April 25, 2010
FLASH
My partner, Caitlin Bush, and I featured three officers from the Oviedo Police Department. They talked about how they balance their work with womanhood and their family.
Caitlin and I took photos of Cpl. Kim Mojica and Officer Debra Jacobs during their shifts. I got to ride along Officer Lindsey Pittman while patrolling the city limits of Oviedo, which is near Orlando.
Click Flash project to view
Mar. 31, 2010
VIDEO
A profile on a school local crossing guard.
Mar. 18, 2010
SLIDE SHOW
Dennrik Abrahan, the treasurer of UCF’s International Medical Outreach, shares his experience volunteering in Haiti.
Click here to view the slide show.
Feb. 26, 2010
INTERACTIVE MAP
Florida’s Orange County Valentine’s Day arrests – domestic violence charges top the ranks
By Mary Cristobal, CRISTOBAL TIMES blog
ORLANDO – Officials made 109 arrests in Orange County on Feb. 14. Despite the romantic holiday, domestic violence was one of the top criminal charges.
View Larger Map
Valentine’s Day arrests by the numbers
‘Other arrests’ consist of mostly driving with expired or without drivers’ licenses.
Fourteen Orange County residents were charged with violence-related crimes on Valentine’s Day. Seventy one percent were committed by men. Eight arrests were domestic violence, which is a first degree misdemeanor.
Winter Garden police arrested 23-year-old Ulysses Cassanova Smith for battery by strangulation, which is a third degree felony. In a non-related case, Alfredo Rivera, a 31-year-old man from Orlando, was arrested with the same charges.
There were 18 arrests for drug-related crimes, and 20 for alcohol-related crimes.
A total of six men were charged with trespassing. Officials arrested three men and three women for theft and robbery. A 37-year-old woman from Orlando, Latasha Rachel Dixon King, was charged with a total of 11 counts – five counts are for credit card forgery.
Two Orange County women, in separate cases, were charged with prostitution – 27-year-old Shameka Wilson of Orlando and 35-year-old Sonia Gibson of Winter Park. Prostitution charges are second degree misdemeanors.
There was a rare case of harassment on Feb. 14. Orlando Police arrested 34-year-old Rodney Jones for making harassing telephone calls, which is a second degree misdemeanor.
Domestic Violence
Within the short month of February, there have been at least two significant domestic violence offenses around University of Central Florida.
On Feb. 8, newly-wed Alissa Blanton from Cocoa was gunned down in front of her workplace – at AT&T on Research Parkway next to UCF – by a man who has been stalker her. On Feb. 21, a UCF female student was beaten and held hostage in her own dorm room at Pegasus Landing by her boyfriend. She escaped by flagging down a police officer at a gas station.
In 2008, there were over 8,500 domestic violence offenses in Orange County, according to the most recent data set from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
“Indeed there’s a lot of [domestic violence] going on period,” said Lisa Wiseman, external and internal affairs director of Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in a phone interview. “Domestic violence is one of Florida’s leading social problems.”
In 2008, 89 percent of violent crimes in Florida are domestic violence. For the first six months of 2009, there has been a 100 percent increase in domestic violence manslaughter and 38 percent increasing in stalking, which is typically a precursor for homicide, according to Wiseman.
How to get help
There are 42 certified domestic violence centers in Florida.
In 2008, those centers responded to about 150,000 crisis calls and provided counseling services to more than 176,000 individuals. The Florida domestic violence centers provided emergency shelters to over 14,600 individuals, but another over 7,000 were unable to receive shelter because of lack of beds, said Wiseman.
Other related stories:
UCF student beaten, stopped from leaving apartment By Gary Taylor, Orlando Sentinel
Trial in UCF student’s murder postponed By Willoughby Mariano, Orlando Sentinel
Woman killed near UCF had told judge man was stalking her By Henry Pierson Curtis and Willoughby Mariano, Orlando Sentinel
Feb. 19, 2010
AUDIO
University of Central Florida’s Student Government Association 2010 presidential debate
Both candidates vowed to fulfill their platforms
By Mary Cristobal, CRISTOBAL TIMES blog
Kilbride and Lochrane (left) listen as Seef (right with Wolkenfeld) speaks during the SGA presidential debate on Feb. 19.
ORLANDO – With three days shy from the voting window’s opening on myUCF portal, SGA presidential candidates verbally duked it out on Friday, Feb. 19 in the Key West Ballroom at the Student Union. Marlee Popluder, supervisor of elections, moderated the presidential debate between the two tickets – Michael Kilbride and Taylor Lochrane, and Daniel Seeff and Kevin Wolkenfeld. The questions for the candidates came from students through Central Florida Future.
Debate highlights
What’s the biggest challenge does the current (Peterson/Lewis) administration face? What will you do to overcome that?
Kilbride
Seeff
If you were elected as president, how do you plan to work with the UCF administration?
Seeff
Kilbride
How many issues on your platform will be fulfilled?
Kilbride
Seeff
What is your one wish for UCF?
Seeff
Kilbride
What will you personally undertake as the vice president?
Lochrane
Wolkenfeld
Which part of UCF creed most important to you and why?
Seeff
Kilbride
Audience reaction
John Cunanan, junior and medical lab science major
“I thought [Kilbride] had more details on what he wants to do. [Seeff] kept agreeing a lot with [Kilbride]. He sounded to be elaborating more on what [Kilbride] said.” – Cunanan
Sen. Marla Spector – College of Arts & Humanities, seat 1
“[Kilbride and Lochrane] did a great job. They sounded knowledgeable…it showed accomplishments. I didn’t see any good ethics from the other ticket. [Seeff and Wolkenfeld] made personal stabs at the other team.” – Spector
Kersti Myles, senior and political science major
“I thought [Kilbride and Lochrane] were phenomenal. I feel like they answered and presented well…it shows more experience. And that they are more ready to lead next year.” – Myles, who is also a Diversity Initiative specialist and the entertainment director for Multicultural Student Center.
Other stories
Candidates square off during 2010 SGA Presidential Debate By Jeff Riley, Central Florida Future
Election update By Mary Cristobal and Jessica Martin, Central Florida Future
Kilbride and Lochrane promise integrity, stewardship of funds By Jessica Martin, Central Florida Future
Seeff and Wolkenfeld will ask for input and fight fee increases By Mary Cristobal, Central Florida Future
Feb. 12, 2010
TWITTER COVERAGE
University of Central Florida Student Senate might oppose a university mandatory health care
By Mary Cristobal, CRISTOBAL TIMES blog
UCF’s Student Senate postponed a voting to show their opposition for a university mandatory health care on Thursday’s meeting. The final vote for the resolution is next Thursday on Feb. 18.
Meeting Recap
Sen. Marla Spector – College of Arts & Humanities seat 1 – introduced a resolution that opposes mandatory health insurance at UCF.
Dr. Maribeth Ehasz, vice president of UCF’s student development and enrollment services, made an appearance during the meeting’s open forum. She asked the student senators to postpone the voting until the senators “have done enough research.”
Bob Wirag, director of UCF’s health services, told the student senators that it makes sense to provide students a mandatory health insurance when they enroll to UCF. He said the school will not proceed with this plan unless they have the student support.
Sen. Erica DeSanti – College of Health & Public Affairs seat 4 – asked how the school is gathering student feedback about a mandatory health insurance. Wirag said that there are surveys out there seeking student feedback.
Tweeting from the meeting
Click here for my Twitter coverage of the Feb. 11 SGA Student Senate meeting
Resolution 42-17
Spector said that it is unlikely that the university will implement the mandatory insurance this school year, but UCF is already looking into the possibility.
UCF currently offers Aetna health insurance to its students. According to the resolution, an insurance coverage offered by UCF costs about $1,300 per year and that price tag is expected to increase in a few years. But the university is unsure how long it will have a voluntarily health plan, Wirag said.
The resolution states that mandating health insurance at UCF would alienate lower income students from attending, and prevents university growth because of a possible additional tuition increase.
Spector said financial aid will not cover the additional cost of a mandatory health insurance to students’ tuition.
Will the Student Senate oppose a mandatory health insurance?
Ehasz said that Florida State University has a mandatory health care. She urged UCF Student Senate to reach out to FSU Student Senate for any questions about the mandatory health care.
“This is your money. This is your decision,” Ehasz said.
DeSanti was one of the student senators who wanted to postpone the voting. She said she wants more student input and hear Ehasz speak about the issue.
Another student senator said that she supported the opposition when it was brought up in a senate subcommittee, but she changed her mind after hearing Ehasz speak.
“It’s a personal choice whether to be covered by a health insurance provided by UCF,” said Spector standing behind a lectern. “Get excited for the PowerPoint.”
Spector will present more facts about mandatory health care to the Student Senate next Thursday on Feb. 18 before they vote on a resolution. If passed, a copy will be sent to the school’s university president – Dr. John Hitt, members of the Board of Trustees and state representatives.
Other stories:
Report suggests mandatory insurance By Christina DeParis, Central Florida Future
Fix insurance before forcing it An opinion piece, Central Florida Future
Feb. 12, 2010
University of Central Florida’s International Medical Outreach organization collects spare change for Haiti
Mary Cristobal, CRISTOBAL TIMES blog
ORLANDO – A University of Central Florida student organization collected over $1,000 in six days after the January 12 Haiti earthquake. Members of International Medical Outreach stand outside of Student Union on weekdays around 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. collecting spare change from UCF passersby. I.M.O. donated the funds to Haiti Hospital Appeal and Project Medishare.
I.M.O. Treasurer Dennrik Abrahan and other I.M.O. members count donations in front of the UCF bookstore on Feb. 4.
A change of heart
I.M.O. raise funds on weekdays throughout the school year in front of the Student Union for the organization’s medical outreach to countries such as Haiti, Peru and Dominican Republic. The organization shifted their bucket collection exclusively for Haiti to help earthquake survivors.
Dennrik Abrahan, I.M.O. treasurer, said the organization exclusively collected for Haiti from Jan. 14 to Jan. 22.
“During the week of the disaster, people would say, ‘That’s a good cause,’ ‘Keep up the good job’ or ‘I’ll send my friend through here to send money.’”
Abrahan, a senior molecular and microbiology major, said he noticed a change of heart from passersby after the earthquake, and people were more willing to give and were not as rude.
“I didn’t hear any overt comments about Haiti especially after the earthquake,” he said.
Now that the organization switched back to their regular collection for their medical outreach, passersby are not as “willing to give off money,” according to Abrahan.
“If ten people would come by, maybe two or three people would be rude,” he said. “It’s the reality of it. People are mean. They could at least walk away and say no thank you.”
But to those who stopped by to drop in their spare change or bills into the collection buckets, Abrahan said he sincerely thanks them.
Andrea Lanao, an I.M.O. director, says it was nice to see willing givers.
“Even though people are in economic crisis, they got to give,” said Lanao, a senior biology pre-professional major. “It was a nice thing to see.”
Six days after the Haiti earthquake, International Medical Outreach raised over $1,000. The organization donated the funds to Haiti Hospital Appeal and Project Medishare.
Haiti organizations receive student donations
I.M.O. divided the bucket donations between Haiti Hospital Appeal and Project Medishare.
The donation was wired to a Western Union in Haiti for Haiti Hospital Appeal, a Christian organization that provides medical care.
I.M.O. donated through the Project Medishare’s Web site, where the UCF organization have their own donations page and donors can give on behalf of I.M.O.
Andrea Lanao, an I.M.O. director, counts spare change donations outside of UCF bookstore on Feb. 4. The organization raises funds for trips to Caribbean and South American countries to volunteer and learn medicinal practices.
About International Medical Outreach
The UCF organization is constantly raising funds for trips to Caribbean and South American countries, according to the I.M.O. Web site. The outreach trips allow I.M.O. members to volunteer and shadow medical professionals in third world countries.
On Feb. 13, I.M.O. is hosting a marathon on campus to help Haiti, Peru and Dominican Republic. Once the funds are calculated, a certain percentage of the proceeds will go toward Haiti Hospital Appeal and Project Medishare to help the Haiti earthquake survivors, said Abrahan.
“We know [those organizations] on a personal level,” said Viviana Rios, I.M.O. president. “It’s pretty hard not to know where your money is going, so it’s OK for us to donate the money to them.”
The marathon will benefit the organization’s upcoming trips.
- Winter break trip to Haiti on Dec. 15 to Dec.23
- Spring break trip to Peru on Mar. 7 to Mar. 17
- Dominican Republic on May 9 to May 15
A whole new learning experiences
Rios, a junior and molecular and microbiology major, has volunteered in Haiti four times.
“Any members who have gone have been affected,” she said. “[The trips] give them goals of wanting to be a doctor. It gives them that extra oomph. I.M.O. changes everything.”
Although Rios has not been to Port-au-Prince, she said she lost her train of thought when she heard the news about the earthquake.
“I felt my heart rip off,” she said. “I’m not from there, but Haiti means a lot to me. “
She said that if school is not in session, she would love to go there and help out.
Haiti Hospital Appeal hosted four I.M.O. outreach trips to Haiti, according to one of the hospital’s trustee, Reninca Hill.
“It is of great encouragement that groups of students would give up their own money to come and help some of the poorest people in the world,” said Hill in an e-mail. ”They also work tirelessely often - missing meals in order to help people.”
She said that Haiti Hospital Appeal is overwhelmed with I.M.O. members’ generosity, love and support of the Haitian people.
“Their immediate response to the earthquake in Haiti made sure that people in Port-au-Prince got delivered aid as soon as possible,” she said.
Abrahan has gone to Haiti three times last year. He stayed in Haiti Hospital Appeal, where he slept on a mattress with bed sheets that he brought from home.
He went to small towns a couple of miles away from the capital. He shadowed doctors, gave out medicine and even learned basic Creole to tell patients how and when to take the medicine.
“You see recurring illnesses that could have been prevented living in the States,” Abrahan said. “So you see a lot of high blood pressures, hypertension and there are a few cases – somone coming in with a fever..and it got serious.”
For Abrahan, the most rewarding thing about medical outreach is being with the people – interacting, helping out and impacting their lives.
Other articles
Group raising money, hopes to help Haiti
Students practice medical skills in third world countries
