Saturday, August 02, 2014
Little dog rescued after spending night with head trapped in wall
A little dog was rescued by firefighters in the Tolleson suburb of Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday after spending the night with its head stuck in a small opening of a brick wall.
A neighbour called a local TV station to report the dog named Chip was stuck in the wall and photojournalist Daniel Clark alerted authorities.
Police and firefighters from the Phoenix and Tolleson fire departments, and workers from the Arizona Humane Society arrived to assist in the dog's rescue.
YouTube link.
Fire officials chipped away at the wall to free Chip. When authorities arrived, the dog's owner came out of the home and said she was unaware Chip was stuck and had spent the night trapped in the wall.
A neighbour called a local TV station to report the dog named Chip was stuck in the wall and photojournalist Daniel Clark alerted authorities.
Police and firefighters from the Phoenix and Tolleson fire departments, and workers from the Arizona Humane Society arrived to assist in the dog's rescue.
YouTube link.
Fire officials chipped away at the wall to free Chip. When authorities arrived, the dog's owner came out of the home and said she was unaware Chip was stuck and had spent the night trapped in the wall.
Fired police officer reinstated after blaming positive cocaine test on 'sexual aid cream'
After Miami Beach police Detective Reinaldo Casas tested positive for cocaine, he insisted that the drug had been unwittingly absorbed into his blood through an erection-enhancing cream he applied to his genitals.
His defence worked.
An arbitrator this week ordered Casas, who was fired last year because of the positive drug test, be reinstated with complete back pay.
“There is no evidence in the record to show that [Casas] was aware the cream contained a controlled substance,” according to the arbitrator’s report, which was released on Thursday. By law, Miami Beach police must comply with the ruling. The decision caps an embarrassing saga for Casas, who was a respected homicide investigator when he was fired in February 2013. Casas had failed a random drug test administered by the police department.
“Having never knowingly used cocaine, I was baffled, perplexed and confused,” Casas wrote in his grievance. At a grievance hearing, Casas testified that a friend, Idilio Godinez, gave him the cream “with the advice that it would help him in his sexual liaisons.” Godinez testified that he got the sex-enhancement cream from “an old Cuban guy” as a gift for giving him some political campaign signs. Godinez claimed he did not know what was in the cream, but had tried it himself and it worked. The substance, which resembled Vaseline, was contained in a series of unmarked containers and appeared to be homemade.
The city insisted that Casas’ story was “incredible” and he should have known what he was applying to his body. The arbitrator disagreed and ordered Casas returned to duty with back pay. His salary is $74,745.84 a year. Eugene Gibbons, a lawyer for the Miami Beach police union, said the arbitrator “rightfully concluded” in Casas’ favour. “Detective Casas is looking forward to resuming his distinguished law-enforcement career with the Miami Beach Police Department in the homicide unit and putting this unfortunate situation behind him,” Gibbons said.
“There is no evidence in the record to show that [Casas] was aware the cream contained a controlled substance,” according to the arbitrator’s report, which was released on Thursday. By law, Miami Beach police must comply with the ruling. The decision caps an embarrassing saga for Casas, who was a respected homicide investigator when he was fired in February 2013. Casas had failed a random drug test administered by the police department.
“Having never knowingly used cocaine, I was baffled, perplexed and confused,” Casas wrote in his grievance. At a grievance hearing, Casas testified that a friend, Idilio Godinez, gave him the cream “with the advice that it would help him in his sexual liaisons.” Godinez testified that he got the sex-enhancement cream from “an old Cuban guy” as a gift for giving him some political campaign signs. Godinez claimed he did not know what was in the cream, but had tried it himself and it worked. The substance, which resembled Vaseline, was contained in a series of unmarked containers and appeared to be homemade.
The city insisted that Casas’ story was “incredible” and he should have known what he was applying to his body. The arbitrator disagreed and ordered Casas returned to duty with back pay. His salary is $74,745.84 a year. Eugene Gibbons, a lawyer for the Miami Beach police union, said the arbitrator “rightfully concluded” in Casas’ favour. “Detective Casas is looking forward to resuming his distinguished law-enforcement career with the Miami Beach Police Department in the homicide unit and putting this unfortunate situation behind him,” Gibbons said.
Quick-drying concrete trapped motorist following collision with cement mixer
A Chinese motorist survived after not only getting crushed by the metalwork of his car, but also getting his feet trapped in quick-drying liquid concrete.
The accident happened in Yangzhou city in east China’s Jiangsu province when a cement mixer was driving down a road behind a minibus.
Police spokesman Chi Tao said: "A schoolboy apparently decided to cross the road, running across in front of a minibus that he hadn't seen, which was then forced to slam on its brakes. Unfortunately, the cement mixer with a full load was behind the minibus and although the driver slammed on his brakes it was clear he was not going to stop in time.
"In order to avoid hitting into the back of the minibus, the cement mixer driver swerved out on to the other side of the road and the cement mixer tipped over. It crushed a car and although the driver survived the initial collision, liquid concrete poured in through the smashed windscreen and filled up the car, starting to solidify around the trapped man's legs."
Firefighters said they realised they needed to act quickly because if the concrete solidified the man, 48-year-old Lian Huang, could have died. According to medics limbs that are sealed in concrete quickly swell up causing circulation problems and even death. In addition the heat from the man's legs was causing the concrete to dry out even more quickly. As a result the man's pain increased to the point where he was in agony by the time he was finally freed and rushed to hospital where he was treated for circulation problems and several fractures.
Police spokesman Chi Tao said: "A schoolboy apparently decided to cross the road, running across in front of a minibus that he hadn't seen, which was then forced to slam on its brakes. Unfortunately, the cement mixer with a full load was behind the minibus and although the driver slammed on his brakes it was clear he was not going to stop in time.
"In order to avoid hitting into the back of the minibus, the cement mixer driver swerved out on to the other side of the road and the cement mixer tipped over. It crushed a car and although the driver survived the initial collision, liquid concrete poured in through the smashed windscreen and filled up the car, starting to solidify around the trapped man's legs."
Firefighters said they realised they needed to act quickly because if the concrete solidified the man, 48-year-old Lian Huang, could have died. According to medics limbs that are sealed in concrete quickly swell up causing circulation problems and even death. In addition the heat from the man's legs was causing the concrete to dry out even more quickly. As a result the man's pain increased to the point where he was in agony by the time he was finally freed and rushed to hospital where he was treated for circulation problems and several fractures.
French hospital to open wine bar in bid to improve the lives of terminally ill patients
A hospital in south-central France has come up with an unconventional, not to mention extremely French, idea to try to improve the lives of terminally ill patients. It is to open a wine bar that will offer "medically supervised" wine tasting.
The bar, which will open in September, will be located at the palliative care centre at the CHU Clermont-Ferrand hospital in Puy-de-Dôme, will be open to patients, their friends and relatives.
Sipping wine may not be a traditional method of treatment for patients who are terminally ill but according to Dr Virginie Guastella, the head of the hospital unit who proposed the idea, it can help them and their loved ones to relax and converse. “A situation can be palliative for several weeks or even several months and it’s because life is so precious and real until the end that we decided to cultivate all that is fine and good,” Dr Guastella said.
“It’s a way of rethinking the care of others, taking into account their feelings and emotions that make them a human being.” The wine bar project was launched, she said, "in an attempt to restore longing, taste, desire and even pleasure.” According to the hospital, “medically supervised” wine tasting can serve to brighten up the otherwise difficult everyday lives of patients.
The wine bar will offer a variety of beverages including fine wines, champagne and whisky. Staff at the hospital unit will be specially trained in how to deal with the needs of the patients. Dr Guastella points to a study by socio-anthropologist Catherine Legrand Sebille which proves that wine and food and can have a positive impact on someone’s last days. Legrand Sebille herself will also be providing training on this subject for caregivers at the centre.
Sipping wine may not be a traditional method of treatment for patients who are terminally ill but according to Dr Virginie Guastella, the head of the hospital unit who proposed the idea, it can help them and their loved ones to relax and converse. “A situation can be palliative for several weeks or even several months and it’s because life is so precious and real until the end that we decided to cultivate all that is fine and good,” Dr Guastella said.
“It’s a way of rethinking the care of others, taking into account their feelings and emotions that make them a human being.” The wine bar project was launched, she said, "in an attempt to restore longing, taste, desire and even pleasure.” According to the hospital, “medically supervised” wine tasting can serve to brighten up the otherwise difficult everyday lives of patients.
The wine bar will offer a variety of beverages including fine wines, champagne and whisky. Staff at the hospital unit will be specially trained in how to deal with the needs of the patients. Dr Guastella points to a study by socio-anthropologist Catherine Legrand Sebille which proves that wine and food and can have a positive impact on someone’s last days. Legrand Sebille herself will also be providing training on this subject for caregivers at the centre.
Animal protection group say dead fish throwing is unacceptable, undignified and disrespectful
An animal protection organization in Switzerland has called on Zurich’s guild of fishermen to stop throwing dead fish in the streets as part of a traditional parade during the annual Sechseläuten festival.
Throwing fish during Sechseläuten, which marks the arrival of spring, is a custom that dates back a century. Members of the city’s 25 guilds, dressed in traditional costumes, parade through the streets of Zurich and aim their fishy missiles at balconies and windows, with the debris raining down on spectators.
The fish used are generally species that are not eaten and are usually used to produce fish meal. But the Zurich Association for the Protection of Animals officially objected to the custom in an open letter on Wednesday. The guild should find “an irreproachable ethical replacement” to the tradition, it said.
Treating animals – living or dead – in this manner is “unacceptable, undignified and disrespectful,” said the association. The group also directed its anger at Zurich authorities for allowing “the throwing of corpses”. It demanded that communal authorities forbid the practice from 2015. City police said they would consider the request.
Throwing fish during Sechseläuten, which marks the arrival of spring, is a custom that dates back a century. Members of the city’s 25 guilds, dressed in traditional costumes, parade through the streets of Zurich and aim their fishy missiles at balconies and windows, with the debris raining down on spectators.
The fish used are generally species that are not eaten and are usually used to produce fish meal. But the Zurich Association for the Protection of Animals officially objected to the custom in an open letter on Wednesday. The guild should find “an irreproachable ethical replacement” to the tradition, it said.
Treating animals – living or dead – in this manner is “unacceptable, undignified and disrespectful,” said the association. The group also directed its anger at Zurich authorities for allowing “the throwing of corpses”. It demanded that communal authorities forbid the practice from 2015. City police said they would consider the request.
Recently deceased man left entire fortune to Fart women's football club
A first-division women’s football team in Norway received millions of kroner after an elderly man passed away and left all his money to the club.
Norwegian Erling Andreassen from Vang died at the age of 91 on 12th July this year.
A boyhood fan of FL Fart, Erling left around four million kroner (£377,000, $636,000) plus the proceeds of his house sale to the girls. The club from Vang outside Hamar, also home to a men’s team and youth sides, received a letter from Hedmark district court, revealing the inheritance.
Trond Kristensen, FL Fart’s chairman, said: “ Many people may be envious of us now. We have 2.8 million kroner in debt having built a state-of-the-art training facility, clubhouse and four new pitches. All the past club chairmen I have spoken with, think it is in order to pay the debt and put the rest in the bank.”
The club can now pay off all their debts and build for a bright future after their number one fan’s generous gift. Erling Andreassen was a supporter of FL Fart all his life, he was a former player with the men’s team and later became a trusted advisor to the club’s fortunes. He was also known for his volunteer work to maintain the FL Fart’s success and standing. Erling lived close to the club’s Fartbana stadium and now, although sadly passed away, his spirit lives on in FL Fart’s future.
A boyhood fan of FL Fart, Erling left around four million kroner (£377,000, $636,000) plus the proceeds of his house sale to the girls. The club from Vang outside Hamar, also home to a men’s team and youth sides, received a letter from Hedmark district court, revealing the inheritance.
Trond Kristensen, FL Fart’s chairman, said: “ Many people may be envious of us now. We have 2.8 million kroner in debt having built a state-of-the-art training facility, clubhouse and four new pitches. All the past club chairmen I have spoken with, think it is in order to pay the debt and put the rest in the bank.”
The club can now pay off all their debts and build for a bright future after their number one fan’s generous gift. Erling Andreassen was a supporter of FL Fart all his life, he was a former player with the men’s team and later became a trusted advisor to the club’s fortunes. He was also known for his volunteer work to maintain the FL Fart’s success and standing. Erling lived close to the club’s Fartbana stadium and now, although sadly passed away, his spirit lives on in FL Fart’s future.
Elderly motorist drove for more than half-a-mile along canal towpath before realising his mistake
An elderly motorist was forced to abandon his car when he took a wrong turn onto a towpath, eventually ending up teetering on the edge of a canal.
The man is thought to have got on to the towpath by driving down a ramp near a pub, and then continued for more than half-a-mile before finally coming to a rest at the water's edge.
The bemused 70-year-old then climbed out the passenger seat onto the riverbank and walked away. It is thought the pensioner was confused by the dark roads and turned his Vauxhall Astra down what he believed to be road near Devizes, Wiltshire. Wiltshire Police, who responded to the incident on the 200-year-old Kennet and Avon Canal, said the man had been reported for careless driving.
A spokesman said: "We were called to reports of a vehicle driving along a towpath in Devizes. We attended the incident and a 70-year-old man was subsequently reported for careless driving." The incident happened along the towpath, designed for horses to pull narrowboats during the Industrial Revolution, at around 11pm on Saturday night.
It is believed the embarrassed pensioner made an honest mistake and was apologetic to all involved. The car was removed by crane on Wednesday. The Canal and River Trust, who look after Britain's waterways, said: "We're really sorry that this person made a mistake and ended up in such a pickle. Canals are great places to spend some quality time and recharge your batteries. Normally people come by boat, on foot or on a leisurely bike ride. A Vauxhall Astra is a bit of a first."
The bemused 70-year-old then climbed out the passenger seat onto the riverbank and walked away. It is thought the pensioner was confused by the dark roads and turned his Vauxhall Astra down what he believed to be road near Devizes, Wiltshire. Wiltshire Police, who responded to the incident on the 200-year-old Kennet and Avon Canal, said the man had been reported for careless driving.
A spokesman said: "We were called to reports of a vehicle driving along a towpath in Devizes. We attended the incident and a 70-year-old man was subsequently reported for careless driving." The incident happened along the towpath, designed for horses to pull narrowboats during the Industrial Revolution, at around 11pm on Saturday night.
It is believed the embarrassed pensioner made an honest mistake and was apologetic to all involved. The car was removed by crane on Wednesday. The Canal and River Trust, who look after Britain's waterways, said: "We're really sorry that this person made a mistake and ended up in such a pickle. Canals are great places to spend some quality time and recharge your batteries. Normally people come by boat, on foot or on a leisurely bike ride. A Vauxhall Astra is a bit of a first."
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