InsaneJournal

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Ye Gods! Mods (yegods_mods) wrote in yegods,
@ 2011-12-07 14:30:00

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!news

news post, issue #4

WEDNESDAY, December 7^th, 2011

IN THE NEWS Sleeping Sickness Sweeps the City | Exhibit of Artifacts From the 'Cradle of Man' | Police Puzzled by Mysterious Deaths

SLEEPING SICKNESS SWEEPS THE CITY

CITYWIDE -- The New York State Department of Health has reported a sudden increase in cases of narcolepsy throughout the city. Narcolepsy—a disorder that causes the patient to be excessively drowsy and to even fall asleep at random—is caused by low levels of hypocretin in the brain and typically hereditary, which has officials stumped. Fewer than 10% of the newest cases have reported having a family member with the disorder, which has led officials to question the presence of a toxin in the air or water.

Health and safety officers have been testing for any harmful elements in the areas most strongly affected, but as of yet, report no dangerous chemicals in the water, air, or soil. Further tests are being conducted to make certain, and specialists are advising citizens to buy bottled water and take note of their environment. Should one feel any kind of dizziness, lethargy, or nausea without cause, they advise the patient to seek medical help immediately.

While Narcolepsy itself is not a life-threatening disorder, depending on the time and place of drowsiness, it can become very dangerous. Citizens who believe they may be suffering from symptoms of this disorder should contact their doctor or the Narcolepsy Institute of Bronx, NY. More information may be obtained from their website at http://www.narcolepsyinstitute.org/.

EXHIBIT FEATURING ARTIFACTS FROM THE AGE OF MAN

MANHATTAN -- The American Museum of Natural History will be host to Treasures From the Cradle of Man, a traveling exhibit containing rare and unique artifacts discovered in the Middle East, including Israel, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Jordan. This exhibit will be housed in the museum from December 1 - January 15. Artifacts range in age from near the beginning of civilization in Mesopotamia up through the spread of Christianity, providing a wide spectrum of religious artifacts from ancient beliefs and early-Christian works. The exhibit contains antique texts, jewelry, and coins minted in the time of Alexander the Great, as well as everyday objects to help illustrate the changing human experience in the area.

POLICE PUZZLED BY MYSTERIOUS DEATHS

CITYWIDE -- City police remain perplexed over the mysterious burning deaths of two individuals in various parts of the city within the past week. There remains an open investigation and police urge individuals with information regarding their deaths to come forward.

Last Thursday, 25-year-old Queens resident, Bryan O’Keefe was found dead with severe burns in an alleyway in Brooklyn. The fire seemed to have happened in a very small area and extinguished quickly, something that is unusual for fire. The circumstances behind O’Keefe’s death were initially labeled as unknown and the case closed, but a second death on Sunday night caused the NYPD to reopen O’Keefe’s case and label both possible homicides.

The second death was 32-year-old Manhattan resident, John Pincer, who was found not far from his home off Broadway, cause of death thought to be severe burns and blood loss.

The victims will be missed by their families and loved ones and both pray that the answer to the cause of death will be answered soon.

“I just think he’s away on some long vacation without cell phone service,” O’Keefe’s mother, Maura O’Keefe, told this newspaper. “I hope he is with the angels now.”

O’Keefe was born in Galway, Ireland but immigrated with his mother when he was ten years old. He loved to read and worked at a used bookstore in Chinatown while studying for his Masters in .

John Pincer lived a colorful life according to his girlfriend, Renee Bennett, “He wanted to be an actor and already had his stage name picked out, Pierre LaFonte.” Pincer grew up in New Jersey and always dreamed of being an actor. However, as Bennett said, he hadn’t found his role yet. He did work on Broadway but mostly in ensemble and as swings.