Monday, February 02, 2015
The elephant that came for breakfast
The Meyer family were enjoying their breakfast at a campsite in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana, when a wild elephant bull decided to pay a visit.
Everyone, including the children, kept their cool and no one panicked. They just enjoyed the amazing, once in a lifetime experience.
YouTube link.
Everyone, including the children, kept their cool and no one panicked. They just enjoyed the amazing, once in a lifetime experience.
YouTube link.
Walmart relents after banning greeter from saying 'Have a blessed day'
Walmart greeter, James Phillips, can once again tell customers to "Have a blessed day."
Philips has been greeting customers that way for years at the Walmart in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
But a few weeks ago, someone complained about his greeting, and the company told him to stop saying "have a blessed day." An angry response from customers eventually convinced Walmart to change its mind.
People protested outside Walmart's headquarters and phoned in complaints after the company told him to stop his customary greeting. Walmart quickly caved and released a statement reversing its decision saying: "We greatly value our associates and appreciate his work of the company.
Mr Phillips interviewed while he was still banned from saying have a blessed day.
YouTube link.
"He is welcome to continue sharing his greeting with our customers." Phillips says he wasn't trying to start a movement, but he appreciates people standing up for him. "I want to just be one of the best greeters I know how to be," he says.
With news video.
But a few weeks ago, someone complained about his greeting, and the company told him to stop saying "have a blessed day." An angry response from customers eventually convinced Walmart to change its mind.
People protested outside Walmart's headquarters and phoned in complaints after the company told him to stop his customary greeting. Walmart quickly caved and released a statement reversing its decision saying: "We greatly value our associates and appreciate his work of the company.
Mr Phillips interviewed while he was still banned from saying have a blessed day.
YouTube link.
"He is welcome to continue sharing his greeting with our customers." Phillips says he wasn't trying to start a movement, but he appreciates people standing up for him. "I want to just be one of the best greeters I know how to be," he says.
With news video.
9-year-old boy suspended for telling classmate he could make him disappear with magic ring
A 9-year-old boy was suspended from his school in Kermit, Texas, on Friday for allegedly making a terroristic threat.
Kermit Elementary School officials called it a threat when Aiden Steward, in a playful act of make-believe, told a classmate he could make him disappear with a magic ring he had taken to school.
“It sounded unbelievable,” the boy’s father, Jason Steward, says. He insists his son “didn’t mean anything by it.”
The Steward family had been to see “The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies” days earlier, inspiring Aiden’s imagination and leading him to proclaim that he had in his possession the one ring to rule them all. “Kids act out movies that they see. When I watched Superman as a kid, I went outside and tried to fly,” Steward said. Aiden claimed on Thursday he could put a ring on his friend's head and make him invisible like Bilbo Baggins, who stole Gollum’s "precious" in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy series “The Lord of the Rings.” “I assure you my son lacks the magical powers necessary to threaten his friend’s existence,” Steward says.
"If he did, I'm sure he'd bring him right back." Steward says the principal said threats to another child’s safety would not be tolerated – whether magical or not. Principal Roxanne Greer declined to comment on the matter. “All student stuff is confidential,” Greer said. Steward said he didn’t understand why Aiden was removed from school and why the district didn’t just send a letter home. He said he requested that the school send him “something in writing” saying that the school suspended Aiden and why they suspended him. Steward was told the school would put the letter in the mail.
The Steward family moved to the Kermit Independent School District only six months ago, but it’s been nothing but headaches for Aiden. He’s already been suspended three times this school year. Two of the disciplinary actions were in-school suspensions for referring to a classmate as black and for taking his favourite book to school: "The Big Book of Knowledge." “He loves that book. They were studying the solar system and he took it to school. He thought his teacher would be impressed,” Steward said. But the teacher learned the popular children’s encyclopedia had a section on pregnancy, depicting a pregnant woman in an illustration, he explained.
The Steward family had been to see “The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies” days earlier, inspiring Aiden’s imagination and leading him to proclaim that he had in his possession the one ring to rule them all. “Kids act out movies that they see. When I watched Superman as a kid, I went outside and tried to fly,” Steward said. Aiden claimed on Thursday he could put a ring on his friend's head and make him invisible like Bilbo Baggins, who stole Gollum’s "precious" in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy series “The Lord of the Rings.” “I assure you my son lacks the magical powers necessary to threaten his friend’s existence,” Steward says.
"If he did, I'm sure he'd bring him right back." Steward says the principal said threats to another child’s safety would not be tolerated – whether magical or not. Principal Roxanne Greer declined to comment on the matter. “All student stuff is confidential,” Greer said. Steward said he didn’t understand why Aiden was removed from school and why the district didn’t just send a letter home. He said he requested that the school send him “something in writing” saying that the school suspended Aiden and why they suspended him. Steward was told the school would put the letter in the mail.
The Steward family moved to the Kermit Independent School District only six months ago, but it’s been nothing but headaches for Aiden. He’s already been suspended three times this school year. Two of the disciplinary actions were in-school suspensions for referring to a classmate as black and for taking his favourite book to school: "The Big Book of Knowledge." “He loves that book. They were studying the solar system and he took it to school. He thought his teacher would be impressed,” Steward said. But the teacher learned the popular children’s encyclopedia had a section on pregnancy, depicting a pregnant woman in an illustration, he explained.
Dog saved from raging river in helicopter rescue
A dog is in good health after being pulled from a swollen river in a dramatic airborne rescue.
The small brown dog, whose name is unknown, was spotted floating down Los Angeles River following thunderstorms on Friday afternoon.
Witnesses said the dog, thought to be a Labrador cross, was swept about a mile downriver near the Burbank border in California.
YouTube link.
The rescue operation saw a firefighter lowered on a cable from a helicopter before swimming towards the animal. The dog, who was not microchipped, was said to be shaken but will recover.
The small brown dog, whose name is unknown, was spotted floating down Los Angeles River following thunderstorms on Friday afternoon.
Witnesses said the dog, thought to be a Labrador cross, was swept about a mile downriver near the Burbank border in California.
YouTube link.
The rescue operation saw a firefighter lowered on a cable from a helicopter before swimming towards the animal. The dog, who was not microchipped, was said to be shaken but will recover.
Man arrested for allegedly drunk-driving a Zamboni during high school ice hockey game
The Zamboni driver at a high school ice hockey game in Fargo, North Dakota, was arrested for suspected drunk-driving on Friday night.
It happened during the Davies High School and Williston High School girls' game at the Southside Arena in Fargo.
The driver, Steven Anderson, 27, was arrested just before the end of the second period at around 8:15pm.
No one was hurt.
“I’ve been here for 22 years and we have not had an incident like this before,” said Jim Larson, director of finance and human resources for the Fargo Park District, which operates the arena. Larson said the personnel issue will be formally addressed on Monday but Anderson will not return to his duties in the meantime.
Larson said spectators and school officials noticed the erratic Zamboni driving and a Fargo Public Schools employee called Fargo Police. Anderson was booked into Cass County Jail on suspicion of DUI. Larson said this is a serious issue but not a recurring one for the park district. He said this incident was caused by an individual who made a poor choice.
“I don’t want to in any way dismiss how serious this is,” Larson said. “We’ll review the situation to determine how this happened and what we can do to make it even more fool proof.” Larson said he was notified about the incident and arrived at the rink at about 8:30pm. He said another Zamboni driver was called in but the coaches decided to play on the rough ice rather than wait for the other driver to arrive.
According to The Smoking Gun, this is only the third time in recorded history that a man has been arrested for driving a Zamboni while intoxicated.
“I’ve been here for 22 years and we have not had an incident like this before,” said Jim Larson, director of finance and human resources for the Fargo Park District, which operates the arena. Larson said the personnel issue will be formally addressed on Monday but Anderson will not return to his duties in the meantime.
Larson said spectators and school officials noticed the erratic Zamboni driving and a Fargo Public Schools employee called Fargo Police. Anderson was booked into Cass County Jail on suspicion of DUI. Larson said this is a serious issue but not a recurring one for the park district. He said this incident was caused by an individual who made a poor choice.
“I don’t want to in any way dismiss how serious this is,” Larson said. “We’ll review the situation to determine how this happened and what we can do to make it even more fool proof.” Larson said he was notified about the incident and arrived at the rink at about 8:30pm. He said another Zamboni driver was called in but the coaches decided to play on the rough ice rather than wait for the other driver to arrive.
According to The Smoking Gun, this is only the third time in recorded history that a man has been arrested for driving a Zamboni while intoxicated.
Incense sticks used to smoke out moths blamed for fire that caused $750,000 damage to house
Incense sticks being used to smoke out moths have been blamed for a blaze that caused $750,000 damage to a townhouse in North Adelaide, Australia.
The fire started just before 6:00pm on Saturday and sent black smoke across surrounding streets and parts of the city. About 50 firefighters stopped it from spreading to adjoining homes. Firefighter Chris Smith said the blaze, which gutted the house, started in the garage and flames quickly moved into the roof.
"The front part of the house has been saved, but there is considerably damage to the back, two-storey portion," he said. "The nature of the building was such that the floor and the roof collapsed rather early in the incident, but the design stopped the fire from spreading to the neighbouring property."
Mr Smith said an internal firewall was crucial in containing the blaze. The five people inside the home at the time were alerted by a smoke alarm, and one of the residents was treated for smoke inhalation. "It appears, on initial investigation, that they'd been using some incense sticks in the garage to try and move an infestation of moths," Mr Smith said.
The fire started just before 6:00pm on Saturday and sent black smoke across surrounding streets and parts of the city. About 50 firefighters stopped it from spreading to adjoining homes. Firefighter Chris Smith said the blaze, which gutted the house, started in the garage and flames quickly moved into the roof.
"The front part of the house has been saved, but there is considerably damage to the back, two-storey portion," he said. "The nature of the building was such that the floor and the roof collapsed rather early in the incident, but the design stopped the fire from spreading to the neighbouring property."
Mr Smith said an internal firewall was crucial in containing the blaze. The five people inside the home at the time were alerted by a smoke alarm, and one of the residents was treated for smoke inhalation. "It appears, on initial investigation, that they'd been using some incense sticks in the garage to try and move an infestation of moths," Mr Smith said.
Police incredulous about men who dragged portaloos through the streets of Humpty Doo
A video uploaded to Facebook by some men in the Humpty Doo suburb of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory shows the moment they attached a pair of portaloos to the back of a pick-up truck and dragged them along on the road.
The toilets can be swinging wildly across the road as sparks fly and their mates in the vehicle behind film the whole thing. NT Police duty superintendent Bob Harrison couldn’t believe his eyes ... or that the men were stupid enough to post the illegal activity on social media afterwards.
“I am actually incredulous after watching this video,” he said. “I have no understanding of what makes grown men behave in such a manner, I would have to question their IQ.” Mr Harrison suggested not only had they destroyed the property of another person but also damaged the road surface and destroyed a road side sign.
YouTube link. Alternative video link.
“The fact that it emitted sparks poses a danger to anyone in the area,” he said. “They are obviously proud of their achievement but I would say that their age matches their shoe size.” The video was taken down not long after it was posted.
The toilets can be swinging wildly across the road as sparks fly and their mates in the vehicle behind film the whole thing. NT Police duty superintendent Bob Harrison couldn’t believe his eyes ... or that the men were stupid enough to post the illegal activity on social media afterwards.
“I am actually incredulous after watching this video,” he said. “I have no understanding of what makes grown men behave in such a manner, I would have to question their IQ.” Mr Harrison suggested not only had they destroyed the property of another person but also damaged the road surface and destroyed a road side sign.
YouTube link. Alternative video link.
“The fact that it emitted sparks poses a danger to anyone in the area,” he said. “They are obviously proud of their achievement but I would say that their age matches their shoe size.” The video was taken down not long after it was posted.
Police officer's huge drugs seizure turned out to be 8kg of pot potpourri
A police officer in Staffordshire headed to a parcel sorting depot after a call reporting several suspicious packages.
Upon arrival he was shown several large cardboard boxes which had been returned from an address in the south of England. The convinced officer thought he had stumbled upon a large quantity of drugs due to the strange aroma emitting from the boxes.
He seized all the boxes which filled his entire police car and hastily made his way back to the police station, where he spent 30 minutes unloading all the boxes into the report writing room and informing his colleagues that he may have found a huge amount of drugs.
The officer requested the presence of a drugs dog which was diverted from a distance of 20 miles away. But when the boxes were opened, the dog showed very little interest in the 8kg of pot potpourri discovered inside – by which time the room was filled with a most wonderful aroma. The officer then spent the next hour packaging up his find and sheepishly returned back to the parcel depot with his catch.
Upon arrival he was shown several large cardboard boxes which had been returned from an address in the south of England. The convinced officer thought he had stumbled upon a large quantity of drugs due to the strange aroma emitting from the boxes.
He seized all the boxes which filled his entire police car and hastily made his way back to the police station, where he spent 30 minutes unloading all the boxes into the report writing room and informing his colleagues that he may have found a huge amount of drugs.
The officer requested the presence of a drugs dog which was diverted from a distance of 20 miles away. But when the boxes were opened, the dog showed very little interest in the 8kg of pot potpourri discovered inside – by which time the room was filled with a most wonderful aroma. The officer then spent the next hour packaging up his find and sheepishly returned back to the parcel depot with his catch.
Insurance company threatened to void Christian minister's policy over religious car stickers
An insurance company has threatened to void the policy of a Christian minister because she put religious stickers on her car.
Rev Wena Parry, 75, was told that stickers saying "Christ Must Be Saviour" and "Christ For Me" could be regarded as "modifications" and could invalidate her insurance policy.
Rev Parry, from Cymmer in Neath Port Talbot, Wales, says she believes she has been treated unfairly because of her religious beliefs by Age UK insurance.
"There might be somebody within that company that hates Christianity." she said. Age UK denied there was a religious motive behind the move. Rev Parry says the large signs on the bonnet and sides of the car help spread the gospel message. "Every opportunity I have I want to tell people about Jesus. I reckon there must at least a million people who have read the texts on my car," she said. The company first objected to the stickers when she tried to claim on her policy after a part was stolen from the car and photographs were submitted as part of the claim.
She was given 10 days to explain why she had not told them about the stickers when she took the policy out. She was warned: "The policy may be declared void". Age UK told her in a letter: "These modifications do not fit our acceptance criteria for motor insurance and cover would have been declined if we had been made aware of these at the time of purchasing your policy." But they denied that the threat to withdraw the policy had anything to do with religion.
A spokesman said: "The situation regarding Rev Parry's claim was in no way related to the Christian nature of her graphics." They said their insurers Ageas Insurance Limited had investigated the sale of her policy. "They have concluded that our request to declare all modifications was not made clear enough to Rev Parry and therefore she did not know which vehicle enhancements should have been declared. They say they will review the wording on their policy applications."
"There might be somebody within that company that hates Christianity." she said. Age UK denied there was a religious motive behind the move. Rev Parry says the large signs on the bonnet and sides of the car help spread the gospel message. "Every opportunity I have I want to tell people about Jesus. I reckon there must at least a million people who have read the texts on my car," she said. The company first objected to the stickers when she tried to claim on her policy after a part was stolen from the car and photographs were submitted as part of the claim.
She was given 10 days to explain why she had not told them about the stickers when she took the policy out. She was warned: "The policy may be declared void". Age UK told her in a letter: "These modifications do not fit our acceptance criteria for motor insurance and cover would have been declined if we had been made aware of these at the time of purchasing your policy." But they denied that the threat to withdraw the policy had anything to do with religion.
A spokesman said: "The situation regarding Rev Parry's claim was in no way related to the Christian nature of her graphics." They said their insurers Ageas Insurance Limited had investigated the sale of her policy. "They have concluded that our request to declare all modifications was not made clear enough to Rev Parry and therefore she did not know which vehicle enhancements should have been declared. They say they will review the wording on their policy applications."
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