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Sent 0:48:04, 2227/04/08, from 12365.35.8290
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Subj: Express Online! Volume 35, Issue 15
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Regional News: Precinct 8
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LEAD STORY: THE URBAN JUNGLE, TWO WEEKS LATER
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OTHER NEWS:
VARGAS’S STOCKS CONTINUE TO RISE
THE 16TH STREET STALKER KILLS AGAIN
VAGRANCY ON THE DECLINE IN PRECINCT 8
ACES EIGHT TO BEGIN LAYOFFS
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THE URBAN JUNGLE, TWO WEEKS LATER
Two weeks ago, the western border of Precinct 8 saw the worst terrorist attack in three years, and cleanup concerning the event still goes on. Information concerning the incident itself, previously kept confidential by Lorenz Municipality, Inc., has now been released to the public and press.
On the day of the incident Marwyn Lewis, 38, a Life-elemental Node Caller, allowed his magic to run unchecked in front of the 11th Ave. Securemarket™. As the location is a strong Life Node, the extent of damage that the sudden plant growth caused left 13 citizens injured and will cost taxpayers well over 9,000C in repair.
Authorities claim that the swift reaction of nearby Securemarket™ employees saved the city from further loss. Sergeant Loomis Blaemyre, a member of the Precinct 8 Police Force, summed up the situation: “Securemarket™ employees are trained to be ready for just about anything, and these kids really exercised that this time. We’re especially thankful to [Securemarket™ employee] Miss Elwynn for summoning a fire spirit to help keep things in check.”
“Honestly I had no idea I’d ever need to do any serious Calling while on the job,” employee Pazi Elwynn remarked. “But this guy was wrecking everything, I had to ... I had to act.”
The Securemarket™ corporate headquarters claimed no official involvement in the quelling of the disaster.
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VARGAS’S STOCKS CONTINUE TO RISE
The unexpected success of upstart research corporation Vargas, Inc., has been a surprise to everyone-- a pleasant surprise for its shareholders and a nasty one for its detractors.
Vargas’s chief research is in personal enchantment for civilian use. Among its front line of products has been the controversial product ElemRescue, a medical device designed to counteract the effects of magical radiation on unborn children; Vargas’s press release claims that the device can, if used quickly enough, rescue fetuses from in utero elemental mutation with no adverse effects. Vargas came under fire from mutant rights groups immediately, particularly when it was suggested by some key members of Lorenz Municipality that such treatment might be required by any mothers-to-be who were exposed to elemental energies.
Despite this, Vargas’s stocks have continued to grow; their additional host of useful and cutting-edge technomagical products has drawn the attention of wealthy visionaries and hopeful marketing firms throughout the precinct.
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THE 16TH STREET STALKER KILLS AGAIN
A 10th victim has been claimed in a string of murders by an individual now being called “The 16th Street Stalker”.
The victim was Robert Grorek, 46, the half-orc proprietor of Grorek’s Falafel, a restaurant located at 16th and Rose St. As with previous killings, Grorek’s cause of death has not been announced. He died on the 2nd at 23:25 in his store.
According to police, Grorek’s death was consistent with the previous killings in the alleged serial murders; all victims have been proprietors of businesses on 16th Street, one of the Commercial District’s most profitable avenues for independent entrepreneurs. The murders are having a chilling effect on the business environment, residents say.
“My family is telling me to close up shop,” said Brielle Spelt, 168, owner of neighborhood mainstay ‘Brielle’s Deli’. “They think I’m going to be targeted. I’m seeing shops that have been open for 10, 20 years closing because of this. Well, I’m not going to do this. I’m not going to cave in, and I want to see some action about getting this threat dealt with.”
“We will see this threat quashed, whatever it may be,” Precinct 8 Lieutenant Torvald Lawson remarked on Friday. “The chief is personally involved in this case.”
Precinct 8 Police Chief Doyenne Salazar had no direct comment.
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VAGRANCY ON THE DECLINE IN PRECINCT 8
A survey done by the community watchdog group ‘Role: Perception’ has noted a marked decrease in the number of vagrant persons at large in the Precinct 8 area. Consistent with this finding, the group reports that the number of arrests for nuisances, loitering, public drug use, and related crimes have dropped significantly.
Obviously, these findings indicate a positive trend for the precinct’s businesses; complaints about vagrancy come chiefly from business proprietors who feel that their customers will shy away from the frequently disruptive antics of local vagrants.
“Yeah, Crazy Mikey’s gone from his corner,” said Rafe DeWitt, manager of the 14th and Rose St. Donut Pass-Go. “I couldn’t be happier. That [expletive] drove away more customers I can count. I feel sorry for whoever has to deal with him now.”
Despite the outward positive effect, many members of Role: Perception urge citizens to be vigilant. There is no correlative indication that explains the reduction in vagrancy, nor have any of the remaining street-dwellers indicated any knowledge of a migration. Some members of the watchdog group have gone so far as to accuse Precinct 8’s municipal company, Lorenz Municipality, Inc., of foul play. Lorenz’s press representatives have disavowed any relation to or knowledge of the sudden change.
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ACES EIGHT TO BEGIN LAYOFFS
A Press Release issued on Saturday by umbrella corporation Aces Eight has stated that several branches of the company, most notably those involved in plastics and chemicals, will be undergoing necessary layoffs in the next few months.
This marks an unusual behavior for the company, which has prospered almost unfailingly since its inception. Federal sources indicate that some resources for consumer materials are undergoing a temporary shortage, forcing the government to increase taxes on the trade and processing of such materials.
Aces Eight’s CEO and Chairman John Doxen said, in an official statement to the press:
“Now, a lot of people are going to start talking about our big ‘setback’. I’m here to tell you that this situation is not a setback. Not to reinforce my reputation too hard, but there are times when one has to fold a hand to win out in the long run, and this is such a time for Aces Eight. While my sympathies go out to the workers who will need to be reshuffled in this, I am confident that with a history with Aces Eight and solid references, they’ll do just fine. And so will we.”
Aces Eight’s competitors in the plastic and chemical industries seem to be suffering under a similar situation, and none commented on the Aces Eight layoffs.
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