The Faces of Health Care
Article by David Hudson
Posted on 12/26/2014
Washington D.C.--Susan T. from Quincy, Illinois recently wrote the President to say thanks for his “courage and conviction to make sure every American has access to health insurance.”
Having worked since she was 15, Susan calls herself “lucky” for having had a successful career and healthy life for many years. As a result of her health, she didn’t put much thought into our country’s health care system.
That all changed about six years ago, however, when Susan was diagnosed with Lupus.
When she decided to start her own company in February 2011 with her business partner, she gave up a substantial salary from her previous job. She didn’t realize, however, that she was also giving up the opportunity to have health insurance, as she would later be denied almost any chance at health coverage because of her Lupus diagnosis.
“I cannot tell you the sinking feeling I had that at any moment, everything I worked for my entire life could be gone due to a serious illness or injury,” she writes.
But thanks to the Affordable Care Act, she could no longer be denied coverage just because of a pre-existing condition.
“I finally had good coverage, better than I had expected…I’m not sure I have ever had a more peaceful night’s sleep,” she writes. “This is the definition of a hand up, not a hand out.”
NOAA and partners document surge in Great Lakes water levels
Article posted by Florida Gazette Photo by Steven J. Myers
Posted on 12/25/2014
At no other point in recorded history have water levels risen as much on Lake Superior and Michigan-Huron over the same two-year period. Since September 2014, all of the Great Lakes have been above their seasonal averages for the first time since the late 1990s.
“The recent surge in water levels brings to an end a 15-year period of persistent below-average water levels on Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron,” said Drew Gronewold, a research hydrologist with NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. “However, it is uncertain if, years from now, water levels will continue to rise, or if they will fall again to below-average levels.”
Docks were high and dry
Low water levels
were the story on Lake Michigan and across the Great Lakes in early
2013, as pictured here in Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan. (Michigan Sea
Grant)
The current surge in water levels has largely provided relief to communities, businesses and industries that depend on the Great Lakes, including commercial shipping, hydropower, recreational boating and tourism. However, high water levels can have negative effects as well, including coastal erosion, flooding, and property damage along the shoreline. The severe storm in October 2014 that lashed the shores of southern Lake Michigan is just one example.
Research from NOAA, the Army Corps, Environment Canada, and regional academic institutions indicates that increases in seasonal precipitation are the major cause of the recent water level surge. Measurements from a growing network of off-shore evaporation monitoring stations indicate that evaporation rates in the recent two-year period have not been particularly low despite recent cold winter temperatures and record high ice cover. So while high evaporation rates were a major factor in keeping water levels low between 1998 and 2013, an increase in precipitation appears to be the major driver of the recent water level surge.
Data suggests that precipitation in the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron basins was about 10 percent above long-term averages in both 2013 and 2014, while precipitation in 2012 (a year of drought that preceded the record low water levels on Michigan-Huron) was roughly 10 percent below the long-term average.
NOAA and Army Corps scientists are also studying how a changing climate may contribute to water level changes. To improve the understanding of the relationship between climate change and Great Lakes water levels, GLERL researchers and their academic partners analyze relationships between evaporation from the lakes, seasonal ice cover, and long-term heat storage in the lakes.
This research would not be possible without the continuous operational water level and meteorological monitoring networks provided by U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, as well as the research-oriented monitoring stations of partner academic institutions. The water level stations maintained by the NOAA/National Ocean Service Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS), for example, provide one of the longest high quality hydrometeorological data sets in North America, with data beginning in 1860. Research and monitoring of Great Lakes water levels and regional meteorological conditions is an important part of NOAA’s mission to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts.
Christmas Eve Bomb Gives Dairy Employees Scare
Article by Affiliate Arkansas Journal
Posted on 12/24/2014
Little Rock-- Little Rock Fire Department's Bomb Squad responded to Hiland Dairy at 6901 Interstate 30 in Little Rock today after an employee brought an improvised explosive device to his work to show to another employee. The employee told police he found the package on his driveway and took it inside to plug it in, but it blew a fuse in his house. Police believe the man was targeted but that the bomb builder didn't know how to make it work.
Mississippi Tornado Takes The Life Of Four 
Article by Affiliate Mississippi Gazette
Posted on 12/24/2014
Posted on 12/24/2014
Jackson, MS-- Tornados leave a trail of wide spread damage with four dead and at least 20 injured Tuesday. The tornados were reported in Louisiana and Mississippi with the heaviest damage reported in Mississippi. Several Southeastern states were issued watches and warnings. The National Weather Service office at Jackson, Mississippi, said, "During the afternoon of Dec 23, just enough ingredients came together to support numerous severe storms ahead of a cold front. Across the Lower Mississippi River Valley, peak heating contributed to decent instability in the developing warm sector in advance of the front. Sufficient low level wind shear and strong winds aloft were also in place as a decent upper low was located to our north. This helped to support organized thunderstorm activity along with quite a few supercell storms. A long lived, persistent, storm tracked across the southeastern counties (near Columbia, Mississippi to Sumrall and Laurel to Heidelberg, Mississippi line) and produced multiple tornadoes. Widespread damage occurred in southern Columbia, near Sumrall and near Laurel and areas in Marion, Jones and Clarke counties. Sadly, four confirmed fatalities occurred, with two near Columbia in Marion County and two near Laurel in Jones County. Severe storms moved out of the region by late afternoon to early Tuesday evening. The front continued to track through the area through the evening of December 23."
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Helps Rescued Exotic Animals Have A Better Life
Article posted by Florida Gazette
posted on 12/23/2014
Eureka Springs, AR-- For over 20 years, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge has operated its wildlife sanctuary, where it cares for wild animals who have been rescued and relocated from zoos, circuses, roadside "attractions," and the cruel and foolish exotic pet industry.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge cares for more than 100 tigers, lions, bears, and other wildlife.
Some of the Animals include Sugar, a black bear who came to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in 2009 from
Greenbriar, Ark. Sugar was housed in the middle of a private
junkyard, in a cage too short for her to stand up in. It was full
of mud and filth that had built up for nearly twelve years. It
took her a little while to adjust to her new and improved living
conditions, but now she’s doing great.
Or Sierra, a three-year-old de-clawed Bengal tiger, was rescued
from Grapevine, Tex. She had been confiscated by the SPCA from
Texas about two months before and placed in Grapevine Humane
Society until Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge found her. Sierra had lived on a poor diet of dog food and was in very bad condition. During her two month stay at the Humane Society, she had gained 70 pounds just by getting a proper diet. Since Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge rescues cats for no fee,
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge was contacted and asked to take Sierra. Because of her unhealthy diet as a cub, Sierra is about one third of the size that an adult female tiger should be. She has pigeon toes and severe scoliosis. Because of the deformities in her hips, Sierra is on a strict diet of boneless meat.
Threat To Blow Up I-55 Bridge Received By FBI
Article by Affiliate Tennessee Gazette
12/22/2014
Memphis, TN--Local officials acted on an anonymous tip today that someone was planning to blow up the I-55 bridge which goes from West Memphis, Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee. The bridge crosses the Mississippi River. It opened on December 17, 1949. The FBI was quick to say that the threats have no credible source.
Home Fires Are A Real Disaster
Article Posted by Florida Gazette Photo by Staff Photographer David Lear
posted on 12/21/2014
posted on 12/21/2014
Miami--During
2014, the American Red Cross helped more people
affected by home fires than all other disasters combined. Day after day
and in neighborhoods from coast to coast, their biggest disaster threat
isn’t from tornadoes, hurricanes and floods, but home fires. Nearly
every 8 minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster in the
community and approximately 93 percent of these are home fires.
Local American Red Cross volunteers in 12,500 communities across the nation responded at all
hours of the day with food, blankets and comfort to help more than
211,000 people with nowhere else to turn after home fires in 2014. The
Red Cross also provided financial support to tens of thousands of
households after home fires to help replace lost belongings and begin
the long road to recovery.
The work
doesn’t end after the smoke clears. Red Cross volunteers
across the country are helping to save lives through a nationwide
campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25
percent over the next five years. Since
the campaign launched in October, "we’ve already reached more than
29,000 people by installing more than 17,000 smoke alarms.These efforts
have already saved five lives and we hope this is only the beginning."
said the American Red Cross.
To learn more about the American Red Cross CLICK HERE
President Obama reflected on the significant progress made by this country in 2014
Article by David Hudson
12/20/2014
The President reflected on the significant progress made by this country in 2014, and in the nearly six years since he took office.
This past year has been the strongest for job growth since
the 1990s, contributing to the nearly 11 million jobs added by our
businesses over a 57-month streak. America is leading the rest of the
world, in containing the spread of Ebola, degrading and ultimately
destroying ISIL, and addressing the threat posed by climate change. And
earlier this week, the President announced the most significant changes
to our policy towards Cuba in over 50 years.
America’s resurgence is real, and the President expressed
his commitment to working with Congress in the coming year to make sure
Americans feel the benefits.
Shopping on Super Saturday
Posted on 12/19/2014
BENTONVILLE, Ark.--Still haven’t checked everything off your Christmas gift list? Well, you’re not alone. The world’s largest retailer conducted in-person interviews with more than 2,200 customers in Walmart stores across the U.S. on Saturday, Dec. 13 and found more than one-third plan to shop for last-minute gifts on Super Saturday, the last Saturday before Christmas.
To ensure last-minute shoppers get the gifts they want at a great price, Walmart stores will continue to receive many of the season’s hottest toys, electronics and home goods until Dec. 24. The retailer is also helping its customers get in and out quickly by creating designated areas near the front of its stores with popular last-minute gifts such as stocking stuffers, gift sets and gift cards. Customers can also choose to order from tens of thousands of items on Walmart.com by Dec. 23 and receive free same-day pickup in stores on Dec. 24.
“Over the past few years, we’ve noticed a trend in customers waiting until the last minute to finish their shopping,” said Scott McCall, senior vice president of merchandising for Walmart U.S. “While many customers start their Christmas shopping in November, the majority don’t put their lists away until Dec. 24. Our stores are ready to help customers get everything they need from top toys and electronics to stocking stuffers, cookies for Santa and the easiest present to give: the gift card.”
Honoring Our Service Members Veterans and Their Families During the Holidays
Holiday decorations at the Naval Observatory Residence, in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
Article by
Washington D.C. --This holiday season, in honor of our service members, veterans, and their families, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden dedicated five trees at the Naval Observatory Residence representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Capturing their personal experiences, military families from all across the country handcrafted the ornaments that adorn the trees. Atop each tree is a gold star, embodying the spirit, bravery, and patriotism of those who serve.
Earlier this month, Dr. Biden hosted a holiday celebration in honor of our military, veterans, and their families at the Vice President’s Residence. "We owe thanks today, and everyday, to those who wear the uniform. And we owe a debt of gratitude to their families because, as all of you know, when you have a family who serves in the military, the whole family serves too," Dr. Biden said.
Santa Claus hands out stuffed champ dogs during a holiday celebration in honor of our military, veterans and their families, at the Naval Observatory Residence, in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
Dr. Biden places an ornament of the National Guard Memorial on a holiday tree in her office at the White House, in Washington, D.C., December 12, 2014. (Photo by SSG Michelle Gonzalez, National Guard Bureau)
During this holiday season, we hope all Americans can find ways to recognize and support our service members, veterans, and their families in their communities
President Barack Obama delivers a statement on Cuba and the release of American Alan Gross
President Barack Obama delivers a statement on Cuba and the release of American Alan Gross, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Dec. 17, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
12/17/2014
Article posted by Florida Gazette Photo by Chuck Kennedy
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement that the U.S. government will take steps to normalize relations with Cuba:
“The U.S. business community welcomes today’s announcement, and has long supported many of the economic provisions the president touched on in his remarks. We deeply believe that an open dialogue and commercial exchange between the U.S. and Cuban private sectors will bring shared benefits, and the steps announced today will go a long way in allowing opportunities for free enterprise to flourish. In countries around the world, where leaders from across the political spectrum have made a concerted effort to liberalize their economy, we have seen a sharp rise in the quality of life of their citizens.
“As we witnessed on our exploratory trip to Havana earlier this year, Cuba has changed some of its economic policies to lessen government control or ownership of Cuban businesses, and subsequently, their private sector is growing. There is still work to do, on both sides of this relationship, but the changes outlined today are a substantive and positive step forward. It is imperative that the Cuban government build on today’s positive steps with a more ambitious economic reform agenda at home, while we continue to push for the end of the embargo here in Washington.
“The Chamber and its members stand ready to assist as the Cuban people work to unleash the power of free enterprise to improve their lives.”
International trade and investment are key components of the Chamber’s 2014 American Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity Agenda, an ambitious plan to generate stronger economic growth, create jobs, and expand opportunity for all Americans.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.
5 Things You Need to Know About Alaska's Bristol Bay
Article by Tanya Somanader
Washington D.C. --President Obama just took action to protect one of Alaska's most powerful economic engines and one of America’s greatest national treasures: Bristol Bay.
Today, he signed a Presidential Memorandum that withdraws these beautiful and pristine waters from all future oil and gas drilling. "These waters are too special and too valuable to auction off to the highest bidder," the President said.
Here are five things you need to know about Bristol Bay:
1. Bristol Bay provides 40 percent of America's wild-caught seafood.
Bristol Bay is one of the world's most valuable fisheries, providing 40 percent of America's seafood and supporting up to $2 billion in commercial fishing every year.
2. Bristol Bay hosts one of the world's largest wild salmon runs.
While remote, this area is also an economic engine for tourism in Alaska. Bristol Bay drives $100 million in recreational fishing and tourism activity every year.
3. Bristol Bay is home to multiple threatened species.
Bristol Bay provides important habitat for many species, including the threatened Stellar's eider, sea otters, seals, walruses, Beluga and Killer whales, and the endangered North Pacific Right Whale.
4. The President's action protects millions of acres from drilling.
The North Aleutian Basin Planning Area that includes Bristol Bay consists of about 32.5 million acres. The previous Administration set in motion a new lease sale for 2011 that would have opened approximately 5.6 million acres -- about one-fifth of the planning area -- for drilling. In 2010, President Obama temporarily withdrew the Bristol Bay area from oil and gas development, and today's action extends that protection indefinitely.
5. President Obama is not the only president to use his executive authority to protect lands.
The President issues his temporary withdrawal in 2010 using his authority under section 12 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which gives the president authority to withdraw offshore areas from potential oil and gas leasing. President Eisenhower was the first to exercise the authority in 1960, withdrawing an area now included in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Since then, presidents on both sides of the aisle have acted to withdraw areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from oil and gas leasing.
Dr. Vivek Murthy Is Confirmed as Surgeon General
12/15/2015
Article by Tanya Somanader
Washington D.C--The Surgeon General is America's doctor, responsible for providing Americans with the best scientific information on how to improve our collective well-being. Now, Dr. Vivek Murthy will be the next physician to don the lab coat of the Surgeon General after the Senate confirmed his nomination today.
"I applaud the Senate for
confirming Vivek Murthy to be our country’s next Surgeon General," the
President said following the confirmation.
"As ‘America’s Doctor,’ Vivek will hit the ground running to make sure
every American has the information they need to keep themselves and
their families safe. He’ll bring his lifetime of experience promoting
public health to bear on priorities ranging from stopping new diseases
to helping our kids grow up healthy and strong."
Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know about our next Surgeon General:What does the Surgeon General do?
The Surgeon General's chief responsibility is to protect, promote, and advance our nation's public health. He or she provides Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve our health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.On top of overseeing 6,700 members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the Surgeon General is also the Chair of the National Prevention Council, a group of 20 federal departments and agencies that is committed to prevention and wellness for individuals, families, and communities.
44 Year Old Northern White Rhino Dies At San Diego Zoo.
12/15/2014
Article by affiliate California Gazette Photo by San Diego Zoo
San Diego,CA--A 44 year old Northern White Rhino named Angalifu has died at the San Diego Zoo on Sunday. Angalifu was one of six Critically Endangered Northern White Rhinos left in the world. Northern White Rhinos have been killed by heavily-armed poaching gangs which has pushed the Northern White Rhinos to the edge of extinction. To learn more about the San Diego Zoo click here
Supporting West African Ebola Survivors.
12/14/2014
Posted by Florida Gazette
West Africa--The case fatality rate in West Africa’s ongoing Ebola epidemic – estimates range from 60 percent to 70 percent of those hospitalized – hides a hopeful statistic: the fact that many Ebola patients survive. There now are thousands of Ebola survivors.
In this epidemic as in past Ebola outbreaks, survivors often face stigma, income loss, and both grief and survivor guilt over the loss of family and friends. Many if not all of their possessions have been destroyed to prevent disease transmission. In some cases, families have been reluctant to accept orphaned children.
Two reports in the December 12 early release issue of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) detail programs in Liberia and Sierra Leone to help Ebola survivors reintegrate with their communities and resume their lives. As survivors are thought to have some protective immunity to the strain of Ebola that sickened them, many survivors now work as caregivers for other Ebola patients.
“Nothing says more about the resilience of the human spirit than Ebola survivors who become role models for their communities,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “They show others that Ebola can be defeated and provide care, support, and inspiration for others stricken by this terrible disease.”
Support Services for Survivors of Ebola Virus Disease — Sierra Leone,
According to an August 2014 survey by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation, CDC, and other partners, 96 percent of the general population reported at least some discriminatory attitude toward people with Ebola. This stigma discourages people from seeking Ebola testing and treatment and increases the already difficult task of contact tracing. It extends to Ebola survivors, who may be shunned by their communities.
CDC staff joined a consortium of members of the Sierra Leonean government, nongovernment organizations, and donor agencies to assess the needs of Ebola survivors. The group performed a study of three districts heavily affected by Ebola, convened a National Survivor Conference, conducted focus groups with survivors, and observed counseling sessions at a survivor wellness center.
The study found that survivors faced immediate and long-term concerns about physical and mental health, stigma, psychosocial issues including shame and survival guilt, reintegration needs, and financial needs. Despite these needs, survivors reported inadequate counseling, community reintegration, and material support.
Survivors showed great interest in contributing to the Ebola response through activities such as sharing their stories directly through radio and other broadcast media. They also expressed interest in participating in direct Ebola care and treatment support in and providing spiritual support to other Ebola patients to give them hope. Survivors said that supporting themselves with this work would help restore their own dignity.
The consortium now is coordinating financial and psychosocial support for survivors. This support includes a “survivor packet” that includes cash, bedding, clothing, and other essentials of daily living. Counselors will accompany survivors when returning to their home villages to facilitate reintegration, and trained counselors are speaking with local traditional authorities and other community members about the importance of survivor acceptance. Survivor support centers are being established at the district level, and plans are underway to integrate survivors into Ebola response activities.
Reintegration of Ebola Virus Disease Survivors into Their Communities — Firestone District, Liberia,
In August 2014, the Firestone District of Liberia, where Firestone Liberia Inc. provides health care to 80,000 residents, enrolled their first patient in a model Ebola survivor reintegration program. The program was designed to offer survivors psychosocial support as well as to lessen stigma, provide hope, and motivate community members to report suspect Ebola cases and to seek care early in the course of disease.
“Well-coordinated survivor reintegration programs help stop the spread of Ebola and heal communities,” Dr. Frieden said. “Businesses can follow Firestone’s excellent example and contribute to the effort to get to zero in this Ebola epidemic.”
From August through October, 2014, 22 patients with laboratory-confirmed Ebola recovered from their illness at the Firestone Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). During the three days between their first negative Ebola test and a second test confirming that they were Ebola free, survivors were transferred to a recovery room in the ETU and given education and counseling.
Meanwhile, a reintegration team began preparing the survivors’ communities. The team met with the survivors’ neighbors and community leaders, emphasizing that survivors are no longer sick and are Ebola free. On the day of return, Firestone’s medical director, the ETU coordinator, and other medical staff traveled with the survivor to the community accompanied by the reintegration team, radio station personnel, and clergy. Community volunteers decorated the survivor’s home with traditional palm leaves to signify the festive occasion.
Each survivor received a “solidarity kit” including a new mattress, bedding, towels, an insecticide-treated mosquito net, soaps and toiletries, a 110-pound bag of rice, three gallons of cooking oil, toys (for children), clothing, and cash for food and personal necessities. After the reintegration ceremony, the physician-led Firestone medical team visited all survivors at home every week for three months, both for a clinical checkup and to provide social and psychological support.
No major reintegration problems have occurred to date. Reintegration ceremonies continue to be well-attended by dozens of community members, and the events have been celebratory rather than confrontational events.
Hostages Taken In Downtown Sydney Shop.
12/14/2014
Article by David Lear with Florida Gazette.
Article by David Lear with Florida Gazette.
Sydney, Australia--Police
have responded to a downtown Opera House after a call of a reported
hostage situation. Police could be seen with weapons drawn at the Lindt
Chocolat Café in Sydney, according to one witness. The scene unfolded in
the city's
financial district where some of the hostages could be seen holding a
Shahada flag. Update: Lone Hostage taker among three killed in Sydney cafe siege. New South Wales police commissioner says there were 17 hostages total involved in the Sydney.
What's Your Chance Of A White Christmas?
Article posted by Florida Gazette Graphic by NOAA
Miami ,FL--For those of you dreaming of a white Christmas, this map depicts
which places have the best chance of being a winter wonderland according
to weather history. The “Historical Probability of a White Christmas
Map” shows the climatological probability of at least 1 inch of snow
being on the ground on December 25 in the lower 48 states. On the map,
dark gray shows places where the probability is less than 10 percent,
while white shows probabilities greater than 90 percent.
Where does history say you should be for the best chance of
seeing a white Christmas? Idaho, Minnesota, Maine, Upstate New York, the
Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and, of course,
the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada Mountains all have a high probability
of seeing a white Christmas. And, Aspen, Colorado, is just one of about a
dozen locations in the Northwest boasting a 100% historical probability
of seeing a white Christmas.
This map is based on the 1981–2010 Climate Normals, which are the latest three-decade averages of several climatological measurements. This dataset contains daily and monthly Normals of temperature, precipitation, snowfall, heating and cooling degree days, frost/freeze dates, and growing degree days calculated from observations at approximately 9,800 stations operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service. You can find the Climate Normals for locations near you by using NCDC’s interactive map or search tool.
While the map shows the climatological probability of snow on December 25, the actual conditions this year may vary widely from these probabilities because the weather patterns present will determine if there is snow on the ground or if snow will fall on Christmas Day. These probabilities are useful as a guide only to show where snow on the ground is more likely. For prediction of your actual weather conditions, check out your local forecast at Weather.gov within seven days of Christmas.
If you would like to keep track of the snowfall across the United States on a daily basis, see the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center’s National Snow Analyses.
This map is based on the 1981–2010 Climate Normals, which are the latest three-decade averages of several climatological measurements. This dataset contains daily and monthly Normals of temperature, precipitation, snowfall, heating and cooling degree days, frost/freeze dates, and growing degree days calculated from observations at approximately 9,800 stations operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service. You can find the Climate Normals for locations near you by using NCDC’s interactive map or search tool.
While the map shows the climatological probability of snow on December 25, the actual conditions this year may vary widely from these probabilities because the weather patterns present will determine if there is snow on the ground or if snow will fall on Christmas Day. These probabilities are useful as a guide only to show where snow on the ground is more likely. For prediction of your actual weather conditions, check out your local forecast at Weather.gov within seven days of Christmas.
If you would like to keep track of the snowfall across the United States on a daily basis, see the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center’s National Snow Analyses.
USS Norfolk Decommissioned
12/12/2014
NORFOLK (Aug. 26, 2014) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) returns to homeport at Naval Station Norfolk after completing its final deployment. Norfolk will begin the inactivation process in 2015. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shannon D. Barnwell/Released)
Article by Kevin Copeland
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) was decommissioned Dec. 11 during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. The submarine will remain in Norfolk until in leaves in January to begin the decommissioning process at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine.
Norfolk is currently under the command of Cmdr. Christopher Polk, who became the submarine's 17th and final commanding officer during a ceremony on Oct. 10, 2014.
"Anyone who has ever served in the Navy understands there is a special bond between a ship and her crew," said Polk. "With every one of the ship's successes, and the occasional failure, we live and die. While on board, we experience the full spectrum of emotions - happiness and/sadness, joy and anger, and confidence and fear. We love her, we curse her; we feel out of place, we feel right at home. But through it all, our spirits breathe life into this ship.
"None of us want to acknowledge the inevitable, least of all me. The ship has a particularly special place in my heart since I was fortunate enough to previously serve on board as a department head and I still consider that assignment as the turning point in my naval career. Without my Norfolk experience, I never would have achieved my ultimate goals of command at sea and command of the Norfolk."
The 360-foot submarine is the third naval ship to be named in honor of its namesake city of Norfolk, Virginia. It was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and was commissioned May 21, 1983 by then Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger. Norfolk was also the Navy's 133rd nuclear-powered submarine, the 89th attack submarine, and the 24th Los Angeles-class submarine.
In addition to Polk, Mayor Paul Fraim, city of Norfolk, retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Joseph J. Krol, Norfolk's second commanding officer and former associate administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Emergency Operations, and Capt. Paul Snodgrass, commander, Submarine Squadron 6 were the featured speakers.
"It is a real thrill for me to be here today, as we honor this crew and all who sailed before them on USS Norfolk," said Krol. "I am a Norfolk Sailor and just one of more than 1,000 submariners who have served on board the ship. Thank you, captain, for inviting me to participate, as I am very proud to have been a small part of the accomplishments produced by those who have sailed on this magnificent ship.
"It has always been fashionable to say that a successful Naval vessel is a great ship, and I have always thought that a strange expression. But, Norfolk has been and is a great ship. However, it is not the ship which has delivered so much success over the past 31-plus years. Norfolk joined the fleet on May 21, 1983 and was a key player during the huge transition in submarine warfare that has spanned her entire life. She was designed and constructed as primarily an anti-submarine warfare platform but that all changed from the bipolar Cold War to today's chaotic and unpredictable asymmetrical war involving various state supported and non-state actors worldwide.
"The crews that sailed Norfolk in 31-plus established a huge legacy were at the forefront of this development change. Throughout the vast changes in the military and the Navy that have taken place since the Cold War ended, this ship has soldiered on and delivered. The only way this could have happened is through the efforts every day of every year by the crews that manned this ship."
The ship returned from its maiden deployment in the Mediterranean Sea in November 1984 and returned to its homeport in Norfolk from its last deployment on Aug. 26, 2014, where it operated in the European Command and Central Command areas of responsibilities.
"It is an honor for me to have this rare opportunity to represent the city at USS Norfolk's decommissioning ceremony," said Fraim. "To each of you who presently serve on-board Norfolk, and to all who have had the privilege of serving in the past, please know how very proud we are that your boat was named for this city and proud that it has sailed around the world in defense of the freedom we are so blessed to enjoy here at home.
"Norfolk and her citizens are fiercely proud of our military heritage, proud of our relationship with the Navy, and proud that we have had the privilege of giving more than most cities in defense of our nation. For 31 years, your boat has sailed the world's oceans carrying our city's name through times of war and times of peace. On behalf of the citizens of Norfolk, thank you to all who have served our nation on-board USS Norfolk. We will never forget her or you."
During its 31 years of active service, Norfolk completed 15 deployments to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command. The ship has received six Battle Efficiency awards; two Arleigh Burke awards; four Meritorious Unit Commendations; a Navy Unit Commendation; and two Armed Forces Service Medals.
"It is a true honor to attend this ceremony to celebrate a ship that has always answered the call of our nation," said Snodgrass. "We are in the midst of generations of submariners who share a common spirit, and exemplify the USS Norfolk motto "Vi per Concordium" which translates from Latin as "strength through unity." While others went about their normal lives, these men have lived that motto and have stood the watch to maintain our nation's security - completing 15 overseas deployments, carrying out our nation's tasking through the Cold War, Gulf War, Kosovo Conflict, Global War on Terror and many other conflicts and periods of tension, some named others unnamed."
Almost 140 Sailors will be on Norfolk when it leaves in January for the trip to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and begin the formal decommissioning process. Ninety-three Sailors will stay after the first crew release scheduled in February 2015. Twenty-nine of those 93 Sailors will be moving families and 24 Sailors will travel unaccompanied. All lament being the final crew, but understand there is still work ahead.
"The crew is excited and at the same time saddened to this Battle "E" winning ship being decommissioned," said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Kevin Gibbs, the submarine's senior enlisted advisor or chief of the boat (COB). "Norfolk has served the Submarine Force and the U.S. Navy honorably, and has contributed significantly to our nation's defense and that of our allies. While we are disheartened in seeing this great warrior go, we are ready to face the challenge in ensuring USS Norfolk exits our submarine force with the utmost dignity. It has been an honor for me to serve on this great warship with this amazing crew on her last deployment."
Snodgrass and Polk echoed the COB's sentiments.
"Over the past several years, the Norfolk crew has developed a rallying cry, "when you want more, 714," continued Snodgrass. "Since 1983, USS Norfolk has always given more. The current crew is the reigning Submarine Squadron 6 2013 Battle Efficiency awardee. This crew returned from a very successful six month deployment to Central Command this past August. Half way through that deployment, the crew was informed that the ship would be decommissioned. This news may have caused some crews to let down their guard, but not Norfolk. This crew ran to the finish line, carrying out all tasking and demonstrating the highest level of skill. After deployment, the crew completed a rigorous propulsion plant evaluation this past month with stellar results, the best in our squadron. This crew gave more and. I am proud of them. USS Norfolk crew members and families, I thank you for your service to our nation, and contribution to the Submarine Force."
"All of us can feel a special pride in knowing that we are Norfolk's final crew and have the honor of ensuring that she is treated with the respect she deserves in her final days," said Polk. "Our experiences on this boat have been a microcosm of our lives and we should never forget the lessons we learned on these sacred deckplates. In this manner, we can honor her best by keeping her spirit alive in our thoughts, our words and our deeds. This submarine is called Norfolk, but we are Norfolk."
For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/sublant/.
Chrysler is Recalling 2014-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured October 25, 2013, to August 22, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with tire placard labels which contain inaccurate seating capacity and occupant/cargo combined weight information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
With inaccurate information on the tire placard, the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct tire placard label, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P70.
70,000 Customers In The Dark After Storm Hits San Francisco.
Article by our Affiliate California Gazette. Photo by Twitter user Friends of SJFF's
SAN FRANCISCO -- One of the windiest and rainiest storms in five years swept across the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday. Power was cut to the tens of thousands and delaying travel by air, train and ferry. Pacific Gas & Electric is reporting outages to over 70,000 across the Bay Area due to weather. The National Weather Service said," A storm an associated front off the West Coast will move inland to the Northern Rockies/Great Basin and the Southwest by Friday evening. The system will pull a plume of moisture into California that will produce moderate to heavy rain over Northern California and parts of the Pacific Northwest that will move southward to Southern California by Friday morning. The rain will wane to light rain along the West Coast by Friday evening. Moderate snow will develop over the Sierras late Thursday night into Friday morning, waning to light snow by Friday evening. A band of moderate to heavy rain will move farther inland, on Friday evening, to parts of the Great Basin/Southwest, with an area of light to moderate rain over the Northern Intermountain Region. Snow will also develop over parts of the Northern Rockies by Friday evening, too. Meanwhile, deep storm over the Northeast will slowly weaken and move out over the Western Atlantic by Friday evening. The system will produce light snow over parts of the Northeast that will wane to a band over parts of the Northern Appalachians by Friday. Light rain will develop over parts of New England Coast ending on Friday morning. Elsewhere, upper-level energy and moisture flowing northward from the Western Gulf of Mexico will produce rain with embedded thunderstorms over parts of the Southern Plains into parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley on Thursday and Wednesday."
Revealing the Secrets of “San Francisco’s Titanic”
Article By Katie Teshima
12/11/2014
The morning of February 22, 1901, was much like any other on San Francisco Bay.
A thick blanket of fog spread across the water as the steamer City of Rio de Janeiro
approached the Golden Gate, laden with passengers and freight from Hong
Kong, Yokohama and Honolulu. Returning to San Francisco after more than
two months at sea, the City of Rio’s cabins brimmed with the
hopes and dreams of Chinese and Japanese immigrants seeking a new life
in the United States. Up on deck, Captain William Ward and Pilot
Frederick Jordan steered what they thought to be a safe course into the
narrow mouth of the Bay, but could make out no landmarks through the
damp gray void. 
Number of seafaring migrants surges
12/10/2014
Risking their lives to reach Europe from North Africa, a boatload of people, some of them likely in need of international protection, are rescued in the Mediterranean Sea by the Italian Navy. Photo: UNHCR/A. D’Amato
Amid
record high numbers of global migrant arrivals by sea, the
international community is steadily losing focus on saving lives and
intensifying its efforts to deny foreigners access to asylum, the United
Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has warned ahead of a Geneva-based forum devoted to protecting sea-bound migrants.
“This
is a mistake, and precisely the wrong reaction for an era in which
record numbers of people are fleeing wars,” António Guterres, the UN’s
High Commissioner for Refugees, said today in a press release.
“Security and immigration management are concerns for any country, but
policies must be designed in a way that human lives do not end up
becoming collateral damage.”
According
to estimates from coastal authorities and data points collected by the
UN, at least 348,000 people have risked seafaring journeys worldwide
since the beginning of 2014 as they flee conflicts and poverty. Europe,
facing conflicts to its south in Libya, east in Ukraine, and southeast
in Syria and Iraq, is currently seeing the largest number of sea
arrivals with 207,000 people crossing the Mediterranean to reach its
shores – almost three times the previous known high of about 70,000,
registered in 2011.
However,
the UN agency noted, there are at least three other major sea routes in
use today both by migrants seeking better economic opportunities and
asylum seekers escaping conflict. In the Horn of Africa, some 82,000
people crossed the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea between 1 January and the
end of November, leaving Ethiopia and Somalia for countries in the
Arabian Peninsula. In Southeast Asia, meanwhile, an estimated 54,000
people have undertaken sea crossings, departing Bangladesh or Myanmar
and heading to Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia. And, in the Caribbean,
2014 has seen almost 5,000 people take to boats as they escape the
clutches of poverty and explore asylum options in the neighbouring
countries.
In
addition to the difficulties of these journeys which often stretch
across multiple borders and over thousands of kilometres, many of those
migrating along these maritime corridors succumb to trafficking and
smuggling networks coordinated by international organized crime. As the
flow of migrants continues to swell, the UN said, many governments were
finding themselves “unable to either stem the flow or stop people dying
along the journey.”
“You
can’t stop a person who is fleeing for their life by deterrence,
without escalating the dangers even more,” Mr. Guterres continued. “The
real causes have to be addressed, and this means looking at why people
are fleeing, what prevents them from seeking asylum by safer means, and
what can be done to crack down on the criminal networks who prosper from
this, while at the same time protecting their victims.”
“It also means having proper systems to deal with arrivals and distinguish real refugees from those who are note,” he said.
Mr.
Guterres’ words come as UN officials from its humanitarian and human
rights agencies prepare to gather at UNHCR’s 2014 High Commissioner’s
Dialogue in Geneva – an informal policy discussion forum whose focus
this year is “Protection at Sea.”
UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, who was also
in attendance at the UNHCR event, similarly cautioned that as wealthy
nations continue to guard themselves from migrant arrivals and asylum
seekers, they also risk transforming into xenophobic “gated
communities.”
“Unilateral
attempts to close borders are almost certainly futile, and the response
cannot just lie in aggressive, and often counterproductive,
anti-smuggling plans,” affirmed Mr. Zeid in a press release.
“When
migrants are left to drift for weeks without access to food and water;
when ships deliberately refuse to rescue migrants in distress; when
children in search of family reunification are detained indefinitely,
denied education and care, or returned to perilous situations – these
are grave human rights violations.”
The
UN rights chief pointed out that policies that seek to “stamp out
migration” do not decrease the numbers of would-be migrants but,
instead, “exacerbate the dangers they endure” creating zones of
lawlessness and impunity. As a result, he continued, nations were
encouraged to establish accessible corridors for legal migration and
discourage the current “siege mentality” fanned by a growing number of
populist politicians and leaders.
“Ultimately,
unless they can access safe and regular migration channels, desperate
people may continue to brave the perils of the sea in search of
protection, opportunity and hope. In their place, we would probably do
the same. And perhaps only this recognition of our common humanity can
guide us to make the right choices in response,” he concluded.
UN declares ‘Every day is Human Rights Day’
12/10/2014
Article Credit UN/OHCHR
The
universal reach of human rights should not be restricted to one day
alone but extended to every day of the year, top United Nations
officials declared today as they marked Human Rights Day – an annual
UN-backed event commemorating the date on which the General Assembly
adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Spearheaded by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), this year's observance – celebrated under the banner of Human Rights 365 – encompasses the idea that “every day is Human Rights Day” and that “each one of us, everywhere, at all times is entitled to the full range of human rights.”
We declare that human rights are for all of us, all the time: whoever we are and wherever we are from; no matter our class, our opinions, our sexual orientation.
“On Human Rights Day we speak out,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon proclaimed in
his message. “We declare that human rights are for all of us, all the
time: whoever we are and wherever we are from; no matter our class, our
opinions, our sexual orientation.”
“Violations
of human rights are more than personal tragedies,” Mr. Ban continued.
“They are alarm bells that may warn of a much bigger crisis.
The Secretary-General explained that as a result of those “alarms,” his Human Rights Up Front campaign
– launched in 2013 – sought to anticipate violations before they
degenerate into mass atrocities or war crimes while advancing the
struggle against injustice, intolerance and extremism.
The
initiative includes training UN staff on the world body's core purpose
of promoting respect for human rights; providing Member States with the
information needed to respond to human rights violations; and ensuring
that UN personnel around the world are more attuned to situations where
there is a risk of serious human rights abuses and are equipped for the
responsibilities that such potential crises entail.
The
strategy also includes achieving more Organizational coherence by
strengthening engagement with the General Assembly, the Security Council
and the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council and providing earlier and
more streamlined support to teams on the ground before a crisis emerges;
and better organization of human rights staff so that they can identify
risks of serious violations of human rights that could lead to
atrocities.
Finally,
underpinning all these activities will be better information management
on threats and risks to populations for planning operational activities
and for sharing with Member States.
In his statement issued
for the Day, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al
Hussein, echoed Mr. Ban's appeal and underscored the power of the
Universal Declaration to “change the world.”
“Human
rights are not country-specific. They are not a reward for good
behaviour or particular to a certain era or social group. They are the
inalienable entitlements of all people, at all times and everywhere, 365
days a year,” affirmed Mr. Zeid.
As
part of its celebration of the Day, the OHCHR has launched a social
media campaign encouraging the public to explain on a six-second Vine
post why year-round human rights matter. The Vine videos will then be
collected and published together on OHCHR's Storify account.
“The
UN Human Rights Office stands with the millions of people around the
world whose voices are denied,” Mr. Zeid continued, as he called on the
public to join OHCHR “via social media or in person.”
“Together,
we must demand what should be guaranteed: our human rights, universal,
indivisible, inalienable, for everyone, 365 days a year.”
Ten people became ill and three died after combining drugs
Article by our Affiliate North Carolina Gazette
Bear Creek-Ten people became ill and three died after using cocaine laced with a potent pain killer early Saturday in two different towns in North Carolina. It was reported that Fentanyl and Cocaine were mixed together, creating a dangerous combination. The individuals were reported to be in Bear Creek and Siler City at the time of the incident.
We Have Lift Off of the Orion Spacecraft
Article posted by Florida Gazette Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Cape Canaveral-The United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy with Orion atop it lifted off at 7:05 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orion will orbit Earth twice, reaching a peak altitude of 3,600 miles during its trip. The spacecraft is scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean in approximately 4.5 hours.
Orion’s flight test is a critical step on NASA's journey to Mars.
Millennial generation are more likely to be foreign born According to the U.S. Census Bureau
Article posted by Florida Gazette.
12/4/2014
Washington, DC-Young adults today, often called the millennial generation, are more likely to be foreign born and speak a language other than English at home, compared with young adults in 1980, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest statistics from the American Community Survey released today. Five years of data collected between 2009 and 2013 provide statistics on more than 40 economic, housing and social topics, such as commuting, educational attainment and home value. As the nation’s largest ongoing household survey, the American Community Survey produces statistics at all levels of geography, down to the block group level. Today, for the first time users can access block group level statistics on the census.gov tool rather than via a separate FTP site.
Washington, DC-Young adults today, often called the millennial generation, are more likely to be foreign born and speak a language other than English at home, compared with young adults in 1980, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest statistics from the American Community Survey released today. Five years of data collected between 2009 and 2013 provide statistics on more than 40 economic, housing and social topics, such as commuting, educational attainment and home value. As the nation’s largest ongoing household survey, the American Community Survey produces statistics at all levels of geography, down to the block group level. Today, for the first time users can access block group level statistics on the census.gov tool rather than via a separate FTP site.
“Many of the differences between generations examined within these latest data reflect long-term demographic and societal changes,” said Jonathan Vespa, a Census Bureau demographer. “Three decades of decennial census statistics combined with the latest American Community Survey statistics give us a unique view of how — and where — our nation is changing. In this case, we can look at the changing characteristics of young adults over the last few decades.”
For more information Click Here
President Obama Released A Statement Yesterday About The Eric Garner Grand Jury Decision
Article by Tanya Somanader General Photo by Lawrence Jackson
12/4/2014
Washington, D.C-Yesterday, a grand jury in Staten Island decided not to bring criminal charges against police officers involved in the tragic death of Eric Garner.
Washington, D.C-Yesterday, a grand jury in Staten Island decided not to bring criminal charges against police officers involved in the tragic death of Eric Garner.
Speaking at the 2014 White House Tribal Nations Conference this yesterday, President Obama delivered the following statement:
"Some of you may have heard there was a decision that came out today by a grand jury not to indict police officers who had interacted with an individual with Eric Garner in New York City, all of which was caught on videotape and speaks to the larger issues that we’ve been talking about now for the last week, the last month, the last year, and, sadly, for decades, and that is the concern on the part of too many minority communities that law enforcement is not working with them and dealing with them in a fair way.
"And there’s going to be, I’m sure, additional statements by law enforcement. My tradition is not to remark on cases where there may still be an investigation. But I want everybody to understand that this week, in the wake of Ferguson, we initiated a task force whose job it is to come back to me with specific recommendations about how we strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color and minority communities that feel that bias is taking place; that we are going to take specific steps to improve the training and the work with state and local governments when it comes to policing in communities of color; that we are going to be scrupulous in investigating cases where we are concerned about the impartiality and accountability that’s taking place.
"And as I said when I met with folks both from Ferguson and law enforcement and clergy and civil rights activists, I said this is an issue that we’ve been dealing with for too long and it’s time for us to make more progress than we’ve made. And I’m not interested in talk; I’m interested in action. And I am absolutely committed as President of the United States to making sure that we have a country in which everybody believes in the core principle that we are equal under the law.
"So I just got off the phone with my Attorney General, Eric Holder. He will have more specific comments about the case in New York. But I want everybody to know here, as well as everybody who may be viewing my remarks here today, we are not going to let up until we see a strengthening of the trust and a strengthening of the accountability that exists between our communities and our law enforcement.
"And I say that as somebody who believes that law enforcement has an incredibly difficult job; that every man or woman in uniform are putting their lives at risk to protect us; that they have the right to come home, just like we do from our jobs; that there’s real crime out there that they’ve got to tackle day in and day out -- but that they’re only going to be able to do their job effectively if everybody has confidence in the system.
"And right now, unfortunately, we are seeing too many instances where people just do not have confidence that folks are being treated fairly. And in some cases, those may be misperceptions; but in some cases, that’s a reality. And it is incumbent upon all of us, as Americans, regardless of race, region, faith, that we recognize this is an American problem, and not just a black problem or a brown problem or a Native American problem.
"This is an American problem. When anybody in this country is not being treated equally under the law, that’s a problem. And it’s my job as President to help solve it."
Cavorting in a wake and staying shipshape
Miami-Even though these dolphins look like they are close to the very large ship, they frequently ‘bow-ride’ or ‘surf’ the bow wakes of vessels both large and small. Scientists say they may be using the propulsion to get where they are going faster. Dolphins show a high degree of intelligence and have a wide range of vocalizations. They often hunt together and will even take care of an injured pod-member. Scientists say two males of the same age often form a lifelong bond and will spend the majority of their time together, helping each other to find food and mates? Inshore dolphins live in small social groups of around 10 individuals; while offshore dolphins form larger groups of 10-100. Wildlife Experts say, "When on the water, please try to observe them from a distance of at least 50 yards."
Monkey Jumping Around Tampa Florida 
12/3/2014Article by Florida Gazette. Photo by the City Of Tampa
Tampa-Even the dispatchers were caught off guard over the weekend when the first call came in about a monkey on the loose. Residents of Tampa Florida started to call 911 after a monkey was seen hopping around a tampa neighborhood earlier this week. One caller said," Did someone lose a monkey" to which the dispatcher said,"not that I know of." Tampa Police said, "We are still trying to recover the monkey so if you see it running or jumping around call us at 813-231-6130."
FBI Worst-Case Exercise Tests Response to Chemical Attack
The exercise in Houston brought together agencies from the federal, state, and local levels, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Agency. “Any time you get face time with your partners, it’s going to benefit you,” said one of the participants.
12/2/2014
Posted by Florida Gazette. Photo Credit FBI.
Houston-When the facility manager for a hazardous waste disposal company near Houston took his seat at the table with law enforcement officials and emergency first responders, he knew it was going to be a very bad day. In the coming hours, his facility would experience a break-in, a fire, and the theft of a chemical agent that would be intentionally released at a popular waterfront amusement park, sending a poisonous plume across the region. The fictional worst-case scenario was designed by the FBI’s Chemical Countermeasures Unit—part of our Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Directorate yesterday—to shake out any weaknesses in the region’s elaborate network of emergency responders. The daylong exercise, attended by more than two dozen local, state, and federal agencies, raised all the tangly issues that come up in real catastrophic events: Who has jurisdiction? Who is the lead investigative agency? Who is qualified to appropriately respond? “It’s an excellent opportunity for everybody to get together and learn what each other’s capabilities are,” said Special Agent Amanda Koldjeski, a WMD coordinator in the FBI’s Houston Division, which hosted the training event in October as part of the Bureau’s ongoing effort to reach out to first responders and high-risk chemical facility operators about potential threats in their areas. The exercise also showed how private industry has an important seat at the table in dynamic events like this, since they know their materials and vulnerabilities better than anyone else, and they are most likely to be the first to recognize suspicious activity related to their own operations. “As a manager you never want to be responsible for something like this going on,” said Bruce Shelton, manager of the waste disposal site in La Porte, just outside of Houston, that was targeted in the exercise (the Houston area is home to the largest concentration of chemical facilities in the U.S.). “But I know that we absolutely need to be in contact with our local emergency planning folks in this type of environment, because we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.” In the scenario, things go from bad to worse very quickly, and agency representatives are confronted with real-time questions about how they will respond in what is emerging as an act of domestic terrorism. Who is the incident commander? Is this an ongoing attack? Are we evacuating? Are your people trained to operate in personal protective equipment? Do they have access to that equipment? Knowing the roles and skills of all parties in advance can reduce confusion in a real incident, whether it’s a terrorist attack or an accident.
“We have a lot of incidents that happen in this part of the country, so I think it’s good for us to review those so we hopefully limit the number of potential mistakes,” said Mark Sloan, coordinator of the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “Any time you get face time with your partners, it’s going to benefit you when you meet at 2 a.m. and say, ‘Hi, what resources do we have available to us?’” Each of the FBI’s 56 field offices has at least one WMD coordinator whose job includes establishing relationships with local partner agencies and private companies to prevent WMD attacks. In making the rounds, the coordinators share prevailing threats and become key points of contact when a suspicious incident arises in the WMD arena.
“Our WMD coordinators are the face of the Bureau when they go out and meet the locals,” said Chris Freeze, assistant special agent in charge of the Houston Division, who participated in the exercise.
Bruce Shelton, the facility manager, had never dealt with most of the individuals or agencies that participated in the exercise. Seeing the response unfold in front of him gave him a fresh perspective on his own role in securing his site and helping in a coordinated response. “There are a lot of resources out there that I haven’t used until now,” he said after the scenario concluded. “It’s good to know where they’re at and who they are.”
Missing Ohio State Athlete Found Dead
12/1/2014
Article Credit Florida Gazette. Photo Credit Ohio State. Columbus, Ohio-Missing Ohio State defensive lineman Kosta Kargeorge body has been found by Columbus, Ohio Police. The 22 year was found dead in a dumpster of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound according to police. Kargeorge body will be transported to the county morgue for a full autopsy. Kargeorge had been missing since Wednesday. Ohio State released a tweet saying, "Our thoughts, prayers are w/ Karageorge family, & those who knew him, during this most difficult time."
Vestas from the air
12/1/2014
Article by Jon Bramley Photo Credit NCG Operations Room Ð MRCC Mauritius
This graphic picture shows the stricken Team Vestas Wind lying in a reef in a remote Mauritius archipelago of St Brandon after being grounded there at the weekend.
The team and race organisers are now working out the best way to recover the Volvo Ocean 65 in the Indian Ocean.
Neil Cox, shore manager of the Danish team, said: “The photo paints a pretty graphic picture of what’s going on out there. The picture tells a 1,000 words.”
He said his focus was still the security of the nine members of the crew.
“We have still got nine guys sitting on what is basically a sand pit out in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
“They are still the priority. It’s a peace of mind to know they’re all safe and doing everything they can out there with the boat right now.” Cox said that sail ropes, fluids, electronics and hardware had been taken off the boat.
The nine-strong crew abandoned ship in the early hours of Sunday morning after the collision at 19 knots at 1510 GMT the previous day and waded through knee-deep water to a dry position on the reef.
They were picked up from there at daylight by a coastguard rib and taken to the nearby Íle du Sud.
The islet has very little communications with the outside world and the crew are awaiting transportation back to Mauritius. This is expected to happen within the next 24 hours.
The National Coast Guard of the Maritime Rescue Co-operation Centre (MRCC) of Mauritius took the pictures as part of its usual operations after such an incident.
The crew have received food packages via an airdrop from a coastguard plane. It confirmed that all were uninjured in the collision.
Worlds AIDS Day Reminds People That AIDS Is Still A Destructive Pandemic
Article by Florida Gazette.
Miami-Today is World AIDS Day which is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988. Scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment but there is still 100,000 people still currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 34 million people have HIV. More than 35 million people have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. To learn more about World AIDS Day CLICK HERE
Judge Orders Start Of Trial For Robert Corchado
11/30/2014
Article by Florida Gazette
ORLANDO-Robert Corchado's Jury selection is set to start Monday after he was accused in a deadly crash at an Orange County day care at 4035 North Goldenrod Road, north of University Boulevard. Corchado was arrested on April 10, one day after he reportedly hit a Toyota Solara, sending that car into the Kindercare daycare in Winter Park. The accident killed a 4-year-old Lily Quintus and injured 12 others.
Vestas Wind Makes Plans To Abandon Ship After Running Aground In The Indian Ocean.
Volvo Ocean Race Team Vestas Wind informed Race Control that their boat was grounded on the Cargados Carajos Shoals, Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean today. Race Officials told us, "Fortunately, no one has been injured. We are in contact with the boat to establish the extent of the damage and ensure the crew is given the support needed to enable it to deal with the situation." Team Alvimedica has arrived at the site and is in radio contact with Team Vestas Wind. The plan is for this vessel to assist in abandoning the boat as soon as possible after daylight tomorrow. Both rudders were reported broken by the Team Vestas Wind crew. The team also reported water ingress in the stern compartment.
The Volvo Ocean 65 has watertight bulkheads in the bow and the stern. The remaining part of the boat is intact including the rig. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Reunion Island is aware of the problem and, if needed, there is a a coastguard station on Isle de Sud, approximately 1.5 km from the boat, which has a RIB available.
Missing 13 year old found safe behind false wall in Georgia home.
Article by Florida Gazette.
After four years, a missing 13 year old boy was found by police in a home in Jonesboro, Georgia, according to officials. Police in Clayton County made the discovery Saturday morning. Police were on their second visit to the home after a tipster gave information to the police about the possible whereabouts of the boy who was behind a false wall in a linen closet. Five people at the home were arrested, including the boy's father and stepmother. They have been charged with false imprisonment, cruelty to children and obstruction according to officials.
Crew Module Cabin the Focus for Weekend at Cape Canaveral.
Article and Photo Credit NASA
Engineers and technicians prepping Orion for its first flight test Dec. 4 began putting the finishing touches inside the crew cabin today at Cape Canaveral in Florida and will continue the work through the weekend. Although Orion will not carry any people on its flight test, it’s designed for astronauts, and engineers want to find out what conditions will be like inside the cabin as Orion travels through high radiation and extreme temperatures during this flight test. Launch pad teams also will start on a lengthy list of closeout duties to make sure Orion and its vital instruments and recorders are ready for space. The steps will set the stage for the first launch week in Orion’s career. The spacecraft and its United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket are on track to lift off Thursday at 7:05 a.m. EST, the opening of a 2 hour, 39-minute window for the day.
One dead after accident involving car and motorcycle in West Cocoa
Article by Florida Gazette
11/28/2014
West Cocoa-- One dead after accident involving car and motorcycle in West Cocoa this evening. The crash occurred at State Road 520 and State Road 524. According to officials with Brevard County the motorcycle driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Florida Highway Patrol Is Investigating The Cause Of The accident.
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