Amity- Hot dogs, fireworks and sunny weather are not the only things to celebrate this Fourth of July in Amity, Mass., as a shark blamed for the death of two swimmers has been caught and killed.
Police Chief Martin Brody was on site to see the giant shark, caught by fisherman Mike Swenson, Medford, Mass., hung by the tail and snout.
“The fishermen who caught the beast will receive a $3,000 reward for their heroic and selfless efforts,” Brody said.
Matt Hooper, marine biologist from the Oceanographic Institute in Woods Hole Mass., inspected the shark once it was brought ashore and identified it as a nurse shark weighing 875 pounds.
“Nurse Sharks are among the most brutal and dangerous of all sharks,” Hooper said. “[They] have been responsible for hundreds of swimmers’ deaths along the East Coast of the United States.
“I urge all residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” Brody said.
All of the Amity beaches have now been reopened. “Swim and have fun!” Brody said. After a hesitation by many at the beginning of the day, the beach goers slowly began to trickle into the water.
Brody warned “islanders and guests alike” not to be alarmed by the shark spotters who have remained on the beaches. The Coast Guard, Marine Patrol, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Navy, Homeland Security and the FBI have representative stationed in Amity, along with local municipal and county police agencies.
“They are simply a safety precaution that we hope will put our visitors at ease,” Brody said.
There was a frightening moment when a dorsal fin was spotted in the water and those swimming quickly fled to shore.
Closer inspection revealed that Wayne Winston, 12, and Brad Kaplan, 12, were swimming in wet suits with a makeshift fin, pulling a prank on the Amity vacationers.
“He made me do it,” Winston said as the two boys were pulled from the water by shark spotters. The spotters are stationed in boats along the coast equipped with firearms.
Apart from a few bumps and bruises exciting the water, there were no injuries.
While Brody said that the island officials “believe that the danger of further shark attacks has probably passed,” a toll-free shark sighting hotline has been set up.
Brody requested that any sightings be reported to 1-800-sharksee.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Local Fisherman Offers to Find and Kill Shark
Amity- A sign reading “Reward: $3,000 bounty to the man or men who catch and kill that shark that killed Alex Kintner” hung on the wall outside of a special held last night to discuss future actions in response of the recent tragedies at two Amity beaches.
Amity Mayor Larry Vaughn and Police Chief Martin Brody met with the Amity Board of Selectmen at Town Hall at 6 p.m. last night to establish the next steps to be taken after two beach goers were killed by a shark.
“We’re going to put extra summer deputies and shark spotters on the beach,” Brody said to the assembled audience.
Brody continued by adding that Oceanographic Institute experts will be coming to Amity to further address the two deaths that took place yesterday.
Christine Watson, 17, a senior at Amity High School, was last seen at a beach party Sunday night with Christopher Hoggenbottam, former island resident, before her body was found washed onto the shore of South Beach early Monday morning.
Later that afternoon, Alex Kintner, 10, of Mayfair Court was playing in the water with his friends when he became a victim of what appeared to be an unprovoked shark attack. The body has not been recovered, but Alex Kintner’s damaged raft washed ashore and appears to have a large bite taken out of it.
Ben Quint, local fisherman, commanded the attention of the room by scrapping his fingers nails on the chalkboard to gain the audience’s attention.
“It’s not gonna be pleasant,” Quint said, after he offered to find and kill the shark for a $10,000 reward.
“For that you get the head, the tail; the whole damn thing.”
“I don’t want no volunteers,” Quint said, making it clear he prefers to work alone.
The mayor later responded that the town of Amity would contribute $7,000 to the $3,000 reward set by Marion Kintner for the capture and kill of the accused shark.
Amity Mayor Larry Vaughn and Police Chief Martin Brody met with the Amity Board of Selectmen at Town Hall at 6 p.m. last night to establish the next steps to be taken after two beach goers were killed by a shark.
“We’re going to put extra summer deputies and shark spotters on the beach,” Brody said to the assembled audience.
Brody continued by adding that Oceanographic Institute experts will be coming to Amity to further address the two deaths that took place yesterday.
Christine Watson, 17, a senior at Amity High School, was last seen at a beach party Sunday night with Christopher Hoggenbottam, former island resident, before her body was found washed onto the shore of South Beach early Monday morning.
Later that afternoon, Alex Kintner, 10, of Mayfair Court was playing in the water with his friends when he became a victim of what appeared to be an unprovoked shark attack. The body has not been recovered, but Alex Kintner’s damaged raft washed ashore and appears to have a large bite taken out of it.
Ben Quint, local fisherman, commanded the attention of the room by scrapping his fingers nails on the chalkboard to gain the audience’s attention.
“It’s not gonna be pleasant,” Quint said, after he offered to find and kill the shark for a $10,000 reward.
“For that you get the head, the tail; the whole damn thing.”
“I don’t want no volunteers,” Quint said, making it clear he prefers to work alone.
The mayor later responded that the town of Amity would contribute $7,000 to the $3,000 reward set by Marion Kintner for the capture and kill of the accused shark.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Shark Sidebar Story
Durham, N.H. – For many New Hampshire residents, the recent shark attacks in Cape Cod have hit a little too close to home, fearing that similar attacks could occur off of a New Hampshire beach.
With the tragic deaths of two Amity beach goers fresh in the minds of those on the New England coast, local shark experts reassure residents that the likelihood of being attacked by a shark is still very slim.
According to WMUR, “bees, wasps and snakes are responsible for more fatalities than sharks every year” and “the odds of getting killed by a shark are extremely minimal.”
Also, for those who live in the U.S., the chance of being struck and killed by lightning is 30 times greater than being killed by a shark, making sharks less of threat than many realize.
In a report published on their website, the shark experts at the Florida Museum of Natural History offer some insight as to why humans have developed an intense fear of sharks. They attribute part of the fear to the media and its portrayal of sharks.
“In today's world we constantly are subjected to the media's stereotypic
characterizations of sharks, which are rife with misinformation and actively promote fear and loathing.”
The discussion continued with perhaps a rooted instinct or human characteristic that has developed over the years as a cause for the fear.
“We as humans are used to controlling the world around us…sharks, like typhoons, lightning and tornados, are something we cannot control, hence our great interest in them.”
For those who are still worried that a shark may appear near Hampton Beach, the Florida Museum of Natural History offers some helpful tips for avoiding attacks on their website such as staying in a group, avoiding ocean swims at twilight or dark hours and refraining from wearing shiny jewelry while swimming.
With the tragic deaths of two Amity beach goers fresh in the minds of those on the New England coast, local shark experts reassure residents that the likelihood of being attacked by a shark is still very slim.
According to WMUR, “bees, wasps and snakes are responsible for more fatalities than sharks every year” and “the odds of getting killed by a shark are extremely minimal.”
Also, for those who live in the U.S., the chance of being struck and killed by lightning is 30 times greater than being killed by a shark, making sharks less of threat than many realize.
In a report published on their website, the shark experts at the Florida Museum of Natural History offer some insight as to why humans have developed an intense fear of sharks. They attribute part of the fear to the media and its portrayal of sharks.
“In today's world we constantly are subjected to the media's stereotypic
characterizations of sharks, which are rife with misinformation and actively promote fear and loathing.”
The discussion continued with perhaps a rooted instinct or human characteristic that has developed over the years as a cause for the fear.
“We as humans are used to controlling the world around us…sharks, like typhoons, lightning and tornados, are something we cannot control, hence our great interest in them.”
For those who are still worried that a shark may appear near Hampton Beach, the Florida Museum of Natural History offers some helpful tips for avoiding attacks on their website such as staying in a group, avoiding ocean swims at twilight or dark hours and refraining from wearing shiny jewelry while swimming.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Second Incident at Beach Points to Shark Attacks
Amity- Amity Island beach goers witnessed a terrible incident this afternoon at Village Beach when a boy floating on a raft off shore suddenly disappeared under the water.
Alex Kintner, 10, of Mayfair Court was playing in the water with his friends when he became a victim of what appeared to be an unprovoked shark attack. The body has not been recovered, but Alex Kintner’s damaged raft washed ashore and appears to have a large bite taken out of it.
An emergency meeting was held by town officials where Police Chief Martin Brody announced the incident stating that "it appears, with emphasis on the word “appears," to have been a vicious shark attack.
“I join Amity major Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Kintner family,” Brody said. “Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city.”
Amity Chief of Police Martin Brody witnessed the incident along with Alex Kintner’s mother, Marion Kintner and other beach goers.
Marion Kintner is being treated for shock at Amity General Hospital where she is in fair condition. No other injuries were reported.
Police officials now believe that a similar attack may have caused the death of Christine Watson late last evening.
Christine Watson, 17, a senior at Amity High School, was last seen at a beach party with Christopher Hoggenbottam, former island resident who is currently a sophomore at Trinity College.
Her body was found washed onto shore at South Beach earlier this morning after Hoggenbottam reported her missing to the police at 6 a.m.
Dr. Robert Nevin performed the autopsy on Watson’s body and initially reported that it was “severely mangled” and had wounds “consistent with [prior] boating accidents” in the area.
According to Brody, the ongoing investigation of Watson’s death is now thought to be linked to possible shark activities in the Amity vicinity.
Farley and Brody, along with the Amity Board of Selectmen, are holding a special meeting at Town Hall tonight at 6 p.m. to address possible future plans in light of the recent tragedies.
Among the discussions are Brody’s plans to close the beaches on July 4, the Kintner family’s reward of $3,000 for the capture of the perpetrators and an offer by Ben Quint, a fisherman, to hunt the shark thought to be involved in these incidents.
Alex Kintner, 10, of Mayfair Court was playing in the water with his friends when he became a victim of what appeared to be an unprovoked shark attack. The body has not been recovered, but Alex Kintner’s damaged raft washed ashore and appears to have a large bite taken out of it.
An emergency meeting was held by town officials where Police Chief Martin Brody announced the incident stating that "it appears, with emphasis on the word “appears," to have been a vicious shark attack.
“I join Amity major Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Kintner family,” Brody said. “Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city.”
Amity Chief of Police Martin Brody witnessed the incident along with Alex Kintner’s mother, Marion Kintner and other beach goers.
Marion Kintner is being treated for shock at Amity General Hospital where she is in fair condition. No other injuries were reported.
Police officials now believe that a similar attack may have caused the death of Christine Watson late last evening.
Christine Watson, 17, a senior at Amity High School, was last seen at a beach party with Christopher Hoggenbottam, former island resident who is currently a sophomore at Trinity College.
Her body was found washed onto shore at South Beach earlier this morning after Hoggenbottam reported her missing to the police at 6 a.m.
Dr. Robert Nevin performed the autopsy on Watson’s body and initially reported that it was “severely mangled” and had wounds “consistent with [prior] boating accidents” in the area.
According to Brody, the ongoing investigation of Watson’s death is now thought to be linked to possible shark activities in the Amity vicinity.
Farley and Brody, along with the Amity Board of Selectmen, are holding a special meeting at Town Hall tonight at 6 p.m. to address possible future plans in light of the recent tragedies.
Among the discussions are Brody’s plans to close the beaches on July 4, the Kintner family’s reward of $3,000 for the capture of the perpetrators and an offer by Ben Quint, a fisherman, to hunt the shark thought to be involved in these incidents.
Tragic Death on South Beach
Amity Island -The Amity Village Police Department is investigating the tragic and untimely death of a teenage girl at South Beach on Amity Island Sunday night.
Christine Watson, a senior at Amity High School, was last seen at a beach party with Christopher Hoggenbottam, former island resident who is currently a sophomore at Trinity College.
Watson, a member of the varsity swim team at Amity High School as well as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Oak Bluffs, entered the water near the South beach Shoal bell buoy, Hoggenbottam told the police.
Hoggenbottam contacted the police around 6 a.m. when Watson did not return from the water. After a searching the beach early Monday morning, police found Watson’s body washed up on shore. Her body shows signs of serious injury from an unknown attacker and was taken to the coroner’s office for a full autopsy.
Dr. Robert Nevin performed the autopsy on Watson’s body and reported that it was “severely mangled” and has wounds “consistent with [prior] boating accidents.”
“It was a calm clear night when fishers often go out,” Nevin said.
In his thirty years as a medical examiner in Amity, Nevins said he has seen many accidents and Watson’s body appears to follow the typical signs of being attacked by a motor propeller
Despite the medical examination, Police Chief Martin Brody said that no possibility is being ruled out. “We just don’t know,” Brody continued.
Brody said in a press release Monday morning that “although a shark attack has not been completely ruled out, we want to assure all residents and visitors on our fine island that they are in no danger.”
Investigators have learned from witnesses Sunday night that both Hoggenbottam and Watson showed signs of heavy drinking and possibly smoking marijuana.
The police have not yet filed charges and are continuing to investigate the incident. Police are interviewing all boaters who were out in the harbor last night, Brody reported. The harbor master’s records as well as the Amity webcam will also be reviewed.
“Our lovely beaches will remain open for swimming pending the outcome of the investigation,” Brody said.
Christine Watson, a senior at Amity High School, was last seen at a beach party with Christopher Hoggenbottam, former island resident who is currently a sophomore at Trinity College.
Watson, a member of the varsity swim team at Amity High School as well as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Oak Bluffs, entered the water near the South beach Shoal bell buoy, Hoggenbottam told the police.
Hoggenbottam contacted the police around 6 a.m. when Watson did not return from the water. After a searching the beach early Monday morning, police found Watson’s body washed up on shore. Her body shows signs of serious injury from an unknown attacker and was taken to the coroner’s office for a full autopsy.
Dr. Robert Nevin performed the autopsy on Watson’s body and reported that it was “severely mangled” and has wounds “consistent with [prior] boating accidents.”
“It was a calm clear night when fishers often go out,” Nevin said.
In his thirty years as a medical examiner in Amity, Nevins said he has seen many accidents and Watson’s body appears to follow the typical signs of being attacked by a motor propeller
Despite the medical examination, Police Chief Martin Brody said that no possibility is being ruled out. “We just don’t know,” Brody continued.
Brody said in a press release Monday morning that “although a shark attack has not been completely ruled out, we want to assure all residents and visitors on our fine island that they are in no danger.”
Investigators have learned from witnesses Sunday night that both Hoggenbottam and Watson showed signs of heavy drinking and possibly smoking marijuana.
The police have not yet filed charges and are continuing to investigate the incident. Police are interviewing all boaters who were out in the harbor last night, Brody reported. The harbor master’s records as well as the Amity webcam will also be reviewed.
“Our lovely beaches will remain open for swimming pending the outcome of the investigation,” Brody said.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Cover Letter for China Daily.com
Allison Ginwala
GSS Box 8263
Durham, NH 03824
603-568-3742
allison.ginwala@unh.edu
November 28, 2011
China Daily.com
Beijing, China
Dear Sir or Madam,
As a journalist with experience in foreign affairs and Chinese culture, I would be an ideal candidate for the position of full-time, English language copy editor for China Daily.com. In my career thus far I have written for the Concord Monitor,based in New Hampshire and The New Hampshire the student-run newspaper the University of New Hampshire where I am currently attending.
In my reporting, I have covered an array of topics from individual profiles and speeches to local government and feature stories, making me an ideal fit for the copy editor postition, covering news, features and supplements. My experience in editing has been less formal, but equally thorough. I have edited, both grammatically and conceptually, for creative writing essays, research papers and news articles. I have an eye for detail and strong organizational skills which aid in my ability to edit efficiently.
Not only do I have skills regarding the journalism profession, but I have a thorough understanding of Chinese life and culture, making me an excellent fit for this position. I have studied Chinese culture in an academic setting and written research papers on various topics about Chinese government and policies. I am also at an intermediate level of fluency in Mandarin, with aspirations to become completely fluent. Upon my graduation in 2014, I will have spent a semester at Donghua University in Shanghai, completing one aspect of my international affairs major.
I also offer an extensive background in current affairs, based on courses I have taken, studies and readings I have done as well as personal experiences such as traveling to India and living for a semester in England while studying at Cambridge University.
Being a journalism and international affairs dual major with a minor in Asian studies, I bring a well-rounded background of experiences. My academic as well as personal interests have been focused on an international style of journalism. This paired with my language and culture experience would make me a great asset to China Daily.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please contact me with any further inquiries.
Best,
Allison Ginwala
GSS Box 8263
Durham, NH 03824
603-568-3742
allison.ginwala@unh.edu
November 28, 2011
China Daily.com
Beijing, China
Dear Sir or Madam,
As a journalist with experience in foreign affairs and Chinese culture, I would be an ideal candidate for the position of full-time, English language copy editor for China Daily.com. In my career thus far I have written for the Concord Monitor,based in New Hampshire and The New Hampshire the student-run newspaper the University of New Hampshire where I am currently attending.
In my reporting, I have covered an array of topics from individual profiles and speeches to local government and feature stories, making me an ideal fit for the copy editor postition, covering news, features and supplements. My experience in editing has been less formal, but equally thorough. I have edited, both grammatically and conceptually, for creative writing essays, research papers and news articles. I have an eye for detail and strong organizational skills which aid in my ability to edit efficiently.
Not only do I have skills regarding the journalism profession, but I have a thorough understanding of Chinese life and culture, making me an excellent fit for this position. I have studied Chinese culture in an academic setting and written research papers on various topics about Chinese government and policies. I am also at an intermediate level of fluency in Mandarin, with aspirations to become completely fluent. Upon my graduation in 2014, I will have spent a semester at Donghua University in Shanghai, completing one aspect of my international affairs major.
I also offer an extensive background in current affairs, based on courses I have taken, studies and readings I have done as well as personal experiences such as traveling to India and living for a semester in England while studying at Cambridge University.
Being a journalism and international affairs dual major with a minor in Asian studies, I bring a well-rounded background of experiences. My academic as well as personal interests have been focused on an international style of journalism. This paired with my language and culture experience would make me a great asset to China Daily.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please contact me with any further inquiries.
Best,
Allison Ginwala
Monday, November 21, 2011
Monday 11/21/11
An article that caught my attention in today's paper was about airlines bumping up first class seats to near ridiculous proportions. What used to be nicer food and more leg room has turned into private showers and fully-reclining chairs and beds. It began abroad with companies like British Airways adding the amenities to first class and has since spread to the US. In a time when many people in the US and abroad are strapped for cash, airlines are expecting to see more people upgrade to business class rather than first which has become somewhat of a far-reaching possibility. For most of the average travelers, coach and maybe business class will be seen and first will stay small and reserved for the super-rich who deem to fly.
The delayed lede on this piece was quite prolonged; more so than I've seen with most of the NYT articles I've read. It works in favor of this subject though,displaying the differences and leaps between airline classes. it wasn't the lede or catchy headline that made me read this piece though, just my familiarity and interest in flying and the evolution of first class seating.
The delayed lede on this piece was quite prolonged; more so than I've seen with most of the NYT articles I've read. It works in favor of this subject though,displaying the differences and leaps between airline classes. it wasn't the lede or catchy headline that made me read this piece though, just my familiarity and interest in flying and the evolution of first class seating.
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