Alex

The warm summer spirit of Village Beach was trampled by panicking beach goers this afternoon. Adults rushed into the blooded water to pull out their children after a possible shark attack which took the life of Alex Kintner.

The death of young Kintner echoed the beach death of Senior at Amity High School, Chrissie Watson, 17, who was found washed onto the beach just this morning.

Watson was last seen with former islander Christopher Hoggenbottam III, heading towards the secluded area of South Beach Shoal.

Hoggenbottam reported her disappearance this morning after Watson swam into the ocean late last night. In an investigation led by Amity Police Chief, Martin Brody, the body of Watson was found washed onto the beach by Police Deputy, Jay Hendricks, without valid conclusions to the manner of death.

Alex Kintner, 10, had gone to Village Beach this afternoon with his mother, Marion Kintner, and was last seen in the water around 2 p.m.

The playful splashes of other local children were violently interrupted by an unidentified thrashing in the water. At the sign of blood and at the command of Chief Brody, beachgoers rushed to get their children out of the water.

After Kintner’s mother searched the shore for her son, Alex Kintner’s body was not recovered. The only major clue to the event remains Kintner’s yellow raft that washed ashore, containing a large bite in the side.

Chief Brody and Amity Mayor, Larry Vaughn, send their sincerest condolences to the Kintner family. An investigation of this death continues along with the death of Chrissie Watson.

“We now believe that it may be possible that the Watson death could also maybe have possibly been linked to possible shark activities in the vicinity of Amity,” said Brody. “That investigation is still ongoing.”

Mayor Vaughn will be holding a meeting tonight at Town Hall to address the possible closings of beaches on July 4, as well as the Kintner family reward of $3,000 for the capture of the perpetrators. 

Chrissie

Amity Death Taints Summer Spirit

The start of the summer season was violently disturbed this morning by the death of a local teenage girl. Found dead on the South Beach sands, the body of Chrissie Watson is currently under investigation.

Senior at Amity High School, Chrissie Watson, 17, was reported missing this morning at 6 a.m. by former islander Christopher Hoggenbottam III, sophomore at Trinity College.

The two were last seen drinking with a collective group of young adults and heading towards the secluded area of South Beach Shoal.

“I saw her at the party just sitting there talking to [Hoggenbottam],” said Erika Dupervil. “He had a few beers but he didn’t seem heavily intoxicated.”

Hoggenbottam reported running after Watson along the beach, scattering clothes onto the sand. As a member of the varsity swim team at Amity High School and a lifeguard at the Amity Island YMCA pool, Watson swam into the ocean. The calm waters led no suspect to any violent disturbance.

After drinking on the beach, Hoggenbottam fell asleep to the sounds of the South Beach Shoal bell buoy and woke up to realize Watson had not returned from the water.

In an investigation led by Amity Police Chief, Martin Brody, the body of Watson was found washed onto the beach by Police Deputy, Jay Hendricks.

There is currently no evidence for suspects in the death of Watson and no charges will be filed. Although not completely ruled out, there is no specific proof of a shark attack.

In a press conference with Brody, not many details were concluded from Watson’s death. The body is currently at the coroner’s office for autopsy.

Since there have been no past reports of shark attacks, the Amity beaches will remain open for the summer season until further conclusions of the investigation.   

Black Friday: Origin and Meaning

Holy cow. After a long day of family, games, turkey, and stuffing faces, thanks were given all around. But when family members dispersed and the leftovers wrapped, I worriedly said goodbye to my mother as she ventured off into the dark night...

Following the Thanksgiving holiday, grateful spirits remain only as a faint ring... an echoed tinge of complacency that is viciously trampled by thousands of eager buyers. All sleeplessly shoving their way through shop doors at the scent of savings, I found myself baffled in the midst. But words barely grasp the amount of adrenaline and exhaustion felt during the overwhelming conditions of Black Friday.  

While watching TV with my grandmother only a few days before, a commercial trivia question popped up in between our regularly scheduled programming: "In what city did the term 'Black Friday' originate?" ....A. Boston, B. New York, or C. Philadelphia? The answer is C. The term was coined by the heavy amount of pedestrians and traffic in the streets as citizens stormed the stores for sales.

What's most interesting about this event is the hypocrisy that blankets the thankful holiday spirit. I think a viral image on Facebook actually explains these sentiments rather well... "Black Friday: Because only in America, people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have." Now, I didn't feel I could fully agree with this until I experienced the event myself.

At midnight, my boyfriend and I, both avid anti-shoppers, found ourselves in the crowded cacophony of the Fox Run mall. In curiousity we travelled from one end to the other, but the most surprising aspect wasn't the amount of people but the types. Instead of middle-aged mothers gathering for cheap toys, the mall was clustered with teenage boys and girls looking for deals on Hollister clothing and video games. I think this is one of the more worrying aspects. Instead of passing down traditions of thanksgiving... are our youth ideals being replaced with consumerist cravings? Maybe that's too bold.... but I think the hypocrisy deserves a glance.

EHS Senior, Victoria Arlen, honored for strength and success in Paralympic events. After many trials of personal and competitive obstacles, this young girl takes home gold medal and receives great recognition at Exeter High School.

New Hampshire’s own Victoria Arlen takes home gold from the London Paralympic Swimmers event. Overcoming drastic physical obstacles, this incredible teen makes an inspirational story out of her life-threatening circumstance.

Town and father express immense pride for their EHS Senior, Victoria Arlen, as she takes home gold for the London Paralympic Swimmers event. Overcoming immense struggles, this teen proves that perseverance and determination can surpass her physical disabilities.

The French Connection

The midday hum of New York City was violently interrupted by assassin gunshots aimed at Detective Doyle. The sniper scene ended tragically with the deaths of 4 civilians and gunman Pierre Jeantot.

Due to an ongoing smuggling investigation, Pierre Jeantot, 38, of Nice, France, was allegedly associated with a major French drug kingpin to transport heroin from France to New York. In this incident, it is suspected that Jeantot acted as a hired assassin to exterminate Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle who was working on the case.  


The events began during Doyle's walk down 57th avenue. According to Erin Kellenbeck, 20, as she was walking by the apartment building at 1767 W. 57th Ave., she witnessed the gunshot that took the life of Betty B. Badluck.

"Everything happened suddenly," said Kellenbeck. "I barely noticed Doyle until I heard a gunshot and saw [Badluck] fall to the ground while he quickly ran to a nearby tree for coverage."

Badluck was walking with her granddaughter near Doyle's apartment building when the shots were fired.

"It was unfortunate," said Kellenbeck. "If Doyle didn't happen to walk behind her, she wouldn't have been in the line of fire. She just seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

At this point, Kellenbeck heard three more gun shots fired at Doyle that missed as he ran towards the concealment of the nearby apartment complex.

"I remember seeing Doyle walk past several apartment windows," said Kellenbeck. "One had 2 young boys who Doyle conversed with in Spanish."

Kellenbeck recounted Doyle disappearing from her sight as he continued into the building.

The failed assassination led to a dangerous chase as Jeantot led Doyle to the 35th St. Station. Mason Pedelose, 20, found himself a key component in the chase as Doyle commandeered his vehicle in order to follow the elevated train.

"He ran right in front of my car and ordered me to get out," said Pedelose. "I was mostly concerned about when I would get my car back but before I knew it, [Doyle] went speeding off with my beautiful red baby and rammed into the left side of a white car that pulled into the road out of nowhere."

Meanwhile on the elevated train, Jeantot's attempt to outrun Detective Doyle resulted in the deaths of two conductors and one police patrolman. Eye witness Adam Konopka, 19, was sitting in the first train car when Jeantot came running from the back doors and up to the conductor's house.

"No one really payed much attention until we missed our designated stop," said Konopka. "At that point everyone stood in confusion as a police man started to beat on the conductor's door."

Jeantot reappeared from the conductor's house when confronted by 15-year New York City Police Department Veteran, Roland Evans of Brooklyn.

"[Brooklyn] kept questioning Jeantot," said Konopka. "He kept telling the patrol man not to step any closer, but Brooklyn proceeded. That's when Jeantot fired a shot into Brooklyn's side."

Conductor, Peter Howe, 27, of Queens, died of a heart attack at the controls as a result of the hijacking.  Jeantot then fired at and killed conductor Horatio C. Hornblower, 30, of White Plains.

In a grueling chase from 35th St. Station to 15th St. Station, the assault on Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle ended with a final shot. According to civilian eye witness, Nathan McNeal, 20, Doyle took the life of Jeantot at the 15th St. Station elevated railway station.

"I was under the railway when I saw a man emerge from the train," said McNeal. "He ran right along the tracks and off onto the platform.

According to McNeal, Doyle could be seen running from the red vehicle towards the bottom of the staircase of the platform to cut off Jeantot's further escape.

"Doyle seemed exhausted," said McNeal. "As Jeantot saw him below he turned to run off and that's when Doyle fired a single shot into his back."

McNeal recounted Jeantot's last moves as he fell down the stairs to a slouching Doyle, dead.

"It is always unfortunate when these incidents end in a loss of life," reported the police. "We would have preferred to see Jeantot prosecuted in the courts, and we believe Doyle was close to a breakthrough on the case."

Although many innocent lives were lost, the NYPD commends Doyle for his persistence, quick thinking, and bravery during this incident. Police are continuing a vigorous investigation on the major drug smuggling operation as well as Jeantot's involvement. The innocent losses of this attack work to strengthen their continuing search.

"We will not sit still while drug dealers walk our streets."