News Briefs

Following is a list of story leads and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address them. Feel free to contact the source directly.

No more "code of silence" in Columbine copycat cases

Yesterday, police in upstate New York arrested a student who, mimicking the Columbine (Colo.) killers, had planted deadly pipe bombs around his high school. Police were able to intervene and avoid any tragedies after the boy's friend told school authorities about the planned attack. Clem Bartollas, a UNI professor who has worked with children who have killed, says there now seems to be a willingness on the part of juveniles across the country to break the code of silence and report possible wrongdoing. "They don't want this kind of violence taking place in their midst," says Bartollas.

Clem Bartollas, professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, (319) 273-2559

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

University hosts indoor rock-climbing competition

Built in 1997 as the tallest in the Midwest, the 40-foot-high climbing wall in the university's Wellness Recreation Center will be the site for a climbing competition Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17-18. Although only UNI staff, faculty and students are eligible for participation, the public may attend as spectators. Saturday's competition begins at 8 a.m, the finals begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Robyn Ceurvorst, member, UNI Climbing Club, (319) 268-0034

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI jazz students score again

Two UNI students, both musicians in the critically acclaimed UNI Jazz Band One, have been selected to represent the United States in the Promising Artists of the 21st Century program in Costa Rica next week. The students, Jason Danielson and Rick Stone, will perform repertoire for their tour in the McElroy Lobby of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at UNI, immediately following Saturday's (Feb. 17) 50th anniversary Jazz Band One reunion concert. They leave Sunday for Costa Rica.

Jason Danielson, student musician, (319) 277-5667, danielj8849@uni.edu

Rick Stone, student musician, (319) 266-1401, stoner1342@uni.edu

John Vallentine, director, School of Music, (319) 273-2024

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