SMH 13th January  by Peta Doherty and Nicky Phillips

IT IS almost unimaginable the fear 13-year-old Jordan Rice would have felt as the car he and his family were in was pummelled by a wall of water.

But as it began engulfing the vehicle, Jordan, who could not swim himself, insisted his younger brother, Blake, 10, be rescued first.

It was a heroic gesture. One that cost him his life.

(more…)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – When a Virginia deputy learned who he’d be pedaling to honor, he felt the need to do more.

Stafford County Deputy Joe Pittman contacted the Okaloosa County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, and asked that they send him a department patch for his project.

Pittman created a shadow box for the fallen officer, Deputy Skip York, who was shot and killed along with his partner while trying to arrest a domestic violence suspect.

The shadow box contains a rubbing of York’s name from the National Law Enforcement Memorial as well as the wristband that Pittman wore during the Law Enforcement United ride. The patches of both deputies’ departments also are part of the display.

“I just wanted to do it, a token of appreciation or honor. I wanted to let his family know he won’t be forgotten,” Pittman said. “I also made one for myself.”

(more…)

Nationwide campaign seeks to end use of the ‘r-word’

By Joann Groff

Simi Valley students have pledged to discontinue the use of a derogatory word.March 3 marked the Ventura County Special Olympics’ second annual “Spread the Word to End the Word” day of awareness, a campaign to encourage everyone to stop using the word “retard(ed).”

Two Key clubs, at Royal and Simi Valley high schools, have committed to the cause and sold Tshirts and wristbands to raise money for the Special Olympics while talking to their peers about the hurtful effects of using the word.

Simi Valley High’s Key Club has more than 170 members. They were out in full force last week selling “End the R-word” gear.

(more…)

(NBC) – A breast cancer awareness bracelet has landed a student at New York’s South Glens Falls High School in hot water.

“It wasn’t really a distraction,” Nicholas Morgan insisted.

Nick’s mom says he’s not a troublemaker, but this week trouble found him, thanks to the bracelet on his right wrist.

It says “I love boobies.”

The sale of the rubber bands benefits a not-for-profit that raises breast cancer awareness among teens. Nick’s mom, Barbara Gifford, bought it at a store in the mall after he asked for it for his birthday.

(more…)