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Tragedy strikes Oxford, Michigan By Nico Francois
CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & GRAPHICS EDITOR
A 15-year-old gunman, known as Ethan Crumbley, has been charged with terrorism and four counts of first degree murder after open firing at Oxford High School, Michigan, on Nov. 30. During the shooting, 11 people in total were shot, with four students killed and the other seven left seriously injured. Before the shooting, Crumbley’s parents were called in to the school for a meeting with school officials after one of Crumbley’s teachers had found a concerning drawing that he had made, with violent imagery including guns. Crumbley had also been caught in class searching the internet for ammunition to go with the semiautomatic handgun used in the shooting, leading to more concern among staff members. Days later, on Dec. 3, Crumbley’s parents, James and Jennifer NICO FRANCOIS | HAWKEYE Crumbley, were charged with involuntary manslaughter, after purchasing the gun for their son as a Christmas gift. Oxford High School has also come under fire after the incident, as many are appalled by the decision made by school faculty to allow Crumbley to return to class after the disturbing shooting-related imagery was found on him. The family of an injured student has since filed a lawsuit against the school and the district, upset at the dismissive behavior of the school officials, stating that their attitude before the shooting allowed for students to be more vulnerable. The Oxford High School shooting has been recorded as the deadliest school shooting since May of 2018. H
New COVID variant spreading
COMPILED BY NICO FRANCOIS
Almost two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has continued to mutate and adapt. On Nov. 24, a new COVID-19 variant was reported to the World Health Organization, known as the omicron variant. The omicron variant was first discovered in Botswana on Nov. 11, and was found once again in South Africa days later. On Dec. 1, the first case of the omicron variant was discovered in the United States and was classified as a variant of concern. The omicron variant has been reported to be more transmissible than the original strain of the virus, but it is unknown whether the omicron form of the virus is as transmissible or more transmissible than the delta variant, discovered earlier on in 2021. More studies still need to be conducted to discover whether or not the omicron variant causes more severe illness in comparison to the original strain of the virus, NICO FRANCOIS | HAWKEYE but the COVID-19 vaccine is still predicted to prevent severe illness and hospitalizations. Now, more than ever, the CDC emphasizes that masks and vaccines are crucial to keep the virus from spreading from community to community, and that people should take advantage of the opportunity to get their booster shot, as protection against the virus begins to weaken around six months after a person gets their second dose. H
DECEMBER 2021 | 5
• the update •
A lot happens in a month. From fashion to finance, we are constantly bombarded by headlines from around the world. Here are the Hawkeye’s picks for what you need to know. stories by nico francois graphics by nico francois
Gay marriage in Chile legalized
International
The president of Chile has signed a law that legalizes gay marriage within the country. On Dec. 9, President Sebastian Piñera signed the law, which will take effect in March of 2022. The law grants gay couples equal rights and allows them their rights to marriage and equal adoption. Penalization of same-sex couples in Chile was outlawed in 1999, and arbitrary discrimination was later outlawed in 2012. When surveyed by the Chilean Movement of Homosexual Integration and Liberation, over 80% of gay couples said that they were planning to get married after the law takes effect. H
COVID-19 booster shots approved
National
With the decrease in effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine as time goes on, and rise of new COVID-19 variants such as the Delta and Omicron variants, a booster shot to fight the virus is necessary for many. Around six months after a person has gotten their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, their immunity to the virus begins to weaken. As of Dec. 9, the COVID-19 booster shot has been approved for all people ages 16 and up by the FDA. The approval of the booster vaccine has sparked discussion on wether or not the definition of "fully vaccinated" should be altered in order to accommodate for the third shot of the vaccine. H
Washington sees historic levels of rain
State
Western Washington has received historic amounts of rain and wind during the months of November and December, causing an increase in flooding, power outages and mud slides all throughout the Pacific Northwest. Seattle has experienced their third-wettest November ever and is close to breaking the record for the rainiest fall season to date. The flooding and outages have caused multiple detours and dangers for residents throughout the region, with some civilians even dealing with flooding in their houses and their vehicles. H
1 dead, 5 rescued from avalanche
Local
An avalanche at the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort in Pierce County has left five skiers injured and one dead. The avalanche occurred at around 11 a.m. on Dec. 11, when six civilians were trapped under the snow. Luckily, all of the skiers were wearing avalanche beacons, and most were able to escape the snow with the help of two individuals who were witnesses to the avalanche. H
Homeless encampment cleared in Ballard
Local
Within recent months, locals in Ballard have voiced their concerns regarding the homeless encampment in the Ballard Commons Park, stating the area has become dangerous for all in the community. In response to the complaints of the area turning into a breeding ground for crime, the city of Seattle began to remove those living in the homeless encampment, posting signs around the park as a warning. The encampment in the Ballard Commons Park has been cleared in the past for similar reasons, as well as public health concerns, such as outbreaks of diseases like Hepatitis A. H
