Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Elephant families take shortcut to mango tree
Each year at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia some very special guests pay a visit. Whole families of elephants have been regular guests at the lodge for a number of years, visiting between late October and mid-December to feast on the fallen fruits from the large wild mango (Cordyla africana) tree in the lodge grounds.
The fact that a large safari lodge is built around this delicious food store is of no concern to them. Why walk the extra few metres to go around, when there are some nice steps and a tiled reception lobby to saunter through each day? At least three generations of one particular elephant family return annually.
YouTube link.
The fact that a large safari lodge is built around this delicious food store is of no concern to them. Why walk the extra few metres to go around, when there are some nice steps and a tiled reception lobby to saunter through each day? At least three generations of one particular elephant family return annually.
YouTube link.
Teddy bear shot in drive-by shooting
Drive-by shooters took aim at a giant stuffed teddy bear being used as a driveway marker in a residential neighbourhood of Juneau, Alaska, early on Thursday morning.
Police received a secondhand report of the shots fired at about 5am and later learned that the homeowner had found a “small tiny bullet hole” in the stuffed animal’s face.
“It looks like what happened was someone drove in, saw the teddy bear, took a couple of shots at it and drove off,” Juneau Police Department spokesman Lt. David Campbell said. The homeowner, 34-year-old Brian Weed, said that he thought his house was being targeted because of his work. He’s a correctional officer at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.
“I’m a correctional officer; people threaten to kill me and my family like every other day,” he said. However, he later said it was probably more likely that the shooting was a “freak incident” by either kids or a drunken driver. The incident scared Weed’s wife, who was alone at home at the time, he said. She didn’t see the suspect vehicle but heard four or five gunshots in a row, then heard the vehicle drive off. A neighbour also heard the gunshots, police said.
Police do not have any evidence that the shooting was related to Weed’s job at Lemon Creek, Campbell said. “We haven’t received any other information that it was targeting him because of his profession,” said Campbell. “It looks like the shots were aimed at the stuffed animal.” Drive-by shootings aren’t unheard of in Juneau, but they are not common. Weed is offering an award for anyone who has information about the shooter that leads to his or her arrest.
“It looks like what happened was someone drove in, saw the teddy bear, took a couple of shots at it and drove off,” Juneau Police Department spokesman Lt. David Campbell said. The homeowner, 34-year-old Brian Weed, said that he thought his house was being targeted because of his work. He’s a correctional officer at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.
“I’m a correctional officer; people threaten to kill me and my family like every other day,” he said. However, he later said it was probably more likely that the shooting was a “freak incident” by either kids or a drunken driver. The incident scared Weed’s wife, who was alone at home at the time, he said. She didn’t see the suspect vehicle but heard four or five gunshots in a row, then heard the vehicle drive off. A neighbour also heard the gunshots, police said.
Police do not have any evidence that the shooting was related to Weed’s job at Lemon Creek, Campbell said. “We haven’t received any other information that it was targeting him because of his profession,” said Campbell. “It looks like the shots were aimed at the stuffed animal.” Drive-by shootings aren’t unheard of in Juneau, but they are not common. Weed is offering an award for anyone who has information about the shooter that leads to his or her arrest.
Family threatened with jail by homeowner’s association over purple playground
A purple playground has become a problem for a family from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, after their homeowner’s association is threatening them with fines, sanctions and even jail time if it’s not removed.
The playground which was built by the family ended up getting a purple paint job as a compromise. The kids wanted pink, but settled on purple.
Marla Stout said they found a purple-tinted wood stain from Home Depot. The Raintree Lake Neighborhood Homeowner’s Association wasn’t happy about the compromise. “We got a notice that we were being fined by the HOA," Stout said. That was last year. The family fought it and won, but the dispute wasn’t over yet. The family received more letters outlining more serious consequences.
“(The letters said) that if we didn’t remove the swing set from the subdivision in a couple of weeks, we go to jail,” Stout said. She said the family talked to all of the neighbours who could see the playground from their homes and asked them to sign a petition saying that the colour didn’t bother them. Stout said that the homeowner’s association told them it wasn’t good enough. “I think it’s ridiculous,” said Dillen Steeby, who lives next door.
YouTube link.
He said he sees the purple playground quite a bit and the homeowner’s association’s opposition to it has him seeing red. “I’m really perturbed that they would waste money pursuing something like this,” Steeby said. “Money on court costs and lawyer’s fees to attack really good people like this and go after a swing set.” HOA guidelines require a playground to be “subdued and within harmony with other colours of the community.” The homeowner’s association did not respond to a request for comment. The Stout family said the next step will be a trip before a judge. There is to be a community meeting soon.
Marla Stout said they found a purple-tinted wood stain from Home Depot. The Raintree Lake Neighborhood Homeowner’s Association wasn’t happy about the compromise. “We got a notice that we were being fined by the HOA," Stout said. That was last year. The family fought it and won, but the dispute wasn’t over yet. The family received more letters outlining more serious consequences.
“(The letters said) that if we didn’t remove the swing set from the subdivision in a couple of weeks, we go to jail,” Stout said. She said the family talked to all of the neighbours who could see the playground from their homes and asked them to sign a petition saying that the colour didn’t bother them. Stout said that the homeowner’s association told them it wasn’t good enough. “I think it’s ridiculous,” said Dillen Steeby, who lives next door.
YouTube link.
He said he sees the purple playground quite a bit and the homeowner’s association’s opposition to it has him seeing red. “I’m really perturbed that they would waste money pursuing something like this,” Steeby said. “Money on court costs and lawyer’s fees to attack really good people like this and go after a swing set.” HOA guidelines require a playground to be “subdued and within harmony with other colours of the community.” The homeowner’s association did not respond to a request for comment. The Stout family said the next step will be a trip before a judge. There is to be a community meeting soon.
Former judge convicted of lying about toilet lid attack outside court
A former village judge from Seneca County, New York, has been convicted of falsely claiming two men attacked him with a toilet tank lid outside his courtroom two years ago.
Roger Barto, 54, was convicted on Friday by a jury of insurance fraud, falsifying business records, defrauding the government and falsely reporting an incident.
Barto told police in August 2013 he was attacked from behind while locking up village court.
He claimed he was choked with something and hit over the head with a heavy object. Village police found the shattered lid of a toilet tank at the scene. The evidence from a two-week trial in Seneca County Court indicated Barto concocted the story as a way to get prescription painkillers through a workers' compensation claim, according to Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsch. "The jury heard evidence that this was a way for him to get a lifetime supply of painkillers," Porsch said. After Barto's claimed assault, he spent nine days on a pain pump at a Rochester hospital, Porsch said.
Doctors and nurses testified in the trial that Barto did not sustain any external or internal injuries from choking, a blow to the head or any kind of assault, Porsch said. Seneca County paid $41,500 for Barto's hospital care, Porsch said. Barto's medical records showed that before the incident he'd been on prescription painkillers for lower-back pain and for gout throughout his body, Porsch said. Barto, who is not a lawyer, had 20 to 30 previous insurance claims for alleged accidents, Porsch said. Barto had no known employment other than the acting village judge position, Porsch said.
The state Court of Appeals suspended Barto from the bench in July 2014 as a result of his being indicted. Barto faces up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison when he's sentenced Oct. 13. Despite the Waterloo Police Department's determination in December 2013 that Barto's assault claim was false, the village board appointed him to another one-year term as acting village judge. The board also appointed him sexton at the village-owned cemetery. A grand jury indicted Barto last year in connection with the claimed assault, and on charges of stealing gasoline from the village in his job as cemetery sexton. He's facing another trial on those charges.
He claimed he was choked with something and hit over the head with a heavy object. Village police found the shattered lid of a toilet tank at the scene. The evidence from a two-week trial in Seneca County Court indicated Barto concocted the story as a way to get prescription painkillers through a workers' compensation claim, according to Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsch. "The jury heard evidence that this was a way for him to get a lifetime supply of painkillers," Porsch said. After Barto's claimed assault, he spent nine days on a pain pump at a Rochester hospital, Porsch said.
Doctors and nurses testified in the trial that Barto did not sustain any external or internal injuries from choking, a blow to the head or any kind of assault, Porsch said. Seneca County paid $41,500 for Barto's hospital care, Porsch said. Barto's medical records showed that before the incident he'd been on prescription painkillers for lower-back pain and for gout throughout his body, Porsch said. Barto, who is not a lawyer, had 20 to 30 previous insurance claims for alleged accidents, Porsch said. Barto had no known employment other than the acting village judge position, Porsch said.
The state Court of Appeals suspended Barto from the bench in July 2014 as a result of his being indicted. Barto faces up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison when he's sentenced Oct. 13. Despite the Waterloo Police Department's determination in December 2013 that Barto's assault claim was false, the village board appointed him to another one-year term as acting village judge. The board also appointed him sexton at the village-owned cemetery. A grand jury indicted Barto last year in connection with the claimed assault, and on charges of stealing gasoline from the village in his job as cemetery sexton. He's facing another trial on those charges.
Cyclist swerved in front of car causing it to hit him before carjacking the female driver
A South Australian man has been arrested after allegedly swerving his bicycle in front of a car, causing it to crash into him and then carjacking the female driver.
Police were called to Murray Bridge, southeast of Adelaide, at about 11.20am on Tuesday after reports of a multi-car crash. They found several damaged cars, including one that had been slammed into a pole.
A man was arrested at the scene after witnesses told officers he had swerved his bicycle in front of a car, causing it to crash into him. The rider is then said to have pulled the female driver out of the car and stealing the vehicle. But the alleged carjacker slammed into several other cars before crashing into a pole.
The alleged offender was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries suffered during the initial collision. The man has been charged with robbery, attempted theft, driving in a dangerous manner, aggravated assault against a police officer and resisting arrest. He was refused bail and will appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Police were called to Murray Bridge, southeast of Adelaide, at about 11.20am on Tuesday after reports of a multi-car crash. They found several damaged cars, including one that had been slammed into a pole.
A man was arrested at the scene after witnesses told officers he had swerved his bicycle in front of a car, causing it to crash into him. The rider is then said to have pulled the female driver out of the car and stealing the vehicle. But the alleged carjacker slammed into several other cars before crashing into a pole.
The alleged offender was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries suffered during the initial collision. The man has been charged with robbery, attempted theft, driving in a dangerous manner, aggravated assault against a police officer and resisting arrest. He was refused bail and will appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Lucky escape for thrill-seekers after elastic rope on fairground slingshot snapped
Thrill-seekers somehow escaped largely unscathed after an elastic rope snapped on a "slingshot" ride at a theme park in southern France.
Video captured the exact moment one side of the elastic snapped on a slingshot ride, also known as a reverse bungee, at Luna Park, at Cap d'Agde.
After the slingshot catapulted its passengers into the air, the elastic snapped on the way down, violently jolting the cable as the crowd below gasped and cried out in shock. The cable car then continued to bob up and down, smashing into the stanchion to the right of the screen before eventually coming to a stop.
YouTube link.
Paramedics were soon on the scene, with a 24-year-old woman suffering from a broken leg. The other person on the ride was not seriously injured. Theme park officials blamed the accident on a "manufacturing defect" in the elastic. An investigation has been launched.
Video captured the exact moment one side of the elastic snapped on a slingshot ride, also known as a reverse bungee, at Luna Park, at Cap d'Agde.
After the slingshot catapulted its passengers into the air, the elastic snapped on the way down, violently jolting the cable as the crowd below gasped and cried out in shock. The cable car then continued to bob up and down, smashing into the stanchion to the right of the screen before eventually coming to a stop.
YouTube link.
Paramedics were soon on the scene, with a 24-year-old woman suffering from a broken leg. The other person on the ride was not seriously injured. Theme park officials blamed the accident on a "manufacturing defect" in the elastic. An investigation has been launched.
Myth dispelled as kangaroo spotted in Austria
A Viennese man was surprised to stumble upon a kangaroo during a break in Upper Austria’s Mühlviertel region - dispelling the myth that “there are no kangaroos in Austria”.
At first Martin Helmstedt thought he was being pranked by local youths but realised the kangaroo was real and very much alive after he almost tripped over it whilst walking in a field of corn in St. Oswald bei Haslach.
The kangaroo hopped off and then sat looking at him from a distance of around ten metres, he said, adding that it seemed very tame.
A team from Radio Upper Austria then made enquiries with the local police and fire departments but nobody had reported a runaway kangaroo and no marsupials are missing from the local zoo.
At first Martin Helmstedt thought he was being pranked by local youths but realised the kangaroo was real and very much alive after he almost tripped over it whilst walking in a field of corn in St. Oswald bei Haslach.
The kangaroo hopped off and then sat looking at him from a distance of around ten metres, he said, adding that it seemed very tame.
A team from Radio Upper Austria then made enquiries with the local police and fire departments but nobody had reported a runaway kangaroo and no marsupials are missing from the local zoo.
Mystery hole re-appears at beach
A mystery hole has appeared for a third time on a popular Devon beach.
An area has been cordoned off after people reported water and bubbles spurting from the sand at Orcombe Point, near Exmouth.
Previously it sent plants and snails shooting into the air.
It is more than 6ft (1.8m) wide and believed to be up to 10ft (3m) deep - and could be caused by a spring or outfall pipe beneath, authorities said. East Devon District Council cordoned the area off around the hole and said it was investigating. Nick Christow, from the council, said its appearance seemed to be linked with heavy rainfall.
"We don't know the full extent of what the dangers could be. Our advice is to take precautions, use a bit of common sense and stay out of the area," he said. "We believe there may be a spring underneath there...and we're also investigating the possibility that there might be an outfall pipe as well that may have been cracked or blocked."
Sharon Sweeny, who lives nearby, said she spotted "something bubbling up" on Monday morning. "There's something going on, it's weird. It's never been like this before this year." She said she hoped authorities would find out what was going on as a matter of urgency, in case someone was hurt. "It could be like sinking sand," she said. "There's got to be something underneath."
It is more than 6ft (1.8m) wide and believed to be up to 10ft (3m) deep - and could be caused by a spring or outfall pipe beneath, authorities said. East Devon District Council cordoned the area off around the hole and said it was investigating. Nick Christow, from the council, said its appearance seemed to be linked with heavy rainfall.
"We don't know the full extent of what the dangers could be. Our advice is to take precautions, use a bit of common sense and stay out of the area," he said. "We believe there may be a spring underneath there...and we're also investigating the possibility that there might be an outfall pipe as well that may have been cracked or blocked."
Sharon Sweeny, who lives nearby, said she spotted "something bubbling up" on Monday morning. "There's something going on, it's weird. It's never been like this before this year." She said she hoped authorities would find out what was going on as a matter of urgency, in case someone was hurt. "It could be like sinking sand," she said. "There's got to be something underneath."
Burglar caught after naked householder hit him over head with bottle of washing-up liquid
A naked householder who chased and grabbed a burglar has been praised for his bravery by a judge in Teesside.
Drink and drug-addled intruder Neville Holdsworth got more than he bargained for when he was confronted by a nude 64-year-old man.
The householder caught the burglar in his garage and hit him over the head with a bottle of washing-up liquid.
Then he dragged the offender back into the house in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough and shouted for his partner to call the police.
Judge Michael Taylor ordered he should receive £200 from public funds, saying: “He is a very brave man. He is to be commended for what he has done. It was public-spirited. It was extremely brave.” The householder, who asked not to be named, saw the burglar jailed for three-and-a-half years at Teesside Crown Court on Monday. Afterwards the former local government officer said: “I don’t think I was brave. I think it was just a reaction, adrenaline and anger.” He said he jumped out of bed when he heard footsteps on the stairs and realised there was an intruder in his partner’s home of 35 years.
He chased the burglar Holdsworth, a criminal with 169 offences on his record, through the house and into the garage. He grabbed the disorientated invader and found the bottle of washing-up liquid was “the first thing that came to hand”. He said: “I thought, what do I do now? I’m in the garage, I’m naked, I’ve got him, I can’t let go of him. I had to drag him through the house and shout to my partner who was fast asleep.” Prosecutor Harry Hadfield said the householder asked Holdsworth what he was doing in the home during the confrontation at about 10pm on July 10. Holdsworth replied feebly: “I’ve got the wrong house mate... I only wanted to use the toilet.”
Police arrived and found a stolen mobile phone, an iPod and speaker in his jacket. Holdsworth, of Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, admitted burglary. His criminal record, stretching back to his youth, also included numerous non-home burglaries and thefts. Judge Taylor told Holdsworth his addictions might be an explanation, but were no excuse. He said: “You can’t keep out of other people’s property and you can’t stop stealing things. “The time has come when you need to be kept away from the public for a lengthier period of time, so that hopefully it will shake you out of this form of offending.” He jailed Holdsworth for three-and-a-half years, saying he hoped it would bring the victim some closure.
Judge Michael Taylor ordered he should receive £200 from public funds, saying: “He is a very brave man. He is to be commended for what he has done. It was public-spirited. It was extremely brave.” The householder, who asked not to be named, saw the burglar jailed for three-and-a-half years at Teesside Crown Court on Monday. Afterwards the former local government officer said: “I don’t think I was brave. I think it was just a reaction, adrenaline and anger.” He said he jumped out of bed when he heard footsteps on the stairs and realised there was an intruder in his partner’s home of 35 years.
He chased the burglar Holdsworth, a criminal with 169 offences on his record, through the house and into the garage. He grabbed the disorientated invader and found the bottle of washing-up liquid was “the first thing that came to hand”. He said: “I thought, what do I do now? I’m in the garage, I’m naked, I’ve got him, I can’t let go of him. I had to drag him through the house and shout to my partner who was fast asleep.” Prosecutor Harry Hadfield said the householder asked Holdsworth what he was doing in the home during the confrontation at about 10pm on July 10. Holdsworth replied feebly: “I’ve got the wrong house mate... I only wanted to use the toilet.”
Police arrived and found a stolen mobile phone, an iPod and speaker in his jacket. Holdsworth, of Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, admitted burglary. His criminal record, stretching back to his youth, also included numerous non-home burglaries and thefts. Judge Taylor told Holdsworth his addictions might be an explanation, but were no excuse. He said: “You can’t keep out of other people’s property and you can’t stop stealing things. “The time has come when you need to be kept away from the public for a lengthier period of time, so that hopefully it will shake you out of this form of offending.” He jailed Holdsworth for three-and-a-half years, saying he hoped it would bring the victim some closure.
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