Maine lobstermen finding more odd colors in the catch

PORTLAND, Maine -- Reports of blue, orange, yellow and other odd-colored lobsters used to be a rarity.

But these days, it's common to hear several stories a month about a lobsterman bringing one of the quirky crustaceans to shore.

Scientists, lobstermen and dealers say more bizarrely hued lobsters are being caught.

One explanation for the rise is that the overall lobster harvest has soared in recent years, to more than 100 million pounds in Maine last year, making it likely that more unusual lobsters are being caught.

The popularity of cellphone cameras and social media has also made it easier to spread the word -- and photos -- about strange lobsters.

Normal lobsters are a mottled greenish-brown, but some come in a variety of colors because of genetic variations.

Disabled Vet Says UNITED Employees Kicked His Service Dog, Asked Him If He Was Retarded

Flying the UN-Freindly Skies!

The founder of a group that places service dogs with disabled vets says he went through a 48-hour ordeal at Dulles airport outside Washington, D.C., this week and that not only did United Airlines employees kick his service dog twice, but one staffer actually insulted him in public.

In a detailed YouTube video posted earlier today, Paws and Stripes' Jim Staneck claims that the first kick happened while he was in line at the ticket counter. An employee walked by and was startled by Jim's service dog, which allegedly led to a light kick to the dog's ribcage.



Rather than cause a scene, Jim said he let the incident go.

His flight was then delayed and ultimately cancelled because of mechanical delays, meaning a second day at the airport, where he had originally only intended to spend a short time making his connecting flight.

While riding a shuttle during his second say of fun at Dulles, Jim says that a second, startled United staffer kicked his service dog, this time with some substantial force.

"[He] kicked her so hard on the rib cage, that she flew into my lap… He said he was afraid of dogs," Jim tells KOAT-TV.

Things only got worse when Jim, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has a traumatic brain injury, had difficulty reading a confirmation e-mail on his phone and asked a United representative to assist him.

"He said, 'Just read it' and I said, 'Sir I can't read it,' and he said, 'What are you retarded?'" recalls Jim. "Prior to this I told him I have a brain injury and PTSD, I'm a disabled vet, this is my second night here; I need help."

Jim says he would like to talk to the CEO of United just to discuss the proper way to handle both disabled customers and their service animals.

Elderly hiker rescued on Mt. Washington

Officials, "Woman given bad hiking advice"

BRETTON WOODS, N.H. - An elderly woman from New Jersey had to be rescued from Mount Washington after she was given bad hiking advice, said authorities.

Dee Schardt, 69, of Sea Girt, N.J., had gone up the mountain on the Cog Railroad with a friend.

When they were at the top, someone had told them taking Jewel Trail would be an easy way down the mountain, said officials.

The pair started their descent just before noon Saturday with no food, water or lights.

At about 8 p.m. authorities fielded several calls from people who were concerned about Schardt’s safety.

Conservation officers found her some ways up the mountain. Hikers had given her food and something to drink.

The officers assisted her back down to the Cog Railroad parking lot, giving her several piggy back rides on the way.

They arrived there at about 11 p.m. Schardt was tired, but didn’t require additional medical attention, said authorities.

Weir Hill: Great exercise, nice views, lots of dogs North Andover, MA

Weir Hill: Great exercise, nice views, lots of dogs » Haverhill » EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
By Bill Kirk, bkirk@eagletribune.com The Eagle-Tribune

NORTH ANDOVER — For the past 9,000 years or so, the hand of man has been heavy on Weir Hill.

Starting around 7000 BC, it is believed the Algonquin Indians started using the site, building fish weirs in Cochichewick Brook and sometimes even burning the property to flush out game or improve the soil for agriculture.

When colonists arrived in the 1600s, they cut timber and cleared the land to make way for livestock pastures.

In the 1700s, the site took on a more industrial use, as hydro power from ponds and streams off Lake Cochichewick was used to power lumber and grist mills.

And in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the property was used for recreation, becoming home to the clubhouse of the North Andover Country Club, where members would gather before paddling across the lake in canoes to play golf.

More recently, the Trustees of Reservations has decided to incorporate much of that history into its management of the property, now an active recreational area, as well as habitat for a growing diversity of plants and animals, in addition to being the source of North Andover’s drinking water.

Weir Hill is in North Andover, just a few minutes from the busy Route 114 business corridor. From Route 114, take Andover Street to Great Pond Road to Stevens Street. Go past the intersection with Pleasant Street and you’ll see parking on either side of the road near a large map kiosk. From 495, take Massachusetts Avenue to Great Pond to Stevens. Parking for a dozen or so cars. Alternate, unofficial entry is from the spillover lot at the Town Beach with access to the Hatch and Alewife trails.

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, with several hill climbs. Maps are available at the main parking area, and sign posts throughout the park indicate the trails, marked with different colored blazes.

Note to dog owners: Pick up after your dog, ie., do not leave plastic bags of dog feces on the side of the trail. (We did see this on Thursday.) And when you encounter someone without a dog, put your dog on a leash in case the other person is afraid of dogs. Be thoughtful.

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Those identified as deceased in Colo. Shooting - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Those identified as deceased in Colo. Shooting - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston