Mount Hood

Wolves played to high standard while hosting Alaska conference foes

Morgan Swaim | Staff Writer

On Feb. 8, the women’s basketball team captured one of the largest wins of the season, dismantling the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, 76-49.

During the first half, the team played airtight defense. The Nanooks were only allowed to score 21 points while shooting 25 percent. The Wolves not only made scoring the basketball difficult, the defense just made keeping the ball a challenge, forcing Alaska Fairbanks into 10 turnovers in the first half.

Offensively, the first half was lead by junior guard Kaylie Boschma, who scored 11 points in just 12 minutes off the bench, shooting 80 percent. The team went into the second half having a 37-21 lead, and the gap only increased.

The second half was much of the same, as the Wolves eventually pushed the lead to 34 with seven minutes left in the game. The Nanooks had no response, allowing six Wolves players to score eight or more points.

With a 76-49 win to their name, the team tried to ride that momentum on Feb. 8, while taking on GNAC conference leaders, Alaska Anchorage. The game ended in a 86-78 loss.

The Wolves jumped to an early 23-19 first quarter lead, giving the 22-2 Seawolves troubles offensively and defensively. Only two starters scored for the Seawolves in the second half, as the Wolves were able to minimize the impact from key players. Heading into the second half, the team was hanging on to a 38-36 lead.

In the second half, the defense was not able to replicate the same amount of success. The Seawolves came out hot in the third quarter, erasing the deficit and jumping out to a four point lead heading into the fourth.

From there, the Wolves failed to recover and secure a lead, falling in the end by eight.

After playing well during both home games this past week, the team will look to do more of the same on the road.

On Feb. 17, the team will then be traveling to face off against the Montana State University Billings Yellow Jackets.

Contact the author at mswaim16@wou.edu

Photo by: wouwolves.com

Wolves drop one, but prevail to three wins

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

Western softball started the season on a positive note, winning three of four games at the West Texas A&M University on Feb. 9 and 11. They attached two wins versus Southwestern Oklahoma, 15-7 and 5-3, and split against the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs, 7-4 and 8-2.
Day one provided a sweep, with the first victim being the Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs. A left-field homer by junior catcher Nicole Miller brought in two to score, making it 3-0 in the third inning.
Up 3-1 at the bottom of the fifth, the Wolves continued to fill the scoreboard adding two more, one off an RBI single and one off a wild pitch by Oklahoma.
With the Wolves defense only allowing two more runs to finish the game, senior pitcher Lizzet Dominguez also completed the game, earning her a win to move her pitching campaign to 3-0.
The day’s sweep and wind gusts up to 20 mph, didn’t prevent the Wolves from opening the second game with the bases loaded against No. 13 ranked West Texas A&M. Western scored two from there, and continued their route at the top of the fourth, scoring five runs off of six hits, making it 7-0. The Lady Buffs loaded the bases in the fifth and managed to score one but the Wolves defense locked down minimizing the Buffs from ever getting too close in the upset. First-year Wolf pitcher Maddie McClelland earned the win before retiring in the fifth.
A rematch with Southwestern Oklahoma ended the day. Western’s 17 hits allowed for 15 total runs. At 4-3 in the fourth, a triple by first-year infielder Sydney Bowers strung in two runs to go up three.
The Bulldogs hit back in the next inning on a 3-run homer to tie.
But the back-and-forth action concluded after the Wolves scored nine straight to end the day.
Western faced off against the Lady Buffs for a second time the next day.
A different theme played out as the Buffs limited the Wolves to two runs by the sixth inning. Up 3-2 in that frame, a WTAM grand-slam and a single homer soon after ended the Wolves’s weekend.
Keeping with the road schedule, seven games at the Tucson Invitational await the Wolves. The games will be played from Feb. 16-18.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: wouwolves.com

A slow start for baseball at 0-4

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

The Wolves’s baseball action commenced as the team started out their 2018 season with four games. The Wolves were left 0-4 after three days of cross-conference play from Feb. 8-10 in Azusa, California. Having lost 8-1 to the Biola University Eagles to start, they followed that up with a three game slide against the Azusa Pacific University Cougars, 7-1, 4-3 and 7-6.   

The Wolves versus Eagle game on Feb. 8 was slow to begin as both teams were left scoreless after two innings.

But it was the Eagles who finally got things going in the third and kept it going from there. Western found themselves in a bevy of defensive mistakes that cost them three runs in the frame. The Wolves got familiar with Biola’s Colton Worthington, a senior infielder, who run batted in two to score, off a single up the middle, and then ran himself in off of junior outfielder Jerron Largusa’s RBI to make it 4-0.

After two innings, the score was 8-0 following Worthington’s score off a Largusa RBI.

The Wolves got their only score of the game from senior infielder Jay Leverett in the eighth, to avoid a shutout.

Western forwarded to a three game series with the Cougars on Feb. 9 that concluded on Feb. 10.

Azusa kicked things off in game one, home running to put up three in the first and looked to defend the homefield throughout the weekend. The adversarial Wolves fought back by scoring two, but a succession of two more homers from Azusa followed by two more runs tacked on by hit-by-pitches put the game in jeopardy for Western.

Western was serviced by three pitchers but couldn’t get by the Cougars’s offense, who locked in on the strike zone. Sophomore Wolf pitcher Connor McCord was dealt the loss following five innings while allowing two earned runs.

Game two switched gears and was tightly contested until extra innings. Both teams home-runned by the sixth, putting the score at 1-1. Azusa followed up with another homer propelling them up by two at the home-half.

Senior infielder Nyles Nygaard made sure the Wolves didn’t go quietly. He scored the first home-run, RBI singled in the seventh and then tied it up after scoring himself off a single from first-year outfielder Griffey Hall.   

After three more innings, the score was nil and the game went into extras. Going three and out in two extra innings, Western gave up a double to Azusa in the final frame.

Game three finished off the series in what was a game of five lead changes. With a bit of trickery in the first, the Wolves got the first run via an attempted steal from first to second base, which abled senior outfielder Jacob Martinez to score from third. After falling behind 4-2, the Wolves got back in front, 5-4, with back-to-back homers by Nygaard and junior catcher Jared McDonald.

The Cougars got a two run homer of their own to nudge ahead again but the Wolves resiliently fought back to tie it again and 6-6. But it was a home run by Azusa’s outfielder Sean Aspinall to end matters and get the sweep.

Martinez had a batting average of .417 in 16 at-bats in the four games while McDonald hit 6/16 in the contests.

Next up is two games at California State-Monterey Bay from Feb. 16-17. Opening pitch for the first game is set for 2 p.m.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: wouwolves.com

Art as a metaphor for life

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

What humans leave behind can tell a story of their lives. It can impact future generations, either positively or negatively, for years to come. Senior Eric Frey captured this concept in a multi-media sculpture displayed behind Bellamy Hall named “Wreckreational Fishing.”

Frey, an art major focusing in 3D design, was approached by Western professor Dr. Henry Hughes to design a piece centered around an old rusted motor from the 1940s. The sculpture features a small boat, River Wolf, in front of a silhouette of the Cascades. The river bed on which the boat lies has a tangle of fishing line, beer bottles, old clothes and shoes, as well as a soccer ball.

Frey described his childhood days on the river with his stepdad as inspiration for this piece. “For me, it was really looking at fishing in general and how fishing relates to life. So the inspiration was — how do you make an impactful statement about fishing and life? So I went back to my days as a kid.”

Most of the debris featured in the piece was taken from the Clackamas River that Frey frequented as a child. “All kinds of stuff gets left on the river,” Frey commented. “And going back to when I was a kid, all this junk gets left behind by fishermen. And as recreational fishermen, that’s our responsibility to keep the areas clean … I’ve got kids who are probably soon going to have kids of their own, and I’d like my grandkids to be able to go out fishing and not have a polluted landscape to go to.”

Along with the important environmental message of this piece, an underlying meaning was revealed. “The piece kind of evolved into a metaphor for life,” Frey explained. “The stuff that we leave behind kind of junks up our life, and the longer you live, the more junk you acquire … if you leave things alone, things just kind of decay.”

The plaque next to the sculpture reads, “As you look through this piece, think of what your forgot; think of what you have left behind, both memories and items. What will you do to conserve natural areas so that future generations can go fishing with family and friends? … What legacy do you leave for them? It need not be wreckreactional fishing.”

Visit the sculpture behind Bellamy Hall and view more of Frey’s work in the Werner University Center gallery beginning Feb. 22.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

New developments revealed in annual State of the Cities Address

Byron Kimball | Freelancer

On Feb. 7, community members, city council representatives and members of the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce came together in Smith Music Hall. Details about new city developments and 2017 milestones were revealed during this year’s State of Cities Address.

Among these new developments coming to Monmouth and Independence? A plan to revitalize Highway 99, changes to parking enforcement around Monmouth and a variety of new businesses in both downtown Independence and Monmouth. “We (at Western) look forward to working together with Monmouth and Independence,” said Western President Rex Fuller, who provided opening remarks.

The event, which was co-sponsored by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce and ASWOU, was presented by Independence mayor John McArdle and Monmouth mayor Steve Milligan.

For both mayors, 2017 was a year full of accomplishments and milestones. The high turnout for events during the August Solar Eclipse was cited by both mayors as a strong sign of renewed tourist interest in both cities.

McArdle unveiled a new renovation initiative, charged with reviving downtown Independence. “We want a place that feels like home,” he explained.

New renovations for the Independence airport are planned as well as an extensive urban renewal project. Independence Station and the old city hall were both recently sold to developers, who plan on leasing the newly acquired space to tenants. One of whom may be an independent brewery, though McArdle’s remarks on the subject were brief.

He cited new business growth, including a chocolatier, which was said to open Feb. 10 according to McArdle. He also expressed plans for Independence to become a new training zone for World Track and Field, bringing in new business and faces. A new strategic plan for the city was also announced, one which McArdle hopes will help boost economic and technological development in the city. “We’re helping Independence become a smarter rural city,” said McArdle.

Though mayor Steve Milligan claimed more modest growth in Monmouth over the course of 2017 and coming into 2018, he remained hopeful that Monmouth would grow strong over the coming years. A new Monmouth Electric building is planned, as well as additional street renovations.

But one of the more shocking changes to Monmouth city policy in 2018 just might have to do with parking. Milligan, along with President Fuller, expressed a wish to revisit downtown parking enforcement, deterring unpermitted Western parking at independent businesses.

Two new cannabis businesses are moving into Monmouth, a move which required Monmouth city council to revise legislation in order to allow both businesses to come in. Also on the books? A Domino’s Pizza, though no opening date was declared.

Overall, Milligan emphasized his goal for the city of Monmouth: to continue to remain a reliable home for residents. “We care about everybody,” said Milligan, citing a continued effort toward last year’s addition of an ‘inclusivity resolution’, which emphasized the city of Monmouth’s commitment to support diversity.

Miriam Haugen, director of the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce, explained, “We may be two cities, but we are one community.”

Contact the author at bkimball16@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

How to spot fake news

Tracy Scharn | Library

Originally published in the Hamersly Library winter 2018 newsletter.

Imagine, you’re scanning social media and this news item pops up:

Critically Ill Infant Stopped at Overseas Airport by Travel Ban

You click over and read about an Iranian infant who was on her way to the United States for life-saving heart surgery, but was stopped at the airport because of recently implemented travel restrictions. Your cursor hovers over the “share” button …

Social media has made it easier than ever to share information with others far and wide. It has arguably played a significant role in social change movements, allowing anyone with an Internet connection to potentially have their voice heard on a large scale. This very quality has also made it very easy for misinformation to proliferate and be shared.

While the term “fake news” is in the headlines a lot lately, most people don’t purposely create or share information that they know is false. Instead, a lot of “fake news” is created when people don’t take the time to verify the accuracy of information before clicking that “share” button. If you want to avoid being that person who shares information that isn’t quite accurate, read on.

The News Literacy Project suggests the following approach:

The first thing you should always do is check to see if multiple, reputable news outlets are reporting the same information independent of each other. Go to your favorite search engine and search for information related to the news item you saw. Can you find multiple news outlets reporting the same thing? Are the news outlets you’ve found reputable? If you’ve never heard of them, go to the about us page and see what they say about themselves. Then do a search online and see what other people are saying about them. Finally, are the news outlets reporting information independent of each other? If you see multiple news outlets saying something like, “’The Washington Post’ is reporting today … ” that means that the information hasn’t been verified by other news outlets yet. You still only have one news outlet as your source.

You will also want to monitor your own reactions to the news item you’re seeing. Does it seem like the news item is tugging at your emotions —making you feel sad, angry, outraged, vindicated? Those reactions to news are normal, but it’s a clue that you need to take a step back and evaluate the news with a critical eye. What proof is being presented to back-up claims made in the news item? Also ask yourself: Do you believe what you’re reading because it conforms with what you already think? Challenge yourself to be as objective as you can.

Also keep an eye out for red flags, which can vary widely. Some examples include:

  • Broken links, or only linking to other articles within that same publication. Remember, you want multiple, reputable, independent sources.
  • Does the news item use neutral language or does it seem to have a bias? Look for language choices that convey particular attitudes or biases. Also be aware of your own biases. Just because we don’t agree with something doesn’t mean it’s biased.
  • Is the language over-the-top? (“Unbelievable Action from Congress Makes Your Taxes Go Up!!!”). It may be playing on your emotions and existing beliefs, or it may be satire.
  • What sources are cited in the article? Are they anonymous or named? Do they have specialized knowledge or training related to the topics being discussed, or just opinions?

With time and practice, these techniques will become second nature to you and you’ll approach information with a critical eye. You’ll see a news item, quickly check to see what other sources are saying about the topic, check your own reactions and look for potential red flags. You’ll also become more familiar with which news outlets are more reputable than others and skim past those that have proven to be unreliable in the past. Apply these tips and you can feel confident in sharing information that is important to you with your family and friends on social media.

For more in-depth information about evaluating news sources, visit the library’s research guide, where you’ll also find links to reputable sources for news: http://research.wou.edu/news/evaluation

Fact-checking Tools:

                                           

Politifact.com focuses on claims made by political figures

Factcheck.org is a non-profit, non-partisan fact-checker focused on politics and political figures

Snopes.com investigates a variety of claims, from politics to urban legends

 

Have questions or want more information? Get in touch with your librarian!

Call us at the Reference Desk: ext. 88899

Or find the contact info for the librarian in your subject area here: http://research.wou.edu/librarians

 

Contact the editor at journaleditor@wou.edu to publish a response.

Photo by: thenewslitteracyproject.org

Learning your love language

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

The way that each person tends to interpret and express love varies depending on who you are. Understanding your love language can be something that makes incredible positive changes to your relationships. Not only will it help you understand yourself and the way you desire things to be, it will also help your partner understand the aspects of the relationship that you value and find important. Ultimately, knowing your love language will lead to a better understanding of each other as individuals, and a better understanding of what needs to be done to improve and keep your relationship positive.

“The Five Love Languages” by Dr. Gary Chapman created a new way to think of relationships. Saving numerous marriages and inspiring others to see how they could grow with their partner and progress as a team, the five languages he defined essentially decode the ways people communicate with their significant others. According to Chapman, they are “universal ways that all people express and interpret love.”

The first of the five languages is words of affirmation. For those who identify with this, they find a lot of value in hearing the words “I love you.” Being complimented or being told that they are loved is something they hold real appreciation for and find incredibly important. And that also means that if someone were to insult them or make a negative comment, it would cut deeper with them than with others.

The second language is quality time. With this, it’s important to the person to have undivided attention from the person they love. While they don’t need it all the time, they put a lot of value into the thought of the person they love setting aside time to make it just about them. Togetherness and being close, as well as good conversation and maintaining eye contact is important to them. This also means that if you choose to blow off plans, are constantly distracted — especially by other people or your cell phone — or feeling like they aren’t being fully listened to can have negative effects.

The third language is receiving gifts. Having something they can hold that took thought and effort to some is a material representation of the love that their partner has for them. It doesn’t mean that they are necessarily a materialistic person, but knowing that effort was put into a gift means a lot to them. Gifts will make them feel appreciated.

The fourth language is acts of service. Helping out your partner when they are going through a tough time, or just lending a hand when they are struggling will speak volumes to them. Being perceived as lazy by them will bother them a lot; to them, actions speak louder than words. Favors will go a long way.

The fifth and final language is physical touch. While this can mean in the bedroom, it goes outside of those walls as well. A warm hug and embrace will make them feel safe and loved. They’ll put a lot of value into cuddling and hand-holding. This doesn’t always mean they want a ton of PDA, but they’ll appreciate the feeling of being held by the one they love.

Knowing your partner’s love language can be incredibly beneficial. It will solve the mystery of “what is missing in this relationship?” and open doors to a far more understanding and well-working partnership. Knowing your own is important too, because if you don’t know then how can you expect your partner to?

Note that while your partner may favor a certain language, the others cannot be neglected. Most find every single aspect important, but a specific one is held to the highest degree. Don’t let the others fall behind just because you are putting preference on one.

Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

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