Dangerous plant setting roots in Maine: Giant hogweed

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NORTHPORT, Maine — Officials in a Maine town are warning residents to be on the lookout for a noxious plant that can cause painful blisters or even blindness if it comes into contact with skin or eyes.

Last summer, Northport identified and eliminated two giant hogweeds that set down roots. Now residents are on alert for the giant plant with small white flowers.

Native to Asia, the weed can grow to 14 feet tall and the sap causes blisters and the potential for blindness if it comes into contact with the eye.

The Bangor Daily News says the danger is real enough that the Maine Department of Agriculture alerted Waldo County General Hospital last summer. Last year, the department documented at least 20 sites in Maine with giant hogweed.

Do Not Touch This Plant!

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a Federally listed noxious weed. Its sap, in combination with moisture and sunlight, can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering, permanent scarring and blindness. Contact between the skin and the sap of this plant occurs either through brushing against the bristles on the stem or breaking the stem or leaves.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH GIANT HOGWEED:

This plant poses a serious health threat; see your physician if you think you have been burned by giant hogweed. If you think you have giant hogweed on your property, do NOT touch it.

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY GIANT HOGWEED?

Giant hogweed is a biennial or perennial herb in the carrot family (Apiaceae) which can grow to 12 feet or more. Its hollow, ridged stems grow 2-4 inches in diameter and have dark reddish-purple blotches. Its large compound leaves can grow up to 5 feet wide. It's white flower heads can grow up to 2 1/2 feet in diameter. Please refer to the Giant Hogweed Identification page for further help.

Information courtesy of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation

Man vs. Wild


source: http://www.pressherald.com/news/Dangerous-plant-setting-roots-in-Maine.html

Bear cubs orphaned after mother killed by car in Moultonborough NH

Cubs' mother killed by car



MOULTONBOROUGH, N.H. - Fish and Game officials are asking people in Moultonborough to be on the lookout for a pair of orphaned bear cubs.

Officials said the cubs' mother was killed by a car on Route 25 last week.

The cubs were last spotted wandering in the area of Glidden Road.

Anyone who sees them is asked to contact New Hampshire Fish and Game at 744-5470.

Saturday, June 2, 2012, Is Free Fishing Day in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire's Free Fishing Day is almost here! Saturday, June 2, 2012, is the statewide Free Fishing Day, when you can fish any inland water – or saltwater – without a fishing license. Take advantage of this special event and plan to get out and enjoy the day fishing with your family and friends. Both state residents and nonresidents may participate.

All other fishing regulations must be followed on Free Fishing Day, including season dates and bag limits. There is one exception: you still need a fishing license and a special permit to fish for brood stock Atlantic salmon in the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset rivers.

Free Fishing Day kicks off 2012 National Fishing and Boating Week, a nationwide observance encouraging families to have fun together on the water.

For details on fishing rules for various waters, consult the 2012 N.H. Freshwater and Saltwater fishing digests, available at www.fishnh.com/pubs/fishing.html.

You can find lots more helpful information about fishing on the Fish and Game website at www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm, including waterbodies that have been recently stocked with fish, trout waters, lake depths, public access sites and more.

If you get hooked on Free Fishing Day, enjoy the fun year round by buying a license online at www.fishnh.com or from any of 250 friendly local license agents statewide.

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BOSTON RED SOX POSTGAME ALERT May 21, 2012

BOSTON RED SOX POSTGAME ALERT May 21, 2012 Boston 8, Baltimore 6 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Boston Record: (21-21) Baltimore Record: (27-16) Winning pitcher - Andrew Miller (1-0) Losing pitcher - Kevin Gregg (2-2) SV - Alfredo Aceves (10) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E BOS 0 0 2 0 0 3 2 1 0 8 14 0 BAL 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 6 9 0 GAME LINKS: Recap | Full Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights  Visit redsox.com for more information » Standings » Game Notes »

Body recovered from Mount Washington crevasse

Norman Priebatsch, 67, of Boston, fell hundreds of feet April 1

PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. - The body of a Massachusetts hiker has been recovered from a Mount Washington crevasse.

Norman Priebatsch, 67, of Boston lost his footing and fell hundreds of feet into the crevasse while hiking with his son at Tuckerman Ravine on April 1.

A ranger had been lowered into the crevasse after Priebatsch fell but could not see or hear him. Officials determined he couldn't have survived the fall.

The search was suspended after conditions on Mount Washington became too treacherous.

On Sunday, officials determined that a tunnel leading to the crevasse had melted enough for searchers to enter it. They recovered the body in about two hours.

Previous stories:
4/10/12 http://thoughts-drp.blogspot.com/2012/04/officials-explore-tuckerman-crevasse.html

4/03/12 http://thoughts-drp.blogspot.com/2012/04/mass-hiker-falls-into-tuckerman-ravine.html