WEATHER ■ TODAY: Partly i" *,r-J VN*A cloudy, high 60°F, \: A ■ -i low 38°F. $ FRIDAY: Cloudy, high 57°F, low NadOsS-' 38°F. SATURDAY: Partly A Bouncer and cloudy, high 57°?, a Gentleman low 36°F. SeeFocuspaees 20-23 JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY THURSDAY Fell 26. ,wl 75.NO $8 Student assaulted after ballroom brawls occurred in PC Ballroom during the Fifth Annual College a.m. One of the assailants broke a glass bottle across the by Katheryn Lenker Weekend on the Slopes Party throughout Saturday night, victim's forehead, which caused a severe facial laceration, according to the Police'Log in today's Breeze. JMU Police said Lee Shifflett, JMU chief of police. staff writer weren't called to PC Ballroom Saturday night and only The student was coming from the party that culminated A JMU student was attacked early Sunday morning learned of the alleged incidents after the student was a weekend ski trip at Massanutten Resort in Rockingham after leaving a party in PC Ballroom where a number of assaulted, according to the Feb. 26 police log in The Breeze. County. Groups from colleges across the state came to An unidentified group of six people allegedly assaulted fights broke out. see BALLROOM page 2 The assault was one of a series of fights that reportedly the unidentified student near the Village gazebo around 2 Hunter's Ridge residents evicted after Sunday's fire Fire began when candle on bedroom window sill ignited blanket on bed, Harrisonburg fire chief says extinguished before they went to when we can go in [the apart- by Brad Jenkins bed. ment]," she said. "We need to be "(The friend] says he blew able to get in with our insurance staff writer them all out," Cochran said. "I agents to get our stuff." Managers of Hunter's Ridge didn't see [the lit candle] when Prudential Funkhouser and apartments evicted four JMU stu- I went in to turn the lights Associates were unavailable for dents who lived in the apartment out." comment. On Sunday, Joe that caught fire Feb. 22. The fire was reported Funkhouser, owner of Prudential Prudential Funkhouser and Sunday morning at 9:53 a.m. Funkhouser and Associates, said, Associates decided to evict the Cochran said a chair in the room "It's pretty charred. It seems most residents of 1346-L after Harrisonburg ———— fire officials deter- mined the cause of ' The only thing that really upset me is that the fire. A candle on sophomore Patrick Hunters Ridge has not told us anything about Moran's bedroom window sill ignited when we can go in [the apartment]. a blanket on his bed, Harrisonburg Fire' Kathleen Cochran Chief Larry Shifflett 1346L resident said. Moran was un- available for com- ment. probably blocked her view of the of the fire damage is limited to Kristin Garvin, a resident of small flame. that unit." the apartment, said a ffiend from Cochran said she under- Meanwhile, the apartment's Richmond was visiting and lit stands why management termi- residents are staying at the Days DYLAN BOUCHERLE/.v«»»r photographer several candles in Moran's room nated the lease, but she questions Inn. while listening to music the night management's handling of the Shifflett estimated the cost of Caged animal before the fire. situatipn. damage to the building is $75,000 Kathleen Cochran, another "The only thing that really to $100,000, according to JMU sophomore David Gould busts free at the Dukes* last game resident of the apartment, said upsets me is that Hunter's Ridge of the season Monday. The Dukes beat George Mason, 68-58. she thought the candles were has not told us anything about see FIRE page 2 Hojo residents could have prevented thefts, hall director says resident negligence and could have been firm that four thefts occurred fall semester. was robbed at gunpoint and additional by Brian Westley prevented," he said. "We've had problems To make residents aware of how they thefts have involved a stolen stereo, VCR, can protect themselves, Hojo's staff held a hockey equipment, jacket and CDs, contributing writer because residents have been propping open doors and letting random people in. I safety program with JMU police. Ainsworth said. Residents at Howard Johnson's could just think we're being targeted [for theft] "Attendance has been very good," The Office of Residence Life and JMU have helped prevent recent thefts at the right now. Ainsworth said. "Residents have learned Police have received phone calls from par- residence hall, Hojo's hall director Chuck "We've had [many thefts this semester] about what the criminals are [looking ents concerned about the thefts. Ainsworth said. .... compared to four in the first semester," for]." "Every theft has occurred because of AihSWOrth said. JMU Police reports con- In the last several weeks, one student see HOJO page 2 2 Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998 THE BREEZE HoJo's __ Ballroom continued from page 1 continued from page 1 Maggie Burkhart, director of residence life, ^ M n * » m Harrisonburg to ski at Massanutten Resort. license S367XL with New York State plates leave the scene of the assault near her office has been telling concerned parents the "To the press alone, chequered as The groups were reportedly staying at the crimes were not random acts. Harrisonburg Super Eight Motel. Huffman Hall. JMU police continue to investigate. it is unth abuses, tlie world is Shifflett described the suspect who JMU Police think the six assailants are indebted for all the triumphs broke the bottle as a black male with short from another university and police traced which liaxv been gained by hair. He was wearing a striped shirt, dark the cars back to the Super Eight Motel, but reason and humanity over error blue jeans, a sweater, hat and gold chains. the suspects left before police could speak It's a matter of being and oppression." jMU police responded to a medical with them. Bus loads of students from — James Madison assistance call at a residence hall and Hampton University, Norfolk State and smart. People have been transported the student to Rockingham Old Dominion University attended the Edihv Krtsten Helss Memorial Hospital by rescue squad. event. Police could not confirm whether Managing etlitor leaving their doors Laura L Wade Police refused to release the name of the the students were from these universities. Adsmanager Erin M. CaHaghan residence hall. Police are now trying to trace the sus- cracked and walking Ttvhwlogy manager Brian Hlggfns Witnesses reportedly saw a Honda pects to their respective colleges. An Nens editor Courtney A. Crowtey license T388UY and a tan Chevrolet investigation continues. News editor Rob Spebs down the hall. Assl. news iditor Andi MetrJer Sometimes they might Oj'inum iililor Kelley Blasslngame Style editor Jim 'Vegas' Terp Fire. continued from page 1 end up being gone for a Focus editor Chris KHmek Asst s/y/f/finiso/ifor Julian Walker Sunday's Breeze. About 20 fire and rescue All the Funkhouser properties at half-hour." Spirts atitor Steven M. Trout workers were on the scene Sunday when Hunter's Ridge are insured, and insurance Assl. sports eilitor Seth Burton residents of the entire building were evac- agents will assess the cost of the damage, uated. Funkhouser said Sunday. CaraReed Q^n/tditor Lisa Fox freshman HoJo's resident PltHo editor Jennifer Baker A'st.plttoedittw Ed Dyer Graplacs editor Thomas Scaia One resident said JMU Police's awareness pro- Adxnscrs Rip Oe Luca, gram was helpful. Alan Neckowttz, Freshman Cara Reed said, "The police talked to David Wendelken us and showed us a video. We learned of ways ti register our things. The program increased our awareness." Ainsworth said JMU Police and residents are tak- Tlie Breeze is published Monday ing precautions. "[On Tuesday night], I noticed and Thursday mornings and JMU Police were checking doors and going around distributed throughout James to student's doors that were cracked or not shut." Madison University and the local Throughout the year, HoJo's has provided its Harrisonburg community. Comments and complaints should own security. "There are security hotel watchmen be addressed to Kristen Heiss, edi- that work through the night — but just on Friday tor. and Saturday, that I'm aware of," Ainsworth said Mailing address: "They started working on Thursday last semester, Vie Breeze C\ Anthony-Seeger Hall but I'm not sure if that (is continuing)." MSC6805 The HoJo's manager couldn't be reached for James Madison University comment. Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807 Reed said, "It's a matter of being smart. People E-Mail address: have been leaving their doors cracked and walking the_ [email protected] down the hall. Sometimes they might end up being Breeze Net: gone for a half-hour." http: / /breeze.jmu.edu She said HoJo's residents are taking extra precau- An individual may have one copy tions. "We make sure our doors are locked if no one of The Breeze for free. is in the room," she said. "We're watching over All subsequent copies cost 25 cents apiece. everything and looking out for strange people." Alan MacNutt, director of Public Safety, would- n't comment on the HoJo's situation because of an In The Breeze ongoing investigation. OPINION 12 STYLE 15 The Breeze would like lo congratulate iis FOCUSON 20 SPORTS 25 now staff, which lakes over April I. COMICS 35 Courtney Crowley: Editor CLASSIFIEDS 39 Manny Rosa: Managing editor Brian Higgins: Technology manager Thomas Scala: Design editor CLASSIFIEDS Brad Jenkins: News editor Katheryn Lenker: News editor How to place a classified: Julia Filz: Asst.