A man suspected of stealing from a drug store in Brooklyn Park Wednesday afternoon threatened an off-duty Anne Arundel County police officer with a needle, according to authorities.
"When confronted, the suspect pulled out a hypodermic syringe, repeatedly stabbed himself with it and threatened to infect the officer with a communicable disease," a statement from police says.
The officer protected himself and the man was caught on Ritchie Highway a short time later. For more details, read the news release from police:
On September 28, 2011 at approximately 1537 hours, officers responded the Rite-Aid store in the 5800 block of Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn Park, MD for a reported theft. The suspect, described as a thin black male, dropped store property and ran as officers were responding.
An off-duty officer saw the suspect in the median of Ritchie Highway near Hammonds Lane. When confronted, the suspect pulled out a hypodermic syringe, repeatedly stabbed himself with it and threatened to infect the officer with a communicable disease.
The officer was able to protect himself from the suspect in this heavily trafficked area, but the suspect continued his flight north along Ritchie Highway. Responding patrol officers canvassed the business area where the suspect fled but were initially unable to locate him.
At approximately 1613hours, officers responded to the Save-A-Lot in the 5000 block of Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn Park for another reported theft. The suspect description in this incident matched the description from the earlier incident at Rite Aid. The suspect filled a trash bag with merchandise and held a knife in view of store personnel as he departed with the property.
The suspect was last seen running north on Ritchie Highway, and responding officers found him as he tried to hide in the 4500 block of Ritchie Highway. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and was positively identified as the person involved in the Rite Aid incident and assault on the off-duty officer. No one was injured during either altercation.
2011年9月29日星期四
2011年9月28日星期三
Look inside for three times the flavor
Just as there are two sides to every story, there are two sides to every food item: the inside and the outside. Particular attention, of course, gets paid to how food looks, but as we all know, it's how something tastes that brings us back for more. Building flavor can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but to achieve results quickly and easily, sometimes it's best to look beyond the surface.
The Home Tech Flavor Injector literally pumps up the level of flavor that can be incorporated into food items; it uses a pump mechanism to force liquid into food, whereas most other injectors opt for the hypodermic approach. In addition to the seemingly out-of-place pump-based contraption, the flavor injector hides a few additional advantages.
Featuring three injectors and a large reservoir, the kitchen gadget is designed to be used effectively and efficiently. The business ends of the injectors are specially designed with offset openings; when plunged into foodstuffs, the holes do not become clogged. Stainless steel filters separate each needle from the reservoir, so chunky sauces and marinades don't clog the opening from the other direction. Put all the highlights together and it becomes apparent that not only is it what's inside that really matters, but also how it got there.
The Home Tech Flavor Injector literally pumps up the level of flavor that can be incorporated into food items; it uses a pump mechanism to force liquid into food, whereas most other injectors opt for the hypodermic approach. In addition to the seemingly out-of-place pump-based contraption, the flavor injector hides a few additional advantages.
Featuring three injectors and a large reservoir, the kitchen gadget is designed to be used effectively and efficiently. The business ends of the injectors are specially designed with offset openings; when plunged into foodstuffs, the holes do not become clogged. Stainless steel filters separate each needle from the reservoir, so chunky sauces and marinades don't clog the opening from the other direction. Put all the highlights together and it becomes apparent that not only is it what's inside that really matters, but also how it got there.
2011年9月27日星期二
Auburn panel learns about extensive illegal dumping
Selectmen said they were surprised last night to learn how extensive illegal dumping and nuisance properties are in town.
After a presentation by Andrew R. Pelletier, director of development and inspectional services, board Chairman Doreen M. Goodrich said, “This has opened our eyes.”
Mr. Pelletier presented photographs of what he called “intentional dumping” of waste carpets, furniture, electronics, appliances, tires and other bulk items, “which tend to run the trash bill way up,” as well as containers of hazardous waste. He said “rude and disrespectful” people leave trash in desolate places, at the end of dead-end streets and in local wetlands.
He cited one case in which he found the identification of a Cape Cod resident who had dumped a load of trash at the end of Hardscrabble Road.
He said donation boxes and trash bins are also used to illegally dispose of unwanted furniture and other waste.
Mrs. Goodrich said she had counted 36 donation boxes in town.
In other cases of “misguided intentions,” Mr. Pelletier said, some residents tend to store “a good piece of equipment I can fix” many times over, filling their yards with junk equipment.
He also focused the board’s attention on nuisance properties, such as vacant buildings that can be in dangerous disrepair.
“It can be very hard to find the owners,” he said, and showed photographs of several collapsing buildings, some accessible to vagrants. One photograph showed a used hypodermicneedle
“Health and safety are our primary concern. Nuisance is our secondary concern,” he said.
Mr. Pelletier said he hoped to make a proposal at the May annual town meeting to establish a revolving account to be used to control illegal dumping and nuisance properties.
He also recommended that anyone who needs help disposing of unwanted items visit the town’s Public Health Division website at town.auburn.ma.us and look under “How to dispose of special wastes.”
He also asked that anyone who sees illegal dumping taking place immediately dial 911 and, if safe, take a photograph of the license plate so illegal dumpers can be found and fined.
After a presentation by Andrew R. Pelletier, director of development and inspectional services, board Chairman Doreen M. Goodrich said, “This has opened our eyes.”
Mr. Pelletier presented photographs of what he called “intentional dumping” of waste carpets, furniture, electronics, appliances, tires and other bulk items, “which tend to run the trash bill way up,” as well as containers of hazardous waste. He said “rude and disrespectful” people leave trash in desolate places, at the end of dead-end streets and in local wetlands.
He cited one case in which he found the identification of a Cape Cod resident who had dumped a load of trash at the end of Hardscrabble Road.
He said donation boxes and trash bins are also used to illegally dispose of unwanted furniture and other waste.
Mrs. Goodrich said she had counted 36 donation boxes in town.
In other cases of “misguided intentions,” Mr. Pelletier said, some residents tend to store “a good piece of equipment I can fix” many times over, filling their yards with junk equipment.
He also focused the board’s attention on nuisance properties, such as vacant buildings that can be in dangerous disrepair.
“It can be very hard to find the owners,” he said, and showed photographs of several collapsing buildings, some accessible to vagrants. One photograph showed a used hypodermic
“Health and safety are our primary concern. Nuisance is our secondary concern,” he said.
Mr. Pelletier said he hoped to make a proposal at the May annual town meeting to establish a revolving account to be used to control illegal dumping and nuisance properties.
He also recommended that anyone who needs help disposing of unwanted items visit the town’s Public Health Division website at town.auburn.ma.us and look under “How to dispose of special wastes.”
He also asked that anyone who sees illegal dumping taking place immediately dial 911 and, if safe, take a photograph of the license plate so illegal dumpers can be found and fined.
2011年9月26日星期一
Dover man arrested twice in one day
A town man was arrested on a shoplifting charge in the afternoon and then on drug charges in the evening after he tried to flee in his wheelchair, police said,
Officers Michael Pier and Jose Matos on Sept. 21 responded to The Home Depot at 4:46 p.m. and learned Roberto Colon, 27, was sitting in his wheelchair on top of a Mikita power drill valued at $79 and tried leaving the store without paying for it, Detective Sgt. Richard Gonzalez said.
Police arrested Colon and found a hypodermic needle on him during a search, Gonzalez said.
Colon was taken to headquarters and charged with shoplifting and possession of the needle, police said. He was released on a complaint summons.
Then, at 8:05 p.m. the same day, Officer Timothy Thiel spotted Colon and another man on First Street.
Thiel approached the two and began speaking with them when he spotted Colon attempting to hide a hypodermic needle in his coat pocket, Gonzalez said.
Thiel retrieved the needle and advised Colon that he was under arrest, police said.
Officer Anthony Scinto arrived to assist, and that’s when Colon began to leave the area in his wheelchair, ignoring multiple orders to stop.
Colon then began to remove his clothing and then threw himself onto the ground, police said.
While he was doing this, his father, Roberto Colon Sr., arrived and had a brief conversation in Spanish with his son, and then attempted to take his son’s belongings, police said.
Police warned the elder Colon not to touch the items and to stay back, police said. He disregarded all orders, grabbed his son’s clothes and ran off, police said.
Thiel stopped Colon Sr. and found four bags of heroin and one bag of marijuana in the clothing, and arrested him, Gonzalez said.
Police charged Roberto Colon Sr., 50, of Dover, with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, hindering apprehension of another, and obstruction of the administration of law, Gonzalez said.
Thiel also charged the younger Colon with possession of CDS, possession of a hypodermic needle and obstruction of the administration of law, police said.
Both were released on complaint summonses.
Officers Michael Pier and Jose Matos on Sept. 21 responded to The Home Depot at 4:46 p.m. and learned Roberto Colon, 27, was sitting in his wheelchair on top of a Mikita power drill valued at $79 and tried leaving the store without paying for it, Detective Sgt. Richard Gonzalez said.
Police arrested Colon and found a hypodermic needle on him during a search, Gonzalez said.
Colon was taken to headquarters and charged with shoplifting and possession of the needle, police said. He was released on a complaint summons.
Then, at 8:05 p.m. the same day, Officer Timothy Thiel spotted Colon and another man on First Street.
Thiel approached the two and began speaking with them when he spotted Colon attempting to hide a hypodermic needle in his coat pocket, Gonzalez said.
Thiel retrieved the needle and advised Colon that he was under arrest, police said.
Officer Anthony Scinto arrived to assist, and that’s when Colon began to leave the area in his wheelchair, ignoring multiple orders to stop.
Colon then began to remove his clothing and then threw himself onto the ground, police said.
While he was doing this, his father, Roberto Colon Sr., arrived and had a brief conversation in Spanish with his son, and then attempted to take his son’s belongings, police said.
Police warned the elder Colon not to touch the items and to stay back, police said. He disregarded all orders, grabbed his son’s clothes and ran off, police said.
Thiel stopped Colon Sr. and found four bags of heroin and one bag of marijuana in the clothing, and arrested him, Gonzalez said.
Police charged Roberto Colon Sr., 50, of Dover, with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, hindering apprehension of another, and obstruction of the administration of law, Gonzalez said.
Thiel also charged the younger Colon with possession of CDS, possession of a hypodermic needle and obstruction of the administration of law, police said.
Both were released on complaint summonses.
2011年9月25日星期日
Dover man arrested twice on same day
A Dover man was arrested twice on the same day last week, police said.
Police responded to the Home Depot Wednesday afternoon and were told Roberto Colon, 27, who was in a wheelchair, was sitting on a $79 power drill and tried to leave the store without paying for the item, according to Detective Sgt. Richard Gonzalez. Colon was arrested and during a search police found a hypodermic syringe on his person.
Colon was transported to headquarters and charged with shoplifting and possession of a hypodermic needle.
Later that day, another officer saw Colon on First Street. The officer saw Colon allegedly attempt to hide a hypodermic needle in his coat pocket. The officer retrieved the needle and attempted to arrest Colon, Gonzalez said. Colon began to leave in his wheelchair, ignoring multiple orders to stop.
Colon began to remove his clothing and then threw himself onto the ground, Gonzalez said. While he was doing this his father, Roberto Colon Sr. arrived, had a brief conversation in Spanish with his son and attempted to take his son's belongings, according to police, who warned him to stay back. Colon Sr. disregarded police, grabbed his son's clothes and ran off, Gonzalez said.
The officer caught Colon Sr. and discovered four bags of heroin and one bag of marijuana in the clothing, Gonzalez said.
Colon Sr., 50, of Dover, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, hindering apprehension of another and obstructing the administration of law.
Colon Jr. was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a hypodermic needle, and obstructing the administration of law.
Police responded to the Home Depot Wednesday afternoon and were told Roberto Colon, 27, who was in a wheelchair, was sitting on a $79 power drill and tried to leave the store without paying for the item, according to Detective Sgt. Richard Gonzalez. Colon was arrested and during a search police found a hypodermic syringe on his person.
Colon was transported to headquarters and charged with shoplifting and possession of a hypodermic needle.
Later that day, another officer saw Colon on First Street. The officer saw Colon allegedly attempt to hide a hypodermic needle in his coat pocket. The officer retrieved the needle and attempted to arrest Colon, Gonzalez said. Colon began to leave in his wheelchair, ignoring multiple orders to stop.
Colon began to remove his clothing and then threw himself onto the ground, Gonzalez said. While he was doing this his father, Roberto Colon Sr. arrived, had a brief conversation in Spanish with his son and attempted to take his son's belongings, according to police, who warned him to stay back. Colon Sr. disregarded police, grabbed his son's clothes and ran off, Gonzalez said.
The officer caught Colon Sr. and discovered four bags of heroin and one bag of marijuana in the clothing, Gonzalez said.
Colon Sr., 50, of Dover, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, hindering apprehension of another and obstructing the administration of law.
Colon Jr. was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a hypodermic needle, and obstructing the administration of law.
2011年9月22日星期四
Appeals court tosses out conviction in drug case
The Oregon Court of Appeals has reversed a 2007 drug conviction against a Jackson County woman, ruling Wednesday that Medford police illegally obtained key evidence against her.
After a lengthy appeal process, Medford resident Sheryl Diane Singer's May 2007 guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance will be removed from her record in about two months, Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston said.
The Appeals Court ruled the evidence against Singer should have been suppressed because new case law clarifies the officer had no lawful basis to detain Singer or seize her property, Huddleston said.
"This puts the case back in our lap without any evidence," Huddleston said.
Huddleston added that Singer will not be retried barring any unexpected requests from the Oregon Department of Justice.
Singer could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
According to court records and the published opinion, Singer, 53, was a front-seat passenger in a car whose driver made an unlawful turn. A Medford police officer pulled the car over. But instead of ticketing the driver, the officer's attention quickly focused on Singer, who "appeared to be nervous," the document said.
The officer searched for warrants against Singer and discovered she had a conviction for a drug-related crime. He then asked her to step out of the car and remove her sunglasses so he could see her eyes. The officer asked for and received permission to search her for drugs. Finding none, he asked to search her purse. Singer warned him she had a "rig" — which the officer understood to refer to a hypodermic needle used to inject drugs.
Singer admitted the syringe contained heroin and was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
Before her trial in Jackson County Circuit Court, Singer moved to suppress the evidence on the grounds that the search was illegal.
Judge William Purdy denied the motion and Singer entered a conditional guilty plea to unlawful possession of heroin. But Singer reserved her right to appeal the court's denial of her suppression motion.
She appealed her case all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court, which sent the case back to the Appeals Court for reconsideration in light of new case law.
"The Supreme Court directed the appeal be reconsidered," Huddleston said. "It appears the trial court was wrong to deny the motion to suppress the evidence."
After a lengthy appeal process, Medford resident Sheryl Diane Singer's May 2007 guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance will be removed from her record in about two months, Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston said.
The Appeals Court ruled the evidence against Singer should have been suppressed because new case law clarifies the officer had no lawful basis to detain Singer or seize her property, Huddleston said.
"This puts the case back in our lap without any evidence," Huddleston said.
Huddleston added that Singer will not be retried barring any unexpected requests from the Oregon Department of Justice.
Singer could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
According to court records and the published opinion, Singer, 53, was a front-seat passenger in a car whose driver made an unlawful turn. A Medford police officer pulled the car over. But instead of ticketing the driver, the officer's attention quickly focused on Singer, who "appeared to be nervous," the document said.
The officer searched for warrants against Singer and discovered she had a conviction for a drug-related crime. He then asked her to step out of the car and remove her sunglasses so he could see her eyes. The officer asked for and received permission to search her for drugs. Finding none, he asked to search her purse. Singer warned him she had a "rig" — which the officer understood to refer to a hypodermic needle used to inject drugs.
Singer admitted the syringe contained heroin and was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
Before her trial in Jackson County Circuit Court, Singer moved to suppress the evidence on the grounds that the search was illegal.
Judge William Purdy denied the motion and Singer entered a conditional guilty plea to unlawful possession of heroin. But Singer reserved her right to appeal the court's denial of her suppression motion.
She appealed her case all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court, which sent the case back to the Appeals Court for reconsideration in light of new case law.
"The Supreme Court directed the appeal be reconsidered," Huddleston said. "It appears the trial court was wrong to deny the motion to suppress the evidence."
2011年9月21日星期三
Puncture is in Vein
Having barely folded up his campy Captain America comic book costume in the box labeled “Burn This,” Chris Evans returns to prove he has enough kilowatts to shine in a script chosen for something besides money. In Puncture, he gets a real workout. It’s a harrowingly grim true story about a functioning Houston attorney named Mark Weiss, who was also a functioning playboy addicted to drugs and prostitutes while running a personal-injury law firm with his responsible, straight-laced best friend and married business partner, Paul Danziger (played by Mark Kassen, who co-directed the film with his brother Adam) when, in 1998, they took on a case defending an E.R. nurse who was pricked by a needle and contaminated with H.I.V. while on the job.
It seemed like a viable, by-the-books case until it backfired, exposed the corruption and wrath of the health care industry, and turned into a David and Goliath story that made headlines, wrecked their health and nearly destroyed their careers.
Uncovering the shocking statistics (800,000 medical workers in 1998 were suffering from hypodermic needle accidents resulting in hepatitis C and AIDS), Mark Weiss was aghast to discover a safety needle that prevents such catastrophes from ever happening, yet which hospitals refused to buy because of the purchasing contracts they signed with pharmaceutical suppliers. Battling corporate greed, price fixing and the elimination of legal competition, Mark Weiss found himself targeted by powerful drug companies that got a kickback for every conventional needle sold.
He went to court, lobbied the U.S. Senate, and tried a case that challenged the antitrust laws, all while hopped up on cocaine himself. When he finally found a sympathetic senator (Kate Burton) who agreed to support his demand for law reform, the organized, politically grounded drug merchants headed her off by making sizeable contributions to her re-election campaign. Devastated and facing ruin, Weiss sapped his energy and bankrupted his partner, but Chris Evans shies away from nothing in the raw-emotions department. Trying to clean up his act, the withdrawal scenes are especially grueling.
This is a thinking man’s film, meticulously researched and assembled by people who actually lived through the events it depicts, raising issues that impact the viewer on several levels at once. Puncture is about an abuse for profit that endangers the lives of everyone who has ever entered a hospital for treatment of even the most minor illness. It is also a responsible and dramatically implosive human drama about one man with the courage to stand up for a just cause, saving people’s lives while combating the demons in his own. Chris Evans is as dynamic in the small scenes as he is in the crashing melodramatic ones.
After he crosses over to the dark side and dies of an overdose, his partner, who opposed the safety needles and begged to have the case dropped, changes his focus and takes the monolithic drug industry to court. The result changed the medical industry, and thanks to one afflicted man’s persistence, safety needles have now saved thousands of lives. Still, as the film’s coda points out, some daunting facts remain: safety needles are still unpopular with drug suppliers because they cannot be sterilized for reuse, and are therefore too expensive to manufacture. Some hospitals still use the old needles, resulting in the spread of disease.
And plastic needles are still used in poor countries with epidemics to save money. Like any good cautionary tale, Puncture tells a suspenseful story responsibly, creating food for thought and leaving the audience both enlightened and entertained.
It seemed like a viable, by-the-books case until it backfired, exposed the corruption and wrath of the health care industry, and turned into a David and Goliath story that made headlines, wrecked their health and nearly destroyed their careers.
Uncovering the shocking statistics (800,000 medical workers in 1998 were suffering from hypodermic needle accidents resulting in hepatitis C and AIDS), Mark Weiss was aghast to discover a safety needle that prevents such catastrophes from ever happening, yet which hospitals refused to buy because of the purchasing contracts they signed with pharmaceutical suppliers. Battling corporate greed, price fixing and the elimination of legal competition, Mark Weiss found himself targeted by powerful drug companies that got a kickback for every conventional needle sold.
He went to court, lobbied the U.S. Senate, and tried a case that challenged the antitrust laws, all while hopped up on cocaine himself. When he finally found a sympathetic senator (Kate Burton) who agreed to support his demand for law reform, the organized, politically grounded drug merchants headed her off by making sizeable contributions to her re-election campaign. Devastated and facing ruin, Weiss sapped his energy and bankrupted his partner, but Chris Evans shies away from nothing in the raw-emotions department. Trying to clean up his act, the withdrawal scenes are especially grueling.
This is a thinking man’s film, meticulously researched and assembled by people who actually lived through the events it depicts, raising issues that impact the viewer on several levels at once. Puncture is about an abuse for profit that endangers the lives of everyone who has ever entered a hospital for treatment of even the most minor illness. It is also a responsible and dramatically implosive human drama about one man with the courage to stand up for a just cause, saving people’s lives while combating the demons in his own. Chris Evans is as dynamic in the small scenes as he is in the crashing melodramatic ones.
After he crosses over to the dark side and dies of an overdose, his partner, who opposed the safety needles and begged to have the case dropped, changes his focus and takes the monolithic drug industry to court. The result changed the medical industry, and thanks to one afflicted man’s persistence, safety needles have now saved thousands of lives. Still, as the film’s coda points out, some daunting facts remain: safety needles are still unpopular with drug suppliers because they cannot be sterilized for reuse, and are therefore too expensive to manufacture. Some hospitals still use the old needles, resulting in the spread of disease.
And plastic needles are still used in poor countries with epidemics to save money. Like any good cautionary tale, Puncture tells a suspenseful story responsibly, creating food for thought and leaving the audience both enlightened and entertained.
2011年9月20日星期二
Hands in the soil
Grab a handful of soil. Go ahead, step outside and scoop up a small amount in your hand. It’s hard to imagine all that’s going on in there. You’re holding trillions of creatures, though that’s just an estimate. Nobody has done the actual counting.
Unless you happened to grab an earthworm or beetle in your handful, you’re not likely to see much of anything without the assistance of an optical device. But with a simple hand lens or magnifying glass, you’ll see some tiny animals, including mites, springtails, and potworms. Some are these animals are predators, but many are detritivores (eaters of dead things). They’re largely responsible for tearing holes in the tissues of the dead things and for spreading them around -- the first step of decomposition.
With a microscope, you can see even more minute animals. You’re likely to see tiny worms called nematodes and rotifers, as well as amoebae and miniscule, eight-legged animals called water bears. These organisms eat everything: other animals, dead things, bacteria, fungi. Some nematodes can infest plant roots by stabbing into them with hypodermic-needle-like mouth parts. (When gardeners plant marigolds because they are "good for pests," they are taking advantage of marigold roots’ nematicidal properties.)
You can also see root hairs, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria.
They may not be very noticeable, but they are the source of most of the diversity in the soil, accounting for the bulk of the soil’s biomass and most of its metabolism.
Root hairs are tiny, single-celled extensions of a root’s epidermal layer. They anchor the roots, which are actively pushing through the soil, and increase the surface area with which to absorb water and nutrients. Algae need light to photosynthesize, so they are generally found near the surface of the soil. Green algae are most often found in moist (though not flooded) acidic soils; diatoms, another kind of alga, are often plentiful in garden soil that is rich in organic material. Cyanobacteria are similar and are often found in wetland soils.
Over 700 species of fungi have been found in the soil so far. They include single-celled yeasts, filamentous molds, mildews, and rusts. These various kinds of fungi are responsible for much of the humus formation, soil stabilization, and the breakdown of organic matter. Although we may think of mushrooms as above-ground organisms, this visible fruiting body is only a small portion of the whole organism; fungal strands called hyphae extend throughout the soil. Some fungi are even predators. One uses a lasso-like device to trap nematodes.
Fungi are the source of many plant diseases, including late blight, the disease that plagued tomato and potato plants in the region in 2009, but one fungus (a mold) is also the source of penicillin. Fungi are particularly important in bogs and forest soils, where they are able to withstand acidic conditions. Perhaps the most important fungi, however, are those that form mutually beneficial associations with plant roots, called mycorrhizae ("fungus root"). Most plants depend on mycorrhizae to survive.
Actinomycetes have some fungus-like characteristics and some bacteria-like ones. They are detritvores. Many produce antibiotics to kill other microorganisms. The drugs actinomycin and streptomycin are derived from actinomycetes. In forest soils, the genus Frankia (one type of actinomycete) is responsible for much of the nitrogen fixation that makes atmospheric nitrogen available to higher plants. Actinomycetes also produce volatile compounds that make the "good earth" smell you think of when you think of dirt. There are hundreds of millions of actinomycetes per gram of soil, weighing up to 5,000 kilograms per hectare.
Although actinomycetes weigh the most, in non-acidic soils, their numbers pale in comparison to those of bacteria. There are ten times more bacteria, anywhere from several billion to a trillion of them in a single gram of soil. They do everything fungi and actinomycetes do, from breaking things down to forming humus to stabilizing soil structure to cycling nutrients. Some bacteria can even break down oil, insecticides, and other organic toxins. Others are responsible for changing inorganic compounds into forms plants can use and for keeping certain elements in insoluble and nontoxic forms or at nontoxic levels. In agricultural soils, rhizobia bacteria are the most important nitrogen fixers.
Unless you happened to grab an earthworm or beetle in your handful, you’re not likely to see much of anything without the assistance of an optical device. But with a simple hand lens or magnifying glass, you’ll see some tiny animals, including mites, springtails, and potworms. Some are these animals are predators, but many are detritivores (eaters of dead things). They’re largely responsible for tearing holes in the tissues of the dead things and for spreading them around -- the first step of decomposition.
With a microscope, you can see even more minute animals. You’re likely to see tiny worms called nematodes and rotifers, as well as amoebae and miniscule, eight-legged animals called water bears. These organisms eat everything: other animals, dead things, bacteria, fungi. Some nematodes can infest plant roots by stabbing into them with hypodermic-needle-like mouth parts. (When gardeners plant marigolds because they are "good for pests," they are taking advantage of marigold roots’ nematicidal properties.)
You can also see root hairs, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria.
They may not be very noticeable, but they are the source of most of the diversity in the soil, accounting for the bulk of the soil’s biomass and most of its metabolism.
Root hairs are tiny, single-celled extensions of a root’s epidermal layer. They anchor the roots, which are actively pushing through the soil, and increase the surface area with which to absorb water and nutrients. Algae need light to photosynthesize, so they are generally found near the surface of the soil. Green algae are most often found in moist (though not flooded) acidic soils; diatoms, another kind of alga, are often plentiful in garden soil that is rich in organic material. Cyanobacteria are similar and are often found in wetland soils.
Over 700 species of fungi have been found in the soil so far. They include single-celled yeasts, filamentous molds, mildews, and rusts. These various kinds of fungi are responsible for much of the humus formation, soil stabilization, and the breakdown of organic matter. Although we may think of mushrooms as above-ground organisms, this visible fruiting body is only a small portion of the whole organism; fungal strands called hyphae extend throughout the soil. Some fungi are even predators. One uses a lasso-like device to trap nematodes.
Fungi are the source of many plant diseases, including late blight, the disease that plagued tomato and potato plants in the region in 2009, but one fungus (a mold) is also the source of penicillin. Fungi are particularly important in bogs and forest soils, where they are able to withstand acidic conditions. Perhaps the most important fungi, however, are those that form mutually beneficial associations with plant roots, called mycorrhizae ("fungus root"). Most plants depend on mycorrhizae to survive.
Actinomycetes have some fungus-like characteristics and some bacteria-like ones. They are detritvores. Many produce antibiotics to kill other microorganisms. The drugs actinomycin and streptomycin are derived from actinomycetes. In forest soils, the genus Frankia (one type of actinomycete) is responsible for much of the nitrogen fixation that makes atmospheric nitrogen available to higher plants. Actinomycetes also produce volatile compounds that make the "good earth" smell you think of when you think of dirt. There are hundreds of millions of actinomycetes per gram of soil, weighing up to 5,000 kilograms per hectare.
Although actinomycetes weigh the most, in non-acidic soils, their numbers pale in comparison to those of bacteria. There are ten times more bacteria, anywhere from several billion to a trillion of them in a single gram of soil. They do everything fungi and actinomycetes do, from breaking things down to forming humus to stabilizing soil structure to cycling nutrients. Some bacteria can even break down oil, insecticides, and other organic toxins. Others are responsible for changing inorganic compounds into forms plants can use and for keeping certain elements in insoluble and nontoxic forms or at nontoxic levels. In agricultural soils, rhizobia bacteria are the most important nitrogen fixers.
2011年9月19日星期一
Hands in the soil
Grab a handful of soil. Go ahead, step outside and scoop up a small amount in your hand. It’s hard to imagine all that’s going on in there. You’re holding trillions of creatures, though that’s just an estimate. Nobody has done the actual counting.
Unless you happened to grab an earthworm or beetle in your handful, you’re not likely to see much of anything without the assistance of an optical device. But with a simple hand lens or magnifying glass, you’ll see some tiny animals, including mites, springtails, and potworms. Some are these animals are predators, but many are detritivores (eaters of dead things). They’re largely responsible for tearing holes in the tissues of the dead things and for spreading them around -- the first step of decomposition.
With a microscope, you can see even more minute animals. You’re likely to see tiny worms called nematodes and rotifers, as well as amoebae and miniscule, eight-legged animals called water bears. These organisms eat everything: other animals, dead things, bacteria, fungi. Some nematodes can infest plant roots by stabbing into them with hypodermic-needle-like mouth parts. (When gardeners plant marigolds because they are "good for pests," they are taking advantage of marigold roots’ nematicidal properties.)
You can also see root hairs, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria.
They may not be very noticeable, but they are the source of most of the diversity in the soil, accounting for the bulk of the soil’s biomass and most of its metabolism.
Root hairs are tiny, single-celled extensions of a root’s epidermal layer. They anchor the roots, which are actively pushing through the soil, and increase the surface area with which to absorb water and nutrients. Algae need light to photosynthesize, so they are generally found near the surface of the soil. Green algae are most often found in moist (though not flooded) acidic soils; diatoms, another kind of alga, are often plentiful in garden soil that is rich in organic material. Cyanobacteria are similar and are often found in wetland soils.
Over 700 species of fungi have been found in the soil so far. They include single-celled yeasts, filamentous molds, mildews, and rusts. These various kinds of fungi are responsible for much of the humus formation, soil stabilization, and the breakdown of organic matter. Although we may think of mushrooms as above-ground organisms, this visible fruiting body is only a small portion of the whole organism; fungal strands called hyphae extend throughout the soil. Some fungi are even predators. One uses a lasso-like device to trap nematodes.
Fungi are the source of many plant diseases, including late blight, the disease that plagued tomato and potato plants in the region in 2009, but one fungus (a mold) is also the source of penicillin. Fungi are particularly important in bogs and forest soils, where they are able to withstand acidic conditions. Perhaps the most important fungi, however, are those that form mutually beneficial associations with plant roots, called mycorrhizae ("fungus root"). Most plants depend on mycorrhizae to survive.
Actinomycetes have some fungus-like characteristics and some bacteria-like ones. They are detritvores. Many produce antibiotics to kill other microorganisms. The drugs actinomycin and streptomycin are derived from actinomycetes. In forest soils, the genus Frankia (one type of actinomycete) is responsible for much of the nitrogen fixation that makes atmospheric nitrogen available to higher plants. Actinomycetes also produce volatile compounds that make the "good earth" smell you think of when you think of dirt. There are hundreds of millions of actinomycetes per gram of soil, weighing up to 5,000 kilograms per hectare.
Unless you happened to grab an earthworm or beetle in your handful, you’re not likely to see much of anything without the assistance of an optical device. But with a simple hand lens or magnifying glass, you’ll see some tiny animals, including mites, springtails, and potworms. Some are these animals are predators, but many are detritivores (eaters of dead things). They’re largely responsible for tearing holes in the tissues of the dead things and for spreading them around -- the first step of decomposition.
With a microscope, you can see even more minute animals. You’re likely to see tiny worms called nematodes and rotifers, as well as amoebae and miniscule, eight-legged animals called water bears. These organisms eat everything: other animals, dead things, bacteria, fungi. Some nematodes can infest plant roots by stabbing into them with hypodermic-needle-like mouth parts. (When gardeners plant marigolds because they are "good for pests," they are taking advantage of marigold roots’ nematicidal properties.)
You can also see root hairs, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria.
They may not be very noticeable, but they are the source of most of the diversity in the soil, accounting for the bulk of the soil’s biomass and most of its metabolism.
Root hairs are tiny, single-celled extensions of a root’s epidermal layer. They anchor the roots, which are actively pushing through the soil, and increase the surface area with which to absorb water and nutrients. Algae need light to photosynthesize, so they are generally found near the surface of the soil. Green algae are most often found in moist (though not flooded) acidic soils; diatoms, another kind of alga, are often plentiful in garden soil that is rich in organic material. Cyanobacteria are similar and are often found in wetland soils.
Over 700 species of fungi have been found in the soil so far. They include single-celled yeasts, filamentous molds, mildews, and rusts. These various kinds of fungi are responsible for much of the humus formation, soil stabilization, and the breakdown of organic matter. Although we may think of mushrooms as above-ground organisms, this visible fruiting body is only a small portion of the whole organism; fungal strands called hyphae extend throughout the soil. Some fungi are even predators. One uses a lasso-like device to trap nematodes.
Fungi are the source of many plant diseases, including late blight, the disease that plagued tomato and potato plants in the region in 2009, but one fungus (a mold) is also the source of penicillin. Fungi are particularly important in bogs and forest soils, where they are able to withstand acidic conditions. Perhaps the most important fungi, however, are those that form mutually beneficial associations with plant roots, called mycorrhizae ("fungus root"). Most plants depend on mycorrhizae to survive.
Actinomycetes have some fungus-like characteristics and some bacteria-like ones. They are detritvores. Many produce antibiotics to kill other microorganisms. The drugs actinomycin and streptomycin are derived from actinomycetes. In forest soils, the genus Frankia (one type of actinomycete) is responsible for much of the nitrogen fixation that makes atmospheric nitrogen available to higher plants. Actinomycetes also produce volatile compounds that make the "good earth" smell you think of when you think of dirt. There are hundreds of millions of actinomycetes per gram of soil, weighing up to 5,000 kilograms per hectare.
DIY Botox Kits Are A “Catastrophe Waiting To Happen”
Today, from the Common Sense News Desk: ordering do-it-yourself Botox and similar treatments online and using them on yourself is a terrible, terrible idea. Color us shocked.
NBC has the special report, which exposes not only numerous risks of amateurs injecting less-expensive off-brand fillers into their own faces–but also how many companies are willing to put these products into the hands of novices.
In the report, dermatologist Dr. Tracey Favreau (who, not to judge, but from her expressionless visage during the interview looks like she knows her way around a Botox needle) explains that not only do the “bootleg Botox” kits available online pose many, many health risks from potential contaminants (because, you know, they’re not regulated and could basically contain anything), they’re also difficult to maneuver for those with no medical training. Not only could you get a staph infection, some gnarly blisters or lesions, or even a blood infection that could kill you–Dr. Favreau warns that you could also get a droopy mug from injecting too much of the stuff on one side of your face and not the other. So you won’t even look pretty and wrinkle-free when you slip into a coma.
Is this at all surprising? No. Not even remotely. What is surprising is that this is something that people need to be told, because, apparently, they keep trying it.
No forms of the toxin in Botox, which is designed to soften wrinkles by filling them in and paralyzing the muscles underneath, are approved for sale to non-medical professionals, which is probably a good indication that it’s not smart for you to try it. And while DIY Botox kits may be a step up from injecting hot beef fat into one’s face (at least the kit comes with instructions), taking the hypodermic needle filled with anything to yourself to get rid of wrinkles is pretty absurd.
And besides, cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery are on their way out, anyway. Listen to the wisdom of Kirstie Alley on this matter, who recently told reporters at Fashion Week, “I don’t think it makes you look younger. I like it can make you look weirder.”
NBC has the special report, which exposes not only numerous risks of amateurs injecting less-expensive off-brand fillers into their own faces–but also how many companies are willing to put these products into the hands of novices.
In the report, dermatologist Dr. Tracey Favreau (who, not to judge, but from her expressionless visage during the interview looks like she knows her way around a Botox needle) explains that not only do the “bootleg Botox” kits available online pose many, many health risks from potential contaminants (because, you know, they’re not regulated and could basically contain anything), they’re also difficult to maneuver for those with no medical training. Not only could you get a staph infection, some gnarly blisters or lesions, or even a blood infection that could kill you–Dr. Favreau warns that you could also get a droopy mug from injecting too much of the stuff on one side of your face and not the other. So you won’t even look pretty and wrinkle-free when you slip into a coma.
Is this at all surprising? No. Not even remotely. What is surprising is that this is something that people need to be told, because, apparently, they keep trying it.
No forms of the toxin in Botox, which is designed to soften wrinkles by filling them in and paralyzing the muscles underneath, are approved for sale to non-medical professionals, which is probably a good indication that it’s not smart for you to try it. And while DIY Botox kits may be a step up from injecting hot beef fat into one’s face (at least the kit comes with instructions), taking the hypodermic needle filled with anything to yourself to get rid of wrinkles is pretty absurd.
And besides, cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery are on their way out, anyway. Listen to the wisdom of Kirstie Alley on this matter, who recently told reporters at Fashion Week, “I don’t think it makes you look younger. I like it can make you look weirder.”
2011年9月18日星期日
Football's third Marinovich might be the charm
The big, unruly teenager fought with his mother so often that she kicked him out of the house, depositing all his clothes in garbage bags out front. Staying with his father wasn't much better.
"That lasted about a week," he recalled. "My dad ended up coming after me. I locked the door to my room and jumped out the window."
No one seemed terribly surprised. They knew that Mikhail Marinovich was the youngest son of a troubled Southern California sports family.
A columnist once ranked his father, Marv, a gruff former lineman for USC and the Oakland Raiders, among the worst sports parents in history.
Marv earned that distinction for the way he raised Mikhail's older brother, Todd, starting him on a training regimen in the crib, giving him frozen chunks of kidney to teethe on for nutrition. Todd grew up to be a mercurial star for the Trojans and Raiders; his career evaporated in a haze of drug use.
To a lot of people, it seemed that a young Mikhail was merely upholding the family tradition.
"Back in grammar school, I had kids whose parents told them not to hang around with me because my dad was this and that and by brother was a drug addict," he said. "They knew I'd mess up."
They all came to the USC game on Saturday, two dozen family and friends scattered around the Coliseum. Marv had seats close to the field. Others sat by the end zone and Todd was higher up, at the 30-yard line, with a ball cap tugged down over his head.
"Big game," he said. "We've been looking forward to this for a while."
They came to watch Mikhail play at defensive end for Syracuse University.
Five years after leaving Southern California for the East Coast, the youngest Marinovich has become a leader for the Orange. "He's really been extremely reliable," coach Doug Marrone said. "I love having him on our team."
Marrone realizes it might sound odd to use words such as "structure" and "discipline" in describing Mikhail. The young man remains something of a character with his handlebar mustache and six-shooters tattooed across his chest, but the coach insists he "has matured quite a bit."
That means keeping his grades up as he works toward a degree in communication and rhetorical studies. It means settling down at 23, marrying his high school sweetheart.
The transformation required help from a handful of people who stuck by him over the years, believing he could make good despite all evidence to the contrary. It required a sense of hope in a troubled kid whose situation appeared hopeless.
"There are plenty of guys out there who have talent but messed up in life," Mikhail said. "At some point, I knew I'd have to get things straightened out."
Looking back on the friction with his mother, Mikhail is philosophical: "I can't say it was all me or all her. We just weren't getting along." As for life with Marv, well, given what happened with Todd, that was a long shot.
The story is well known. After retiring from football in the 1960s, Marv got into the business of training athletes, his rigid approach modeled after former Soviet bloc coaches. His first son became the ultimate test case.
Todd insists he wanted his dad's help. Some believe Marv - big, intense, volatile - went too far and was responsible for Todd's rebellious nature in college, his subsequent struggles with marijuana and heroin.
By the late 1980s, Marv was divorced and remarried to Jan Crawford. When they had Mikhail, he meant to change.
"He had mellowed," Todd recalled. "Not only from age but learning from past experience."
But after he split up with Jan, his younger son grew wild. Mikhail got into fights and rarely did homework, dropping out of Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, Calif., as a freshman. His last name was a burden.
"He took heat from everybody," said Marc Spizzirri, a family friend. "I watched officials in games give him a hard time, teachers, other players."
Spizzirri invited Mikhail to live with his family. It was supposed to be a temporary arrangement, just long enough for father and son to start counseling.
"We were thinking 90 days," Spizzirri said.
There always was something about the Marinovich boys - both Todd and Mikhail - that made people want to believe. A hint of goodness lurked beneath the trouble.
The Spizzirris saw it and ended up letting Mikhail stay long term, even though Marc was wary. "I was taking a risk having this kid with my children," he said. Mikhail had doubts too.
"I knew what living with them meant," he said. "It was not an easy road to go down."
His new family enrolled him at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano and set strict rules. Candace Spizzirri kept him at the kitchen table most nights doing homework. "Anything was better than living with my dad," he said.
Not that the transformation was instant. There were more fights, and a classmate recalls him as less than friendly.
"The first thing he ever said to me was, 'Who are you and why are you sitting at my lunch table?' " Courtney Burton said.
The Spizzirris focused on one issue at a time - asking Mikhail to stop punching other kids, for instance. His behavior and grades slowly improved. A talented basketball player, he tried football, and with Marv's help developed as a pass rusher.
"It was my senior year," Mikhail said. "I remember dad saying, 'You're good.' "
A new kind of kid had emerged.
"I started to realize," he said, "that I was doing OK."
In summer 2007, shortly after Mikhail graduated from high school, police caught Todd skateboarding on the Newport Pier at 1 a.m., carrying a small amount of methamphetamine, a metal spoon and a hypodermic needle.
It was the latest in a string of arrests, and Mikhail, who adored his big brother, had grown frustrated. Maybe the best Todd could offer was an example of what not to do.
"We discussed my issues," Todd said. "I most definitely did not what him to experience what I did."
The following winter, Mikhail enrolled at Syracuse, hoping to put some distance between him and his family name. He had another reason for heading east: Courtney, the classmate he had offended at lunch, was now his girlfriend and living in New York City.
You know who he's related to, her parents told her. You'd better be careful.
Weeks after arriving at Syracuse, Mikhail and a teammate got drunk and broke into a sports equipment room. Then came more headlines when he and another player used family money to open a hookah bar off campus.
It was a nice place with leather couches and flat-screen televisions, and customers lined up outside the door, but the coaches told him to close it down.
So did Todd, who reminded his little brother: "There's a target on your back. Everyone's looking for you to stumble."
Todd had to leave Saturday's game early, but everyone else stuck around - Marv and Jan, the Spizzirris, Courtney and her family - waiting outside the locker room. Marv wore an orange Syracuse shirt.
There was cheering when Mikhail emerged, even though his school had lost. They held a reunion beside the team buses, oblivious to the rumble of idling engines, the stench of exhaust.
"We don't get that many chances to see him," Jan said.
The Marinoviches are still sorting out their lives, but things are looking better. Marv, standing off to the side, said: "There was some difficulty. I think it's a matter of growing up."
As for Todd, he married a woman he met in rehab and they have two children. An art major at USC, he has done paintings that will be part of an exhibit at the Ground Floor Gallery in downtown Los Angeles next month.
"Through the years, we could have given up," he said. "It's all about perseverance."
The future seems especially bright for Mikhail, who made three tackles, deflected a pass and recovered a fumble against the Trojans. His size and speed should give him a shot at the NFL next year.
In the meantime, he has continued to pull himself together off the field.
His marriage to Courtney - her parents now approve of him - has helped. Just as important, Mikhail and Todd and Marv seem to have found a way to accept each other for who they are, to find some positive in a troubled past. That is important to Mikhail.
"In regards to life," he said, "I like where I'm at."
Outside the Coliseum, there were smiles and hugs, even a few tears. Before Mikhail left to climb on the bus, everyone crowded together.
"That lasted about a week," he recalled. "My dad ended up coming after me. I locked the door to my room and jumped out the window."
No one seemed terribly surprised. They knew that Mikhail Marinovich was the youngest son of a troubled Southern California sports family.
A columnist once ranked his father, Marv, a gruff former lineman for USC and the Oakland Raiders, among the worst sports parents in history.
Marv earned that distinction for the way he raised Mikhail's older brother, Todd, starting him on a training regimen in the crib, giving him frozen chunks of kidney to teethe on for nutrition. Todd grew up to be a mercurial star for the Trojans and Raiders; his career evaporated in a haze of drug use.
To a lot of people, it seemed that a young Mikhail was merely upholding the family tradition.
"Back in grammar school, I had kids whose parents told them not to hang around with me because my dad was this and that and by brother was a drug addict," he said. "They knew I'd mess up."
They all came to the USC game on Saturday, two dozen family and friends scattered around the Coliseum. Marv had seats close to the field. Others sat by the end zone and Todd was higher up, at the 30-yard line, with a ball cap tugged down over his head.
"Big game," he said. "We've been looking forward to this for a while."
They came to watch Mikhail play at defensive end for Syracuse University.
Five years after leaving Southern California for the East Coast, the youngest Marinovich has become a leader for the Orange. "He's really been extremely reliable," coach Doug Marrone said. "I love having him on our team."
Marrone realizes it might sound odd to use words such as "structure" and "discipline" in describing Mikhail. The young man remains something of a character with his handlebar mustache and six-shooters tattooed across his chest, but the coach insists he "has matured quite a bit."
That means keeping his grades up as he works toward a degree in communication and rhetorical studies. It means settling down at 23, marrying his high school sweetheart.
The transformation required help from a handful of people who stuck by him over the years, believing he could make good despite all evidence to the contrary. It required a sense of hope in a troubled kid whose situation appeared hopeless.
"There are plenty of guys out there who have talent but messed up in life," Mikhail said. "At some point, I knew I'd have to get things straightened out."
Looking back on the friction with his mother, Mikhail is philosophical: "I can't say it was all me or all her. We just weren't getting along." As for life with Marv, well, given what happened with Todd, that was a long shot.
The story is well known. After retiring from football in the 1960s, Marv got into the business of training athletes, his rigid approach modeled after former Soviet bloc coaches. His first son became the ultimate test case.
Todd insists he wanted his dad's help. Some believe Marv - big, intense, volatile - went too far and was responsible for Todd's rebellious nature in college, his subsequent struggles with marijuana and heroin.
By the late 1980s, Marv was divorced and remarried to Jan Crawford. When they had Mikhail, he meant to change.
"He had mellowed," Todd recalled. "Not only from age but learning from past experience."
But after he split up with Jan, his younger son grew wild. Mikhail got into fights and rarely did homework, dropping out of Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, Calif., as a freshman. His last name was a burden.
"He took heat from everybody," said Marc Spizzirri, a family friend. "I watched officials in games give him a hard time, teachers, other players."
Spizzirri invited Mikhail to live with his family. It was supposed to be a temporary arrangement, just long enough for father and son to start counseling.
"We were thinking 90 days," Spizzirri said.
There always was something about the Marinovich boys - both Todd and Mikhail - that made people want to believe. A hint of goodness lurked beneath the trouble.
The Spizzirris saw it and ended up letting Mikhail stay long term, even though Marc was wary. "I was taking a risk having this kid with my children," he said. Mikhail had doubts too.
"I knew what living with them meant," he said. "It was not an easy road to go down."
His new family enrolled him at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano and set strict rules. Candace Spizzirri kept him at the kitchen table most nights doing homework. "Anything was better than living with my dad," he said.
Not that the transformation was instant. There were more fights, and a classmate recalls him as less than friendly.
"The first thing he ever said to me was, 'Who are you and why are you sitting at my lunch table?' " Courtney Burton said.
The Spizzirris focused on one issue at a time - asking Mikhail to stop punching other kids, for instance. His behavior and grades slowly improved. A talented basketball player, he tried football, and with Marv's help developed as a pass rusher.
"It was my senior year," Mikhail said. "I remember dad saying, 'You're good.' "
A new kind of kid had emerged.
"I started to realize," he said, "that I was doing OK."
In summer 2007, shortly after Mikhail graduated from high school, police caught Todd skateboarding on the Newport Pier at 1 a.m., carrying a small amount of methamphetamine, a metal spoon and a hypodermic needle.
It was the latest in a string of arrests, and Mikhail, who adored his big brother, had grown frustrated. Maybe the best Todd could offer was an example of what not to do.
"We discussed my issues," Todd said. "I most definitely did not what him to experience what I did."
The following winter, Mikhail enrolled at Syracuse, hoping to put some distance between him and his family name. He had another reason for heading east: Courtney, the classmate he had offended at lunch, was now his girlfriend and living in New York City.
You know who he's related to, her parents told her. You'd better be careful.
Weeks after arriving at Syracuse, Mikhail and a teammate got drunk and broke into a sports equipment room. Then came more headlines when he and another player used family money to open a hookah bar off campus.
It was a nice place with leather couches and flat-screen televisions, and customers lined up outside the door, but the coaches told him to close it down.
So did Todd, who reminded his little brother: "There's a target on your back. Everyone's looking for you to stumble."
Todd had to leave Saturday's game early, but everyone else stuck around - Marv and Jan, the Spizzirris, Courtney and her family - waiting outside the locker room. Marv wore an orange Syracuse shirt.
There was cheering when Mikhail emerged, even though his school had lost. They held a reunion beside the team buses, oblivious to the rumble of idling engines, the stench of exhaust.
"We don't get that many chances to see him," Jan said.
The Marinoviches are still sorting out their lives, but things are looking better. Marv, standing off to the side, said: "There was some difficulty. I think it's a matter of growing up."
As for Todd, he married a woman he met in rehab and they have two children. An art major at USC, he has done paintings that will be part of an exhibit at the Ground Floor Gallery in downtown Los Angeles next month.
"Through the years, we could have given up," he said. "It's all about perseverance."
The future seems especially bright for Mikhail, who made three tackles, deflected a pass and recovered a fumble against the Trojans. His size and speed should give him a shot at the NFL next year.
In the meantime, he has continued to pull himself together off the field.
His marriage to Courtney - her parents now approve of him - has helped. Just as important, Mikhail and Todd and Marv seem to have found a way to accept each other for who they are, to find some positive in a troubled past. That is important to Mikhail.
"In regards to life," he said, "I like where I'm at."
Outside the Coliseum, there were smiles and hugs, even a few tears. Before Mikhail left to climb on the bus, everyone crowded together.
2011年9月15日星期四
Student stabs 37 classmates with hypodermic needle in Puerto Rico
A 14-year-old girl went on a playground rampage with a hypodermic needle, stabbing 37 classmates, Puerto Rican officials said Thursday.
“She would stab one, run, stab another, run, like it was some sort of joke,” Education Secretary Jesus Rivera Sanchez said about Tuesday’s lunchtime attack on 12- to 14-year-olds at the Jose de Choudens middle school in the southern coastal town of Arroyo.
Health Department spokeswoman Margarita Casalduc said it was unclear if the syringe contained anything and further tests were needed to determine if it was contaminated. But the victims, accompanied by their shaken parents, gathered at a convention center to be tested for HIV and hepatitis C and to be given preventive medications.
Sanchez said counselors also were helping the victims and their parents.
Social workers were interviewing the alleged attacker to try to determine a motive, Justice Department spokesman Fidel Rodriguez said. He said no charges had yet been filed, but officials said she had been suspended from school.
Rivera said the girl first told investigators she found the syringe, but later said she stole an unused one while visiting a relative at a hospital and had planned to pierce her ear with it. He said it was not clear why she decided to attack her classmates.
A woman who answered the phone at the school said the director, Gloria Ramos, was not available for comment.
“She would stab one, run, stab another, run, like it was some sort of joke,” Education Secretary Jesus Rivera Sanchez said about Tuesday’s lunchtime attack on 12- to 14-year-olds at the Jose de Choudens middle school in the southern coastal town of Arroyo.
Health Department spokeswoman Margarita Casalduc said it was unclear if the syringe contained anything and further tests were needed to determine if it was contaminated. But the victims, accompanied by their shaken parents, gathered at a convention center to be tested for HIV and hepatitis C and to be given preventive medications.
Sanchez said counselors also were helping the victims and their parents.
Social workers were interviewing the alleged attacker to try to determine a motive, Justice Department spokesman Fidel Rodriguez said. He said no charges had yet been filed, but officials said she had been suspended from school.
Rivera said the girl first told investigators she found the syringe, but later said she stole an unused one while visiting a relative at a hospital and had planned to pierce her ear with it. He said it was not clear why she decided to attack her classmates.
A woman who answered the phone at the school said the director, Gloria Ramos, was not available for comment.
2011年9月14日星期三
Rehab For Kids
Stand up straight. Don't talk with strangers. Never chew with your mouth full. Say "please" and "thank you." Don't shoot heroin. These maxims have been repeated by every responsible parent since time immemorial. No one would disagree with such basic nuggets of advice. Except, perhaps, the city fathers of San Francisco, where I once saw a billboard advising junkies that when they shoot up, they should do so with a friend. You know, for safety's sake.
On my first trip to the City by the Bay about ten years ago, I not only saw this billboard, but witnessed two men following the sage advice. One was plunging a hypodermic needle into the eyeball of the other. Sharing is caring, kids. I should have known I was in a shady area by my surroundings; the men were performing this act in the doorway of a Bloomingdale's, that most obvious sign of urban blight. When I see upscale department stores, the second thing I think of (after being waterboarded with cologne samples) is retinal drug use.
I returned to San Francisco this past weekend, and was confronted with a different, even more obnoxious face of addiction. While wheeling my suitcase into the hotel lobby, I was greeted by hundreds of unruly kids ranging in age from 13 to 18. They were pierced, tattooed, mohawked, and generally attired in the kinds of clothing that teenagers who claim that they don't want attention wear when they are desperate for it. Many were loitering outside the building chain smoking. I asked the woman at the check-in desk what convention was booked for the weekend. She failed to understand that I was discreetly asking about the group of Red Bull chugging brats and so mentioned a conference of German scientists. I did not see any future Wernher von Brauns among the pint sized punk rawkers. But then the woman mumbled something vague about a group of young people.
I spied a conference lanyard for ICYPAA, and through the magic of Google was introduced to the International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. The group is billed as being for younger AA members and anyone with "some growing to do." I can assuredly say that they have some growing to do. They spent the weekend holding loud parties in rooms all over the hotel and abusing energy drinks as ersatz booze. I cannot imagine how these children must have partied on a bender, because they were thoroughbreds even while sober.
ICYPAA was first established in 1958 at a meeting of young Alcoholics Anonymous members from across the country. The group claims to have been "founded for the purpose of providing a setting for an annual celebration of sobriety among young people in AA." Ironic, then, that the group spent the weekend acting decidedly intoxicated. During one meeting, hundreds of conventioneers kept up the mood by listening to the dance hit "Like a G6" by Far East Movement. Lyrics include a reference to sizzurp, a mixture of codeine and promethazine favored by hip hop artists, as well as the boast that "when sober girls around me they be actin' like they drunk." Perhaps the girls in question are ICYPAA attendees.
I spent several hours in the lobby one night people-watching and conversing on Twitter with fellow hotel guests besieged by this odd convention. One of these strangers, a friendly woman by the name of Klaudia Kelly, turned out to be an actress of the adult cinema -- to put it politely. She was dumbstruck by the intensity with which the youngsters of ICYPAA partied, and found it incongruous that they would engage in such behavior as a substitute for substance abuse. Given Ms. Kelly's line of work, I am inclined to trust her professional opinion.
I'm all for self-improvement and I generally have nothing against AA. Thanks to several close friends who are social workers, as well as encounters with substance abusers in my personal life, I know that breaking free of addiction is difficult if not impossible. If you are an addict, the blunt truth is that you are statistically unlikely to recover. AA and other recovery programs have the potential to give people tools to save their own lives. But I can't help but be skeptical of this particular group.
On my first trip to the City by the Bay about ten years ago, I not only saw this billboard, but witnessed two men following the sage advice. One was plunging a hypodermic needle into the eyeball of the other. Sharing is caring, kids. I should have known I was in a shady area by my surroundings; the men were performing this act in the doorway of a Bloomingdale's, that most obvious sign of urban blight. When I see upscale department stores, the second thing I think of (after being waterboarded with cologne samples) is retinal drug use.
I returned to San Francisco this past weekend, and was confronted with a different, even more obnoxious face of addiction. While wheeling my suitcase into the hotel lobby, I was greeted by hundreds of unruly kids ranging in age from 13 to 18. They were pierced, tattooed, mohawked, and generally attired in the kinds of clothing that teenagers who claim that they don't want attention wear when they are desperate for it. Many were loitering outside the building chain smoking. I asked the woman at the check-in desk what convention was booked for the weekend. She failed to understand that I was discreetly asking about the group of Red Bull chugging brats and so mentioned a conference of German scientists. I did not see any future Wernher von Brauns among the pint sized punk rawkers. But then the woman mumbled something vague about a group of young people.
I spied a conference lanyard for ICYPAA, and through the magic of Google was introduced to the International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. The group is billed as being for younger AA members and anyone with "some growing to do." I can assuredly say that they have some growing to do. They spent the weekend holding loud parties in rooms all over the hotel and abusing energy drinks as ersatz booze. I cannot imagine how these children must have partied on a bender, because they were thoroughbreds even while sober.
ICYPAA was first established in 1958 at a meeting of young Alcoholics Anonymous members from across the country. The group claims to have been "founded for the purpose of providing a setting for an annual celebration of sobriety among young people in AA." Ironic, then, that the group spent the weekend acting decidedly intoxicated. During one meeting, hundreds of conventioneers kept up the mood by listening to the dance hit "Like a G6" by Far East Movement. Lyrics include a reference to sizzurp, a mixture of codeine and promethazine favored by hip hop artists, as well as the boast that "when sober girls around me they be actin' like they drunk." Perhaps the girls in question are ICYPAA attendees.
I spent several hours in the lobby one night people-watching and conversing on Twitter with fellow hotel guests besieged by this odd convention. One of these strangers, a friendly woman by the name of Klaudia Kelly, turned out to be an actress of the adult cinema -- to put it politely. She was dumbstruck by the intensity with which the youngsters of ICYPAA partied, and found it incongruous that they would engage in such behavior as a substitute for substance abuse. Given Ms. Kelly's line of work, I am inclined to trust her professional opinion.
I'm all for self-improvement and I generally have nothing against AA. Thanks to several close friends who are social workers, as well as encounters with substance abusers in my personal life, I know that breaking free of addiction is difficult if not impossible. If you are an addict, the blunt truth is that you are statistically unlikely to recover. AA and other recovery programs have the potential to give people tools to save their own lives. But I can't help but be skeptical of this particular group.
2011年9月13日星期二
Drug addict admits robbing Bethlehem bank
Skonieczny asked the judge to reconsider the sentence, but Anthony noted the robbery conviction is Skonieczny's second — he served 15 to 30 months in state prison for another one in 2007 — and the heist deeply disturbed the bank teller. Fearing another robbery, the teller quit her job after 12 years at the bank and has experienced panic attacks and sleeplessness, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Jay Jenkins.
Skonieczny has been arrested many times since 1999 for drug possession, retail theft and theft by deception, according to testimony.
"I understand what's driving this train," Anthony said, explaining his sentence. "All of this is indicative of a drug problem and taking things to support your habit. But with a robbery, you have to consider the victim. Robbery is a very serious offense."
Skonieczny, represented by attorney Kate Roberts, pleaded guilty in June to one count of robbery.
Skonieczny has told authorities he was staying at an apartment at 624 Gordon St. around the time of the robbery. Police said he took a piece of mail from the home and used it to write a note demanding cash. He also told the bank teller he was armed with a gun.
When Skonieczny was arrested, police said, they found a jacket belonging to him. In the pockets, they found prescription pills, ahypodermic needle , a spoon and wire mesh often used as a screen to hold drugs in a pipe.
Jenkins said police also found $1,280 in cash in Skonieczny's sock. Anthony ordered Skonieczny to pay the bank the rest of the $220. He also ordered Skonieczny to have no contact with the bank teller.
Skonieczny has a twin brother who was also a heroin addict but has been clean for four years, according to testimony. Jonathan Skonieczny has also lost two other siblings — one to a car crash in 1999. Family members told Anthony those events may have caused Skonieczny to fall deeper into his drug use.
"I was relieved I got caught," Skonieczny said, crying. "I can't even describe to you how my life was in the weeks before I got caught."
Skonieczny said he didn't realize the robbery would have such an effect on the bank teller, his 5-year-old daughter and others close to him.
"I screwed up a lot of people's lives making this one decision," he said.
Skonieczny has been arrested many times since 1999 for drug possession, retail theft and theft by deception, according to testimony.
"I understand what's driving this train," Anthony said, explaining his sentence. "All of this is indicative of a drug problem and taking things to support your habit. But with a robbery, you have to consider the victim. Robbery is a very serious offense."
Skonieczny, represented by attorney Kate Roberts, pleaded guilty in June to one count of robbery.
Skonieczny has told authorities he was staying at an apartment at 624 Gordon St. around the time of the robbery. Police said he took a piece of mail from the home and used it to write a note demanding cash. He also told the bank teller he was armed with a gun.
When Skonieczny was arrested, police said, they found a jacket belonging to him. In the pockets, they found prescription pills, a
Jenkins said police also found $1,280 in cash in Skonieczny's sock. Anthony ordered Skonieczny to pay the bank the rest of the $220. He also ordered Skonieczny to have no contact with the bank teller.
Skonieczny has a twin brother who was also a heroin addict but has been clean for four years, according to testimony. Jonathan Skonieczny has also lost two other siblings — one to a car crash in 1999. Family members told Anthony those events may have caused Skonieczny to fall deeper into his drug use.
"I was relieved I got caught," Skonieczny said, crying. "I can't even describe to you how my life was in the weeks before I got caught."
Skonieczny said he didn't realize the robbery would have such an effect on the bank teller, his 5-year-old daughter and others close to him.
"I screwed up a lot of people's lives making this one decision," he said.
2011年9月12日星期一
Pitman man accused of three daytime burglaries in borough; more charges possible
A borough man charged at the end of August with a home burglary here has now been charged with two other break-ins, police announced on Monday.
Altogether, 23-year-old Jonathan S. Peterson is accused of breaking into a home on the unit block of Adams Avenue on Aug. 23, one on the 400 block of Lakeview Avenue on Aug. 27 and one on the 400 block of Grant Avenue Aug. 30. All three reportedly occurred during daylight hours.
Peterson was charged with the Grant Avenue burglary in part because he was picked out of a photo lineup. Police said he broke in but fled on foot when he saw someone was home. The resident was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher, reporting the burglary, at the time, they said.
Police didn’t have Peterson in custody until late the next night, when he was the front seat passenger in a vehicle stopped during the borough’s Over the Limit - Under Arrest effort. The vehicle’s drivers’ side headlight was out.
Peterson allegedly had two bags of cocaine, ahypodermic needle and a tourniquet at the time. He was arrested on drug offenses, as well as the Grant Avenue burglary. At the time, police said they considered him a suspect in several other daytime burglaries in town.
He was committed to Gloucester County Jail in default of $20,000 full cash bail. But there was more to come.
“Through an extensive investigation,” a police statement on the matter reads, “the Pitman Police Department produced evidence linking Mr. Peterson to these burglaries (on Adams and Lakeview avenues.)”
Detective Hunter Moore charged Peterson with two more counts of burglary and two of theft. Bail for those alleged crimes was set at $30,000 full cash, and Peterson was still in jail as of Monday.
And Pitman police Capt. Robert Zimmerman said even that may not be all.
“The police department is actively investigating other burglaries that have occurred throughout the borough during the summer months,” Zimmerman said. “Although Mr. Peterson has not been charged with any (other) burglaries to date, he could still be considered a potential suspect in these crimes as well.”
The first break-in, on Adams, reportedly occurred between 9 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. on Aug. 23. Jewelry items valued at $2,500 were taken from jewelry boxes in the home’s master bedroom.
Police said the culprit forced entry through a rear kitchen window.
In the second incident, to which police were dispatched a little after 12:45 p.m., the burglar reportedly pried open a window to the Lakeview Avenue home, using a large flathead screwdriver.
Several jewelry items, valued at $6,100, were reported stolen from the master bedroom and another bedroom.
Altogether, 23-year-old Jonathan S. Peterson is accused of breaking into a home on the unit block of Adams Avenue on Aug. 23, one on the 400 block of Lakeview Avenue on Aug. 27 and one on the 400 block of Grant Avenue Aug. 30. All three reportedly occurred during daylight hours.
Peterson was charged with the Grant Avenue burglary in part because he was picked out of a photo lineup. Police said he broke in but fled on foot when he saw someone was home. The resident was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher, reporting the burglary, at the time, they said.
Police didn’t have Peterson in custody until late the next night, when he was the front seat passenger in a vehicle stopped during the borough’s Over the Limit - Under Arrest effort. The vehicle’s drivers’ side headlight was out.
Peterson allegedly had two bags of cocaine, a
He was committed to Gloucester County Jail in default of $20,000 full cash bail. But there was more to come.
“Through an extensive investigation,” a police statement on the matter reads, “the Pitman Police Department produced evidence linking Mr. Peterson to these burglaries (on Adams and Lakeview avenues.)”
Detective Hunter Moore charged Peterson with two more counts of burglary and two of theft. Bail for those alleged crimes was set at $30,000 full cash, and Peterson was still in jail as of Monday.
And Pitman police Capt. Robert Zimmerman said even that may not be all.
“The police department is actively investigating other burglaries that have occurred throughout the borough during the summer months,” Zimmerman said. “Although Mr. Peterson has not been charged with any (other) burglaries to date, he could still be considered a potential suspect in these crimes as well.”
The first break-in, on Adams, reportedly occurred between 9 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. on Aug. 23. Jewelry items valued at $2,500 were taken from jewelry boxes in the home’s master bedroom.
Police said the culprit forced entry through a rear kitchen window.
In the second incident, to which police were dispatched a little after 12:45 p.m., the burglar reportedly pried open a window to the Lakeview Avenue home, using a large flathead screwdriver.
Several jewelry items, valued at $6,100, were reported stolen from the master bedroom and another bedroom.
2011年9月8日星期四
Montville Man Tries to Free Dog From Pound
Trouble kept adding up last weekend for a Montville man who was suspected of cutting power to the Brixton Street dog pound and scaling a barbed wire fence Sept. 5 in an effort to liberate a small hound with “special needs,” police said.
The man was first arrested Sept. 3 by West Hartford police and locked up overnight on drug charges. He was taken into custody Sept. 4 in Hartford on suspicion of larceny. Early Labor Day he was found in the woods near the pound after officers responded to an alarm at 5:55 a.m., police said.
Total charges: six felonies, 11 misdemeanors.
Walter Scovish, 55, of 484 Old Colchester Road in Montville, demanded to check on the welfare of his dog before he was taken back to the West Hartford lockup, police said.
Besides three drug-related charges, Scovish faced three felony counts of third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief and eight misdemeanors, police said. He was held on bail set at $75,000 for the dog pound break-in, $100 on the drug charges, according to court records.
On July 3, Scovish’s 2003 Taurus was impounded and his dog, Missy, was handed over to Animal Control after police said he was found with a bag of heroin and a hypodermic needle in an Albany Avenue parking lot in Bishop’s Corner. Police said he was continually concerned for Missy while in jail.
After getting out Sept. 4 on $2,500 bail, Hartford police said Scovish was charged about 5:15 p.m. with sixth-degree larceny for an incident at 150 Trumbull St. He was released around 7 p.m. on a promise to appear in Hartford Community Court.
West Hartford police said Scovish was warned repeatedly not to visit the pound before it reopened after Labor Day.
“Scovish [said] his dog had special needs and that he was planning on sleeping at the dog pound until the Animal Control Officer arrived,” police said in an arrest report.
Scovish apparently asked for directions to the pound from an AMR medic on Shield Street. Police said he broke into the fire department training grounds behind the pound and into a nearby landscaping business, allegedly stealing items.
When police arrived at the pound the power was off. Wires and an electrical meter were missing from the building, police said. A pair of blue boxer shorts was slung on a roof to the kennel. Police speculated that Scovish placed the underpants on the barbed wire to protect his hands.
There was no indication Scovish was able to reach Missy inside the kennel.
“[The dog] was scared,” West Hartford animal control supervisor Karen Jones said Wednesday. “[On Tuesday] a relative came by to pick her up. She was very happy to go.”
The man was first arrested Sept. 3 by West Hartford police and locked up overnight on drug charges. He was taken into custody Sept. 4 in Hartford on suspicion of larceny. Early Labor Day he was found in the woods near the pound after officers responded to an alarm at 5:55 a.m., police said.
Total charges: six felonies, 11 misdemeanors.
Walter Scovish, 55, of 484 Old Colchester Road in Montville, demanded to check on the welfare of his dog before he was taken back to the West Hartford lockup, police said.
Besides three drug-related charges, Scovish faced three felony counts of third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief and eight misdemeanors, police said. He was held on bail set at $75,000 for the dog pound break-in, $100 on the drug charges, according to court records.
On July 3, Scovish’s 2003 Taurus was impounded and his dog, Missy, was handed over to Animal Control after police said he was found with a bag of heroin and a hypodermic needle in an Albany Avenue parking lot in Bishop’s Corner. Police said he was continually concerned for Missy while in jail.
After getting out Sept. 4 on $2,500 bail, Hartford police said Scovish was charged about 5:15 p.m. with sixth-degree larceny for an incident at 150 Trumbull St. He was released around 7 p.m. on a promise to appear in Hartford Community Court.
West Hartford police said Scovish was warned repeatedly not to visit the pound before it reopened after Labor Day.
“Scovish [said] his dog had special needs and that he was planning on sleeping at the dog pound until the Animal Control Officer arrived,” police said in an arrest report.
Scovish apparently asked for directions to the pound from an AMR medic on Shield Street. Police said he broke into the fire department training grounds behind the pound and into a nearby landscaping business, allegedly stealing items.
When police arrived at the pound the power was off. Wires and an electrical meter were missing from the building, police said. A pair of blue boxer shorts was slung on a roof to the kennel. Police speculated that Scovish placed the underpants on the barbed wire to protect his hands.
There was no indication Scovish was able to reach Missy inside the kennel.
“[The dog] was scared,” West Hartford animal control supervisor Karen Jones said Wednesday. “[On Tuesday] a relative came by to pick her up. She was very happy to go.”
2011年9月7日星期三
Two men charged with cooking meth behind gas station on US 30
Two men with Valparaiso addresses were arrested Saturday on a charge of manufacturing methamphetamine after the Porter County Sheriff’s Police said that they were cooking meth in an outdoor lab located behind the Admiral gas station at 208 E. Morthland Drive in Center Township.
According to police, at 4:49 p.m. officers were dispatched to the Admiral after a woman advised the clerk there that “two subjects in the parking lot were manufacturing crystal methamphetamine in the woods behind the business.” On their arrival, police said, officers made contact with Dinzel Miller, 57, of 653 Axe Ave., and Matthew B. Puskac, 27, of 1101 Evans Ave., Apt. 2C, both of whom “had dilated pupils and were overly fidgety and anxious.”
Both men were carrying “backpacks which appeared to be extremely full” and each permitted officers to search the backpacks for weapons, police said. Inside Miller’s an officer located “two packages of Walgreen’s brand allergy pills containing pseudoephedrine, a twin pack of instant cold packs, Coleman premium blend camping fuel, a large elastic band, Rooto drain cleaner, Drano, coffee filters, and ahypodermic needle inside of a plastic case,” police said.
“I recognized these items as those used in the production of methamphetamine,” the investigating officer stated in his report.
Inside Puskac’s backpack, police said: several sets of pliers and a short section of rubber tubing.
Miller was subsequently persuaded to lead the investigating officer to the lab—a tent “deep into the woods south of the Admiral filling station”—and then to reveal the location of manufactured methamphetamine: in a bottle placed in a plastic bag behind a log “and apparently intentionally covered with vegetation,” police said.
Both Miller and Puskac were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, a Class B felony punishable by a term of six to 20 years, police said. Miller was also charged with possession of precursors, a Class D felony punishable by a term of six months to three years; and possession of ahypodermic needle , a Class D felony.
Miller and Puskac were medically cleared at Porter hospital, then transported to Porter County Jail.
The Indiana State Police’s Clandestine Methamphetamine Lab Team was dispatched to the scene to disassemble the lab, take possession of the hazardous chemicals, and place items of evidentiary value into custody, police said.
According to police, at 4:49 p.m. officers were dispatched to the Admiral after a woman advised the clerk there that “two subjects in the parking lot were manufacturing crystal methamphetamine in the woods behind the business.” On their arrival, police said, officers made contact with Dinzel Miller, 57, of 653 Axe Ave., and Matthew B. Puskac, 27, of 1101 Evans Ave., Apt. 2C, both of whom “had dilated pupils and were overly fidgety and anxious.”
Both men were carrying “backpacks which appeared to be extremely full” and each permitted officers to search the backpacks for weapons, police said. Inside Miller’s an officer located “two packages of Walgreen’s brand allergy pills containing pseudoephedrine, a twin pack of instant cold packs, Coleman premium blend camping fuel, a large elastic band, Rooto drain cleaner, Drano, coffee filters, and a
“I recognized these items as those used in the production of methamphetamine,” the investigating officer stated in his report.
Inside Puskac’s backpack, police said: several sets of pliers and a short section of rubber tubing.
Miller was subsequently persuaded to lead the investigating officer to the lab—a tent “deep into the woods south of the Admiral filling station”—and then to reveal the location of manufactured methamphetamine: in a bottle placed in a plastic bag behind a log “and apparently intentionally covered with vegetation,” police said.
Both Miller and Puskac were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, a Class B felony punishable by a term of six to 20 years, police said. Miller was also charged with possession of precursors, a Class D felony punishable by a term of six months to three years; and possession of a
Miller and Puskac were medically cleared at Porter hospital, then transported to Porter County Jail.
The Indiana State Police’s Clandestine Methamphetamine Lab Team was dispatched to the scene to disassemble the lab, take possession of the hazardous chemicals, and place items of evidentiary value into custody, police said.
2011年9月6日星期二
Man sentenced to 13 years after crashing into jogger
A 22-year-old Village of Pewaukee man who was under the influence of illegal drugs when he hit a jogger with his vehicle in November has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Thomas Brinkman struck Greg Phelps, 45, on Nov. 28 while Phelps was running on a sidewalk along Capitol Drive in the Village of Pewaukee. The impact broke 14 bones in Phelps' body, lacerated his liver and caused significant bleeding in his brain.
In June, Brinkman entered guilty pleas to injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and possession of narcotic drugs and was convicted by Waukesha County Circuit Court James R. Kieffer. As part of a plea agreement, charges of reckless driving-causing great bodily harm, injury by use of a vehicle while under the influence of controlled substance and possession of cocaine were dismissed.
Cocaine and an anti-anxiety drug were detected in Brinkman's bloodstream, according to court records.
A hypodermic needle was found stuffed in his pants, and Brinkman told police he used heroin the day before the crash and maybe that day, the criminal complaint says.
In addition to the 13 years in prison, Kieffer on Friday ordered Brinkman to serve five years of extended supervision when he is released from prison.
Kieffer also ordered the sentenced to be served after Brinkman has completed 3 ½-year prison term he was sentenced to in May 2009 years in prison for being part of a heroin ring in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.
Brinkman was among 27 people from Milwaukee, Chicago and Waukesha County who had been charged in July in federal court as part of a drug ring that authorities say led to 11 overdoses, five of them fatal. Brinkman was not tied to any of the deaths.
And the federal case against Brinkman was dismissed in March 2009 after he agreed to plead guilty in Waukesha County to a state heroin charge.
Although he had been sentenced to prison on that charge, he was released in 2010 after he was determined not to be a violent offender.
But his probation was revoked after he struck Phelps and he was sent back to prison.
Thomas Brinkman struck Greg Phelps, 45, on Nov. 28 while Phelps was running on a sidewalk along Capitol Drive in the Village of Pewaukee. The impact broke 14 bones in Phelps' body, lacerated his liver and caused significant bleeding in his brain.
In June, Brinkman entered guilty pleas to injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and possession of narcotic drugs and was convicted by Waukesha County Circuit Court James R. Kieffer. As part of a plea agreement, charges of reckless driving-causing great bodily harm, injury by use of a vehicle while under the influence of controlled substance and possession of cocaine were dismissed.
Cocaine and an anti-anxiety drug were detected in Brinkman's bloodstream, according to court records.
A hypodermic needle was found stuffed in his pants, and Brinkman told police he used heroin the day before the crash and maybe that day, the criminal complaint says.
In addition to the 13 years in prison, Kieffer on Friday ordered Brinkman to serve five years of extended supervision when he is released from prison.
Kieffer also ordered the sentenced to be served after Brinkman has completed 3 ½-year prison term he was sentenced to in May 2009 years in prison for being part of a heroin ring in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.
Brinkman was among 27 people from Milwaukee, Chicago and Waukesha County who had been charged in July in federal court as part of a drug ring that authorities say led to 11 overdoses, five of them fatal. Brinkman was not tied to any of the deaths.
And the federal case against Brinkman was dismissed in March 2009 after he agreed to plead guilty in Waukesha County to a state heroin charge.
Although he had been sentenced to prison on that charge, he was released in 2010 after he was determined not to be a violent offender.
But his probation was revoked after he struck Phelps and he was sent back to prison.
2011年9月5日星期一
Afternoon police update has tools stolen, assault on officer
David Benitez Sr., 41, of the 2300 block of South 2nd Street was arrested Friday on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
Tracey P. Lamb Sr., 48, of Oakview apartments at East Broad Street and Wade Boulevard was arrested Friday on charges of theft and conspiracy.
Loman Edward Mays, 42, of the 300 block of East Broad Street was arrested Friday at ShopRite on North 2nd Street on a shoplifting charge.
Brittany N. Lane, 22, of the 200 block of West Main Street was arrested Friday on charges of shoplifting, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic needle.
Robert McNair, 34, of the 800 block of Cedar Street was arrested Friday on a contempt warrant.
Police are investigating a burglary early Friday morning on Louis Drive. Stolen were a Kohler Courage power washer, a 16-inch chainsaw, a leaf blower and bagger, a Black and Decker Weedwhacker, an electric Black and Decker cultivator, a 21-inch Lawn Boy push mower and numerous hand tools including sockets, wrenches, drill and a circular saw.
Irwin Krakow was arrested Friday at Walmart on North 2nd Street on a shoplifting charge. He also was wanted on a Millville warrant.
An Eastern model bicycle was reported stolen Saturday from a house at 6th and Oak streets. Four young males were involved.
Lawrence Conquest, 48, of Louis Drive was arrested Saturday on a simple assault charge.
Reuben Devine, 40, of the 400 block of East Broad Street was arrested Saturday at North 4th and East Pine streets on charges of simple assault on a law enforcement officer, evidence tampering, obstruction, resisting arrest, loitering and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
Family Dollar Store on North 2nd Street reported Sunday that a man stole a pink bookbag filled with merchandise.
Rite Aid on North High Street reported early Monday morning that a man walked out without paying for five bottles of shampoo.
Tracey P. Lamb Sr., 48, of Oakview apartments at East Broad Street and Wade Boulevard was arrested Friday on charges of theft and conspiracy.
Loman Edward Mays, 42, of the 300 block of East Broad Street was arrested Friday at ShopRite on North 2nd Street on a shoplifting charge.
Brittany N. Lane, 22, of the 200 block of West Main Street was arrested Friday on charges of shoplifting, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic needle.
Robert McNair, 34, of the 800 block of Cedar Street was arrested Friday on a contempt warrant.
Police are investigating a burglary early Friday morning on Louis Drive. Stolen were a Kohler Courage power washer, a 16-inch chainsaw, a leaf blower and bagger, a Black and Decker Weedwhacker, an electric Black and Decker cultivator, a 21-inch Lawn Boy push mower and numerous hand tools including sockets, wrenches, drill and a circular saw.
Irwin Krakow was arrested Friday at Walmart on North 2nd Street on a shoplifting charge. He also was wanted on a Millville warrant.
An Eastern model bicycle was reported stolen Saturday from a house at 6th and Oak streets. Four young males were involved.
Lawrence Conquest, 48, of Louis Drive was arrested Saturday on a simple assault charge.
Reuben Devine, 40, of the 400 block of East Broad Street was arrested Saturday at North 4th and East Pine streets on charges of simple assault on a law enforcement officer, evidence tampering, obstruction, resisting arrest, loitering and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
Family Dollar Store on North 2nd Street reported Sunday that a man stole a pink bookbag filled with merchandise.
Rite Aid on North High Street reported early Monday morning that a man walked out without paying for five bottles of shampoo.
2011年9月4日星期日
Southcoast Blood Bank wants to increase local supply
In his role as a paramedic and firefighter, Mark Pavao doesn’t think twice about treating people with serious injuries. The sight of blood is a common occurrence in his profession.
“I can draw blood,” said Pavao, who works in Somerset. “I’ve been in the ER. As long as I am in control of the needle, I’m OK.”
It’s when the tables are turned that the Swansea resident becomes a little squeamish. Pavao starts to break out in a sweat when he gets blood drawn. He is not even a fan of getting his finger pricked for a blood test.
Despite his reservations, Pavao began donating blood five years ago. There was a drive at the Somerset Ambulance Building and Pavao recruited one of his co-workers to come along with him to donate. He gritted his way through it and has been coming back every time the Southcoast Health Van pays a visit. Pavao is closing in on his first gallon.
“I know the importance of it,” said Pavao. “There are people that get hurt. I’ve been doing my job since 2000 and I’ve seen a lot of patients that needed blood.”
Pavao is typically one of the first people to sign up when a blood drive is happening. He also serves as recruiter, rounding up prospective donors.
“I’m a stickler for giving blood,” said Pavao. “I’ll ask around and try to get other people to donate. I’ve convinced some people to give it a shot just so they can see me give.”
Even though he has never received blood personally, Pavao dutifully donates because he feels it’s another way to lend a hand to those in need.
“It’s not the benefit of yourself, it’s the benefit of helping other people,” Pavao said. “By helping others it goes a long way.”
Southcoast Hospitals' donor program coordinator Catherine Alegria wishes there were more Mark Pavaos out there. Through local donations, the Southcoast Blood Bank collects 37 percent of the blood it needs to treat patients. The rest of the blood must be purchased from the national supply.
In times of crisis, like the recent hurricane or during the 9/11 tragedy, the national blood supply is used up quickly. The more blood Southcoast has in its reserves, the less it has to tap in to the national supply. “If we can get it from our own community we don’t have to worry about the national blood supply,” said Alegria. “That frees it up to go elsewhere.”
Alegria said every pint donated at a Southcoast blood drive stays within the hospital system. To serve as an incentive, the Blood Bank will be giving away Southcoast Hospitals’ “I’m a Donor” T-shirts to anyone who gives blood during the month of September.
The entire process takes between 20 and 30 minutes, including a screening prior to the donation. Anyone interested in giving can visit the Southcoast Blood Bank located at 101 Page Street in New Bedford. The blood bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Evening hours are available on Wednesdays until 7:30 p.m.
“I can draw blood,” said Pavao, who works in Somerset. “I’ve been in the ER. As long as I am in control of the needle, I’m OK.”
It’s when the tables are turned that the Swansea resident becomes a little squeamish. Pavao starts to break out in a sweat when he gets blood drawn. He is not even a fan of getting his finger pricked for a blood test.
Despite his reservations, Pavao began donating blood five years ago. There was a drive at the Somerset Ambulance Building and Pavao recruited one of his co-workers to come along with him to donate. He gritted his way through it and has been coming back every time the Southcoast Health Van pays a visit. Pavao is closing in on his first gallon.
“I know the importance of it,” said Pavao. “There are people that get hurt. I’ve been doing my job since 2000 and I’ve seen a lot of patients that needed blood.”
Pavao is typically one of the first people to sign up when a blood drive is happening. He also serves as recruiter, rounding up prospective donors.
“I’m a stickler for giving blood,” said Pavao. “I’ll ask around and try to get other people to donate. I’ve convinced some people to give it a shot just so they can see me give.”
Even though he has never received blood personally, Pavao dutifully donates because he feels it’s another way to lend a hand to those in need.
“It’s not the benefit of yourself, it’s the benefit of helping other people,” Pavao said. “By helping others it goes a long way.”
Southcoast Hospitals' donor program coordinator Catherine Alegria wishes there were more Mark Pavaos out there. Through local donations, the Southcoast Blood Bank collects 37 percent of the blood it needs to treat patients. The rest of the blood must be purchased from the national supply.
In times of crisis, like the recent hurricane or during the 9/11 tragedy, the national blood supply is used up quickly. The more blood Southcoast has in its reserves, the less it has to tap in to the national supply. “If we can get it from our own community we don’t have to worry about the national blood supply,” said Alegria. “That frees it up to go elsewhere.”
Alegria said every pint donated at a Southcoast blood drive stays within the hospital system. To serve as an incentive, the Blood Bank will be giving away Southcoast Hospitals’ “I’m a Donor” T-shirts to anyone who gives blood during the month of September.
The entire process takes between 20 and 30 minutes, including a screening prior to the donation. Anyone interested in giving can visit the Southcoast Blood Bank located at 101 Page Street in New Bedford. The blood bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Evening hours are available on Wednesdays until 7:30 p.m.
2011年9月1日星期四
Saturn is the new moon, ElBaradei's 'Kiss of Death'
Based on Thursday’s headlines, it seems the biggest news story on the third day of Eid concerns the question of whether or not it really is the third day of Eid. Making the front pages of independent dailies Al-Shorouk, Al-Dostour, and Al-Tahrir are reports claiming that millions of Muslims around the world have “broken their fast early by an entire day, based on a sighting of Saturn.” Traditionally, the holy month of Ramadan ends at the sighting of a new moon; a role that, this year, might have gone to Saturn instead.
“The sighting of a new moon last Monday would have been simply impossible,” Maged Abou Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, states in Al-Shorouk. “Saturn is visible this time of year, and can be easily observed with the naked eye. Either way, the new moon could not have been visible under Monday’s circumstances because the glare from the sun was too strong to observe the moon at that particular moment… this has been confirmed by the most prominent astronomers in the region.”
The mistake has inspired a wave of jokes and sarcastic tweets, as independent dailies such as Al-Shorouk and Al-Tahrir are quick to point out, Al-Tahrir carrying the headline: “Today is the second of [Islamic month] Shawal and the third of Saturn."
Also in Al-Tahrir is a report on an alleged Israeli-led assassination attempt against Egyptian presidential candidate and Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei. The report claims that, in March, the CIA discovered the Israeli government’s plan to assassinate ElBaradei, a discovery which led to “violent political controversy between Washington and Tel Aviv,” as well as “the decision by the Americans to cut of all aid to Israeli Special Forces, until Israel abandons its plan to assassinate ElBaradei.” Al-Tahrir’s report adds that the story was exposed by several foreign news agencies following a series of recent CIA leaks. According to the report, the Israeli government’s “Operation Kiss of Death” would have been carried out through the use of a hypodermic needle.
Al-Shorouk leads with a report on the Freedom and Justice Party, which has begun to compile a blacklist of former members of the National Democratic Party, in an attempt to keep them from securing any seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections. “Vestiges of the dissolved NDP and State Security apparatus have been peeking out from underground,” Hussein Ibrahim, secretary general of the party, announced yesterday. “We must keep them from infiltrating the new parliament.”
In Al-Wafd, Magdy Helmy writes on the “secret of the suitcases of Mubarak’s money, smuggled out of Egypt by the Emirati Foreign Minister.” Helmy repeats claims already made by what he believes to be “reliable sources,” stating that the former president’s funds were smuggled into Abu Dhabi, and transferred into a bank account under the name of an Omani businessman who also serves as a “foreign communications consultant” to Sultan Qaboos of Oman. According to Helmy’s article, the suitcases also contained various documents and stock certificates, and some additional funds which were transferred into the bank accounts of various Emirati princes. Helmy further alleges that a one-day visit to Mubarak by the Emirati Foreign Minister on 8 February was arranged for the sole purpose of handing over the Egyptian president’s funds.
Al-Wafd also features a report on the death threats which Ahmed Refaat, the judge presiding over the Mubarak trials, has allegedly been receiving. The paper states that “Refaat has received death threats in his own home from members of the pro-Mubarak movement, promising to kill him should he find the former president guilty.” The paper then points out that Refaat is “under added pressure, as martyrs’ families have repeatedly stated that they are relying on him to avenge the deaths of their loved ones.”
None of the above stories make it onto the front pages of state-owned Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar, the former focusing on foreign investment, and the latter on the increase of Egyptian troops in the Sinai peninsula. “Any adjustments made to the Camp David treaty will be reached through mutual agreement,” Ismail Etman of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces is quoted as saying in Al-Akhbar’s headline. In the article itself, Etman points out that the increase of troops is not in accordance with the treaty’s stipulations, adding that the troops are not stationed along the Egypt-Israel border and have instead been deployed to “locations more strategic and effective in the safeguarding of Sinai.” Etman also confirmed the existence of “extremist groups in the region, trying to create a rift between the armed forces and the residents of the Sinai peninsula.”
The Camp David accord is also mentioned on Al-Ahram’s frontpage, in a report on Israeli newspaper Haaretz’s call to “dissolve the treaty,” based on the “revelation” that it had been “co-signed by one dictator and passed on to another,” referring to former Egyptian presidents Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. According to Al-Ahram, the Haaretz article reasoned that the treaty should be cancelled as it is already on its way to “becoming obsolete.”
“The sighting of a new moon last Monday would have been simply impossible,” Maged Abou Zahra, president of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, states in Al-Shorouk. “Saturn is visible this time of year, and can be easily observed with the naked eye. Either way, the new moon could not have been visible under Monday’s circumstances because the glare from the sun was too strong to observe the moon at that particular moment… this has been confirmed by the most prominent astronomers in the region.”
The mistake has inspired a wave of jokes and sarcastic tweets, as independent dailies such as Al-Shorouk and Al-Tahrir are quick to point out, Al-Tahrir carrying the headline: “Today is the second of [Islamic month] Shawal and the third of Saturn."
Also in Al-Tahrir is a report on an alleged Israeli-led assassination attempt against Egyptian presidential candidate and Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei. The report claims that, in March, the CIA discovered the Israeli government’s plan to assassinate ElBaradei, a discovery which led to “violent political controversy between Washington and Tel Aviv,” as well as “the decision by the Americans to cut of all aid to Israeli Special Forces, until Israel abandons its plan to assassinate ElBaradei.” Al-Tahrir’s report adds that the story was exposed by several foreign news agencies following a series of recent CIA leaks. According to the report, the Israeli government’s “Operation Kiss of Death” would have been carried out through the use of a hypodermic needle.
Al-Shorouk leads with a report on the Freedom and Justice Party, which has begun to compile a blacklist of former members of the National Democratic Party, in an attempt to keep them from securing any seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections. “Vestiges of the dissolved NDP and State Security apparatus have been peeking out from underground,” Hussein Ibrahim, secretary general of the party, announced yesterday. “We must keep them from infiltrating the new parliament.”
In Al-Wafd, Magdy Helmy writes on the “secret of the suitcases of Mubarak’s money, smuggled out of Egypt by the Emirati Foreign Minister.” Helmy repeats claims already made by what he believes to be “reliable sources,” stating that the former president’s funds were smuggled into Abu Dhabi, and transferred into a bank account under the name of an Omani businessman who also serves as a “foreign communications consultant” to Sultan Qaboos of Oman. According to Helmy’s article, the suitcases also contained various documents and stock certificates, and some additional funds which were transferred into the bank accounts of various Emirati princes. Helmy further alleges that a one-day visit to Mubarak by the Emirati Foreign Minister on 8 February was arranged for the sole purpose of handing over the Egyptian president’s funds.
Al-Wafd also features a report on the death threats which Ahmed Refaat, the judge presiding over the Mubarak trials, has allegedly been receiving. The paper states that “Refaat has received death threats in his own home from members of the pro-Mubarak movement, promising to kill him should he find the former president guilty.” The paper then points out that Refaat is “under added pressure, as martyrs’ families have repeatedly stated that they are relying on him to avenge the deaths of their loved ones.”
None of the above stories make it onto the front pages of state-owned Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar, the former focusing on foreign investment, and the latter on the increase of Egyptian troops in the Sinai peninsula. “Any adjustments made to the Camp David treaty will be reached through mutual agreement,” Ismail Etman of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces is quoted as saying in Al-Akhbar’s headline. In the article itself, Etman points out that the increase of troops is not in accordance with the treaty’s stipulations, adding that the troops are not stationed along the Egypt-Israel border and have instead been deployed to “locations more strategic and effective in the safeguarding of Sinai.” Etman also confirmed the existence of “extremist groups in the region, trying to create a rift between the armed forces and the residents of the Sinai peninsula.”
The Camp David accord is also mentioned on Al-Ahram’s frontpage, in a report on Israeli newspaper Haaretz’s call to “dissolve the treaty,” based on the “revelation” that it had been “co-signed by one dictator and passed on to another,” referring to former Egyptian presidents Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. According to Al-Ahram, the Haaretz article reasoned that the treaty should be cancelled as it is already on its way to “becoming obsolete.”
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