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W2K Learning Center News/Recent Press

West Coast Wild Fires

More than half a million people were evacuated as wildfires flamed by winds up to 100 mph have took hold of southern California. With nearly 1,500 buildings claimed under the 16 separate fires which have spread over 412,000 acres, at least one person has been reported dead and 45 injured.

The Santa Ana wind has tapered off, the temperatures have begun to drop and the humidity is rising, but the situation remains dangerous. George Bush visited California on October 25th after sending heads of homeland security and FEMA representatives to the region that he declared a state of emergency two days earlier.

More than 8,000 firefighters have joined the containment effort with 90 firefighting aircraft, however, the strong winds make aerial defense against the fires very difficult. Governor Schwarzenegger responded to negative views of the response effort by saying that wind conditions and not a lack of resources were the cause of the poor suppression.

Evacuees took refuge in Qualcomm Stadium, home to the San Diego Chargers. Kid-friendly movies were shown on the Jumbotron in an effort to entertain and keep the peace. Families are returning home, but some find nothing when they return.

Natural Disasters

Race Relations?

The case of Megan Williams has left many people wondering if racism played a part. Williams, described by her mother as someone who trusts people too easily, went with a woman she barely knew to a party in a remote part of West Virginia.

Megan, 20, arrived at a run-down trailer about 50 miles from her home where she was held captive for at least a week by three white men and three white women who locked her in a shed and began torturing her.

West Virginia does not have the death penalty, but the six suspects could face life sentences, but civil rights groups are asking for more. Based on Williams’ account, her tormenters allegedly taunted her with racial slurs as they repeatedly beaten, raped, stabbed and humiliated her.

So far, prosecutors have not pressed hate-crime charges, which carry an additional ten-year penalty. This may be a strategic move since hate-crime charges generally complicate a case and involve strangers. Williams filed a domestic assault charge against one of the men earlier this year and voluntarily went to the “party” that led her to their trailer.

Williams, now nearly bald from her hair being torn out during the ordeal, recalled the story with some difficulty for reporters. She spoke of her escape as an act of desperation, knowing that she would be killed if she didn’t get out. When her assailants left the house, Megan Williams screamed and waved her arms from the shed until neighbors heard her calls and tipped police.

Williams had freed her hands from the duct-tape constraints with a knife she found in the shed. Within hours police were on the scene and Megan was on her way home.

Racism
Hate Crimes

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