Police received a call that someone in the store was being held against their will.
Actually, the store manager was hugging her husband goodbye.
A passerby saw the embrace and thought she was being held hostage.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Man hugging wife caused hostage scare
A loving husband triggered a massive police presence at a Cricket Store in southeast Houston on Tuesday.
Police received a call that someone in the store was being held against their will.
Actually, the store manager was hugging her husband goodbye.
A passerby saw the embrace and thought she was being held hostage.
Police received a call that someone in the store was being held against their will.
Actually, the store manager was hugging her husband goodbye.
A passerby saw the embrace and thought she was being held hostage.
Abused donkey given therapeutic trousers
Keepers at the Ramat Gan Safari Park in Israel, have come up with a creative way to help an abused donkey heal from his wounds. Before Haim the donkey arrived at the park, he was regularly tied up with barbed wire behind his owners’ home, where local children would abuse the helpless animal.
Haim was eventually taken to the safari in Ramat Gan, the largest animal sanctuary in the Middle East and home to 1,600 animals of different species. Haim began a long rehabilitation process, gradually learning to trust his caretakers and even overcoming his fear of children. His physical wounds, however, took longer to heal. His lower legs, where he was bound, had the fur rubbed off, and flies would bite his raw skin.
The flies caused Haim to bite and scratch his legs, leaving sores and cuts that in turn attracted more flies. The donkey was caught in a painful cycle. Staff at the safari first fashioned him a pair of socks to cover his wounds, held in place with medical tape. Unfortunately, the daily switching of the socks and replacement of the tape aggravated Haim’s wounds, and he tried scratching off the tape. Two keepers, Becca Rivkin and Shira Inbar-Danin, came up with a solution.
YouTube link.
They spent four hours stitching a special pair of trousers for the donkey that are held up by suspenders over his shoulders. They are double-layered, with a soft stretchy material on the inside, covered by a rougher baggy material that flies can’t bite through. The two women also rub cream on his legs every day. The special trousers are working a treat, and Haim will soon receive another pair of trousers for his hind legs as well. With his skin protected, his fur is expected to grow back quickly, and then Haim the donkey will be able to trot around bare-ass once again.
Haim was eventually taken to the safari in Ramat Gan, the largest animal sanctuary in the Middle East and home to 1,600 animals of different species. Haim began a long rehabilitation process, gradually learning to trust his caretakers and even overcoming his fear of children. His physical wounds, however, took longer to heal. His lower legs, where he was bound, had the fur rubbed off, and flies would bite his raw skin.
The flies caused Haim to bite and scratch his legs, leaving sores and cuts that in turn attracted more flies. The donkey was caught in a painful cycle. Staff at the safari first fashioned him a pair of socks to cover his wounds, held in place with medical tape. Unfortunately, the daily switching of the socks and replacement of the tape aggravated Haim’s wounds, and he tried scratching off the tape. Two keepers, Becca Rivkin and Shira Inbar-Danin, came up with a solution.
YouTube link.
They spent four hours stitching a special pair of trousers for the donkey that are held up by suspenders over his shoulders. They are double-layered, with a soft stretchy material on the inside, covered by a rougher baggy material that flies can’t bite through. The two women also rub cream on his legs every day. The special trousers are working a treat, and Haim will soon receive another pair of trousers for his hind legs as well. With his skin protected, his fur is expected to grow back quickly, and then Haim the donkey will be able to trot around bare-ass once again.
Texting woman drove 185 miles while asleep
A sleeping driver who managed to drive 300km (185 miles) from the Waikato to Mt Maunganui via Auckland has alarmed police in New Zealand. Hamilton Police shift manager, Senior Sergeant Dave Litton, said a concerned friend called 111 call shortly after midnight on Tuesday to say a woman had taken sleeping pills and had driven away from her Hamilton home. The woman's friend said the driver had a sleeping disorder and had previously driven off while asleep 10 months ago and ended up in Tauranga.
Police were unsure about her level of consciousness throughout the trip but she was found slumped over the wheel at 4.55am at her former home in Mt Maunganui, with no recollection of the night's events. The bizarre drama has prompted a warning for drivers with medical conditions to be honest and open with their doctors and to adhere to restrictions of any prescriptions. Litton said the woman was said to have a fondness for the beach so after getting the call they sent patrol cars to check the route to Raglan while the Northern Communications Centre advised police to look out for her silver Toyota hatchback. The driver's cellphone was on and Litton said she was texting as she drove, but those receiving her messages believed she was half asleep.
Her phone polled in Otara in South Auckland about 2am but the vehicle had gone when police arrived. The next message said she was heading for the Coromandel. "While this was going on police were scanning any reports of unusual or concerning driving as we attempted to find the Toyota and prevent a potential tragedy," Litton said. He said the woman's phone polled at Te Puna near Tauranga at about 3.45am before her car was found up a driveway at her former address in Mt Maunganui about 4.55am. "The woman's cousin found her, asleep, slumped over the wheel," Litton said.
"When woken she had absolutely no recollection of the events overnight and we have sought an urgent order forbidding her to drive and to seek medical advice on her suitability to remain holding her drivers licence. While her being found safe and well is a relief for everyone involved, the potential for tragedy was huge and we're urging people suffering medical conditions to be open and honest with their doctors and seek advice on if the medication they are prescribed affects their ability to drive or not." Litton also urged people on such medications to be frank with loved ones and friends so steps could be taken to ensure they didn't put themselves or those dearest to them at risk.
Police were unsure about her level of consciousness throughout the trip but she was found slumped over the wheel at 4.55am at her former home in Mt Maunganui, with no recollection of the night's events. The bizarre drama has prompted a warning for drivers with medical conditions to be honest and open with their doctors and to adhere to restrictions of any prescriptions. Litton said the woman was said to have a fondness for the beach so after getting the call they sent patrol cars to check the route to Raglan while the Northern Communications Centre advised police to look out for her silver Toyota hatchback. The driver's cellphone was on and Litton said she was texting as she drove, but those receiving her messages believed she was half asleep.
Her phone polled in Otara in South Auckland about 2am but the vehicle had gone when police arrived. The next message said she was heading for the Coromandel. "While this was going on police were scanning any reports of unusual or concerning driving as we attempted to find the Toyota and prevent a potential tragedy," Litton said. He said the woman's phone polled at Te Puna near Tauranga at about 3.45am before her car was found up a driveway at her former address in Mt Maunganui about 4.55am. "The woman's cousin found her, asleep, slumped over the wheel," Litton said.
"When woken she had absolutely no recollection of the events overnight and we have sought an urgent order forbidding her to drive and to seek medical advice on her suitability to remain holding her drivers licence. While her being found safe and well is a relief for everyone involved, the potential for tragedy was huge and we're urging people suffering medical conditions to be open and honest with their doctors and seek advice on if the medication they are prescribed affects their ability to drive or not." Litton also urged people on such medications to be frank with loved ones and friends so steps could be taken to ensure they didn't put themselves or those dearest to them at risk.
Drunk Chinese man nearly shipped to US after mistaking shipping container at port for his B&B
A man who drunkenly wandered into a 60-foot shipping container thinking it was his hotel woke up to find he'd been sealed in ready for a two-week journey to America.
Jiang Wu woke up after a big night in Qingdao, eastern China, in the sealed container that was one hour away from the long trip to Los Angeles. He had mistaken the container for his B&B and had to phone the police to get out.
"The container was sealed and he couldn't get out so he called everyone he knew for help and called us too," a police spokesman said. "His problem was, though, that he couldn't tell us which container he was in and there were thousands of them stacked on top of each other."
YouTube link.
Police eventually found him in a container stacked 18 metres in the air, following the hammering sounds he made.
Jiang Wu woke up after a big night in Qingdao, eastern China, in the sealed container that was one hour away from the long trip to Los Angeles. He had mistaken the container for his B&B and had to phone the police to get out.
"The container was sealed and he couldn't get out so he called everyone he knew for help and called us too," a police spokesman said. "His problem was, though, that he couldn't tell us which container he was in and there were thousands of them stacked on top of each other."
YouTube link.
Police eventually found him in a container stacked 18 metres in the air, following the hammering sounds he made.
Swedish authorities demand mate for man's lonely pig
A farmer in western Sweden is under pressure to find female companionship for his lone male pig, with authorities threatening to take the hog away if he fails to comply.
The warning comes from animal welfare inspectors with the Västergötaland County administrative board who are fed up with the farmer for dragging his feet when it comes to attending to the pig's welfare.
"The pig is alone ... this has been a temporary solution," the inspector said following a June visit to the farm, located in Marks municipality near the town of Borås. "But this temporary solution has dragged on and on, from a month or two to several years." Swedish regulations governing the care of pigs state that hogs are "social animals" that thrive in the company of other pigs. "It contravenes good animal welfare to keep a pig in social isolation without the company of fellow members of its species," the inspector wrote.
The recent write-up is the latest missive in a two-year effort by county officials to force the 53-year-old animal owner to find a mate for his pig. Back in January, an inspector also noted that the pig remained all by itself and that plans to introduce not to just one but two sows to the swine's sty following a cross country move failed to materialize. The owner defended his decision to not add more animals to his farm by explaining the new facility was not yet ready to house all the animals, which according to the inspection report included six goats, seven sheep, one dog, and five cats. The planned move to Uppsala is now scheduled for September, the owner has promised.
Apart from an elderly goat suffering from being underweight, the inspectors worried the most about what a county administration staff member simply dubbed "the lonely pig in Marks municipality". While officials have ordered a veterinarian to take a look at the goat, authorities have also threatened to take the isolated pig away from the local man if he does not find it a suitable mate in the near future. If the man doesn't find a sow for his hog within a month, the pig will be taken away and the man could also lose the right to own animals.
"The pig is alone ... this has been a temporary solution," the inspector said following a June visit to the farm, located in Marks municipality near the town of Borås. "But this temporary solution has dragged on and on, from a month or two to several years." Swedish regulations governing the care of pigs state that hogs are "social animals" that thrive in the company of other pigs. "It contravenes good animal welfare to keep a pig in social isolation without the company of fellow members of its species," the inspector wrote.
The recent write-up is the latest missive in a two-year effort by county officials to force the 53-year-old animal owner to find a mate for his pig. Back in January, an inspector also noted that the pig remained all by itself and that plans to introduce not to just one but two sows to the swine's sty following a cross country move failed to materialize. The owner defended his decision to not add more animals to his farm by explaining the new facility was not yet ready to house all the animals, which according to the inspection report included six goats, seven sheep, one dog, and five cats. The planned move to Uppsala is now scheduled for September, the owner has promised.
Apart from an elderly goat suffering from being underweight, the inspectors worried the most about what a county administration staff member simply dubbed "the lonely pig in Marks municipality". While officials have ordered a veterinarian to take a look at the goat, authorities have also threatened to take the isolated pig away from the local man if he does not find it a suitable mate in the near future. If the man doesn't find a sow for his hog within a month, the pig will be taken away and the man could also lose the right to own animals.
Virtual reality cow aims to teach about empathy towards animals
Volunteers at a laboratory on Stanford University's campus in California are being given a virtual reality headset, allowing them to experience life as a cow destined for the slaughterhouse.
Those taking part in the research can 'see' the pasture around them, and are directed to feeding troughs by laboratory workers. As they are given instructions on how to move their bodies and where to go, the volunteers see the cow avatar move correspondingly and begin to relate to it.
It is hoped that putting volunteers in the hooves of a virtual cow will provide useful information about the empathy humans can feel towards our animal brethren. Among those who experienced life as a cow, several said it would make them think twice about eating beef. However, others said it would not change their dietary habits.
YouTube link.
"We were really interested in the theory of empathy," said Joshua Bostick, a Stanford University researcher. "Could you identify with this cow avatar and how did it make you feel about the environment and maybe things that you could do to make a small little difference."
Those taking part in the research can 'see' the pasture around them, and are directed to feeding troughs by laboratory workers. As they are given instructions on how to move their bodies and where to go, the volunteers see the cow avatar move correspondingly and begin to relate to it.
It is hoped that putting volunteers in the hooves of a virtual cow will provide useful information about the empathy humans can feel towards our animal brethren. Among those who experienced life as a cow, several said it would make them think twice about eating beef. However, others said it would not change their dietary habits.
YouTube link.
"We were really interested in the theory of empathy," said Joshua Bostick, a Stanford University researcher. "Could you identify with this cow avatar and how did it make you feel about the environment and maybe things that you could do to make a small little difference."
Man claims trams sound like dogs being castrated
A screeching noise caused by trams on
a stretch of line in Nottingham is worrying a local resident. Peter Nowakowski, who lives in Bulwell, said the noise, which
he hears every 15 minutes, sounds like dogs being castrated.
Mr Nowakowski, whose property backs on to the Highbury Vale tram stop, said the problem started during the hot weather in July. He said: "[The sound is] a powerful loud screeching rendering of steel sound. It sounds like dogs being castrated or steel being stretched or ripped apart.
"You can hear the track is being worn away, it doesn't take a genius to say that sound is wrong." He added that he was concerned it could be the result of a safety problem.
Paul Robinson, general manager of Nottingham Express Transit, said: "It is caused by a common problem affecting the contact between the wheels and rail in warm, dry conditions and has no safety implications. things should return to normal once the weather changes."
You can here the tram noise here. Unfortunately I couldn't find audio of a dog being castrated for comparison.
Mr Nowakowski, whose property backs on to the Highbury Vale tram stop, said the problem started during the hot weather in July. He said: "[The sound is] a powerful loud screeching rendering of steel sound. It sounds like dogs being castrated or steel being stretched or ripped apart.
"You can hear the track is being worn away, it doesn't take a genius to say that sound is wrong." He added that he was concerned it could be the result of a safety problem.
Paul Robinson, general manager of Nottingham Express Transit, said: "It is caused by a common problem affecting the contact between the wheels and rail in warm, dry conditions and has no safety implications. things should return to normal once the weather changes."
You can here the tram noise here. Unfortunately I couldn't find audio of a dog being castrated for comparison.
Two men arrested after after mass brawl broke out in queue for pirate boat ride at Legoland
Two men were arrested at Legoland after around 10 parents got involved in a mass brawl in front of horrified children. The fight erupted as tempers got frayed in the long queue for the Jolly Rocker swingboat ride at the theme park in Windsor, Berkshire.
At first, some children thought the disruption was part of an act for the pirate-themed ride, but as more parents got involved it became clear that it was a fight. One man even grabbed a metal pole to use as a weapon. The ride had to be closed for 20 minutes as a result of the brawl while police were called to break up the fight.
Thames Valley Police said they arrested two men aged 29 and 30 on suspicion of a public order offence and were each given a fixed penalty notice. “It was vicious,” one onlooker said. “All hell broke loose. It was frightening for innocent adults forced to watch, not to mention the kids.
“There were quite long queues so I don’t know if that is what made things boil over. You don’t expect to see things like this at Legoland. My ten-year-old said that he’s never going back there again. He’s never seen this kind of violence before.” Legoland said it has banned the troublemakers and their families for life. A spokesman said: “An altercation occurred between a large family group and a male guest. The large group of males and their families were removed from the park.”
At first, some children thought the disruption was part of an act for the pirate-themed ride, but as more parents got involved it became clear that it was a fight. One man even grabbed a metal pole to use as a weapon. The ride had to be closed for 20 minutes as a result of the brawl while police were called to break up the fight.
Thames Valley Police said they arrested two men aged 29 and 30 on suspicion of a public order offence and were each given a fixed penalty notice. “It was vicious,” one onlooker said. “All hell broke loose. It was frightening for innocent adults forced to watch, not to mention the kids.
“There were quite long queues so I don’t know if that is what made things boil over. You don’t expect to see things like this at Legoland. My ten-year-old said that he’s never going back there again. He’s never seen this kind of violence before.” Legoland said it has banned the troublemakers and their families for life. A spokesman said: “An altercation occurred between a large family group and a male guest. The large group of males and their families were removed from the park.”
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Touching moments as mother panda is reunited with her cub after month-long separation
Yuan Zai, the first cub born to a pair of giant pandas at Tapei Zoo in Taiwan, recently met her mother for the first time since her birth. The giant panda cub was born on July 6 to female panda Yuan Yuan and male Tuan Tuan. She currently lives in a incubator after accidentally sustaining a minor leg injury when her mother tried to grasp and lick the baby, according to the zoo. Keepers have decided it is now time for the mother and daughter panda to be reunited with each other.
In order to familiarize Yuan Yuan, a keeper first let Yuan Yuan see Yuan Zai, and then held the baby carefully close to her mother, but with the cage's bars separating them. Upon seeing her baby, Yuan Yuan turned anxiously, licking her cub. Before taking Yuan Zai back to the incubator, caretakers gave Yuan Yuan a stuffed panda doll, which she picked up with her mouth and put in her arms immediately. But soon Yuan Yuan threw the doll away, and turned to look at the empty box where Yuan Zai had been minutes earlier.
YouTube link.
In a second part of the reintroduction, keepers briefly put Yuan Yuan and Yuan Zai back together. According to zoo staff, Yuan Yuan's behaviour made them believe she will be a good mother. They will allow them to meet regularly and it won't be long before Yuan Zai is put back in her mother's care permanently.
YouTube link.
In order to familiarize Yuan Yuan, a keeper first let Yuan Yuan see Yuan Zai, and then held the baby carefully close to her mother, but with the cage's bars separating them. Upon seeing her baby, Yuan Yuan turned anxiously, licking her cub. Before taking Yuan Zai back to the incubator, caretakers gave Yuan Yuan a stuffed panda doll, which she picked up with her mouth and put in her arms immediately. But soon Yuan Yuan threw the doll away, and turned to look at the empty box where Yuan Zai had been minutes earlier.
YouTube link.
In a second part of the reintroduction, keepers briefly put Yuan Yuan and Yuan Zai back together. According to zoo staff, Yuan Yuan's behaviour made them believe she will be a good mother. They will allow them to meet regularly and it won't be long before Yuan Zai is put back in her mother's care permanently.
YouTube link.
Border collie missing for two days found stuck in tree
Laddy the 7-year-old border collie who went missing from his McClellan Heights, Iowa, home sometime on Friday morning didn't go far. He was found on Sunday morning stuck up a tree two blocks from his home. Although his yard contains an Invisible Fence, which is an electronic boundary, the battery in his collar wasn't working. Laddy evidently saw his chance. "I was beside myself," Cynthia Weeks said of discovering her family was missing a member. "We went around calling for him, and I drove around. I put it on my Facebook pages, and we put fliers out around the neighbourhood."
Two days later, early on Sunday morning, Ron Stevenson was working in his yard a couple of blocks away when he heard something that had been bugging him. "I'd been hearing this dog barking, but I didn't want to be a complaining neighbour and, besides, my wife and I are dog lovers," he said. "When I was outside early Sunday, I heard a whining, and I knew something wasn't right. This time, it sounded in distress." When following the sound of a dog, Stevenson noted, it is counter-intuitive to look up. But there was Laddy - at least 10 feet up a tree near his driveway. "He was kind of shielded by leaves on the tree," he said. Stevenson called 911, cautiously explaining the situation to police. He could understand the dispatcher's scepticism.
"They got here pretty fast, but I was getting impatient," he said. "I didn't know if the dog would bite me, but I just sort of shimmmied up the tree. I grabbed him by the collar and sort of pulled him. I said, 'It's time for you to get out of this tree.' I had taken a picture, thank goodness. I showed it to the police when they got there, of course. By then, I'm standing there with a dog I had reported being up a tree." Laddy's luck kept getting better. "Officer Randy Gard had seen one of the family's fliers, and he knew where the dog lived," Stevenson said. "He said he'd take him home." At 8:30am on Sunday, Weeks got the call. "He said he was with the police department, and I started yelling, and said, 'Do you have him?'" she said. "I asked where they found him, and the officer said, 'You'll never believe this.' If he didn't have that photo, I'm not sure I would have believed it."
No one knows exactly how or why Laddy ended up in a tree, but Weeks said it likely is related to his interest in squirrels and fondness for chasing things. Stevenson noted the mature oak tree grew at an angle, giving the dog a good platform for running upward but making for a daunting trip back down. "People will stop and watch Laddy when he's playing Frisbee in the yard, because he's so fast and so agile," she said. "He is persistent, needless to say. Border collies are built for stamina." His breed evidently served him well, because a trip to the vet's office on Monday revealed a few abrasions on the pads of his feet, but Laddy is otherwise fine. "He was pretty subdued when he got home," she said. "He's been doing a ton of sleeping."
Two days later, early on Sunday morning, Ron Stevenson was working in his yard a couple of blocks away when he heard something that had been bugging him. "I'd been hearing this dog barking, but I didn't want to be a complaining neighbour and, besides, my wife and I are dog lovers," he said. "When I was outside early Sunday, I heard a whining, and I knew something wasn't right. This time, it sounded in distress." When following the sound of a dog, Stevenson noted, it is counter-intuitive to look up. But there was Laddy - at least 10 feet up a tree near his driveway. "He was kind of shielded by leaves on the tree," he said. Stevenson called 911, cautiously explaining the situation to police. He could understand the dispatcher's scepticism.
"They got here pretty fast, but I was getting impatient," he said. "I didn't know if the dog would bite me, but I just sort of shimmmied up the tree. I grabbed him by the collar and sort of pulled him. I said, 'It's time for you to get out of this tree.' I had taken a picture, thank goodness. I showed it to the police when they got there, of course. By then, I'm standing there with a dog I had reported being up a tree." Laddy's luck kept getting better. "Officer Randy Gard had seen one of the family's fliers, and he knew where the dog lived," Stevenson said. "He said he'd take him home." At 8:30am on Sunday, Weeks got the call. "He said he was with the police department, and I started yelling, and said, 'Do you have him?'" she said. "I asked where they found him, and the officer said, 'You'll never believe this.' If he didn't have that photo, I'm not sure I would have believed it."
No one knows exactly how or why Laddy ended up in a tree, but Weeks said it likely is related to his interest in squirrels and fondness for chasing things. Stevenson noted the mature oak tree grew at an angle, giving the dog a good platform for running upward but making for a daunting trip back down. "People will stop and watch Laddy when he's playing Frisbee in the yard, because he's so fast and so agile," she said. "He is persistent, needless to say. Border collies are built for stamina." His breed evidently served him well, because a trip to the vet's office on Monday revealed a few abrasions on the pads of his feet, but Laddy is otherwise fine. "He was pretty subdued when he got home," she said. "He's been doing a ton of sleeping."
Four men held in connection with theft of sandwich from car
Four men were arrested in Newport Beach, California, on Sunday on suspicion of stealing a bag containing a sandwich from a parked car.
Oscar Iglesias, 25, of South Gate, Daniel Godinez, 23, and Edwin Yhuit, 27, both of Cudahy, and Daniel Garcia, 28, of Chula Vista, were arrested on suspicion of vehicle burglary and conspiracy, Newport Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella said.
Police received a call at about 5:55pm that a man, later identified by police as Iglesias, was seen removing a bag from a parked vehicle, according to Manzella. The car was locked but a window had been lowered, she said.
After grabbing the bag, Iglesias immediately got into a waiting vehicle, Manzella said, adding that Godinez, Yhuit and Garcia were in the car. The caller described the vehicle and gave a licence plate number. Police stopped the vehicle, where the bag was recovered and the four men were arrested.
Oscar Iglesias, 25, of South Gate, Daniel Godinez, 23, and Edwin Yhuit, 27, both of Cudahy, and Daniel Garcia, 28, of Chula Vista, were arrested on suspicion of vehicle burglary and conspiracy, Newport Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella said.
Police received a call at about 5:55pm that a man, later identified by police as Iglesias, was seen removing a bag from a parked vehicle, according to Manzella. The car was locked but a window had been lowered, she said.
After grabbing the bag, Iglesias immediately got into a waiting vehicle, Manzella said, adding that Godinez, Yhuit and Garcia were in the car. The caller described the vehicle and gave a licence plate number. Police stopped the vehicle, where the bag was recovered and the four men were arrested.
Neighbours want family's handicap ramp removed as it may harm the value of their home
A handicap ramp in front of a family's house in Fountain, Colorado, is in the middle of a neighbourhood squabble. Vincent and Heidi Giesegh say their neighbours are threatening legal action if they don't remove the ramp.
They say the next door couple are worried that the ramp will hurt the value of their home. The Giesegh's say they need it for their 16 year old daughter Kirsten who has cerebral palsy. "As she goes into her spastic modes, we could just tumble down the stairs and both of us could get massively hurt," said Heidi Giesegh.
The family says the City of Fountain told them it was okay to install the ramp and widen their driveway for a handicap van. "It's kind of irritating," said Vincent Giesegh. "I mean we're trying to do our best to assist our daughter with her daily needs to get in and out of the house."
The Giesegh's home is part of a community under construction. The home's builder say they've also received complaints from the neighbours. The Giesegh's say they've contacted the Rocky Mountain American Disability Center for help. The next door neighbour's have refused to comment.
They say the next door couple are worried that the ramp will hurt the value of their home. The Giesegh's say they need it for their 16 year old daughter Kirsten who has cerebral palsy. "As she goes into her spastic modes, we could just tumble down the stairs and both of us could get massively hurt," said Heidi Giesegh.
The family says the City of Fountain told them it was okay to install the ramp and widen their driveway for a handicap van. "It's kind of irritating," said Vincent Giesegh. "I mean we're trying to do our best to assist our daughter with her daily needs to get in and out of the house."
The Giesegh's home is part of a community under construction. The home's builder say they've also received complaints from the neighbours. The Giesegh's say they've contacted the Rocky Mountain American Disability Center for help. The next door neighbour's have refused to comment.
Crowds flock to see silhouette of Virgin Mary on church's cross
Traffic has built and crowds have gathered outside a Providence, Rhode Island, church after a man claims he saw the Virgin Mary presenting herself to him in the form of a silhouette on the chapel's steeple. Brian Trambowicz was driving by the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Mother when he said he saw the silhouette of Jesus Christ's mother in the shadows of a cross. As word continued to spread about Tramowicz's sighting, more people lined up outside the North Providence church to see the cross for themselves.
Pat Sirabella of Pascoag believes the image is a sign of redemption, while John LaRoche of West Warwick hopes it will turn lives around. "I hope it's a sign that they'll turn there lives around and rededicate their lives to God," he said. Paul Gondreau, a theology professor at Providence College and the father of a boy recently blessed by Pope Francis, said that he could see the resemblance in the image stained into bell tower's cross. He said that the recent rain and humidity could "certainly" have had an effect on the steel cross; however, he stressed that the "remarkable" aspect of the image has little to do with how it was formed.
YouTube link.
"We live in a culture that often wants to oppose science against religion," Gondreau said. "But the Catholic tradition has never seen it that way. The two need not be diametrically opposed, and there are many mysteries of the Catholic Church that very well may have a scientific explanation behind them." Gondreau went on to say that the Church conducts investigations into sightings such as this one. He said those investigations aren't begun until it's believed the images are the reasons behind miracles.
YouTube link.
Additional video.
The Providence Diocese released a statement that said it is "highly unlikely" that divine intervention had anything to do with the Virgin Mary's supposed likeness appearing on the cross. However, the Diocese went on to say that - even if it was the result of natural causes - the sighting can still be considered positive. "God often works through ordinary means...," the release stated. "Even if it is the result of natural causes, [if the image] inspires individuals to a renewed faith in God and greater charity for their neighbour, that is a positive message to be welcomed and embraced."
Pat Sirabella of Pascoag believes the image is a sign of redemption, while John LaRoche of West Warwick hopes it will turn lives around. "I hope it's a sign that they'll turn there lives around and rededicate their lives to God," he said. Paul Gondreau, a theology professor at Providence College and the father of a boy recently blessed by Pope Francis, said that he could see the resemblance in the image stained into bell tower's cross. He said that the recent rain and humidity could "certainly" have had an effect on the steel cross; however, he stressed that the "remarkable" aspect of the image has little to do with how it was formed.
YouTube link.
"We live in a culture that often wants to oppose science against religion," Gondreau said. "But the Catholic tradition has never seen it that way. The two need not be diametrically opposed, and there are many mysteries of the Catholic Church that very well may have a scientific explanation behind them." Gondreau went on to say that the Church conducts investigations into sightings such as this one. He said those investigations aren't begun until it's believed the images are the reasons behind miracles.
YouTube link.
Additional video.
The Providence Diocese released a statement that said it is "highly unlikely" that divine intervention had anything to do with the Virgin Mary's supposed likeness appearing on the cross. However, the Diocese went on to say that - even if it was the result of natural causes - the sighting can still be considered positive. "God often works through ordinary means...," the release stated. "Even if it is the result of natural causes, [if the image] inspires individuals to a renewed faith in God and greater charity for their neighbour, that is a positive message to be welcomed and embraced."
Russian surgeon arrested for stealing heroin from suspected drug courier's stomach
A surgeon suspected of helping himself to a packet of heroin that he found in a patient's stomach during surgery is facing 15 years in prison.
The incident took place in the Bogotol hospital in the Krasnoyarsk region, during surgery on a man suspected of being a drug courier, who happened to be concealing a batch of drugs in his stomach.
After the operation "police searched the surgeon and confiscated a packet containing five grams of heroin, which he had hidden in his clothes," the police said in a statement.
The surgeon has been charged with unlawful purchase, stealing and possessing narcotic substances in large quantities.
The incident took place in the Bogotol hospital in the Krasnoyarsk region, during surgery on a man suspected of being a drug courier, who happened to be concealing a batch of drugs in his stomach.
After the operation "police searched the surgeon and confiscated a packet containing five grams of heroin, which he had hidden in his clothes," the police said in a statement.
The surgeon has been charged with unlawful purchase, stealing and possessing narcotic substances in large quantities.
South African teacher suspended for taking pupil to have his penis pierced
A teacher at a Pretoria school was suspended for allegedly taking a pupil to have his penis pierced.
The school governing body has confirmed that the teacher was facing a disciplinary hearing and was on paid suspension. The teacher was a governing body employee.
The school governing body would not confirm exactly why the teacher was suspended and what charges he would face. The Gauteng Education Department said it was aware of the incident.
"The department can confirm the allegations and that the teacher is suspended," said department spokesperson Gershwin Chuenyane. The department said it viewed the incident in a very serious light.
The school governing body has confirmed that the teacher was facing a disciplinary hearing and was on paid suspension. The teacher was a governing body employee.
The school governing body would not confirm exactly why the teacher was suspended and what charges he would face. The Gauteng Education Department said it was aware of the incident.
"The department can confirm the allegations and that the teacher is suspended," said department spokesperson Gershwin Chuenyane. The department said it viewed the incident in a very serious light.
Men who tried to pass off ice cubes as iPads rumbled when parcel started leaking
Two would-be fraudsters who tried to pass off ice cubes as iPads were caught when the parcel started leaking. Nathan Meunch, 29, and Nigel Bennett, 39, were found jointly responsible for the bungled con in which they sent a parcel full of ice cubes insured as iPads worth £2,500, then claimed compensation when they did not arrive. Meunch used the Special Delivery service at Wellington Post Office in Shropshire, telling the counter clerk the box contained iPads, so she insured it up to value of £2,500. But an hour later shocked staff saw water flooding from the parcel and its contents were revealed to be a bag of ice cubes.
Elaine Sloane, a counter clerk at the post office told the court how she served Meunch. “When the gentleman came to the counter and said he wanted to do a special delivery I did notice the package had damp patches on it and the front of his jacket had damp patches on it too,” she said. “I just happened to say to the gentleman is it raining outside and he said yes but it seemed strange to me because I could see from where I was sitting it didn’t look like it was raining.” She added: “I asked him what was inside and he said iPads. I said how much is it worth but he wanted to make a phone call. I asked him for a return address but he couldn’t remember the postcode.” About an hour later, a colleague noticed a puddle of water beneath the pile of parcels to be sent by Special Delivery.
“We had a little look and you could see all ice in there,” said Mrs Sloane. “We were shocked. He had sent it as iPads and I couldn’t believe it was all this water and the box was disintegrating.” The dodgy delivery was noted by Royal Mail investigators, patched up and sent on to its destination. And before long they received a compensation claim saying the valuable contents were missing. Meunch, who walked into court wearing a bag over his head with two eye holes cut out, had denied fraud and blamed the scheme on Bennett. Meunch of Telford, West Midlands, and Bennett, formerly of Stirchley, south Shropshire, but now living in Cornwall, both received community orders for taking part in the “hair-brained” scheme.
Sentencing, Recorder Christopher Hotten QC said to Bennett: “You accept responsibility for the idea of this offence. You were short of money and you wanted to make some money. You prepared a package containing ice cubes which was represented to contain iPads. You, Mr Meunch, took it to the post office and dispatched it and it was you who submitted a compensation claim. The plan was unsuccessful. The ice melted and the post office were quite well aware within an hour that this was a scam.” He sentenced each man to a 12- month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work. They must also each pay £500 towards prosecution costs within six months.
Elaine Sloane, a counter clerk at the post office told the court how she served Meunch. “When the gentleman came to the counter and said he wanted to do a special delivery I did notice the package had damp patches on it and the front of his jacket had damp patches on it too,” she said. “I just happened to say to the gentleman is it raining outside and he said yes but it seemed strange to me because I could see from where I was sitting it didn’t look like it was raining.” She added: “I asked him what was inside and he said iPads. I said how much is it worth but he wanted to make a phone call. I asked him for a return address but he couldn’t remember the postcode.” About an hour later, a colleague noticed a puddle of water beneath the pile of parcels to be sent by Special Delivery.
“We had a little look and you could see all ice in there,” said Mrs Sloane. “We were shocked. He had sent it as iPads and I couldn’t believe it was all this water and the box was disintegrating.” The dodgy delivery was noted by Royal Mail investigators, patched up and sent on to its destination. And before long they received a compensation claim saying the valuable contents were missing. Meunch, who walked into court wearing a bag over his head with two eye holes cut out, had denied fraud and blamed the scheme on Bennett. Meunch of Telford, West Midlands, and Bennett, formerly of Stirchley, south Shropshire, but now living in Cornwall, both received community orders for taking part in the “hair-brained” scheme.
Sentencing, Recorder Christopher Hotten QC said to Bennett: “You accept responsibility for the idea of this offence. You were short of money and you wanted to make some money. You prepared a package containing ice cubes which was represented to contain iPads. You, Mr Meunch, took it to the post office and dispatched it and it was you who submitted a compensation claim. The plan was unsuccessful. The ice melted and the post office were quite well aware within an hour that this was a scam.” He sentenced each man to a 12- month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work. They must also each pay £500 towards prosecution costs within six months.
Reclusive woman's body eaten by her cats as she lay undiscovered in home for several weeks
A woman was eaten by her own cats after her dead body lay undiscovered in her home for several weeks, an inquest heard.
Janet Veal was found in the kitchen of her isolated Ringwood, Hampshire, home after neighbours raised the alarm, concerned that they had not seen her for a long time and mail was overflowing in the letter box.
Inside officers were met with a “distressing” scene with the 56-year-old’s body on the kitchen floor, with parts missing as a result of being “gnawed and eaten” by her animals that had been left without food for possibly months.
Southampton Coroner’s Court heard how PC Dave Ivey gained entry into the semi-detached home, which was down a farm track, with nothing around it for 100 yards, by using a ladder to get in through an unsecured upstairs rear window.
As soon as he got inside it was clear it had not been aired for numerous weeks and all the rooms of the property were covered with items and rubbish making it impossible to see the floor. When he went downstairs and entered the kitchen and living room it was immediately apparent that there were a number of dead animals, including a number of cats and a dog, as well as some that were still alive. Coroner Keith Wiseman said: “These animals had been, the officer thought, confined in these two rooms downstairs for what may well have been a period of many weeks, stretching quite possibly into several months.” It was in the kitchen, on the afternoon of April 4, that PC Ivey discovered the body of Mrs Veal, who was estranged from her husband, who left a year before.
Mr Wiseman added: “This too was a distressing experience because it was clear that certain parts of Mrs Veal’s body were missing and had, the officer formed the view, effectively been gnawed and eaten away by the animals. One can only imagine the difficulty with the scene the officer was having to deal with.” Reading from her medical history it was clear that Mrs Veal, who was described as a recluse by her neighbours, suffered from various chest conditions over the years. The post-mortem proved “extremely difficult” due to the extent of decomposition but pathologist Dr Vipul Foria concluded that the death was “possibly” due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Describing Mrs Veal as an animal lover, Mr Wiseman said: “Exactly what happened to render Mrs Veal unable to assist herself or get any kind of help is unclear. Obviously one or other of the chest conditions might have disabled her but it is not at all clear.” Ruling a death from natural causes Mr Wiseman added: “There is no indication otherwise and no suggestion, if I can go to the complete extreme, any suggestion that she had been in any way attacked by the animals while she was alive. Given the background history and findings I am prepared to find on the balance of probabilities this was sadly a natural death that led to really very untoward consequences because of the inability of Mrs Veal to get any assistance for herself and to be confined in the way that she was in this property with a number of animals that had not been fed for quite a long period of time.”
As soon as he got inside it was clear it had not been aired for numerous weeks and all the rooms of the property were covered with items and rubbish making it impossible to see the floor. When he went downstairs and entered the kitchen and living room it was immediately apparent that there were a number of dead animals, including a number of cats and a dog, as well as some that were still alive. Coroner Keith Wiseman said: “These animals had been, the officer thought, confined in these two rooms downstairs for what may well have been a period of many weeks, stretching quite possibly into several months.” It was in the kitchen, on the afternoon of April 4, that PC Ivey discovered the body of Mrs Veal, who was estranged from her husband, who left a year before.
Mr Wiseman added: “This too was a distressing experience because it was clear that certain parts of Mrs Veal’s body were missing and had, the officer formed the view, effectively been gnawed and eaten away by the animals. One can only imagine the difficulty with the scene the officer was having to deal with.” Reading from her medical history it was clear that Mrs Veal, who was described as a recluse by her neighbours, suffered from various chest conditions over the years. The post-mortem proved “extremely difficult” due to the extent of decomposition but pathologist Dr Vipul Foria concluded that the death was “possibly” due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Describing Mrs Veal as an animal lover, Mr Wiseman said: “Exactly what happened to render Mrs Veal unable to assist herself or get any kind of help is unclear. Obviously one or other of the chest conditions might have disabled her but it is not at all clear.” Ruling a death from natural causes Mr Wiseman added: “There is no indication otherwise and no suggestion, if I can go to the complete extreme, any suggestion that she had been in any way attacked by the animals while she was alive. Given the background history and findings I am prepared to find on the balance of probabilities this was sadly a natural death that led to really very untoward consequences because of the inability of Mrs Veal to get any assistance for herself and to be confined in the way that she was in this property with a number of animals that had not been fed for quite a long period of time.”
Quiche-loving thieves involved in five-hour standoff with police after breaking into café
Two men have appeared in court following a five-hour standoff with police at a Northumberland café. Trained negotiators and officers with tasers surrounded Café@Marshalls, at Scremerston near Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Angela Marshall, who runs the business with her husband, and witnessed the drama said: “It was like something you see on the telly, not something that happens in Berwick. Apparently they were hungry and wanted some quiche." Police contacted Angela shortly after 1am to say there had been a break-in at the business.
“When I got there, there were about 15 police cars outside, they were all over the place,” she explained. “There were negotiators and all sorts. They had the riot gear on and tasers.” The standoff lasted until around 6am when two men were eventually brought out.
Barry Kirsopp, 21, of no fixed abode, and Dean Matthew Thompson, 20, of Brickfield Lodge, Tweedmouth, Berwick, have both been charged with burglary and affray. They appeared before South East Northumberland Magistrates Court. The case was adjourned and both men were remanded in custody.
Angela Marshall, who runs the business with her husband, and witnessed the drama said: “It was like something you see on the telly, not something that happens in Berwick. Apparently they were hungry and wanted some quiche." Police contacted Angela shortly after 1am to say there had been a break-in at the business.
“When I got there, there were about 15 police cars outside, they were all over the place,” she explained. “There were negotiators and all sorts. They had the riot gear on and tasers.” The standoff lasted until around 6am when two men were eventually brought out.
Barry Kirsopp, 21, of no fixed abode, and Dean Matthew Thompson, 20, of Brickfield Lodge, Tweedmouth, Berwick, have both been charged with burglary and affray. They appeared before South East Northumberland Magistrates Court. The case was adjourned and both men were remanded in custody.
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