Monday...
4/20 celebrations make even the NY Times headlines. All this talk about marijuana "gaining traction" in its legalization for medicinal or recreational use is making me excited for just how liberal this country and the world is becoming. I am not so much advocating the drug as much as I am excited not to have my tax dollars pay for some poor kid to go to jail for a minor drug offense. In world news, another suicide bomb attack in Iraq- maybe he just needs to smoke a little pot and "gain traction" towards peace.
Oh, and I am also pretty broken up that the Craigslist killer is a Med student from BU. That guy was going to be a doctor. Nurse, please don't pass the scalpel.
Tuesday...
Asia's version of Wall Street is crashing. The Times Co. loses $74.5 million in the first quarter. The recession seems to be going quite strong. With all of these companies going down the tubes, the idea of starting my own business is becoming more and more appealing everyday.
Wednesday...
More on the craigslist guy. They found a semi-automatic weapon and plastic ties in his apartment. This guy was really swinging for the fences. Maybe he was just worried about the job market after school and was trying to build a bigger customer base. Oh wait, he robbed those people too- now thats just getting greedy. It kind of makes me sick to think this guy was regarded as such a smart kid and this is what he was doing in his free time. Think I'll put the paper down now.
Thursday...
Wildfires were spreading in Myrtle Beach and destroyed more than 40 homes. This kind of stuff is the only downside of the weather getting too hot and dry. On the upside, Microsoft's profit is falling for the first time in 23 years. I say, make that go down even more and get a Mac. Maybe I'm just a little bias on the issue, but its really hard for me to talk in bi-partisan terms when speaking about computers.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Another attack off the shore of Amity
Another death off the shore of Village Beach occurred earlier today. A young boy was killed in what appeared to be an unprovoked shark attack.
Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court was swimming just off the shore when he was attacked. The waters were calm and the weather was fair as beachgoers relaxed on the shore.
Ferguson was floating on a rubber raft in the waters of Village beach when the alleged attack occurred. In a violent struggle, Ferguson was pulled underwater while blood spouted up out of the water.
Beachgoers noticed the struggle and the waters were cleared. Ferguson’s body was not recovered, but his damaged raft washed ashore. The raft appeared to have a large bite taken out of it. Authorities still caution not to jump to any conclusions about the incident.
“I join Amity Mayor Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Ferguson family,” says police Chief Martin Brody. “Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city.”
Ferguson’s mother, Marian Ferguson, who was at the beach at the time of her son’s alleged attack, is currently being treated for shock at Amity Hospital. She is reported to be in fair condition.
There were no other injuries reported at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities believe it may be possible that the death of Wendy Watson, which occurred earlier this week, could also have been linked to possible shark activities.
Still, authorities urge there has been no confirmation of any shark attack.
A press conference will be held by the Mayor, police Chief Brody, and the Amity Board of Selectmen at 5 p.m. today. At the conference they will discuss the request of Chief Brody to close the beaches, and an offer from fisherman Ben Quint to hunt down the shark which allegedly attack the Watson and Ferguson.
Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court was swimming just off the shore when he was attacked. The waters were calm and the weather was fair as beachgoers relaxed on the shore.
Ferguson was floating on a rubber raft in the waters of Village beach when the alleged attack occurred. In a violent struggle, Ferguson was pulled underwater while blood spouted up out of the water.
Beachgoers noticed the struggle and the waters were cleared. Ferguson’s body was not recovered, but his damaged raft washed ashore. The raft appeared to have a large bite taken out of it. Authorities still caution not to jump to any conclusions about the incident.
“I join Amity Mayor Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Ferguson family,” says police Chief Martin Brody. “Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city.”
Ferguson’s mother, Marian Ferguson, who was at the beach at the time of her son’s alleged attack, is currently being treated for shock at Amity Hospital. She is reported to be in fair condition.
There were no other injuries reported at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities believe it may be possible that the death of Wendy Watson, which occurred earlier this week, could also have been linked to possible shark activities.
Still, authorities urge there has been no confirmation of any shark attack.
A press conference will be held by the Mayor, police Chief Brody, and the Amity Board of Selectmen at 5 p.m. today. At the conference they will discuss the request of Chief Brody to close the beaches, and an offer from fisherman Ben Quint to hunt down the shark which allegedly attack the Watson and Ferguson.
Teenage girl found dead on beach in Amity
The mangled body of a teenage girl was found washed up on the beach in Amity early this morning. She had gone missing around 11 p.m. last night and was found early this morning after a brief search of the beach.
Wendy W. Watson, 16, of 23 Sharkstooth St. in Amity was last seen leaving a beach party last night with an unidentified male.
The two had allegedly gone skinny-dipping in the water at remote section of the beach. The weather was clear and the seas were calm that night. Witnesses said the two had been seen drinking at the party that evening.
When Watson did not return from the water, the accompanying male called the authorities. When her body was found, it appeared she had been severely mauled by an attacker of unknown origin. Her body has been transported to the coroner’s office for an autopsy.
No charges have been filed, and the police are continuing the investigation. Although the idea of a shark attack has not been ruled out, Police assure all residents and visitors the waters are safe and they are in no danger. The beaches will remain open for swimming pending the result of the ongoing investigation.
Wendy W. Watson, 16, of 23 Sharkstooth St. in Amity was last seen leaving a beach party last night with an unidentified male.
The two had allegedly gone skinny-dipping in the water at remote section of the beach. The weather was clear and the seas were calm that night. Witnesses said the two had been seen drinking at the party that evening.
When Watson did not return from the water, the accompanying male called the authorities. When her body was found, it appeared she had been severely mauled by an attacker of unknown origin. Her body has been transported to the coroner’s office for an autopsy.
No charges have been filed, and the police are continuing the investigation. Although the idea of a shark attack has not been ruled out, Police assure all residents and visitors the waters are safe and they are in no danger. The beaches will remain open for swimming pending the result of the ongoing investigation.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Voters to decide the future of Biddeford City Airport
The fate of the Biddeford City Airport rests in the hands of voters. A referendum question on the ballot for the June 4 general election asks voters if the airport should be shut down.
A task that would cost about $3 million from general operating funds, the Airport Authority would be brought in to shut down the airport.
“Once we started looking at the airport, we came to the conclusion that there is no financial benefit at its existing size and capacity,” says Paul Archambault, chairman of Get Rid of Our Little Airport. “It continues to be a tax burden.”
Archambault has lived in a house at the end of one of the runways of the airport for 24 years.
The airport was at risk of losing Federal Aviation Administrating funding three years ago due to safety regulations. To comply, the airport began cutting trees and enforcing no-trespassing rules on airport grounds.
The tree trimming has created disputes among the neighboring residents of the airport, and the trespassing rules were ill received.
“We had pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and) ATVs using it,” says Tom Bryand, Airport Manager. “They just use it as a backyard and that’s against regulations.”
While tree trimming and trespassing have been an issue in the past for the airport, residents are now concern with where their money is being allocated.
“Sure this started out as a fight about trees and public access. But it’s not about that anymore,” says Archambault. “Now it’s about money.”
According to the City manager, the airport takes in about $56,000 annually from sales of gas, property taxes, and land leases while the cost of running the airport has varied over the years.
In 2006, the cost of running the airport, which includes maintenance, utilities and improvements, was $47,000. In 2007, the cost rose to $72,000 and decreased in 2008 to $60,000.
The 126-acre property is worth $1.6 million according the records in the City Assessor’s office.
Some residents are against the referendum, hoping to keep the airport running as it has.
“Maybe it’s expensive to run the airport, but it’s a great resource,” says Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps her plane in Biddeford. “I know business people who fly in here all the time.
While Biddeford residents dispute over the airport, city officials remain neutral on the issue.
“The City Council really hasn’t come down on one side of the issue or the other,” says John Bubier, City Manager. “I think they’d prefer to have the voters settle this one.”
Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the issue on June 4 during the general election.
A task that would cost about $3 million from general operating funds, the Airport Authority would be brought in to shut down the airport.
“Once we started looking at the airport, we came to the conclusion that there is no financial benefit at its existing size and capacity,” says Paul Archambault, chairman of Get Rid of Our Little Airport. “It continues to be a tax burden.”
Archambault has lived in a house at the end of one of the runways of the airport for 24 years.
The airport was at risk of losing Federal Aviation Administrating funding three years ago due to safety regulations. To comply, the airport began cutting trees and enforcing no-trespassing rules on airport grounds.
The tree trimming has created disputes among the neighboring residents of the airport, and the trespassing rules were ill received.
“We had pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and) ATVs using it,” says Tom Bryand, Airport Manager. “They just use it as a backyard and that’s against regulations.”
While tree trimming and trespassing have been an issue in the past for the airport, residents are now concern with where their money is being allocated.
“Sure this started out as a fight about trees and public access. But it’s not about that anymore,” says Archambault. “Now it’s about money.”
According to the City manager, the airport takes in about $56,000 annually from sales of gas, property taxes, and land leases while the cost of running the airport has varied over the years.
In 2006, the cost of running the airport, which includes maintenance, utilities and improvements, was $47,000. In 2007, the cost rose to $72,000 and decreased in 2008 to $60,000.
The 126-acre property is worth $1.6 million according the records in the City Assessor’s office.
Some residents are against the referendum, hoping to keep the airport running as it has.
“Maybe it’s expensive to run the airport, but it’s a great resource,” says Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps her plane in Biddeford. “I know business people who fly in here all the time.
While Biddeford residents dispute over the airport, city officials remain neutral on the issue.
“The City Council really hasn’t come down on one side of the issue or the other,” says John Bubier, City Manager. “I think they’d prefer to have the voters settle this one.”
Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the issue on June 4 during the general election.
Laconia Prison Lead
Hoping to cut $1.7 million from their budget, the Department of Corrections is in the process of closing the Lakes Region Facility Prison. Two hundred and seventy two inmates will be moved to the state prison in Berlin.
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