Wishing you the happiness of good friends, the joy of a happy family, and the wonder of the holiday season.

Have a magical thanksgiving!

From the editorial staff, reporters, columnists and photographers of the AP Times.

Sponsored by the AP times along with Aperture Studios, there will once again be a calendar created featuring the good (and bad) citizens of Asphyxiation Point.

At this time, we are looking for models and/or photographers. Preferably, the images should be on the racy side (not full-on mature, but definitively riské) with a good male to female ratio.

With the opening of Aperture Studio, the owners are happy to offer the shop as the main shooting site, (especially for any green screen needs) but feel free to use any other location on sim. (Note: Since it is an AP activity, let's try and keep things local)

The themes are as follows:

January: New Year
February: Valentine's Day
March: Spring
April: Easter
May: Mother's Day
June: Father's Day
July: Independence Day
August: Summer/Beach
September: Labor Day/Autumn
October: Halloween
November: Thanksgiving
December: Christmas

Please contact Phedre Dumouriez or Larlotte Blackwater if you are interested in being a part of this wonderful collaboration, and indicate your preference for theme and role (e.g. model or photographer).

By Phedre Dumouriez

A standoff that took place earlier in the week outside of Anderson's Bar between several citizens of Asphyxiation Point, members of the Black Mamba's, and APPD officers appears to have ended with one of the officers being tossed into the ocean.

An anonymous tip to The Times brought attention to a video  posted to YouTube that looks to have been taken with a cell phone by a witness to the scene.

At least one known and one alleged member of the Black Mamba's gang, both female, are shown in the footage wielding guns. In the video, they appear to be in a standoff against the wife of a local APPD officer, Mrs. Bunny Blackout, and an unknown male, who look to be also armed.

Heated words were all that were tossed about, thankfully, even after the arrival of Officers Adam Hartly and Ame Paragorn, who did what they could to calm the situation. However, it was not until the arrival of alleged Black Mamba's leader Lyssandra Ritter and a as-of-yet unnamed dark haired woman that most of those involved were convinced to go their separate ways.

Unfortunately, the excitement did not end there for Office Paragorn, as she was accosted near the end of the standoff and then thrown into the nearby waters by another unnamed assailant; who may or may not have been a part of the original scene. As the video cuts off after the two groups went their separate ways, no further details are known about the unknown assailant and his actions, and Officer Paragorn was unavailable for comment as of the printing of this report.

The original cause of the friction between the two groups has not been verified, but it is rumored that it may have had something to do with the attack on the Sweet Treats bakery that took place a few weeks ago. Ms. Blackout was also involved in that event as one of the victims.

Aperture Studio is the place to go for all of your AP photography needs. From family portraits to professional head shots; engagement photos to wedding day pictures - the staff at AP Studio are here to make you look your very best!

Contact Phedre Dumouriez or Larlotte Blackwater to book your FREE consult today, or visit us at 3 Eagle Ridge Road.

OOC: Are you looking for a new profile image, or a photo to suit your AP Pick needs? Our services are complimentary!

We are especially interested in helping out newcomers to the Island. :)

An interview with a Bookstore: A Novel Idea
By Phedre Dumouriez

An indie shop born from the love of literature and writing, “A Novel Idea” runs on a simple truth - bookstores are only as good as the materials they carry – so this must mean that Asphyxiation Point’s local haven for readers and writers alike has got to be one of the best! With their eclectic selection and their willingness to help with special orders, the shop has a little something for everyone.

Owned and operated by Amata Dawson (recent wife to Gage Dawson of Grateful Meds – the marijuana dispensary just down the street) “A Novel Idea” has been in business since February of this year. Having grown up around books, Amata shared with the AP Times that, “the idea of owning a dusty little shop where people can sit and drink coffee and read, like a library for adults, appealed to me.”

This reporter took a few minutes to ask some additional questions of the owner, and what follows below are her answers:

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Q: What’s your favorite section of the store?

A: My favorite section right now is banned books. A small collection in the back of titles that were, at one time, controversial. Like "Well of Loneliness" and "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee".

Q: How do you go about stocking your shelves?

A: (The books) have to be shipped in, and I bring them in from all corners of the world. Special orders are my forte. You know, shippers are so nice, I can always find someone willing to go in with me to get things to the island.

Q: If you had more space and funds, what would you add to make it even more welcoming?

A: I try to keep snacks and coffee all the time, and … I rely on local businesses for that. With the passage of recreational marijuana - thank you fellow voters! - I'd like to expand to include some gift items, like candles from a new strain Gage is working on that smells like cocoa, or lotions. And I'd add a little, well-ventilated smoking den in the back so people could chill with a joint, a coffee, and one of the existentialists.

Q: Who’s the weirdest client you’ve ever had?

A: The only weirdos are people who don't like books.

Q: What is your favorite memory about visiting book stores when you were a kid?

A: I spent a lot of time in Louisiana with my gramma growing up. She had this favorite grocery stand she loved by a botanica. That's where I got a feel for what book shop should feel like. It should smell like ritual, and be a place for (people) to gather. It should stock those things you need, or don't know you need until you see them.

--

When asked if she had any last comments to share, Amata offered the following: “Get lost in a book… Not on the way… You can find A Novel Idea at the corner of Eagle Ridge and Seventh, next to the courthouse.”

Larlotte's Opinion Column -

On Thursday 8th November, Maine voted yes to Question 1: legalise marijuana. As the vote only passed with 50.3%, I ask the question: do YOU wanna get high?

The new law legalizing marijuana will not come into effect for at least 90 days. This law will, subject to conditions, allow the recreational use, retail and cultivation of marijuana. All marijuana sold in Maine will be grown in Maine, and will be subject to a 10% tax. This move, in theory, should boost the economy. However, it's not quite as simple as all that.

Over the past few days I've been talking to some of Asphyxiation Point's residents, specifically Gage Dawson, the owner of "Grateful Meds" and Police Chief Jay Biafra, finding out what they think about the forthcoming changes in law.

Maybe surprisingly, Mr. Dawson is all for the new law, as he currently grows and sells medicinal marijuana from his dispensary, Grateful Meds. In a recent interview, he says he has "big plans" for the recreational use of marijuana. He's not worried about the amount of time it may take to implement the new retail laws either, saying "What is a few more years?". Not only does he believe the new law will have no effect on his medicinal marijuana business, he's also very confident in his abilities to produce good quality stuff that will continue to sell. Mr Dawson stated that he knows "what [he is] doing and there is a reason Maine has the best weed on the East Coast." Having never tried all of the weed on the East Coast myself, I unfortunately can't corroborate his opinion. It is, however, good news for locals not confident about growing their own marijuana but who would still like to smoke it!

Captain Biafra agrees with Mr. Dawson that the new law is good news. Although he thinks it will have no effect on crime rates, he believes the legalization will "drastically improve the unemployment rate, the agricultural industry and assist the state in improving various things such as schools and infrastructure through the taxes which will come from Cannabis sales". Captain Biafra makes a good point. Despite the no campaign fighting hard against it, it is easy to see the benefits to be brought by this new industry.

A local business owner is also for the new law, and is excited about the prospect of being able to sell edible marijuana in her shop. Despite this, all three interviewees echo the worry about children being able to get hold of marijuana more easily once the new law is passed. However, as Mr. Dawson pointed out, it is much like the sale of alcohol and tobacco products. Personally, I agree with him.

From my travels around the town, I failed to find anyone who voted no to Question 1. Although Asphyxiation Point doesn't seem to agree with 49.7% of the rest of Maine, it is clear that the new law, once implemented, will be good for the town. With a projected boost in trade, what can go wrong?

The answer to that is simple: the no campaign are calling for a recount of the votes. Though well within their rights to do so, I can't help but feel they are just trying to postpone the inevitable. With new studies proving the medicinal effects of marijuana and debunking the myths, the law will pass eventually, one way or another.

Only time will tell the outcome of this great debate, but this reporter will personally be happy to see the new law in place.

Reported by Lois Whitfield
Picture by Phedre Dumoriez


On November the 4th a robbery at gunpoint took place at the AP motel.

A male and a female companion were headed to one of the rooms at around 7 pm and apparently they were followed by an unidentified attacker. The robber allowed himself in without the man (identified as Andrew Pine) or the woman realizing of his presence.

Once inside, the robber pulled out a gun and asked for the belongings of the occupants of the room. All he managed to take was the wallet of the man.
The PD was called soon, and the responder was Captain Jay Biafra who arrived at the scene shortly after being called to open the case.

This paper tried to contact Mister Pine for his insight on the event, but was not possible to get it.

Mister Pine asked for a check with a strong sum of money to be deposited on his AP bank account, and this paper does not have the means to do such a thing.

Larlotte's Opinion Column

After the almost-suicide at the Lighthouse, one can't help but wonder: are we doing enough to help the victims of crime in AP?

This week saw an attempted suicide by a victim of multiple crimes here in Asphyxiation Point. Although the unfortunate incident was resolved positively, it has made me wonder about the mental health of the victims harmed by our high crime rate. The Women's Shelter, having closed recently, no longer provides a much needed service for the women of our community. Although the service was invaluable, what about our men? Our officers? Our medics?

The crime rate in town is high. In October alone, we had 9 new criminal cases, of which a third involved sexual assault, and another third involved robbery. Of those robbery cases, 2 involved assault, including the aggravated assault of a police officer.

In the same month, 6 arrests were made. Personally, I feel this is a good figure based on the high crime rate. Our officers are working very hard to ensure justice is served, and I for one believe they are doing a great job.

However, what emotional and mental support are our service employees getting? Our police and medical staff work around the clock to provide the services we need, while experiencing abuse in the line of duty. They provide an invaluable service to the town, but they are only human. They need this support too.

In the US, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death. 64% of people who attempt to commit suicide visit their doctor in the month before, whereas 38% visit their doctor in the week before.* Perhaps, if we had a dedicated mental health team, we could not only prevent suicides or attempted suicides, but also combat depression, stress, and possibly even crime rate.

The point here is not to bash the services we have. On the contrary, I praise those men and women that work so hard to help keep our town safe and our residents healthy. The point is that we do have victims of crime. Whether they are in the services or not, who is helping these people?

I, for one, believe someone should be.

*Statistics from www.mentalhealthamerica.net/suicide November 11th, 2016.

By Phedre Dumouriez

The local AP bakery Sweet Treats fell victim yesterday of a daylight attack pulled off by armed individuals wearing masks.

The bakery, owned and operated by DA Vivian Lowe, was targeted by two masked assailants; one female and one male. The woman is described as petite, pale, tattooed and armed with a Taser, while the male is large, black, wearing a suit and armed with a gun.

Ms. Lowe was present at the bakery during the attack and it is rumored she is the reason behind the incident.

The two came crashing through the front entrance of the shop, smashing and breaking while uttering threats. They then ordered the store’s patrons to lie on the ground and continued to cause chaos, all while focusing their attentions on Ms. Lowe. One of the patrons - a Mrs. Bunny Blackout – was hit with a taser during the altercation, which may explain the alarming and somewhat irrational actions of the patrolman who first arrived on scene; her husband, Officer John Blackout.

Judge Aimee Dashrix was another patron who had been caught up in the incident, and her spouse, Dr. Lex Dashrix was also on the outside, attempting to offer what support he could.

The incident quickly escalated in mere moments ((though it surely must have felt like hours to those involved!)) and shots were fired from both sides. Though no additional patrons were hurt, both attackers were injured in the firefight and yet they both still managed to escape.

While this was going on inside of the shop, a crowd had slowly begun to gather outside. Most noteworthy of the bystanders was alleged Black Mamba leader, Lyssandra Ritter – whose attempts to cause additional diversions for unknown reasons did little to disarm the situation – though it did bring her attention of a different sort.

Quickly following this dramatic scene, a secondary situation arose when Mrs. Ritter was then erratically threatened by another bystander, who turned out to be Asphyxiation Bank CEO Erin Karenae. Wielding a gun and issuing her own threats, Ms. Karenae and Mrs. Ritter then began to tussle. Thankfully, this supplementary violence was quickly subdued by the arrival of further APPD forces who finally put an end to the day’s terror.

Following the attack, the bakery closed for the rest of the day while additional evidence was collected, and to give the owner the opportunity to relax after the shock.

The following is in response to the recent Letter to the Editor, as posted on 11/17/2016 on this newspaper.

1- Fear or awareness?
Fear is a primal response of all animals (including humans) that helps us survive. It is a basic instinct caused by unknown circumstances that could be harmful towards our well being. How do we overcome fear? By making the unknown, known. That is done with information.

When someone has full, truthful information about the facts that are going around, one can take the necessary precautions to ensure one’s well being. Also, one can take a position, make a stand and select the attitudes that best suit the situation that involves the city, the country and the world.

That is awareness, and this newspaper spreads awareness rather than fear. We don’t expect people to hide in their houses, we expect people to take this information and take the needed precautions to ensure their well being.

Taking into account that this news paper works alongside the Police Department of Asphyxiation Point, and checks the facts with them beforehand, as well as asking which names and/or pictures could or not be published not to tamper any ongoing investigation.

2- Bias or position?
A bias is a tendency to judge something without full knowledge of it. In journalism, a bias can be personal or monetary, that is, when someone pays you to say certain things or hide some other facts. In this news paper we do our research, check with the sources, investigate and interview. We do not accept bribes of any sort and of course, our speech is not bought.

A position on the other hand, is when you have the facts and share them all, at the same time as you invite the readers to form an opinion and openly share yours.
The AP times has clear positions and it is “Freedom of speech”, being that said, the opinions shared in columns and articles are not necessarily shared by the Editors nor the staff and are a responsibility of the author .

3- Article, report or column?
This could be a tricky one, but I will try to explain it as clearly as possible.
A report tells the fact, just as they happened, it does not include opinions of any sort and is generally based on events that took place recently.

An Article on the other hand will include both facts and opinions; a news article can include accounts of eyewitnesses to the happening event. It can contain photographs, accounts, statistics, graphs, recollections, interviews, polls, debates on the topic, etc. The writer can also give facts and detailed information following answers to general questions like who, what, when, where, why and how.

A column finally is mostly made of opinion. This opinion should be based on truthful facts and aims to generate awareness on a certain topic. The responsibility of the words and reactions caused by those words are solely of the author of the column.

4- Sections?
Normally a news paper has sections and the AP times is no exception to that rule.
In the News Sections, articles and reports will usually be found. These are about facts and events that have been going around in Asphyxiation point recently. They contain facts, interviews, polls, statistics, etc.
 
In the life section, columns will be found. These columns are usually of opinion, anyone can have access to this section. With the help of one of our journalists or editors, people can have access to a piece of opinion that will be published.

Ads and others, people that would like to spread information about their business, party, event, etc. Can buy advertisement space in the AP times, and it will be located in the “Ads” section.

5- Freedom of speech?
Finally the most important topic, freedom.
It is important to note that freedom is not for sale.
The basic rule of freedom of speech is truth. If the facts presented are truthful and do not hurt anyone, it will be published.

Keeping into account that some sources should remain anonymous and some names need to be either changed or eliminated for the protection of those involved, if the facts are true, there is absolutely no reason for this paper to ban any article/report/column.

Regardless of your position, if you cannot handle the truth it is not fault of the writer, editor or publisher, it is up to you to find your reasons.

This news paper works alongside the PD and the general authorities of the Asphyxiation Point Island. It protects the names and identities that need to be protected and share the information that needs to be shared not to tamper any ongoing investigations and at the same time to help them move forward.

With all that being said, if any other questions should arise, the office of the AP Times is always open and the editors will make themselves available for you.

Best regards,

Lois Whitfield
AP Times co-Editor

Phedre Dumoriez
AP times co-Editor