Exercise 9.2

Theft Investigation

The police are continuing investigation into the auto theft ring // Police chief Clayton Wheat, says the ring is responsible for 200 to 300 auto thefts last year // Most stolen cars were sold for parts // The investigation has been expanded into surrounding cities ///

Industry Returning

This morning it was announced that a group of investors is buying the abandoned Lochs Papermill plant // A investor will team up with Textron Corporation to start a machine tool plant // Plant will employ about 200 people ///

Exercise 9.1

Drinking Bill

A bill was passed yesterday that will raise the state drinking age from 19 to 21 // The bill was passed 55-40 by the House and 18-12 by the Senate // State legislature had a marathon debate for 30 hours in the senate and 30 hours in the House ///

Honor Society

University honor society, Alpha Alpha, will hold induction ceremony Friday 10 a.m. // Five sophomores 20 juniors, and 10 seniors will be named // Names will be kept secret until the ceremony ///

Exercise 8.2

Faculty Death

A Liberty university professor died Tuesday after battling cancer for over a decade // Elizabeth Billson taught education for 36 years, training 10-thousand future teachers during her career // The devoted teacher was awarded the university’s “Outstanding Professor” award last year ///

Wreck

Two trucks collided on I-59 last night causing a major traffic jam // The two drivers were cited for speeding and reckless driving after they collided // Fuel spilled from both of the vehicles, causing the roads to be slick  // Both drivers were uninjured  // One truck lost 10 thousand dollars in goods ///

Exercise 8.1

Basketball Death

A 15-year-old freshman at Central High School died this morning during basketball practice // Todd White collapsed suddenly while running during a practice game with his team // White was pronounced dead at Central Valley Memorial Hospital after efforts to revive him failed // White’s trainer, Mike Way, spoke to officials claiming that White had no known history of illness // The county coroner will perform the autopsy today to determine the cause of death // The community has lost a great student, athlete, and friend ///

Energy Plan

The Secretary of the Interior has just announced a new 800 million dollar energy plan // Secretary Grace Green announced the plan at Western Governor’s Conference in Salt Lake City // Green travelled through the western United States on a three-day tour to announce the plan // The 5-year multi-million dollar energy plan aims to reduce strip mining and ease the licensing of new nuclear power plants // Green praised the plan as a way of reducing dependence on foreign oil and making America greener ///

Exercise 7.4

Prosper Mine Shut Down

United Coal Company announced Tuesday that its Mine No. 3, known as Hellpit, will be shut down in two weeks indefinitely, putting 1,000 people out of work.

The deep-shaft coal mine was opened in 1901 in Prosper, a mining town of 909 people in the northeast corner of Crocker County.  The mine has provided a major source of employment for the town’s people, and has brought in close to 800 people from other towns to work at the mine.

The shaft is a quarter-mile deep, making it the deepest in the state.

“With the mine closed, our revenue is just about gone,” Mayor Lester Jenkins said.

Since becoming eligible for coal tax revenue in 1980, Prosper’s budget has risen $260,000, providing funding for building projects such as the city hall and a park.

Some tax money will continue to dribble in as stockpiles of coal are depleted, but the city clerk foresees a cutback for the fiscal year, which starts in 30 days. The budget will drop to $60,000, which “will cover essential costs like police protection and utilities at City Hall and at the new ball park,” city clerk, Wilma Foster, said.

Company officials cannot be reached by phone, but the reason for the mine closing is said to be due to a severe cutback in demand for coal because of a shutdown in manufacturing nationwide.

“We hope to see an increase in demand, but until we do, the mine will remain sealed,” says company president Wilson Standridge.

Comments:
VERY informative. It gets straight to the point and gives me all the details I need. And you kept the sentences short. GREAT JOB!