NEWS STREAM
Saddleback removes more parking 7
The golf game no one went to 8
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Meditation stresses me out 3
Stress management tries weed 6
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New super secret sport found in Saddleback lot 9 sparking talk around campus and makes us wonder if it’s safe 4 LARIATNEWS.COM
APRIL FOOLS’ EDITION
Sciences Building used as scrap metal KURTIS RATTAY NEWS EDITOR
Saddleback College’s new state-of-the-art Sciences Building, which was scheduled to open in time for the fall 2016 semester, will now be demolished and sold as scrap metal due to lack of funding. Original plans for the 50,000 square foot facility included 26 laboratory spaces to be used for chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, geology and marine science. But underestimated construction costs by contractor C.W. Walker resulted in a lack of financial resources from SOCCCCD. “The reality is we ran out of money,” said Tod A. Dillinger, president of Saddleback College. “Instead of waiting around five or ten years for more approved funding, we agreed on liquidating the project, getting as much back as possible.” In October 2013, the contract was awarded to C.W. Walker, who presented the lowest estimated cost. The district approved a guaranteed maximum price of $53.8 million before construction began in December 2013. However, a series of “change orders” ran up the estimated cost to about $67.3 million. Unable to pay an unanticipated $13 million, the project was essentially abandoned. In its current state, the façade
NICK ALAIMO
OPINION EDITOR
WSDOT / CREATIVE COMMONS
CHANGING THEIR MIND: SOCCCD agreed to demolish the proposed Sciences Building beginning June 2016 due to lack of funding for completion. of the building is near completion while the interior is a dimly lit construction site. The concrete floor is covered in a layer of dust. Exposed wiring is duct-taped to the exposed framework of the proposed Sciences Building. Once demolished, the glass curtainwalls and metal framing of the building will be sold to Old Joe’s Scrap Metal and Salvage. “We do everything by weight,” said Joe White, owner of Old Joe’s Scrap Metal and Salvage. “Right now we are estimating about $300,000 to $370,000 for the materials from that building.” Some money recovered from
the salvage will go to the already existing Mathematics, Science and Engineering Building. However, the majority of returned funds will be used to provide the Saddleback Gauchos football team with new uniforms and equipment. “We could really use the money, the quality of equipment sports teams use is very important,” said Gary Hannula, sports information director for the college. “We have been using the same footballs since 2011. They aren’t even round anymore.” The deconstruction of the Sciences Building will begin in June. By the time students arrive for the fall semester, the three-year long
construction effort will be reduced to a $50 million empty lot. “We are extremely disappointed with the way things turned out,” President Dillinger said. “Unfortunately we already paid C.W. Walker. With the exception of the $300,000 from the salvage, we are in the hole for over $50 million. They got us.” C.W. Walker has been routinely requesting more money due to “unforeseen costs” regarding “integral building components,” a SOCCCCD status report said. The contractors, architects and project managers were paid. The Gauchos will receive their new equipment,
HandiCar comes to Orange County Southern California residents welcome its newest form of transportation MATTHEW KIRKLAND LIFE EDITOR
HandiCar, an alternative transportation company, plans to expand its operations into Orange County on Friday, April 1. HandiCar uses a motorized wheelchair to pull a standard wagon that users request via a mobile app. “You just get the HandiCar app, it uses GPS to locate where you are and a HandiCar comes
Weed edibles now served in cafeteria
and picks you up,” said South Park, Colorado resident Stephen Stotch. “It is cheaper than a taxi, I’m telling you it is the future of transportation.” The company was started by fourth grader Timmy Burch in his hometown of South Park as a way to raise money for summer camp. His idea caught on and quickly became the main transportation of the town. “I can use the app to tip the driver,” said Suzy Carmichael, a resident of South Park. “This is so handy.” HandiCar is convenient for riders and drivers alike. The ride sharing method of transportation allows more cars to be available for the consumer and provides
Get ready to be even more blazed than usual for your Wednesday night History of Cinema class. The Saddleback College cafeteria has partnered with EdiPure and Bhang to bring a plethora of edible marijuana choices to demanding students. Now it will be that much easier to keep your pre-class smoke sesh high going with edibles like EdiPure Rainbow Belts, Bhang Bars and Cornucopia Karmel Korn. The amount of options available is staggering, even marijuana-infused beverages will be available instead of soda. College health officials responded to this change by stating “Marijuana is an herb, and that’s natural. What’s natural about soda?” This sort of drug infusion into beverages is not a new phenomena. Coca Cola famously placed trace amounts of cocaine into their product until 1929. Sprig, a weed infused soda, is slated to replace the soda fountain by the end of April. Some of the other products being introduced to students include Pot-o-Coffee brand Tea, Coffee, and Cocoa are designed to not only bring down stress levels in students, but to increase engagement in classroom discussions. Too many students remain silent whenever an instructor asks the class a question. According to studies student interaction goes up 75 percent READ MORE ON PAGE 2 ON THE WEB
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MAKING A MOVE: HandiCar founder Timmy Burch picks up riders in Mission Viejo, California on Friday, April 1 2016. HandiCar is expanding to Orange County.
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an easy way for others to make money. Other citizens are following in Burch’s wheelchair tracks and driving for the company. “It is a great way to make
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some money on the side,” said Arnold Carmichael, who works for HandiCar. READ MORE ON PAGE 2