Amelia's Thoughts

Final Story for 3121

Homeless shelters in the Twin Cities are experiencing record numbers of homeless this fall.

Each night approximately 7,000 people receive shelter from a variety of service providers across the state of Minnesota. On average another 1,000 are turned away from shelters each night, according to surveys conducted by the Department of Human Services done over the past few years and posted on the Wilder Organizations web site.

St. Anne’s Place, People Serving People and the Catholic Men’s Charity said they haven’t had a vacant room in months. People Serving People is one of the largest shelters in Minneapolis with a capacity of 350 people. At noon on Tuesday the shelter was already up to 336 occupants, Jim Minor, President of People Serving People said. Last year at this time People Serving People had little more than half as many people at only 186 occupants, Minor said.

When Hennepin County shelters are filled to the brim, the county overflows homeless families into the Drake Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Until this August, this practice hadn’t been used for the last seven years, Betsy LaMarre, program director at St. Anne’s Place, a shelter in northeast Minneapolis serving women and children said.
But Hennepin County shelters have been so maxed out this season that they’ve had to return to some previous practices. “Normally the Drake has housed one or two homeless families this fall, but last week they were housing 21,� LaMarre said.

With this rise in homelessness and no immediate end in sight, food shelters are also noticing a strain on resources. Ted Evans from the Emergency Food Shelf Network said food has been flying off shelves much faster than usual. He said their food shelter network-which provides food to local shelters has seen a 15 percent increase in 2007 compared to 2006. Judy Jones the Director of the Urban Ventures and People’s Exchange food shelf said her food shelf has experienced a 50 percent increase this fall in usage compared to last year at this time.

There are a number of reasons for this spike in homelessness. A decline in economy, a rise in foreclosures and the ending of many 60 month welfare packages are all reasons for this increase. LaMarre from St. Anne’s Place was the only person who mentioned the impact of MFIP-or the welfare program as a cause of homelessness.
Both representatives from the food shelters and People Serving People mentioned the recent wave of foreclosures as a suspected cause of the onslaught of homelessness. The decline in the economy and a lack of affordable housing were also mentioned by several sources including Jones and June Heineman, a research assistant at the Wilder Organization.

Representatives from the Wilder Organization as well as Minor from People Serving People said data collection on the homeless is very difficult and is incomplete at best. “It’s hard to know what the real numbers are,� LaMarre from St. Anne’s Place said.

Minor, as well as LaMarre said Hennepin County is completely swamped with the rise in homelessness and is very unwilling to talk to anyone about the problem or any of the data they have collected. “I’ve heard that some Hennepin County shelter employees are working 14-15 hour days to keep up with the increase,� Minor said.

Numerous calls to the Hennepin County Shelter Team went unanswered.

**I did not post my sources for confidential reasons-I do have them if someone is interested**

Continue reading "Homelessness in Minneapolis sees an increase this fall" »

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:45 PM | Permalink

Two separate shootings only 65 miles apart rocked the state of Colorado on Sunday. The first shooting occurred right outside of Denver at a missionary training center. Two young adults were killed at the mission -- one of them from Minnesota.

The second shooting occurred at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, where one person was killed. The shooter was then gunned down by a member of the churches armed security guards. Police said that guard likely saved many others from a much more tragic fate.

Police are still investigating whether or not the two shootings are related.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:55 PM | Permalink

A new charter school catering to autistic children is planning on opening its doors in the fall of 2008. Lionsgate Academy will be serving 6th- through 10th- graders, and one day will hopefully serve people through the age of 21.

As the Star Tribune's article articulates, the parents of many local autistic children are becoming frustrated and lonely. It seems an uphill battle for many parents -- constantly convincing schools to better educate their children.

This new school is planning on opening in the western suburbs and recruiting teachers and staff that are well trained with working with autistic kids.

The Academy still needs to raise an additional $1.5 million in order to purchase equipment and programming as well as finding a site.

The new school is founded by parents of autistic children, and the hopes are that this learning establishment will be a place for parents of autistic children to commune and learn from one another. They also hope it can be a place for researchers to study and learn how to better serve autistic kids and help them lead for meaningful lives, according to the Star Tribune.

It's really good to see this type of school opening. Even 50 years ago children with disabilities were shunned or placed in mental institutions. I grew up with a mentally and physically handicapped sister and saw firsthand the struggles my parents went through raising a handicapped child. My sister went to a public school, but I think had their been a charter school around that catered to my parents and my sister's needs -- life would have been easier for everyone.

Lionsgate Academy will be the first of it's kind in Minnesota -- and one of only a few across the United States. I hope that with time this new type of institution and supportive environment will only grow.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:50 PM | Permalink

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:30 PM | Permalink

The day and a half long search for a missing Hastings man is over, his body was found inside the charred remains of a fuel oil tank.

The search for Nicolas Gunter, 29, began after the 10,000-barrel tank caught fire Saturday at the Marathon Petroleum Co. site in St. Paul Park, said company spokesman Robert Calmus, according to the Star Tribune.

The search had covered many acres of the refinery property and involved over 70 people. Officials with the company and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.

Calmus said there hasn't been a fatality at the site since 1978 when the company was under different ownership.

This incident seems oddly timed with the pipeline explosion in Northern Minnesota which killed 2 people and briefly caused world oil prices to spike.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:45 PM | Permalink

The Guardian reported today on Russia's upcoming parliamentary elections to give President Vladamir Putin and his United Russia party an inflated win despite his inability to run for a 3rd term.

The Kremlin has been intimidating Russian workers across the board warning them if they don't vote for the United Russia they could face losing their jobs, wages, and a variety of other threats. Students have been warned they could face failing exams or being removed from courses if they fail to vote for United Russia. There have also been numerous reports of bribery.

The Kremlin ironically insists Sunday's elections will be free and fair. The Guardian asked Vladimir Churov, the head of Russia's central election commission whethere or not the Kremlin was planning on manipulating Sunday's election, "They will be the most free, most transparent, and most suitable elections for citizens," he said.

Putin is obliged to step down from his second term as President of Russia in May, however a landslide victory could be used to legitimise his return to power, possibly as early as the summer, the Guardian reports.

The President's popularity is stated at 55%, but in reality independent sources say its really around 35% popularity.

Russia's use of intimidation, fraud and bribery to all sorts of Russian workers across the world's largest country is truly appaling. Russia is really making a name for itself as an authoritarian state completely lacking in credibility. The U.S. should certianly call on Russia to change its manipulative ways and create free and fair elections.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 10:11 PM | Permalink

A 20-year-old man was killed today after being Tasered by a police officer. The man was involved in a scuffle with three other men when deputies arrived on the scene at 5 am in Maryland. A deputy then used his Taser on one of the men who then fell unconscious.

The man was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

This death is just one of many deaths attributed to the use of Taser's. According to Amnesty International more than 150 people have died since June 2001 after being subdued by a stun gun.

The article from CNN goes on to tell the story of another man who died after being subdued by a Taser last week. Critics of Amnesty have said there are a myriad of other reasons people die after being Tasered. They also said that many media outlets have placed blame on the Taser and the police without sufficient evidence.

Regardless of what the exact truth may be, further research should be done on the Taser and its actual effects on its victims. And perhaps police-like Amnesty International has called for-should suspend the use of the Taser until further research has been completed.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 10:25 PM | Permalink

A Saudi court has just upped a gang raped victim's sentence. The 19-year-old woman who received a sentence of 90 lashes, went to meet with an unrelated male and former friend from whom she was receiving photographs. The two of them were abducted and raped by 7 rapists-who only received sentences ranging from 10 months to five years in prison.

The victim's attorney contested the rapists sentence saying they should be reconsidered due to the sinful violent nature of the crime-and that they should receive a punishment of death.

After a year of deliberation the courts increased the rapist's sentences. But to the shock of both victim and her lawyer they increased her sentence as well to 6 months in prison and 200 lashes. The reason-the victims " attempt to aggravate and influence the judiciary through the media," according to Arab News, an English-language Middle Eastern daily newspaper.

In a further unjust decision the court also decided to bar the lawyer from further representing the victim and also revoked his law license. The attorney is appealing this decision.

Women in Saudi Arabia are subjected to countless restrictions that when crossed come with serious consequences. Among the restrictions include a strict dress code, a prohibition against driving and the need for a man's permission to travel or have surgery. Women are also not allowed to testify in court unless it is about a private matter that was not observed by a man, and they are not allowed to vote, according to CNN.

The story goes on to say that Saudi Arabian government has taken steps to better the situation for women in their country. But it is clear they have a long way to go.

Stories like these truly make me sick and seem to prove in my mind that the world would perhaps be a better place if we didn't have religion to control people.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 1:33 PM | Permalink

Millionaire's these days apparently include televangelists like the Rev. Creflo Dollar who runs the World Changer's Church International which took in $69 million last year.

The reverend seems to lead a pretty lavish lifestyle like riding around in a Rolls Royce and and profiting from both business and real estate ventures. In fact his lifestyle is so lavish the Senate Finance committee has launched an investigation into his and several other televangelists finances and expenses.

Ironically the Rev. Dollar is among the religious leaders who preach the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches. But he said he uses only his personal finances to pay for his luxuries, according to WGCL TV Atlanta's website.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 10:50 PM | Permalink

Soccer fan clashes are apparently quite common in Italy. According to a CNN article violence between rival soccer fans in Italy has been a problem for some time.

During one of these clashes at a rest stop while traveling from Rome to Milan for a soccer match, a 26-year-old fan was shot in the neck by a policeman trying to break up the arguments. Gabriele Sandri, of Rome was unable to be revived by medic crews.

Fans in Rome are now storming the Olympic Stadium, several Olympic committee headquarters, as well as the police station. Several police officers have already sustained minor injuries. Several soccer games have also been canceled or postponed due to unruly and angry fans. The rioters in Rome have also been smashing windows, blocking bridges and burning buses.

It looks like Italy has a long way to go before soccer fans can get along amicably. Under new anti-violence measures some fans have been barred from traveling to games. Clearly, more measures will have to be taken before peace ensues.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 6:05 PM | Permalink

The newly created body of government called "fusion centers" is something that grew out of the new terrorist prevention methods following September 11th. Minnesota's fusion center is called the Minnesota Joint Analysis Center or (MNJAC).
The purpose of these centers-of which there are 40 across the United States, is to disseminate important information to law agencies.
One of the criticisms before 9/11 was that nobody was sharing information. Fusion centers are meant to create synergy and fill in the cracks of the law enforcement body as a whole.
Many legislatures and law makers are worried about these centers, and whether or not they are encroaching on our first amendment rights.
These fusion centers seem to be tiptoeing a line between doing a vigilant job of staying on the defensive in times of terror, and slowly taking away American's rights. The passing of the Patriotic Act into law saw several of the same discussions over first amendment rights. It remains to be seen whether fusion centers will act in a purely synergistic way, or if they begin to overstep their boundaries.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:15 PM | Permalink

19-year-old Micheal John Anderson was charged with second degree murder today in the murder of Katherine Ann Olson.

Anderson lives with his parents and denies killing Olson, saying he was merely present at the time of her murder. He said she was killed by one of his friends who,"thought it would be funny."

At Anderson's hearing today his bail was set at $1 million.

This murder has begun to raise larger questions about the safety of Craigslist and other online advertising sites. In the journalism world it has raised speculation that perhaps people will feel safer using newspaper ads once again where there is more of a degree of control and fact checking.

Others contend that online advertising has always been sketchy at times and that people just need to be cautious.

It is true that Craigslist is free and that it has virtually no degree of background checking at all. This means anyone-including an alleged killer like Anderson-can post an ad.

One important thing to remember that has been reiterated throughout the newsworld today is to be cautious and not to meet anyone online alone at his or her house. Go to a public place. Or when selling something youself, again meet in a public place rather than your home.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 9:49 PM | Permalink

Everyone has heard about the recent wave of foreclosures in the state, and particularly in the twin cities metro area. A new article in the Star Tribune writes about the trickle down effect that foreclosures are having. The renters of these foreclosed homes are being caught up in the middle.

The article says that renters are experiencing a myriad of problems from having to leave right away, to low-income families having no where to go, to having the heat turned off. Some renters will be allowed to stay for several months after the property is foreclosed.

Other renters vent their frustrations saying they had planned on buying their rental property, but now have to find somewhere else to live.

The article also talks about how foreclosures are drastically increasing homelessness. Hard numbers are not yet available but its clear that they are having a heavy impact.

The Dorothy Day Center in Saint Paul which temporarily houses homeless families has seen a drastic increase in the number of homeless families needing help. They are attributing this increase in part to the large number of foreclosures in the area.

State officials are saying one important thing for renters to remember is to know their rights.

Unfortunately the problems stemming from foreclosed homes will likely not end soon.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 10:35 PM | Permalink

A Wisconsin jury acquitted Daniel A. Kelly, 31, who was accused of killing an ex-Minnesota legislature's son. Kelly was charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the shooting death of Austin Bodahl, 23, and a recent resident of Madison, Wisconsin at the time of the shooting.

Apparently Kelly's attorney's argued that he shot in self defense, and that as a former soldier in Kosovo-had irrational fears about what would happen in a fight.

Bodahl was the son of former state rep. Larry Boddahl.

The Bodahl family was shocked as the statement was read. The Kelly family, unsurprisingly, looked jubilant at the decision.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 6:44 PM | Permalink

Fires are roaring through southern California. The blazes have led to at least 1 death and 8 injuries.

Wildfires near Malibu have caused part of the Pacific Coast Highway to be shut down. At least 200 family homes in the Malibu area have been evacuated.

Firefighters say the flames could threaten thousands of homes and businesses.

They are still searching for the cause of the blazes.

Fires are notorious in the west and seem to happen a lot in the fall when foliage is dying and the winds quickly move the fires across heat baked lands.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:45 PM | Permalink