the appleton north NOCTILUCA Appleton,A Wisconsin October 2009 Vol. XV Issue II Texting behind the wheel proves more fatal than alcohol Inside this is- sue: Photo by Zac DeRidder Media Irresponsible driving can lead to devastating and ultimately regrettable conesquences. By Peter Hale that while at the legal alco- anonymous survey asking how Driving Statistics hol limit, a driver’s steering many of his students have ever Texting while driving has control deteriorates by 35%, texted while behind the wheel. WI 2009: become a very prominent is- however, when texting behind Of his 69 students, an incred- sue in the country, and right the wheel, steering control de- ible 45% have texted while - 750 students with licenses now, proposed legislation that clines by 91%. driving. If this was the same at North would outlaw the activity is Stephen Glaister, Royal for the approximately 750 - 4000 injuries statewide due moving through the Wisconsin Automobile Club Foundation students with their driver’s li- to drunk driving legal system. director had this to say on the censes at north, 337 have tex- - Texting behind the wheel It’s no surprise that many research; “The tests performed ted while driving. If these sta- decreases steering control by people want a new law on by the RAC found that tex- tistics are to be believed, more 91% texting, because recently, re- ters were less able to maintain than 337 of North Students are - 42,000 convictions state- searchers have found that tex- safe distances from others, eight times more likely to be in wide due to drunk driving ting behind the wheel is more and drifted in and out of lanes an accident. - Not wearing a seatbelt dangerous than driving while more often”. Hope rides on this legislation increases likelihood of injury under the infl uence of alcohol Mr. Hillestad, a math and to be able to greatly reduce up to 80% or other such stimuli. computer science teacher at the number of people texting - 243 statewide died due to Halloween Recent research reveals North, had his classes take an while driving. drunk driving WI ups drunk driving penalty “Click It or Ticket”: By Nate Corriea The new seat belt law in WI -3rd offense- $600-$2000 Along with texting and not fi ne, suspension of license for By Chelsea Ashland “I always make people who wearing seatbelts, drunk driv- 1 year or more, jail for 30 days are riding in my car wear a ing is one of the leading rea- to 1 year. All vehicles under As of June 30, 2009, Wis- seat belt. I could never live sons for road-side deaths in the offenders name may be im- consin initiated a primary with myself if something were Wisconsin. Last year about mobilized. enforcement seat belt law to to happen to someone while in half of Wisconsin’s fatal combat automobile accidents my car without one.” crashes were because of drunk -Death or injury results- the and deaths resulting from not driving. According to the Wis- offender may be charged with wearing safety restraints. consin Department of Trans- negligent Homicide. Simply wearing a seatbelt “Simply wearing portation, 234 people died and decreases the likelihood of in- more than 4000 injuries and -Refusal to take a BAC test- jury or death during a traffi c a seatbelt decreas- 42,000 convictions resulted loss of license on the spot and accident up to 80% and now in Dig for a cure due to drunken drivers. More possible loss of vehicle. Wisconsin wearing a seatbelt es the likelihood than 1 in 4 Wisconsin drivers is required by law. of injury or death admitted to driving under the -A rider under 16 is present- According to the Wisconsin infl uence, giving Wisconsin All fi nes double. Department of Transportation, during a traffi c the highest rate of drunken a “primary enforcement law” driving in America. Those that decide to go is a law that allows police of- accident” Wisconsin considers having drinking anyways can take a fi cers to pull a driver over, just a blood alcohol content (BAC) few simple steps to avoid risk- like other driving offenses such as speeding, and issue a of .08% to be legally drunk. ing the lives and safety of in- Currently the law is heav- ticket. Depending on whether Penalties for driving while nocent people. These include ily targeting adolescent males the offense occurs in the front drunk vary as follows: relying on public transporta- between the ages of 16 to 25, or back seat and the age of the -1st offense- As stated above, tion, such as taking the bus or who are most at risk for not driver, the fi nes range from a a $300 fi ne and license sus- a taxi home. Now, some Wis- wearing a seat belt. The goal mere $10 to a whopping $75. pended for 6 months. consin bars even have a Safe- of this new law is to achieve Some Wisconsin residents Ride program to guarantee ZERO deaths on Wisconsin feel that this punishment isn’t -2nd offense- $350- $1100 safe trips home for everyone. roads. severe enough for the possibly fi ne, suspension of license for The best ways to stay safe With the bar set high, Wis- devastating consequences that 1 year or more and jail for 5 while driving are to wear a consin’s new seat belt law has Evolution of result from not wearing a seat- days to 6 months. All vehicles seatbelt, don’t text, and obvi- a lot to live for. under the offenders name may ously, don’t drink and drive. belt. Pop Culture be immobilized. Senior Lyz Bovereux says, NEWS Appleton, Wisconsin October 2009 Vol. XV Issue II Page 3 Sarah Backer climbs mountains for cancer Halloween festivities prom- ise fun for all ages on by North’s own drama club By Jackie Reynders will surely be the “hot spot” this Halloween. Times for the It’s October and Halloween Haunted House include; 6-11 is just around the corner. There PM on the 29th, 1 to 4 PM and are all sorts of fun fall activi- 6 to 11 PM on the 30th, and ties in the area to promote the 1 to 4 PM and 6 to midnight beautiful outdoors and color- on Halloween day. The cost ful autumn weather. is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for Some may think that pick- children 12 and under. ing apples is just an activity for There are also scary ac- young children, but everyone tivities outdoors; for example, can enjoy the pleasantly chilly a haunted hayride with Ca- fall air and the delicious smell vanaugh Carriages. Rides will take place October 16 and 17, Photo by Bruce Backer of fresh apples. Why not take Appleton north senior, Sarah Backer, shows her determination to make a dif- a visit to Schabo’s Hillside 22-24, 28-31st. The price is ference in the fi ght for cancer by tackling diffi cult Nevada terrain. Orchard? Schabo’s is open 10 $10 and includes a 45 minute AM to 5:30 PM daily, and is long ride as well as refresh- By Siri Pairin located at W3964 Wege Road ments, snacks and a bonfi re. Rides start after dark and Ca- Sarah, “Of course Wisconsin Appleton, WI 54913. This past summer, Sarah died of leukemia, this driven vanaugh Carriages is located had cheeseheads!” Sarah and Want something a bit spook- Backer displayed remarkable Appleton North senior joined at 3910 W Fairview Rd. Nee- her father plan on making the ier than apple picking? How determination and drive that with 1,700 other people united nah, Wi 54956. ride again next summer. about North’s own fabulous helped raise over $8,000. In with a cause to fi ght cancer. There are plenty of things to “Sarah Jean is an amaz- Haunted House, A Night to honor of Todd Jeanquart, a Together, they raised $6.8 mil- do this October, so get out and ing young woman and mature Dismember XI? Taking place former Appleton North teach- lion. enjoy the weather and Hallow- beyond her years,” said Heidi on October 29th, 30th and er who passed away some two 31st, this popular event put een spirit! and a half years ago, Sarah Jeanquart, a teacher at Apple- rode 100 miles on her bike “Sarah rode 100 ton North and Todd’s widow, across hilly and elevated ter- miles on her bike “I like to think Todd was rid- rain in Nevada. ing along with her.” “It was a challenge,” she across hilly and With the willpower and pas- said, “There were some really sion like that of Sarah’s, not big hills to climb. The eleva- elevated terrain” only can more people complete tion is 6,000 (feet) to 7,000 incredible rides like this one, feet and we had to go up al- more people will be able to “One of my favorite parts most 3,000 (feet) more.” over come awful diseases like was how each state had their cancer because of the help and Inspired by the passionate Photo by Zac DeRidder own ‘helmet decoration’,” said and encouraging teacher who support of those who care. Pumpkins are a traditional Halloween decoration. Students stress about PSAT Conkey’s closing devastates Appleton By Sara Drezdzon As Wisconsin’s oldest and remember it as a little A newly abandoned build- bookstore, it opened in 1896 kid. Sadie Voet, a senior, said ing now haunts downtown and has had fi ve owners; John “I feel like part of my soul is Appleton.