Norway puts jail brakes on Swedish ‘Son of God’ motorist

  • November 17, 2009 9:12 pm

Norway is putting the brakes on one Swedish motorist. This motorist said he was the Son of God. REALLY! It might be a good thing he is in jail, not only for the sake of other motorists, but his sanity as well.

In a four month span in 2008, the 46-year-old Swede was picked up four times for driving without a licence by Norwegian police in various towns outside of the capital Oslo, the Norwegian newspaper Moss Avis reports reports.

On one occasion, the man also attempted to hide his expired registration tabs by fashioning false plates out of cardboard, but Norwegian police saw through the ruse.

The Swede defended his actions during questioning by police in the town of Moss, arguing he was Jesus, the son of God, and that he ruled the world.

As a result, the Swede argued, he didn’t need to abide by earthly driving regulations.

But the district court in Moss didn’t buy the man’s holy defence, and sentenced him to 30 days in prison and fined him 2,000 Norwegian kronor ($360).

University of New Hampshires Naked Freshman Camp

  • December 15, 2008 7:23 pm

A disciplinary report says the University of New Hampshire disbanded one of its oldest student organizations because counselors got naked in front of campers and mooned them as they left on a bus.

The college earlier had declined to say exactly what happened to prompt it to disband Freshman Camp, a student-run organization that welcomes incoming freshmen before classes start.

The report says counselors got naked for campers during a skit and when they were departing on a bus. In the second incident, female counselors lifted their skirts for campers while several male counselors mooned campers. The report said other male counselors stood by naked, wearing only socks or hats.

The report says one female counselor urinated on herself during a skit to cheers.

Can I go? I would really enjoy seeing all of these female counselors naked. The male ones would be disturbing, but who wouldn’t like to see a few females naked!

Women gets 55 years after being found innocent

  • December 14, 2008 3:25 am

VERO BEACH — It was $1,900 here and $10,000 there.

On Friday, it all added up to a sentence of 55 years in state prison for 42-year-old Johnnie Miles, whose criminal record — of bad checks and financial fraud — dates to when she was 14 years old, according to court officials.

A month ago, a six-member Indian River County jury found the 29th Avenue resident innocent of the latest charges against her: defrauding a store out of $7,500 during a three-month period in 2007.

But under state rules, Circuit Court Judge Dan Vaughn was allowed to take another look at the facts in the latest case. That’s because she was on probation for a 2003 conviction for grand theft and fraud in Indian River County.

Because of her record, Vaughn gave her the maximum for probation violation: 11 five-year state jail terms, all to be servedconsecutively, adding up to 55 years. Each five-year term is for the 11 offenses for which she served four years in state prison.

Her record goes back even further, including an additional 20 felony fraud and theft convictions, nine petty theft convictions and seven misdemeanor cases, according to county court records.

“She is one of the most notorious thieves” in the county, said Assistant State Attorney Adam Chrzan, who handled her latest case.

Her record, the attorney said, includes such things as making purchases using just credit card numbers. She told a store owner she was the victim of an identify theft and her card was stolen.

In the recent trial, Chrzan said the jury may have been swayed by testimony that a person identifying herself as Johnnie Miles called Riverside Bank claiming her checkbook and credit card were stolen, leading to fraudulent charges.

During sentencing on Friday, Miles made no comment.

I thought the American justice system helped the innocent?  How are judges allowed to avoid the law?  Why are we allowing judges to sentence by going around the rules.  This is just pathetic!  They are even sentencing her for crimes she commited when she was 14 years old, and this women is 42 now!  Our judicial system is really going down the toilet.

Oceanside school fakes students death

  • June 12, 2008 5:57 pm

On a Monday morning last month, highway patrol officers visited 20 classrooms at El Camino High School to announce some horrible news: Several students had been killed in car wrecks over the weekend.

Oceanside Unified Schools Superintendent Larry Perondi discusses the DUI program as a student looks on.

Classmates wept. Some became hysterical.

A few hours and many tears later, though, the pain turned to fury when the teenagers learned that it was all a hoax, a scared-straight exercise designed by school officials to dramatize the consequences of drinking and driving.

As seniors prepare for graduation parties Friday, school officials in the largely prosperous San Diego, California, suburb are defending themselves against allegations that they went too far.

At school assemblies, some students held posters that read, “Death is real. Don’t play with our emotions.”

Michelle de Gracia, 16, was in physics class when an officer announced that her missing classmate David, a popular basketball player, had died instantly after being rear-ended by a drunken driver. She said she felt nauseated but was too stunned to cry.

“They got the shock they wanted,” she said.

Some of her classmates became extremely upset, prompting the teacher to tell them immediately that it was all staged.

“People started yelling at the teacher,” she said. “It was pretty hectic.”

Others, including many who heard the news of the 26 deaths between classes, were left in the dark until the missing students reappeared hours later.

“You feel betrayed by your teachers and administrators, these people you trust,” said 15-year-old Carolyn Magos. “But then I felt selfish for feeling that way, because, I mean, if it saves one life, it’s worth it.”

Officials at the 3,100-student school defended the program.

“They were traumatized, but we wanted them to be traumatized,” said guidance counselor Lori Tauber, who helped organize the shocking exercise and got dozens of students to participate. “That’s how they get the message.”

The plan was to tell the truth to the students at an assembly later in the day. But word that it was all a hoax began to spread before the gathering. Tauber said some counselors and administrators revealed the truth to calm some students who had become upset.

Oceanside Schools Superintendent Larry Perondi said he fielded only a few calls from parents, and the PTA chapter said it had not heard any complaints. Perondi said the program would be revised, but he would not say how. And he said he was glad that students seemed to have gotten the message.

“We did this in earnest,” he said. “This was not done to be a prankster.”

Man puts duct tape over license plate to steal gas

  • June 10, 2008 5:14 pm

MADISON TWP., Mich. – An Adrian man is being sought on suspicion of stealing gasoline.

According to a report released Friday by the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department, at about 2:54 p.m. on May 19, a passerby observed a man placing black electrical tape over the license plate of a 1998 Chevrolet in the parking lot of Meijer and then driving away.

When the responding officer arrived, the witness told him the vehicle had pulled into the Murphy Oil station in the 1500 block of East U.S. Highway 223.

The officer pulled in behind the man, who was in the process of pumping gas into the vehicle, and noticed the license plate on the vehicle was obscured with black tape. Determining the evidence suggested a crime was in progress, the officer approached the man with his duty weapon drawn. The man was identified as William B. Webb, 23, of Adrian. Webb was released after being detained, as the investigation continued.
Lt. Cletus Smith of the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department said “a massive amount of gas” is being stolen because of the recent increase in fuel prices. If a person’s vehicle is involved in a crime, Smith said, “we have the right to confiscate it to pay for what was stolen.”

Smith acknowledged the citizen who alerted police to the suspicious behavior. “We commend her for taking note of what was going on in the parking lot and reporting it,” he said.

Maggie Lyn Bailey, 19, of Adrian, who owns the vehicle, is not being charged with any crime, Smith said. The seized car was sold back to her.

One felony and two misdemeanor warrants have been issued for Webb on suspicion of larceny of gas, forging or altering a license plate and driving on a suspended license, second offense.

Michigan Sherrif arrests burglar next door

  • June 10, 2008 5:10 pm

PITTSFORD — Even in his sleep, the Hillsdale County sheriff is on duty.

WCSR-AM in Hillsdale reports Sheriff Stan Burchardt captured a breaking-and-entering suspect at an automotive-related business after being awakened about 1:15 a.m. Friday by noise outside his Pittsford home.

The sheriff’s department says Burchardt went outside to investigate and saw a person run up to the front of Pittsford Gas & Tire, smash a window and go inside.

Burchardt followed the person inside and spotted him filling a backpack with cigarettes and other items.

Burchardt ordered the suspect to get on the floor and called for backup. Deputies arrived within minutes.

The suspect is a 17-year-old from Montgomery and was being held at the county jail pending arraignment.

Drunk Baby Born Fives Times Over the Limit

  • June 10, 2008 3:36 pm

A mother who was intoxicated during her labor at a Polish hospital gave birth to a baby girl who was almost 15 times over the country’s adult drunk-driving limit, Agence France-Presse is reporting.

The baby girl, born Monday, had a blood alcohol level of 0.29 percent. Poland’s drunk driving limit is 0.02 percent, according to the report.

In the U.S., the adult drunk-driving limit is 0.08.

Doctors at a hospital in Otwock, on the outskirts of Warsaw, Poland, called the police after the drunk expectant mother checked in to give birth.

The 38-year-old mother’s blood alcohol level was 0.12 percent, which is the equivalent of drinking a bottle of wine, according to the report.The mother could face up to five years in prison on charges of endangering the life and health of her child, it is reported. Doctors said the baby is not in immediate danger, but the alcohol may impact her development.

Virgina to execute crazy man

  • June 8, 2008 11:28 pm

RICHMOND, Va. – A Virginia man who whose execution has been pushed back three times because of questions about his mental capacity is scheduled to die Tuesday unless the governor or courts step in again.

Percy Walton, 29, was sent to death row for robbing and killing three neighbors in Danville in 1996. He is set to die by lethal injection at 9 p.m. Tuesday and would becoming the 100th person executed in Virginia since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976. Only Texas, with 405, has executed more people.

A federal court stopped Walton’s execution in 2003 three days before it was scheduled to allow time to determine if Walton understood he was going to die and why.

In June 2006, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine granted a reprieve two hours before Walton was set to die and ordered an evaluation of his mental condition. That December, Kaine delayed the execution another 18 months.

At the time, Kaine said he believed Walton met the Supreme Court’s definition of mental incompetence but that it was possible _ though unlikely–that his condition was temporary. The governor’s spokesman said Kaine was reviewing Walton’s clemency petition but he would not comment on the case.

Kaine, a Roman Catholic, has personal, faith-based objections to the death penalty but five executions have occurred since he became governor in 2006, including one last month. Kaine has yet to commute a death row inmate’s sentence.

Walton’s attorneys say he has not improved.

“His mental condition, in my own opinion, is just as it was if not worse,” Nash Bilisoly said.

Walton’s attorneys claim he suffers from schizophrenia and that he does not understand his execution.

Walton has said that after he is put to death he plans to go to Burger King and maybe ride a motorcycle. But he also has referred to the execution as “the end” and said before his trial that the “chair is for killers.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled it unconstitutional to execute the insane or those with an IQ less than 70, established by the age of 18, who lack basic adaptive skills.

No competency hearing was held before Walton was sentenced to death, and mental evaluations have yielded conflicting results.

Walton scored 90 and 77 on intelligence tests taken when he was 17 and 18, respectively. After he was sentenced to death, Walton’s scores declined.

Several of Walton’s fellow death row inmates told The Associated Press in 2006 that Walton spends his days laughing to himself and talking to voices in his head, and that he is incapable of engaging in any meaningful conversation. Walton’s prison nickname is “Crazy Horse.”

A prison guard once testified that Walton refused to shower, complaining about a man in a white suit sitting on a gray box in his cell. One prison psychiatrist testified that Walton was “floridly psychotic.”

Others question whether it’s all an act. Several jail inmates testified that Walton told them he planned to “play crazy.” Another prison psychiatrist testified that he considered Walton “a mentally limited, street-wise predator.”

Walton pleaded guilty in 1997 to the murders of Jessie and Elizabeth Kendrick, a couple in their 80s, and 33-year-old Archie Moore, an aviation instructor at a nearby college.

The Kendricks’ bodies were found Nov. 26, 1996 in their townhouse, both shot in the head from close range. Archi Moore’s body was found in a closet of his apartment two days later. Police were called to both homes after the victims failed to pick up loved ones who were visiting for Thanksgiving from the airport.

Elizabeth Kendrick’s sister has prepared twice to watch Walton be executed, but said health problems will prevent her from attending this scheduled execution. Irene Jurscaga said she has written to Kaine several times detailing how difficult his decision has been on the family.

“It is sad that this young man has lived as long as he has,” said Jurscaga, 87, of Suffolk.

Coral springs teacher has sex with student

  • June 7, 2008 9:29 pm

MARGATE – A Lauderhill woman who taught 11th and 12th graders at a private Coral Springs school was arrested Friday after police learned she had been involved in a sexual relationship with one of her male students for more than a year, authorities said.

Christine Brown Jouini, 38, a teacher at the Center Academy in Coral Springs, is accused of repeatedly having sex with the student at her former apartment in Margate and other locations off campus between June 2006 and September 2007, police said.

Jouini, who faces three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, is being held in the Broward County Jail without bond.

“It was consensual,” said Margate police spokesman Chip Kolenda. “It wasn’t until our detectives spoke to him that he admitted to the relationship. He never actually came forward.”

The Center Academy, at 4700 Riverside Drive, is described as a “small, safe, accredited college prep environment for students who have fallen behind or who want to get ahead,” according to the school’s Web site.

The school has been family-operated since 1968, and is one of 13 in Florida, the Web site said.

School director Gail Levy could not be reached for comment Friday, despite repeated attempts by phone.

Margate police began their investigation after the victim recently confided to another teacher that he had previously had a sexual relationship with Jouini, Kolenda said.

That teacher notified the state child abuse hotline, Kolenda said.

According to police, the boy said the relationship began when he was 16 years old.

He said he and Jouini had “sexual contact” more than 100 times and he visited her apartment almost every day for almost a year, staying overnight when her husband was not home, according to a police affidavit.

Jouini introduced the boy to neighbors as her brother, the affidavit said.

During their investigation, detectives located several witnesses who had seen the student and Jouini together, away from school and also at her residence, Kolenda said.

Jouini turned herself in to Margate police on Friday without incident, Kolenda said.

Teachers investigated for shouting

  • June 7, 2008 9:24 pm

TEACHERS are under scrutiny for shouting while trying to control students in the classroom and playground.

Education Department officials are investigating teachers for shouting at students to “put that down”, “leave him alone”, “sit down” or “pick up those papers” and demanding to know, “who told you that you could go there?”

The Sunday Telegraph has obtained letters sent from the department to teachers, asking them to explain their actions.

One letter stated: “It is alleged that while you were employed as a teacher you engaged in unreasonable conduct towards students, contrary to the Code of Conduct 2004, in that on unspecified occasions in class you unnecessarily yelled at students”.

Teachers have launched legal action against the department, claiming the investigations are eroding their authority and affecting discipline.

The situation has resulted in 750 school principals signing statements of concern.

Teachers Federation deputy president Bob Lipscombe said the investigations were a consequence of a decision by the department in December last year to cut back on the number of investigators who hold teaching qualifications.

“A number of teachers have been investigated for yelling in the classroom,” he said.

“These sorts of investigations can undermine their capacity to maintain reasonable discipline in their classes and the prolonged investigations often cause significant harm to teachers’ wellbeing.”

Independent Education Union secretary Dick Shearman said the problem was a result of over-zealousness, with some teachers being accused of abuse after raising their voice.

“It’s been a battle to distinguish between what might be normal discipline or genuine psychological abuse,” he said.

“In some schools, there’s overzealousness of this approach. If someone raises their voice on one occasion, this can be interpreted as child abuse.

“You can harm a child without physically harming them.

“It’s not the notion we have a problem with, it’s the interpretation of it.

“We’re not criticising child-protection legislation.”

Despite the letters ordering teachers to explain why they yelled at students, the department denies it investigates them for shouting.

“A teacher raising their voice at a student will not prompt an investigation by the department,” a department spokesman said in a statement.

“The Employee Performance and Conduct Unit investigates staff for serious misconduct and poor performance.”

Almost 1000 teachers and other staff are currently listed on the department’s not-to-be-employed list.

Opposition education spokesman Andrew Stoner said teachers were left to deal with ill-behaved children who were not being disciplined at home.

“I certainly got the cane at school a lot because I was a little bugger,” he said.

“I don’t suggest we bring it back, but let’s say discipline was a lot tougher in former years.

“The Government has taken away a lot of teachers’ powers to discipline children in the classroom. It’s no wonder teachers sometimes end up yelling at unruly and difficult students.”

Sarah Redfern public school principal Cheryl McBride said the investigations had resulted in an erosion of discipline.

“A normal disciplinary action to prevent dangerous or threatening behaviour is being interpreted as something that needs to be reported as a child-protection incident … whereas that might be very appropriate discipline for the child,” Ms McBride said.

Tyler Student, 17, gets eight years

  • June 7, 2008 9:23 pm

TYLER — A 17-year-old who phoned his rival high school on a school bus and threatened to open fire on students has been sentenced to eight years in state prison.

An attorney for Terrance Taylor said Saturday he was surprised by the sentence and had recommended probation for his client, who was a junior at John Tyler High School in Tyler.

Taylor pleaded guilty Thursday to making a terroristic threat. Don Davidson, the student’s attorney, said state District Judge Jack Skeen Jr. used the phrase “the times we live in” in handing down the sentence.

Police found no weapons belonging to Taylor after he made the call in January. Davidson said another student initiated the call on the bus and that his client was “gullible” in taking part.

Angela Jenkins, a spokeswoman for the Tyler school district, said that while the sentence was “severe in this circumstance,” the school takes threats very seriously. She said “we now live in a time where safety is of paramount concern.”

Bars won’t serve 21 year olds alcohol until 8 A.M.

  • May 20, 2008 11:09 pm

Drunk People

Bars in a few states including Minnesota and North Dakota will not serve 21 year old guests alcohol until 8 A.M. on their birthday.  This new rule is designed to discourage kids from drinking some much that they end up dead on their 21st birthday.

This rule is ludicrous!  Kids should be able to enjoy their 21st birthdays, after all it is there only 21st birthday and they should enjoy themselves.  21 year olds in the affected states, take a road trip and go to a much better state!

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Stupid Theives Arrested in Florida

  • May 19, 2008 9:44 pm

Retail theft, burglary to an occupied conveyance, retaliating against a witness, assault, criminal mischief, battery, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence were the combined charges that are being pressed against 22-year old Leigh Stephen Cann Jr. and his wife, 26-year-old Shannon Kelly Cann.

The Canns were at the Fill Ups on Harbor Boulevard in Destin, Florida, when they stole merchandise from the convenience store. Upon entering the parking log, deputies report that the couple threatened witnesses, then proceeded to chase them all the way to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s station, where Mr. Cann began punching out car windows and threatening people as his wife assaulted witnesses.

Mr. Cann claimed that he had tried to pay for the merchandise, but the clerk would not allow him to.

The merchandise in question? Beef Jerky.

Atlanta teens caught “doggy dooring”

  • March 27, 2008 1:12 pm

Cobb County police have arrested two Harrison High School students in a “doggie dooring” robbery at a Kennesaw home. Police say the teens stole laptops, iPods, cell phones and beer. The practice of slipping into a home by squeezing through one of the small openings used by pets is so well-known in schools in the area that it’s been nicknamed “doggie dooring.”

Chlorine Leak disinfects, injures 37

  • March 27, 2008 2:14 am

ST. CLOUD – Fifteen people were hospitalized Wednesday after a chlorine gas leak in the Rocori High School swimming pool sent a physical education class to area hospitals.  The cause of the leak, which prompted a strong emergency response from health and public safety officials to treat the 37 victims, was under investigation and not fully clear late Wednesday.

“Quite honestly, we’re really baffled,” said Scott Staska, superintendent of the Rocori School District.  Of 33 people treated at St. Cloud Hospital, 15 were kept overnight “as a precaution,” said Dr. Tom Schrup. The rest, including four students taken to the hospital in Paynesville, Minn., were treated and released.  The patients had symptoms such as coughing or burning eyes and nasal passages, Schrup said.

No one was seriously ill, required mechanical ventilation or was expected to have long-term symptoms. “It’s becoming clear that most people here were very minimally affected,” Schrup said.  At 1:40 p.m. a student had trouble breathing and the number of victims grew quickly, said Stearns County Chief Deputy Bruce Bechtold.

Students were swimming laps when “a big vapor cloud” emerged from vents in the pool, said Cold Spring Mayor Doug Schmitz, who responded to the school in his role as assistant fire chief.  Before the class, the school’s custodial staff had shut off the pool’s water to work on a water line, Staska said. He said the work was routine, didn’t involve chlorine and the water was back on before class.

A state chemical assessment team based in St. Cloud tested the air at 3:09 p.m. and found no trace of chlorine or other chemicals, said Greg Newinski, the team’s battalion chief.  “We’re a little perplexed,” he said. “But two hours had passed since the exposure, and they’ve got a ventilation system running, so it could be that things dissipated.”  By 4 p.m., officials pronounced the school safe, and students and faculty were allowed back into the building.  Although “every agency we’ve talked to says the pool is safe,” Staska said, the district cancelled Wednesday night swim classes. Although the school will open as usual this morning, the pool will remain closed.

Wow!  These kids are lucky as chlorine can be some very volatile stuff.  They used it as poison in world wars.  Inhaling enough can kill you!  Thank goodness for the trained emergency responders and that it was only a minor leak!

Teens leave boulder on train tracks

  • March 26, 2008 12:06 am

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies today released the names of the five teens facing felony charges for allegedly causing substantial damage to a train engine last night in Chili.

The teens —Michael A Ciaramaglia, 17, of Rochelle Drive, Riga; Joseph M. Neerbasch, 17, of Still Moon Crescent, Chili; Jordan M. Leipold, 16, of Privet Way, Chili; Joseph D. Relyea, 17, of Norway Spruce, Chili; and Aaron M. Spencer, 16, of Beaver Road, Chili — were each charged with second-degree criminal mischief and interfering with a railroad, both felonies, said Sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. John Helfer.

The teens allegedly together placed a three-foot wide rock on the railroad tracks near 3400 Chili Avenue last night, Helfer said.

Deputies were called to the scene at 5:50 p.m., after a CSX train engineer reported that a westbound train struck the boulder and that the train’s two engines “sustained substantial damage,” Helfer said. The two-mile-long train did not derail, but it blocked portions of Chili Avenue and Old Scottsville Chili Road, near Suburban Propane and Memorial Park, for nearly 11 hours.

Both roads reopened just before 5 a.m. today Tuesday, March 25, after CSX crews removed the train engines, according to Monroe County emergency dispatchers. CSX crews reportedly used a large crane early today to remove the engines and clear the tracks.  Deputy Matthew Mackenzie was responding to the call when he saw the five teens walking away from the railroad crossing to a nearby McDonald’s restaurant on Chili Avenue.

The teens were charged late yesterday and were arraigned in Chili Town Court, Helfer said. All five teens were released on their own recognizance, he said.  They are due back in Chili Court Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for an appearance with their attorneys.  Deputies are investigating the incident.

Wow!  Lets try a little math here folks.  5 dumb teenagers+rock=?  Anyone, anyone?  Honestly, what sort of inbreed MORONS leave a rock on the train tracks?  It’s not just a pebble either, its a pretty heavy three foot wide rock!  Come on kids, you just ruined your future with two felony counts.  Have a nice time in juvy/jail!

 Story

High heel racing man who dressed in drag for Hannah Montana Tickets in trouble for workers compensation fraud

  • March 25, 2008 11:53 pm

Prosecutors say a video shows a Connecticut correction officer running a 40-yard-dash in women’s clothing and high heels – at a time he had claimed he was too injured to work.  Garrett A. Dalton of Naugatuck has been charged with workers compensation fraud. He’s accused of taking part in a radio station’s contest for Hannah Montana concert tickets last year. Not only did he have to dress in drag but he had to carry an egg on a spoon.

Authorities were alerted after someone saw Dalton in a TV news report. Prosecutors say the 41-year-old collected more than $5,000 in workers’ compensation after he reported a work-related injury in June.  Court documents do not list an attorney for Dalton, and his phone number is unlisted. And no, he didn’t win the contest.

Garrett A. Dalton you are today’s worst person in the world!  How can you be such a moron?  You file for workman’s compensation…and then you not only defraud them!  You dress in womens clothes!  For tween concert tickets!  It’s just despicable!

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Funny smelling money nets drug arrest

  • March 25, 2008 6:34 pm

The musty smell of a man’s money led to his arrest on possible drug charges. The 21-year-old Sturgeon Bay man tried to deposit money smelling of marijuana at a bank here last week, according to a Sturgeon Bay police report obtained by the Door County Advocate.

The $4,000 in bundled bills did not smell like burned marijuana but had a musty odor of ground sweet leaves, the report said. The smell was so strong and distinct that a teller put the cash in a plastic bag. Sturgeon Bay police tested it for marijuana, and it came back positive, the report said. The man was arrested when he returned to the bank to make a withdrawal. Police later found bagged marijuana at the man’s home. “All the pieces just came together,” Police Chief Dan Trelka said. The man is being held in the county jail on a probation violation, while the Door County district attorney’s office reviews his case. It will be up to the district attorney to file formal charges.

What goes through your mind when you find pot money? I am amazed that someone actually did something with this. So many people today would not even care! Thank you teller for helping us get drug using scum off the street. Congrats Sturgeon Bay for having one heck of a weird case.

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Controversial easter parade

  • March 24, 2008 12:33 pm

Easter Card

Pictured Above: Strip club party invite

Parents and children attending the Dunbar, FL Easter parade got a few suprises.  Dunbar, which is near Fort Meyers, had people handing out bail bond cards, a scantily clad party invite, and a CD containing explicit lyrics.  Parade officials said that they will be investigating how to make sure that this family friendly parade will stay family friendly next year.

Here is an idea!  Why not just not allow adult promoters in your parade?  Kick out the CD people and you don’t need those bail bond people either.  Just be a little more specific on what you allow.  Then you won’t have to waste nearly as much time!

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Kilpatrick charged!

  • March 24, 2008 12:22 pm

Kwame Kilpatrick, the mayor of Detroit, MI and his girlfriend have been charged with 12 counts including perjury and obstruction of justice.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and an ex-aide have been charged with perjury and obstruction of justice after prosecutors said sexually explicit text messages between the two contradicted their sworn court testimony. Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick reportedly sent romantic texts to his chief of staff, contradicting earlier testimony. Kilpatrick, who is married, has been snarled in a well-publicized sex scandal since January after The Detroit Free Press reported he exchanged romantic text messages with his then-chief of staff, Christine Beatty. The paper reported in January that in an analysis of nearly 14,000 text messages on Beatty’s city-issued pager, it found some from 2002 and 2003 that indicated the two were having a romantic affair.

 

Kwame delayed his press conference, but once it came on all major cable news outlets covered it. Fox 2 Detroit is our official source for all of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s information. Kwame has a very smart lawyer, who has said that after today the case will not be played out in the press. Kwame Kilpatrick maintains his innocence, for the time being. No further updates are available, but we will be blogging throughout the day as we get more information.

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Dutch prison gaurds eat cake baked by prisoners

  • March 13, 2008 9:51 pm

Four Dutch prison guards at cake that was baked by prisoners Thursday.  The cake did not turn out well, as the four guards soon fell ill.  The cake was baked by notorious Dutch gang members.  Authorities say that this has never been a problem before.  The four guards are being treated at the prisons infirmary.  Prison officials have banned staff from accepting baked good and sweets from prisoners.

What a bunch of morons!  Why would you let a bunch of prisoners give you a cake.  Second of all, why would you eat that cake!  It’s a security risk, plain and simple.  Don’t make yourself subject to stupidness Dutch prison guards!

Story

Schools officials alerted of Strawberry Meth

  • March 5, 2008 4:38 pm

Photobucket

Pictured Above: FAKE and MYTHICAL Strawberry meth

A less than common sense police officer in the United Kingdom alerted school officials to a drug that doesn’t exist. The incident occured when a police officer received an email and forwarded it through a special system connecting police and area schools. The police department says the officer will not be punished. The same police agency has said however that they apologize and are going to be reviewing internal procedures.

GREAT! Use your heads here people, does strawberry meth actually exist? According to Snopes.com. “Some drug dealers sell meth that looks strawberry in appearance”. Also Snopes.com states, “It is inaccurate that drug dealers are dealing strawberry meth to kids, according to our sources:

So don’t worry about it, unless your an United Kingdom police officer who got duped!

Huckabye!

  • March 4, 2008 10:06 pm

Mike Huckabee has decided to drop out of the race to become president.  The wanna be contender should of dropped out around the same time as Mitt Romney, but lacking common sense wanted to waste more money and energy to get this far.  Congrats Huckabee, and good riddance!

Red Sox scout arrested for pitching in public

  • March 4, 2008 3:40 pm

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A Boston Red Sox scout was arrested for committing a lewd act in public. Jesse Levis is facing charges of committing a lewd and lavacious act in the presence of children under the age of 16. Police and a U.S. Marshals task force arrested him at a Melbourne hotel after he was kicked out of the Springhill Suites in St. Lucie West where the incidents happened.

This sicko deserves to be arrested! Hopefully he is locked away for a long time. Anyone who does something so disgusting in a public area should be disgraced. I hope Mr. Levis is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I also hope that the Boston Red Sox find a new scout for their employ.

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Pot plants show up at San Jose Recycling Center

  • March 3, 2008 9:52 pm

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Santa Clara County, you have a pot grower who recycles.  Volunteers at GreenTeam, a recycling center in San Jose were sorting through some material Friday when a worker opened a plastic garbage bag with 5 pounds of marijuana inside.  The police were contacted at 11 A.M. to report the find.   The marijuana plants had been shoved into a large, black plastic bag, officer Jeramine Thomas said, and could have come from anywhere in the county. When police got to the Charles Street recycling center the pot was still in the bag. The plants have been seized as evidence and won’t make it to the composting bin anytime soon. Thomas said it wasn’t clear whether the bag was dumped with lawn clippings or other recyclables.

Well…anyone who has any information about that you can contact the Santa Clara Sheriff’s department.  In the meantime, who recycles pot.  Just burn it or something, use it honestly.  Who recycles!

Story

Appalachian State University lockdown lifted

  • March 3, 2008 9:31 pm

Appalachian State University was placed under lock down earlier this evening after a gunman was spotted at 4:45. The lock down was issued 20 minutes after and was lifted in the past 30 minutes. Appalachian State University reports that everyone is safe and no students were injured. The gunman has not been located. Appalachian State University has announced that evening classes are canceled but morning classes are to proceed as scheduled.

FDA: Don’t Swallow Inhalers

  • March 3, 2008 9:23 pm

Respiratory drugs such as Spirivia and Foradil should be used with the proper dispensing equipment the FDA warns. Swallowing the entire medication can be hazardous to one’s health. The FDA has received reports that swallow the entire inhalers helps with symptoms but the Food and Drug Administration said it has received several reports of the capsules being swallowed. The agency warned that these products will only properly assist breathing if inhaled through the Spiriva HandiHaler or Foradil Aerolizer, which were designed to deliver these drugs.

Why would anyone swallow an inhaler?  Well, evidently they must not come from a well educated area.  However, anyone who has ever done this, do not continue!  It is dangerous and we don’t want you dying.  Besides, who else would read our great stories.  :)

Story

Women gets jail for library fines

  • March 2, 2008 9:26 pm

A Beloit, Wisconsin women received jail time after not being able to repay her library book fines.  Public library officials send three overdue notices to offenders and after that a citation is issued with a possible court date.  Keely Givhan was moving and never received the notices.  Givhan was then pulled over by police for a traffic violation and had a standard check run for outstanding warrants.  The citation for her books came back and Givhan spent 6 days in jail.   Beloit police Capt. Bill Tyler said he knows this case could sound like an overreaction. But he said a municipal fine is a municipal fine, and failure to pay for any reason can result in an arrest warrant being issued.

People pay your library fines.  This has been the most severe thing I have seen happen with library books.  Other cases collection agencies are sent in to reposes items so the fines can be paid.  However, a jail sentence?  I bet if Mrs. Givhan had shown up for her court appearance that the court would of been able to work so community service out.  Always show up for court, the police do arrest for very mundane things.

Story

NJ Students punished for paying with pennies

  • March 2, 2008 9:16 pm

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Readington Township, New Jersey students received detention this past week, but not for chewing gum or getting into a fight. 29 students paid for their $2 lunches with 200 pennies. The students started paying with pennies to protest the shortened lunch period they were having Thursday, but school officials say they punished the students because they were taking up time. Superintendent Jorden Schiff says it started out as a prank. But as the eighth-graders began to get in trouble for taking up so much time.

Oh come on Jorden! You are really that stupid to make kids have to pay with dollar bills? Are you as a public school official punishing students for paying with legal tender of the United States of America for all debts public and private? This is a PUBLIC school district. You should be tried on counts of TREASON! Or, just get rid of the detention and we will call it all good.

 Story

Dogs: Click it or Ticket

  • February 29, 2008 11:39 pm

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The next time you are driving around Collier County, you might want your dog restrained. The Collier County Sherrif is requiring that pets do not obstruct a drivers view as it is a safety hazard. Any pet that does, will get there owner fined $73 and be very disliked for several weeks. Collier County officials insist that this common practice is unsafe, and are trying to educate the public in hopes of avoiding writing tickets.

GREAT!  Now we have the police saying what we can do in our cars.  Are dogs really the issue?  Are there not many more people with cellphones and iPods causing more danger than a small animal?

Story

Women condemed for practicing witchcraft

  • February 15, 2008 12:59 am

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A Saudi Arabian women has been sentenced to death for witchcraft. Originally sources reported that the women weighed the same as a duck but upon further review nothing could be found to back that up. However, in a letter to King Abdallah, the group said that Fawza Falih had been beaten to extort a confession she later repudiated in court. The charge itself has no basis in Saudi law, the letter argued. Several witnesses claimed that Falih had bewitched them, including one man who said she had made him impotent. In court, Falih said that she was beaten repeatedly during 35 days of detention by the Saudi religious police.

Now how bizzare are we getting here. First, you get convicted of witchery. Then you are accused off making a man impotent. It even says the charge has no basis on Saudi law. Then how was this women convicted! It is still amazing how the middle east works.

Story[UPI]

Offbeat Stories of the Year

  • December 23, 2007 3:03 am

I usually wouldn’t steal things…well Yes I would but thats another matter. However, the people over at ABC(AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMPANY) decided that their users liked these stories. I have covered one or two of them. But not nearly all of them!

Whatever happened to the story of the Sydney man driving a tank? Oh yeah, here it is! Although, ABC not a bad list overall. Thanks for doing my work for me once again!

ABC

Santa is groped

  • December 18, 2007 6:04 pm

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Santa was at the Danbury, NY mall on Sautrday when a naughty woman sat on his lap and groped him. “The security officer at the mall said Santa Claus has been sexually assaulted,” police Detective Lt. Thomas Michael said of the weekend complaint. Sandrama Lamy, 33, of Danbury, was charged with sexual assault and breach of peace. She was released on a promise to appear in court on Jan. 3. Police quickly found and identified Lamy because the woman was described as being on crutches, said Capt. Bob Myles

This is just a real shame. So many young ones would have been there and been so disappointed. I would of hated to have a kid there. Why do you sexually assault Santa too? Do you want to be on his naughty list forever Ms. Lamy?

Story

War Vet and Service Dog booted from Dillards

  • December 17, 2007 12:24 am

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Retired Staff Sgt. J. Alex Gonzalez was attempting to train a service dog when he was asked to leave by Dillard’s officials. The 36 year old disabled veteran took his service dog Mason to the North East Mall to train him. However, Gonzalez and Mason were asked to leave the story by Dillard’s officials. Dillard’s officials have since apologized to Gonzalez and say the incident appears to be a miscommunication. Service dogs and their owners are always welcome, they said. Experts say the incident reflects common misconceptions about service dogs and the lack of education about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

What is the ADA Act?
The act takes priority over local or state laws and regulations and requires privately owned businesses to allow service animals onto business premises in all areas where customers are generally allowed.

What is a service animal?
Any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If the animal meets that definition, it is considered service a animal regardless of whether is has been licensed or certified by state or local government. Service animals are used by people who are blind, deaf, use wheelchairs or have balance impairments.

I have to say, this is really beginning to tick me off. I have been seeing more and more stories about business owners not allowing guide dogs into their businesses. These are mostly chain stores as well! My dog Waldo, was in training to be a service dog. He was guaranteed access to all areas of stores when he was being trained. If a business owner did not let him enter, you called the police. I think Dillard’s owes Staff Sgt. Gonzalez much more than an apology. They should be retraining all employees about service dogs and the importance they play to a number of their customers.

Story

Airport Threatened By Vodka

  • December 12, 2007 6:10 pm

Airport security is bad. Waiting in lines are horrible, but these days you can’t bring any liquid on the plane. Fair enough, just dump your liquid, and get on your flight.

Well, one man has thrown away his last bottle, because Airplane security told an elderly man that he couldn’t bring his Vodka on the airplane and that he must discard it.

Rather than dump the liquid, the man called upon his college frat days and he chugged 2 liters of Vodka as fast as he could, resulting in a near death situation.

All because of the risk of terror.

The old man will recover…but the Vodka will never be used for its intended purposes.

Src – MSN

Postal Employee steals Greeting Cards

  • December 9, 2007 1:59 am

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Michael Olivio, a New York city postal worker, pocketed nearly 130 pieces of mail to get at the cash inside according to investigators.  Olivio was released on his own recognizance Thursday following his arrest Wednesday.  Charges against him were not availible and could not be found by the AP.

Postal authorities started getting complaints in June about greeting cards going missing in a Brooklyn zipcode, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Special Agent Stephen Dolloff said in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

Dolloff setup a sting involving a wireless transmitter and cash in a decoy card.  The card was not delivered and it was traced to Olivio after his shift ended.  Agents stopped Olivio and found their decoy in his car, along with about 137 other cards and other letters, Dolloff said in a sworn statement. He said Olivio later told agents he had been filching greeting cards from his mail bag since February, recently taking as many about 35 per day.

What a accused piece of scum.  Who would take money out of the mail?  Secondly, please do not SEND money in the mail in the first place.  Checks are much more secure and always make them out to a name, not CASH.  I hope Olivio gets taught a lesson.  5-10 years in a federal prison sounds nice for him, don’t you think?

Story

Students teacher shows porn to…students!

  • December 7, 2007 8:16 pm

A student teacher in Bixby, OK is being investigated for showing 14-15 year old students pornography. Several students told their parents about it Friday evening and police are looking into it. Investigators plan to present charges to the Tulsa County District Attorney before they make an arrest.

Hmmm. This is about as idiotic as you can get. Why would you show students porn? However, the real problem is with the sub. Many school districts higher subs after a simple background check. That is different our local district. All five districts in the county use a single organization to employ subs. This third-part organization oversees things such as special education busing and subs. However, when sub allegations were filed earlier this year against a sub, the school district said “He is no longer in our employ”. That might be true but he is able to re offend elsewhere while his charges are pending! This is just messed up. I hope this is a limited case and I hope this teacher is innocent. Otherwise, he is a complete moron.

Story

iPerjury

  • December 7, 2007 4:16 pm

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A teenage suspect who recorded his interrogation has landed his integrator in hot waters said authorities, Thursday. Unaware of the recording, Detective Christopher Perino testified in April that the suspect “wasn’t questioned” about a shooting in the Bronx, a criminal complaint said. But then the defense confronted Perino with a transcript that proved Perino had spent more than an hour unsuccessfully trying to persuade Erik Crespo to confess.

Once the transcript was revealed in court, prosecutors asked for a recess, defense attorney Mark DeMarco said. The detective was pulled from the witness stand and advised to get a lawyer. Perino, 42, was arraigned Thursday on 12 counts of first-degree perjury and faces as many as seven years on each count, prosecutors said. He was released on $15,000 bail.

Perino had arrested Crespo on New Year’s Eve 2005 while investigating the shooting of a man in an elevator. While in an interrogation room at a station house, Crespo, then 17, stealthily pressed the record button on the MP3 player, a Christmas gift, DeMarco said. After Crespo was charged with attempted murder, his family surprised DeMarco by playing him the recording.

“I couldn’t believe my ears,” said the lawyer, who decided to keep the recording under wraps until he cross-examined Perino at the trial.” Prosecutors then offered Crespo, who had faced as many as 25 years if convicted, seven years if he pleaded guilty to a weapons charge. Erik Crespo accepted the plea.

Well, it seems that recording a conversation can save your but from a murder charge. The thing that really troubles me is that this kid got off with so little, only seven years for a murder he MIGHT of been able to be charged with? I mean, it is great that the cop is gone but I would rather have both off the streets for a long, long time. Then we get to Martha, who didn’t get very long either. Perjury isn’t being taken seriously enough. Lock them up and throw away the key!

Story

Naked Fireman

  • December 2, 2007 11:43 am

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A firefighter who had just retired showed up at work completely nude Friday. Johnson City, NY retired assistant fire chief Kenneth Rowe showed up at work naked to make his buddies laugh. His friends took pictures of him and they all shared in the fun of the event. However, the pictures ended up in the hands of police. Rowe was arrested and charged with indecent exposure.

Well, well Mr. Rowe! You seem to be very stupid. Who walks around naked outside regardless the matter. You deserve your conviction. Hope you have a nice jail term for playing around. Haha, I just can’t stop laughing at your stupidity.

Story

Teacher charged with terroristic behavior

  • December 1, 2007 9:16 am

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Police in Felton, DE charged Caroline L. Fluman with terroristic threatening Thursday. Authorities accused Fluman of the Class F felony after concluding a 4 week investigation into a bomb threat at Lake Forest High School.

Investigators say on Thursday morning, the school resource officer was contacted by a state police detective who was assisting him at the school. Police say the detective had been contacted by a teacher, Fluman who provided him with a note in the form of a computer printout that read “bomb in school everyone dies”. According to police, as the investigation unfolded, the detective and the teacher responded to her classroom at which time another printout came across the classroom printer claiming “There is a bomb in the school no joke”.

Police say as the school administration was being informed of the situation the teacher handed the detective a third printout indicating that a bomb was in the school. Investigators say during the schools investigation a fourth note was located by an assistant principal near a trash can located outside the school store. Police say this note was handwritten and said “bomb everybody dies”.

As a result of the notes being discovered, the school was evacuated and the building was searched by three explosive canines, according to police. Police say no explosive devices were located during the search. Detectives say during the investigation they learned that the teacher who provided the notes had been captured on video, via the closed circuit security system. Police say the video depicted Fluman in the area of the school store allegedly placing what appeared to be a note behind the trash can. Police say on Thursday, Fluman turned herself in at Troop 3 and was processed and arraigned.

Can anyone say idiot? Who would do such a stupid thing. Evidently, a very troubled women. Hopefully she will get the help she needs. Ms. Fluman, I hope you get some jail time for your moronic actions.

Story

Florida Student Throws Crayon at Teacher

  • November 30, 2007 11:16 pm

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Taewon Little, 14, was kicked out of a school in Florida after throwing a crayon at his teacher.  Taewon was also charged with third degree battery for the incident.  “I felt like they really blew this out of proportion by charging my child with a misdemeanor and taking him to court,” Robyn Little, Taewon’s mother said.    The A. Philip Randolph Academy Principal says Taewon will not be allowed reentry to the school until he has completed an alternative learning program.

This is stupid!  Why would you suspend a normal kid from school for throwing a crayon?  Did it poke out the teachers eye?  I’d love more detail but its probably all locked up behind political red tape.  Come on A.Philip Randolph Academy, show your reasoning.  You are a magnet high school, and named after a famous activist!  Show some character, speak up!

Story

Wikipedia Entry for A. Philip Randolph Academy

Student Kicked 200 times in the abdomen

  • November 28, 2007 6:05 pm

This Karate instructor kicked an innocent boy 200 times! How crazy is she! The boy suffered only a broken rib, which is a miracle! Other Karate schools limit contact, however, this women seems intent on keeping as much contact as possible. I hope she gets locked up for a very, very long time!

Volunteers who are Santa, now have to sign a Claus…HO HO HO Merry Lawsuit!

  • November 26, 2007 8:56 pm

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The U.S. government is now making Santa sign for his letters. Actually, the Postal Service is changing its Operation Santa program, in which letters to Santa are answered by volunteers who grant children’s Yuletide wishes. For nearly 100 years, the postal service and volunteers, companies and charities have helped grant needy children’s wishes.

This year, for the first time, those volunteers will have to present photo identification and sign a waiver releasing the Postal Service from liability for “all causes of action, claims, liens, rights or interests of any kind or type whatsoever.” There have been no lawsuits or accusations, but the postal service is doing this as a precaution. Sue Brennan, a spokeswoman for the Postal Service, says the change was made “to protect the children and to protect the integrity of the program and the Postal Service.” The letters often included home addresses and telephone numbers. “We were giving out information about these kids to people we didn’t know,” she says.

You know when you mess up something like a simple Santa letter, your really messed up. However, as sad as it is to see political correctness overtake the world, the truth is evident. They are trying to protect people. Thanks for making a difference in the world U.S. postal service, even if it might inconvenience a few it might save many kids lives! Thanks also to the people who help kids get their dreams!


Story

Airlines attempts backfire

  • November 25, 2007 11:31 am

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United Airlines made a Thanksgiving dinner for 3,000 of its ground crew employees at Midway airport in Chicago. The only problem with the positive action, which is seen as a reconciliatory move by United after increasing manager’s pay but not hourly staff, is that the turkey did not smell “right”. But one of the meals for day shift crews quickly ended after staff found that the turkey “was not edible,” said Megan McCarthy, a United spokeswoman. Five United employees fell ill and others vomited. Three of the five workers returned to work, the condition of the other two was unknown.

Woops! We want to make up for our previous actions but we just made you sick. Sorry about that! Sounds like just the sort of thing an airline would do doesn’t it? Oh, United, choose a better food provider next time. Don’t be mean to your employees when your trying to win them back!

Story

Many Sex Offenders are Homeless!

  • November 25, 2007 2:08 am

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Thousands of sex offenders are homeless, which poses a problem tracking them a USA TODAY analysis shows. Sex offenders are required by law to register with the police so they can be tracked, however, offenders lacking real addresses place the public and themselves at risk. Offenders who list their addresses as “near a bike path,” “behind a cemetery” or “woods behind Wal-Mart” pose the risk of being rearrested for not properly registering as a sex offender.

In Boston, nearly two-thirds of 136 high-risk sex offenders lack permanent addresses. In New York City, more than 100 registered at two homeless shelters. In Miami last month, 22 reported living under the Julia Tuttle Causeway that links the city to Miami Beach.

Citizens should be shocked at this as more than two thirds of states allow sex offenders to list themselves as homeless, transient or at places that do not have addresses. Some states keep sex offenders locked up until they find housing. In Michigan, they are less likely to get parole than murderers, says Russ Marlin, spokesman for the state Department of Corrections.

If you want to read more of the horriyfing statistics, click on the story below. This is just nuts though! I am glad that Michigan keeps these creeps locked up! Then again, look who has a budget problem. Not saying that locking up creeps isn’t important, but shouldn’t we be trying to rehabilitate these people even though they are perverts? Come on states, keep track of your sex offenders!

Story

Teenager doesn’t make it down the Chimmney

  • November 24, 2007 7:00 am

A Michigan teenager didn’t do as well as Santa Claus when he tried to come back after curfew.  The 17-year-old boy was trying to sneak back into his room at the Judson Center social services agency Thursday night when he got stuck.  A worker heard a noise and followed it to the chimmney.  The worker then called the police, who enlisted the firefighters to free old St.Late after Curfew.  Police told The Detroit News the teen appeared only to have suffered scratches on his back. He was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Haha!  Well that is one way to get back in after curfew.  I personally would not try that in the future.  What if there is a fire in the fireplace?  Oh, and what about those pesky fireplace covers!  Doesn’t seem to be a problem for this teenager.  

Mayor can’t go to city hall

  • November 23, 2007 5:00 pm

Mayor Lino Donato of Poteet, Texas will not resign due to his recent plea deal with prosecutors on 3 charges of indecency.  Mayor Lino Donato exposed himself to two girls and touched one of them.  As part of his plea he gets “deferred adjudication” which is not the same as a conviction.  However, it still requires him to register as a sex offender. 

Donato cannot go to City Hall however as his regisraion as a sex offender makes it imposible for him to go anywhere within 1000 feet of where children congregate.  The Atascosa Boxing Club and Youth Center is less than that distance from City Hall, City Attorney Frank Garza said. Probation officers checked the distance with a tape measure, officials said. 

The mayor did not attend last Tuesday’s city council meeting, saying it was the first one he missed in five years.  Despite his “deferred adjudication” Lino Donato maintains his not guilty plea, and will remain mayor until 2009.  Councilman Larry Cantu said the mayor needs to resign, although the council can maintain a quorum if Donato misses the meetings.  “The people elected us to conduct business for the city,” Cantu said. “It’s not right for the citizens of Poteet.”

This is MORONIC!  This guy is just playing off a bunch of technicailities in the legal system, why doesn’t he get impeached.  These citizens could do it easily!  What good is a mayor who can’t conduct city business.  Come on people!  Get yourselves a new mayor, impeach the pervert! 

Story

Inmate escapes in Norfolk

  • November 23, 2007 2:53 pm

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Timothy F. Kearney, 27, pictured above, escaped from police after hit the accelerator while being transported by police yesterday in Norfolk, Virginia.  Kearney, who has violent felony charges pending, including malicious wounding and use of a firearm in commission of a felony, had been released in September on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond, with pretrial supervision, court records show.  Kearney was being transported to jail by police after police found he had tested positive for drugs.  Part of his supervision was drug screening. 

Sheriff Bob McCabe said when the prisoner stomped on the gas, the car struck a brick pillar that supported sections of fence around the Radisson in the 700 block of Monticello Ave.  This is the department’s second escape this year.  McCabe said his department makes 30,000 to 35,000 inmate transports a year. Most, he said, are done with two deputies.

Wow, you don’t call for backup to transport a suspect being arrested for use of a firearm?  That would be my number one suggestion, you could of called for backup and unit to come with a cage to transport the suspect.  Norfolk County  Sherrif’s department, use your heads!  Maybe you wouldn’t of had two subjects escape in less than a year!

Story

Principal pulls drug article

  • November 22, 2007 1:43 am

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Photo:Buymarijuanaforsale.com

A student written article in an Austin, Texas high school’s newspaper has drawn heated controversy. The article written in McNeil High School’s Trail Blazer was pulled from “distribution centers” around the campus after Principal Cindy Doty found the article to be inaccurate and not reliable. Here is the full letter Principal Doty sent to parents.

“Dear Parents/Guardians, Students and Community Members,

“The article below appeared in the November 16, 2007 Trail Blazer, which is written and produced by McNeil High School students and the journalism teacher. It has been the practice for years that the newspaper is student driven and the journalism teacher is the sole adult that approves the newspaper, with the expectation that the articles contain appropriate content, that the content is valid and that sources are reliable. The journalism teacher gives final approval for publishing.

“Shortly after the time of distribution, I discovered an article in the paper that did not meet these criteria. The article was titled Drug Use Common at McNeil. I recalled newspapers from the distribution locations on campus until questioning about the article could take place. I found that the content and sources could not be validated, that information from school counselors were misrepresented, and that it was not even known if the student sources even existed as the names used were aliases. I was very disappointed that rules of good journalism were not in place and that the approval system failed as well.

“The action of recalling the newspapers is not an effort to cover up or deny student drug use on campus, but to be responsible for information about McNeil High School that goes out to the public. McNeil is no different than any other high school in that some students chose to use illegal drugs. We feel that parents, campus staff, counselors and law enforcement need to work together to address the issue of drug use on campus.

“If there is suspicion of a student being under the influence, they are referred to the school nurse and/or drug and alcohol counselor. Parents are contacted. Drug dogs are dispatched to the campus at random dates and school resource officers are on campus and part of the campus personnel. Recently the student counsel sponsored a Drug Awareness Week.

“No drug prevention is 100% effective; however, the following is a report of drug activity from the campus school resource officer, Keith Allen:

“For the period of 08/07 – 11/07 (until today) we had the following:
1 arrest for Possession of Controlled Substance in Drug Free Zone (Xanax)
3 arrest for Possession of Marijuana in Drug Free Zone
1 arrest for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

“In the near future, we will be releasing Trail Blazer with the article in its entirety along with a factual response to the article. In addition, we want to include tips from our drug and alcohol counselor on how parents can identify drug abuse behaviors. We believe that if we all work together we can help provide a safe learning environment…..

Sincerely,
Cindy Doty
Principal”

And here is the article in question, with my rebuttal following.

Drug use common at McNeil – Trail Blazer Article

Students have the option to buy drugs from their peers and some choose to take advantage of it.

Distributing drugs occurs on campus on a daily basis. Students attain drugs mainly through asking a dealer in casual conversation during class or even through text messaging.

“Kids deal all the time,” Josh*, a distributor, said. “More cops patrol around.” Teachers and administrators are very aware that this takes place on school premises, according to drug and alcohol counselor Sean Redeker.

“Some people have good hearts about it,” Josh said. “One time, an administrator turned away while aware of a sale going on before school.”

Marijuana has become a staple for many teens. According to Redeker, it is the most purchased drug next to prescription pills, but alcohol is used most frequently.

“People talk about weed in class,” Josh said. It is not uncommon for some students to arrive to class high or on prescription medications. Smoking pot is part of many students’ lifestyles and part of their daily routine.

“Sometimes I smoke four times a day,” Michael*, another distributor, said. “My friends and I would go in a certain spot before school near the bus stop to smoke, off campus at lunch, after school in my room and before I go to sleep.”

The age of drug users has steadily increased. Now even eighth graders purchase weed from high school dealers on a regular basis. It is not just the stereotypical pothead who buys drugs from dealers, even straight A students and those in Advanced Placement classes choose to participate in such activities. For some people, drugs are mandatory to fit in with their group of friends, but some abuse for other reasons.

“[It can] take them away,” Josh said. “Some people just need it in their lives because of family issues.” Another dealer stopped distributing because it was too difficult.

“You have to be careful who you sell it to; they might snitch on you,” Michael said. “Freshman kids I didn’t know would come up to me and I wouldn’t sell to them.”

One reason for dealers to take the risk in selling is that they are able to make a large amount of money in a matter of days.

“If I dealt to 10 or 20 people one day, I could make $400 sometimes,” he said.

Prescription pills are popular for school-related issues. Many teens diagnosed with ADD or ADHD sell their Aderol, Ritalin and Hydrocodine. Some students believe that pills help them to better focus and concentrate on school work.

Shrooms, or mushrooms, a hallucinogen, are quite popular.

“You don’t hear about it a lot,” one student said. “You don’t get it in large quantities.”

Harder drugs, such as cocaine, are distributed more quietly than marijuana and handled in a more low key manner.

McNeil crisis counselors Sean Redeker and Jinx Lacey believe they and other students should help those who are substance abusers. Redeker sees between 15 to 25 people a week who struggle with any sort of drug or alcohol problem.

“A lot come to get help,” Redeker said. “Some do, but are not ready [for help].”
Over the course of one year, Lacey recorded seeing more than 1,000 McNeil students including students with drug and alcohol problems. They send referrals to rehabilitation programs.

“We try to keep up with the facilities,” Lacey said. Both counselors choose to help students in a democratic way. If there are any illegal activities involved, counselors must report the student. When a situation is serious and parents are notified, “it is done in the presence of the kids or with their knowledge,” Lacey said.

Students with drug and alcohol problems are encouraged to seek help from student support serviced in room A119.

I just found McNeil High School’s data page, and I cannot believe that 1000 out of 2,700 kids would see a guidance counselor for drug related issues. I attended a high school of 2600 students and I believe around 50-75 students abused substances. I can see why Principal Cindy Doty did suspend the article, it is not truly factual. However, the distribution might be. I know for a FACT that kids tried to sell me marijuana, crack, and alcohol(beer and wine) along with pills in nearly all of my classes.

This stuff is not hard to get. Many of the kids empty out water bottles and put in diluted wine. Or if its a Pepsi bottle, diluted beer. And pills? People order them off the internet. It is bad how our schools are these days.

Story

Scary:Fire ball errupts as car refuels

  • November 22, 2007 1:42 am

A car that was being fueled in Virginia turned into a fireball. Fire officials say that it was caused by the customer using her cell phone. Fire officials also said that the static electricity of her getting back into the vehicle contributed. No matter how cold it gets this winter, stay outside your car and you won’t have to deal with a possible explosion!