Author name: Arthur Shaw

On the evening of November 27th, Governor Blackwood released a statement regarding the resignation of Emma Nilsen, and a special election for a new mayor. The statement contained key election dates, of which registration, voting and campaigning will happen. We have covered those key dates in this article. It is important that every voice in Los Santos casts a vote this election. You will make a difference by choosing the right mayor. The Key Dates The key dates include; As each stage of the election develops, we will work to keep people updated. This is an important time for Los Santos and one that may change the Los Santos that we know today. Make sure you cast a vote. It is paramount. 2 0

Following the recent announcement regarding the resignation of Emma Nilsen and the special election, Governor Blackwood has confirmed that an Informational Session will be held about the election. On the 30th November at 6pm, an Informational Session will be held outside the city hall, to discuss three key points regarding the election. This session will also be an opportunity for those wanting to run for mayor, to register early with the correct documentation. Whether you are running for mayor or not, it’s important that everybody attends the informational session. This will be the first opportunity for direct questions, guidance about the election process and what to expect. Session Details Date: 30th NovemberTime: 6pm Session Details: Where Is The City Hall? The City Hall is located on Perishing Square. You can find it on any modern GPS system, or alternatively, look at the below map embed. 4 0

As we have covered in previous articles, the snow is a major hazard. Not only does it obstruct driving, it also causes vehicles to slide due to the loose road surface. On the evening of 27th November, a male crashed into a wall in Jefferson, following reports of a vehicle swerving into oncoming traffic. A witness reported that they saw a car swerve into oncoming traffic which caused a black truck to spin out. Upon arrival on the scene, we saw the large black truck against a wall, with surrounding officers and paramedics. The male was found to be conscious and in a good condition, with minor injuries from the impact. However, the male was quite disturbed at the fact of who people were, and their role. He seemed to had forgotten the incident. As we watched over, the paramedic on scene was certain on a neck assessment, however the male refused, claiming to be fit to continue his journey. The paramedic followed the relevant steps in order to get the male to sign a disclaimer, before leading the incident. Following the response from both the police and paramedics, refusing treatment that appears paramount could be seen as a waste of both time and services. With the increased pressure on public services, currently staff and resources are thin at best. Dangerous Driving + Snow = Accidents While driving on the wrong side of the road is dangerous anyway, in the snow it is a complete disregard for life. The witness stated that she clearly saw a vehicle travelling in the wrong direction, which as a result, caused this vehicle to crash into the wall in Jefferson. Over the past few days, we have reported an incident where a male lost his limbs along with several other incidents too. It seems the message isn’t clear. But the snow is a hazard. It must be respected. Please apply some common sense when driving in the snow. Failing that, slow down and approach everything with caution. The Los Santos Weather Office has confirmed that the snow is due to continue for several days at least. 3 0

In a statement released on the 27th November, it was confirmed that a Special Official Election is going ahead. Governor Blackwood said “Following the resignation of Interim Mayor Emma Nilsen, I am hereby announcing that I will personally assume direct oversight of Los Santos city operations, effective immediately. This extraordinary measure ensures stability while we implement an expedited special election process.” The office of the governor has confirmed the election timeline too, with the winning mayoral candidate taking office on December 19th. Revised Election Timeline The first step is to declare your intention to run for office. You can do this by contacting the Office Of The Governor ahead of the registration opening. ((Message Sherry On Discord)) However, registering as a candidate requires that you meet the guidelines set. Position Requirements Mayoral Candidates: City Council Candidates (3 Districts): (( OOC requirements: 3 0

On the evening of the 27th November, we received an official statement from Govenor Thaddeus Blackwood, confirming that Emma Nilsen has resigned as Interim Mayor. The statement also included additional information in regards to the operation of government and the special election process. The statement includes; “Dear Mr. Shaw, Following the resignation of Interim Mayor Emma Nilsen, I am hereby announcing that I will personally assume direct oversight of Los Santos city operations, effective immediately. This extraordinary measure ensures stability while we implement an expedited special election process. REVISED ELECTION TIMELINE: POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Mayoral Candidates: City Council Candidates (3 Districts): (( OOC requirements: KEY CAMPAIGN EVENTS: VOTING INFORMATION: During this transition: Best regards, Governor Thaddeus Blackwood Office of the Governor State Capitol Building What Does This Mean? Emma Nilsen has resigned from the position of Interim Mayor. What was a temporary position has been cut short, therefore causing Governor Blackwood and his team to step into the position. The governor has also announced an expedited special election process, in order to find a suitable replacement mayor along with several city council officials. This will allow the mayor to oversee the city, while each district will have a city council candidate, looking at the best interests of each area. Providing you meet the above requirements, you will be able to enter the election as a mayoral candidate. This is something that we will cover every step of here at Shaw News, to ensure the public understand the process and the candidates. Governor Blackwood has also confirmed that all city services will continue uninterrupted. This also includes the emergency services. All city employees will retain their positions too. We will continue to liaise with Governor Blackwood in regards to the election as we progress closer. We will also be sharing several updates along the way. Statement From Arthur Shaw, Shaw News “The interim mayor was working towards gaining the trust of the public. However, it seems she has bottled under the pressure. What was a temporary role, was also vital to this community and city. We understood that Emma would look to see the role until the election, however this isn’t the case. We have gone through two mayors in as many months, and the city needs somebody to be held responsible. We will look to cover the interim mayor’s position in the following days, while also keeping the public up to date on the election too. For Governor Blackwood to step in, is an extraordinary procedure. One that doesn’t happen often at all. Testing times are ahead for us all.” 2 0

In a recent article, we covered the struggles and issues within the Los Santos Fire Department. We also spoke to a firefighter who explained the issues with leadership to us, and that the LSFD needs to keep functioning. – Read the article here. At 7:50pm on the 24th November, an announcement was made in regards to the Los Santos Fire Department Structure, along with the newly assigned executive officers. It reads; “Attention LSFD Personnel and Officers, We are pleased to announce a significant restructuring within the Los Santos Fire Department (LSFD). The following changes have been implemented to enhance our operational efficiency and leadership: Leadership Changes: Captains/Executive Officers: Brian Allen and Grace Holland will now lead the LSFD as Captains, assuming the roles of Executive Officers.Fire Chief Role: The position of Fire Chief will be transitioned under the jurisdiction of the Government (GOV). Divisional Leadership: Recruitment & Training: This division will be co-led by @Brian Allen – Chaker and @sixyyy, ensuring comprehensive and effective training programs. Fire Marshal’s Office and Arson Division: @George Williams (House) will head this division, responsible for enforcing fire codes and investigating the origins and causes of fires. Operational Enhancements: We have established dedicated forums for proper recruitment processes, incident reporting, reinstatements, discharges, and other administrative tasks. (fd.ardicgaming.com) All handbooks and manuals, including those for EMS and Firefighters (total of five), are now available on these forums for easy access. We are confident that these changes will strengthen our department and improve our service to the community. Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work.” What Does This Mean For The Public? Hopefully, change. The Fire Department has been in a bad position for a number of months. With staffing issues, a lack of funding and misdirection, the department has been suffering. With the new leadership structure in place, we hope to see some key changes made. This will reflect in the quality of care given, and the quality of each incident too. Brian Allen has been appointed the hot seat, along with Grace Holland. We have seen Brian in active duty and his knowledge shines through. We hope this continues into his new position as Captain. 2 0

As we begin another week, the snow continues. Over the last few days, we have experienced more bad weather, with a dark fog covering our streets and the snowfall continuing. However, it seems that we are not out of the woods yet. The snow is set to continue for another few days at least, with the snowfall coming in showers. The Los Santos Weather Office have also released a statement regarding the weather and an update for this week. The statement reads; “LOS SANTOS, SA — The Los Santos Weather Office today issued a detailed update on the ongoing snowfall in the region, following last week’s severe weather events that disrupted travel, power, and citywide operations. A new storm system is expected to bring additional snowfall to the area, intensifying already challenging conditions. “While the worst of last week’s weather has passed, we urge residents to remain cautious as further snow accumulation is forecasted over the next 72 hours,” said Acting Director Michael Harper of the Los Santos Weather Office. “We are actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with city and state emergency services to provide accurate, up-to-date information.” Key points from the Weather Office update include: “This is a time for the community to come together and stay informed,” added Harper. “The safety of our residents is our top priority, and we will continue working to provide timely and accurate updates.” Staying Safe On Our Roads As we have covered in previous articles, the snow is a hazard. Recently, a serious car accident left a man without his limbs, following the snow causing his vehicle to slide into the sewers. We also saw a motorcycle fail to stop in the snow, risking both his life and the life of the public. Please ensure to take care when driving on our roads. The snow is dangerous and causes accidents. 3 0

Following the recent incident with the vehicle accident, an armed male has robbed medication from a Local Hospital. On the evening of the 24th November, an armed male went into the All Saints General Hospital, in a attempt to rob drugs. He used his firearm to threaten medics and staff, into taking exactly what he wanted. He then fleed from the hospital in a 1992 Ford Taurus Wagon in blue. Officers gave chase to the vehicle, initiating a pursuit from the hospital, through Idlewood, Ganton and Willowfield. The pursuit came to a stop on Congress Street, where police had the vehicle surrounded at gunpoint. From the reports, the male had a firearm on his person, along with a large number of drugs. However, the driver didn’t stop for long. He sped off from Congress Street, taking officers on a long chase before they lost visual of the driver. Several Chases Later… The driver took the police on several chases through Los Santos. Losing the police each time, until the chase came to a stop on the Interstate 125. The vehicle become stationary following a lengthy pursuit, with the driver refusing to get out of his vehicle. The police also dispatched a helicopter to assist with the pursuit, providing visuals from above. Battling with the increasing snowfall. Officers held the male at gunpoint, commanding him to drop his weapon. However, the male continued trying to start his car, when the vehicle started. He sped down the interstate in reverse, before turning around and starting another pursuit. Every available officer in the county was dispatched to assist with the male. However, he continued to take the chase. Chase Finally Ends At Home The chase finally concluded at a residential property on Grove Street. The male left his vehicle and ran into a house, with several police cars and a police helicopter watching. Officers from the LSPD quickly geared up, ready to force entry into the property. We witnessed Sergeant Parker scan the perimeter while the other officers covered the front. At this point, the male was armed, dangerous and in pocession of a lot of drugs. The police helicopter continued to cover the property from above, providing full coverage to prevent the male absconding. Officers managed to gain entry into the property and stormed inside as a group. Each armed with a large firearm. Sergeant Noble confirmed that officers had secured the male inside the property. Officer Marzo also confirmed that the male had been detained and had dropped his firearm without issue. No shots were fired. Great result for the LSPD. Fear In Our Medics Due to the vehicle accident in our previous article, several medics from the Los Santos Fire Department were in the hospital with a patient. The male held the medics at gunpoint, making a range of threats in order to get the drugs he has after. A witness on the scene referred to the male as a “junkie”. Other witnesses recalled the scene, saying that the male had the medics and hospital staff at gunpoint, making dangerous threats. Some of the hospital staff were forced to lock themselves in offices in order to remain safe. Serious Crime, More Often It seems that Serious Crime is becoming more common on our streets. Robbery from a hospital with a firearm is serious crime, especially with staff involved. Our medics and hospital staff work day and night, keeping people healthy and well. However, we still have the wrong people, abusing our systems. We have written to the mayor to request more security at the hospital, as a matter of priority. 3 0

The snow is a hazard. Whether you own a bike, a car or even a truck, driving in the snow is a risk. However, it seems some people struggle to respect the hazards it presents. On the evening of the 24th November, a black Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was drifting in the snow in Idlewood. The vehicle was out of control, causing a danger to himself and the public. Sergeant Noble from the LSPD decided to initiate a traffic stop. However, the driver didn’t follow his commands and decided to start a pursuit. In the heavy snow, this was extremely risky, but he continued. While Sergeant Noble engaged in a pursuit with the male, he sped through Idlewood, with minimal traction. As we followed, the pursuit got worse. As the vehicle approached the bridge over the sewers, the driver hit the fence at speed. This caused the vehicle to flip over and into the sewer. As the vehicle made contact with the ground, it set on fire, causing a large blaze. As we arrived closer to the scene with the vehicle, it was apparent that the driver had lost several limbs. Including his arms and legs. He was also unconscious. Shortly after the initial incident, the Los Santos Fire Department arrived with an ambulance and a fire engine. However, while resolving the fire, it seems the male was in a serious condition. The firefighters proceeded to extinguish the fire from the vehicle, while the paramedics worked on the male. The vehicle was also unrecognizable, with structural damage. Male Results In Severe Burns And Injuries The fire department worked to assess and tend to the driver of the vehicle. It was uncovered that he was subject to severe burns and several of his limbs missing as a result. From a distance, it seemed his whole body was burnt. The smell of charred flesh filled the air, the sight was like something in a horror movie. All a result of dangerous driving. The paramedics continued to monitor his pulse and condition. However, the pulse dropped low enough to use administer CPR and the use of an AED. We watched as they shocked his lifeless body in an attempt to restart his heart. The team worked tirelessly on the male, in an attempt to bring him back. His breathing started again, and he was taken to the nearest hospital for further assessment and treatment. The Immense Pressure On The LSPD The Los Santos Fire Department did a fantastic job during this incident. They worked without issue. However, the immense pressure on the LSPD was shown in true colors. We watch as Sergeant Noble struggled to come to terms with the incident. Criminals don’t consider anything but themselves. The LSPD are working around the clock to protect citizens and people are still taking risks. It’s time those criminals became adults, and stopped with the petty crime. For the sake of wellbeing. The sake of mental health. The sake of their health. We spoke to Nathaniel Blackwood from the All Saints General Hospital about occupational health. He said; “We’ve recently begun discussions about establishing dedicated occupational health partnerships with both LSPD and the Fire Department. Given the unique physical and psychological demands these first responders face, we’re developing tailored health monitoring and preventive care programs. Our mobile medical services could be particularly valuable here, potentially providing on-site health screenings and assessments at their facilities.” The Snow Is Not For The Faint Hearted While we have covered this in several articles, the snow is a serious hazard. Drivers are adhering to the guidance mostly. But the select few are still driving around Los Santos like a normal summers day. This is not normal weather, nor is it the weather you need to drive around at speed. The driver of this black vehicle was unlucky tonight. This can happen to anybody. Drive with caution and apply common sense. Words From Our Reporter “We have covered the hazards in several articles following the recent snowfall. However, it seems people don’t want to listen. Let this be a lesson for every driver in Los Santos. This can happen to you. It will happen to you, if you don’t drive with caution. Driving in the snow seems fun, but it isn’t. Do the right thing. Don’t be another 911 call. If you do choose to drive eratically on our streets, you need to grow up. Plain and simple.” 4 0

With the recent snowfall in Los Santos, the roads have become more dangerous than usual. The snow has continued through the night and into the 24th, covering the roads and sidewalks. This has made travel and transport more difficult, with some businesses suspending services due to the weather. However, the Los Santos Public Works department have been working day and night to clear the roads, allowing people to travel safely. We visited their work on Alameda Street to find out more about their goal. Removing The Snow, And Clearing The Roads During our visit to the public works being carried out on Alameda Street, we saw several members of the team, removing snow from the roads using a range of tools and equipment. With Alameda Street/Normandie Street being a vital link in Idlewood, it is great to see the government taking action on clearing our roads. As we covered in a previous article, the roads are dangerous. As a driver, you need to apply more caution when driving on our roads, to ensure you remain safe. However, with the Public Works teams out on our roads, we should see much of the snow removed from our roads. In an update from The Los Santos Weather Office, they stated that they expect the snow to continue for several more days at least. This means a lot of work for the Public Works Department to keep our roads clear. Samuel Harrington, Head Of Public Works During our visit, we spoke to Samuel Harrington, Head Of Public Works who said; “Public Workers are always taking care of Los Santos Citizens. We’ll be working on a 24/7 basis to keep the roads clean and as safe as possible. Our priority are all the Los Santos Citizens remain safe. We strive for that! Like I said, we want to make the streets safer. This snow is dangerous.” We also asked Samuel about the expected disruption to our roads. He said; “This type of work is a slow work. That’s why we work 24/7. Citizens may expect slow traffic for the next two days. We will be working hard with all the heavy machinery and that can cause some traffic delays. We promise it won’t last for too long.” Finally Samuel had a few words in regards to driver safety and driving around the disruptions. He said; “I ask, please drive as slow as possible within the next forty eight hours. Respect all the men on the road, working for citizens safety. Lives matter here.” Driving With Extreme Caution As Samuel covered in his statement, all drivers in Los Santos need to proceed with caution. Not just around the public works officials but on any roadway covered in snow and ice. Remember, snow is visible but Ice isn’t always as apparent. We urge local residents to consider snow tires for all vehicles to prevent any loss of traction. 4 0