Sunday, December 28, 2014
Dog rescued after surviving 150-foot fall down cliff
A Christmas afternoon hike in Oregon took a harrowing turn for David Schelske when Sandy, his yellow labrador retriever, bolted away, lost her leash and disappeared near a 150-foot cliff. But it ended happily a little before midnight, following a descent and rescue of the dog from a narrow ledge by volunteers from the Oregon Humane Society.
When he surveyed the cliffside where Sandy apparently disappeared, Schelske said, "I had no expectation of her being alive."
But he said he had to keep looking, rather than tell his 8-year-old twin boys that Sandy was missing.
And if her body was lying at the base of the cliff, said Schelske, 46, of West Linn, he wanted to bury it. On Christmas, Schelske was hiking with his camera and backpack, using his brand-new retractable leash for the first time. He took off the pack and placed it under some exposed roots, tying the leash to it so he could take a picture of the trail. But something, Schelske isn't sure what, spooked 3½-year-old Sandy, causing her to bolt down the trail. Her leash yanked the backpack from the tree, causing Sandy to hesitate, then dash away again, trailed by the noisy clatter from the retractable leash housing. She disappeared around a corner. Schelske assumed she had run farther down the trail, but when he encountered hikers coming from the other direction, they said they hadn't seen the dog.
That's when Schelske realised she might have tumbled down a sheer cliff. As other hikers joined him in the hunt, Schelske hiked down to the base, but saw no sign of Sandy. Finally, a woman searching with him called out that she had spotted the dog. Schelske assumed she was referring to its body. But Sandy was standing on a ledge of loose rock, about 70 feet off the ground. She had apparently slipped down a steep slope, not off the cliff edge , and found herself far down what Schelske called a slot canyon. Apparently, she tried to climb out by traversing a series of tight ledges until she could go no farther. While Schelske and others were hunting for Sandy, a family called 911 for help.
YouTube link.
The dispatchers notified volunteer rescuers with the Oregon Humane Society. By 7pm, they had assembled at the trail above Sandy. Humane Society volunteer John Thoeni rappelled 150 feet down to reach Sandy, who was "pretty done" by the effects of the cold and rain, Schelske said. She allowed Thoeni to place her in a harness, and volunteers above hoisted the two of them to the trail. Schelske hiked out and was reunited with his dog and met the rescuers who came out on Christmas night to pull her to safety. The pair were on their way home by 11:45pm. Schelske called the Oregon Humane Society an "amazing, dedicated group of people." On Friday, Sandy was on her way to the veterinarian's office, where she would have a cut and various bumps and scrapes checked. But, Schelske said, she was behaving as if nothing had happened. "It's pretty amazing," he said.
And if her body was lying at the base of the cliff, said Schelske, 46, of West Linn, he wanted to bury it. On Christmas, Schelske was hiking with his camera and backpack, using his brand-new retractable leash for the first time. He took off the pack and placed it under some exposed roots, tying the leash to it so he could take a picture of the trail. But something, Schelske isn't sure what, spooked 3½-year-old Sandy, causing her to bolt down the trail. Her leash yanked the backpack from the tree, causing Sandy to hesitate, then dash away again, trailed by the noisy clatter from the retractable leash housing. She disappeared around a corner. Schelske assumed she had run farther down the trail, but when he encountered hikers coming from the other direction, they said they hadn't seen the dog.
That's when Schelske realised she might have tumbled down a sheer cliff. As other hikers joined him in the hunt, Schelske hiked down to the base, but saw no sign of Sandy. Finally, a woman searching with him called out that she had spotted the dog. Schelske assumed she was referring to its body. But Sandy was standing on a ledge of loose rock, about 70 feet off the ground. She had apparently slipped down a steep slope, not off the cliff edge , and found herself far down what Schelske called a slot canyon. Apparently, she tried to climb out by traversing a series of tight ledges until she could go no farther. While Schelske and others were hunting for Sandy, a family called 911 for help.
YouTube link.
The dispatchers notified volunteer rescuers with the Oregon Humane Society. By 7pm, they had assembled at the trail above Sandy. Humane Society volunteer John Thoeni rappelled 150 feet down to reach Sandy, who was "pretty done" by the effects of the cold and rain, Schelske said. She allowed Thoeni to place her in a harness, and volunteers above hoisted the two of them to the trail. Schelske hiked out and was reunited with his dog and met the rescuers who came out on Christmas night to pull her to safety. The pair were on their way home by 11:45pm. Schelske called the Oregon Humane Society an "amazing, dedicated group of people." On Friday, Sandy was on her way to the veterinarian's office, where she would have a cut and various bumps and scrapes checked. But, Schelske said, she was behaving as if nothing had happened. "It's pretty amazing," he said.
Altercation between two women with walking frames led to arrest
A collision between two women using walking frames earlier this month has resulted in a felony charge of intimidation and misdemeanor counts of assault and criminal mischief for Joyce Marie Renfroe, 62, of Hamilton, Montana.
According to court records, Renfroe had words with her roommate, Jeanne Hatfield, at about 10pm on Dec. 8.
Renfroe told an investigating officer later they had been fighting over finances.
At the time of the alleged incident, Hatfield was standing in the hallway with her walking frame when Renfroe exited her bedroom with her own walker. At that point, court records said that Renfroe told Hatfield to get out of the way or she was going to run her over. Renfroe then proceeded down the hallway with her walker and ran into Hatfield. Hatfield fell to the ground. Her walker and Life Alert necklace were both broken in the fall. She suffered some bruising as a result of the crash.
While on the ground, Hatfield told Renfroe she was going to call the police. Renfroe allegedly replied that if she did make that call, Renfroe would kill her. Hatfield told an officer the next day that she took the threat seriously. She said she was afraid of Renfroe and waited until her caretaker arrived at the home to call police. The responding officer saw the leg of Hatfield’s walker was broken and reported the bruising on the victim consistent with a fall to the ground.
Renfroe allegedly told the officer that the two had been fighting, but she said the collision was an accident that occurred as she was backing out of her bedroom with her walker. Renfroe did admit that she threatened to kill Hatfield if she called police, court records said. Acting Ravalli County Justice of the Peace Jennifer Ray allowed Renfroe to remain free on her own recognizance.
At the time of the alleged incident, Hatfield was standing in the hallway with her walking frame when Renfroe exited her bedroom with her own walker. At that point, court records said that Renfroe told Hatfield to get out of the way or she was going to run her over. Renfroe then proceeded down the hallway with her walker and ran into Hatfield. Hatfield fell to the ground. Her walker and Life Alert necklace were both broken in the fall. She suffered some bruising as a result of the crash.
While on the ground, Hatfield told Renfroe she was going to call the police. Renfroe allegedly replied that if she did make that call, Renfroe would kill her. Hatfield told an officer the next day that she took the threat seriously. She said she was afraid of Renfroe and waited until her caretaker arrived at the home to call police. The responding officer saw the leg of Hatfield’s walker was broken and reported the bruising on the victim consistent with a fall to the ground.
Renfroe allegedly told the officer that the two had been fighting, but she said the collision was an accident that occurred as she was backing out of her bedroom with her walker. Renfroe did admit that she threatened to kill Hatfield if she called police, court records said. Acting Ravalli County Justice of the Peace Jennifer Ray allowed Renfroe to remain free on her own recognizance.
Christmas ruined after Bibles found in PS4 box
When Sandra Ortiz from Delano, California, bought a PlayStation 4 for her boyfriend from Target she couldn’t wait to see the expression on his face when he opened the box on Christmas Day.
“He was really excited to get this present,” she said. “We couldn’t believe it. None of us could believe what was in there.”
Inside was two Bibles. But, at the price of a PS4, these were expensive Bibles, and her boyfriend Josh already owned one. The rest of the family laughed and thought it was a joke. “I felt embarrassed. I felt like, you know, I just ruined Christmas for him and everybody else,” said Ortiz. “He said he didn't want the Bibles unless they were signed by Jesus himself.”
The next hurdle was trying to figure out how to return the box to Target, so they could get their money back. “They're probably going to think I'm lying,” said Ortiz. She found out that apparently this is more common than people might think. Ortiz now recommends checking the tape on the box or looking inside before buying an expensive video game console.
Now that it all worked out - and she got a new system - she figures that maybe it was a sign. “I'm taking it as a good message,” she said. “Maybe I will be blessed this new year!” The manager said they had a security measure in place that showed Ortiz was telling the truth. She said that she and her boyfriend might now have some extra motivation to go to church. Nobody knows who swapped the PS4.
With news video. Many thanks Gwen!
Inside was two Bibles. But, at the price of a PS4, these were expensive Bibles, and her boyfriend Josh already owned one. The rest of the family laughed and thought it was a joke. “I felt embarrassed. I felt like, you know, I just ruined Christmas for him and everybody else,” said Ortiz. “He said he didn't want the Bibles unless they were signed by Jesus himself.”
The next hurdle was trying to figure out how to return the box to Target, so they could get their money back. “They're probably going to think I'm lying,” said Ortiz. She found out that apparently this is more common than people might think. Ortiz now recommends checking the tape on the box or looking inside before buying an expensive video game console.
Now that it all worked out - and she got a new system - she figures that maybe it was a sign. “I'm taking it as a good message,” she said. “Maybe I will be blessed this new year!” The manager said they had a security measure in place that showed Ortiz was telling the truth. She said that she and her boyfriend might now have some extra motivation to go to church. Nobody knows who swapped the PS4.
With news video. Many thanks Gwen!
Father shot in the eye after argument with son over Christmas present
A father is recovering after police said he was shot in the eye by his son on Christmas Day.
The father, from Bayview in Cameron County, Texas, and his 16-year-old son were arguing over what the son received for Christmas.
Authorities said the son was complaining that all he got for Christmas was a fishing rod, while his friends received cars and trucks. That’s when the father pulled out a baseball bat and hit the boy on the back of the head.
A 14-year-old brother then intervened in an attempt to stop the altercation and went out to the family vehicle to retrieve a shotgun that was kept in the trunk. “The young 14-year-old boy discharged the weapon. He discharged it twice. The second time he hit his father in part of the face and part of the shoulder.” Sheriff Omar Lucio said the father will lose that eye.
The 14-year-old then drove away, but sheriff's deputies spotted him in an open field. He then struck another vehicle. The teenager was arrested and is facing charges, while his father is hospitalised. Charges are also expected to be filed against the 39-year-old father, the sheriff’s office said.
There's a news video here.
Authorities said the son was complaining that all he got for Christmas was a fishing rod, while his friends received cars and trucks. That’s when the father pulled out a baseball bat and hit the boy on the back of the head.
A 14-year-old brother then intervened in an attempt to stop the altercation and went out to the family vehicle to retrieve a shotgun that was kept in the trunk. “The young 14-year-old boy discharged the weapon. He discharged it twice. The second time he hit his father in part of the face and part of the shoulder.” Sheriff Omar Lucio said the father will lose that eye.
The 14-year-old then drove away, but sheriff's deputies spotted him in an open field. He then struck another vehicle. The teenager was arrested and is facing charges, while his father is hospitalised. Charges are also expected to be filed against the 39-year-old father, the sheriff’s office said.
There's a news video here.
Woman’s home caught fire while she made Christmas present for cat
A woman escaped a Christmas Day fire at her house in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
Firefighters were called out to the house in New Castle at around 11:30am.
The woman says she was cooking French fries and went into her bedroom to work on a Christmas present for her cat. She lost track of time and came back to find her kitchen on fire.
The fire was extinguished quickly but not before flames, smoke and water damaged much of the structure. Fire crews took a woman out of the house who had stayed inside to look for her cat. Both the woman and the cat were unharmed.
Firefighters were called out to the house in New Castle at around 11:30am.
The woman says she was cooking French fries and went into her bedroom to work on a Christmas present for her cat. She lost track of time and came back to find her kitchen on fire.
The fire was extinguished quickly but not before flames, smoke and water damaged much of the structure. Fire crews took a woman out of the house who had stayed inside to look for her cat. Both the woman and the cat were unharmed.
Hippo mistaken for dinosaur after jumping from truck
A hippo that panicked while being transported by truck in Taiwan jumped from the vehicle, breaking a leg and causing confused residents to report spotting a dinosaur on the loose.
The enormous animal jumped through a truck window and landed on a parked car before falling on to the road on Friday. The sound of the collision startled people nearby who flocked to see the animal and contacted the police in central Miaoli county. One woman said that she ran out of her house after hearing the crash and thought she saw a dinosaur lying on the road.
The truck driver said that he saw the hippo "flying out" of the vehicle after getting spooked during the drive. The injured animal, named "A Ho" after the Chinese name for hippo Ho Ma, lay on the road for several hours before being put into a cargo container and taken back to its farm in central Taichung city, officials said.
YouTube link.
A Ho is a star attraction at the farm and appeared in a popular television soap opera several years ago. Taiwanese authorities said that the animal's owner could face a fine of up to Tw$75,000 (£1,550, $2,400) for violating animal protection laws after the hippo suffered a broken leg and damage to its teeth.
The enormous animal jumped through a truck window and landed on a parked car before falling on to the road on Friday. The sound of the collision startled people nearby who flocked to see the animal and contacted the police in central Miaoli county. One woman said that she ran out of her house after hearing the crash and thought she saw a dinosaur lying on the road.
The truck driver said that he saw the hippo "flying out" of the vehicle after getting spooked during the drive. The injured animal, named "A Ho" after the Chinese name for hippo Ho Ma, lay on the road for several hours before being put into a cargo container and taken back to its farm in central Taichung city, officials said.
YouTube link.
A Ho is a star attraction at the farm and appeared in a popular television soap opera several years ago. Taiwanese authorities said that the animal's owner could face a fine of up to Tw$75,000 (£1,550, $2,400) for violating animal protection laws after the hippo suffered a broken leg and damage to its teeth.
Man jailed after slapping then sitting on father after beer ran out on Christmas Eve
A man from Northern Ireland who assaulted his father for running out of beer on Christmas Eve was jailed for four months on Friday.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard Darren Johnston slapped and sat on top of the victim during a drink-fuelled row.
The 36-year-old accused pleaded guilty to a single charge of assault. A prosecution lawyer said the incident took place at a house in the early hours of Wednesday.
He told the Boxing Day session of the court that Darren Johnston became increasingly agitated during an argument between the pair. “He blamed his father for having no more beer,” the lawyer said.
As well as slapping and sitting on the victim he also demanded money for food, the court heard. A defence solicitor said: “It’s an extremely unfortunate set of circumstances where these two people find themselves with no-one else in their lives.” He added that there had been a disagreement over the arrangements for Christmas dinner.
The 36-year-old accused pleaded guilty to a single charge of assault. A prosecution lawyer said the incident took place at a house in the early hours of Wednesday.
He told the Boxing Day session of the court that Darren Johnston became increasingly agitated during an argument between the pair. “He blamed his father for having no more beer,” the lawyer said.
As well as slapping and sitting on the victim he also demanded money for food, the court heard. A defence solicitor said: “It’s an extremely unfortunate set of circumstances where these two people find themselves with no-one else in their lives.” He added that there had been a disagreement over the arrangements for Christmas dinner.
Heartbroken dog sits by the gate of his home every day waiting for his brother to come home
Heartbroken Harry has been sitting at the gate outside his home every day for months following the disappearance of his brother.
Much-loved beagle cross Hansum went missing seven months ago and devastated owner, Julie Evans, from Briton Ferry in Wales, is determined to find the missing two-year-old.
Ms Evans, who has set up the Find Hansum Facebook page, was hoping that Hansum would be back home in time for Christmas, but sadly it didn't happen. Instead, on Christmas Day, Ms Evans posted this message to her missing pet: “Happy Xmas my Hansum boy sadly my only xmas wish didn’t come true. I pray wherever you are they are treating you well...love you my baby. I’m sorry.”
Ms Evans said: “We were out walking in Briton Ferry near the mountain, Harry, Hansum and me, in May this year. I let the dogs off the lead. Harry came back but Hansum did not. I knew something was wrong because Harry and Hansum were brothers from the same litter, totally devoted to each other. I looked everywhere but there was no sign of Hansum.
"Harry now pines, for him, waiting by the gate to see if he’ll come back. But day after day he doesn’t. In my heart I believe he’s alive and I just hope he’s being treated well. It’s possible he’s been stolen or maybe taken in by someone who doesn’t know he’s being missed.” Ms Evans is offering a financial reward for information leading to the return of Hansum, a reward which has now been doubled.
Ms Evans, who has set up the Find Hansum Facebook page, was hoping that Hansum would be back home in time for Christmas, but sadly it didn't happen. Instead, on Christmas Day, Ms Evans posted this message to her missing pet: “Happy Xmas my Hansum boy sadly my only xmas wish didn’t come true. I pray wherever you are they are treating you well...love you my baby. I’m sorry.”
Ms Evans said: “We were out walking in Briton Ferry near the mountain, Harry, Hansum and me, in May this year. I let the dogs off the lead. Harry came back but Hansum did not. I knew something was wrong because Harry and Hansum were brothers from the same litter, totally devoted to each other. I looked everywhere but there was no sign of Hansum.
"Harry now pines, for him, waiting by the gate to see if he’ll come back. But day after day he doesn’t. In my heart I believe he’s alive and I just hope he’s being treated well. It’s possible he’s been stolen or maybe taken in by someone who doesn’t know he’s being missed.” Ms Evans is offering a financial reward for information leading to the return of Hansum, a reward which has now been doubled.
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