Thursday, March 12, 2015
Raccoon with head stuck in tree rescued
Tuckerton, New Jersey, is a place where people know people, and people help each other. That's how Assistant Fire Chief Lee Eggert describes his hometown.
It's also a place where firefighters help out animals who get their heads stuck in trees.
That was the case on Tuesday afternoon when Eggert's neighbour peered out to see a chubby raccoon in her tree. "She came out and saw it flailing around in there," Eggert said. "He had been clawing at the tree for a while," Eggert added.
Eggert said he heard his neighbour's call at 1:28pm over the police scanner. Eggert's wife called the wife of Wayne Tonnesen, a retired New Jersey conservation officer.
Eggert said it appears as if the raccoon stuck his head in the knot to get a nut left behind by another animal. But he couldn't get his head back out. Tonnesen was able to chisel away bits of the wood to make the hole larger for the raccoon's head. The animal then scampered away. Firefighters say it had no apparent injury.
That was the case on Tuesday afternoon when Eggert's neighbour peered out to see a chubby raccoon in her tree. "She came out and saw it flailing around in there," Eggert said. "He had been clawing at the tree for a while," Eggert added.
Eggert said he heard his neighbour's call at 1:28pm over the police scanner. Eggert's wife called the wife of Wayne Tonnesen, a retired New Jersey conservation officer.
Eggert said it appears as if the raccoon stuck his head in the knot to get a nut left behind by another animal. But he couldn't get his head back out. Tonnesen was able to chisel away bits of the wood to make the hole larger for the raccoon's head. The animal then scampered away. Firefighters say it had no apparent injury.
Court tells man he can't smoke in his own home
Under Washington D.C.'s new law, anyone can smoke marijuana in their home. But a temporary decision by a Superior Court judge means one man in the District can't light up anything at his home, including pot and cigarettes.
Edwin Gray loves a cigarette to relax, but now he's got to smoke them outside.
A temporary order of the court has said that Gray can no longer light up in the Northeast D.C. home that's been owned by his family for 50 years. "We were floored," said Gray's sister, Mozella Johnson. Johnson says she was shocked a lawsuit filed by neighbours who moved in last year could now dictate what the family can do inside its home.
Court filings show the couple that moved in next door has one child and another on the way. They claim they're being harmed by smoke they say sneaks into their home through a hole in the basement. A judge said in the injunction that Johnson, Gray and any guests or family cannot smoke cigarettes, cigars or marijuana in their home, even if it's legal in the city where they live.
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Johnson and her brother are vowing to continue fighting. The couple suing Johnson and Gray declined to comment. Court filings say they tried to work with Johnson and Gray, but had to file suit when mediation attempts failed. In addition to the injunction, their lawsuit asks for $500,000 in damages. The case is ongoing.
A temporary order of the court has said that Gray can no longer light up in the Northeast D.C. home that's been owned by his family for 50 years. "We were floored," said Gray's sister, Mozella Johnson. Johnson says she was shocked a lawsuit filed by neighbours who moved in last year could now dictate what the family can do inside its home.
Court filings show the couple that moved in next door has one child and another on the way. They claim they're being harmed by smoke they say sneaks into their home through a hole in the basement. A judge said in the injunction that Johnson, Gray and any guests or family cannot smoke cigarettes, cigars or marijuana in their home, even if it's legal in the city where they live.
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Johnson and her brother are vowing to continue fighting. The couple suing Johnson and Gray declined to comment. Court filings say they tried to work with Johnson and Gray, but had to file suit when mediation attempts failed. In addition to the injunction, their lawsuit asks for $500,000 in damages. The case is ongoing.
Restaurant refused to serve man because of his facial tattoos
A restaurant in Houston, Texas, refused to serve a man with tattoos on his face.
A police officer told Erik Leighton that management at Bombshells restaurant wanted him and his friend out. He was told individuals with facial tattoos weren't allowed inside.
"I honestly thought he was joking, but he said he was serious," said Leighton. "It makes you feel like less of a person when you're escorted out for no reason." He says he knows he looks different, but that's no reason to refuse him service. Bombshells later messaged Leighton and apologised for how he was treated.
The company wrote "Fuqua has the largest gang concentration in Houston. One common factor with gangs are face and neck tattoos. We can't allow gangs to overtake our establishment." Leighton, who has small tattoos under his right eye and above his left eye, says he's no gang member.
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"I have no criminal record," said Leighton. "I work hard at a plant. I have two cats. I'm the furthest thing from a gang member." This tattoo policy is only in place at this one Bombshell's location. Leighton calls it discrimination. Now Leighton hopes Bombshells changes the policy. "If they're discriminating against face tattoos, what else are they discriminating against," he said.
"I honestly thought he was joking, but he said he was serious," said Leighton. "It makes you feel like less of a person when you're escorted out for no reason." He says he knows he looks different, but that's no reason to refuse him service. Bombshells later messaged Leighton and apologised for how he was treated.
The company wrote "Fuqua has the largest gang concentration in Houston. One common factor with gangs are face and neck tattoos. We can't allow gangs to overtake our establishment." Leighton, who has small tattoos under his right eye and above his left eye, says he's no gang member.
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"I have no criminal record," said Leighton. "I work hard at a plant. I have two cats. I'm the furthest thing from a gang member." This tattoo policy is only in place at this one Bombshell's location. Leighton calls it discrimination. Now Leighton hopes Bombshells changes the policy. "If they're discriminating against face tattoos, what else are they discriminating against," he said.
Family's home invaded by two giant snake-like earthworms
A family on Australia's Sunshine Coast thought their home was being invaded by snakes only to discover they were just two giant earthworms.
The worms measured between 60cm and a metre long. Tamara Simoneau spotted the first worm in the garage of her Buderim home.
The second on an outdoor mat on the patio a few days later. She said each was "too straight and moving too slow" to be a snake. The giant worms were eventually released into the garden.
Dr Penny Mitchel, director of Worms Downunder worm farms at Palmwoods, said that giant earthworms are often found on the Sunshine Coast and might have been seeking higher ground ahead of a change in the weather.
The worms measured between 60cm and a metre long. Tamara Simoneau spotted the first worm in the garage of her Buderim home.
The second on an outdoor mat on the patio a few days later. She said each was "too straight and moving too slow" to be a snake. The giant worms were eventually released into the garden.
Dr Penny Mitchel, director of Worms Downunder worm farms at Palmwoods, said that giant earthworms are often found on the Sunshine Coast and might have been seeking higher ground ahead of a change in the weather.
Inquisitive fox made impromptu visit to Fire Control Centre
A fox was caught creeping around Narrabri Fire Control Centre in rural New South Wales, Australia, on the look out for some snacks.
He made an appearance when staff were overseeing a fire burning in the Pilliga East State Forest on Monday night.
The fox made a beeline for the Operations Room rubbish bin before searching the room high and low, hopping up on desks and chairs.
Inspector David Stimson said: "The fox appeared very friendly and could be approached and was happy to pose for several photos before disappearing into the night."
He made an appearance when staff were overseeing a fire burning in the Pilliga East State Forest on Monday night.
The fox made a beeline for the Operations Room rubbish bin before searching the room high and low, hopping up on desks and chairs.
Inspector David Stimson said: "The fox appeared very friendly and could be approached and was happy to pose for several photos before disappearing into the night."
South African TV reporter mugged at gunpoint moments before going live on air
One of South Africa's best known TV journalists has been mugged on camera as he waited to go on air.
Footage shows two men accosting Vuyo Mvoko, from the national broadcaster SABC, who was outside a Johannesburg hospital to report on the arrival of Zambia's president for medical tests.
Mr Mvoko later said one of the muggers threatened him with a gun when he did not want to give up his mobile phone. The robbers appeared unconcerned by the presence of the camera. Shortly afterwards, Mr Mvoko, who is a contributing editor for the national news channel, said that he was safe and sound.
Police said the robbers took laptops and mobile phones and that officers were investigating in the incident. "Hopefully someone will be able to identify them and get them arrested," Mr Mvoko said. He said it took him a while to realise what was happening as it was less than a minute till he was due to go live. "It was like seconds to air and then the commotion started...
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"I couldn't understand why they'd walk right in front of the camera because the light is on and they could see that - and our car is branded, so they could see that this is a live broadcast." The thieves told him to hand over his phone, which he said was in his hand. "Because I wasn't giving him the phone, he then called the other one who had a gun, and said: 'Dubula le nja' [Shoot this dog]," Mr Mvoko said. At this point he said another member of the team screamed at him to hand over the phone, which he did.
Mr Mvoko later said one of the muggers threatened him with a gun when he did not want to give up his mobile phone. The robbers appeared unconcerned by the presence of the camera. Shortly afterwards, Mr Mvoko, who is a contributing editor for the national news channel, said that he was safe and sound.
Police said the robbers took laptops and mobile phones and that officers were investigating in the incident. "Hopefully someone will be able to identify them and get them arrested," Mr Mvoko said. He said it took him a while to realise what was happening as it was less than a minute till he was due to go live. "It was like seconds to air and then the commotion started...
YouTube link.
"I couldn't understand why they'd walk right in front of the camera because the light is on and they could see that - and our car is branded, so they could see that this is a live broadcast." The thieves told him to hand over his phone, which he said was in his hand. "Because I wasn't giving him the phone, he then called the other one who had a gun, and said: 'Dubula le nja' [Shoot this dog]," Mr Mvoko said. At this point he said another member of the team screamed at him to hand over the phone, which he did.
Council hope to deploy armed police officers to crack down on litter bugs
Armed police officers would be deployed in Merrylands, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, to deter litter bugs under a radical plan by Holroyd Council.
In a move described as heavy-handed, the council wants police on the streets to catch residents in the act of littering, after efforts from council officers to clean up the area have so far proved ineffective.
The council believes its officers are hamstrung in their attempts to penalise litter bugs because they can’t compel people to show identification, meaning tickets could be addressed anywhere.
Holroyd Mayor Greg Cummings has held preliminary talks with Merrylands police about the proposal, but the idea has met with fierce criticism from one of his fellow councillors. A council report reveals the project seeks to engage the NSW Police Service through the User Pays Policing Program to undertake patrols of the Merrylands CBD and issue fines to people observed littering. “This is an innovative approach to litter reduction and council is not aware of any other council in Sydney doing the same,” the report said.
Cr Ross Grove described the proposal as “local government gone mad” and would set a bad precedent for councils who want to pay the State Government for routine police patrols. “There is a very good reason this hasn’t been tried elsewhere and that is because the idea is just plain nuts,” he said. Cr Grove said he could not imagine police recruits graduating with a desire to catch murderers, rapists and litter bugs. The council has voted to discuss the user-pays policing at a workshop designed to give councillors more information on pricing.
Costs are expected to be met by a litter grant from the Environment Protection Agency. “I’m not really sure that we need to pay armed, uniformed police to chase down street litter,” Cr Grove said. “We may have a few Homer Simpson-style slobs in our society but for the most part I think people are responsible and there isn’t some evil supervillain out there dropping papers in a mischievous plot to destroy the city.” The council has tried other schemes to clamp down on litter in recent years, engaging performing street artists, extensive advertising campaigns and education programs.
Holroyd Mayor Greg Cummings has held preliminary talks with Merrylands police about the proposal, but the idea has met with fierce criticism from one of his fellow councillors. A council report reveals the project seeks to engage the NSW Police Service through the User Pays Policing Program to undertake patrols of the Merrylands CBD and issue fines to people observed littering. “This is an innovative approach to litter reduction and council is not aware of any other council in Sydney doing the same,” the report said.
Cr Ross Grove described the proposal as “local government gone mad” and would set a bad precedent for councils who want to pay the State Government for routine police patrols. “There is a very good reason this hasn’t been tried elsewhere and that is because the idea is just plain nuts,” he said. Cr Grove said he could not imagine police recruits graduating with a desire to catch murderers, rapists and litter bugs. The council has voted to discuss the user-pays policing at a workshop designed to give councillors more information on pricing.
Costs are expected to be met by a litter grant from the Environment Protection Agency. “I’m not really sure that we need to pay armed, uniformed police to chase down street litter,” Cr Grove said. “We may have a few Homer Simpson-style slobs in our society but for the most part I think people are responsible and there isn’t some evil supervillain out there dropping papers in a mischievous plot to destroy the city.” The council has tried other schemes to clamp down on litter in recent years, engaging performing street artists, extensive advertising campaigns and education programs.
Parking meter to be moved to protect dancing schoolgirls from Peeping Toms
Bristol city council will move a parking meter, installed as part of a residents' parking zone scheme, after claims it could be used as an excuse to spy on schoolgirls.
Owners of Bristol School of Dance said the machine for the new Clifton Village scheme had been placed too close to its front door.
Felicity Redgrave, 57, claimed it could attract voyeurs who would be able to peek into the school or watch dancers leaving class.
Ms Redgrave, who runs the school with her 97-year-old mother, said the new meter was insensitively placed. She claimed it spoiled the look of the historic 1890s building, was impeding pupils' safe exit and preventing workmen re-pointing the wall. But she added: "And finally, a subject that no one wants to talk about is the danger of people who take delight in looking at children. I will not use the 'P' word but we all know that these people are around and indeed in Clifton.
"What better opportunity to purport to be paying for a parking ticket that enables someone to come so close to the building that they are practically inside. Children who learn to dance often leave the school in the warmer months dressed in not very much, a leotard for example. It makes our blood run cold at the thought that anyone can now stand so close to the school entrance and see inside the changing room but cover themselves by saying they are using the parking machine."
A council spokesman said: "We try to select locations that ensure the machine is as convenient as possible for people parking within the bays. In the majority of cases, we have achieved a satisfactory location without having an unnecessary impact on street scene. However, in an area of this scale, we would anticipate that some machines will not be ideally located at the first attempt. We have reviewed this specific location and agree that the machine could be relocated so that it is not directly outside the building, and we will rectify this as soon as we can."
Ms Redgrave, who runs the school with her 97-year-old mother, said the new meter was insensitively placed. She claimed it spoiled the look of the historic 1890s building, was impeding pupils' safe exit and preventing workmen re-pointing the wall. But she added: "And finally, a subject that no one wants to talk about is the danger of people who take delight in looking at children. I will not use the 'P' word but we all know that these people are around and indeed in Clifton.
"What better opportunity to purport to be paying for a parking ticket that enables someone to come so close to the building that they are practically inside. Children who learn to dance often leave the school in the warmer months dressed in not very much, a leotard for example. It makes our blood run cold at the thought that anyone can now stand so close to the school entrance and see inside the changing room but cover themselves by saying they are using the parking machine."
A council spokesman said: "We try to select locations that ensure the machine is as convenient as possible for people parking within the bays. In the majority of cases, we have achieved a satisfactory location without having an unnecessary impact on street scene. However, in an area of this scale, we would anticipate that some machines will not be ideally located at the first attempt. We have reviewed this specific location and agree that the machine could be relocated so that it is not directly outside the building, and we will rectify this as soon as we can."
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