NOAA and partners document surge in Great Lakes water levels

 

Article posted by Mississippi Gazette Photo by Steven J. Myers

Ann Arbor, MI--Scientists at the Army Corps of Engineers, Environment Canada, and NOAA recently documented a record-setting surge in water levels on Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron that began in January 2013, and has continued through November 2014. The United States and Canadian federal agencies expect water levels to stay near or above average on all of the Great Lakes over the next six months.
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)

Part of the uncertainty in long-term future water levels projections comes from the challenge of predicting not only the major drivers of the Great Lakes water budget (which are over-lake precipitation, runoff and over-lake evaporation) but also large-scale climate forces, such as last winter's Arctic polar vortex anomaly, which influence those drivers. The surprisingly swift rebound in water levels broke records across the region. The net rise in water levels on Lake Superior from January 2013 through November 2014 was roughly 2.3 feet (about 0.7 meters), the highest net increase ever recorded for that 23-month period. Similarly, on Lake Michigan-Huron, the net rise in water levels from the record-low in January 2013 through November 2014 was 3.2 feet (about 1 meter), an increase that tied the previous record set in 1950-1951 for the same 23-month period.
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
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

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."

Threat To Blow Up I-55 Bridge Received By FBI

Article by Affiliate Tennessee Gazette 
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.

President Obama reflected on the significant progress made by this country in 2014

Article by David Hudson
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

Article posted by Florida Gazette
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.”

U.S. Chamber Welcomes Progress in U.S.-Cuba Relations

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)

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

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.

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

Auburn Tight End Jakell Mitchell Dies After Shooting

Article by David Lear with Florida Gazette. Photo by Auburntigers.com
Auburn, AL--Auburn Police were called to an early morning shooting at 12:25 a.m. Sunday. When officers arrived they found 18-year-old freshman Auburn tight end Jakell Mitchell with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Mitchell was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The shooting took place at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex, a few miles from the Auburn campus.

Auburn Tigers Head Coach Gus Malzahn released the following statement: "I'm devastated and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell. My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell's family and friends, who are suffering through this senseless tragedy. I know the Auburn Family is hurting, especially our players and coaches, and we are going to love and support them through this difficult time. We have lost a member of our family too young, too soon."

Police have arrested Markale Deandra Hear of Camp Hill, Alabama.

USS Norfolk Decommissioned

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/.

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

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.

Present day photo at the entrance of the Golden Gate looking westward with Fort Point at the far left where the SS City of Rio de Janeiro struck the rocks and foundered on February 22, 1901. (Photo: Robert V. Schwemmer NOAA)

Shortly after 5 a.m., with visibility still at zero, disaster struck. The 345-foot steamer had veered too far south on its approach and suddenly ground to a halt on the jagged rocks of Fort Point, tearing a massive gash in its iron hull. A strong ebb tide soon pushed it back off of the rocks and allowed the frigid winter waters of the Pacific to rush into the engine room and cargo holds.Passengers and crew fought their way to the deck, but confusion reigned on the rapidly sinking ship. Within a matter of minutes, the City of Rio succumbed to its wounds and slipped beneath the waves, taking with it 128 of the 210 lives on board.Now, with the help of several private partners and cutting-edge technology, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has brought back the first-ever 3-D images of this long-lost shipwreck, which historians have called the “Titanic of the Golden Gate.”

Multibeam sonar image at San Francisco's Golden Gate highlighting the shipwrecks City of Rio de Janeiro, City of Chester and Fernstream. (Credit: Gary Fabian for NOAA)

This November, a joint archaeological expedition led by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Maritime Heritage Program set out to document the wreck as part of a two-year study of shipwrecks in Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the surrounding area. Bay Marine Services LLC provided a vessel and crew for the mission, while Hibbard Inshore LLC and Coda Octopus equipped the research team with a high-powered remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and 3-D sonar array to aid in the search.West Coast Regional Maritime Heritage Coordinator Robert Schwemmer worked in cooperation with Maritime Heritage Program Director James Delgado and sonar expert Gary Fabian to pinpoint the location of the City of Rio, which lies 287 feet below the surface just outside the Golden Gate, not far from where it ran aground in 1901.

CodaOctopus 3-D Echoscope sonar images of the SS City of Rio De Janeiro. (Credit: Coda Octopus/NOAA)

The 3-D model generated by the Coda Octopus “Echoscope” sonar also gave researchers an entirely new perspective on the condition of the wreck site. What they found was a crumpled, scarcely recognizable iron hulk encased in more than a century worth of mud and sediment, lending support to the narrative that the ship sank quickly before many of its passengers could escape.The expedition team also remapped the S.S. City of Chester,a second nearby wreck that was rediscovered in May 2013 by NOAA’s Office of the Coast Survey. In stark contrast to the City of Rio, the Echoscope revealed in great detail the surprising level of preservation of the City of Chester’s frame and propulsion machinery, telling a very different story about the circumstances of its sinking.

Survivors from SS City of Rio de Janeiro after the sinking at Baker's Beach. (Credit: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park safr_21374_a11-14617_p)

Through advanced technology and innovative partnerships, NOAA is breaking new ground in our quest to explore and understand our nation’s maritime heritage. Shipwrecks once believed to be lost forever are now within our reach, and those we have studied in detail continue to give up new secrets with each subsequent expedition. This discovery is a reminder of NOAA’s commitment to protecting the profound ties that the nation has to our history lying beneath the ocean’s surface. 

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. 

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

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."

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.

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

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."