Tensions rise as Green River College (GRC) deliberates further action for an on-campus childcare center facility for students.   Over a year ago, GRC’s childcare center was shut down, with most of its patronage coming from non-GRC-affiliated customers. The childcare center, hosted by the school, was actually run by a private third-party childcare company. The Children’s Home Society, who would send staff and faculty to manage the facilities and provide childcare services and expertise, was previously managing the childcare facilities before the project was put on hold by the college.   The land for the childcare facilities was donated to…

Rob Pedicone, 27, has been the man behind the mask of the Green River College Gator Mascot since the winter of 2017. Pedicone, who has been working as the Recreation and Athletics Coordinator for about one year now, says he decided to start working at Green River because of the fresh new leadership of President Dr. Johnson as well as the school’s positive and healthy environment. Pedicone has recently taken over the role of mascot as Slater the Gator from student AJ Patel, who was Green Rivers’ Gator mascot previously. The relatively new addition to the ever-increasing onslaught of initiatives…

    What Occurred    May 9, around noon in front ofthe Student Union (SU), AnthonyParish and his associate Ramonpreached their ‘gospel’ against ShariaLaw to students. They used theirright to free speech in Green River’sfree speech zone.Parish wore a fake Immigrationand Customs Enforcement (ICE)uniform. He is in no way associatedwith law enforcement. His uniformwas incomplete ‘with differentpants,’ according to Ramon.Around Parish and Ramon werefour signs, two stating that Parishwas not a real ICE officer. He alsowore a body camera on his chestthat he explained was for protectionso that he had proof if anyonedid anything illegal.Ramon wore jeans and a blackshirt…

For 19 year-old freshmen, Austin Wiebe, ever since he could remember, basketball has been a way of life for him and his family. Growing up in a family like Wiebe had, it would’ve been difficult not to love basketball. With the torch being passed from his parents to him, basketball goes with the Wiebe’s like butter goes with toast, “My family always loved basketball.” Wiebe said, “My mom was a high school basketball coach and it was my dad’s favorite sport as well.” Being exposed to the sport as much as he did when he as younger, its no wonder…

Marijuana has been around for ages, but it is becoming a hot topic in the beauty community in particular. Both Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and hemp oil may be beneficial to those with skin problems, such as inflammation or acne. Like other skin care products claim, they can help with wrinkles because they contain high amounts of vitamins A and D, which are vital to skin health. Vitamin D absorbed through the skin can be metabolized into the hormone calcitriol, which helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin A contains important compounds known as retinols. These encourage skin cell turnover and prevent the breakdown…

With growing public concern over excessive use of force by federal organizations, defining when violence crosses a line is becoming increasingly difficult. In recent weeks, Israel has been criticized by the United Nations (UN) and countries the world over for excessive force used by their Israeli Security Forces (ISF) against Palestinian protesters. Following the killing of at least 60 Palestinians, including 8 children by the ISF, governments like Ireland are tightening sanctions against Israel, demanding change. The UN’s Human Rights Council (HRC) has opened an official inquiry into Israel’s practices, appalled at what they claim are egregious human rights violations.…

Green River College President Suzanne Johnson hosted a forum on free speech in the River Room of the Student Union building in response to an incident that occurred on campus. A panel made of several faculty members gave presentations on the topic of free speech. The panel members consisted of staff members Allison Jansen of the Political Science faculty, Devon Klein, a counselor for Green River Counseling Services, Mary Jane Swenson of the Criminal Justice faculty, Frank Primiani of the Business Administration faculty, Marvin Viney, Assistant Director of Campus Safety, Derek Ronnfeldt, Director of Campus Safety, Dr. Deb Casey, Vice…

At Green River College, plans to sell radio property in Enumclaw will pave the way for renovations in the broadcasting department. The college’s two radio stations, KGRG 89.9 FM and KGRG 1, have long been part of the school’s history. Entirely student-run, KGRG FM, a station emphasizing “Today’s Rock” since the late 1980s, became an official part of GRC when it was licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1977. Inspired by the burgeoning Seattle grunge era, KGRG FM became one of the first radio stations to feature then-unknown bands such as MxPx, Emery, My Chemical Romance, Death Cab…

The United Faculty of Green River (UF) negotiations team and administration team have come to a tentative agreement on the newest faculty contract. On April 16, Janey Hoene, UF president and co-chair of the negotiations team, sent out an all-faculty e-mail announcing the completion of the bargaining process. Significant changes to the contract were shared the following Friday, April 20, with the rest of the faculty. The two teams are in the process of taking feedback from faculty and will hold a ratification vote during finals week of spring quarter. If the vote passes, it will go into effect July…

Students explain what it means to be a Black Muslim to help others understand their religion and be aware of the treatment they face. The first 13 minutes of the event showcased a short documentary film called Black, Bold & Beautiful, produced by Green River student Mohamed Abdullahi. The short film expresses the challenges Black Muslims face. Conflicts range from blatant racism to unfair treatment by others. The film also expresses how difficult it is being Black, Muslim, and being both. Black Muslims are often treated poorly because of the combination of their race and religion. The film depicts the…