Monday, August 10, 2015
Parrots make their way downstairs
Good boy Stanley.
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While Jolly Polly was rewarded with what appears to be a nice cup of tea.
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While Jolly Polly was rewarded with what appears to be a nice cup of tea.
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Smash and grab burglar snatched six ukuleles from store
At 11:30pm last Friday surveillance cameras picked up a shadow. Seconds later the man lurking outside Joy's Gift Shop in Hilo, Hawaii, smashed his way inside the store.
"We were fast asleep in bed and we get a call from the alarm company followed up by a call from the police," said co-owner Bill Heideman.
When Heideman and his fiance Joy checked the cameras they were surprised. The man was inside the store for less than 20 seconds. The couple watched the suspect skirt around the counter not even glancing at the cash register. It seems he only wanted one thing: ukuleles.
"It must have been something the perpetrator was interested in or he knew people who would buy those quickly just a fast way to get money," said Heideman. The man got away with 6 ukuleles. The average price for one that was stolen is about $250. All told, Heideman says he's out more than $1200 and that doesn't include the cost of fixing the door.
"Small business is very hard to make a profit and survive. Yea it's definitely a hit to us and yea we would like to see him pay for his crime," said Heideman. With the public's help Heideman might get his wish. The hat the suspected crook was wearing wasn't much of a disguise. Cameras positioned throughout the store captured a clear shot of the man's face.
With news video including CCTV footage of the robbery.
When Heideman and his fiance Joy checked the cameras they were surprised. The man was inside the store for less than 20 seconds. The couple watched the suspect skirt around the counter not even glancing at the cash register. It seems he only wanted one thing: ukuleles.
"It must have been something the perpetrator was interested in or he knew people who would buy those quickly just a fast way to get money," said Heideman. The man got away with 6 ukuleles. The average price for one that was stolen is about $250. All told, Heideman says he's out more than $1200 and that doesn't include the cost of fixing the door.
"Small business is very hard to make a profit and survive. Yea it's definitely a hit to us and yea we would like to see him pay for his crime," said Heideman. With the public's help Heideman might get his wish. The hat the suspected crook was wearing wasn't much of a disguise. Cameras positioned throughout the store captured a clear shot of the man's face.
With news video including CCTV footage of the robbery.
Nursing home patient found live snake in his underpants
Workers at the Titusville Rehab and Nursing Center in Florida have said that a resident at the home woke up, went to the bathroom and found a live snake in his underpants.
"(It was) in his underwear," said certified nursing assistant Veronica Mitchner. "I was like, a snake? A real snake. And I wanted to see the snake and when I seen the snake in a cup, I was like, 'Dang, that's a real snake.'"
Mitchner said supervisors at the 157-bed facility told nurses not to report what happened. "She told them not to do an incident report," Mitchner said. But Mitchner said the supervisors' response is what prompted employees to act, and an anonymous call was made to police. "A live snake, a little baby live snake," the caller said. "Okay," said the dispatcher. The caller told dispatchers that supervisors were trying to cover up the incident.
"They don't want it to be known. They don't want the Health Department to be called. They don't want anything to be done." The police report shows the director of nursing said she would call pest control, saying the snake may have got to the resident from a blanket due to the laundry facility being outside. Mitchner said the snakes aren't new. "I've been here for two years, and I've seen them for two years," she said.
YouTube link. Original video.
She said she wants to see more being done to control the pest problem. Other employees said management tried to further cover up what happened by telling them not to talk with the media. The resident was not bitten or injured by the snake, authorities said. He even told police he'd like to keep the reptile as a pet. A statement from the facility identified the snake as a 3-inch nonpoisonous ring neck snake. It also said the pest control company that inspected the grounds found no evidence of snakes.
Mitchner said supervisors at the 157-bed facility told nurses not to report what happened. "She told them not to do an incident report," Mitchner said. But Mitchner said the supervisors' response is what prompted employees to act, and an anonymous call was made to police. "A live snake, a little baby live snake," the caller said. "Okay," said the dispatcher. The caller told dispatchers that supervisors were trying to cover up the incident.
"They don't want it to be known. They don't want the Health Department to be called. They don't want anything to be done." The police report shows the director of nursing said she would call pest control, saying the snake may have got to the resident from a blanket due to the laundry facility being outside. Mitchner said the snakes aren't new. "I've been here for two years, and I've seen them for two years," she said.
YouTube link. Original video.
She said she wants to see more being done to control the pest problem. Other employees said management tried to further cover up what happened by telling them not to talk with the media. The resident was not bitten or injured by the snake, authorities said. He even told police he'd like to keep the reptile as a pet. A statement from the facility identified the snake as a 3-inch nonpoisonous ring neck snake. It also said the pest control company that inspected the grounds found no evidence of snakes.
Would-be shoplifter forced to flee on foot after his car was repossessed as he inside store
A man was from Zion, Illinois, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with retail theft after his would-be getaway car was repossessed while he was allegedly trying to steal electronics in a Wal-Mart store, according to Round Lake Beach police.
Che Hearn, 25, faces one count of misdemeanor retail theft involving merchandise valued at less than $300, according to Lake County Circuit Court records. According to Michael Scott, deputy chief of Round Lake Beach police, officers responded at about 3pm to a report of a retail theft at the Wal-Mart.
Upon arrival, Scott said, officers were informed that a man was observed loading electronics into a shopping basket and leaving the store. After employees confronted the suspect, he dropped the items and fled on foot, police said. Hearn was later located walking by the side of the road, according to police. When asked why he was walking, he responded that his car had been repossessed while he was at the Wal-Mart, police said.
Investigators determined that the repossession company had followed Hearn to Wal-Mart, police said. The car was towed away when he entered the store, giving Hearn the only option of fleeing the scene on foot, police said. Scott said Hearn, who was called an "Unlucky thief" in a police press release, was released from custody on a recognizance bond after being charged with retail theft. He is scheduled for arraignment on Sept. 1.
Che Hearn, 25, faces one count of misdemeanor retail theft involving merchandise valued at less than $300, according to Lake County Circuit Court records. According to Michael Scott, deputy chief of Round Lake Beach police, officers responded at about 3pm to a report of a retail theft at the Wal-Mart.
Upon arrival, Scott said, officers were informed that a man was observed loading electronics into a shopping basket and leaving the store. After employees confronted the suspect, he dropped the items and fled on foot, police said. Hearn was later located walking by the side of the road, according to police. When asked why he was walking, he responded that his car had been repossessed while he was at the Wal-Mart, police said.
Investigators determined that the repossession company had followed Hearn to Wal-Mart, police said. The car was towed away when he entered the store, giving Hearn the only option of fleeing the scene on foot, police said. Scott said Hearn, who was called an "Unlucky thief" in a police press release, was released from custody on a recognizance bond after being charged with retail theft. He is scheduled for arraignment on Sept. 1.
Babysitter and daughter accused of selling mother's possessions while she was out
Joanie Knight from Bogalusa, Louisiana, came home from work on Tuesday to find that nearly everything in her home of value was missing.
Police say the woman’s babysitter Estelle Ard, 64, and the babysitter’s daughter, Cathy Knight, 27, are accused of selling the woman’s possessions on Bogalusa’s WBOX radio swap shop.
“They cleaned out my house,” Joanie Knight said. “Everything that we worked so hard for. They just sold it out.” Appliances, including their refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer and television, were sold. Police said the babysitter took Joanie Knight’s children to a nearby park while Cathy Knight called the radio station and sold the items.
“While the mama, who was the paid babysitter, and the kids were gone, (Cathy Knight) called the swap shop, which is a local radio station,” Bogalusa Police Chief Joe Culpepper said. “For the people to be in the house, it's an occupied residence, and just call the swap shop, and make out like it's your stuff, and you need to sell it. It's a new concept. I don't think I've ever seen it here before.” Culpepper said the woman sold the items right out of the house.
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“They sold brand new appliances for like $40 and $50 and people didn't think this was odd. They advertised it on the radio,” Joanie Knight said. “I'm angry. I'm upset. I'm scared. I don't know if she has friends that are going to try and come after me, because I went to the police.” Cathy Knight has been arrested by police, and authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Ard. Authorities are trying to recover the items illegally sold from the home. Anyone with information about the alleged crime are asked to contact police.
“They cleaned out my house,” Joanie Knight said. “Everything that we worked so hard for. They just sold it out.” Appliances, including their refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer and television, were sold. Police said the babysitter took Joanie Knight’s children to a nearby park while Cathy Knight called the radio station and sold the items.
“While the mama, who was the paid babysitter, and the kids were gone, (Cathy Knight) called the swap shop, which is a local radio station,” Bogalusa Police Chief Joe Culpepper said. “For the people to be in the house, it's an occupied residence, and just call the swap shop, and make out like it's your stuff, and you need to sell it. It's a new concept. I don't think I've ever seen it here before.” Culpepper said the woman sold the items right out of the house.
YouTube link.
“They sold brand new appliances for like $40 and $50 and people didn't think this was odd. They advertised it on the radio,” Joanie Knight said. “I'm angry. I'm upset. I'm scared. I don't know if she has friends that are going to try and come after me, because I went to the police.” Cathy Knight has been arrested by police, and authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Ard. Authorities are trying to recover the items illegally sold from the home. Anyone with information about the alleged crime are asked to contact police.
Vegemite abuse prompts threat of sales limit
Australia's government says some communities should consider limiting the sale of the popular Vegemite spread because it is being used to make alcohol.
It says the yeast-based product is contributing to anti-social behaviour in some remote communities.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion described the salty spread as a "precursor to misery". He said it was being bought in bulk to make moonshine. Brewer's yeast is a key ingredient in the spread and is used in the production of beer and ale.
In communities where alcohol is banned because of addiction problems, Mr Scullion said Vegemite sales should also be restricted. "Businesses in these communities ... have a responsibility to report any purchase that may raise their own suspicions," he said.
The minister added that in some cases, children were failing to turn up to school because they were too hung-over, and that Vegemite was an increasingly common factor in domestic violence cases. Vegemite started as a war-time substitute for Marmite, and is now something of an Australian culinary icon.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion described the salty spread as a "precursor to misery". He said it was being bought in bulk to make moonshine. Brewer's yeast is a key ingredient in the spread and is used in the production of beer and ale.
In communities where alcohol is banned because of addiction problems, Mr Scullion said Vegemite sales should also be restricted. "Businesses in these communities ... have a responsibility to report any purchase that may raise their own suspicions," he said.
The minister added that in some cases, children were failing to turn up to school because they were too hung-over, and that Vegemite was an increasingly common factor in domestic violence cases. Vegemite started as a war-time substitute for Marmite, and is now something of an Australian culinary icon.
Bank customers escorted under umbrella to protect them from dive-bombing seagulls
Bank customers were escorted in and out of a branch in Ipswich, Suffolk, under an umbrella on Friday as dive-bombing seagulls protected their chick which had fallen from the nest.
Unsuspecting customers parking up at Natwest Bank in Ransomes Europark had to duck for cover when approaching the main entrance as the parent seagulls swooped on anyone getting to close to their offspring.
The baby seagull had fallen from a nest on the bank’s roof overnight and remained on the ground near the main entrance for most of the day before shuffling off to a more remote location at the bank. Branch manager Lorna McQueen said two customers told staff they were “hit on the back of the head” by the protective seagulls early in the morning, saying they were more “stunned” than injured. When reporting the incident to the RSPCA, Mrs McQueen said she was told that hiding under an umbrella would be one of the best deterrents and safety measures.
She therefore took it upon herself to offer customers the option of being escorted in and out of the branch under her large black umbrella she had retrieved from her car. She said: “The RSPCA told me not to move the chick as once it has your scent on it, the parents could stop looking after it. The seagulls have nested on the roof before but something like this has never happened before. The RSPCA said they might not come out as it is not a priority, but I hope they do.” A spokesman for the bank later confirmed the baby seagull was still alive and had begun to “move around a little”.
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He added: “The young seagull has shuffled away from the door of the branch and the ATM, so the adult seagulls are no longer swooping on customers or staff.” An RSPCA spokesman said: “We assess each call we receive on a case by case basis as many of these gulls, and other young animals, do not need rescuing as they should be looked after by their natural parents. Many fledglings discovered by members of the public are mistakenly thought to be injured or abandoned, and subsequently moved from their natural habitat. But their chances of survival are much better in the wild than in captivity. If the bird is injured, however, it may be a different story so it is important that is made clear on a call. Swooping is often just a protective mum’s way of keeping their babies safe. The best thing to do is keep a distance and monitor.”
The baby seagull had fallen from a nest on the bank’s roof overnight and remained on the ground near the main entrance for most of the day before shuffling off to a more remote location at the bank. Branch manager Lorna McQueen said two customers told staff they were “hit on the back of the head” by the protective seagulls early in the morning, saying they were more “stunned” than injured. When reporting the incident to the RSPCA, Mrs McQueen said she was told that hiding under an umbrella would be one of the best deterrents and safety measures.
She therefore took it upon herself to offer customers the option of being escorted in and out of the branch under her large black umbrella she had retrieved from her car. She said: “The RSPCA told me not to move the chick as once it has your scent on it, the parents could stop looking after it. The seagulls have nested on the roof before but something like this has never happened before. The RSPCA said they might not come out as it is not a priority, but I hope they do.” A spokesman for the bank later confirmed the baby seagull was still alive and had begun to “move around a little”.
YouTube link.
He added: “The young seagull has shuffled away from the door of the branch and the ATM, so the adult seagulls are no longer swooping on customers or staff.” An RSPCA spokesman said: “We assess each call we receive on a case by case basis as many of these gulls, and other young animals, do not need rescuing as they should be looked after by their natural parents. Many fledglings discovered by members of the public are mistakenly thought to be injured or abandoned, and subsequently moved from their natural habitat. But their chances of survival are much better in the wild than in captivity. If the bird is injured, however, it may be a different story so it is important that is made clear on a call. Swooping is often just a protective mum’s way of keeping their babies safe. The best thing to do is keep a distance and monitor.”
Bronze bench sculpture to get sign warning that it gets hot in the sunshine
A caution sign is to be put on a bronze bench sculpture in Somerset, warning people it gets hot in the sunshine.
Man on a Bench by Giles Penny was unveiled in Bruton in June and now attracts a number of visitors who sit on it to have their photograph taken. Town mayor Steve Hall, said he was certain it "won't heat up to griddle levels" this summer but it could be a "shock" to those wearing shorts.
The sign warning that the "surface will be hot" in the sunshine, is to erected. The sculpture by the renowned artist was installed two months ago. Since then, according to Mr Hall, it has become a "star attraction". "It's not a bench, it's a piece of art but because you can sit on the bench next to the sculpture a lot of people are going up and having their photograph taken," he said.
"You can sit on it comfortably, 99% of the time but I decided if we did get a real 1976 summer again it would probably be very, very uncomfortable and may even result in burns." As a precaution the sculptor had been asked to make a sign, warning people to "test it" before sitting on it.
Man on a Bench by Giles Penny was unveiled in Bruton in June and now attracts a number of visitors who sit on it to have their photograph taken. Town mayor Steve Hall, said he was certain it "won't heat up to griddle levels" this summer but it could be a "shock" to those wearing shorts.
The sign warning that the "surface will be hot" in the sunshine, is to erected. The sculpture by the renowned artist was installed two months ago. Since then, according to Mr Hall, it has become a "star attraction". "It's not a bench, it's a piece of art but because you can sit on the bench next to the sculpture a lot of people are going up and having their photograph taken," he said.
"You can sit on it comfortably, 99% of the time but I decided if we did get a real 1976 summer again it would probably be very, very uncomfortable and may even result in burns." As a precaution the sculptor had been asked to make a sign, warning people to "test it" before sitting on it.
Mourners urged to choose different flowers to deter sweet-toothed squirrels
Grieving families have been urged to only choose certain funeral flowers for Earlham Crematorium in Norwich, Norfolk, because squirrels are munching their way through the tributes.
The animals have become such a problem that bosses at Dignity, which runs the crematorium, have put up signs warning mourners about the squirrels.
They say grey squirrels are particularly partial to eating fresh spray carnations and chrysanthemums because of the high sugar content and suggest other flowers may be less appealing. George Barrett, 67, has filmed the animals dining on flower heads on several occasions and wants sterner action to stop them. His daughter Karlene died in 2003 and he walks through the crematorium to visit her memorial. Mr Barrett said: “I have been going in there for 12 years and I have never seen the squirrels eating the funeral flowers until this year.
“It’s soul-destroying to see them nibbling away. I’ve seen tributes put down on the Friday morning and by the Friday afternoon they are in pieces because of the squirrels.” Mr Barrett said some of the flowers on his daughter’s memorial had also been damaged. He said: “I like wildlife, but you have to draw the line somewhere.” A spokesman for Dignity said: “We have erected signage informing visitors squirrels live in the area and can sometimes eat fresh spray carnations and chrysanthemums due to their high sugar content.
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“We’ve been advised by Norfolk Wildlife Trust squirrels are less likely to eat other types of flowers and a repellent spray can be purchased which deters them from eating flowers without causing any harm.” He said concerns had been raised with the city council, but Chris Eardley, environmental services development manager at City Hall, ruled out a squirrel cull. He said: “There is no intention of introducing a culling programme in the areas under the council’s control because controlling them in the cemetery, or elsewhere in Norwich, is unlikely to work.”
They say grey squirrels are particularly partial to eating fresh spray carnations and chrysanthemums because of the high sugar content and suggest other flowers may be less appealing. George Barrett, 67, has filmed the animals dining on flower heads on several occasions and wants sterner action to stop them. His daughter Karlene died in 2003 and he walks through the crematorium to visit her memorial. Mr Barrett said: “I have been going in there for 12 years and I have never seen the squirrels eating the funeral flowers until this year.
“It’s soul-destroying to see them nibbling away. I’ve seen tributes put down on the Friday morning and by the Friday afternoon they are in pieces because of the squirrels.” Mr Barrett said some of the flowers on his daughter’s memorial had also been damaged. He said: “I like wildlife, but you have to draw the line somewhere.” A spokesman for Dignity said: “We have erected signage informing visitors squirrels live in the area and can sometimes eat fresh spray carnations and chrysanthemums due to their high sugar content.
YouTube link.
“We’ve been advised by Norfolk Wildlife Trust squirrels are less likely to eat other types of flowers and a repellent spray can be purchased which deters them from eating flowers without causing any harm.” He said concerns had been raised with the city council, but Chris Eardley, environmental services development manager at City Hall, ruled out a squirrel cull. He said: “There is no intention of introducing a culling programme in the areas under the council’s control because controlling them in the cemetery, or elsewhere in Norwich, is unlikely to work.”
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