Young Boy Helps in Heroic Save

At 6 a.m. this morning, a police officer saved a man’s life when she crashed her cruiser into a car that was stalled on the train tracks.

Janet Paradiso, a local police captain, arrived on the scene at 6:05, and heard the whistle from the train as she approached. Later at the police station she said, “I knew there was no time. I had to do something.”

Janet rescued an unconscious Francois Truffaut, 80, seconds before the Amtrak Downeaster train came rushing by at 40 miles per hour. “It was close,” said chief of police Brian Paul.

The save was thanks to a heroic young boy who sprinted 100 yards to the police station to report this minutes before the train was due to arrive. While James Laboke, 17, was on his way to work, he came across Francois who was passed out in the driver seat.

Shirley Temple, conductor of the Downeaster, couldn’t believe the situation she was in: “I had a lump in my throat the whole time. I was hoping for the best”. Even if she threw the breaks on full, there was no chance to avoid hitting the car without endangering the lives of all passengers on the train.


Francois, who is now resting in stable at Southern Maine Medical Center said, “I don’t remember a thing.” Police believe Francois, who is diabetic, went into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.

Francois frequently makes the trip down from Quebec City, Canada to Old Orchard Beach. The town that is famous for its long beaches, amusement parks and French fries. He said that he has made the trip since he was a child.

James did not want to take much credit, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that men get crushed by a train”. Even with the unexpected delay, James still got to work on time at the Eezy Breezy Restaurant.

Chales Champaigne, James’ boss and the owner of the Eezy Breezy Restaurant said that is the type of person James is. “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” he said, “He’s just a great kid”.

Young Boy Helps in Heroic Save

At 6 a.m. this morning, a police officer saved a man’s life when she crashed her cruiser into a car that was stalled on the train tracks. Janet Paradiso, a local police captain rescued an unconscious Francois Truffant seconds before the Downeaster train came rushing by at 40 miles per hour.
This save was thanks to a heroic young boy who sprinted 100 yards to the police station to report this minutes before the train was due to arrive. While James Laboke, 17, was on his way to work, he came across 80-year-old Francois who was passed out in the driver seat.
Francois, who is now resting in stable at Southern Maine Medical Center said, “I don’t remember a thing.” Police believe Francois, who is diabetic, went into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.
James did not want to take much credit, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that men get crushed by a train”.
Chales Champaigne, the owner of the Eezy Breezer restaurant said that is the type of person James is.

Class Assignment 2/10

Two teenagers were injured Monday night when the white Mustang they were riding in flipped off of Mile Hill Rd in Belmont, Massachusetts and landed on its roof. Jamie Peterson, 17, of Elm Street was the driver and managed to crawl from the car under his own power. He was relatively unharmed. The two passengers, who have yet to be identified were pulled from the car with use of the Jaws of Life and taken to Memorial Hospital.
According to Lt. Judith Barkus of the Belmont Police Department, the passengers were both young girls. One of the young girls is in stable condition; the other was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston.
Josie M. Crandall saw the accident from her home on 27 Mile High Rd. and immediately called the police. Crandall said, “I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road. It’s a dirt road, and it’s really easy to lose control.” Tom Carroll Jr., 17, was on the same road that night and first on the scene. Tom told police that he was driving behind the Mustang in his pick-up truck, when they suddenly sped ahead around a curve. The next thing time he saw the car, it was flipped on its roof. Tom said, “I thought the worst. They were flying. It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this.”
Tom also told police he saw a couple of empty Budweiser cans in the car when he approached to check on the people inside.
This is the second type of accident on Mile High Road. In December of 1998, two people were killed in the same spot. Mile High Rd. has no streetlights, which could be a factor in the rate of accidents happening at this spot.

New York Times Tuesday 2/9

Today's paper wasn't as good as yesterdays. They seemed to pack too many different articles onto the front page and they weren't really anything that attracted my eye. Stories about the GOP, City Real Estate, and Ukraine, really aren't that interesting for me. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little more interesting.

UNH Students Offer a Different Campus Dining Experience

Beginning Tuesday February 16th, the students participating in the culinary arts program at the Thompson School of Applied Science will be preparing cuisine not commonly found in New Hampshire. Students will be preparing American dishes from different regions, beginning in New England and then going around the country ending with the Pacific Northwest. Lunches will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cost no more than $9.95.
A new addition to this program, students will also be preparing international dinners every Thursday with each week a different region of the world starting with Mexico and ending with Italy. These dinners will be served from 5-7 p.m. and will go for around $12.95. Patrons over the age of 21 are allowed to bring their own beer or wine. The Restaurant at Thompson Hall is located in Cole Hall 144. Reservations are not necessary, but strongly recommended and can be made by calling 603-862-4760. Each theme and menu will be posted on the Restaurant at Thompson School’s website.

New York Time's Monday 2/8

Today’s paper was to my liking, as to be expected. I am a huge sports fan, so whenever I see sports on the front cover, I am already in a good mood. Another thing that drew my interest was the article about the explosion in Connecticut. Being from the New England are, and growing up in Massachusetts, I have a couple of friends that went down to Connecticut for school, so I get a little worried when I see something like this.

Nikki Giovanni coming to UNH

This week, the University of New Hampshire is hosting poet Nikki Giovanni on Wednesday February 3rd. The event will be held in the Hamilton Smith building, and takes place from 6-7:30. A fitting way to kick off the University’s Black History Month, this event is being held during Martin Luther King Week, since Ms. Giovanni is renowned for her expertise on the matter. While some of the professors, especially those who work in Hamilton Smith, are looking forward to the upcoming event, some of the students do not seem quite as enthusiastic. Senior Baylee Cherkis commented, “I have read some of her poetry before, and it’s nothing I’m too thrilled about”.
Even though Ms. Giovanni is known for her poetry, she is also held as a great African American speaker, which is one of the main points of this event. This event will also include readings by a couple of English professors. Professors Courtney Marshall, Dennis Britton, Cord Whitaker and Reginald Wilburn, will each be contributing to the discussion about the African Literary Studies Program. All English majors are encouraged to come to the event, to come check out this event, if they have the time. Professor Dennis Britton said, “This is a great way for students to learn more about the African American culture and pick the brain of a well known poet and fantastic person”.