Woman lifts car off her father and saves his life

Lauren Kornacki learned CPR several times. For years she's worked as a lifeguard.

The 22-year-old just graduated from Mary Washington with a physics degree, but while looking for work, she decided to return to something familiar to earn a little money.

Two days ago, her supervisor held a review session on CPR skills. On Saturday Lauren used what she learned to save her father's life.

"I opened up his airway to make sure he could breathe and everything and at that point I'm just telling him, talking to him," said Lauren.

"You can't leave me. Just stay with me. Keep breathing." Lauren's father, Alec, was working on his car, a BMW 525i. The jack slipped and the car fell on top of him.

Lauren was on her way out the door when she came upon him, unconscious and crushed. "As I go to open the garage door I hear a primal scream, like...dial 911!" said Lauren's mother, Liz.

That scream was Lauren discovering her father. "There was no tire," said Lauren. Seconds later, she did what most would consider unthinkable, she moved a car weighing a ton and a half off her father's body.

 "I just lifted up kind of right here and just kind of threw it, shoved my body as hard as I could then I came back and dragged him out and started CPR," Lauren said.

"It flashed like, I'm going to lose my dad. His eyes were open, he wasn't responding to me. I knew I had to get his heart beating again and I had to get him breathing."

And in that moment, with those skills and strength, she was the only person keeping her Daddy alive. "I'm just telling him, talking to him. You can't leave me," said Lauren. "Just stay with me. Keep breathing."

 Her father is still in the ICU, but walking and finally getting the chance to thank Lauren. "I told him what happened," said Liz. "He just, the tears just come to his eyes. He said thank you for saving my life and she just smiled her blue eyed smile and that was it."

 "Just seeing him move and breathing I literally just sat there and was watching his chest rise and that's when I lost it," said Lauren. "I just couldn't handle it." Liz says Lauren is the reason Alec is alive.

She says he was without oxygen and a heart beat for less than five minutes. "She got his heart beating again and got him breathing again," said Liz. "So, she's it. He gave her life and then he gave her life. I am in awe of her.

She is the day. She saved the day. I can't even tell you how proud I am of her."

Alec's doctors didn't want him to speak to the press just yet, because he's still in the ICU.

 He has several broken ribs, some numbness, and other fractures, but nothing that appears to be permanent damage.

 He also asked us to share this statement: "I'm just so lucky and proud that I have daughters that can perform CPR and have the knowledge to save lives. I think it's an important skill for everyone to know and if it weren't for Lauren I would not be alive today."

Alec has three daughters. All three know CPR.

84-year-old Ohio Hiker rescued in NH mountains

CONCORD,N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire fish and game officials say they have safely rescued an 84-year-old man who became lost while hiking in the Ossipee Mountains.

State Conservation Officer Dale Gargac said New Hampshire Fish and Game authorities got a 911 call Wednesday afternoon from Victor Hobden of Bellbrook, Ohio, saying he had lost his way in the vicinity of Mt Shaw (2,989 ft).

Gargac said he was found about a mile from a logging road, and safely brought out on an all-terrain vehicle.

Gargac said the man wasn't familiar with the area and was hiking alone without a map, GPS or compass.

65th Annual lobster festival held in Rockland, Maine

Some 60000 people are expected to descend on Rockland Maine over the next five days for the 62 annual Maine lobster festival this year in particular lobster dinner hoping that love affair with lobster. Last long after the party is over there's anything insane racing Claire.

Individual home run a mile long high tonight.

Kenya tunes arrival in Rockland arbor signals the start of the -- but the real king of this festival of course is lobster. And -- wow. I thought that by the way is three lobsters with more -- then you should tell your doctor about. And that I said I'm not a big -- who had -- real big. It's not pretty but it is pretty good. Each comment. The festival will Shell out more than 20000 monsters between now and Sunday all prepared right in front of -- lobster and loving public.

We have the world's greatest lobster cut there which can cut. 16100 pounds of lobster every fifteen minutes so that is -- shown itself that it must say. Lucky season pretty industries so there are a lot of their retailing kind of -- dollars a pound in many places and -- of -- on the market. -- and say they'll take all the help they can dad. Most of men working with festivals say while they may not profit directly from the event. It's great promotion for an industry that employs some 6000 maniacs.

General Admission Wednesday, the first day of the Maine Lobster Festival opens at noon and closing at 10pm. Admission is reduced to $5/adults, $2/children (ages 6-12 yrs). This is new for the 2012 festival. Our free day has been moved to Sunday.

Thursday through Saturday admission is $8/adults, $2/children (ages 6 to 12 yrs). Children age 5 and under are free. Sunday, our Hometown Day is our NEW "Family Fun Day" and admission is free for all ages.Discounted 4-pack of 1-day tickets are now available for this year.

The price for the 4-pack of tickets is $25 for adults (a $29 value) and $8 for children 6 to 12 yrs old. These passes will be available for sale at the Main Gate on Wednesday and Thursday of the Festival and online.

The Festival site, at Rockland's Harbor Park, is easy to find. Rockland is four hours by car from Boston and less than two hours from Portland. You can also take the train from Brunswick to Rockland with Maine Eastern Railroad.

You can use our Map to find your way around town, and get specific directions from your location by visiting Google Maps or Travel and Directions from the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The Crowded Mind - Store - Backpacker (1-year auto-renewal) $12

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Magazine of wilderness travel offering practical "you can do it--here's how" advice to enjoy every trip. Filled with the best places, gear and information for all kinds of hiking and camping trips with fold-out maps and stunning color photography.

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Who Reads Backpacker?
Backpacker is written for readers who love outdoor adventure. Backpackerreaders are serious about their passion for the outdoors, whether it be a simple day hike or an all out backpacking trek. Published 9 times a year,Backpacker provides expert information on the best trails in America, including GPS coordinates to get readers to the most remote and beautiful places nature has to offer.

In 2008, Backpacker teamed up with San Francisco based firm Cooler to calculate their carbon footprint. Realizing that they were putting 5 million pounds of CO2 into the air each year, Backpacker took measures to reduce their carbon footprint, and combined with investment in renewable energy, has efficiently become a carbon neutral publication. 

What You Can Expect in Each Issue:
Readers can look forward to reading Basecamp, which stuffs exactly what readers need without an extra ounce of verbiage. The Basecamp section includes:

• Tripfinder: Match three different destinations with three different timeframes to determine your best adventure trip.
• 5 Minute Meals: Taste-tested recipes to make backcountry cooking easier.
• Life List: A concise, inspiring description of everything you need to pull off a once in a lifetime trip.
• Start Smart: Where new hikers come to learn essential camping skills.
• The Next Level: More experienced readers can learn advanced, multi-sport skills.
• Features: Ranging from Backpacker's stories of adventures on America's trails to gear reviews. The annual Gear Guide with over 250 reviews is always popular with readers. Other recent features have been a Life List of 47 must-do trips and 15 amazing flora a fauna spectacles.

Past Issues:

Magazine Layout:
The editors strive to pack as much information as possible into each issue. The layout offers beautiful landscape photography related to articles. Readers will also find the illustrated diagrams helpful and intuitive to follow. 

Comparisons to Other Magazines:
Backpacker is for the ultimate adventurers. Other magazines in its class tend to focus more on camping and casual outdoor activity, while Backpackercovers everything from the simple day hike to the most extreme mountain treks. 

Advertising:
Readers can expect to find the advertising specific to the outdoor and recreation industry. Most ads relate to either backpacking gear or foods, with the occasional automobile or travel ad geared towards the adventurous consumer. 

Awards:
In 2006, Backpacker won a prestigious National Magazine Award.Backpacker's Basecamp department was honored as the best magazine section within the industry. In 2007, Backpacker was named a National Magazine Award Finalist in the Single-Topic Issue category, which honored the ambition, comprehensiveness and imagination of the recent "Survival" issue.

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223 of 229 people found the following review helpful.
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By trailmaster2
I'm new to Backpacker [1-year], but so far find it to be a great magazine. Here's a little of what to expect:

-info about lots of places to go hiking around the world
-hiking and camping equipment reviews
-hiking skills and tips (i.e. recipes, survival skills...)

Some people may get irritated with the ads, but for me, they keep me on top of the latest useful hiking products.

With great pictures and human interest articles to boot, its one of the best hiking magazines I know of. Also recommend The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution if this annoying foot condition interferes with your hiking. Happy trails!
83 of 86 people found the following review helpful.
This magazine has lost a bit in the past couple years....
By secoulte
This magazine used to be a great resource for hard core bakcpackers with articles about transcendent survival stories and epic backpacking opportunities all over the world. In the past couple years they have changed their format drastically and have focused on "regional" editions and over the top gadget and gear coverage for total gear-wonks.

Don't get me started on the useless monthly section entitled "Social Climber" where people write into to ask what's socially acceptable on the trail with regard to fashion and things of that nature. You are backpacking for crying out loud...who cares?

It seems to have lost some of its humanity and original vision. I have subscribed to this mag for about 10 years and I used to be able to read it cover to cover, now I am lucky if there is one or article worth reading.
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By van-cab
Like other reviewers have said, the content has gone downhill from informative articles on gear and places to go, to garbage that has nothing to do with backpacking. They sell out to gear companies, endorse shady gear companies ie: Big Sky, and the writing style almost requires you to have a.d.d. to read it ( tons of very short blurbs and "tips" thrown all over ).

To top it off, they have been sending me threatening letters to pay for issues they sent me after my subsription ended and I didn't renew it.
See all 95 customer reviews...

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Salem NH victims names released

Salem victims names were released this afternoon.
Barbara Kaznecki, 51,
Shirley Leary, 85, fatally shot
by Jeff Kaznecki, 50, who committed suicide.

Hundreds Celebrate Rare White Bison At Conn. Farm

GOSHEN, Conn. — Dozens of Native Americans wore the traditional garb of their ancestors, sang songs and beat drums on a western Connecticut farm Saturday in celebration of the birth of one of the world's rarest animals — a white bison.

The miracle calf was officially named Yellow Medicine Dancing Boy at the elaborate ceremony at the Mohawk Bison farm in Goshen in the state's northwestern hills. It was born June 16 at the farm of fourth-generation farmer Peter Fay.

Many Native Americans consider white bison a symbol of hope and unity; some consider their births sacred events. Experts say white bison are as rare as one in 10 million.

Yellow Medicine Dancing Boy is not an albino, and Fay said DNA testing confirmed the animal's bloodlines are pure and there was no intermingling with cattle.

Lakota tribe members from South Dakota were among the hundreds of people who gathered at the celebration. Other tribal elders from the Mohawk, Seneca and Cayuga tribes participated.

Yellow Medicine Dancing Boy

Crowds patiently waited by the roadside before slowly marching into the pasture and lining up alongside a fence as the ceremony began. Children squeezed up against their parents and peered through the fence.

Some women were dressed in colorful tunics and other items indigenous to Native American culture, including bracelets, feathers and boots. Men also wore traditional costumes. Those leading the ceremony wore plain and small headdresses.

Fay, 53, runs the farm below Mohawk Mountain and invited Native Americans to the event, which also included a feast and talks by tribe elders.

"I'm almost like the calf to them because I'm the caregiver. They've been here almost every day, teaching me," said Fay, who has a herd of bison tattooed on his right shoulder.

Fay attended a sweat lodge ceremony with the elders on Friday night in Cornwall. The nearly two-hour ceremony was a way to repair damage done to their spirits, minds and bodies. It acted as a prayer for a name for the calf to come to them through the spirits.

Saturday's ceremony was held under an arbor next to a large fire, amid thunder and large dark rain clouds. Marian and Chubb White Mouse, members of the Oglala Lakota tribe in South Dakota, traveled to Goshen from Wanblee, S.D., to lead the ceremony.

Marian White Mouse told the crowd the birth of a white bison is a sign from a prophet, the White Buffalo Calf Woman, who helped them endure times of strife and famine.

"We come with one prayer, one heart and one mind," she said tearfully. "This is truly a miracle. I hope that this one prayer will keep my people together, keep all of us together."

Barbara Threecrow, an elder from the Naticoke tribe who lives in Hudson Valley, N.Y., sat holding a sacred Canupa of beaver skin containing a pipe.

"I believe this is an awakening," Threecrow said. "This is a way of telling people to remember the sacredness of all of life."

MICHAEL PHELPS Wins 20th Olympic Medal MOST MEDALS EVER!!!

UPDATE: 8/02/2012 3:30PM EST
OLYMPICS SPOILER ALERT > GOLD: Michael Phelps, SILVER: Ryan Lochte final of 200 IM

LONDON - Michael Phelps added to his medal collection with his first individual gold of the London Games, and handed Ryan Lochte a double disappointment on his rival's final night in the pool.

Phelps set the tone right from the start Thursday to become the first male swimmer to win the same individual event at three straight Olympics, capturing the 200-meter individual medley for his 20th career medal - and 16th gold. He touched in 1 minute, 54.27 seconds, just off his winning time in Beijing, but still good enough for gold.

Lochte settled for silver and Hungary's Laszlo Cseh took the bronze.

So a farewell games that started as a bit of a disappointment for Phelps is definitely looking up. He's now won two golds and two silvers in five races - not up to his standards when he went 8-for-8 in China four years ago, but a fitting capper to a brilliant career that still has two more events to go.


Olympics - Michael Phelps becomes 1st male swimmer to win same event (200m ind. medley) 3 successive Olympics

Michael Phelps earns his 20th (16 of those GOLD) Olympic medal this afternoon by winning the Gold Medal in the 200m Independent Medley!

WOW!

Sports broadcast networks are lining up to sign on Phelps for future sports announcing and the next Olympics as he says this will be his last Olympic competing year.

Previous Article:

Michael Phelps has officially won more Olympic medals than ANY OLYMPIAN IN HISTORY -- winning his 19TH MEDAL moments ago during the 4x200m relay.

Phelps and his team -- Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens, and Conor Dwyer -- picked up gold for the United States, with Phelps beating out France in the final stretch by almost a body length. China took bronze.

In addition to the all-time Olympic medal record, Phelps also holds the all-time record for most gold Olympic medals (15), and the record for most gold medals in individual events (9).

The previous all-time Olympic medal count was held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, who won 18 total medals over 3 Olympics.

USA!  USA!   USA!   USA!   USA!   USA!  USA!

76 year old Texas hiker on Appalachian Trail in NH rescued

SHELBURNE, N.H. (AP) - A Texas man who became ill while hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire has been rescued by a Black Hawk helicopter crew sent by the National Guard.

New Hampshire wildlife officials said 76-year-old William Kimer of Livingston, Texas, began hiking on Saturday with two other people but began suffering from an undisclosed illness the next day. Officials said the three tried to hike out over the next couple of days to get medical treatment for Kimer but could not make it because his condition worsened.

They called for help Tuesday. Rescuers did not have enough people to carry Kimer the three miles remaining so the Guard sent the helicopter, and it hoisted him off the trail near Shelburne about 2:30 p.m.

Kimer was flown to a hospital in Berlin.

Information from: WMWV-FM, http://www.wmwv.com/index.html

Previous UPDATE:

A NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME OFFICER SAYS SEARCH TEAMS ARE TRYING TO GET TO A LONG DISTANCE HIKER WHO BECAME ILL WHILE HIKING ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL.

CONSERVATION OFFICER LT. DOUG GRALENSKI SAID TUESDAY MORNING HIKING COMPANIONS ARE WITH THE 76-YEAR-OLD MAN ON MOUNT HAYES IN SHELBURNE.
BASED ON GPS COORDINATES, GRALENSKI THINKS THE HIKER IS CLOSE TO THE SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN, JUST NORTH OF GORHAM.

GRALENSKI SAYS HE’S LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A HELICOPTER TO EVACUATE THE MAN, WHO IS SUFFERING FROM UNKNOWN MEDICAL ISSUES.
MEANWHILE, A SPOKESPERSON FOR FISH AND GAME SAYS THE FULL SCALE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING 72-YEAR-OLD NORTH CAROLINA MAN –HUGH ARMSTRONG – IN THE RUMNEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE AREA, HAS CONCLUDED.

JANE VACHON SAYS DESPITE AN INTENSIVE MULTI-AGENCY SEARCH THAT LASTED THROUGH THE WEEKEND, NO SIGN HAS BEEN FOUND OF ARMSTRONG – WHO NEVER RETURNED AFTER LEAVING FOR AN EARLY MORNING WALK AROUND STINSON LAKE LAST WEDNESDAY.

A SMALL GROUP OF FISH AND GAME OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE CONTINUING THE SEARCH TUESDAY AND DIVERS PLAN TO SEARCH THE LAKE WEDNESDAY, AUG. 1.

Police are at the scene of a "death investigation" at 33 Wheeler Ave. Salem NH (UPDATE)

SALEM, N.H. — Police are at the scene of a "death investigation" at 33 Wheeler Ave.



Deputy police Chief Shawn Patten said there is no danger to the public.
New Hampshire State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Attorney General's Office are en route to the scene, he said, and any more information would have to come from them.
Wheeler Avenue has been closed for about an hour. There were reports of multiple shootings, but police are not releasing details at this time.

Updates can be found at: eagletribune.com

NOTE: 
Radio transmissions initially identified 3 people at the scene (details have not posted on this blog).


UPDATE:

	Three Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide One man and two women were found dead of gunshot wounds.... By Marc Fortier Article from the Salem Patch. Read more »

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Man injured off Truro beach shore on Cape Cod; authorities suspect shark bite

A man who suffered lacerations to his legs while in the water at a Massachusetts beach Monday apparently was bitten by a shark, authorities said.

"It looked like a shark bite to me," Truro, Massachusetts, Fire Chief Brian Davis said of the incident at nearby Ballston Beach. "Witnesses said they saw (a) fin. They saw him go under water. He was hollering for help."

The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries on the lower part of both legs, Davis said. The man was conscious and able to speak to first-responders before being taken to a Cape Cod hospital.

Davis said the man was less than 25 yards from shore when he was injured.

States receive grants to monitor bats

Little Brown Bat with White Nose Syndrome

Vermont has received a grant for $22,000 to monitor bat populations left nearly destroyed by White-Nose Syndrome.

Bat biologist Scott Darling, of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the state will use the money to continue monitoring known colonies of northern long eared bats and little brown bats in an effort to learn what led some bats to survive .

The grant is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which awarded funds to 29 others states, which included many in New England, and places as far south as Alabama and as far west as Hawaii. Altogether the grants total $962,981.

White-Nose Syndrome is believed to be caused by a fungus, which appears as a white substance on the bats' noses. Scientists think it affects how well the animals hibernate, causing them to burn energy in a time when the should be conserving it. Bat populations have declined by 90 percent in some places, and Vermont has placed the most affected species on its endangered list.

In April, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife launched its "Got Bats," campaign, which encouraged people to go to the department's Website, www.fishandwildife.com, and report the locations of bat colonies of all sorts, from ones that live in attics, to caves.

Northern Long Eared Bat

"Grants like these provide essential support to our state partners in responding to white-nose syndrome," said Dr. Jeremy Coleman, national WNS coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . "Responding to the rapid spread and severity of this disease has been difficult for state agencies and other partners. Providing funds directly to states helps to improve capacity for response within those states, but also provides support for critical research projects and strengthens our national response effort overall."

According to the service, White-Nose Syndrome was first detected in New York in 2006 and has spread across North America killing upwards of 5.5 million bats. In Bennington, bat caves in Dorset and Pownal were noted to have suffered massive loss of bats that hibernated there.

The grant was funded through the Endangered Species Recovery fund. It total, states asked for $1,183,480. Requests ranged from $14,646 to $50,000.

Others states in the Northeast received the following:

* Maine, $24,099.

* New Hampshire, $14,646

* Rhode Island, $22,819

Maine blueberries producing biggest crop in a decade

Maine’s wild blueberry growers are expecting their biggest crop in more than a decade. 115,000 pounds more than the 2010 crop, which the USDA estimated at 95 million pounds.

This year’s crop is projected to come in between 90 million to 95 million pounds, with the monthlong harvest kicking into gear the first week of August. If the yield reaches 90 million pounds, it would be the largest harvest since 2000, when production reached a record 110 million pounds.

Maine’s blueberry crop has averaged from 80 million to 85 million pounds a year the past five years, said David Yarborough, blueberry specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

“This year we’re maybe looking at another 10 million pounds, perhaps 90 to 95 million,” he said. “It’s contingent upon weather conditions between now and the end of August. If we have a drought it won’t hold true, but if we have a lot of rain it could exceed that.”

August typically marks the beginning of the blueberry harvest in Maine, which is the No. 1 wild blueberry state by far, with 60,000 acres of fields.

Wild blueberries grow naturally in Maine and eastern Canada and are different from cultivated berries, which are larger and grow on high bushes. Cultivated blueberries are commercially grown in about 10 states.

A small amount of Maine’s crop is sold fresh, but 99 percent is processed, making its way into blueberry muffins, cereal, yogurt and other food products.

Growers in 2011 averaged nearly 91 cents a pound for their harvest, up from 61 cents in 2010 and 36 cents in 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Last year’s harvest was worth $75 million.

The price is holding up for wild blueberries because of what’s happening with cultivated berries.

The crop in Midwest has been hurt by hot, dry weather, said Ed Flanagan, president and CEO of Jasper Wyman & Son, a wild blueberry company based in Milbridge. There’s also been strong demand for fresh cultivated blueberries, meaning the supply going to the processed market isn’t as large as anticipated, thereby creating more demand among processors for wild blueberries.

Prices in Maine should remain strong, but probably won’t be as high as last year, Flanagan said.

“Depending on what side of the buyer-seller desk you’re on, it looks like it’ll probably be another pretty good year for blueberry sellers,” he said.

The higher prices for growers could result in higher prices for food manufacturers and consumers.

If prices go too high, food processing companies could turn to other ingredients for their end products, said Yarborough. It wouldn’t be unheard of for jam makers in Japan to stop making blueberry jam altogether if the price is too high, he said.

Food manufacturers might absorb the costs if the higher prices are short-term, but eventually they’ll have to pass them on to consumers, he said.

“If the berries are higher and that’s a significant part of the product, then consumers will pay more for it,” he said.

Growers don’t want the prices to go too high, Flanagan said.

“If the price of blueberries gets too high, then the product development departments, let’s say it’s a muffin baker, they’ll start putting more chocolate chip muffins on the shelf rather than blueberry muffins,” he said. “We really need to be mindful of that.”

Woman falls 60ft off Champlain Mountain in Maine (UPDATE)

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, Maine --- Members of the University of Maine community were in mourning on Monday following a student's tragic death over the weekend.

Shirley Ladd of Barnstead, New Hampshire died from injures she received after falling at Acadia National Park. Ladd was hiking the Precipice trail on Champlain Mountain at the park with a friend. She was somewhere near the top of the trail when she fell about 60 feet.

Park rangers responded to the scene and called in about 30 people to help, including members of the Bar Harbor Fire Department as well as Mount Desert Island Search and Rescue. Ladd was taken by Life Flight to Eastern Maine Medical Center where she died Saturday evening.

She is remembered as a hard working senior at U. Maine. The 22-year-old worked for campus recreation for a number of years. Her directors say she always did her job with passion. "She had a wide effect on all of us...so it {the tragedy} came as a real shock," said Jeff Hunt, who is the university's director of campus recreation, "and we're all very sad about his and trying to support each other and trying to work through it."

Park rangers at Acadia are still trying to figure out what caused Ladd to fall. Anybody who was on the Precipice Trail last Saturday and might have witnessed the fall is asked to contact park headquarters at (207)-288-8791.

Previous story:


Rangers say a New Hampshire woman fell 60 feet while hiking a difficult trail in Acadia National Park and later died of her injuries.

Ranger Ed Pontbriand tells WCSH-TV ( http://on.wcsh6.com/QpipnM) that the 22-year-old woman fell Saturday while climbing a precipice trail up Champlain Mountain. The ranger tells the station that the trail requires hikers to climb up ladder-like iron rungs.

After she fell, her fellow hikers called 911 and a nearby nurse began treating her. Emergency personnel lifted the woman up a 250-foot rock wall and carried her a mile across the top of the mountain. She was flown to a hospital, where she died of her injuries.

Pontbriand tells the station that the rescue took 5 ½ hours and included 31 people. Park officials haven’t released the woman’s name. –– Information from: WCSH-TV, http://www.wcsh6.com

Here kitty kitty!

NOT

Christian Bale visits CO theater shooting victims

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Actor Christian Bale visits Aurora shooting
victim Carey Rottman.(Special to The Denver Post)

AURORA, CO (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) One of the victims of the Colorado movie theater shooting took to Facebook on Tuesday to share a photo of a surprise visitor.

Carey Rottman, a Wisconsin native who played football at Winona State in Minnesota, received a visit from "The Dark Knight Rises" star Christian Bale.

TMZ reports Bale visited the hospital around 4 p.m. on his own. He was not representing Warner Brothers during the trip.

Christian Bale was in the Denver metro area Tuesday to meet
with victims of the Aurora theater shooting.
In this photo released by Swedish Medical Center in Englewood,
Colorado, via Twitter, Bale meets with Swedish staff members.
(Swedish Medical Center)

Rottman's father has previously told the Associated Press that his 27-year-old son was expected to undergo another round of surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday. It will take about one year for Rottman to fully recover.

Bale also visited with six other victims of the mass shooting, as well as the first responders who were on the scene shortly after a shooter began firing into the crowded theater, reports the Denver Post.

Bale asked that the media not be notified about his trip to Aurora.

Christian Bale, who stars in
"The Dark Knight Rises," and his wife, Sibi Blazic,
on Tuesday afternoon visit a growing
memorial to victims of the Aurora theater
massacre, which left 12 dead and 58 wounded.
The couple also spent time at Medical Center of Aurora.
(Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

Read more: http://ow.ly/cu3Ao













>

Will the Oxford Maine Casino be forced to shut down? (UPDATE)

Maine Superior Court nullifies Oxford Casino development permit

OXFORD — One year — nearly to the day — after the Maine Board of Environmental Protection issued a permit granting development of the Oxford Casino, the permit was nullified by Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy. 


 “The law is pretty clear that without a permit they can’t operate. And, presumably, if the department (DEP) doesn’t shut them down, the Gambling Control Board will.” 


According to the suit, “in its rush to permit the casino project, the applicant (BB Development) failed to conduct the studies necessary to affirmatively demonstrate that either Phase I or the full project proposal meets legal standards.” And, that rather than “correct these errors and omissions, the department (BEP) actually accelerated the permitting process,” granting the permit in “less than half of the 180-day statutory review period, despite ongoing staff concerns regarding the lack of data,” violating state law and its own rules in the process by not considering cumulative environmental impact of the entire project when complete.

Full Story 







UPDATE:

Maine's radio news team including news director, Dave Alpert; reporter, Ed Fairbanks and Augusta chief, Mal Leary have provided the following which you can hear:

The Oxford Casino will remain open, despite a court decision that nullifies its Department of Environmental Protection site permit.  The DEP says it will follow a judge's order and reopen the permit review process, but won't pursue closing down the casino. Attorney Stephen Hinchman, representing the Androscoggin River Alliance, which challenged the DEP's granting of the permit, says the DEP is now violating state law by allowing the casino to continue to operate.  Hear him.

CO shooting suspect seemingly aloof in court appearance

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

In Maine? Take The Casco Bay Ferry to Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island.

Take The Casco Bay Ferry to Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island.

Coyote pups spotted in Weston MA backyard

Coyote Pups 7/20/2012

WESTON, Mass. -- A Weston family got a big surprise in their backyard when they looked outside and found a wandering pack of coyote pups.
Mom Jill Lenhardt couldn't believe it.
“When I first came home, they were here before I came home and Lisa, our babysitter, sent me a couple pictures over texts and I was like, ‘Stay inside!’” said Lenhardt.
One was even bold enough to venture up onto their deck.
“The far corner of the deck right outside. These guys saw them, the coyote, right there. Just right outside the family room just standing there and sitting around scratching himself,” Lenhardt said.
The kids were excited, snapping away some up close and personal pictures of the baby coyotes.
And even though they look cute and cuddly, there is still the element of danger.
“So then when I got home, I was looking at them I just thought they were really cute. Because they really are cute but we also have had a lot of conversations with the boys about safety,” Lenhardt said


Source: http://ow.ly/cpLOg

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.

Continued at the link above.....

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

Dolphins Entertain Spectators Along Cape Cod Canal « CBS Boston

Dolphins Entertain Spectators Along Cape Cod Canal « CBS Boston

Photo Tips: Capturing Lightning

Exercise helps improve balance, prevent falls | exercise, balance, seniors

Exercise helps improve balance, prevent falls | exercise, balance, seniors - Getting Fit - Victorville Daily Press

Exercise is the single most important component in maintaining healthy balance and preventing falls. In fact, exercise is so effective in not only reducing fall risk but also eliminating many types of chronic dizziness. The main question is "What kind of exercise works best?"

Not all exercises are equal. Many seniors mistakenly assume that walking is the best form of exercise. Although walking is extremely important for mobility, cardiovascular and joint health, it also has major limitations.

A recent study looked at seniors who walk in the mall for exercise. The group used walking as their only source of exercise and averaged 1 to 2 miles a day, four days a week. The results showed that this group had the same amount of falls as sedentary seniors. What went wrong? Absolutely nothing. These seniors did enjoy health benefits such as lowered blood pressure, improved cardiac and lung function, and less arthritic pain. But when their balance was tested there was no change in balance control.

The best exercise for balance. Research has shown that exercise such as Tai Chi, dancing, bicycle riding, group exercise classes and weight training done in the standing position share a theme — dynamic, challenging positions and poses while engaging large balance sensory control systems. Exercises that are not so good for balance include walking on flat surfaces, pool exercises and universal weight machines.


Article continued at the link above............

New Rail Trail Could Potentially Cripple Traffic in Salem NH

Dave has shared the following blogpost from Salem Patch:
	New Rail Trail Could Potentially Cripple Traffic in Salem The Planning Board held a hearing on Tuesday.... By Tom Linehan I thought you might be interested in this Blog Post from the Salem Patch. The hearing on the rail trail posed more questions than it answered. Read more »

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PRISON BREAK: 1,600 Turtles Break Out Of Farm, Slowly Crawl To Freedom

On the lighter side today!  No soup for you!

It's like a real-life version of the movie "Chicken Run," only without Mel Gibson and much, much slower. Near Summerville, Georgia, there is a turtle farm. Thousands of adult turtles, all native species to the southern United States, live in ponds on the property. Thanks to vandals or scrap metal thieves, breaks in the fence have allowed the turtles to wander off the property, taking up residence in surrounding waterways. The operation is something like a hatchery, and about 1,600 of the 2,200 turtles that form its breeding stock have run away.

The owner of this particular farm, one of only three in Georgia, started out in pest control and is descended from trappers. He started out trapping turtles for food, then learned how to farm them. The goal is to catch adult turtles, then confine them to the property. They live presumably happy turtle lives, reproducing and laying eggs on land surrounding their ponds. The farmer's family then gathers up the eggs and hatches them indoors. Some of the hatchlings are shipped to China and raised as food; others go to pet distributors in the United States.

The farm's owner is currently moving his operation to a new property, and is happy to pick up nuisance turtles for free and give them a new home. But the global turtle market is weak. A baby snapping turtle sold for about $14 a year ago, but fetches only $7 today.

Great Day in the White Mountains!

What I wouldn't give to be on Mt. Washington today!

Mt. Washington Auto Road

The perfect day is today: 130 miles of visibility winds, 3-6 mph and temperature is 52º!!