Abbott seeks WJXS' new owners bring back local news election to Students may help produ 'ce local TV newscasts By Kevin Simon the University's communication county office The Chanticleer Staff Writer department. Plans for the communication By Stephanie Pendergrass Local news is coming back to The Chanticleer News Editor department to work in concert Calhoun County, and JSU stu- with Heritage are still on the dents may get the chance to help drawing board, but a student- JSU's' former head baseball make it happen. run news broadcast is being coach, Rudy Abbott, who retired The Anniston area, which has considered in the distant future, after last season, is running for long been without in-depth local county commissioner. Abbott, according to Eric Freeman, TV- news coverage, will receive 24's head production manager. who also served as sports infor- additional airtime with the pur- mation director Not only has Heritage chase of WJXS TV-24 by at the expressed interest in hiring stu- University, Heritage Communications LLC, dents on staff, but "many stu- a group of local media profes- said, " I feel an dents have approached me inter- obligation to sionals. ested in working for TV-24" do something The television station operates said Mike Stedharn, the commu- to give back to out of studios on the first floor WJXS N-24camera operator Tony Castaneda covers a Gamecock softball game Tuesday. the communi- of JSU's Self Hall, also home to see TV-24, page 3 Students may get more opportunities from the station's new owners. ty." Rudv-- Abbotk. According to ~bb~~~,he will be running for the SGA signs country act Rascal Flatts for April concert Democratic ticket. He seeks place 5, in the northern district of By Katie Harris SGA 2nd vice president, who her what was available. We Calhoun County. The Chant~cleerStaff Wr~ter heads the student activities focused on Rascal Flatts While he doesn't know whom committee. "There just because we could take them. he'll be running against just yet, The SGA has signed country weren't a lot of availabilities in "MTV Campus Invasions Abbott said someone else will recording artists Rascal Flatts the spring. was what we were shooting for probably run for the same ~osi- for a concert at JSU next tion. "At this point no one in the "Honestly, you know, when I and they're actually not even month. Democratic Party or the ran last year I wanted to have a coming to the South because Republican Party has announced, According to Robert Hayes, ' concert," said Boyd. "Not hav- Nickelback decided they want- but ljm sure I will have an oppo- SGA director of publicity, ing a concert was never an ed to cut the tour in half and nent." "Rascal Flatts will be coming issue with me but it has really return home to Canada for their Abbott explained his desire in to Jacksonville University on come down to the wire." Juno Awards," Boyd said. "We IUnning for County ~0mmi~Si0ner. April 12, 2002.'? He explained "What happens when you work at The SGA recently found out had to basically explore every that this 'Once* is "a different Courtesy Rascal Flatts a school and you're a coach and country recording artists Rascal Flatks will that their one plan had fallen single option. Luckily, Rascal approach." perform at JSU April 12. work in public relations and work through. Boyd said, "We Flatts came through for us." with kids and parents and whatev- The SGA had to debate if a band) since so many groups we learned that MTV Campus According to Boyd, Rascal er, for a long period of time, was even this were looking at, that were in Invasion wasn't going to hap Flatts was not even in consid- which I did for 37 years at JSU, year. "It's been really difficult our p,ce range, like Lifehouse, pen about two weeks ago, so you have so many people who are to get a confirmation (from a recording,'' said JOYBoyd, nice to you and try to help you in we called our agent and asked see concert, page your career," he said. "This is a good way for me to pay (back) those debts and kindnesses and to Nine American soldiers killed in battle with al-Qaida, Taliban do something for our end of the county." By Jonathan S. tanday offensive against al- operation of the war. Defense Secretary the number of al-Qaida Abbott said a major issue facing Knight Ridder Newspapers (KRT) Qaida and Taliban fight- Pentagon officials said it Donald H. Rumsfeld said and Taliban dead at the county is "finding enough ers holed up in snow- was unclear initially if that enemy fighters had between 100 and 200, and money to take care of the road WASHINGTON - In bound mountains of east- U.S. fatalities totaled suffered "much larger described the offensive as projects and infrastructures in our the bloodiest day soq far em Afghanistan. eight or nine. numbers of killed and "making good progress." district." He explained that con- for Americans fighting in It was the largest one- Anti-Taliban Afghan wounded, and there will Defense officials said Bequently, "county commission- Afghanistan, UP to nine day combat casualty toll forces specifically trained be many more." that some of the al-Qaida ers do not have the power to pass U.S. soldiers died and at for U.S. forces in the five- by the U.S. military for Army Gen. Tommy and Taliban fighters had taxes and they do not have the least 10 others were month war on terrorism, the assault also suffered Franks, chief of U.S. their families with them. injured Monday on the and they came in the casualties, but the num- Central Command, said see Abbott, page 3 fourth day of a major biggest US.-led ground bers were not disclosed. preliminary estimates put See Battle,page Paae 2 PAGETWO The Chanticleer March 7, 2002 *Alpha Omicron Pi: Congrats to this week's Sister of the Week- Amber Bullard, and this week's Positive Invasion fell through. "We try band a lot of people won't Panda Award- Kaila Towns. We had a great sisterhood retreat this weekend! Congrats to everyone on elections! were going to go with a rock come out and see them. I'm Good luck to the softball team in the upcoming games! Contact: Learn Davis, [email protected]. group but there really weren't going to see them (though), any availabilities in terms of *Alpha Xi Delta: A big thank you to everyone who came out and supported Bachelor Beauties! A special thank because I like country music you to all the great men who participated! You guys were great! Good luck in intramural softball ladies! rock groups." and have even burned a couple Thanks Courtney and Celinda for a great Secret Set-Up! Sister of the Week: Courtney Edmunds. Contact: According to Boyd, the con- of their songs to a CD," she Katie Green, 782-7535. cert budget is around $30,w said. and the band is charging *JSU Ambassadors: Would you like to help assist in recruiting new students to JSU? Become a JSU "I'm very excited about it," Ambassador! Applications are available Mar. 4-18 at the Visitor Center. Contact: Tracy Phillips, 782-5260. $15,000 to play at JSU. said Boyd. "I hope JSU will Hayes said that the band's *Delta Zeta: We had an awesome time at Regions weekend, we are proud of our awards! Congratulations on price does not include lights, our Greek Awards- Presidents Silver Cup and Involvement Award! Congrats to new sisters and New Members. sound, stage, labor and cater- "We haven't had a Awards of'the Week: Sister- Molly, Tiny Turtle-Allison D., Twisted- E-Board, Support- Jenn, Alumnea- Kim, ing. Hayes said that you can Baby Turtle- Madison. Contact: Tavia McMunn, [email protected]. country act in a double the band's price on while and I think *Department of Criminal Justice-Saturday Seminars Series- Collection & Preservation of Evidence. March 9 paper to get the actual cost. at 8 a.m. in Brewer Hall. CJ488 Credit Hour Granted. Hands-on seminar. Contact: Holli Driver at 782-8131. "This year, I can safely say the people are ready that all of our activities were *The Second Annual "J3oops for Habitat" students vs. faculty basketball game will be Mar. 12,7 p.m. at Pete for it. Rascal Flatts Mathews Coliseum. There will be drawings for door prizes at halftime. Tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at the free and that just, kind of, took is a country band door. Proceeds go to the JSU Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity for a Jacksonville Habitat house. out of our concert budget," Contact: Kim Weatherford, 782-5762 for tickets or more inforination. Hayes said. and we have a lot of I The SGA has plans for the *The JSU Chamber Winds will be performing a free band concert this weekend, Mar. 9. The concert will begin people in this area at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Ernest Stone Center for the Performing Arts. Contact: JSU Band Ofice, 782- profits of the concert. "Well, if that enjoy country 5562. we do get a concert profit, the exec. board has talked about music." *Join a JSU Field School fun-filled program! Archaeology Tour, Mar. 9; 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $25 Stars of Little River doing something in the form of Canyon, Mar.