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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The Vox Box

Fear of Eviction Leads Elderly Woman to Suicide Attempt


Photo Found on CNN
Wednesday, in Akron, Ohio, 90 year old Addie Polk tried to shoot herself after she found out she was to be evicted. Shortly after Deputies arrived to deliver an eviction notice, they and a neighbor heard loud noises and gun shots coming from inside the house. The neighbor, Robert Dillon, found a ladder and climbed into the house through a bathroom window. He found Miss Polk lying on her bed, with a handgun beside her. She was still breathing and was raced to Akron General Medical Center where she is still in Critical Condition. Prior to Wednesday, Deputies had tried to serve the eviction notice 30 times, but each time the notice disappeared.

This unfortunately is a sad example of the effects our economy is having on people, especially homeowners. A countless number of homes are undergoing foreclosures, and people are being evicted. Many are just as desperate as Miss Polk. Cities everywhere are making efforts to start programs that'll allow people to keep their homes, but with the economy how it is currently, it doesn't exactly appear to be easy.

This story can be found on CNN.

So many questions come to mind as I post this, but I would like to hear what you all have to say without me giving a prompt.



In 2006, then-editor Steve Smith of The Spokesman-Review had the idea of starting a publication for an often forgotten audience: teenagers. The Vox Box was a continuation of the Vox, an all-student staffed newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. High school student journalists who staffed the Vox made all content decisions as they learn about the trade of journalism. This blog's mission was to give students an opportunity to publish their voices. The Vox Box and the Vox wrapped up in June 2009, but you can follow former staffers' new blog at http://voxxiez.blogspot.com.