Monday, December 03, 2012
Woman accused of stashing gun in boyfriend's son's backpack to get him into trouble at school
A Texas woman with a grudge against her boyfriend’s teenage son planted a gun in the boy’s backpack earlier this month and then sent him to school with it.
Heather Hodges, 26, called the school district on November 5 and warned them that the 13-year-old had taken a pistol to Magnolia Junior High, outside Houston.
She identified the boy by name, and security guards at the school later found an unloaded 9-mm handgun in his knapsack. "Her explanation to me was that she wanted to see my son get into trouble," said the boy's father, who asked not to be identified to protect his son. Hodges was arrested after police traced the tip to a convenience store pay phone.
Security cameras there caught her making the call. The boy’s father said Hodges, now his ex-girlfriend, had a rocky relationship with his son. "Their relationship wasn't great and so he automatically was like, 'It was Heather that called,’” he said. "You're facing down the barrel is what you're doing if you're willing to go that far," he said of his former live-in girlfriend.
She is being held on $20,000 bond, charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon on restricted premises and unlawfully transferring a handgun to someone under age 18. The boy was cleared of any wrongdoing. Since the incident last week, the father has moved away from Magnolia to remove his son from the situation.
With news video.
She identified the boy by name, and security guards at the school later found an unloaded 9-mm handgun in his knapsack. "Her explanation to me was that she wanted to see my son get into trouble," said the boy's father, who asked not to be identified to protect his son. Hodges was arrested after police traced the tip to a convenience store pay phone.
Security cameras there caught her making the call. The boy’s father said Hodges, now his ex-girlfriend, had a rocky relationship with his son. "Their relationship wasn't great and so he automatically was like, 'It was Heather that called,’” he said. "You're facing down the barrel is what you're doing if you're willing to go that far," he said of his former live-in girlfriend.
She is being held on $20,000 bond, charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon on restricted premises and unlawfully transferring a handgun to someone under age 18. The boy was cleared of any wrongdoing. Since the incident last week, the father has moved away from Magnolia to remove his son from the situation.
With news video.
8-year-old boy plays harp for cancer patients as his mother undergoes treatment
An 8-year-old harpist is soothing souls at an Indianapolis hospital by performing as his mother undergoes treatment for breast cancer.
Martin Williamson goes to Community Hospital East with his mom, dad and two sisters, playing impromptu concerts in the lobby for patients and staff members. "I go into treatment, and when I come out they are here, and people are talking with them," said Tammy Williamson, Martin's mother.
YouTube link.
"When people see me they say, 'Are you his mother?' Somehow that makes me special because I'm his mother. I'll take that. It's a very big blessing to have a family." Staff members say the performance is therapeutic for patients and for those who work long hours caring for them.
"This is an unbelievable gift to the staff here, the other patients that are here and, most importantly, to his mother. It's huge," said Dr. Robert Goulet, medical director with Community Breast Care.
Martin Williamson goes to Community Hospital East with his mom, dad and two sisters, playing impromptu concerts in the lobby for patients and staff members. "I go into treatment, and when I come out they are here, and people are talking with them," said Tammy Williamson, Martin's mother.
YouTube link.
"When people see me they say, 'Are you his mother?' Somehow that makes me special because I'm his mother. I'll take that. It's a very big blessing to have a family." Staff members say the performance is therapeutic for patients and for those who work long hours caring for them.
"This is an unbelievable gift to the staff here, the other patients that are here and, most importantly, to his mother. It's huge," said Dr. Robert Goulet, medical director with Community Breast Care.
Family charged for water after blaze destroys home
An Eagle Mills, New York couple that lost their home to a fire last week, now has to pay $1,400 for the water used to combat the flames.
The massive fire started at around 1 p.m. on Monday and took dozens of volunteer fire fighters nearly nine hours to put out.
Fire investigators say the first unit arrived within one minute of receiving the call, but despite the quick response, the home was fully engulfed and there was not much they could do.
Homeowner Mike Pretio said he was grateful for the volunteer fire fighters who responded. He said he tried to put out the flames himself but just didn't have enough water, and called for help. The reason he has to foot the $1,400 bill: "It was an out-of-district water use," Poestenkill Supervisor Dominic Jocangelo said. He explains the town of Poestenkill established a water district restriction two years ago, and under the new rules residents outside the town have to pay for water use.
Jocangelo says it is the first time they've charged. He says he sent the bill to the homeowner and has not heard back, and that he's flexible about the amount, but that it's unfair to have taxpayers in Poestenkill foot the bill. Thomas Martin, Fire Chief of Eagle Mills, calls the bill outrageous, saying it was easier for his crew to use Poestenkill's water, given the location of the house. He's never heard of any municipality charging and he thinks it's wrong.
Martin says in the town of Brunswick, where they are located, water is always free to use, no matter where they have take it. Martin says this is the first time he's ever heard of a bill such as this happening. Martin is concerned this could become an ongoing issue. "I really hope the town board in Poestenkill can review this situation and take it into consideration to change their practice," he said.
With news video.
Homeowner Mike Pretio said he was grateful for the volunteer fire fighters who responded. He said he tried to put out the flames himself but just didn't have enough water, and called for help. The reason he has to foot the $1,400 bill: "It was an out-of-district water use," Poestenkill Supervisor Dominic Jocangelo said. He explains the town of Poestenkill established a water district restriction two years ago, and under the new rules residents outside the town have to pay for water use.
Jocangelo says it is the first time they've charged. He says he sent the bill to the homeowner and has not heard back, and that he's flexible about the amount, but that it's unfair to have taxpayers in Poestenkill foot the bill. Thomas Martin, Fire Chief of Eagle Mills, calls the bill outrageous, saying it was easier for his crew to use Poestenkill's water, given the location of the house. He's never heard of any municipality charging and he thinks it's wrong.
Martin says in the town of Brunswick, where they are located, water is always free to use, no matter where they have take it. Martin says this is the first time he's ever heard of a bill such as this happening. Martin is concerned this could become an ongoing issue. "I really hope the town board in Poestenkill can review this situation and take it into consideration to change their practice," he said.
With news video.
Ukrainians sign up for coffin therapy to prepare for death
A coffin producer in Ukraine has come up with a new way to help people get used to the idea of dying. Stepan Piryanyk is from the Ukrainian town of Truskavets and has been working in the coffin business for over a decade.
He has now launched a new service called "coffin therapy". The therapy offers people the chance to lie inside a casket for approximately 15 minutes - putting the lid on is optional.
Piryanyk explained: "When you lay in the coffin, it feels just like a bed. It's the same sheets, the same pillow ... a wooden coffin has its own aura inside."
YouTube link.
The businessman has a room set up for his customers with several empty coffins to choose from, clients can recline as a soundtrack of birdsong and water falling plays in the background.
He has now launched a new service called "coffin therapy". The therapy offers people the chance to lie inside a casket for approximately 15 minutes - putting the lid on is optional.
Piryanyk explained: "When you lay in the coffin, it feels just like a bed. It's the same sheets, the same pillow ... a wooden coffin has its own aura inside."
YouTube link.
The businessman has a room set up for his customers with several empty coffins to choose from, clients can recline as a soundtrack of birdsong and water falling plays in the background.
Meanwhile on a train in Finland
A man visiting the lavatory on an express train travelling between Jyväskylä and Tampere yesterday afternoon had a nasty surprise on discovering that, in the Arctic conditions, billowing snow had blown in through the bottom of the train, causing the toilet bowl to fill with snow and ice.
The man described the facilities as 'quite crispy', adding that although sitting on the loo wasn't really an option, he had, however, fulfilled his needs 'army style'.
The man described the facilities as 'quite crispy', adding that although sitting on the loo wasn't really an option, he had, however, fulfilled his needs 'army style'.
Driver made unexpected visit to Subway
A woman has been injured after a car crashed through a
sandwich shop window in Aberdare.
South Wales Police say the woman was inside a branch of Subway when the car drove through the window.
She was taken to hospital for a check up but her injuries are not thought to be serious.
YouTube link.
A police spokesman said three other vehicles were damaged in the incident, thought to have been an accident.
South Wales Police say the woman was inside a branch of Subway when the car drove through the window.
She was taken to hospital for a check up but her injuries are not thought to be serious.
YouTube link.
A police spokesman said three other vehicles were damaged in the incident, thought to have been an accident.
Chip shop worker bags world record for being the fastest wrapper
Chip shop worker Stephanie Celik has it all wrapped up after breaking the world record for parcelling up the most portions of fish and chips in a minute.
Stephanie, aged 29, who works at the Blue Whale Maltby, South Yorkshire, managed to ‘bag’ five portions in 58 seconds beating the previous record by two seconds.
She has now earned a place in the Guinness World Records: ”I have been working here for 19 years so I have had a lot of practise,” said Stephanie, from Maltby.
YouTube link.
” I thought I would have a go for a bit of fun. I like to think I’m good at my job and I’m pretty fast so I thought I had a good chance. It’s nice to know I’m now a world record holder.”
Stephanie, aged 29, who works at the Blue Whale Maltby, South Yorkshire, managed to ‘bag’ five portions in 58 seconds beating the previous record by two seconds.
She has now earned a place in the Guinness World Records: ”I have been working here for 19 years so I have had a lot of practise,” said Stephanie, from Maltby.
YouTube link.
” I thought I would have a go for a bit of fun. I like to think I’m good at my job and I’m pretty fast so I thought I had a good chance. It’s nice to know I’m now a world record holder.”
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