RHAM News Blog

New Found Earth?

2011-12-04T18:38:00.007-05:00

NASA has lead the Kepler space mission through which they have located thousands of "earth-like" planets. This particular planet has been given the name Kepler-22b, which, among other newly discovered planets, sits in the "habitable zone" of the star it revolves around. The distinction of being "habitable" is based on the temperature of the planet, which is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature such as 70 degrees is a possible indicator that liquid water is present on the planet, something essential to all life. While they are not sure of the composition of the planet itself, nor its atmosphere, this is a large step in locating other planets like ours.

cbc.ca

"Jingle Jam" Brings Big Names to CT

2011-12-04T12:08:00.002-05:00

(story courtesy of www.courant.com)

On Friday night, December 2nd, Hot 93.7's "Jingle Jam" concert brought some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B to the Hartford XL center. Acts included Drake, Wiz Khalifa, Mindless Behavior, Mavado, and Hartford native Talon Haynes.

The concert was said to be fantastic, with very supportive interaction between fellow acts as well as with the audience.

For more details on the individual concert acts, visit:

http://www.courant.com/entertainment/music/sound-check/hc-concert-review-drake-wiz-khalifa-jingle-jam-xl-center-hartford-20111202,0,4516705.column

Mr. RHAM Contestants and Hosting List Finalized

2011-12-04T11:59:00.002-05:00

After a one year hiatus, Mr. RHAM is back this year to the satisfaction of RHAM students. It will take place on December 16th from 6:30pm-9:30pm. After a long string of confusion over who is taking part in Mr. RHAM this year, senior class president Jacob Grover has recently announced that the list has been finalized.

There will be six contestants for the event, who are:

- Tim Fitzgerald (Junior)

- Ben Pitler (Junior)

- Mike Slusarczyk (Senior)

- Cody DePersia (Senior)

- Peter O'Connell (Senior)

- Jacob Grover (Senior)

The event will be hosted by Brandon Henley and Brendan Hall.

Jacob Grover is hoping that the revival of this age-old tradition will be successful, saying on the event's facebook group: "Mr. RHAM used to be wicked sick, so we need to make sure it happens, because it's a lot of fun".

Dog Shelter Takes Place of Pound in East Hampton

2011-12-04T11:45:00.004-05:00

This weekend, a Glastonbury-based animal adoption group opened a dog shelter in East Hampton, where the local dog pound had previously been located.

The opportunity to convert the building into the dog shelter it now is came up when the East Hampton Town Council made the decision last winter to merge its dog pound with that of East Haddam, leaving the building vacant. Jody Macrina, president of the POA (Protectors of Animals) has stated that the new facility will have advantages. One of these is that they will not have to house the dogs in private kennels, as they have in the past. The perk to this is that the potential owners will then have a chance to interact with their pet-to-be before they adopt it.

Macrina also mentioned that the eventual goal of POA is to combine their existing cat shelter with their dog shelter; something that was not possible before the creation of the new shelter. According to Macrina, however, the new facility might allow for this possibility in the future.

Now that the shelter is ready, a priority high on the list for POA is to find volunteers willing to work shifts, cleaning, walking, and feeding the animals that come in.

-Rivereast News Bulletin

Biden presides over ceremonial handover in Iraq

2011-12-03T08:41:00.002-05:00

On Thursday December 1, 2011 vice President Joe Biden flew in to Iraq to join the handover ceremony of Camp Victory to the Iraqi forces. In the ceremony the Vice President paid respects to all the troops that have lost theirlives defending the camp and and celebrated the leaving of the United States. Citizens of Iraq have mixed feelings about this departure and the hands the country was in. Some say that the Iraqi forces are not ready to handle all the violance that happens but some have hope in the goverment and say that their country has grown and learned how to defend its self over the past nine years. Iraq's president Jalal Talabani said during the ceremony " History will record that the liberation of our country was not only an important turning point in iraq itself, but it was an important beginning for the region". No-one called it a handover ceremony because the war will not be over until the last troops leave in a few weeks. Now the camp that was once a symbol of American presence is now in Iraqi hands to keep the people safe.-stltoday

Man Accused of Stabbing Spree Pleads Guilty

2011-12-02T07:46:00.006-05:00

Maksim Gelman, 23, has pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him from an alleged stabbing from February. His charges total four counts of murder, three of assault, various robberies, and two counts of attempted murder, according to CNN News. Among the alleged victims of Gelman were his stepfather, ex-girlfriend, and her mother from stabbing. Police state that he committed a vehicular homicide during the window of time between when he allegedly committed the stabbings, and when the police arrested him.

Normally, when a defendant pleads guilty without a full trial, it is because of a plea agreement reached beforehand; normally a lighter sentence in lieu of a trial. However, according to District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, due to the incontrovertible evidence as to his guilt, Gelman did not really have a choice but to plead guilty.

Gelman's sentencing is scheduled for January 12th, 2012.

-CNN News

Drug Mushrooms in Vernon

2011-12-01T23:35:00.002-05:00

Police found in Vernon, among other things, 3 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms, 7 ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The two residents of the home on 20 Neil Road are Seth and Amanda Jennings, 18 and 20 respectively. A. Jennings was only given an infraction for drug paraphernalia whereas S. Jennings was charged with multiple offences, including possession of hallucinogens, possession of more than 4 oz. of marijuana and operating a drug factory. S. Jennings had a bail set for her at $10,000.

Source: Courant.com

UConn Goes Patriotic

2011-12-01T22:47:00.004-05:00

Back on Spetember 16th, 2011, during the football game versus Ohio State, UConn started saying the Pledge of Allegiance before playing the Star Spangled Banner. This was at first done as a remembrance of 9/11, but school officials want it being said at football and basketball games because they want traditions associated with the sports. As well, Paul Pendergast, the UConn interim athletic director, thinks it would "enrich the university" by saying the Pledge. According to UConn message boards, some people like it and others not so much. One poster said that they feel honored to say the Pledge and sing the Anthem whereas another believes that people that would not want to say the Pledge may be pressured into doing so, even though they are not being forced. In terms of the athletes, UConn Women's Basketball player Bria Hartley thinks that "It's a good tradition. It represents our nation well."

Pledge of Allegiance Facts:

Written in 1892 by a socialist minister named Francis Bellamy
"the Flag of the United States of America" added in 1923
Fmr. President Eisenhower lobbied Congress for the adding of the words "under God" as a responce to communism

Source: Courant.com

Next Stop, Mars!

2011-11-27T22:33:00.003-05:00

In the most recent of space related news, NASA launched their largest rover to date, on Saturday. As the rest of the U.S. was catching up on sleep after Black Friday, an Atlas V rocket hurtled into space to release the extraterrestrial explorer, nicknamed Curiosity, and begin a 345 million mile journey to Mars. Once it arrives, it will be tasked with collecting data about the microbial makeup of the surface of the fourth rock from the sun. It will also measure weather while on Mars, and hopefully the combination of this data will allow scientists to draw more conclusions about the possibility of life on Mars.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/science/space/nasas-curiosity-rover-sets-off-for-mars-mission.html

200-Pound 8-Year-Old Placed in Foster Care

2011-11-27T19:53:00.004-05:00

In a legal action that may be unprecedented in Ohio, an 8-year-old boy was outplaced from his regular home, into foster care, due to the fact that he weighed over 200 pounds.

The Department of Children and Family Services justified this action by saying that the mother was neglecting her son's medical well-being, as obesity to this degree of severity opens one up to complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes. While this agency had reportedly known and worked with this child's mother for over a year before requesting custody, the mother claims that, in taking her son into custody, the county overreached. She also denies the accusation that she was not following doctor's orders.

State officials have stated that this is the first time they know of a child being put in foster care, simply because of their weight.

-MSNBC.com

Bridge Collapses in Indonesia

2011-11-27T11:22:00.001-05:00

East Kalimantan, Indonesia saw the Kutai Kertanegara bridge collapse Saturday, which resulted in four confirmed fatalities, 19 immediate hospitalizations, and scores more - including a half-dozen repair workers- missing. The accident occurred when workers were busy repairing the bridge. One of the bridge's support cables snapped, causing the bridge to collapse. Reportedly, the bridge fell during a time of heavy traffic, which added to the confusion and panic. One eyewitness, named Syaiful, recalled seeing people in the river swimming to the shores on either side, as well as seeing multiple vehicles, including a bus and a dozen motorcycles, fall into the river.

The Indonesian President plans to launch an investigation into the reason the bridge collapsed.

-CBS News

Windsor, Ontario Sees First Homicide in Two Years

2011-11-26T18:35:00.001-05:00

Officials call Windsor, Ontario, a city across the river from Detroit, a fairly safe city. There are no gun shops, according to business owner Arnold Blaine, and the city has an average of 5.24 homicides a year, compared to Detroit's average of one per day. In fact, the homicide that was reported Thursday was the first the city had seen in 26 months; since September 2009.

Police have reported that a 30-year-old man has been formally charged with stabbing an acquaintance. As of yet, a name has not been released, and a murder weapon has not been identified. Although this homicide came following a two-year gap without such crimes, the comparatively low crime rate is not the only contributing factor. There have been serious assaults that could very well have become murders, but the luck factor cited by spokesperson Sgt. Brett Corey, as well as a well-put-together emergency medical team, have also helped to keep would-be homicides from happening.
Despite the recent homicide, Windsor is still a relatively safe city, given that it is a metropolitan area.

-CNN News

Fatal Accident in Marlborough on Rt 66

2011-11-26T15:26:00.003-05:00

There has been a fatal accident in Marlborough on Rt 66 near the Hebron town line. Sources say a motorcycle collided with a car.

(Story courtesy of Hendrik Bilek)

Coldplay "Mylo Xyloto" Review

2011-11-25T10:20:00.007-05:00

The same group that made Fix You, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall and Viva la Vida has just released their newest album. Coldplay released "Mylo Xyloto" on Thanksgiving 2011 and its the groups third album to debut at #1 on the US Billboard 200. Coldplay has included some of their most popular recent singles, "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" and "Paradise", into this album. They even included "Princess of China" featuring Rhianna.

The eye-catching album cover is inspired by the 1970's New York City graffiti and fits the sense of freedom and liberty that the artist took when creating the songs. These songs touch upon many humanistic and transcending messages of hope and prosperity. For example the song "Us Against the World", captures the sense of chois and delicate nature of the world and how its inhabitants are the main force that will make the world prosper or come to its end. In the song Every "Teardrop is a Waterfall", it inspires the listener to find the inner sense of hope for everyone. If you take these songs for their face value they are great songs to listen to, evoking images of skiing videos accompanied by a plethora of time lapses scenic shots and slow-motion jumps. But if you dive into the deeper meaning and lyrics of the song you find that you are caught in the middle of a powerful ad humanistic message.

The British alternative rock band's last 2 albums brought a lot of attention and popularity to the band and lead to much anticipation to the this album. The band is very unique and has their own sense of direction and inspiration. But to compare it to some other groups they are much like the band Muse which released The Resistance and the band Long-View which released Further. Coldplay would fall into the category of alternative rock however I believe that they created their own subcategory that only Coldplay can fit into. This album would get a 5/5 because the music is positive and powerful. The future of the band looks bright and they have yet to hit any brick wall that might slow them down. They only thing that might slow them down is the pessimistic and negative view of some listens who have the idea that Coldplay is a bad band. They are mistaken and haven't heard this album yet.

Sources:

Coldplay

What Hi-Fi

Stories from an Old Salt

2011-11-22T22:55:00.002-05:00

James Henry, 98 and of Mystic, has just written a autobiography called "In a Fisherman's Language", which is a 29 chapter book covering the entirety of his life from boyhood to lobster fisher and captain of 3 ships through his career to old age. However, James Henry was illiterate until age 96, which was when he moved to Academy Point Senior Home in Mystic. He learned to read during his 96th and 97th years of life and now he wrote his book. The website is www.fisherman'slanguaage.com

Source: Fox CT/ CT now.com

Pepper Spray Apology

2011-11-22T21:03:00.002-05:00

One of the Chancellors of UC Davis, Linda Katehi, apologized to a crowd of students, faculty and parents for the handling of a situation last Friday. The incident was that campus police officers were pepper spraying individuals who were protesting as a part of the 'Occupy' movement, which protests things such as corporate greed. The protesters were blocking a sidewalk by sitting down. The police officers sprayed the protesters to make them move out of the way. A spokesperson for the college said that although Katehi wanted the protesters moved, but not in a forceful way like this was. Despite the apology, many want Katehi to resign.

Source: Courant.com

RHAM Athletics Have a Losing Trifecta

2011-11-21T00:31:00.002-05:00

Over the weekend, three of RHAM High School's sports teams played some of their first games in their post seasons at the state-wide level. Boys' soccer, girls' soccer, and volleyball all made it to states, and they played their hardest in games spanning over the last three days. It is unfortunate to say that all three teams lost before claiming victorious titles in their post seasons. While disappointed, many fans are still happy for their teams progress. Senior class president Jacob Grover said, "We may have lost these games, but we'll never lose school spirit".

UCONN Huskies Cause Public Disappointment

2011-11-21T00:25:00.002-05:00

On Saturday the 19th, the UCONN Huskies Football Team had a 34-20 loss to the Louisville Cardinals. The game has caused upset in that Rentschler Field had its lowest attendance in over two years. Also, it was said that the Huskies played a poor game, ruining many opportunities for scoring and progression of the ball. UCONN coach Paul Pasqualoni said that there was no excuse for the way that his team played in the game.

(Story courtesy of courant.com)

Taiwan to Legalize Prostitution?

2011-11-19T12:53:00.007-05:00

It seems that new legislation in Taiwan may legalize what is called the world's oldest profession. According to current law, prostitution is already legal, but only in designated red-light districts. However, local governments insofar have been reluctant to set up any of these districts, which, as of yet, makes prostitution illegal in Taiwan.

While a popular argument against the creation of red-light districts is the fear of increased crime and violence related to prostitution, those supporting the legislation (some of them women for hire, themselves) cite the difficulty in making a living that the law creates. The reason for this difficulty is the risk for prostitutes being caught working outside a designated red-light district, and fined, although their clients would not be punished.

Although it is now legal to set up a red-light district, so far, none of the lesser governments have plans to do so, making it uncertain what path the law will take.

-CNN News

Volleyball semi-finals

2011-11-18T08:21:00.001-05:00

The RHAM Sachems volleyball team took on the Indians of Farmington in an exciting show down on Thursday November, 17. The Game Itself had the fans holding there breath in anticipation of the first serve. The first set was won by RHAM in decisive fashion 25-10. The Kills by Sarah Veilleux sent the RHAM fans into a frenzy egging on our chants drowning out the sounds of the Farmington fans. The second set was very close a nail biter but Farmingto came out on top with a 25-23 set win. The fans did not give up though. Screaming and yelling ensued. The third set was no better then the second set. The Indians rallying behind there fans pulled off a 25-16 set win. The nervous energy in the RHAM section was heavy in the air. To try to get life back into the fans Patrick Straton got up and did a RHAM roller coaster. After that the fans got back into the game with full force putting energy into the gym. Lead on by there captains excellent play and key kills by Sarah and an excellent block by Briana Geoghegan the Sachems were on the move for a comeback. They won the fourth set 25-22. With the sets tied at 2 a piece it was time for the final set. The RHAM fans and the Farmington fans were battling it out in the stand the chants and yells reverberating of the walls and shaking the stands. The two respective teams took there sides of the court and play resumed. The fifth set is only played to 15 in high school volleyball. The Sachems were rallying for points going up 10-3. A timeout called by Farmington allowed the fans a chance to yell for there teams. The sachems re-took there side of the court with the ringing chant of lets go sachems filling the air. Back on the court Francesca Mack helped lead RHAM with dominating play on the front line. The Sachems completed the comeback winning the set 15-5. The gym exploded on the final point. The RHAM fans stormed the court just to be stopped by the security. That did not stop the celebration, once we were allowed we ran to our volleyball team. Hugs everywhere and cheers could be heard throughout the city. RHAM will continue its march in the state at the championship vs. East-Lyme on Saturday. Joining will be the RHAM fans.

New CL&P CEO

2011-11-18T07:18:00.002-05:00

Jeff Butler, chief operating officer of Connecticut Light and power has officially resigned from his position. This news comes after the recent snow storm brought criticism to the company's slow restoration of power after the storm. Butler did not show up to any of the post storm debriefings. Butler joined CL&P in 2009 after he left Pacific Gas and Electric Company in San Francisco. The new CEO of the company is Leon Olivier and is effective immediately.

Sources: CBS New York

Shots Fired at the White House

2011-11-16T20:44:00.002-05:00

21 Year old Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, an Idaho resident, was arrested last Wednesday because he was possibly shooting at the White House with a semi-automatic rifle the Friday prior. The suspect's family said that he had an obsession with President Obama. Even though Ortega- Hernandez has gotten in trouble with the law before, the Secret Service didn't have his name on file for threatening the President. The man was allegedly looking suspicious on that same Friday, though police didn't arrest him at that time. The United States Park Police looked around in the Occupy D.C. site for the man, though they didn't find him there. However, the Secret Service were told where he was by a hotel worker. Pennsylvania State Police were sent out to get Ortega-Hernandez. As for a motive, Sgt. David Schlosser of the U.S. Park Police said that the suspects motives for doing this won't be clear "until we can talk to this guy."

Source: The New York Times

Turkey: Missing, Believed Deflated

2011-11-16T18:56:00.003-05:00

Tom the Turkey, the Thanksgiving mascot for Miller Foods in Avon, has been stolen. Capri Frank of Miller Foods says that the turkey was unplugged and deflated before leaving the premises. This theft is being investigated by Avon police. As are other turkeys, Tom is brown with orange and red markings. As is appropriate to the situation, Miller Foods will give a fresh turkey to whoever returns Tom.

Source: The Hartford Courant

Occupiers on the Move

2011-11-10T11:24:00.002-05:00

The protesters of the Occupy Wall Street movement are taking a two week journey to travel by foot to Washington D.C. They plan to stay at volunteering locations during the night, if not camping. They will pass through states such as Pennsylvania , Delaware and Maryland. They plan to be in the Capitol city by 11/23. They want to arrive by this date so that their presence will influence a congressional committee that is deciding whether or not to keep Bush tax cuts. The organization, who protest against corporate greed, says that the cuts only benefit the rich.

Source: The Seattle Times

Connecticut Man Lost Winning Lottery Ticket

2011-11-09T22:43:00.003-05:00

A winning lottery ticket was supposedly sold at the Belltown Superette, located in Stamford, CT. According to the store's owner Suni Patel, it was purchased by a sanitation worker. The person has not yet claimed the prize. If he can find or prove that he had that ticket, he wins the biggest prise in CT Lotto history: $254 million. The winner might not know that they won, for there was Winter Storm Alfred last month. The winner has until 4/30/12 to claim their prize. The winning numbers, if anyone is curious, were 12, 14, 34, 39, 46, 36.

Source: ABC News

Greyson Chance Reveiw

2011-11-08T07:23:00.003-05:00

Greyson Chance is a 14 year old kid who started out just like Justin Bieber did but unlike him Greyson has his own beat that changes with each song. His songs have a mix of country and hip hop and the beat of his songs are easy and fun to follow. A couple of his songs are about leaving a girl and learning how to turn away and get a new perspective which is close to Justin Bieber but the beats in his songs are stronger, unlike justin Bieber who had a lot of duets and his beats were softer. Gryeson Chance has a more mature voice then most 14 year olds. Another artist that Greyson could be compared to is Usher, mostly because when Usher does his songs he has a lot of deep beats and does a lot of songs himself. So Greyson Chance is a good artist for mostly teenagers because they can relate to him the most, and his songs will draw you in in the first couple of sentences. I would give Greyson Chance a 4 out of 5

Doctor Arrested for "Involuntary Manslaughter"

2011-11-07T20:34:00.004-05:00

More than two years ago, the pop star Michael Jackson passed away. It was not until Monday, November 7th, that a verdict was reached. It was ruled by the court that Mr. Murray, Jackson's doctor, had been practicing reckless medical treatment. He apparently "used anaesthetic propofol without adequate safeguards" which was the cause for death in this case. It was reported that this anesthetic was given to Jackson to help him cope with insomnia. His lack of sleep was interfering with his ability to perform live concerts, which gives reason to the large amounts of sedatives and anesthetics he was taking. During the trial, Murray claimed to have given Jackson less anesthetic on the day of Jackson's death than on previous days. One proposed scenario depicted Jackson treating himself with the medication, causing his own death, a theory the jury rejected.

thehindu.com

Occupy Wallstreet Update

2011-11-07T10:10:00.004-05:00

The Occupy Wallstreet protests have been gaining momentum over the past few months. Already most major cities in the U.S. have seen protests from the Occupy protests. It has recently spread outside of the U.S., to places such as Canada and Britain.

On Guy Fawkes Day, a holiday in Britain which commemorates the man who tried to blow up the Parliamentary building, protesters marched to parliament to send them a message. Although the message wasn't exactly spoken, Parliament should remember that government can be overthrown by the masses.

There were also protesters outside of St. Paul's Cathedral in London; protesters preaching against social inequality and big-corporation greed. Apparently the Cathedral has been a venue for protesters for the past couple of weeks as the Occupy protests have been increasing in size.

businessweek.com

RHAM High School Fall Concert

2011-11-04T20:05:00.004-04:00

Friday November 4th the RHAM High School auditorium was home to a special event. The symphonic band, wind ensemble, encore and chamber singers entertained an audience with a night full of music. The concert was originally planed for the 1st but was delayed due to the recent snow storm. The night also featured a brass quintet, saxophone quartet, clarinet trio, flute trio and a combined choirs and wind ensemble performance. The last piece preformed by the combined group was called Hymn to the Fallen and was a tribute to all who died on September 11th 2001.

Dorothy Rodham Passes at 92

2011-11-01T11:43:00.004-04:00

Hillary Clinton's mother, Dorothy Rodham, died shortly after midnight on Tuesday, following an illness, and in the company of family. She was 92.

Rodham was born in 1919 to a city firefighter, and, according to Clinton, did not have a particularly affectionate upbringing. When her parents split in 1927, Rodham went to live with her grandparents, where she was either ignored or mistreated by her grandmother. At 14, she left her grandparents and found work as a mother's helper, in exchange for room and board. She completed high school, and went to work in an office. At 23, Rodham met Hillary Clinton's father, who she married in 1942. Ironically, perhaps, Hugh Rodham was a staunch Republican; a foil to the Democratic politics of Rodham.

Despite Rodham's less than ideal upbringing, Clinton states that her mother was a warm and loving figure, to whom she feels indebted for her personal drive to succeed, calling Rodham her inspiration during the 2008 presidential campaign.

The Clintons are planning a private funeral service for Dorothy Rodham.

-MSNBC

Contoversy in Greece Over Proposed Bailout

2011-11-01T10:54:00.006-04:00

The United States is not alone, in that it is dealing with an economic crisis. Many countries in Europe, especially Greece, are having similar problems. Several days ago, in order to help curb the serious debt problem in Europe, leaders of the eurozone proposed a €100 billion bailout for Athens, as well as a debt write-off of 50%. The catch is that Athens would have to make serious cuts in civil servants, public spending, wages, and pensions, in order to make payments on the debt they still owe. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is currently faced with this dilemma; should he accept the package, he would lose a large amount of public support, as demonstrated by the fact that tens of thousands took to the streets during October 19-20 to protest the austerity deal proposed by the EU.

However, should Papandreou reject the terms given by the EU, Greece would likely lose control of their debt, and bankrupt the country. Additionally, they may have to leave the European Union.

Papandreou has decided to hold a referendum, in order to protect his own political image, in the eyes of some. Various political leaders have expressed desire for Papandreou to resign, saying that the referendum- leaving the decision up to the electoral vote- would jeopardize the country, as many are likely to reject the proposed debt plan.

According to Papandreou, this referendum will be held in several weeks. At this point, it is uncertain which option Greece as a whole will choose.

-BBC News

Nor'easter Hits New England

2011-10-31T15:04:00.006-04:00

For New Englanders, snowy winters are nothing unusual. Those who live here expect to deal with snow by the foot, from December through early March.

However, the snowstorm that hit the Northeast on Saturday was abnormal, even shocking; even by New England standards.

Snowfall reached 6-12 inches in most areas of Connecticut, and as much as 10-15 in the northwestern area, in Litchfield county. Four states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey declared states of emergency. All in all, 2.5 million were without power. In some cases, this was due to that fact that, it still being October, some leaves were still on trees. The snow, which was heavy and slushy, weighed some brances down, as can be observed in the above photo, taken Saturday.

-MSN News

Deer Gutted in Public

2011-10-27T19:47:00.006-04:00

Just in time for Halloween, Lawrence Massey, 37 and of Berlin, CT, was arrested for supposedly gutting a deer in a parking lot in the area of Wesleyan University. The man found the deer to the side of Route 9 Southbound and brought it to his sons at 594 Main Street A to show them " how to field strip a deer after it had been killed." When police came over, an officer reported the smell of the dead deer and found Massey covered in blood, holding his knife. Without being ordered, Massey cleaned up the entrails, which he had placed on a tarp. Massey is to appear in court on November 11 and was charged with disorderly conduct.

Source: middletownpress.com

Attack of the 8 Foot Lego!

2011-10-26T17:36:00.003-04:00

In the early morning on Tuesday, October 25, the invasion began (okay, not really). An 8 foot lego man made of fiberglass appeared on the Siesta Key Beach in Florida. On the front, it read on its chest area "No Real Than You Are". On the back, it read "Ego Leonard" with the number "8". "Ego Leonard" is actually the name of the artist who made the sculpture. Other Lego men made by this artist have appeared on beaches in England and Holland. The police officers of the Sarasota County Sherif's Office removed it later on. The figure is under protective custody and will be held for the owner for 90 days. Even though the LEGO Group had just opened a theme park in Florida, the company denies any involvement with this event.

Source: ABC News

School Record Broken

2011-10-24T06:21:00.003-04:00

On Saturday October 22, 2011 Mike Luby (junior) Set a new school record for most yards rushing in a single game. He broke this record with an outstanding game vs. Fermi High gaining 206 rushing yards. RHAM defeated Fermi 48-12.

Music Review: Scotty McCreery's "Clear as Day"

2011-10-23T20:57:00.004-04:00

To be honest, I was fairly excited when I found out I would be reviewing Scotty McCreery this week. Like many people, I followed American Idol last season, and found myself favoring him above most others. It seemed fairly well established that, were he to have a career in music, his genre would certainly be country. Not being an avid country fan, I did not know what to expect.

If I had had expectations, however, Scotty would have met them- mostly. His new album, "Clear as Day" is a country album with an obvious pop edge, but that's to be expected, considering who gave him the contract.

There were definitely similarities with other country artists; the vocals, especially when double-tracked, had a Josh Gracin feel to them- the rough 'n' tumble sound on the peppy songs, but also the suave smoothness on the slower tracks. In terms of the subject matter of the lyrics themselves, I was reminded of Lee Brice; he sings in a down-to-earth manner about growing up in a big family with firm parents, or about working hard to pay dues. Such is a fair amount of country music, but the similarity with Brice came to me in particular. However, I did notice a few cliché mannerisms used, especially on "You Make That Look Good." As a side note, this is something I would caution the songwriters against- writing about a truck, or about picking up girls in a country song has become overused; even hackneyed.

Generally, the mixing of the album was fairly solid. I appreciated the variety in the instrumentation, especially where fiddle, piano, and ukulele were used. It helped to distinguish certain songs from others they otherwise could have been interchanged with. On "The Trouble With Girls", the strings combined with the piano created a sound that was similar to Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, to some extent, (despite the huge difference in vocals).

Put succinctly, there were some things that the record company did well on, and some that could use some work. I've included an analysis of a couple of songs; one for each of these two categories:

Water Tower Town- Track 5- This song earned a 2 out of 5 with me. McCreery's voice is much better suited for laid-back, more acoustic songs, and ends up sounding forced and unnatural on driving songs such as this one. While it helps to add variety to the pace of the album, the vocals do not measure up to what they are on some of the more mellow songs. Additionally, the drumming combined with the electric guitar robbed this song of an authentic country sound- it was rock with a country edge. Which does not suit McCreery's natural voice.

That's not to say to eliminate jovial, fast songs; but to mellow out the songs that are fast and jovial. "Write My Number On Your Hand" is a perfect example- it's upbeat and lively, but without the dominating percussion, or excessive electric guitar. (This one actually uses the ukulele as the backbone of the song, and was a very pleasurable listen).

Dirty Dishes- Track 9- Interesting approach with lyrics; how most of them are a prayer by a mother who wants the best for her children. This is where I was reminded of Lee Brice; the song opens up with an old saw most people hear from their parents. What earned this song a 4 out of 5 from me, however, was the approach taken with the music itself. It was quite a mellow approach, which made excellent use of piano, slide guitar, and strings in the later part. This here is the main point that I cannot stress enough; the more acoustic, mellow songs are what Scotty does best. It is much, much more fitting for his voice, and his style of delivery. There is a clear difference in how comfortable he feels singing a mellow song, as opposed to a driving song. With some innovation, I am sure the record company could find a way to emphasize acoustic/mellow sounding songs more, without making the album sound homogeneous.

The album as a whole earns 4 stars out of 5. McCreery has a niche, which is evident on the album, and a good amount of potential, but he should put the pop/rock elements of his music on the back burner, and focus on his country side. The singers that have a voice so inclined towards a genre like that should seldom deviate far from it, because oftentimes the result will be less natural than their inclination. Overall, the vocals were mostly strong, and the album was very well mixed. I would highly recommend it.

Muammar Gaddafi Killed

2011-10-23T16:46:00.005-04:00

Following an uprising that lasted months, Libyan dictator of 42 years Muammar Gaddafi was captured and killed on Thursday, in his hometown of Sirte. This followed a struggle, during which Gaddafi was reportedly dragged out of a drainage pipe, beaten, and shot, after being forced into a vehicle.

Gaddafi's regime fell in late August, when the rebels captured Tripoli, but the dictator had been on the run for months before he was finally found by rebels looking for him. Sirte was the final loyalist holdout for Gaddafi's supporters, and its capture marks the official beginning of a new chapter in Libya's history.

During his 42 years in power, Muammar Gaddafi routinely disregarded human rights; using fear tactics such as false imprisonment and torture to prevent any open dissent. The inspiration for the Libyan revolt, which began February, was likely the result of successful revolutions in nearby Tunisia and Egypt.

Celebrations carried on well into the night when news of Gaddafi's death was made public, and the country's population has high hopes for the government to come. Elections will be held in a matter of months.

-The Sydney Morning Herald

Boys Cross Country CCC Conference Meet

2011-10-21T07:30:00.006-04:00

Wednesday October 19th was the planed date for the CCC conference cross country race at Wickham Park in Manchester. Due to the rain the race was moved to Tuesday the 20th. RHAM senior captain Greg Bento ran in the varsity race and he came in 1st for RHAM boys cross country with a time of 19:45. The muddy course made it difficult for the runners. Greg was trailed by fellow RHAM senior captain Kevin Garcia in the varsity race.

Controversial Musical Performed At Hartford Public High School

2011-10-20T20:36:00.006-04:00

The musical "Zanna, Don't!" was performed at Hartford Public High School for the Law And Government and the Nursing academies on Oct. 14th. The play, sponsored by The Knox Foundation and the Samuel Roskin Trust at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (with additional funds supplied by the non profit True Colors and Leadership Greater Hartford's Quest), deals about issues pertaining to homosexuality. The thought behind showing this musical is so that the students are tolerant of gays and lesbians. It is set in an alternate world where homosexuality is normal and heterosexuality is shunned. The most controversial moment of the play came when two male actors shared a kiss. Some students who where watching the show at that moment made noise to being offended, and some students decided to walk out of the auditorium (even though a few of them decided to resume watching the performance). David Chambers, principal of the nursing academy, said "Our kids never deal with this, they keep it inside. That's why they walked out." However, many students cheered on the gay characters. Student Dineily Vargas commented "I think it opened a lot of people's eyes." "Zanna, Don't!" will be shown twice more on Oct. 21st. There will be another performance just for students during the school day, then at 7:30 P.M. a free public showing will be held.

Source: Courant.com

Exotic Animals Set Loose in Ohio

2011-10-19T20:10:00.004-04:00

Police in Zanesville, Ohio where sent to the farm of Terry Thompson last Tuesday because of reports of exotic animals running free. When police arrived, they found Thompson dead with a mortal wound and his cages for the animals were open. Thompson had been known to get in trouble with the law on matters related to the animals, including being accused of depriving them of food. The animals were loose throughout the town. The creatures varied from Bengal tigers to grizzly bears. On Wednesday, citizens of the town were told to keep inside their homes. Sheriff Matt Lutz of Muskingum County gave an order to kill the animals after an attempt to use tranquilizers on a tiger proved ineffective. The animals, 49 dead of the fifty six total animal population of the farm, were buried in a mass grave on the farm property. However, there is still a macaque monkey on the loose, that may or may not be carrying the virus Herpes B.

Source: Reuters

Review Apple iOS 5

2011-10-19T07:15:00.013-04:00

With the new release of the iPhone 4s and iPod updates an new iOS operating system update is only natural. Apple has put in a lot of though and time to create a iOS that takes portable devices to a whole new level. Five features stood out to me.

1. Notifications: Apple has redesigned their notifications. In the last iOS, updates and notifications would pop-up and stop you from your work and game play. It would require you to stop what your doing and hit the ignore button to get rid of the pop-up. Now all notifications come in on a small scrolling bar at the top of your screen. If you want to view the notification simply tap the bar at the top and if you want to ignore it, it disappears in a few seconds. And this doesn't stop game play at all. Also the new notification center can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen to the bottom. The center will have all the updates and notifications and can also be accessed from the lock screen as well.

2. PC free & wireless sync: You used to need a computer to dock your brand new iPod or iPad to in order to register it and unlock it for use. Now you can buy a new iPod or iPad with iOS and you can register it right on your device. This makes it easy to start using for those who are new to Apple devices but you can also then dock it with a computer. Also you can sync your device without using a cable to connect to your computer. Now as long as your computer and device are in a wifi area then the wireless sync can take place.

3. Reminder: Apple put a new app that ships with the new iOS. This allows you to create lists and reminders. You can tag these lists and reminders with dates and times so you can set it to push out a reminder. This can work for either time or location. Say that you want to remember to shop as you leave work. You can set a shopping list to remind you as you leave the store.

4. Newstand: Apple released iBooks in the past and it allowed for users to buy books and read them on their devices. Now, Apple released Newstand which allows for the user to subscribe to magazines and read them on their deceives. These magazines update automatically and will be right in the Newstand ready to read the day it comes out.

5. iMessage: With the new iOS comes a new app from Apple. iMessage allows for all iOS users to communicate via photo or text message right on their iOS device. This only works if both deceives have wifi or 3G connection and it doesn't work with other devices such as a computer or phone since they aren't running iOS 5.

These are only 5 of 500+ features that Apple says has been updated with the new iOS. However not all features will work on all devices. For instance, multi-touch gestures will only work for the iPad and not the smaller iOS devices. Also in order to access the new camera feature from the lock screen you need to double tap the home button. This is only a minor inconvenience. Also when changing the music from anywhere on the device I find a bit of a lag, longer then I had before. This can be annoying sometimes but again it is nothing more then a minor inconvenience. Lastly I would have expected to see more major updates however I was impressed with this update and I would give it a 5/5.

Sources:

Apple

Footloose

2011-10-18T07:26:00.002-04:00

Footloose the movie is a highley entertaining, high energy film that combines dancing, drama, and romance all in one. The Film takes place in the small town of Bomont. After a tragic incedent the town puts in a curfew and a law prohibiting dancing in public and loud music. This may change when Ren McCormic moves from Boston to Bomont.

This movie deserves a 4/5. Great filming, fun music and average actors. Overall though an awesome film.

Vegas Crash Kills Indy 500 Winner

2011-10-16T20:43:00.006-04:00

Dan Wheldon, two-time winner of the Indy 500 race, died Sunday, after sustaining injuries from a 15 car pileup at the Las Vegas Indy 300. The news spread that he had succumbed to his injuries shortly after he was airlifted from the track. The other drivers did a five-lap drive of the track out of respect for Wheldon, who was 33.

Many of his competitors were emotional; they were said to be hugging one another for consolation, even if they did not know each other previously. As the songs "Danny Boy" and "Amazing Grace" played over the speakers after Weldon's death was confirmed, his car was the only one on display on the scoreboard.

Wheldon is survived by his wife, Susie, and by two sons, Sebastian and Oliver.
Commenting on the unpredictable nature of the car-racing sport, Wheldon himself had been previously quoted, saying "That's Indianapolis. That's why it's the greatest spectacle in racing. You never know what's going to happen."

-MSN News

Iceland Prepares for Another Eruption

2011-10-16T20:07:00.003-04:00

The Katla Volcano, which is located in Vik, Iceland, is showing signs of a possible eruption in the near future. Seismologists testing the area for seismic activity indicate that recent earth quakes could possibly set off a volcanic eruption. This eruption is expected to be much larger than the volcanic eruption which halted air travel last year for weeks, costing airlines upwards of 2 billion dollars. Its last eruption took place in 1918, and the ash blocked out the sun, killing crops and livestock, and bringing devastating flooding. There has been an evacuation plan and alternate housing provided for the surrounding areas incase the eruption occurs. For now, it is a waiting game.

Source: time.com

3 Mentally Challenged Adults Imprisoned in Basement

2011-10-16T19:18:00.007-04:00

Linda Ann Weston, 51, Thomas Gregory, 47, and Eddie Wright, 49, have been arrested and charged with five different crimes. All five charges are connected to the alleged chaining of three mentally disabled people in a Philadelphia basement. Police believe that a possible motive could have been to rob these three captives of their social security checks.

The police have also commented on the squalid conditions of the 15'x15' basement itself. Reportedly, one of the three was chained to a radiator, and all three were malnourished, and unkempt. Reports say their period of captivity could have been as long as a week.

Weston, called the ringleader of the group, already has a criminal record. She spent eight years in prison after a murder over 10 years ago.

The three detainees were brought to a hospital, where as of Sunday evening, they are in stable condition.

-CNN News

UCONN Huskies Upset South Florida

2011-10-16T17:15:00.003-04:00

On Saturday afternoon beginning at 3:30 p.m., the UCONN Huskies football team played against the South Florida Bulls. The Bulls were projected to win the game by a decent margin, however UCONN played strongly an emerged with a 16-10 victory. This was a pleasant surprise to the mass of UCONN fans attending the game, some of whom were heard chanting "game of the year" on their way out of Rentschler Field.

UCONN scored three field goals in the game and scored their last 7 points off an interception that was run in for a touchdown.

SPORT REPORT: RHAM Boys' Soccer, 10/15

2011-10-16T16:42:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, RHAM boys' soccer played a tough game against Tolland. They played away at Cross Farms in Tolland. The result of the game was a 1-1 tie.

The RHAM boys' soccer team plays again this week on Tuesday at home against E.O. Smith.

Protests Continue in New York

2011-10-16T13:31:00.005-04:00

It seems that the rallying cry for many in NYC this weekend is "Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!" according to CBS News. Such are the protestors against corporate greed, which supposedly led to the economic downturn three years ago. However, the protests themselves have not been overly hostile; reports say those involved agreed to police requests to stay on the sidewalks.
Despite this, there were 42 arrests of protestors reported on Saturday night, though it is unclear what they will be charged with.

These demonstrations are by no means limited to New York; there have been rallies in Lansing, Michigan, and Rome, as well. Additional rallies have been planned in Providence, Little Rock, and Seattle.

It is uncertain when these protests will be quelled.

Zucotti Park Cleaning in New York Postponed

2011-10-14T06:18:00.006-04:00

The plan was to push the Occupy Wall Street protest out of Zucotti Park for cleaning. However, Bloomfield, the company who owns the park, decided to call off the cleaning for now. The movement, which has existed for about a month and primarily focuses on issues such as corporate greed and youth employment, decided to start cleaning up on their own so that they could stay in the park. However, if they were made to leave, they planned to form a human chain. The OWS thinks that the cleaning of the park by the company who owns the park is an attempt to get them to leave. If they had been made to leave, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said, "After it's cleaned, they'll be able to come back. But they won't be able to bring back the gear, sleeping bags, that sort of thing will not be able to be brought back to the park" This is for sanitary reasons. As well, Bloomfield reinstated park rules with no lying down and no leaving personal property.

Source: FOX News

NOW PLAYING: Two Award-Winning Films at the Connecticut Film Festival

2011-10-13T21:06:00.005-04:00

On October 19th, the Bethel Cinema will host the Connecticut Film Festival's annual monthly film series. The two films being shown on that day, starting at 7:00 PM, will be "The Green" and "Caught". The first film being shown: "The Green", won " Best Narrative Feature" at a Connecticut Film Festival which took place earlier this year and was written and produced by Molly Pearson and by Paul Marcarelli, who is most famous for being Verizon's "Can You Here Me Now" guy. It is about a gay teacher accused of having inappropriate relations with a student of his and faces uncertainties from practically everyone he knows. He even loses his trust in his partner when a long lost secret emerges during the investigation.

The second film, "Caught", also won an award at an earlier Connecticut Film Festival, except that this time it was for "Best Dramatic Short Film". This film was directed by Elizabeth Page and written by Lori Martini, who also plays the lead role of the film. "Caught" is about a woman named Hannah, who is a baseball fan who uses baseball as an escape from the chaos of her relationship with her mother and brother. This chaos eventually overcomes the sanctuary that Hannah found in "America's Favorite Pastime". Tickets to see both films are $7.50 for anyone who is 65 or older or 12 and under. Anyone else who would like to attend shall pay $9.50 for admission. If you would like to reserve seats, go to www.bethelcinema.com or contact their box office at 269 Greenwood Avenue. The theater's phone number is 203-778-3100.

Source: ctpost.com

Blackberry Network Failure Brings Trouble

2011-10-13T17:51:00.010-04:00

The four day, system-wide failure of the Blackberry network left millions unable to use their email accounts, instant message, and browse the web. This may seem like a small inconvenience to some, but those whose work is coordinated through their Blackberry's, chaos was the result. The customers were the first to experience the pains of network failure, but it is expected that Blackberry will fall behind in the smartphone race. Research In Motion (RIM) was still recovering from product issues and profit warnings when the crash occurred. Blackberry's reputation may also be damaged due to the network failure, possibly detering future consumers and reducing current customers. Blackberry could also lose millions on current customers for network loss. The recovery has been said to be slow, giving the company a tough period of time ahead.

reuters.com

Kraken Theory?

2011-10-11T18:29:00.005-04:00

Mark McMenamin, a paleontologist and professor from Mount Holyoke College, proposed a theory last week that has been raising some eyebrows. For years a set of fossils have perplexed scientist and paleontologists alike. These remains were found in Nevada and are believed to be that of an ichthyosaurs and experts are hard pressed to find an explanation to their positioning and location. The fossils are arranged in a geometric pattern, resembling art or at the very least an appealing arrangement of bones. McMenamin has proposed that these fossils were placed there by a Kraken. Not only this, but he also believes that it then took pleasure or attempted to amuse itself by arranging them how they are now. Many are skeptical as the Kraken is not only fictitious, but the idea that it was creating Monet's millions of years before Claude's time tends to draw attention. He didn't expect the sort of coverage he received but he is sticking to his bold claim saying this was no accident, the arrangement was intentional.

Source:

LA Times

Deep Sea Explorers Find 'Buried Treasure'

2011-10-11T18:12:00.003-04:00

Odyssey Marine Exploration, a deep sea robotics team based in Tampa, Florida, discovered the lost wreckage of the Mantola. The Mantola was a British Steamship that was by German torpedos in 1917 and was lost until Monday. The OME was contracted by the British Department of Transportation to find the ship and they set out immediately with their tethered robots to explore the area where it had reportedly sunk. This type of expedition is nothing new however, as many cash-strapped governments have set out looking for lost treasure that once belonged to them. Luckily this time they struck gold, or to be more accurate, silver. The Mantola was carrying an estimated 20 tons of silver which is worth approximately $18 million dollars today. These finds are continuing to unearth not only historic treasures, but those worth their weight in gold.

Source:

nytimes.com

New Police Cameras Raise Issues

2011-10-11T18:01:00.005-04:00

In many recent cases there has been a new type of witness, the video camera. But this is not your typical camera, these are worn by a select number of police officers who use these to record what is happening when they are out on the job. Using video evidence is nothing new as the police have used dashboard-mounted cameras for years, and bystanders are now more likely to be carrying a phone or device that can capture video. However, there are now new issues associated with these 24/7 on duty observers. Some are arguing that it may be an invasion of privacy as much of what cops deal with tend to be something that those involved don't want on tv or on youtube. Despite these protests, the departments are moving forward and have begun distributing these to on duty officers. They believe that it will help provide irrefutable evidence in court cases.

Source:

nytimes.com

A New Meaning to Road Rage

2011-10-11T12:53:00.003-04:00

According to www.courant.com, Ansonia, CT resident Anthony Sporko was angry about people's driving habits in his neighborhood, so he decided to take matters into his own hands. Unfortunately instead of truly taking "matters" into his hands, he picked up a shotgun.

The enraged man was allegedly seen on Monday afternoon yelling at traffic while carrying a double-barreled shotgun. Police arrested him shortly after, finding the shotgun and shells in his home. Sporko has been charged with second-degree breach of peace and reckless endangerment.

"The Art of Flight" Is Bringing Action Sports to a Mainstream Audience

2011-10-11T12:25:00.007-04:00

In the past, action sports films have been accesible only to those acquainted with the action sports world. For example, only a skateboarder would be able to find, watch, and truly understand the latest skate film.

Fortunately, this old trend has ended with arrival of a new, state-of-the-art snowboard film, "The Art of Flight". This fully HD film led by director Curt Morgan was created and is now being distributed with an intent to reach a mainstream audience. Available on iTunes in both standard and high definition versions, it is cheap (under $10) and very easily accesible.

The film depicts some of the most beautifully shot, epic action sports scenes ever filmed. Following some of the world's premier snowboarders through places including Alaska, Colorado, Patagonia, Chile, and British Columbia, it also showcases the best of today's tricks and rides. Even for those who are not snowboarding enthusiasts, the film is bound to blow them away. It does not take a snowboarder to know that double backflip combinations over 60+ foot gaps are impressive. Also interspersed within the riding are sprawling helicopter shots of the mountains and their surrounding locations that look like something straight out of "Planet Earth".

Only time will tell of Morgan's film will truly reach a more mainstream crowd, however it certainly has the potential to.

Prescription Fraud in New London County

2011-10-07T07:31:00.003-04:00

There were three people from New London County suspected of perscription fraud. Two of them are residents of North Stonington and one is a resident of Niantic. These arrests were a part of a crackdown by various police agencies against illegal use of prescription drugs, which has accused almost 50 people, even law enforcement officials, of bringing thousands of oxycodone illegally into the state from Florida.

Two of the three people, Linda McDougal and Susan Turitto, allegedly obtained the pills by using the licensing information of a New London surgeon, albeit during different periods of time. The alleged recipients of the pills were Turitto and her husband Craig Levine. Law enforcement was tipped off by a Waterford pharmacist who received a fake prescription for 60 vicodin pills. They were arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Hartford last Thursday.

Source: Courant.com

"Occupy Wall Street" Protests Will Come to Hartford

2011-10-05T07:43:00.006-04:00

"Occupy Wall Street", a movement that is against corprate greed. This protest against excess started in New York City and has spread from Atlantic to Pacific, through mediums such as Facebook. It has had people protesting in front of the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago, in the streets of Los Angeles and now is coming to Hartford. The movement will have meetings discussing its plans for protest in Hartford on Wednesday at 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. in Bushnell Park. The reason why the group is having this discussion at this venue is, according to Peter Goselin, a laywer from Hartford supporting "Occupy Wall Street", "The idea of conducting a democratic meeting in the open where people can see is in sharp contrast to the way buissness and politics is done now, where everything is behind closed doors." On a meeting that was held on Sunday, members of this movement, which is popular with colledge graduates who can't find work, were interested in doing either a march or a "sleep in". The date for the actual protests hasn't been determined.

Source: courant.com

New York to Los Angeles: Anti-Corporation Protests

2011-10-03T06:40:00.004-04:00

This past weekend several hundred "anti-corporate" protesters set up shop in the City Hall of Los Angeles. This was a movement inspired by the some 700 protesters who were arrested on the Brooklyn bridge for anti-corporate demonstrations. These protesters are fighting against the economic policies which they claim only aid the top 1% of Americans.

-Los Angeles Times

Large Amount of Arctic Ozone Loss

2011-10-02T19:49:00.003-04:00

Over the past the past year there has been a record amount of ozone loss over the Arctic circle. The amount of damage has created a large enough break to be labeled a 'hole' similar to the one over the Antarctic. Approximately 80% of the ozone in this area was lost during the recorded time. It is difficult for scientists to tell if this trend will continue as this is a large drop; uncommon in the past few years. This loss is attributed to the colder weather of the last year. This cold weather causes the chlorine chemicals that destroy ozone to become more active. This trend in cold winters has been documented over the last decade, and has shown that it has gotten progressively colder. For now Michelle Santee from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, says that "Given that trend and the high variability, we'd anticipate that we'll have other cold ones, and if that happens while chlorine levels are high, we'd anticipate that we'd have severe ozone loss."

Information from bbc.co.uk

Marlborough Fire Department Chicken BBQ Draws Crowds

2011-10-02T18:45:00.003-04:00

Those driving through Marlborough on Sunday, October 2nd may have noticed a large group of cars and police in the center of town. While this sounds like it could be a bad traffic accident or a store break-in, think again; it was simply the day of the Marlborough Fire Department's annual chicken BBQ.

Fire fighters had been travelling the roads of Marlborough for weeks prior to the BBQ, going door to door to sell meal tickets. Each of the meals served included a half-chicken, a baked potato, cole slaw, and a small dessert.

Based on the traffic clogging up the center of Marlborough, the event must have been a success. To visit the Marlborough Fire Department's website, go to
"http://marlboroughfire.com/public/".

David Guetta, "Nothing but the Beat" Music Review

2011-09-27T08:36:00.006-04:00

The great David Guetta beats return in his newest album l, "Nothing but the Beat." His songs have made it to the top of the list when it comes to popular club hits. Along with his famous beats he is well know for featuring many popular artist as well. In this new album he has such artist as Snoop Dog, Usher and Lil Wyane. He also included some of his top singles such as Where them Girls at, Without You and Little Bad Girl. All together this makes a great album that will captivate music listeners and make it to the top o the charts. I give this album a 5/5 and I have been listening to these songs ever since the album came out. He knows how to create driving beats that will motivate any audience.

MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW: "Make It Stop (September's Children)" by Rise Against

2011-09-24T10:17:00.004-04:00

It isn't very often that an adult band focuses a song or video on a pressing youth issue. However, in their new music video "Make It Stop", rock band Rise Against did just that. While there have been an excruciating mix of rock music videos dealing with love, hate, and social anarchy, "Make It Stop" digs into new territory; teen bullying and suicide. Tim Mcilrath, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the band, teamed up with the It Gets Better Project to make the video. The project has a goal of preventing teen suicide by letting kids know that outside of high school, things will improve for them.

"I immediately felt that if our song is the road, then the It Gets Better Project is the destination," said Mcilrath, "I hope the synergy between the two can reach people and make a difference."

The music video features three dramatized scenarios of teen bullying leading to suicide mixed in with shots of the band playing in a high school auditorium. Both facets of the production are very well done; the band shots look very cinematic and well-lit and the bullying scenarios are both powerful and disturbing.

The three teen stories depicted in "Make It Stop" mesh very well with ending theme of the video. The students have been shown getting bullied to the point where they are on the brink of suicide. When they think about their futures outside of high school, however, they put down their gun, noose, and step back from the bridge that were about to end their lives. In the last section of the video, when different webcammed teens are shown saying "Don't Worry, It Gets Better" a truly powerful message has been brought to the viewer.
Overall, the video for "Make It Stop (September's Children)" by Rise Against is both well-made and inspiring. Because of this, it receives a rating of 4/5.

RATING: 4/5

To view the video on YouTube, use the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP4clbHc4Xg&ob=av2e)

Georgia Inmate Denied Clemency in Final Hours

2011-09-21T18:41:00.005-04:00

Troy Davis, 42, of Savannah Georgia, is scheduled to die tonight, September 21st, at 7:00, convicted of the 1989 murder of policeman Mark MacPhail. Davis has been on death row for 20 years, since his conviction in 1991. There is a significant number of people around the world that believe Davis's innocence; among them, John Paul II, former President Jimmy Carter, and Amnesty International. Their grounds for doubting the guilt of Davis are built on the fact that a murder weapon was never recovered, but shell casings found were linked to him. Additionally, seven of the nine witnesses who testified recanted; some claiming police coercion, some explaining that they were not entirely sure that the man they saw was Davis.

Prosecutors maintain that Davis shot Officer MacPhail in the face and chest, after MacPhail attempted to aid a homeless man who was being beaten with a handgun by Davis in a Burger King parking lot.

The issue has sparked vigils from Savannah, Georgia, all the way to Paris, and London. Supporters of Troy Davis have managed to amass 240,000 signature on boxfuls of petitions, and continue to protest outside of the prison where Davis is being held. However, as 7:00 inches closer, it is starting to seem as though Davis's legal options have run out.

-MSNBC.com

Man Fakes Own Assualt

2011-06-08T11:11:00.003-04:00

According to Connecticut police, a man, Daniel Vagnini, allegedly punched himself in the face, tore at his shirt, and threw both his wallet and keys into a river, all in an attempt to convince police he had been assaulted.

Also according to the police, the man admitted he made the story up, after he had sped through a stop sign, and nearly crashing his car. He has been charged with reckless driving, and driving under the influence.

-Hartford Courant

Wildfire in Arizona Forces Residents out of Town

2011-06-08T07:36:00.004-04:00

The Arizona wildfire, that has burnt 486 square miles of forest, reached the 11th day. The fire is being fueled by dry weather and 60 mph winds. The source of the fire is believed to be an unattended campfire. This fire has landed in the state record books as being the second largest wildfire. Although no one has yet to be seriously injured, the fire destroyed 10 structures and forced aircraft to alternative airports some 200 miles away. Not to mention, smoke from the fire has been seen in Iowa and it can be seen by satellites in space. Thousands of firefighters, including some as far away as New York, have worked to suppress the fire. They used firebreaks to create a perimeter of already burnt sections of land to prevent the fire from spreading. In surrounding towns, over 7,000 residents have been asked to evacuate from their homes. Firefighters are getting support from residents to help with battling the blaze.

Sources:
Seattle pi

Connecticut to Potentially Decriminalize Small Amount of Marijuana

2011-06-05T21:22:00.007-04:00

The House of Representatives will be voting on a bill passed by the Connecticut Senate; the decriminalization of a small amount of marijuana. If approved by the House of Representatives, those caught with less than a half-ounce would no longer be charged with a misdemeanor, which could mean a jail term. Under the bill, a $150 fine would be imposed for the first offense, and a fine between $200-$500 for subsequent offences. Opponents of the bill have spoken out against it, believing that it will entice more people to try the drug. Republican Toni Boucher stated that when a penalty for drug use is downgraded, "there is both an increase in use and an increase in crime." Proponents, consisting of mostly Democrats, have argued for the bill, believing that it would help those caught with marijuana to avoid a criminal record. Democrat Martin Looney made it clear that the bill was not a marijuana advocation. "We strongly disapprove of [use of drugs] but we're trying to realign their punishment that is more appropriate." He also explained that the state might do better to devote more time to dangerous criminals.

-FOX News

Shooting Spree in Hawaii Yields One Suspect

2011-06-05T21:14:00.004-04:00

28-year-old Toby Stangel has been formally charged with 15 felony counts, which include second-degree murder, after allegedly opening fire on a Honolulu highway. One woman, Tammy Nguyen, was killed, and two more were wounded. Five others were also fired at but escaped unharmed. Reports say that the accused did not know any of the victims personally, and the shooting was arbitrary. This is not Stangel's first run-in with the law; he has served five misdemeanor prison sentences; two of which were for DUI. Stangel has also been called a loner, and a chronic drug abuser who was given to violence. Stangel is currently being held on $5 million bail, and his court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

-CBS News

E. Coli Outbreak from Vegetable Sprouts

2011-06-05T20:54:00.005-04:00

An agriculture official stated Sunday that the recent E. Coli outbreak in Europe is the result of vegetable sprouts, including beans, which were grown in Germany. The outbreak has resulted in 22 fatalities and thousands ill. Preliminary testing traced the bean sprouts back to an organic farm in Uelzen, which has resulted in the shutting down of the farm. Additionally, all of its recent produce has been recalled. Bean plants were not the only suspicious looking plants; lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes also came under scrutiny. The outbreak has also raised suspicion of organically grown food in this part of Europe; a German by the name of Dietrich Benni was quoted as saying, "No more organic food for me for now."

-MSNBC.com

2011-06-05T18:24:00.003-04:00

Pfizer Inc.'s Aromasin can cut the risk of developing breast cancer down by more than half. This is not suggested for women at average risk of breast cancer. For women who are at a higher risk due to other reasons, such as gene mutations, are the target subjects. They're prior choices of prevention had adverse side effects, such as, blood clots and uterine cancer. During the study, subjects on the drug showed a 65% risk reduction. Despite the drug's postive results so far, nothing is guaranteed. However, this is important research being done considering that breast cancer diagnoses are on the rise.

-Associated Press

Museum Passes for FREE!

2011-06-05T18:16:00.004-04:00

The Douglas Library in Hebron is offering many deals this summer for museums, zoos, aquariums, and more! Some deals offer passes for 2 adults and 2 or 4 children. Examples would be: Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, the Old Connecticut State House, the Connecticut Trolley Museum and multiple others. The library also offers discounts. Admission for up to four people into the Roger Williams Park Zoo is three dollars. Admission for four into the Peabody museum is five dollars. Other passes are available at the library too.

So, if you are looking to have fun this summer but are low on cash, don't worry! The Friends of the Douglas Library are sponsoring these deals all summer! For further information contact the Douglas Library.

New E. Coli Suspect: Bean Sprouts

2011-06-05T16:19:00.005-04:00

German agricultural authorities have blamed Bean Sprouts for the recent outbreak of E. Coli. Authorities have found the farm that is believed to be the source of the outbreak and have shut down production. The health ministry warns against eating bean sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce from Germany. In Hamburg Germany alone 22 have died and more than 1,600 have been sicken from this outbreak. It has also taken a toll on the economy. Many people have avoided the local markets in fear of getting E. Coli. Officials have not said when the farm will resume production or when the outbreak is expected to stop.

Sources:
The Wall Street Journal

Questions before Heading into WWDC 2011

2011-06-03T07:26:00.009-04:00

Apple Computer's annual World Wide Developer's Conference will kick off Monday June 6, in San Francisco California. Their is much anticipation to the conference because it is expected that Apple will release their new operating system, OS X Lion. This is only one of the many things that will be covered. Apple's iCloud is also expected to be a big topic of the keynote address. This software allows for cloud sharing among computers for work or other important files. With all of the software updates many expect a possible hardware release as well. Some expect Apple's Time Capsule to update since it has not been updated in a while. And lastly, many people wonder when all of this new technology will be released after it has been announced on Monday. In the past Apple has tried to have some time between the time that a new product is announced to the time it is on the market.

Sources:

CNET

Atlantis Prepares for Final Voyage

2011-06-01T07:40:00.006-04:00

NASA's final space shuttle mission that is scheduled to launch on July 8th. The space shuttle Atlantis will be NASA's final shuttle launch. At 8:42 PM on Tuesday May 31, Atlantis began its 3.4 mile crawl to launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center for the last time. NASA will retire the space shuttle program after this launch of STS-135. The space shuttle program has been flying since 1981 and this final mission will be 135th space shuttle mission for NASA and will mark the end of an era. NASA will announce the offical launch date shortly after the June 28th Flight Readniess Review.

Sources:

MSNBC

Sheriff's Deputy Shoots ex-qife, then shoots a local police officer.

2011-05-30T21:59:00.003-04:00

According to CNN, on Saturday, in Virgina, a county sheriff's deputy, Jonathan Agee, allegedly walked out of his car in a convience store parking lot and shot his ex-wife, Jennifer Agee, 3 times, killing her. This rampage reportedly began at 11:30 A.M after Jennifer and Jonathan pulled into the parking lot. However, the battle did not stop there, According to CNN, Jonathan was spotted by a man by the name of Sgt. Brannock, a local deputy police officer. Brannock followed Jonathan down route 460 because he saw that Jonathan's car was marked. After Brannock pulled Jonathan over, Brannock was shot at least one time. At around 11:48 A.M two other police officers responded to Brannock's dispatch call, and the two local police officers shot Jonathan several times.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/05/30/virginia.shooting/index.html?hpt=T2

Connecticut Light and Power Reports Power Outages

2011-05-30T21:31:00.004-04:00

According to courant.com, stormy weather conditions have caused over 3,500 Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) customers are without power. Thousands of people were left without power after the rough weather conditions on Monday morning. At 3 pm, there were still about a thousand customers without electricity, as reported by the CL&P website. At the peak of the storm, there were about 5, 100 people without power, according to Spokeswoman Kaite Blint. People living around a substation on Sand Bank Road in Cheshire were also customers effected by the storm because of wires knocked down after being struck by lightning. Over 2, 800 customers in Cheshire and Bristol near the substation lost power, but as of 1 pm, all of the people had electricity again. Anyone who sees fallen wires shouldn't go near them and needs to call 911 right away.

Firefighters Find Injured Hiker In Manchester

2011-05-30T21:11:00.004-04:00

According to courant.com, in Manchester, Connecticut, a 34-year-old man was rescued by firefighters on Monday. The man became injured when he fell down an embankment while walking on the trail that connects the Birch and Case Mountains. At 4:38 pm, the hiker called firefighters by using a cell phone and said that he was injured. Manchester firefighters worked with the Glastonbury firefighters with their all-terrain vehicle and the Manchester Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). They found the man around 5:25 pm and he was brought out of the woods by 6 pm. The man, who is a Manchester resident was taken to Manchester Memorial Hospital to be treated. The man was carried back up the embankment and moved out of the woods by firefighters. The hiker was in contact with a 911 dispatcher all through the search and was able to help the firefighters locate him. According to Manchester Battalion Chief Michael Dubois, the hiker was out in the woods for several hours with only 1 bottle of water and may have been dehydrated. The man's name has not been released.

Death Penalty Imposed in China for Food Safety Violations

2011-05-30T19:44:00.005-04:00

A string of scandals and incidents with certain types of food in China has led the courts to start handing down harsher sentences for intentional violations of protocol, including the death penalty. Among reported incidents were the sale and unknowing consumption of melamine-laced milk, and watermelons spiked with growth-enhancing chemicals. So far, 106 people have been convicted of violating food safety, and two life sentences have been handed down. The Xinhua news agency believes that incidents such as these will mean that "the Chinese consumer will continue to lose confidence in Chinese products and consumers abroad will equally lose confidence in Chinese products."

-CNN News

Tornado Strikes Joplin; 89 Confirmed Dead

2011-05-27T07:40:00.008-04:00

Joplin, Missouri was struck by a powerful tornado on Sunday, which resulted in the death of at least 89, not to mention countless displacements. The south end of the city was the most severely damaged, with whole blocks of buildings flattened by the force of the storm. Reports say that Interstate 44 was shut down in Joplin, and Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency. The tornado, according to CNN, was an EF-4, with winds as high as 198 mph. As a result, even strong buildings were destroyed; one man who worked at a dental office reported that his office had stood for 30 years, and was made of brick. It is now gone. Because of rising temperatures Monday, additional storms are possible in the area.

-Oklahoma's Own, Channel 6

Serbian War Criminal Arrested After 15 Years

2011-05-26T11:12:00.003-04:00

According to CNN:

Ratko Mladic, former Serbian war commander in the Bosnian War, was arrested in Serbia on Thursday for committing war crimes after more than 15 years in hiding. Serbian President Boris Tadic stated that Mladic was arrested after an investigation that lasted for about 3 years. Mladic, now 69 years old, was the highest-ranking war crimes suspect still at large from the Bosnian War, and is wanted on charges of genocide, extermination, torture, and murder among others. The war crimes refer back to a killing of over 8,000 men and boys back in 1995, in what was considered the largest individual mass killing in Europe since WWII and the Holocaust. Mladic is the last of a trio of leaders accused of war crimes against Muslims and Croats to be arrested. The other two were former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, who was arrested in 2000 and died in 2006, and Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, who was arrested in 2008 and is on trial in The Hague. President Tadic stated that Ratko Mladic's arrest should assist in the reconciliation in the Balkans.

Couple Sentenced to Pool Time

2011-05-23T11:02:00.004-04:00

A couple from northeast Ohio rafted down a flood-swollen river without life preservers. To make it worse, when they reached land and were confronted by the authorities who had been searching for them for hours, the couple proceeded to lie about being in the water.

A judge sentenced the couple to stand in a tiny pool while wearing life jackets and handing out water safety brochures during a festival in Painesville, which is thirty miles away from Cleveland.

The couple pleaded guilty and accepted the pool and community service option rather than 60 days in jail.

-Associated Press

Toy Tiger Causes a Stir for Police

2011-05-23T10:41:00.003-04:00

UK police ordered tranquilizers and scrambled helicopters to hunt what they believed was an escaped tiger in Southern England. The Hampshire police say they responded to multiple calls from residents claiming that they had seen a white tiger in a field. It became apparent to the officers that the tiger was actually a life sized stuffed toy. However, it was stressed that the officers responded appropriately to the possible threat.

-Associated Press

Hartford Man Killed In Manchester Crash

2011-05-22T22:03:00.005-04:00

According to courant.com, early Friday morning a Hartford man was killed when his car went off the road and hit a utility pole. Steven Lenois, 24 was headed westbound on Highland near Porter Street when the crash happened right before 3 am. According to police, Lenois' car went off the road, traveled in the shoulder, and then hit the pole on the south side of the road. He was brought to Manchester Memorial Hospital by ambulance, where he later passed away. The crash is being investigated by a regional accident investigation team and Manchester police. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or that has any information are asked to call Manchester police Officer Stephen Bresciano at 860-645-5560.

Convenience Store Clerk Shot In Manchester, CT

2011-05-22T21:46:00.003-04:00

According to courant.com, a convenience store clerk has been admitted to the hospital after a shooting at the Super convenience store on Hartford Avenue on Sunday night. Police wouldn't confirm if the shooting happened during an attempted robbery. The clerk has identified as Avrang Zaib-Sahib by family members at the scene. He was working alone when the shooter entered the store around 6 pm and shot him. According to police, customers that were inside the store during the shooting called 911. Zaib-Sahib's condition isn't known at this time, but according to family members, he's unconscious and fighting for his life. Family members have said that Zaib-Sahib is in his mid-30s and has two children and another on the way. The store's owner, Mirza Baig said that the store is a family-owned business and Zaib-Sahib is family.

Floodwaters Rising in Mississippi

2011-05-22T20:46:00.007-04:00

According to the National Weather Service, the water levels of the Mississippi River in Natchez, Mississippi, are more than 13 feet above the flood zone. It was these flood waters that resulted in the displacement of 2,000 residents of Vicksburg, Mississippi, who have still not been allowed to return to their homes. Govenor Haley Barbour also reported that the water is a health hazard; its E. Coli concentration is 200 times that of normal water. Vicksburg business owner Rusty Larsen believes some good may have come out of the cresting floodwaters; he reports that more people, including tourists, have been visiting his restaraunt, with the opportunity to observe the waters. This is the most severe flood the Mississippi River has experienced since 1937.

-CNN News

Major Eruption From Iceland Volcano

2011-05-22T17:02:00.008-04:00

The Grimsvotn volcano in Southern Iceland had a massive eruption on Saturday; the first since 2004, and the most severe of the last 100 years. The eruption spewed a 12 mile plume of ash and smoke into the sky, which could reach western Europe in a matter of days, reports say.

Last year, a different Icelandic volcano, named Eyjafjallajokull erupted, and the resulting ash resulted in a no-fly zone for a period of time afterwards. The Grimsvotn eruption is said to be much more powerful, and has resulted in a 120 nautical mile no-fly zone around the volcano. 40 international flights have been cancelled. Geophysicist Magnus Gunmundsson has stated that "in two or three days, the worst should be over."

-MSNBC.com

8 Libyan Warships Destroyed by NATO

2011-05-20T11:11:00.003-04:00

According to CNN:

Thursday night saw Libya being repeatedly bombed by NATO jets, an attack which destroyed 8 warships belonging to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The ships were targeted in Sirte, Al-Khums, and Tripoli when it became evident that the ships were being used to attack civilians. NATO spokesman Mike Bracken stated that Gadhafi was hampering the flow of humanitarian aid by using the ships to install mines in the waters of Misrata. He also stated that NATO's campaign was progressing and Gadhafi's forces had been significantly weakened. Despite this, Libyan military forces continued to bomb the Tunisian border, causing the border crossing for aid to close.

BREAKING NEWS: Accident on CT Route 2

2011-05-09T20:59:00.003-04:00

There has been a car crash near exit 13 on route 2, no traffic is being held up as of now, it seems that the two firetrucks, ambulace, and police car on the scene have everything under control

Pakistani PM Wants "Blame Game" to End

2011-05-09T11:22:00.003-04:00

According to CNN:

Following the demise of Osama bin Laden, several accusations have been aimed at Pakistan's government that they didn't use good enough measures to capture the terrorist leader. On Monday Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani addressed Parliament about the accusations and denied that the government had hidden bin Laden. He called accusations of "complicity and incompetence... absurd." Further, he also stated that, while calling the operation "justice done", the U.S. military had violated Pakistani sovereignty by conducting the operation without their knowledge or involvement.

Scuffle over iPhone in China

2011-05-09T11:19:00.005-04:00

A fight broke out in an Apple store in China between a customer and an employee. Some reports state that three or four customers have been injured. The Apple store resorted to closing its doors to protect themselves and other customers from the hysteria.

The demand for the iPhone and iPad in China has been continuously high. Hopefully, the attitudes will cool down before the next Apple product is releasef.

-Associated Press

Japanese Nuclear Plant to Shut Down

2011-05-09T11:10:00.003-04:00

According to CNN:

After warnings from the Japanese Prime Minister regarding natural disasters, the owner of the Chubu Electric Company has announced that they will shut down their reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant. This move, which will effectively shut down the plant, comes after PM Naoto Kan requested that there be more protective measures against tsunamis and earthquakes to prevent possible grave damage similar to the Fukushima Daiichi plant incident.

Meanwhile, several workers re-entered the Fukushima Daiichi plant to measure radiation levels in the damaged facility. On Thursday, workers installed a ventilation system to filter radiation from the air. On Monday they went into the plant to see if the system was working. If radiation levels are low enough, workers will be sent in to try and restore the cooling system in the plant.

Suspects Caught by Pocket Dial

2011-05-09T11:03:00.005-04:00

Three suspects in New York state were arrested for grand larceny when one of the men pocket dialed 911 while driving near the scene of an earlier heist.

The dipatcher recieving the call heard the men discussing their plans, their surroundings, and even the statement, "There go the cops now." The dispatcher relayed all information to deputies. Which was enough for the cops to pull over the Kia Sportage full of stolen tools from local Syracuse businesses.

-Associated Press

Man In Critical Condition After Shooting In New Haven

2011-05-08T20:44:00.003-04:00

According to courant.com, in New Haven, Connecticut, a man is in critical condition after being shot. According to police, a 47-year-old man, whose name hasn't been released, was shot in the lower stomach just around 3:30 am at the intersection of Lamerton and Button streets. The man was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he is in critical condition, police said. Police haven't yet made any arrests. Anyone with information about the shooting are asked to call police at 203-946-6316.

Teen Rescued From Housatonic After Canoe Accident

2011-05-08T20:28:00.003-04:00

According to courant.com, on Sunday in Cornwall, Connecticut a 17-year-old female was rescued by the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department. The teen was canoeing in the Housatonic River when she was thrown from the boat, according to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The teen was brought to a nearby hospital by helicopter with non-life threatening head injuries. According to DEP spokesman Dwayne Gardner, the female was conscious and alert. A part of Route 7 was closed during the rescue, state police said.

Legendary Golfer Dies at 54

2011-05-08T20:17:00.005-04:00

54-year-old Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros passed away Saturday morning, in Pedrena, Spain. Ballesteros had been fighting cancer, caused by a brain tumour, for three years before cancer claimed him. An eight-time participant in the Ryder cup, and claimer of 87 different titles, Ballesteros will be missed by many. He won the Open three times- in 1979, 1984, and 1988, and according to BBC gold correspondent Ian Carter, "No golfer did more to popularise the game in Europe."

Gaining publicity at 19, Seve shot a 70 at the 1976 Open, finishing 2nd to Johnny Miller. This included making a shot from a parking lot, to set up a birdie. Lee Westwood's Twitter post regarding him read, "Lost an inspiration, genius, role-model, hero and friend. Seve made European golf what it is today. RIP Seve."

-BBC News

America's Most Wanted Dead

2011-05-08T19:59:00.006-04:00

Nearly ten years after he orchestrated the attack on the Twin Towers in New York City, Osama bin Laden was shot by United States forces, in the compound where he was hiding, outside of Islamabad. A DNA test, using a finger cut from the body proved that the man killed in the compound was, in fact, bin Laden. He was buried at sea, with the proper Islamic rituals. The burial took place at sea, with the intention of preventing his burial place from becoming sacred. World leaders have praised the killing of bin Laden; Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani called it a "great victory." President Obama has stated that "no Americans were harmed".

-BBC News

Prince William and Kate to visit California

2011-05-05T11:08:00.005-04:00

It was confirmed on Thursday morning, May 5, that the newlywed couple, Prince William and Kate, will be visiting California following a tour of Canada this July. This news comes after a week long speculation of where the new couple will be traveling for a honeymoon. Many reports of the royal family have said that William and Kate would be taking an elaborate honeymoon due to the recent economy. They said it would look bad if the royal family were to spend more money then needed to travel when the majority of the population is struggling to make ends meet.

Sources:
US Magazine.com

Apple Releases New iMacs

2011-05-04T11:13:00.007-04:00

Tuesday, May 3, Apple Computers released a new lineup of iMacs. Apple's update to its top-selling desktop computer includes many new awaited features and updates to the iMac's inside and outside. The iMac, which shipped out Tuesday, has a LED backlit display, "HD FaceTime camera", and a multi-touch trackpad. On the inside it harnesses the new Intel CORE i7 processor, an advanced AMD Radeon HD graphics processors, and can be modified to hold 1 TB of storage memory. This is a big leap from the older version. The new iMac can cost you $1199 for the 21.5 inch and $1699 for the 27 inch version. Many Apple fans await the new operation system OS X Lion this summer. This will be available for all of Apple's computers, including the iMac.

Sources:
Apple Computers
PCWorld

Sub Recovers Air France Memory Unit

2011-05-03T07:52:00.003-04:00

According to CNN:

Recently, a submarine has discovered the memory unit from a crashed Air France plane at the bottom of the ocean. Back in 2009, Air France Flight 447 to Rio de Janeiro mysteriously crashed into the ocean, killing all 228 people on board. Investigators were baffled as to how the crash happened, but a remote controlled submarine managed to find the unit under the ocean. French investigators hope that this will shed light on how the crash occurred.

Man In Critical Condition After Hartford Shooting

2011-05-01T20:19:00.003-04:00

According to courant.com, after being shot twice late on Friday night, a man is in critical condition. As reported by police, two men were bickering in the parking lot of 60 Wadsworth Street, which is a housing complex in Hartford, Connecticut, just around 11 pm. One of the men pulled out a gun and began firing multiple shots at the victim. He was taken to Hartford Hospital by private car, where he is in critical but stable condition. According to police, the victim was shot twice in the chest. Police are saying that they have identified a suspect in the shooting, but haven't made any arrests.