Pandemic Stalls 2021 Events :: {fictional news article}

 

 • The following is a fictional news article intended for story building and writing practice use only.  None of the following is meant to be true, factual,  political, or taken seriously. 

 

SOUTHSTAR GLEN :
2020 saw the closure of many venues by local or state-mandated orders as the COVID19 numbers rose nationwide. Two of the area's largest event venues dropped shows and shut down during the total of last year.  
 
Now as numbers start seeing dramatic dips in our nation, one of those venues is filing for county assistance and the other is hinting at tentative show dates.  The Valley Pines Convention Center files for county assistance earlier in January citing losses in revenue while continuing expenses mounded.  The center spokesperson noted in an email that the Valley Pines Center will remain closed until late 2021 dependent on negotiations for funding assistance and creditors.
 
Meanwhile, the privately-owned Glen Garden's complex maintained a healthy hibernation as the complex closed its doors within early 2020 gating all access and donning banners in support of minority groups and encouragement during the escalating tensions nationwide. The campus noted the first and middle halves of 2020 were devoted to maintenance with small crews and reconfiguration of stage systems.
 
Glen Gardens' owner hosted a virtual concert on March 13th in support of the Southstar County Children's Network; raising over $34,000 for the charity using a smaller performance room to give an acoustic feel to the stream that saw original and covers music by The Jag and local band Deadly Kosen.  
 
A press release from the Glen Garden's states that the complex will remain tentatively closed until late June. At that point, they will evaluate the current landscape of the national pandemic and current mandates.  The complex currently is listing Fall shows on its social media accounts including a late Summer Anima Convention to see the return of virtual idol Hatsune Miku, GlenFest 2021, and a Winter extension Lineup of Winter Anima 2021, Fire & Ice Snow Festival, and a Winter Christmas Market.
 
County officials are anticipating an expiration of state mandates for face coverings by late June and have stated they do not anticipate enforcing a county-based mandate. Southstar county has been considered fully open as of January 2021 after initially reopening in August of 2020 and then doubling back when cases started to rise nationally again.
 
The Glen Garden's Botanical Society stated that they will remain closed until the opening of the main complex and will feature Art in the Park shows until Mid-September.
 
- Southstar Daily Times, March 25th, 2021

Southstar Area Branding :: Brainstorming

 I have spent the last week or so in my head thinking about the branding for Southstar Glen & Southstar County ( The county in Arkansas that fictional Southstar Glen resides).  A lot of it stemming from my own thinking while driving around and during the snow days; thinking of how a county plow truck would be outfitted for the county.  Frivolous mental banter I know - yet in a way aids in opportunity for trying more graphic design in Photoshop.  

The design is mostly just based on a light bulb moment; playing on the words and integrating something a little different - yet elegant in a way.  So Let's look at the 2 main designs I created.  Below we have an image of the City logo and County Sheriff's logo.  Note that just about anything related to the county would have the main Southstar or "County of Southstar" design on it... With an exception I haven't designed yet which would mostly be found on the door panels of county trucks.  Also note that somewhere on all County and City property you would find a supporting tagline for the SouthStar Glen High School All-Stars reading " All-Star Pride". 

The base idea is that the "S" of Southstar has the Northerly pointing arrow as any map or compass would have; thus helping denote the next item positioned below the "S" of a star.  This single shape brings the entire name into one single space and yet does so rather cheekily.  The Star is South in orientation to the North Arrow on the Letter S.  

The additional items that change depending on use is the Text denoting "County Of" or for the City logo; the addition of "Glen" which then is used to stylize the brand with the line of the "G" crossing the "T" of star.  The state of pride below that with state silhouette icon in red ( State Color for Razorbacks ).

 I also have it tossing in my mind about making a version for a general entity of " Southstar Storm Intercept", but it was getting late.  I also would have to design the door or Short graphic which would be the S compass in black a-front a AR state outline/icon.  

I also need to revisit the Valley Pines Transit Authority Company's logo as, story-wise, it has recently reorganized and rebranded under a new name.  Hence a new Logo would be needed for this Inter-city, interurban, and commuter services company offering rail, bus, and cab services within the Southstar County area. Their name change may have something to do with their recent attempts to gain legal permission to run revenue freight over their lines for extra revenue and thus streamlining things. 

Consider following for updates on this blog as they happen; follow my instagram or twitter for other updates at times. Work and IRL have been keeping me distracted from my preferred forms of distraction (Art n video games). 

:D

Breaking News: County Curfew Enacted :: {fictional news article}

 • The following is a fictional news article intended for story building and writing practice use only.  None of the following is ment to be true, factual,  political, or taken seriously.  

SOUTHSTAR GLEN:
Breaking Now – the department of the Sheriff for Southstar county has issued a countywide curfew starting at 10:30pm Thursday and ending 7am Friday.  
 

At 8pm Thursday evening, a small assembly of trump supporters marched to the county courthouse before being approached by city officers.  Upon attempting to gain entry into the courthouse; all county buildings on campus went into lockdown as Sheriff and Courthouse security swiftly acted and started to force protesters away from the courthouse doors.  At this time, no risk is noted to civilians and the below statement was given by County Clerk Jeff Stern:
 

“The county offices are currently on armed lock down following an attempted breach of security this evening.  Our county Sheriff's department acted swiftly and equally to negate the escalating situation on home turf.  

At this time all 15 persons involved have been detained with 3 seeking medical attention under supervision after resisting arrest.  

 
It is both painful and disheartening to know that only 4 of the 15 were unarmed and 2 deputies will be on unpaid leave after discharging taser units on two individuals whom failed to stand down.  One of those people presented his handgun  at the officer and the deputy's quick wit immobilized the threat with  non-lethal means. 

Tonight is a testament that our most recent changed have not hindered our deputies in their duties. 

As a great amount of discourse and shame floods the airwaves and hits home from earlier morning decisions- our community will not stand idle as people try to act above the law and of human decency. 

At this time, the county will enact a curfew for the remainder of the night to detract any others trying to express an obviously unfounded thought process & to ensure the safety of the entire county of citizens still in shock over yesterday's events.  Anyone outside pf homes after 10:30pm tonight will be approached by officers and questioned on their activities.  Fines will be given based on reason for breaking the curfew and will not be less than $500.  Deputies and officers countywide will be tasked with enforcement & impartiality. “
 
Mr. Stern made reference to earlier news of 3 Southstar county deputies who had been identified by their colleagues on social media of the DC Capital Bldg. terrorist attack. All three deputies had taken paid time off for separate reasons prior to identification. 

The Sheriff's Department stated that the three deputies had been notified on their termination without pay, loss of pension, and instructed to disclose their locations for arrest.  

The Sheriff's office confirmed that the men were all arrested by fellow deputies acting under Federal Warrant orders of the United States and returned to the county courthouse to be incarcerated until Federal agent's arrival by Friday evening. 

Additionally to colleague identification; email data from their office computers yielded messages of their plans to meet in DC and concerning details thereafter.  

County offices have reopened as of 11pm Thursday,  but with officials voting an early recess of all business until Monday. 

Court hearings will still be held Friday on time.
-    Southstar Gazette 

Reaper Academy: the brainstorm of an identity

 I forgot to properly post last weekend the small 2 or so hour task I worked on using Photoshop and some google image search findings.  I cannot place an exacting tone to the design as it is at the moment, but it was a brainstorm and idea of what the Reaper Academy identification could look like. 

Enlarged within this post for the best possible view of what we are working with here. Below I will explain the thoughts of the design and symbols ( most likely under a page cut ); but I first wish to note that doing this rough idea has quickly given me ideas and details I hadn't thought of prior.  One being that I hadn't quite figured out the way different ranks would be noted visually.  I always figured a form of military-like badge, but after designing this and feeling it was a bit too tall and cumbersome - I feel the design can easily become 3 separate uniform designs to which each it's own meaning.  So shall we jump into the meanings? 

Lets!