News in Brief: Catch up on school, local and national news

President Joe Biden is changing the current immigration regulations implicated by former president Donald Trump.

The Biden Administration is taking action in federal court to strip the current border restrictions that have been preventing immigrants from entering the country since 2014. Additionally, Biden signed a proclamation stating that taxes will not fund the border wall construction any further, according to USA Today. 

French immigrant and freshman Lili Vottero feels these changes will be beneficial. 

“It’s definitely good that immigration is becoming more accessible for people because it’s expensive and not every family can pay for it,” Vottero said.

Immigration costs between $4,000 and $11,300, according to placementinternational.org. Part of  Biden’s immigration plan is to make the immigration system more affordable. 

Vottero believes this will help make the stressful process of immigration to the U.S. that she experienced first-hand smoother

“Moving was super difficult and stressful because when we had gotten all of our documents, my parents had to go to the U.S. and buy a house, then we would start the moving process,” Vottero said.

Ranch Mart North shopping center is undergoing drastic remodeling beginning before quarantine. 

One of the new builds will be a second Summersalt Ice-cream Co. location, which is expected to be done by the end of 2022.

 “I’m excited about the new location because we’ll have newer stuff there,” sophomore and Corinth location employee Bella Hakes said.

According to Hakes, the new location will be a window-only drive through.  

“I love working here because my coworkers are so much fun and I like having my own money,” Hakes shares. 

In addition, Meat Mitch is coming to Ranch Mart North. This new restaurant is by the owners of Char Bar KC. It will have an outdoor patio space for customers to dine, according to The Shawnee Mission Post. It’s expected to be finished by this summer next to the Price Chopper.

Other new features include new pathways to walk on, one of which will lead to an outdoor space with lights and additional parking lots. There will also be a lawn space next to Consentino’s which will include a custom mural, a ping pong table and outdoor seating.

Following the rescheduling of the East Sweetheart dance to February 26, PTSA has organized a Valentine gift-giving exchange in order to raise money and provide a fun Valentine’s Day Activity for students.

All students and faculty who receive a valentine will have their gift in the front office ready to pick up in the next few weeks until February 14.

In order to participate in the gift giving exchange, students must fill out a Google Form with their name and phone number, what they want to give to their sweetheart and who you’re sending it to. More information can be found at smeast.smsd.org under weekly updates.

“It was originally called the Love Fund,” Head of the “Send a Valentine”  fundraiser Amanda Lowry said. “It’s a fund we used for students who were struggling financially.”

Lowry also says this year’s goal is to reach at least 200 people. All of the funds will be going to PTSA.