DesMoines Register

Alexandra Eileen Martin / Polk County Jail

Alexandra Martin, 26, speaks with defense attorney Peter Berger outside the Polk County Courthouse on Tuesday. / Grant Rogers/The Register

A woman arrested in Des Moines in August after allegedly stalking the three brothers in pop music band Hanson didn’t know she was barred from being at the group’s concerts.

Alexandra Eileen Martin, 26, told a Polk County judge on Tuesday afternoon that she received marketing emails from the band inviting her to shows. Martin was arrested and charged with three counts of violating a no-contact order on Aug. 28 after the band’s manager spotted her in the crowd at the band’s Nightfall on the River show at Simon Estes Amphitheater.

In a short trial on Tuesday, Martin admitted that she knew that in May the three brothers filed an emergency restraining order in Tulsa County, Okla. where they live. On the advice of a detective who served her with the paperwork, she didn’t go to a June 11 hearing and a judge extended the no-contact order preventing her from being within 300 yards of the brothers, she said.

But Martin testified that she was never served with the order, and when she came to the brothers’ concert in Des Moines she didn’t know she wasn’t supposed to be there. When the story of her arrest was picked up by national news outlets it was embarrassing to be the “Hanson stalker,” she said.

“I was absolutely shocked and embarrassed…and just so hurt and perplexed and confused about how this all came to pass without my awareness of it,” she said in an interview. “I absolutely wish I’d gone to the final hearing.”

Martin flew in to Des Moines for the trial from Boston, where she now lives with her parents. She’d taken classes at New York University in English and journalism and intends to re-enroll at the school, she said.

At trial, defense attorney Peter Berger argued that since Martin didn’t know about the no-contact order she shouldn’t be found guilty. Though she admitted to Des Moines police that she knew she’d been served with “paperwork,” she thought the police meant the temporary order, he said.

The band, best known for their 1996 hit “MMMBop,” filed the order after an “incident” in May.

Martin said she doesn’t own weapons and has never been in legal trouble. Before the brothers filed the order in May, Martin sang as part of a choir on one of the band’s recordings, she testified. She’d been at shows in Minneapolis and Pennsylvania without any trouble, she said.

Martin told police in August that she moved to Tulsa, Okla. to be closer to the band. After her arrest, Martin spent five days in the Polk County Jail before being released after posting bond on Sept. 3.

Judge Odell McGhee will issue his ruling in the case after attorneys file additional briefs. Martin could have to return to Iowa to serve two more days in jail if found guilty.

Examiner

On Nov. 9, 2013, those Mmmboppin’ kids by the name of Isaac, Taylor and Zac stopped by Toronto’sDanforth Music Hall and showed the city just how much they’ve grown.

Striding on to a bare stage save for a giant cloth sign reading “ANTHEM” to a venue filled with thousands of screaming females, pressed together tighter than a tin of sardines and eagerly waving their hands, the brothers Hanson, were warmly welcomed, having visited Toronto almost a year since they were last here.

For the rest of the article, head to the source.

Syracuse Post Standard

                    Hanson brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac will perform in Liverpool for the New Year’s Eve First Night celebration this winter.                                             (Provided photo)

Pop-rock band Hanson will headline First Night, Central New York’s New Year’s Eve celebration at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool.

County Executive Joanie Mahoney announced this year’s First Night celebration will be free for the first time ever, paid for by Burdick Chevy at Driver’s Village. In previous years, the New Year’s Eve celebration cost $5 in advance and $8 at the gate.

Hanson rose to stardom and heartthrob status when their debut album “Middle of Nowhere” topped pop music charts in 1997. Brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac will perform their hit single “MMMBop” at First Night along with several original songs.

“The musical headliner will be very familiar if you grew up in the 1990s or had children in the 1990s,” said Ed Levine, president and CEO of Galaxy Communications. “While ‘MMMBop’ is what they’re primarily known for, in the last 5-7 years they’ve developed a whole new generation of fans.”

View full sizeTaylor Hanson shares Hanson’s new beer called “MmmHops” with actor Ed Helms at “The Hangover Part III” premiere.Hanson | Instagram

Levine first heard Hanson’s music when his now-25-year-old daughter listened to them in ’90s.

“There’s a lot of age groups I think are going to be covered with this band,” said Mahoney.

In its fourth year, “First Night was created as a central point where families could gather in a safe environment for an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve,” said Levine.

“The commissioner, county executive and myself looked at [First Night] last year and said, how could we take very good, and make it great?” Levine said. “The easy answer is a low ticket price, but how about no ticket price?”

View full sizeStilt walker John “Magical John” Wolfson struts around during the 2012 First Night at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool.Gary Walts | The Post-Standard

Burdick Chevy and Driver’s Village partnered with Galaxy and the county to pay for First Night expenses, so admission could be free. It is the first year for Burdick to sponsor this event.

This year, the Onondaga Parkway will kept open and shuttle buses will no longer bring attendees to the grounds as they did in previous years. With free admission and more parking, Levine hopes this year will bring record-breaking attendance.

“We expect thousands upon thousands of people there on New Year’s Eve,” he said.

The upcoming Wegmans Lights on the Lake display, now in its 24th year, will begin to illuminate the park starting November 19.

View full sizeA car passes through a display of Lights on the Lake at Onondaga Lake Park.Mike Greenlar | The Post Standard

New additions to Lights on the Lake include a 47-ft. long Beauty and the Beast display, 42 ft. wide Robin Hood display and a 33-ft. tall animated tornado in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ display.

Onondaga County Parks Commissioner Bill Lansley said 30 percent of last year’s Lights on the Lake show was lit by energy-efficient LED lights. This year’s show approaches 75 percent.

“We’ve seen a dramatic decrease in our electricity bills,” said Lansley. “It’s a very colorful show and now very energy efficient.”

Lansley said it’s their goal to eventually use 100 percent LEDs for Lights on the Lake.

Although Wegmans hasn’t been the presenting sponsor every year, Wegmans has made financial contributions to Lights on the Lake since its inception. This year, it takes acts as head sponsor for Lights on the Lake.

Admission to Lights on the Lake
$10 per car Monday-Thursday and $15 per car Friday-Sunday. If you show a Wegmans Shoppers Club card, you can pay $6 on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Discounted advance sale tickets for Lights on the Lake are available for $6 at Wegmans, on sale through November 20.

Open 5-10 p.m. every night through January 12, 2014.