Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Truck hit wall as mural dedicated to victims of fatal traffic accidents was being installed
In a case of life imitating art, a truck crashed into a wall in Brooklyn as safe-streets activists were putting up a mural on it dedicated to people killed in traffic accidents in New York last year.
The eerily timed accident took place on Saturday as about a dozen traffic safety advocates worked to install the memorial to the 264 people killed on city roads in 2014. The truck hit the same wall the activists were working on, but about a half a block away.
“We all observed the irony of the situation,” said Ed Ravin, 53, who was helping to put up the mural abutting a vacant lot in Williamsburg. “People were working on the wall down the street and definitely could feel when the truck hit. But no one was hurt.”
The truck eventually pulled away, allowing the volunteers to finish putting up the 500-foot mural. The powerful work of art, organized by pro-pedestrian group Right of Way, features black silhouettes representing each pedestrian, cyclist and driver killed on New York streets last year. Posted alongside the silhouettes are the victims’ names and the dates they were killed.
There's more information about the memorial mural, including videos, here.
The eerily timed accident took place on Saturday as about a dozen traffic safety advocates worked to install the memorial to the 264 people killed on city roads in 2014. The truck hit the same wall the activists were working on, but about a half a block away.
“We all observed the irony of the situation,” said Ed Ravin, 53, who was helping to put up the mural abutting a vacant lot in Williamsburg. “People were working on the wall down the street and definitely could feel when the truck hit. But no one was hurt.”
The truck eventually pulled away, allowing the volunteers to finish putting up the 500-foot mural. The powerful work of art, organized by pro-pedestrian group Right of Way, features black silhouettes representing each pedestrian, cyclist and driver killed on New York streets last year. Posted alongside the silhouettes are the victims’ names and the dates they were killed.
There's more information about the memorial mural, including videos, here.
Reward offered in dirty diaper dumping case
The Maine Warden Service is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the person tossing 5-gallon buckets filled with dirty diapers in Franklin County streams.
Twenty four of the bright orange buckets have been recovered from streams in Wilton and Farmington within the past couple of months, wardens said.
The buckets have been found near Temple Stream in Farmington and Wilson Stream, off the Pond Road in Wilton.
“I think it’s somebody local. Nobody’s travelling across the state to get rid of this, I don’t believe,” Warden Daniel Christianson said. “Somebody local, not sure why. There’s no rhyme or reason why somebody would be dumping stuff like that in the water. Not only is this just litter, it’s (human) waste and there is water contamination that’s going to happen because those lids won't stay on those buckets forever,” Christianson added.
“Oh, that’s horrible,” Temple resident Kathy Shepard said when she heard the news. “That’s horrible because people fish in here and I think they eat the fish. This is gross.” The $500 reward is for information leading to a summons and conviction in the littering case. Wardens are confident they’ll be able to trace the buckets. They’re already analyzing the evidence. “The contents themselves, Warden McCabe found that they’re adult diapers, stuffed in 5 gallon Home Depot buckets, with the lid closed,” Christianson said.
YouTube link.
Investigators have some theories, but no suspects yet. “Maybe somebody is getting paid to remove these, (and) instead of paying to get rid of them, they’re just dumping them,” Christianson said. If the culprit is eventually caught, Wardens said the person could be charged with littering, which carries a $200 fine per bucket, totalling around $5,000. “They have to put those people in jail so other people won’t do it,” Kathy Shepard added. Wardens are asking that anyone with information contact them.
“I think it’s somebody local. Nobody’s travelling across the state to get rid of this, I don’t believe,” Warden Daniel Christianson said. “Somebody local, not sure why. There’s no rhyme or reason why somebody would be dumping stuff like that in the water. Not only is this just litter, it’s (human) waste and there is water contamination that’s going to happen because those lids won't stay on those buckets forever,” Christianson added.
“Oh, that’s horrible,” Temple resident Kathy Shepard said when she heard the news. “That’s horrible because people fish in here and I think they eat the fish. This is gross.” The $500 reward is for information leading to a summons and conviction in the littering case. Wardens are confident they’ll be able to trace the buckets. They’re already analyzing the evidence. “The contents themselves, Warden McCabe found that they’re adult diapers, stuffed in 5 gallon Home Depot buckets, with the lid closed,” Christianson said.
YouTube link.
Investigators have some theories, but no suspects yet. “Maybe somebody is getting paid to remove these, (and) instead of paying to get rid of them, they’re just dumping them,” Christianson said. If the culprit is eventually caught, Wardens said the person could be charged with littering, which carries a $200 fine per bucket, totalling around $5,000. “They have to put those people in jail so other people won’t do it,” Kathy Shepard added. Wardens are asking that anyone with information contact them.
Investigation launched after pigeon found with glued-on hat and bell
A man from says he was shocked to see a pigeon with a paper hat glued on its head and a large bell on its neck near his home in Penticton in British Columbia, Canada.
Gary McDougall says he spotted the pigeon on his neighbour's roof on Saturday morning and took some photos of the lone bird before it flew off. "It's cruelty to animals regardless of what kind of joke people think it is," McDougall said.
McDougall says the bird was missing its tail feathers and appeared to have been painted red. But it still appeared to be capable of flying. The pigeon had a piece of paper glued to its head and a large bell that could've also been glued, he said.
McDougall says he first saw the bird about 10 days ago with the paper stuck to its head but he thought it was a tea bag or some other piece of garbage until he saw it later with the bell on its neck. "It could very well be like having a bowling ball around your neck and having to manoeuvre. It makes it pretty difficult," McDougall said. The SPCA is now investigating.
Gary McDougall says he spotted the pigeon on his neighbour's roof on Saturday morning and took some photos of the lone bird before it flew off. "It's cruelty to animals regardless of what kind of joke people think it is," McDougall said.
McDougall says the bird was missing its tail feathers and appeared to have been painted red. But it still appeared to be capable of flying. The pigeon had a piece of paper glued to its head and a large bell that could've also been glued, he said.
McDougall says he first saw the bird about 10 days ago with the paper stuck to its head but he thought it was a tea bag or some other piece of garbage until he saw it later with the bell on its neck. "It could very well be like having a bowling ball around your neck and having to manoeuvre. It makes it pretty difficult," McDougall said. The SPCA is now investigating.
Mud crabs left strewn over road after being launched from boat in road crash
Mud crabs were left strewn across a road in Wanguri in Australia's Northern Territory after a road crash launched them out of a boat.
Superintendent Del Jones said there was “a fair bit of chortling” after the crash, which left several parked vehicles damaged as the crabs made desperate dashes for freedom.
She said the crash happened after the driver, who would later return a mid-range breath alcohol reading, underestimated the width of the boat trailer which crashed into a parked car on Wanguri Tce at about 7.30pm on Sunday. “He struck the right wheel of the first car and damaged running gear, which caused the boat to come off the trailer,” Supt Jones said.
“The car then dragged the boat down the road by the winch rope, before the boat struck the second car.” The boat then struck a third car, which dislodged it completely from the trailer, and launched the crabs out onto the road. “There were initial reports of screaming ... turns out it was people laughing,” Supt Jones said.
Some of the crabs were flattened, while others were rescued. The 44-year-old driver blew .092 per cent. Supt Jones said the crash was another example of the dangers of drink-driving. The driver was given a Notice to Appear in Darwin Magistrates Court for Medium-Range drink-driving and driving without due care.
She said the crash happened after the driver, who would later return a mid-range breath alcohol reading, underestimated the width of the boat trailer which crashed into a parked car on Wanguri Tce at about 7.30pm on Sunday. “He struck the right wheel of the first car and damaged running gear, which caused the boat to come off the trailer,” Supt Jones said.
“The car then dragged the boat down the road by the winch rope, before the boat struck the second car.” The boat then struck a third car, which dislodged it completely from the trailer, and launched the crabs out onto the road. “There were initial reports of screaming ... turns out it was people laughing,” Supt Jones said.
Some of the crabs were flattened, while others were rescued. The 44-year-old driver blew .092 per cent. Supt Jones said the crash was another example of the dangers of drink-driving. The driver was given a Notice to Appear in Darwin Magistrates Court for Medium-Range drink-driving and driving without due care.
Police unimpressed with man found sleeping in the middle of road
Police found a man at 4.45am on Saturday, sound asleep in the middle of a road in Napier, New Zealand. He was not injured and had not been run over, but was extremely drunk.
The man, in his mid-20s, lived a short distance from where he was found, and told police he had spent all night drinking in town. Police officers returned him home with a stern warning, Sergeant Andrew Graham from Hawke's Bay police said. "He was so drunk he had no idea what he was doing. He was very lucky that one of our patrol cars just happened to come across him.
"This is a classic example of what can happen when you drink too much and lose control of your faculties. This man could easily have been run over, and luckily there was not a lot of traffic in the area at the time." Drunk people were often victims of crimes such as robberies and assaults, Graham said.
Many drunk people could not defend themselves or recognise a potentially dangerous situation. "We say this time and time again, and we will keep on saying it: if you drink to excess, you will end up putting yourself or others in danger. It's all about personal responsibility and keeping yourself safe."
The man, in his mid-20s, lived a short distance from where he was found, and told police he had spent all night drinking in town. Police officers returned him home with a stern warning, Sergeant Andrew Graham from Hawke's Bay police said. "He was so drunk he had no idea what he was doing. He was very lucky that one of our patrol cars just happened to come across him.
"This is a classic example of what can happen when you drink too much and lose control of your faculties. This man could easily have been run over, and luckily there was not a lot of traffic in the area at the time." Drunk people were often victims of crimes such as robberies and assaults, Graham said.
Many drunk people could not defend themselves or recognise a potentially dangerous situation. "We say this time and time again, and we will keep on saying it: if you drink to excess, you will end up putting yourself or others in danger. It's all about personal responsibility and keeping yourself safe."
Specialist parrot trainer brought in to search for missing African grey
A specialist parrot trainer has been brought in to help search for Albert the African grey, missing in St Mary Cray, south east London.
Albert escaped from owner Michelle Andrews on Wednesday night.
Despite tirelessly searching, the red tailed bird has not yet turned up. Ms Andrews, 46, has now enlisted the help of parrot trainer Ryan Wyatt, who has his own specially trained parrots. It is hoped the birds will be able to lure Albert out from his hiding place.
Ms Andrews said: “He has been missing for days and there’s been no sign of him. He will probably be very vocal as he’s hungry.” Eight-month-old Albert has not yet mastered a wide range of vocabulary, but can say ‘hello’ and ‘alright’.
But the feathered friend can wolf whistle, says Ms Andrews, which is very loud. She added: “I’m pretty sure I heard him by the church, but it was so dark I couldn’t see properly. I’m confident it’s Albert I can hear whistling. He’s probably flying about looking for food.”
Despite tirelessly searching, the red tailed bird has not yet turned up. Ms Andrews, 46, has now enlisted the help of parrot trainer Ryan Wyatt, who has his own specially trained parrots. It is hoped the birds will be able to lure Albert out from his hiding place.
Ms Andrews said: “He has been missing for days and there’s been no sign of him. He will probably be very vocal as he’s hungry.” Eight-month-old Albert has not yet mastered a wide range of vocabulary, but can say ‘hello’ and ‘alright’.
But the feathered friend can wolf whistle, says Ms Andrews, which is very loud. She added: “I’m pretty sure I heard him by the church, but it was so dark I couldn’t see properly. I’m confident it’s Albert I can hear whistling. He’s probably flying about looking for food.”
Fire crews called to blaze started by Womble
Fire crews were called to a blaze which was found to have been started by Orinoco Womble.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called to a property in Harrogate on Sunday evening after receiving reports of the smell of burning in a loft of a maisonette.
Crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough Fire Service arrived at the scene and found Orinoco Womble on fire. It is believed the toy Womble had been sat under a down-lighter in the loft, which set him alight.
Smoke alarms in the property had not activated due to his location, but fire fighters used a dry powder extinguisher on him. The Wombles lived on Wimbledon Common, where they make good use of rubbish left behind by humans and were known for having a poor opinion of human beings, with the exception of the Queen.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called to a property in Harrogate on Sunday evening after receiving reports of the smell of burning in a loft of a maisonette.
Crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough Fire Service arrived at the scene and found Orinoco Womble on fire. It is believed the toy Womble had been sat under a down-lighter in the loft, which set him alight.
Smoke alarms in the property had not activated due to his location, but fire fighters used a dry powder extinguisher on him. The Wombles lived on Wimbledon Common, where they make good use of rubbish left behind by humans and were known for having a poor opinion of human beings, with the exception of the Queen.
Boy rescued after getting stuck in claw machine
Four-year-old Henry Howes got stuck inside an arcade claw machine after climbing in when he failed to win a Minion teddy.
Determined Henry asked his mother Emma for £1 to have a go on the arcade game at his local swimming pool. The claw picked up a Despicable Me toy but then agonisingly dropped it just short of the delivery chute.
Henry refused to give up and put his hand inside the hatch in a bid to grab the Minion teddy, but reached too far. His bottom slipped under the trap door on the front of the machine, trapping him inside.
YouTube link.
The drama was witnessed by older brother Harvey, nine, who ran to get Emma. She saw the funny side and called staff at the Snowdome in Tamworth, Staffs, who then spent half an hour looking for the keys to free Henry.
Determined Henry asked his mother Emma for £1 to have a go on the arcade game at his local swimming pool. The claw picked up a Despicable Me toy but then agonisingly dropped it just short of the delivery chute.
Henry refused to give up and put his hand inside the hatch in a bid to grab the Minion teddy, but reached too far. His bottom slipped under the trap door on the front of the machine, trapping him inside.
YouTube link.
The drama was witnessed by older brother Harvey, nine, who ran to get Emma. She saw the funny side and called staff at the Snowdome in Tamworth, Staffs, who then spent half an hour looking for the keys to free Henry.
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