Alestle Vol. 70, No. 19

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HO-HO-HOLIDAY LIGHTS AROUND ST. LOUIS thursday, 11.30.17

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VOLLEYBALL FINISHES SEASON, WHAT’S UP NEXT? page 7

alton — east st. louis — edwardsville

vol. LXXX no. XVIIII

Stuck in a rut:

Mating season for deer brings danger for drivers on campus KEEGAN GAUWITZ reporter

Year-round, deer, geese and other critters wander through SIUE’s campus — typically minding their own business. But this time of year, deer are out in full-effect and are causing danger on the road. This time of year is known as the rut, or mating season, for deer. This means deer are more active and behave less cautiously than usual. According to Bruce Bonebrake, General Manager of Abra Auto Body and Glass, the number of deer accidents has been much higher during this year’s rut, with the accidents starting to occur earlier in the year than usual. “This is the most active time of the year. On average, we see one to two deer-related accidents per day. This year, it started around mid-August, which is earlier than usual. The accidents were less common, but we still saw one every week or two,” Bonebrake said. Bonebrake added that the deer this year seem to be larger in size as well as a larger population. Bonebrake said the most active time of day for deer is early in the morning, right after dusk, and he recommends that drivers use their fog lights to illuminate the sides of the road more efficiently. In addition to fog lights,

general awareness and slowing down while driving are simple solutions for driving at night and dusk. Bonebrake also mentioned a device called Deer Alert, but said it may not be an effective way to avoid deer. “[Deer Alert] is just a pair of whistles you put on the left and right of your car. I don’t know how effective they’ve been proven to be, but as of right now, I believe that’s the only avoidance device there is,” Bonebrake said. In order to minimize damage, drivers are encouraged not to swerve to avoid the deer, but rather slow down to try and minimize the damage. Swerving can often lead to a worse accident for both the driver and A deer has a snack between North and South University Drive on Nov. 15. the vehicle. | Keegan Gauwitz / The Alestle “The only way you can really minimize the damage is to and stay away from the animal. spite the mating season, she hasn’t try not to hit the deer head on, Then, you’ll want to contact your seen a large increase in animal-reand to slow down. If you’re at insurance agent before assuming lated accident claims this month. “I’ve had about three to four highway speed and do a quick your vehicle is safe to drive,” Keeclaims, in the last month, of peomaneuver, you could roll your car ton said. The cost of damages that ple calling in saying they’ve hit and cause a very serious accident,” Bonebrake has seen related to deer. So, I wouldn’t say we’ve had Bonebrake said. SIUE Police Deputy Dan deer accidents range from minor a rise in November,” Allen said. Allen also said a common Keeton said there are a few steps to severe incidents. Some minor that anyone involved in an au- repairs cost around $1,000, while misconception is their insurance to-deer accident should take im- the most extreme accidents have rates will go up if they file a claim cost drivers up to $17,000. for an animal-related crash, but mediately following the incident. While Bonebrake has seen she said there is no penalty for “Move your vehicle to a safe place, then call the police. Make some costly repairs, Edwardsville comprehensive coverage, at least sure you document the incident Allstate agent Sheri Allen said de- with Allstate.

SG to host Angel Tree Donation Drive CORINTHIA JORDAN reporter

SIUE’s Student Government is partnering with Granite City’s Salvation Army and SIUE’s Head Start/Early Head Start Program to help children in need during the holidays. “Angels” have been chosen by employees from The Salvation Army and SIUE’s Head Start/ Early Head Start Program. The employees picked children who they believe would benefit the most from this donation drive. According to Ethan Massey, SG External Affairs Officer and senior applied communications major from Marine, Illinois, many SIUE organizations have been participating in the donation drive. Alpha Phi, Make-AWish, Black Girls Rock, Alpha Kappa Lambda and Alpha Zi Delta have been involved with providing resources and gifts for the angels. “Christmas is always that time where you see the best of people come out. It’s been so great to see people so eager to help these kids. Even if they can’t help by adopting an angel, they want to help in some other way,” Massey said. A total of 370 angels were selected to be sponsored for this

donation drive (200 from The Salvation Army and 170 from the Head Start/Early Head Start Program). Each sponsor is responsible for providing gifts such as clothing items, toys, diapers, snacks and art supplies. Matt Butler, SG secretary and sophomore pre-med major from Alton, Illinois, said he is excited to help host this year’s Angel Tree donation drive. He hopes the angels will have a special Christmas. “I definitely think that Angel Tree is something that everyone and anyone can get behind. I think it’s important to understand that sometimes there are people out there in the world that aren’t going to have as much as a special Christmas as you’re going to have,” Butler said. Massey said the purpose of the Angel Tree Donation Drive is to give the angels a Christmas they will never forget. He said the other student government representatives also understand that everybody comes from different backgrounds, and by hosting this drive, they are doing their part in putting a smile on the face of a child in need. “It’s been great to see everybody on campus come and flock to this office [from] administration, organizations, students that

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aren’t a part of organizations, employees, faculty and staff. It’s been a blast,” Massey said. Alyson Woods, SG Marketing and Communications officer and junior human resources and pre-law double major from Trenton, Illinois, said she believes people can change more if everyone does their part. “Angel Tree has been so special for Student Government because you realize how much of a difference you can make in big numbers so us all coming together is really going to make a lot of children have a special Christmas this year,” Woods said. The Angel Tree Celebration is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 in the Morris University Center’s Conference and Mississippi/Illinois rooms. The angels can come with their families to pick up their gifts, have a meet and greet with Santa Claus and his elves, participate in craft activities and play games. “Being able to come together as a group to sponsor someone that might have almost nothing is a special way of letting them know that their childhood is still important and that they can still take part in all the little moments that make life worth living,” Butler said.

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SIUE student leads food drive over break

MIRANDA LINTZENICH lifestyles editor

Senior Courtney Littell, 22, was killed as a result of injuries from a car crash over break. The Bloomington, Illinois native died Wednesday, Nov. 22. Littell was known as an adventurer and traveler, according to her obituary. She spent most of her time in the English and theater departments. She was also involved in the English Language and Literature Association, ROTC, D&D club and Gay Straight Alliance. Her visitation was held Wednesday at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington. Littell’s family is asking donations be made in their daughter’s name to the Five A’s Human Society in Godfrey, Illinois. According to a letter sent out by SIUE administration, Counseling Services are available to students by calling 650-2842 or visiting the Counseling Health Services Office in the Student Success Center lower level. The Five A’s Humane Society can be reached at 618-4663702.

Freshman student charged with child endangerment

KEEGAN GAUWITZ reporter

Over Thanksgiving break, a food drive put on by junior psychology major Jalela Mitchell, of Chicago, gave SIUE students the opportunity to help provide their fellow classmates and their families with Thanksgiving meals. The idea formed when SIUE’s Sociology Club was planning a separate food pantry, according to Mitchell. After brainstorming with Sociology Professor Connie Frey-Spurlock, the two decided a Thanksgiving food drive would be a beneficial way to bring awareness to the upcoming pantry. Frey-Spurlock said the pantry is still in the planning stages and already has some pieces in place. “After we discussed [the pantry] originally, the Kimmel [Student Involvement] Center has been working on establishing a permanent food pantry on campus. Until that happens, [Mitchell] had the idea of supplementing folks with baskets and the Thanksgiving Drive,” Frey-Spurlock said. Assistant Director of Civil Engagement Sarah Laux said some of the details for the forthcoming food pantry are already being decided on. SEE FOOD DRIVE ON PAGE 3

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Remembering SIUE senior Courtney Littell

MARY COOLEY Belleville News-Democrat

A student at SIUE has been arrested after her son was found alone in her apartment, according to news reports. Darielle Smith, 18, is charged with endangering the life or health of a child, KMOV reports. Officials with the Madison County Sheriff ’s Department and the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department were not available to comment the evening of Nov. 17. Law enforcement officials could not say if Smith was in custody on Nov. 17. The woman’s 2-year-old child is in protective custody after an investigation showed the child was often unattended, according to KMOV. The SIUE campus has a day care on campus for children of students, faculty and staff. The day care is a full-day, year-round program for children ages two through five, SIUE says. READ MORE WIRE STORIES AT ALESTLELIVE.COM

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Alestle Vol. 70, No. 19 by The Alestle - Issuu