iHeartRadio Popular Music Awards to take place March 29

Jessica Stiehm
Staff Writer

iHeartRadio has released their 2015 nominations in expectation of their popular music awards that will take place on March 29. Los Angeles Shrine and Expo Hall will host the awards as they did at iHeartRadio’s debut last year. Eleven categorical awards have been chosen for numerous artists, songs, and fan bases.

Artist of the Year

Ariana Grande

Iggy Azalea

Luke Byran

Sam Smith

Taylor Swift

Dean Smith passes away

Matt Sholtis
Sports Editor
 

Legendary UNC Basketball coach Dean Smith passed away Saturday night at the age of 83. He was in the company of his wife and five children as he peacefully passed away in his home in Chapel Hill. Smith suffered from dementia in his late years. He is one of the most iconic figures not only locally but in all of college basketball. 
 
Smith had 897 career wins which is fourth all-time behind Mike Krzyzewski, Bob Knight, and Jim Boeheim. He also had 11 Final Fours which places him in a tie for 2nd with Coach K behind the great John Wooden who had 12. 

Student Council hosts annual Mr. Apex February 20

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

The annual Mr. Apex pageant will be held Friday, February 20, in the Apex High auditorium. Mr. Apex is a male pageant where nine senior guys, who were nominated by their classmates, showcase their talents and answer questions. Student council uses the money raised by Mr. Apex for further activities that will benefit the school.

“We definitely had a big turn out last year,” said student body president, Trisha Bonthu. “It was good for raising money for student council.” Bonthu says there’s a lot to look forward to, including seeing the boys perform a dance choreographed by Meredith Bailey, Erika Forslund, and Jonah Creech-Pritchett.

Women's swim team takes on regionals

Natalia Ghan
Staff Writer

Ashling Murphy (10) competing in the 200M Individual Medley

The Apex women’s swim and dive team finished the Southern Wake Athletic Conference Championships in second place with 498 points, behind Green Hope with 589 points, and ahead of Panther Creek with 413 points. The girls have a strong returning team from last year. Head coach Kevin Maksinchuk is optimistic going into regionals and states. “The goal is to place top eight in all events Apex is entered in to ensure that we have a big group qualifying for the state meet. At states we want to swim fast, place high, and win.” Returning senior Claire Williams, who will be swimming at William and Mary in the fall, placed second in the 100 breaststroke at conference meet with a 1:07.96.  Williams will be a key swimmer in the women’s team ranking at regionals and states. Sophomore Madison Deters swam in states as a freshman and returns to swim the 100m and 200m freestyle in regionals. “It’s really exciting that we have a regional team of 12 girls. I’ve become good friends with them this year, and we’re all ready to compete in states.” Junior Hannah Day placed fifth in the 500m free in states as a sophomore, and finished fourth at conference with a 5:05.9. Day was satisfied with her performance, and believes she is capable of swimming faster these next two meets. “I wasn’t tapered so I wasn’t expecting to drop time in the 500 free; but I’ll be rested for states.” State competitor Olivia Hair returns as a junior with a regional cut in the 100m breaststroke and 200m IM. Hair looks back on conference in a positive light. “Even though we did not win, we put in our best effort and I wouldn’t want to be on any other team. Individually I was happy placing fourth in the 100 breaststroke and hope to qualify for states tonight.” 

Google Fiber service to come to Triangle

Nicholas Chupka
News Editor

Google’s plans to expand their Google Fiber service into the Triangle have been confirmed. At a press conference on January 27, Google officially announced their plans to expand the service into the Triangle, including Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Morrisville and Raleigh. Google Fiber will provide the Triangle with ultra-fast Internet expected to benefit businesses, schools, and Internet users in general.

Groundhog Day recap

Katie Mazanec
Staff Writer

This past Monday it was proclaimed that the groundhog in Pennsylvania saw its shadow meaning there will be six more weeks of winter. The famous groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil is awakened annually on February 2 to forecast the weather for the next six weeks.

In Raleigh, our groundhog Sir Walter Wally did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring. Sir Walter Wally has been correct at determining the weather 53% of the time since 1998 and Punxsutawney Phil has only been correct 35% of the time. Sir Walter Wally has been nominated by the Weather Channel’s “top 11 groundhogs to watch”. Based on Sir Walter Wally’s statistics being much better than Punxsutawney Phil’s, be prepared to start getting your spring wardrobe together. 

RadioShack going out of business after over 94 years

Dylan Tastet
Staff Writer

RadioShack will most likely close its doors in a bankruptcy deal that will sell half of its stores to Sprint Cellular.  Its stock has plummeted to under $1 a share and it can neither afford to close its stores nor keep them open.

RadioShack was established in 1921 as a mail-order catalogue for amateur radio hobbyists and maritime communications officers. By the 80’s it had expanded to a large network of brick-and-mortar stores that were seen as a destination for computer parts and devices that were hard to find at the major retailers.