Aurora Man Retires from Cross-making

Greg Zanis, of Aurora, Illinois recently retired from making crosses for mass shooting victims. Zanis has made twenty-seven thousand crosses over 24 years in his industry ‘Crosses For Losses’, Zanis hand delivers the crosses all over the country. According to the Chicago Tribune, Zanis stated that he has totaled eight hundred and fifty thousand driving miles over his career, to put up crosses. For the depressing work Zanis does, not a lot of money is made. Sadly, the turning point for Greg Zanis was the El Paso shooting on August 3, 2019. Too much time spent in the distressing line of work, led to his decision to retire since each cross he makes takes a piece of Zanis’ heart with it.

Coronavirus Infects Hundreds 

A new coronavirus spreading throughout eastern Asia has infected more than eight hundred people, killed twenty-seven, and has put thousands under observation. The epicenter of this virus outbreak is Wuhan, China, a major city with a population of approximately 11.1 million citizens. According to The Washington Post, this virus has made its berth in the United States, specifically in the states of Washington, Texas and Illinois. While this illness is spreading rather quickly, safety measures are being taken in an attempt to contain the virus. 

President Expected to Release Middle East Plan

President Trump is hoping to release a peace plan for the Middle East before his meeting with Israeli leaders at the White House on Tuesday. Trump has already conversed with Palestinian leaders over the attempted peace plan. According to The Hill, this peace plan has been kept under wraps for the three years Trump has been in office, due to continuous roadblocks faced. Originally this plan was being held off due to Israeli elections, but these elections had to be rescheduled to this March. 

Trump marks the First President to attend the March For Life

President Donald Trump will be going down in history as the first president to attend the March For Life rally on January 24. According to CNN, this was brought up as a possible base for Trump’s 2020 campaign, gaining the support of anti-abortion voters. The March For Life coincides with the 47 anniversary of Roe v. Wade— the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in 1973.

ACHS Students take School Environment Survey

Antioch Community High School students took a survey about the environment of our school. Sophomore Ravyn Edran believes the survey was not taken seriously by students, defeating the overall purpose of the survey.

“I think it wasn’t’ [useful] because of how often we do it and students don’t take it seriously,” Edran said.

This survey is hoped to aid in administrations attempt to better the environment of the school. 

Impeachment Trials Continue

President Donald Trump was impeached, but his removal from office is still up for debate as the trial in the House of Representatives continues. With the House being mostly Republican, there is a likely chance that the votes will be in favor of President Trump staying in office. According to the Washington Post, the main argument currently is about how President Trump withheld military aid and also kept secret a meeting he had to pressure Ukraine into investigating former vice-president Joe Biden. Biden is currently a rival to President Trump in the upcoming 2020 presidential election.

Winter Play at ACHS 

The newest play at Antioch Community High School is Rex’s Exes. Student directed by junior Elijah Ruano, this play runs through January 23-26. This play, set in Texas, is about the crazy life of the Verdeen family.

“Rex’s Exes was prepared like a college level show,” Lead actress and junior Erika Mehring said. “We have put in so much effort into it and it’s a show that everyone will enjoy.”

The play starts at 7:00 everyday except for Sunday at 2:00. Tickets are five dollars for students and seven dollars for adults.

American Firefighters Killed Fighting Australian Fires 

The Australian bushfires have been roaring through Australia for weeks. There was brown rain falling onto the ground in Melbourne. Although, this helped some of the fires, there still are many still roaring on, destroying Australia’s environment. Three firefighters flying a C-130 Hercules air-tanker passed away in the midst of putting out fires. According to NBC, they were identified as Capt. Ian H. McBeth of Great Falls, Montana; First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson of Buckeye, Arizona; and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr. of Navarre.

Seattle Community Outraged at Police over Shooting 

In the heart of Seattle, two gunmen opened fire in front of a McDonalds on Third and Pine during rush hour. MyNorthwest found that one woman was killed and seven others were injured. One suspect was put under arrest and is currently in custody, but the other two suspects still have yet to be found. Business owners in the area have already been worried about the violence they have witnessed in front of their stores. A rally was held at 10:00 in the morning January 24; the message citizens continue to shout throughout the streets is “enough is enough”.

Academic Team Goes to Conference 

Antioch Community High School academic team placed fourth at the conference held at ACHS. There were six teams playing varsity against ACHS. Out of three rounds, the Antioch won one of the games. 

“I’m proud of our team,” varsity player and junior Audrey Speich said. “We got fourth place, which is pretty good. Hopefully we’ll place higher next year.”

The team consists of all upperclassmen, captains changing between junior Alison Weiser and Senior Jack Bay.

Honorable Mentions:

• Tinder announces adding a possible panic button for users when feeling unsafe on dates.
• James Corden found not to actually drive the car in his bit Carpool Karaoke.
• Trump dismissed American soldiers stationed in Iraq with brain damage from Iranian missile strikes as “headaches”.
• Possible new law to not allow “birth tourism”, which is foreigners purposefully going to the United States to give birth.
• New Ale House on Main Street starting construction next to Best Pets.
• North Chicago okays recreational marijuana dispensaries, but no other business related to weed.