Clinton pardons create issues for the former President
Heritage festival bringing festivities to local residents
New post office fits needs of Danville metropolis
Abortion issue: a hot topic for the Bush presidency
Patterson’s late heroics propel Colonels into second round
Benjamin Beaton
Cento Sports Co-Editor
Ten long years have passed since the Centre Lady Colonels Basketball team last reached the NCAA tournament. Wednesday night, they ensured this year’s appearance would not soon be forgotten.
The first round contest proved to be a classic for the 1200 fans packing Alumni Gym. Jennifer Patterson ‘03 connected on a put back off a Beth Johnson ‘03 miss as time expired to give the Colonels an 87-86 victory over a resilient Thomas More squad. Centre (21-5) will now travel to Maryville College for a second round game Friday night.
The Lady Colonels showed no signs of nervousness at the outset of the game, shooting over 60% from the field and three-point land to jump out to a 50-33 halftime advantage. The Lady Saints, however, came storming out in the second half, finally achieving their first lead of the game, 86-85, on an Ashley Will three-pointer with 15.3 seconds remaining.
Centre came down the court and had the shot they wanted with their last possession, a three from Molly Alvey ‘01, ranked fifth in the nation in three-point percentage. Her shot bounced off into the hands of Johnson, whose attempt missed and was collected by Patterson. The sophomore center, perfect from the field on the night, dropped in the game winner as the buzzer sounded.
Few of the court-storming Colonel faithfuls anticipated the late game drama after a seemingly invincible Centre squad dominated the first half. The Saints, hampered by foul trouble and atrocious shooting, fell down by as many as 19. Thomas More’s best weapon, forward Bridget New, led the charge in the second half, scoring 16 of her game-high 25 after intermission, as the Saints battled back.
After her youthful team squandered the lead in the second half, Coach Jennifer Ruff was pleased with the way the Colonels made the big baskets down the stretch when they needed them the most. Citing a 43-31 rebounding advantage, Ruff was equally proud of the way the Colonels battled for the ball. “We’ve preached ‘rebounding wins’ all year long, but it has never been more true than at the end of this game.”
The heroin Patterson led a balanced cast for Centre, heading five players in double-digits with 19 points. Alvey and Amy Barlow ‘04 each nailed three trifectas in the first half, finishing with 17 and 18 points, respectively, on the night. Johnson collected 14 for the contest and Sarah Green ‘02 added 13 boards.
The Lady Colonels’ postseason hopes went down to the wire in a fashion similar to Wednesday’s game last week. Centre headed into its Indiana road trip Friday needing two victories over Rose-Hulman and Depauw for a shot at the conference championship. Centre’s 64-50 win against Rose-Hulman, coupled with a Depauw loss to Sewanee, set up a winner-take-all battle at Depauw on the last day of the season. Centre prevailed 85-76 and the victory propelled the them into the postseason, extending a red-hot streak over the second half of the season which has seen the women take 13 of their last 14 contests. Patterson again led the way against the Tigers, scoring 25 points in what was essentially an elimination game for both teams. Johnson chipped in 20, locking up the Colonels’ first SCAC title in seven years.
Even with a conference championship and NCAA win in tow, the women are careful not to become complacent with their success. In regards to the tournament action, Patterson states “the team must increase our intensity and execution every night as we head deeper into the postseason.” Friday’s matchup at Maryville should prove to be a true test, as the Lady Scots (22-4) have already defeated the Colonels 72-69 and will have another chance to do so on their home floor. Regardless of the final tournament results for the Centre women, they have succeeded in turning around a program in disrepair and uniting the student body behind the team. Only two seasons ago, Centre finished a paltry 5-20. Heading into Wednesday’s action, they held a mark of 20-5. Ruff, 2000 SCAC Coach of the Year, deserves much of the credit, as do many key Colonel players who sacrificed individual agendas for the good of the team. All eyes will be on Maryville this Friday, as Centre fights to dig deeper into March Madness.Back to top...
Clinton pardons create issues for the former President
Margaret Conway
Cento News Editor
On Tuesday Feb.27 Former President Clinton waived executive priviledge, allowing his his top sides to testify before the House Committee investigating controversial pardons he granted on his last day of office. Clinton’s personal attorney, David Kendall, wrote a letter to the House Govern-ment Reform Committee that the former president, "will interpose no executive priveledge objections to the testimony of his former staff concerning these pardons, or to other pardons and commutations he granted."
On Thursday the developments were among a series involving the Rich pardons. Marc Rich, the financier whose pardon is at the center of at least three congressional and criminal investigations, is not going to testify.
In addition, the investigating panel is considering a compromise plan that would allow access to the donation records for the Clinton library.
Represen-tative Dan Burton from Indiana, chairman of the House of Governmental Reform Com-mittee, subpoeaned the records containing the names of those who donated or pledged $5000 to the Clinton’s Presiden-tial Library Found-ation. Burton is subpeonaeing the records to determine whether or not money played a role in the controversial pardoning of Rich.Back to top...
Heritage festival bringing festivities to local residents
Stacy Hoehle
Cento News Editor
February offered society an opportunity to reflect on one part of America’s great past and present through Black History Month. Now, as March begins, there is a local opportunity for Danville to look back on its heritage as a whole, as well as contemplate what gives each American citizen a sense of national pride and unity.
On March 4, the 8th annual Heritage Festival will be put on by the Citizens Concerned for Human Relations at Danville High School. The three-day festival will feature a play, sale of items including a diversity calendar featuring local art, a food court, worship service, performers and a showcase of the poster contest. The Red Cross will also be at the festival for a blood drive on Saturday.
The play, entitled "The Meeting" and directed by Yolantha Pace, is based on America’s national heritage. It features historical figures who tell their stories. The characters in the play are played by a variety of Danville residents young and old—from students to workers at local businesses. Other performances will also be conducted throughout the festival. On Saturday, interpreters for the deaf will also be present.
The worship service, for all denominations, will be held at 4 p.m. on March 4 at the Second Street Christian Church. Community members who make up the Heritage Choir will be performing.
In order to host the three-day event, the Citizens Concerned for Human Relations obtained a $1,500 grant from the Kentucky Humanities Council. The festival is also sponsored by the Danville City Commission, Boyle County Fiscal Court, The Tea Leaf, Danville Schools, R.R. Donnelley and Sons, and Minuteman Press.
Admission to the festival is free. The Salvation Army will be collecting non-perishable food items for admission to the play. Back to top...
New post office fits needs of Danville metropolis
J.P. Catenza
Cento Writer
Danville’s brand new, state of the art post office opened its doors Feb. 3 to an enthusiastic town. Unfortunately, Centre students were not as excited about Danville’s newest addition to its bustling downtown. The students also seemed unmoved that the old, homely post office is no longer in use. When asked about his thoughts on the grand opening, Curtis Fifner ‘04 responded in confusion, "A new what? Where?" Michael White ‘04 said that the Post Office, "has been open for like a month, hasn’t it?"
The new building is double the size of the original post office and meant to meet the higher technological demands of the United States Postal Service.
Tom Rust, carpenter and US Postal Service customer, figured the changes, "won’t let anybody send a bomb or something like that unless they’re real good. I guess.”
The workers are equally impressed as well as energized by the new facility. They are singing the praises larger space and design saying that it has helped with efficiency. The lines, although long, move smoother and faster, according to Rust, who thought, "the old place was just too small for this town."
Rust echoes the sentiment of others, feeling upset at the loss of the rural landscape and urban growth of Danville due to the development of this structure and others characteristic of the urban metropolis.
Some Centre students are puzzled at the purpose of the new, sleek and enormous structure occupying the huge space in addition to its parking lot.
"What does Danville need with a parking lot that
big? It’s bigger than the post office, and it’s always empty. “You could put another Denny’s there," says Jessica Ogden ‘04.
The real question is whether this new, larger than life, step into the 21st century post office signifies international airports, convention centers and opera houses steamrolling into town, and whether or not Centre students, protected by the Plexiglass bubble over the campus, notice a single thing happening besides fraternity parties and academics.Back to top...
Abortion issue: a hot topic for the Bush presidency
Jessica Coates
Cento Writer
In 1973, a Supreme Court decision was made that has changed the nation. Since the Roe vs. Wade case came before the court, America has been divided on the issue of abortion. And now, with the new president sworn into office, the future of this court decision may be in jeopardy.
Already noted for publicly denouncing the 'abortion pill,' President Bush has the power to appoint associate justices to the Supreme Court who could overturn the legality of abortion.
Throughout his campaign effort, Bush gained support with his anti-abortion stance, especially from political organizations such as the National Right to Life Committee, the nation's largest anti-abortion lobbyist. "He does not waver in his support for reversing Roe vs. Wade," a representative from the committee said. President Bush himself feels that "[his] goal for America will be [the] born and unborn, protected by law, and welcomed into life. I would then say to you, good people disagree, and I understand this."
Since Democrats are in the minority within the Bush administration, there is much concern throughout the nation as to whether or not the woman's right to choose will remain her right.
President Bush's outspoken comments on the abomination of abortion have left the country wondering about the fate of Roe vs. Wade. The Bush Cabinet positions are also filled with highly conservative Republicans.
Because of this, the court decision most likely stands to be modified, if not completely rejected, a disturbing thought to many American women. Back to top...
Compiled by Stacy Hoehle
Details released about alleged spy
Robert Philip Hanssen. Hanssen, who has worked for the FBI for the last 25 years, was arrested on Feb. 18. He is charged with releasing classified information to the Russians for the last 15 years. Hanssen left disks containing encoded letters and signed with his code name, Ramon Garcia,at established drop sites.
In exchange for the information, Hanssen received more than $600,000 in cash and diamonds and holds an overseas account valued at $800,000. FBI director Louis Freeh called Hanssen’s doings "the most traitorous actions imaginable.u"
Consumer confidence at lowest level since ’96
The Consumer Confidence Index fell again last month, marking the fifth consecutive drop in this index and the lowest rate since June, 1996. The cause is believed to be worries about jobs and the business climate combined with recent decreases in factory orders and home shopping.
The Commerce Department also reported that orders for manufactured goods were also at their lowest level in nineteen months. Sales in new homes have plummeted as well.
Despite this inactivity among consumers, the Commerce Department believes there is simply moderate economic growth, not a recession.u
Scientists see evidence of life on Martian meteorite
Scientists have new evidence of possible ancient microscopic life on Mars. A team of researchers working on a Martian meteorite found in Antarctica recently discovered magnetite crystals arranged in long chains, which they believe could only have been formed by once living organisms.
Imre Friedmann of NASA’s Ames Research Center in California said, "The chains we discovered are of biological origin." The find is controversial since the idea of a rock containing evidence of ancient life was considered preposterous by many astrobiologists. This belief is challenged by researchers such as Kathie Thomas-Keprta at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. She reported that the magnetite crystals in the Martian meteorite are similar to those formed by magnetotactic bacteria living on Earth.u
Women rappers’ rivalry sparks shooting
Rivalry between female rappers Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown may have sparked a gunfight on Sunday outside of a New York radio station. In the altercation, 21 shots were fired and one man was wounded.
Lil’ Kim was leaving the station as rapper Capone arrived. A friend of Capone’s, Efrain Ocasio, was shot and wounded. Foxy Brown had verbally attacked Kim on Capone-N-Noreaga’s album "The Reunion," which was in response to Kim insulting Brown two years earlier in "Notorious K.I.M."
Police say five guns were used in the shooting, which is suspected to be related to the women’s rivalry. No arrests have been made and a representative for Lil’ Kim has denied any involvement in the incident. Further investigation is under way.u
Sources: Associated Press and AOL Anywhere. Back to top...