex trafficking and the dark web. These topics aren’t always easy to talk about, but that’s what makes them important.

UNIVERSITY

Letter From the Editor

Want even more updates from the Encounter? Check out our website (usfencounter.stfrancis.edu), to stay up to date on the latest news, entertainments and more. We are constantly adding new articles every week!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook (USF Encounter), Instagram (usf_encounter) and Twitter (usf_encounter). For more information on becoming a writer contact me at delaineysmith@stfrancis.edu.

Without further delay, we hope you enjoy the Encounter After Dark.

Sincerely,

Delainey Smith Editor-in-Chief

As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.

Policies

From the top, left to right: Delainey Smith (Editor-in-Chief ), Emily Plummer (Layout Artist), Katie Wozniak (Assistant Editor), Antonio Smithberg (Sports Editor), Jalen Williams (Entertainment Editor), Amber James (Feature Editor), Chandler Kowaliczko (PR Manager), Alex Guglielmucci (Promotions Manager), Blake Tomac (PR Specialist), Angelica Bibian (Advertising Manager)

The Encounter is published by the students of the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois, 60435. The newspaper office is located in room S413C of Tower Hall. The Encounter phone number is 815.740.3816.

As a member of USF Campus Media, the Encounter strives to produce a publication that stresses quality writing and design.

By reporting on issues that may be sensitive in nature, the Encounter aims to educate, inform and persuade students on topics that affect their lives on and off campus.

Editorial pages provide Encounter staff with opportunities to express thoughtful views on controversial topics.

Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author and are not necessarily opinions of the Encounter Staff.

Publications of letters to the editor are subject to space availability and management discretion. Letters are also subject to editing.

Letters to the editor or any other submissions may be dropped off at the Encounter office or emailed to usfencounter@gmail.com.

The Encounter is printed by RICOH Services on the campus of the University of St. Francis.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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CAMPUS CALENDAR OCTOBER By: Emily Plummer Layout Artist

1

2

3

4

5

Fall Fest, 8p.m., Abbey Lounge

BSA General Meeting

St. Francis Serves, 6:30p.m., Terrace Cafe

St. Francis. Blood Drive, 11a.m., St. Clare Campus

Major Discovery Day, 7:45a.m., Pat Sullivan Center

St. Francis. Transitus, 9p.m., Chapel

Feast of St. Francis Mass, 12:15p.m., Chapel

Blessing of the Creatures, 12:45p.m., Pavillion

11

12

Make Emoji Pillows, 11a.m., Uno Lounge

Employee Accreciation Breakfast, 7:30a.m., Moes Room

Franciscan Idol, 7p.m., Sexton Auditorium

Create Canticle of Creation, 10:30am, Quad

8

9

10

SGA, 8p.m., San Damiano

Fuel For Your Test, 11a.m., Uno Lounge

Midterm Massages, 11a.m., Uno Lounge

Philsophy Club Meeting

Sister 2 Sister General Meeting, 7p.m., Abbey

15

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22

23

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25

26

SGA, 8p.m., San Damiano

SAM Induction Dinner, 6p.m., San Dam Muder Mystery, 8p.m., Abbey

29

30

31

SNA Meeting, 12:10p.m., GAH 423

BSA General Meeting

Trunk or Treat, 4p.m., Marian Hall

St. Clare & St. Francis Week Themed Events Fall Break No Activities

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October 1, 2018

San Monarcas, 7:30p.m., Sexton Auditorium

By: Amber James Feature Editor 1. First things first: what is your major?

“I am a Marketing major with a double minor in Communications and Management.”

2. What are you involved in on campus?

“I am involved as the Vice President of Publicity for Student Government Association, the Publicist for Student Activities Board, the Conference Chair for Residence Hall Association, a Distinguished Leader in Students Today Alumni Tomorrow, and as a Duns Scotus Scholar in the honors program. I also serve as a Peer Minister, a Writing Center tutor, Saints Ambassador, and I am a student worker in the Alumni & Family Relations office.”

3. What are you looking forward to this year?

“Although I am involved in a lot, I am looking forward to all the experiences I will have in my various roles around campus.”

4. Give us the “behind the scenes” – How did SGA come up with the idea to recreate The Office intro?

“This year, we wanted to introduce our e-board in a fun, creative way that would portray us as a relatable group of people. Our Vice President of Diversity, Fernanda Sandoval, proposed that we use The Office theme since it was so popular among students last year. While we planned most of what we filmed, there was quite a bit of improvisation, which just made the scenes all the better!”

5. What is your role in SGA and what exactly do you do Courtesy of Vilmosvarga

for the organization?

UNIVERSITY

Seven Questions with SGA’S Elizabeth Badalamenti “In SGA, I serve as the Vice President of Publicity. In this role, I work to connect students to SGA and SGA sponsored clubs in whatever way I can. This year, I have been working with Roberto Santillan, the SGA President, to improve our social media presence on Facebook and Instagram. In addition to this, I also manage the SGA Snapchat, design SGA’s flyers and bulletin board, and create the SGA meeting minutes.”

6. What do you plan to do after graduation? Do you know yet?

“After graduation, I would love to work in the marketing department for a college or university while I pursue my MBA. I believe receiving a higher education can have such a positive impact on a person’s life and would like to be in the position to share this belief with others.”

7. Are there any fun facts you want readers to know?

“Roberto Santillan, President of SGA, can solve a Rubik’s cube in 36 seconds. Rodolfo Perez, Executive Vice-President, has a twin sister (and admits he is the evil twin).

Jordyn Day, VP of Finance, is from Georgia.Victoria Daugherty, VP of Student Endeavors, is the President of USF’s chapter of Alpha Psi Lambda. Liz Badalamenti, VP of Publicity, can play 4 instruments (piano, guitar, clarinet, and bass clarinet). Caleb Campbell, VP of Sustainability, likes to go hammocking in his free time. Fernanda Sandoval, VP of Diversity, is currently learning her 4th language.”

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Campus News By: Emily Plummer Layout Artist

Cafeteria Updates To start off the school year on a “sweet” note, the cafeteria has now begun to offer soft serve ice cream to students. Everyone has been loving the new addition, especially USF resident Courtney Joyce, who admits to shamelessly eating it on a daily basis. She says “I love ice cream so much, I eat it just about every day, it is so good!” This seems to be the general consensus amongst all students and even faculty as well. On occasion the cafeteria will feature a “toppings bar” to add sprinkles, syrups and whipped cream to the beloved desert.

On Thursday September 20th, Sodexo hosted an on-campus farmers market, and it was quite the hit. Students were able to use cash, card or dining dollars to pay for the fresh produce. Although it only lasted the afternoon, the event allowed students the opportunity to get some local, fresh produce with the convenience of not having to leave campus. This event, which was partnered with the Office of Sustainability, is something for students to look forward to in coming semesters.

Library to Stay Open For 24 Hours One of the most anticipated changes in the next several months is the addition of the LaVerne and Dorothy Library staying open for 24 hours. These hours will occur only on weekdays on the regular extended hours days, and will allow students access to study rooms, computers and all other resources that the library has to offer students.

With many night owls on campus, specifically residents, this offers them a quiet place to stay focused on studies without the worry of the library closing.

This change is not set in stone yet, but is anticipated to occur sometime during the fall semester.

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October 1, 2018

Courtesy of Pintrest

Over the summer, USF made the switch from a regular cable provider to a new company focused on providing technology services specifically for universities. This switch has not only saved USF money, but provides access to more channels, services such as on demand, Hulu and a brand new Campus Life Channel*. This company is Apogee.

share your favorite pictures on social media or promote campus initiatives.

NEWS

New Cable Service and Campus Life Channel To start posting your own content, visit stfrancis. orcatv.com, or email emilyplummer@stfrancis.edu for more information. Happy posting!

As the Student Ambassador for Apogee, I can vouch for all of the amazing pluses that come with their services, specifically the USF Campus Life Channel. This channel streams on the school cable so anyone can access it at all hours of the day.

What exactly is the this channel though?

The USF Campus Life Channel broadcasts flyers, videoes, pictures, and graphics that students create.

The purpose is to keep students informed and engaged with what is going on around campus. You can post to the channel to promote club events,

*Not all features have been put into effect, expect more information regarding this Spring 2019

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7

JOLIET NEWS By: Katie Wozniak Assistant Editor

“Spooky Saints” Trunk-Or-Treat at USF This year, USF’s trunk-or-treat event is going to be bigger and better! Hosted by the Resident Hall Association (RHA), this safe and indoor trick-ortreat experience is being moved to Marian Hall after having been in the Moes and Presidents room for the past two years. On Wednesday, October 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., clubs and organizations at USF will be stationed throughout the floors of Marian Hall giving candy to local families. Being led by a USF student, they will be able to see door decorations, talk to different clubs and have fun at the same time! Various activities will be available for children in the Marian Hall Abbey Lounge as the conclusion of their trip throughout the dorm halls. Emily Plummer, one of the RHA Presidents, encourages families to come out to this event, saying, “This event is truly one my favorites, I love seeing how happy the kids are coming to trickor- treat and play games with us. The experince is rewarding for everyone.”

Jefferson Street Bridge Reopened The Jefferson Street Bridge has been reopened as of September 5 after two months of repairs. The bridge was initially closed to perform structural steel repairs of two deteriorated girders that supported the west side of the bridge. The mechanical repairs, as mentioned in the last edition of the Encounter, are still tentative. Guy Tridgell, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), said in an email to the Joliet Patch that the bridge “will likely need to be closed again next spring for additional structural steel repairs that were identified during the course of this project.” The exact dates of when this closure will happen has not yet been announced.

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October 1, 2018

Courtesy of the Joliet Patch

NEWS

Faux Solicitor Out For More Than Your Business The Will County Sheriff’s office is on the lookout for a man who has reportedly been walking throughout local Chicagoland neighborhoods robbing the area while posing as a door-to-door salesman. Claiming to sell cleaning products, he is described as being a black man in his 20s, standing about 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds. He is also described by witnesses as having tattoos on his left forearm. A clear photo of the man has been turned into Will County Police taken from a home surveillance system.

The robber first knocks on homeowners doors and, if home, he engages residents in conversation about a cleaning spray he is supposedly selling. If the owners are not home, he looks for any packages to steal and checks to see if their door is unlocked.

ABC 7 in Chicago spoke to victims of this man’s crimes, explaining, “One resident turned over security video to the sheriff’s office depicting an incident on Sept. 14 in the 2400 block of Chevy Chase Drive, showing the man approaching the front door with a spray bottle and then stealing two packages that had been delivered.

On Sept. 15, a resident of Lockner Boulevard in Joliet reported that the same man spoke with him about the cleaning spray on the front porch. After the alleged salesman left, the homeowner noticed that his cell phone was missing from a table he had set it on.”

Any information on this unidentified man should contact Detective Beckman at 815-727-8574 ext. 4933.

Joliet’s Favorite Since 1966 815 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60435

(815) 727-3511 www.homecutdonuts.com

OPEN 24/7 - FREE WIFI 10% OFF Purchase with USF ID

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

9

WORLD NEWS

By: Delainey Smith Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Ocean CleanUp Underway

Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating plastic from the sea, launched its $20 million system that is designed to clean up the 1.8 trillion pieces of trash floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

According to the Ocean Cleanup website, the company has been experimenting with a new technique to track the millions of metric tons of plastic in the ocean. This clean up is the first proof of a concept that utilizes a form of infrared imagery to quantify marine plastic pollution.

Julia Reisser, Oceanographer at the Australian Institute of Marine Science tweeted, “We have just published the first study exploring the SWIR spectra of ocean plastics in-situ.” She continued, “Our research highlights the potential of hyperspectral sensors to remotely quantity marine plastic pollution.”

The Ocean Cleanup Project has towed its first system out toward the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and is currently conducting a series of final tests in the North Pacific.

The previous technology used to search for plastic in the sea was rather ineffective, being unable to pick up smaller pieces of plastic and making it difficult to sort plastic from glistening water in the sun. According to Newatlas.com this new ideology of using SWIR imaging technology allows plastic to be more successfully traced in the ocean.

Iran does not wish to go to war with U.S. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran has no intension to go to war with U.S. forces in the Middle East, where Iran has been involved in proxy wars with U.S. ally Saudi Arabia for decades reported Reuters.com.

President Rouhani stated in a news conference on September 26, “We do not wish to go to war with American forces in the region.”

He stated Iran would remain in a multinational 2015 nuclear deal that the U.S. government exited in May. “As long as the deal serves our interests we will remain in the pact ...

Remaining members of the deal have taken very good steps forward but Iran has higher expectations,” he said, adding that expected U.S. sanctions in November on Iran were illegal and “nothing new.”

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October 1, 2018

In an interview with bloomerberg.com, Marcos Vizcaino, Caracas garage owner said the increase was the final blow for the family business of two generations. “I already told my four employees to go find other jobs,” he said.

NEWS

Venezuela Minimum Wage Raise causes distress He continued stating the scarcity of spare parts, a sclerotic tax bureaucracy and hyperinflation had already complicated matters and resulted in less than a customer a day.

Yusbell Arcaya a human resource analyst at the university of western Venezuela feels unappreciated as a senior employee since the wage raise.

Socialist, President Nicolas Maduro’s economic reforms of raising minimum wage has caused major distress in some citizens.

“We all earn the same. I earn the same as the girl who presses a button to open the door,” said Arcaya, in an interview with ReuAccording to Reuters.com Last month, Maduro unexpectedly ters.com, who has worked at the university for 19 years. “I studied ordered a 60-fold increase in the minimum wage to compensate and I worked hard. And now it turns out none of that was worth for runaway inflation alongside a 96 percent devaluation of the it.” bolivar currency. This left employers across Venezuela struggling to afford the new minimum wage, let alone the higher salaries The president, who was re-elected to a new six-year term believes once paid to more senior employees. the economic reform would shore up oil-rich Venezuela’s morThe wage increase has caused employers to lay people off, prices to rise and senior employees to feel underappreciated.

Photo courtesy of Reuters.com Photo courtesy of Ocean Cleanup Photo courtesy of Maven

ibund economy. But instead the measure could just hollow out private companies and private institutions and cause residents to flee to neighboring countries for work.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

11

ASK

ASH L

Becky

G Com

EY:

es to J o

liet

By: Ashley Hare Staff Writer This past summer, Latino native from Englewood, California, Becky G came to the Joliet Xfinity Store. Xfinity partnered with CineSony for a free, multi-city meet and greet for “Beasters” to get the opportunity to meet her. Becky came to the Joliet Xfinity Store on August 11. Over 800 fans showed up to the store to show Becky their support. But, some of you are probably wondering, “Who is Becky G?” I first heard of Becky G in 2015, when she began dating my heart throb, Austin Mahone. Becky G is now a 20-year-old triple threat. She’s a singer, actress and dancer. Becky currently has a number one hit on the Billboard’s Latin Charts “Can’t Get Enough” with Pitbull, plays a role on the top-rated FOX drama series “Empire” and landed her first feature film role in Lionsgate’s anticipated “Saban’s Power Rangers.” Becky is making her name known in the music and acting industry. Next on Becky’s list is releasing her debut album in Spanish. Becky stated, “I’m so proud of my roots and I’ve always loved Spanish music. Because I’m such a big fan and I knew I could make it, I felt like, why not? I had just finished filming ‘Power Rangers’ and it was the perfect time to start a new chapter.” Becky describes her album as “urban with mainstream pop appeal.” However, you may know Becky for her smash hits such as “Shower,” “Lovin’ So Hard” and “Becky From the Block.”

When I arrived at the Xfinity Store, I was about the 40th person in line. After waiting over four hours in line, Becky had finally arrived. Upon her arrival, the first 100 people in line received a wristband which guaranteed your picture with Becky. Since I was one of the first 100 fans, I received a gift bag from Becky after I met her. However, when Becky arrived I waited around 40 minutes before I finally met her. I really wasn’t nervous because I already met her before in 2015. Becky was extremely sweet and beautiful. I handed my phone to her photographer who snapped our picture together.

If you would like to learn more about Becky G, follow her on her social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. You can catch her on tour this upcoming fall in San Antonio, Texas and Miami, Florida.

Best of luck to Becky and her future!

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October 1, 2018

Left, Ashley Pictured with Becky G in 2018. Right, Ashley Picture with Becky G in 2015.

ENTERTAINMENT

Top 10 Artists 1. MITSKI

Be The Cowboy Dead Oceans

2.

SLAVES Acts of Fear and Love Virgin EMI

3.

YOKE LORE

Absolutes [EP] Big Indie

MITSKI

4. SHY BOYS

Bell House Polyvinyl

5.

CULLEN OMORI

The Diet Sub Pop

6. KURT VILE

“Loading Zones” [Single]

7.

8.

9.

SIS

Euphorbia Native Cat

JONOTHAN SOMETHING

Outlandish Poetic Solitaire

CONES

“Run The Risk” [Single]

10.

RE

YOKE LO

THE HAPPY FITS

KURT VILE

Concentrate Self-Released

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

13

MOVIE HORROR REVIEW By: Bennie Radford Staff Writer

“The Conjuring” (2013) Run Time: 1hr 51min, My Rating: 8.5/10 “The Conjuring”, according to Netflix is based on true events. It continues by saying that “this spinechiller tells the story of a New England family who begins having encounters with spirits in their farmhouse.” This movie is amazing if you’re are trying to get into the horror genre with something that doesn’t have as many jump scares as other horror movies on Netflix. Junior Amber James describes the movie as, “Terrifying, but in the best way possible. It’s also surprisingly spiritual, which was interesting to see.”

“Let Me In” (2010) Run Time: 1hr 55min, My Rating: 8/10 According to IMDB.com, Matt Reeves’ “Let Me In” is about a bullied young boy who befriends a young female vampire that lives in secrecy with her guardian. Although this movie is ranked lower than “The Conjuring”, it is an amazing movie with an amazing story. But since this is a list of the Top Four Horror movies, it just doesn’t quite bring enough horror to claim the number two spot. “Let Me In” is a great movie for those who love vampire movies and a great story. I would highly recommend for everyone to check it out.

“Before I Wake” (2016) Run Time: 1hr 36min, My Rating: 7.5/10

You can watch these horror movies and more on Netflix

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October 1, 2018

According to Netflix, “Before I Wake” has a very simple, yet intriguing synopsis. The synopsis is as follows: “Still mourning the death of their son, Mark and Jessie welcome foster child Cody into their lives. Soon they discover he has a strange ability.” While I am not going to spoil what that ability is, after watching this movie, I have come to the conclusion that the plot of the movie was excellent. However, I feel as though it was too long and had multiple instances where they could have finished the movie.

Regardless, it was a good horror movie if you are watching it with someone else, laughing while they are freaking out about every obvious jumpscare.

“Oculus” (2013) Run Time: 1hr 44min, My Rating: 9/10 I first heard about Mike Flanagan’s “Oculus” when my parents said that it was supposed to be a scary movie full of jump scares. Of course, I didn’t believe them. After just a few minutes into the movie, I knew I was wrong. According to Netflix, Mike Flanagan’s horror movie can be summarized as, “Now young adults, siblings Tim and Kaylie are still trying to recover from and get to the bottom of their parents’ deaths from more than a decade ago.” Overall, this movie was a suspenseful, thrill-seeking horror movie with the perfect amount of jumpscares and had a greater story than any other horror movie on Netflix.

ENTERTAINMENT

Haunted House at Old Joliet Prison By: Giovanni Alvarado Staff Writer

It’s that time of year again. Black cats are spotted on chilly, full moon nights. Jack-O-Lanterns sit on front steps, lit with spooky candles to give you a grim, grinning fright. Ladies and gentlemen, October is finally here! Like most Halloween fans, I’m sure you would like to know where the coolest haunted houses and Halloween attractions are within the area. While there are plenty of spooky attractions to choose from, the old Joliet Prison one day could be your next terrifying haunted house to visit.

According to Evil Intentions, the famous company that runs the award winning premiere haunted house in Elgin, the Joliet Prison is expected to be quite horrifying and spine-chilling for those who dare to enter. “Evil Intentions is opening the doors to the terrifying old Joliet Prison,” the company’s website states. “Walk the hallways of Chicago’s most notorious killers like John Wayne Gacy, Richard Speck, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb.”

Built in May of 1858 by the state, the limestone building held both prisoners and criminals of war during the Civil War. The prison was fully active until 2002, when it was officially closed down due to budget cuts and dangers of the old-fashioned Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and Netflix Photo courtesy of Giovanni Alvarado

building. Its record number peak of prisoners held was 1,180 in the year 2000 and 541 total staff members. Today, it remains one of the most popular tourism spots of Joliet and is sponsored by the Joliet Area Historical Museum. In the 1980 movie “The Blues Brothers,” the prison served as a filming location.

Due to it having a popular and proximate history, several USF students that live in the Joliet area were asked what their thoughts were of the prison becoming a haunted house one day. Amber James, a junior at USF, thought it would be a great idea for the city. “The Joliet Prison being turned into a haunted house is a great idea! It has so much history and so many stories behind it and I think it would be so fun to be able to go and experience it!”

Ashley Hare, also a junior at USF, said that the old Joliet Prison becoming a haunted house is a great opportunity for the city of Joliet. She stated, “What makes it more special is that the prison is considered a haunted attraction in general. Ghosts stories and tales are spread all throughout the Midwest. People will come out to experience the thrill but also really see if they can catch a ghost or experience an eerie feeling.”

According to a Joliet Patch article, Evil Intentions had hoped to open its doors by Sept 1, 2018 on a Saturday and turned out not to be the case. As of now, there are no intentions this year for opening with the project, even though the city of Joliet is still on board with it. The Joliet Historical Museum is currently allowing exclusive tours of the prison. Some speculate that Evil Intentions will likely open the haunted house around Halloween of 2019.

Would you dare to enter?

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

15

WILL COUNTY By: Richie Mroz Staff Writer

Hayride of Horror & Cruise of the Bayou Location/Time: 7-10p.m. Friday & Saturday. Dellwood Park Price: $15-$35 on Route 171 & Woods Drive, Lockport, Ill. 60441

OCT 5th27th

Ride the Hayride of Horror as spine-tingling and mysterious forces will chill you to the bone as you journey through the underworld of Dellwood Park. Wicked entities and monsters will encompass you throughout your entire ride of terror. The Curse of the Bayou is a new haunted maze teetering between the living and the dead. A powerful Voodoo Priestess is looking for you. You must navigate the treacherous maze to escape or risk being her next victim.

Lemont Park District Fall Fest Location/Time: 3-6p.m. Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet, Ill. 60432 Price: FREE

OCT

This FREE event will feature LIVE music from Prairie Station, a scarecrow building contest, kids zone, amazing kiddie straw maze, snacks, hayrides and more!

6th

Boos & Brews Beer and Wine Festival Location/Time: 6-10p.m. Konow’s Corn Maze. 16849 South Cedar Road, Homer Glen, Ill. 60491 Price: $50 Halloween themed beer and wine fest at Konow’s Corn Maze! This

OCT

event will feature activities that Konow’s offers, live music, raffles and, of course, beer and wine!

19th 16

October 1, 2018

Chicagoland Speedway Trunk or Treat Location/Time: 11a.m.-1p.m. 500 Speedway Blvd, Joliet, Ill. 60433 Price: $10

OCT

Families and race fans are invited to load up their trunks with candy and put their little ones in full costume before heading to the second annual Trunk-or-Treat fundraising event at Chicagoland Speedway.

ENTERTAINMENT

FALL EVENTS 20th

Halloween Dance Party Location/Time: 2-3p.m. Joliet Public Library, 150 N Ottawa Street, Joliet, Ill. 60432 Price: FREE

OCT 28th

Halloween Dance Party with DJ DreLaurin weclomes children of all ages with an adult.

Wear your costume and bring your friends for a monstrously fun afternoon of music, games and dancing! There’s no registration for this event.

Mwahahaha!

Fall Craft and Import Beer Fesitval Location/Time: 5:30-9p.m. Joliet Area Historical Museum : Lower level auditorium, 204 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet, Ill. 60432 Price: $20-$23 A classic event returns: Sample over 40 Craft Beers & Ciders

NOV

from 12 Brewers from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.. Learn about Joliet’s brewery history with a special lecture and exhibit by renowned Joliet Brewery Historian and Collector John E. Bitterman. $20 for Members & $23 for Non-Members.

15th

Photos courtesy of Pexels, Konows, Lockport Newsletter online

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17

CONCERT REVIEW: Deaf Wish By: Jalen Willaims Entertainment Editor

When I heard the name “Deaf Wish,” I was expecting a metal-type concert. I was anticipating a concert with a lot of loud guitar riffs and screaming lyrics. Everything I imagined lived up to the expectation and I loved everything about it.

As a fan of rap music, rather than alternative, I kept an open mind about the concert and what kind of music I was going to hear. When I got to GMan’s Tavern down the street from Wrigley Field, I wasn’t too sure what I was going to hear. Would it be metal? Rock? Country? As I would learn, alternative is a mix of metal and rock.

Walking into the bar, I could immediately hear the band, the Gotobeds, playing in the back room of the bar. They were three guys playing on a small stage in the front of the room but their sound was anything but small. Walking into the room, I was immediately deafened by the guitar notes blasting through the speakers a few feet in front of me.

Sitting at the bar closer to the back, it was a little easier on my ears. However, I had to shout my drink order into the bartender’s plug-filled ear. The crowd was composed of adults ranging from their early 20’s to their early 40’s. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying the band, even though they may have been deaf. Once that band finished their set, there was a short intermission before the main band, Deaf Wish, took the stage. They introduced themselves on stage as being from Melbourne, Australia and were engaging the city crowd, which kind of surprised me. Personally, it’s pretty cool that a band came all the way from Australia just to play in this little bar on the North Side of Chicago.

The band certainly lives up to their name, since the second they started playing I was immediately deaf. I could hear my ears ringing among the lyrics and as uncomfortable it was, I loved it just as much. The songs they played were good, with a lot of singing and shredding guitar solos. Sara Hill, a Digital and Recording Arts major and alternative fan, said she enjoyed the concert as well. She commented, “The venue was in a great area and had a great atmosphere and the bands were amazing!”

As the concert went on, my ears became accustomed to the noise and I was able to enjoy the music. Following the concert, a lot of people stuck around to talk to the band, who were incredibly friendly.

All in all, my first alternative music experience was exactly what I expected and more. Even though the music was louder than I’m used to and it’s not my preferred genre of music, I genuinely enjoyed myself. The venue was fitting for the genre of music, with the dark lighting and small room perfectly complimenting the bands that played. If they came back to Chicago, I would go see them again. For all you alternative music fans out there, check out Deaf Wish online if you’re looking for a great new band!

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ENTERTAINMENT

BAR REVIEW:

McBride’s on 52 By: Sara Hill Staff Writer

Are you looking for a nice pub & grille with a range of great drink options, fantastic food and a welcoming atmosphere? Well, look no further than McBride’s on 52, located down Jefferson Avenue near the Joliet Walmart and right next to Sushi Ya. This pub & grille is notorious for fish & chips and weekly specials. These specials include Taco Tuesday’s with $1.50 chicken or beef and $2.00 steak tacos and Margarita Monday’s with $4.00 margaritas and $5.00 burger & fries. Their motto being “May you enter as a guest and leave as a friend,” I hope to make this pub a weekly stop for your food and drink needs.

I had always passed McBride’s when going to the Inwood Athletic Center, so one night I was curious and went to go check it out for myself. When I first walked in, I noticed there was a decent amount of people hanging around and chatting. I was promptly seated with one of my friends and we ordered our drinks. I got an Angry Orchard, which I was surprised to see they had on tap. I’ve only been to a few bars, but I’ve never seen Angry Orchard on tap. I read the menu and saw that they offered 19 beers on tap and I noticed some that I had never even heard of. Our waitress was super friendly and took our orders once we were ready. I ordered the mac-n-cheese bites as an appetizer and I got the buffalo chicken wrap for my meal.

While we were waiting for our food, more people started to come in. All of the wait staff were very friendly as they passed by with drinks and food. After finishing my beer, the waitress was prompt and came back and asked if I wanted another one right away. The appetizer came out first and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the mac-n-cheese bites were; my friend and I ate them much faster than we wanted to. Our food came out after a bit of time had passed, which I figured was due to how busy it was starting to get. I ordered the crinkle cut fries with my wrap and they were a little on the crunchy side, but not too crispy. The wrap was to die for. The garlic herb tortilla was better than I had expected and the ratio of wing sauce to ranch dressing was perfect. I didn’t have any problems finishing my food and my second drink. It started to get a bit crowded once we were getting up to leave, but it was not so crowded that I couldn’t move.

All in all, my experience at McBride’s on 52 was one that was very pleasant with wonderful wait staff, great food and surprisingly unique kinds of beers on tap. Also, with a variety of drink specials, McBride’s will definitely keep me coming back for more.

Photo courtesy of nightclub.com

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CELEBRATING 60 YEARS

REDEMPTION GAME ROOM

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FEATURE

ENCOUNTER AFTER DARK In this issue you will find much more than the typical Halloween hauntings and spooky stories.

There are many “dark” topics our society faces on a day-to-day basis and we are laying them all out in the open in this edition. In this section, we take a deeper look into issues such as the dark web, mass shootings and the black market. The nature of these topics are so dark, however we often become desensitized to them after constantly seeing them in the media; we hope to focus on them in this section and remind everyone of the “dark issues” in our world.

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Las Vegas Shooting: One

By: Amber James Feature Editor

On October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire on a crowd of concert-goers at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. The massacre left 58 people dead and 851 injured. The motive? Unknown, according to NPR.org. Now, only one year later, we remember and honor those who were affected by the mass shooting.

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FEATURE

According to PBS.org, “In the months since, the tragedy continues to present difficult questions for the hotel industry and mega-event promoters like Live Nation and A.E.G, which put on the biggest outdoor festivals in the country and a large percentage of the live indoor concerts in North America.” Security issues are brought back into the spotlight for businesses and companies nationwide, now that the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting has approached.

Since the shooting, for the first time in Coachella’s 19-year history, organizers used surveillance drones to monitor the vast grounds of the festival, according to PBS.org. The drones were operated by a third party and had some limitations: they could not fly directly over crowds or cars unless there was a public safety issue. “With a drone we can get somewhere super quick where it would take an officer [more] time,” said Sgt. Daniel Marshall of the Indio Police Department. Wynn Resorts, for example, also improved its security by placing guards at the entrance of the building to scan visitors and their bags. The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino placed 24-hour guards by the elevator banks at the hotel where the gunman carried out his massacre. But is it enough?

“Regardless of security issues and polarizing viewpoints, this anniversary is a time of need and comfort for those still being affected by the shooting”

A 2017, Gallup poll reveals that “38 percent of U.S. adults said they were less willing to attend events with large crowds out of concern that the events could become a terrorist target.” (For comparison purposes, immediately after the 9/11 attacks, 30 percent of Americans said they felt the same way.) The increase in mass shootings and killings means a decrease in attendance at public events, even when it is something as simple as a concert. This has changed the dynamic of a society that we have all been a part of; so much so that a separate poll, taken days after the Las Vegas shooting, found that “39 percent of Americans are ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ worried that they, or a loved one, will be a victim of a mass shooting,” according to the Gallup.com website.

We tremble at the thought of never seeing our loved ones again.

Even worse: experiencing their death.

Some security experts have criticized the hotel industry’s response to the Las Vegas shooting, arguing that hotels haven’t focused on the core problems. Mac Segal, a security consultant for the executive protection company AS Solution, said that the hotel industry has largely focused on “security theater,” adding measures that calm their guests’ safety fears without “fundamentally preventing or mitigating threats,” according to PBS.org.

On the other hand, regardless of security issues and polarizing viewpoints, this anniversary is a time of need and comfort for those still being affected by the shooting. According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune website, “Lively personalities shine through exquisite facial detail in 58 portraits painted to honor victims of the nation’s worst mass shooting.” The paintings and drawings were produced by the Las Vegas Portraits Project, a campaign that seeks to honor victims and comfort their families.

These portraits are all that the families have left of their loved ones; a portrait of them at their happiest.

“We hope this will touch people, through knowing that someone nearby or halfway around the world was thinking of them,” said Ellen Abramo, one of the project directors. Abramo’s project brings families closer together and helps them remember a time before October 1, 2017.

We are living in a state of constant fear, fear for our lives at the hand of a gunman, any gunman, afraid to live or step outside of our own homes. But today, as the one-year anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting comes and goes, the world doesn’t stop. But sometimes, we wish it would...just for a second. Today, we are all reminded to live our lives to the fullest. Today, we hold our loved ones a little closer, as others may be remembering those they lost only one year ago.

Photos courtesy of Time Magazine

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THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DARK WEB By: Chandler Kowaliczko PR Manager

To some, the dark web may seem like the electronic version of the unlit alleyway you avoid on your walks home but to many it is a platform used to communicate, inform as well as make a living.

Although the basic structure of the dark web is similar to what we may be used to, the unregulated chaos and anonymity make for a slow, untraceable user experience. Despite the majority of activity on the dark web being illicit, there is still a large segment dedicated to harmless chat rooms, websites and internet surfers who are simply curious as to what lies behind the ominous veil that Hollywood has spun off into every direction possible. The dark web does not pertain to one person, one website or one country but rather a deep-rooted system of mysterious criminal activity across the globe that even the world’s more advanced cyber security cannot control.

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FEATURE

How Do You Access the Dark Web? Darren Guccione of CSO, a technology organization, explains just how to reach the dark web. He explains that “accessing the dark web requires the use of an anonymizing browser called “Tor.” The Tor browser routes your web page requests through a series of proxy servers operated by thousands of volunteers around the globe, rendering your IP address unidentifiable and untraceable.” IP addresses are what cyber police use to trace internet activity to a specific hard drive, which can then be found using GPS. The dark web cannot be accessed through traditional search engines but Tor can be downloaded from any browser easily.

What’s on the Dark Web? While Hollywood does its due diligence depicting the slew of illegal activities on the dark web, that is only one portion of what you can expect to find. Bari Weiss of The New York Times lists just what one might find on an average dark web search. Whether it be drugs, stolen identification, child pornography or hitmen, marketplaces similar to eBay or Amazon allow for these purchases to take place anonymously. The increasing popularity of the cryptocurrency “Bitcoin” has made these illegal transactions that much easier and untraceable by cyber police. Pirated movies, downloadable textbooks, counterfeit currency and leaked government paperwork are also among things for sale. Companies such as Facebook have even began launching versions of their websites on the dark web.

Is the Dark Web Illegal?

If, by the end of this article, you are wondering whether it would be legal to use for yourself, rest assured it is not illegal to visit the dark web. Mark Stockley of Sophos, an IT security company, describes when innocent browsing can turn criminal. It is illegal to visit websites on the dark web that host illicit activities, even if you don’t participate in the buying or selling of these goods or services. In the United States, anyone with an internet connection can access the World Wide Web freely. This is not the case in oppressive regimes who sensor its citizens digital content.

Internet censorship is a huge political issue in some countries and web browsers such as Tor provide internet access to users without boundaries. The growing popularity and desensitization of the dark web has called to action more cyber police than ever before to try and monitor these illegal activities. By examining the entire scope of what the dark web is, it becomes easier to understand why so many people are fascinated by what lies on the other side of the screen.

Photos courtesy of Global News and Codeburst

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Human Trafficking By: Rodolfo Perez Staff Writer

few decades. According to The Muse website, laws and organizations such as Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) are attempting to dissolve instances of sex trafficking by banning areas where it thrives, such as prostitution. It may not seem like much of a start, but it is a start to end the fight with what many term “modern day slavery.”

There has never been a more surreal time in life, when it comes to gathering information. We rarely ever consider how difficult our lives were prior to the “smartphone era.” It’s astonishing to think we are walking around with a piece of technology that gives us access to basically any information we desire.

With this grand luxury, however, innocence and peace of mind are often sacrificed. According to arkofhopeforchildren.org, roughly four million people become victims of human trafficking every year, with an estimated 20.9 million victims worldwide since 2012, over half of these victims being children.

Now, by reading this, you may start to feel cynicical, which is completely understandable. However, dear reader, please read on.

There are efforts being made day in, day out to help combat the increasingly dire circumstances we’ve found ourselves in for the past

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But with sex trafficking rates rising where is the mainstream media coverage of this issue? Much of the research on the topic, even the inspiration for this piece, came from sources not normally see on a day-to-day basis. It seems as though mainstream media tries to shy away from this grave topic. According to the Oxford Research Encyclopedia website, media coverage for human trafficking has risen over the past years but it is often portrayed in the most complex of forms. The idea of human trafficking is often told from the salvation story, where a victim, or groups of victims, are all rescued in a swift and painless way but this is often not the case. University of St. Francis sophomore, Monica Jan, says, “I believe we need to take a step back and prioritize what we think is ‘newsworthy,’ only then can problems like human trafficking can be solved.”

To better understand how expansive the black market is, it is best to understand what it is first. According to Investopedia.com, a black market is an economic activity that takes place outside of government-sanctioned channels. These activities usually take place in private and aren’t subjected to government taxing or price controlling. In short, anything that is bought without having sales tax on it or some sort of a reasonable price is considered a black-market transaction.

“A black market is an economic activity that takes place outside of government-sanctioned channels.”

FEATURE

When most people hear the term “black market,” they usually think of things like racketeering, human trafficking or illegal drugs and guns. However, there is way more to the black market than most people know. It’s a lot more complex than criminals selling guns, drugs and kidnapped victims. While everything about the black market is illegal, many people turn to it for several different reasons and all those reasons are worth the risk of buying or selling illegal services.

By: Jalen Williams Entertainment Editor Not all of the drugs on the black market are killers. However, one has recently been reaching legal status across half the United States. The black market for marijuana is one that has been seeing a change across the country in more ways than one.

States like Oregon and Colorado that have legalized marijuana for recreational use have still seen black market activity, whether it’s growing or selling. “The reason is simple economics,” reports Martin Kaste of National Public Radio. “Overproduction in Washington and other states with legal pot has led to a market glut — and rock-bottom wholesale prices in the legal market.”

This is allowing black market sellers to purchase marijuana at a low price in a legal state, then take it to a state where marijuana is illegal, raise the price and sell it for a profit. Just because a state makes marijuana legal doesn’t mean you can become a legal drug dealer. Unless you work at a dispensary, it’s illegal.

Aside from drugs, there are a lot more things in this world that you will only be able to buy on the black market. Mili

tary-grade weaponry (assault rifles, nuclear weapons, Kevlar vests) are sold to various drug cartels and criminal organizations around the world, as well as street gangs located across America.

Social security numbers and other private information can be sold on certain websites by hackers and can result in innocent people becoming victims of identity theft. Young men, women and children around the world are tragically kidnapped, sold to the highest bidder and are forced into sex trafficking, slave labor and/or prostitution. Even human organs can be bought by patients who can’t or won’t wait for a matching donor any longer, with prices ranging in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The black market gets darker the deeper you search. From selling ounces of weed on the street to buying a gun with the serial number filed off, the black market offers services for those with not-so-good intentions. It is important to remember that every choice has a consequence. Choices in the black market, however, have even darker consequences.

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stop the abuse By: Lauren Wozniak Staff Writer

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, which serves the purpose of raising awareness about the warning signs of abuse and how to seek help. The topic of domestic violence is important for anyone to be educated about, as it can save lives.

This is especially important for college students to know because, according to DomesticShelters.org, the most common age demographic to experience domestic abuse is between the ages of 18 and 24. The source also states that more than one third of women and one fourth of men in the U.S. having experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner sometime in their life.

One of the first steps to escaping an abusive relationship is being able to recognize the abuse. The violence will not always be as obvious as hitting one’s partner; abuse comes in many different forms. According to stoppingdomesticviolence.org, forms of abuse

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include: threats, isolating his or her partner, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, turning loved ones against his or her partner, failing to accept responsibility for bad behavior, switching between extreme hatred and extreme kindness, maintaining a mental status of feeling superior to his or her partner and more. These characteristics come in many varieties and not every abuser shows every sign.

After recognizing abuse, it would seem logical to simply leave.

From the outside of the relationship, it is easy to expect the victim to pack his or her bags and walk out the door. The process of leaving any type of abusive relationship is not always that simple.

There can be a lot of fear associated with leaving.

FEATURE

“Dating abuse is a reality for many, many teens across this country — a terrifying, overwhelming reality that is largely hidden and ignored. I wish that I had known at the time what I know now...I am not alone. I am not the only one to have experienced what I experienced, and I am not the only one who has decided to turn those experiences into positive changes for others like me.”

The abuser could have threatened to hurt the victim, one of his or her loved ones or even themselves if the partner were to leave.

There could also be a general fear of the abuser finding him or her after leaving. The victim could possibly have issues finding a place to go after leaving if they have been isolated from friends and family or have been prevented from making friends in the area he or she lives.

However, there are many resources put in place to help victims of domestic abuse survive and escape a dangerous situation.

Multiple websites exist, such as thehotline.org, that aid victims of domestic abuse. Most of these websites even have security measures to better ensure the visitor’s safety. For example, thehotline.org warns the user that his or her internet activity could be tracked. The website also informs the user that if he or she presses the escape button twice, the page will redirect to Google.

This is a way to prevent one’s abuser from finding out about the victim seeking help. The website provides a domestic violence hotline phone number along with typed-out steps to leaving an abusive relationship, signs of abuse, what it means to be in a healthy relationship, resources for domestic violence help and a blog page where survivors have shared their stories of abuse and the lives lead after the abuse is over.

One survivor who posted on the blog is a woman named Emily.

Emily was abused in college after breaking up with her boyfriend for cheating. He had been clingy before but after the breakup, he became a stalker and ended up physically assaulting Emily twice. When she reflected on her experience, she said that, “The experience did change me – sometimes for the worse, but (I hope) mostly for the better.” She also noted that, “Dating abuse is a reality for many, many teens across this country — a terrifying, overwhelming reality that is largely hidden and ignored. I wish that I had known at the time what I know now...I am not alone. I am not the only one to have experienced what I experienced, and I am not the only one who has decided to turn those experiences into positive changes for others like me.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, it is very important that you reach out for help. Thehotline. org provides resource numbers, emails and even addresses for state, national, teen and LGBTQ+ domestic abuse aid sources.

For Illinois, the hotline is (877) 863-6338, the office number is (217) 789-2830 and the website is www.ilcadv.org. If you or someone you know on campus is in facing abuse, please visit the USF Counseling Center; it is free and completely confidential.

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IS

By: Katie Wozniak Assistant Editor

H USF A U N T E D ?

The University of St. Francis opened its doors back in 1920 by the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. Now, nearly 100 years later, the school still stands in service to hundreds of collegiate and graduate students of all backgrounds. Some of the buildings, however, are the original structures used 100 years ago to house and educate the Franciscan women of the 1920’s.

It is easy to assume that such old structures have an extensive history as well as a few ghost stories to go along with them. While the gathering of concrete evidence is inconclusive, I asked security staff at USF of any supernatural stories they may have. Craig Newberry, a security officer shared his own personal story with me of an eerie sight in Tower Hall.

“Years ago, I don’t remember how long ago, but I was working midnights and was the only one at the school. It was also summertime, so there were no other people around. I was standing in the parking lot where the science building now is and I looked up to where the registrar is located now, an area of the building that used to me known as ‘Laverna Hall.’ This used to be the music area of the school.

There was a light on in one of the rooms and someone was playing the piano with the window open.

Now, it only takes about two minutes to get inside

and up the stairs. Once I was up the stairs, the door to that room was locked, the window was closed and the light was off.”

Another story he shared with me was surrounding the Guardian Angel Hall, home to USF’s Leach College of Nursing. Having been an orphanage from 1926 to 2013, the Guardian Angel home is said to have the spirit of a young child walk its halls. According to the Guardian Angel Community Services website, “The children moved into the completed building on October 10, 1926. The event was marred by the death of Ralph Buzzalli, age six, who fell under the wheels of one of the trucks and was fatally injured.” Newberry shared with me his experience, saying, “As you go in the doors of the Guardian Angel Nursing building where the guards sit, to the right of them is where there used to be what they called the ‘old cafeteria.’ (Security) had to walk it when they were constructing it and there were no lights on. When I came around the corner and was cutting through the cafeteria in order to leave… I don't know, for some reason I decided to stop. I hear what sounds like rustling through the pipes and I know what rustling through the pipes sounds like. But now it’s getting louder and it’s playing over here and over there. They were in sync and getting louder and louder. It was almost like telling me, ‘Hey, we don’t want you here.’”

Bill Linz, another USF security officer, shared his story with me about the time he was patrolling the Guardian Angel Hall alone at night. “I heard the same pipes when I was patrolling the space late one night. There was a banging in the pipes that did not sound normal. I got closer and closer to the room in which it was coming from and it only got louder and louder. I looked in the room and no one was there and that was when I decided to turn back.”

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FEATURE

many believe his is the ghost that haunts the historic site. His shadow has been spotted several times and visitors even tried to have him removed from an all-girls party! One child even reported playing with a little boy named Kevin, when there were no other children there. Whoa.” They continue, talking about the evidence they picked up, explaining, “Analysis of the footage produces audio of a child's laugh, video of the shadows and a strange light in the shape of a person moving across the balcony. As a paranormal researcher, such evidence is the Holy Grail!” When going on the Rialto’s website, rialtosquare.com, there is the option of going on different tours of the theatre. One of the options is a paranormal tour but when choosing that option, it says, “Info coming soon.”

There is no doubt that these almost century-old buildings in Joliet have rich history but, whether you believe it or not, it is definitely interesting to hear of stories of the supernatural. It adds to the many stories of the buildings, whether that be scary or fascinating.

Another notable haunted area in the Joliet area is the Rialto Square Theatre. USF owns the third and fourth floor of the Rialto, housing art studios for the university’s art majors. Entertaining the public for many years, this historic showroom has many stories of stars performing on its stage, one of them being supernatural. According to legendsofamerica. com, “The most often spied is a nameless spectral woman who is thought to have been an actress who performed at the theatre many years ago. She is described as being in her twenties, very pretty, sometimes surrounded by hazy light, and thought to have been a well-known performer of her time. She has been reported to have been seen floating around the theatre by staff, customers, and workmen, becoming especially active during the period of time that it was closed to the public.” They theorize that her love for performing was so great that she was just not ready to leave this world.”

Many stories of spirits in the building have been told for years and caught the eye of the public. Television network Syfy had their very own Ghost Hunters come to the theatre in hopes of picking up on spirits. On syfy.com, the description of the episode states as follows, “In the 1930s, a little boy named Kevin was hit by a car in front of the theater, and

Photos Courtesy of GACS and MySuburbanLife.com

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BELIEVE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Is Avril Lavigne Dead?

Avril Lavigne is a Canadian singer who was popular in the years of 2002 through 2008. Her hit songs were “Complicated”, “Sk8er Boi” and “Girlfriend.” Many celebrities have doppelgangers, people who look like them, to have pictures taken by the paparazzi and to go out in public.

The conspiracy theory is claiming that she died in 2003 and has been replaced by a look-alike.

Rolling Stone said, “The basic idea is that Lavigne, who was at the peak of her career at the time, committed suicide after her grandfather’s death in 2003.” The rumor is that after her grandfather’s death, she was really hurt. Avril was at a low point of her life and she didn’t want to make music anymore. The night that her grandfather died, she had a concert and dedicated it to him. Many Avril fans claimed after that she passed away.

Avril was very successful at the time so they wanted to continue with her career to make the label money. The record label decided to use Avril’s look-alike, Melissa Vandella to replace her.

Melissa was already a big part of Avril’s life with

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being her doppelganger. Avril even did a photoshoot before her grandfather passed away that had Melissa written on her hand. Avril’s fan base started to notice differences on her appearance and claimed that her facial and birth marks were different. Over the years, Avril’s music style changed from punk rock to more pop music.

The voices aren’t the same as well. If you compare Avril’s vocals from 2003 to 2008, you can hear the difference between them.

Many people disagree and agree with this theory. What do you think? Did Avril Lavigne just change her style of music because she got older

C O N S P I R A C Y

Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were the ones to make it the moon on Apollo 11. America wanted to be the first one to land on the moon. Russia was doing tests to see if they could be the first one to land on the moon as well. Somehow America just figured out what they needed to do to make the Apollo 11 fly into space. NASA streamed the moon landing so all of America could see it happen.

Ever since the video footage of the moon landing happened, there was a lot of suspicion that it was staged. For starters, in space there shouldn’t be any wind, right? Well once Buzz Aldrin placed the flag in the moon, it started waving. According to Time Magazine, “NASA said Aldrin was twisting the flagpole to get the moon soil, which caused the flag to move.”

T H E O R I E S

COMMENTARY

The year was 1969 when the United States flew to the moon for the very first time. America was thrilled that we were the first one to land on the moon. But were we really the first the land on the moon?

around then you can clearly see stars in the sky. So, you would think that being in space that you could see millions of stars everywhere since there are no lights in space. However, when you look at pictures or the footage of the moon landing, you don’t see any stars.

Another major problem that was noticed by many people, was that one of the space rocks had a letter “C” on it. In movies, props are labeled with either numbers or letters. The theory is that somebody on set forgot to move the rock so it wouldn’t show the letter C. What do you believe? Did America really land on the moon first or was it just a hoax?

Another reason why people speculated it was staged because there were not any stars in the sky. If you go anywhere when there are no street lights

By: Angelica Bibian Advertising Manager

Did America Get to the Moon First?

BELIEVE AT YOUR OWN RISK! usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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MEDIA:

Enemy of the People?

By: Evelyn Odum Staff Writer We live in an ignorant world where citizens don’t question the validity of media. Untruths spread like Californian wildfires by retweets, shares, and occasionally word of mouth. Children in school are told to research information on various topics and take it as fact. But at what point do we start to question these sources?

Typically speaking, you’d think people from authority are very knowledgeable about their field of study and can be trusted. Here’s a few tweets from one of the highest powers in America: “Eventually, but at a later date so we can get started early, Mexico will be paying, in some form, for the badly needed border wall,” President Trump, April 23, 2017.

“The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing noncompetitive,” President Trump, November 6, 2012.

Clearly, this man of authority doesn’t follow through on his word, nor support his statements up with research from credible sources.

When asked what sources they trust, both University of St. Francis political science professor, Julie Victa, and USF freshman student, Jake Lasota, mentioned the New York Times. Victa also listed the Washington

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Post, Chicago Tribune, and Christian Science Monitor. These sources are credible because they’ve been around for a long time, have fact checkers, and have proven themselves.

Recognizing bias is important! “If they don’t cite sources and begin to use personal language… instead of 3rd person, it’s a little more subjective,” said Lasota.

Keep your eye open for the use of the words “I” or “my.”

The author of an article may be very passionate about the topic, especially if it’s politics. It’s possible their article may swing left or right-winged. It would be a good idea to read an article from another viewpoint to understand the other side.

There are some tricks and tips you can use to double check articles. “If a story seems suspicious, I take a look at snopes.com or politifact. The Post also assesses the truth of political statements giving out its famous pinocchios,” said Professor Victa.

COMMENTARY

“Media may help keep us plugged into the world and give minorities a voice, but it also spreads false information and gives the rich an advantage to influence what’s posted.”

It’s also a good idea to take a look at the works cited to make sure they used various sources. If they only used wiki, chances are they may be missing other information they could have retrieved from other places.

Keep in mind the domains. If it ends in com, it’s very general. An ending of edu or gov are geared towards education and government, more reliable (2017).

It never hurts to check multiple sources for the same information. All news’ places tell their version of the truth with their own added bias. If three different places state the same content, it’s pretty safe to call it true.

In a mini survey of USF students, 9 out of 10 said they have felt that the media lied to them. Is it worth investing time and money into media if accurate truth isn’t always shared? The pros and cons are heavy on both sides.

According to the communications department at Walden University, media may help keep us plugged into the world and give minorities a voice, but it also spreads false information and gives the rich an advantage to influence what’s posted. In terms of local news, freshman Martin Muñoz claims a pro would be knowing the location of events, especially where crimes occur. He said the con of focusing on only local government is that you don’t get the whole picture of America on a federal level.

If you’ve been following the media, you may have stumbled across Facebook and its battle with fake news. Some steps they have taken to cut back on this dilemma is to delete the Facebook pages that don’t meet the standards, to run print ads, and to minimize clickbait. For more information on what Facebook is doing, check out their “Facing Facts” video.

As citizens of America, we should take the initiative to seek out the truth in the media. “Fake News has morphed into the phrase, ‘Enemy of the People.’ Sad!” Tweeted President Trump on July 29, 2018.

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The H unt Fo r CUB O ctober By: Antonio Smithberg Sports Editor The night is Wednesday November 2 2016; it is approximately 8:02 p.m. in Cleveland, Ohio. On a normal night, the streets would be empty, but the

night was anything but that. 38,104 people were packed tightly into Progressive Field to watch the historic game seven of the 2016 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs. After dueling wonderfully for ten tense innings, one team, against all odds, broke a curse of 108 years and came out victorious. That night the Chicago Cubs became curse breakers, hope bringers and champions of the world. The confetti fell, the parades ensued and the trophy came home to the great city of Chicago.

As the 2017 season approached, spirits were high as the champs looked to defend their crown. However, when the post season approached it was evident the magic had faded. After an exhaustive series win against the Washington Nationals in the National League Divisional Series, the Cubs could not seem to hold off the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series and fell short four games to one. It was heartbreaking to see such a lively team fall short. The poor bullpen performance and stagnant offense was a lackluster ending to a hopeful playoff run.

However as hard as it was to see the Cubs fall short last October, every season breathes anew. With major offseason acquisitions like shutdown closer/reliever Brandon Morrow and ace starting pitcher Yu Darvish, the Cubs revamped their pitching staff. While during the second half of the season this year Darvish had to cut his season short due to shoulder complications, his and Morrow’s acquisition by the Cubs truly showed how eager they were to push for the postseason once

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According to Baseball-Referrence.com the MLB average is about .255, so that puts Murphy well into the upper echelon of elite hitters in the league. In addition to Murphy, the Cubs also traded for the savvy veteran starting pitcher Cole Hamels. Hamels is former World Series MVP with a reliable arm.

Since joining the Cubs, he has a 0.69 Earned Run Average and was named Pitcher of the Month in August by the MLB.

More recently in late August, the Cubs have even added more depth to bolster their lineup and infield by picking up veteran second baseman Daniel Murphy from the Washington Nationals. Murphy is an excellent fielder and technician at the plate.

Designed by Harryarts / Freepik

SPORTS

According to ESPN.com, Murphy is hitting a career .300, which means about 30 percent of the time he steps up to the plate he is going to get a hit, which is fantastic.

So again, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in a dominant position in the hunt for October. With strategic trades and acquisitions, they have the much needed depth they lacked in 2017 and have geared up for a great postseason run here in a mission to become World Champions again.

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LOCAL SPORTS By: Blake Tomac PR Specialist Some say that fall is the best season for sports.

Baseball is finishing up, football games are in full swing and the basketball season is inching closer.

The athletes at The University of St. Francis are always competing but they are not the only ones representing the city of Joliet. Local high school teams Joliet West, Joliet Central and Joliet Catholic have begun competing in fall sports. We also cannot forget about the Joliet Slammers as they are in the midst of an intense Frontier League playoff run.

Many of our athletes here at The University of St. Francis originated from local high schools. It was these coaches and programs that developed them into college ready athletes. It is always important to remember your roots, so let’s take a look at how our local Joliet schools are doing this fall.

The big talk about Joliet West this fall is their football team and new head coach Bill Lech. He had a 51-23 record with six Class 8A playoff bids in his tenure as the head coach at York. The Tigers finished 5-5 last season and look to improve this season under new leadership. Lech’s plan is to keep things simple and play at a high tempo. “Being a first-year guy, I don’t want to get into a sit-

uation of doing too much,” Lech said. “I’d rather be in a situation where we are doing two or three things and doing them well and playing fast.”

Across town, at Joliet Central, the Steelmen football team is also filling a new position. Last year, their starting quarterback, Zach Wisneski, graduated and the role is up for grabs. Luckily for the Steelmen, they have 20 players with varsity experience and 10 returning starters. That veteran experience should help Joliet Central improve from last season.

Joliet Catholic Academy has always been known as the powerhouse of the Joliet area, especially in football. Unfortunately, the last two years that has not been the case. After 18 consecutive playoff appearances, the Hilltoppers fell short in 2016 and 2017, producing records of 1-8 and 3-6. According to an article from the JolieHerald News, JCA coach Jake Jaworski believes this is the year they rebound. The team is loaded with experienced seniors that understand the tradition and expectations. With that being said, it won’t be easy for Joliet Catholic as they endure a schedule that includes St. Rita, Benet, Nazareth and Niles Notre Dame.

High school football typically is center-stage when it comes to fall sports in Joliet but it is important to note that baseball season has not concluded. The Joliet Slammers are looking to make a playoff run. They face River City in the first round of the playoffs. If they win that series, the Slammers will appear in their first Frontier League Championship since 2011. The Slammers are playoff-bound for the second time in three years under Frontier League Manager of the Year Jeff Isom.

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SPORTS

Saint’s Spotlight: Brandon Brodzinski By: Alex Guglielmucci Promotions Manager Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with sophomore golfer Brandon Brodzinski and ask him about what it is like being a student-athlete at the University of St. Francis. Prior to joining the Fighting Saints, Brodzinski attended and played varsity golf at Minooka Community High School. There he was a member of the Southwest Prairie All-Conference golf team and also the team’s MVP. In his first year competing for the Saints, Brodzinski averaged a 79.76 per-round, which was fourth best on the team.

Alex Guglielmucci: What was your first season as a collegiate athlete like?

Brandon Brodzinski: Last year was fun and new, but I played well for my first collegiate season.

AG: What are your expectations for this season?

BB: I would like to play a bit better than last year and place better in more tournaments.

AG: What is the team’s outlook for the season?

BB: We are hoping to win more tournaments this year and make it to nationals.

AG: What is going to be the biggest challenge in conference play?

BB: Our biggest challenge for conference play is staying composed and playing our game. We want to worry about ourselves and how we are playing, not the other teams.

AG: Being that you are still pretty new to the team, who can you lean on for advice?

BB: Some of my teammates like Rafe, Kyle and Cam. I have known Kyle and Cam for a while and I just met Rafe last year, but they all have been a big help on my game.

AG: I heard that you won a pretty big tournament this summer; can you tell us about that?

BB: I won the Joliet Park District Tournament this summer and got to play with my teammate Kyle Sheppard, my former coach and USF Hall of Famer Jeff Petrovic on the final day. This was an awesome experience for me to beat my old coach.

AG: Two final questions, how long have you been playing golf and what got you into it?

BB: I started playing in eighth grade and I got into it because my friends played at the time so they asked me to come out and play. I fell in love with it and decided to stop playing baseball and focus on golf.

Photos courtesy of USF Athletic’s Flickr

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Fall fresh FACES By: Antonio Smithberg Sports Editor

The USF Encounter gives a warm welcome to all incoming fall athletes! Pictured are athletes for football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s cross country and volleyball.

Justin Bruns Bellwood Ill.

Cordie Johnson Slidell, La.

Eric Maffie Coal Valley Ill.

Jeremiah Ankamah Romeoville, Ill.

Alex Jimenez Plainfield Ill.

Brandon Gibbs Las Vegas Nev.

Tyree Levy Joliet, Ill.

Tyagyei Billington Bourbonnais, Ill.

Carl Bracey Chicago, Ill.

Carlos Castillo Northlake, Ill.

Octwan Roebuck Stone Mountain, Ga.

Scott Walsh Sparks, Nev.

Anthony Dolgner Crest Hill, Ill.

Gage Miller Caton, Ill.

Clayton Yde Sterling, Ill.

Kevin Gorski Lockport, Ill.

Jusiah Gable Cottonwood, Calif.

Josh Holberry Huddersfield, England

Jonathan Pullen Joliet,Ill.

Dominic Sterr Joliet, Ill.

Adrian Page Minooka, Ill.

Colin Scott Lilburn, Ga.

Jaden Edwards Crest Hill, Ill.

Derek Wentworth Minooka, Ill.

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Jake Pott New Lenox, Ill.

Kendrick Hills New Orleans, La.

Erik Vega Joliet, Ill.

Oscar Leon Cary, Ill.

Yadira Estrada Monroe Center, Ill.

Hayley Bazan Joliet, Ill.

Mary Kate Hynek Plainfield, Ill.

Kassandra Cazares Joliet, Ill.

Grace Gialo Plainfield, Ill.

Arely Sanchez Plainfield, Ill.

Leo Patino Joliet, Ill.

Omar Paramo Plainfield, Ill.

Carlos Martinez Valparaiso, Ind

Riley Mcintyre Joliet, Ill.

Trevor Conley Wheatfield, Ind.

Pamela Sanchez Joliet, Ill.

Laisha Corona Lockport, Ill.

Oscar Tejeda Joliet, Ill.

Stephanie Woods Westchester, Ill.

Bevin Carter Chicago, Ill.

Gabriella Paelmo Schaumburg, Ill.

Alexis Engst Bloomington, Ill.

Kendra Bullard Rondom Lakes, Wis.

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SPORTS

Oshikhai Ebikhumi Darien, Ill.

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Halfway Party for Juniors, you’ve made it to or past the halfway point in your college career!

Join us for a party in your honor!

All students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to participate.

*Be sure to dress professionally.

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Encounter Puzzles

SPORTS

Soduku courtesy of www.sodukuweb.org - Word search courtesy of www.thewordsearch.com

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