The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, January 20, 2006, Page 2, Image 2

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CAROLINA © BRIEF Math competition to be held at USC USC will play host to its 19th High School Mathematics Contest on Saturday. The competition draws South Carolina high schools whose teams compete for scholarships. The event begins in the School of Law auditorium at 1:15 p.m. and finishes with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. THIS WEEK © USC SUNDAY Andrew Willis fortepiano recital: 7:30 p.m. School of Music 206 euiocnce • cmucDPRomi campaign workers brought to Milwaukee indicated the defendants acted together to cause the damage and that the workers overheard the defendants talking about the vandalism. “If the defendants had not gone back and bragged to their co-workers, they might have gotten away with it,” Feiss said. Defense attorney Rodney Cubbie questioned the credibility of the national operatives, saying each of them lied to investigators. “These guys got blamed because they’re convenient,” Cubbie said. Feiss said cell phone records place two of the defendants near the scene about the time the vandalism occurred, but Cubbie said the calls could have been made anywhere within a three mile radius. 1 he defendants face up to 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted of criminal damage to property. The vandalism forced GOP officials to look for other transportation, delaying workers who were headed to the polls. Defendant Sowande A. Omokunde is the son of Democratic U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, and Michael Pratt is the son of former acting Milwaukee Mayor Marvin Pratt. Also charged were Lewis Caldwell and Lavelle Mohammad, both from Milwaukee, and Justin Howell of Racine. ON THE WEB © www.dailygamecock.com Read online five days a week. Sweet sassy molassey. Wh-hoop there it is Juan Bias / THE GAMECOCK Cherie Gregg a clown for the Ringling Bros. Circus, entertains an audience at EdVenture Children's Discovery Museum. The circus will be at Colonial Center through Sunday. State Riverbanks Zoo koala has likely fatal cancer Riverbanks Zoo’s only male koala has cancer and will likely live for just a few more weeks. A worker found a large node on the koala’s neck a week ago. Zoo veterinarian Keith Benson removed it and tests showed it -was cancerous. The node was not found during a routine exam a few days before, but Benson said it is not unusual for lymphoma to develop quickly in koalas. “We’re not shooting for a cure here,” Benson said Wednesday. “We’re just making him as comfortable as possible.” Two other koalas — a male and a baby — have died at the zoo since it opened the Koala Knockabout in 2002. Because the 6-year-old koala is otherwise healthy, it will be kept at the Koala Knockabout, but out of public view. Nation Federal judge to rule on grocery CEO bonus JACKSONVILLE — Struggling supermarket chain Winn-Dixie is asking a federal bankruptcy judge to approve a $2 million retention bonus for president and CEO Peter Lynch, saying he has helped turn the company around. The company filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last February, and under Lynch’s leadership, has developed a plan to shrink the company and leave unprofitable markets. It has closed more than 300 stores and sold another 81, yielding $40 million, and liquidated 245 stores, yielding $136 million. Lynch would receive the bonus if he stays through Dec. 31. He received a $1.5 million bonus for staying through the end of 2005. The bonuses are on top of his annual salary of $900,000. A court hearing on the bonus is scheduled Feb. 9. World Remote African village attacked for livestock LODWAR, Kenya — A battle for livestock between Ethiopian and Kenyan nomads has left 38 people dead in drought-stricken northern Kenya, officials and aid workers said Thursday. Dongiro warriors crossed into Kenya from Ethiopia Friday and attacked Turkana herdsmen to steal their animals, said Njenga Miiri, district commissioner for Turkana. The fighting killed 30 of the raiders and eight Kenyan women and children. The clashes took place in the remote village of Lokamarinyang along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, about 260 miles north of the regional capital of Lodwar, said Lucas Ariong, an aid worker in the area. Millions are at risk of famine in eastern Africa because of drought. (Hun • COdTHHOFROfflI their position. During Thursday’s meeting, students discussed ways to raise funds for the trips. Per Student Government policy, new student organizations are not allowed university fundingfor a year after establishment. Corporate funding as well as miscellaneous donations to ensure the club’s future are being actively sought. f For some students, participating in this debate club has been eagerly anticipated. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time now,” said second-year international studies student Ian Sutton.. Ben Granger, a second year political science student, concurs. “Dr. Coate has been very receptive to our enthusiasm concerning Model UN,” he said. “We’re very happy to have this opportunity.” The club plans to hold elections in two weeks, as well as form committees to further student involvement. Ensor says interested students are welcome at the group’s meetings, held at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in Gambrell 404. For more information, contact Ensor at densor@gmail.com or join the Facebook group “Model United Nations.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu weatner forecast TODAY SAT. SUn. 0)00. TUE. High 61 High 10 High 58 High 68 High 60 Loui 52 Low 52 Low 06 Low 52 Low 38 CRIME REPORT THURSDAY, JAN. 18 Suspicious activity, ii a.m. BA Building. 1705 Pendleton St. USCPD responded to a report of vandalism. The complainant stated for the past two months someone left paper towels and toilet paper on the floor of the women’s bathroom. Reporting officer: J. Dupree Suspicious activity, 2:46 p.m. Humanities Building, 1620 College St. The complainant, 29, said she locked her office door and when she returned, the door was open. Nothing was stolen, but someone left a yellow golf shirt and a pair of white socks. Reporting officer: N. Husbands Disorderly conduct, 3:11 p.m. 1320 Heyward St. Samuel Whaley, 51, was observed in the roadway of Main Street and Heyward Street, unsteady on his feet and almost struck by a car. Reportiftg officer J. f Dupree noticed a strong odor of alcohol and blood shot eyes. Whaley was arrested for disorderly conduct and being grossly intoxicated. Larceny of iPod, 5:40 p.m. Strom Thurmond Wellness Center, 1000 Blossom St. The victim, 21, said someone removed her black iPod Nano and her neon green armband. * Estimated value: $330 ▼ Reporting officer: J. Simmons PETR • COnunUED FROm I In what she said will be a “very peaceful” demonstration, Fanti-Lab and several other activists will stand at the entrances to the Colonial Center carrying posters they say show cruelty to animals, and they will pass out leaflets and DVD’s to circus patrons. “We’re trying to get people educated about what’s going on,” she said. Ringling Bros. said, however, that what PETA is telling the public is false. “It’s unfortunate that PETA again and again attacks us and our animal care program,” said Crystal Drake, the Soudieast region’s public relations manager for Ringling Bros. “We are so proud of the way we love, and care, and train our animals.” Drake said that the DVD distributed by PETA shows eight minutes of tape from other circuses and two minutes of footage that links Ringling Bros, to animal abuse. One clip in the DVD is of a Ringling Bros, employee, but that clip is over a decade old and that employee was “condemned and immediately let go,” Drake said. The DVD is a “misrepresentation of abuse we would never stand for and we don’t stand for,” Drake said. Video footage of what PETA calls animal abuse is available at a Web site owned and operated by the group, circuses.com. There, PETA also lists the deaths of elephants owned by Ringling Bros, and “violations of state and federal humane laws” in a 10-page fact sheet. Drake said that Ringling Bros, has “an excellent record with the Animal Welfare Act” over the company’s history. “We treat (the animals) like family,” she said. And while Fanti-Lab said that declining circus attendance rates over the past 10 years show that “PETA is making great strides,” Drake said that the circus is not affected by PETA protests. “I see no evidence that PETA is succeeding in its efforts to discredit Ringlingfc Bros.” " The Colonial Center does not expect the demonstrations to affect turnout, marketing manager Andrea McGavin said. “We’re just bringing the show here. It’s a great family show.” For Fanti-Lab, the demonstrations are also a good time for the whole family. Her twin 18-year old sons, seniors at Airport High School, will join her this weekend. Fanti Lab also said that entire varsity cheerleading squad from Airport High School would be at the Colonial Center Saturday to demonstrate against the circus. And while no USC students have signed up yet to help demonstrate, Fanti Lab welcomes them with open arms. “The more the merrier,” she said. For more information, or to join the demonstration, contact Fanti-Lab at (803)-361 5455. The circus will perform five times from Friday ta Sunday. Visit the Ringlin® Bros. Web site at ringling. com, where you can also check out pictures from the circus and read further about their animal care policies. Cancun, Jamaica, Vegas & Morel II _. _ _ Cafl or book orabio ^TRAVELCUTS 1-800-592-CUTS (2887) See the world your way Comments on this story' t-maiL gamecocknews@givm. sc. edu