'Aliens could attack at any time' warns former MoD chief : "UFO sightings and alien visitors tend to be solely the reserve of sci-fi movies.
So when a former MoD chief warns that the country could be attacked by extraterrestrials at any time, you may be forgiven for feeling a little alarmed.
During his time as head of the Ministry of Defence UFO project, Nick Pope was persuaded into believing that other lifeforms may visit Earth and, more specifically, Britain.
His concern is that 'highly credible' sightings are simply dismissed.
And he complains that the project he once ran is now 'virtually closed' down, leaving the country 'wide open' to aliens.
Mr Pope decided to speak out about his worries after resigning from his post at the Directorate of Defence Security at the MoD this week.
'The consequences of getting this one wrong could be huge,' he said.
'If you reported a UFO sighting now, I am absolutely sure that you would just get back a standard letter telling you not to worry. ''Frankly we are wide open - if something does not behave like a conventional aircraft now, it will be ignored.
'The X-Files have been closed down.' If these words had come from a sci-fi fanatic, they could be easily dismissed by cynics.
But Mr Pope's CV - he was head of"
Nov 2, 2006
Letter Carrier Attacked by Squirrel
Pa. Letter Carrier Attacked by Squirrel: "Letter carriers occasionally have to deal with angry dogs or maybe even a spider's nest in a mailbox, but a mean squirrel?
Barb Dougherty, a 30-year Postal Service employee, said she was attacked and bitten Monday by a squirrel while delivering mail in Oil City, about 75 miles north of Pittsburgh.
'It was a freak thing. It was traumatic,' Dougherty told The Derrick newspaper. 'I saw it there on the porch, put the mail in the box and turned to walk away and it jumped on me.'
She said the animal ran up her leg and onto her back.
'I eventually got a hold of the tail and pulled it off me,' Dougherty said. 'No one was home at the house where I was delivering the mail, but the neighbor lady heard me screaming and came over.'
An ambulance took Dougherty to a hospital, where she was treated for cuts and scratches. The squirrel was killed with a BB gun and sent to a lab to be tested for rabies. Dougherty was given the first series of rabies shots as a precaution.
Postal officials said the attack is extraordinary.
'In about 230 years of postal history, I bet it is not the first, but I've personally never heard of another squirrel biting,' said Steve Kochersperger, spokesman for the Erie district."
Issaquah bus driver appeals firing for "flipping off" President Bush
The Issaquah bus driver appeals firing for "flipping off" President Bush: "An Issaquah school bus driver fired for allegedly 'flipping off' President Bush during a visit to Seattle in June is appealing her termination.
According to Issaquah School District officials, the incident happened when a district school bus stopped for the president's motorcade while returning from a field trip in Seattle.
As the president waved to the school children from his limousine, the bus driver made an obscene gesture, said Sara Niegowski, a spokeswoman for the district.
Bush was in Seattle attending a fundraiser for Congressman Dave Reichert, who was riding in the same limousine.
Reichert campaign officials confirm that Bush told Reichert about the gesture and that the congressman later called Issaquah's superintendent to let her know about the incident.
But the district had been informed by other staff the same day it happened, Niegowski said. It investigated and found evidence pointing to 'unprofessional conduct' from the driver, she said.
The 43-year-old driver, with the district since 1999, was fired in September. 'This incident has to do with the responsibility of an employee who is supervising students to act professionally and serve as a role model for appropriate behavior,' said Issaquah Superintendent Janet Barry. 'This was part of" pattern of behavior with this particular bus driver, not an isolated incident."
The fired bus driver filed a union grievance last month for wrongful termination. She has declined to be identified or interviewed.
Chris Dugovich, a spokesman for the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, said it wants the district to re-evaluate its decision.
"There's only one individual who saw this and it happens to be the president of the United States," Dugovich said. "We're interested in saving her employment."
Barry said she personally knows Reichert from his days serving as King County Sheriff when they discussed school resource officers. Reichert called as a courtesy, Barry said.
"He never discussed his view or suggested what action he thought would be appropriate to take," Barry said. "He reported the incident believing — rightly — that I would want to know this occurred, that as a steward of children and public resources, one of my employees had acted inappropriately in her job capacity."
Barry reiterated that the decision to terminate the employee was not motivated by any political reason.
"If the bus driver had made the gesture to a driver who cut her off on a local road, we would have taken the same action," Barry said.
According to Issaquah School District officials, the incident happened when a district school bus stopped for the president's motorcade while returning from a field trip in Seattle.
As the president waved to the school children from his limousine, the bus driver made an obscene gesture, said Sara Niegowski, a spokeswoman for the district.
Bush was in Seattle attending a fundraiser for Congressman Dave Reichert, who was riding in the same limousine.
Reichert campaign officials confirm that Bush told Reichert about the gesture and that the congressman later called Issaquah's superintendent to let her know about the incident.
But the district had been informed by other staff the same day it happened, Niegowski said. It investigated and found evidence pointing to 'unprofessional conduct' from the driver, she said.
The 43-year-old driver, with the district since 1999, was fired in September. 'This incident has to do with the responsibility of an employee who is supervising students to act professionally and serve as a role model for appropriate behavior,' said Issaquah Superintendent Janet Barry. 'This was part of" pattern of behavior with this particular bus driver, not an isolated incident."
The fired bus driver filed a union grievance last month for wrongful termination. She has declined to be identified or interviewed.
Chris Dugovich, a spokesman for the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, said it wants the district to re-evaluate its decision.
"There's only one individual who saw this and it happens to be the president of the United States," Dugovich said. "We're interested in saving her employment."
Barry said she personally knows Reichert from his days serving as King County Sheriff when they discussed school resource officers. Reichert called as a courtesy, Barry said.
"He never discussed his view or suggested what action he thought would be appropriate to take," Barry said. "He reported the incident believing — rightly — that I would want to know this occurred, that as a steward of children and public resources, one of my employees had acted inappropriately in her job capacity."
Barry reiterated that the decision to terminate the employee was not motivated by any political reason.
"If the bus driver had made the gesture to a driver who cut her off on a local road, we would have taken the same action," Barry said.
Oct 12, 2006
T-ball coach gets 1-6 years for ordering beaning
Fayette County Judge Ralph Warman said the actions by Mark Downs Jr., of Dunbar, in June 2005 were "outrageous" and "extremely reprehensible" because he was coaching a league of children 7 to 9 years old.
Testimony indicated Mr. Downs promised $25 to one of his best players if he hurled a ball at Harry Bowers Jr., 11, an autistic and mildly retarded teammate, presumably to keep him from playing in a game.
A jury convicted Mr. Downs last month of corruption of minors and conspiracy to commit simple assault.
Judge Warman sentenced him to six months to three years on each count.
Mr. Downs didn't say anything during this afternoon's sentencing hearing. But as he was led away, he replied "Yes" when asked if he thought the sentence was too harsh.
Judge Warman could have sentenced him to up to 12 years.
Mr. Downs' bond was revoked and he was taken to jail to await transfer to a state prison.
Mr. Downs' family, including his wife, a 6-week-old baby and three other children were in the courtroom for part of the hearing. But the three older children were hurried out before the actual sentencing.
Jennifer Bowers, mother of the injured player, said the sentencing ends a chapter in the story. "Hopefully we can close the book on this," she said, but added her son still doesn't understand what happened.
Testimony indicated Mr. Downs promised $25 to one of his best players if he hurled a ball at Harry Bowers Jr., 11, an autistic and mildly retarded teammate, presumably to keep him from playing in a game.
A jury convicted Mr. Downs last month of corruption of minors and conspiracy to commit simple assault.
Judge Warman sentenced him to six months to three years on each count.
Mr. Downs didn't say anything during this afternoon's sentencing hearing. But as he was led away, he replied "Yes" when asked if he thought the sentence was too harsh.
Judge Warman could have sentenced him to up to 12 years.
Mr. Downs' bond was revoked and he was taken to jail to await transfer to a state prison.
Mr. Downs' family, including his wife, a 6-week-old baby and three other children were in the courtroom for part of the hearing. But the three older children were hurried out before the actual sentencing.
Jennifer Bowers, mother of the injured player, said the sentencing ends a chapter in the story. "Hopefully we can close the book on this," she said, but added her son still doesn't understand what happened.
Oct 5, 2006
Man Apologizes for Courtroom Feces
"A Chicago man apologized for spreading his feces around a courtroom during his trial on drug charges.
Vandale Amos Willis, 28, apologized Wednesday before being sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. Willis was convicted earlier of importation of a controlled substance, cocaine, and two other charges.
'Im going to take full responsibility for everything I did in Duluth,' Willis told the court. 'I want to apologize for everything I did in court. Im sorry, your honor.'
He asked Judge David Sullivan to put him on probation. Sullivan told Willis his actions wouldn't be held against him, but there was no reason to depart from sentencing guidelines. "
Vandale Amos Willis, 28, apologized Wednesday before being sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. Willis was convicted earlier of importation of a controlled substance, cocaine, and two other charges.
'Im going to take full responsibility for everything I did in Duluth,' Willis told the court. 'I want to apologize for everything I did in court. Im sorry, your honor.'
He asked Judge David Sullivan to put him on probation. Sullivan told Willis his actions wouldn't be held against him, but there was no reason to depart from sentencing guidelines. "
Jackals attack Indian village injuring 35
RANCHI, India - A pack of jackals prowling for food attacked villages in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, injuring at least 35 people, officials said on Thursday.
The attack took place in Madhubani district, about 120 km (75 miles) north of the state capital, Patna, late on Wednesday.
"We are still trying to ascertain the number of jackals involved in the attack and the extent of injuries sustained by human beings," Mala Kumari, a government official said over the telephone from Madhubani.
Jackals have sometimes been seen roaming the streets in India as their forest habitat dwindles, but reports of attacks on humans are rare.
"We have not seen or heard anything like this in the last 12 years," Santosh Kumar, who saw the jackals attacking the villagers. "Some of them were badly bitten," he said.
The attack took place in Madhubani district, about 120 km (75 miles) north of the state capital, Patna, late on Wednesday.
"We are still trying to ascertain the number of jackals involved in the attack and the extent of injuries sustained by human beings," Mala Kumari, a government official said over the telephone from Madhubani.
Jackals have sometimes been seen roaming the streets in India as their forest habitat dwindles, but reports of attacks on humans are rare.
"We have not seen or heard anything like this in the last 12 years," Santosh Kumar, who saw the jackals attacking the villagers. "Some of them were badly bitten," he said.
Oct 2, 2006
Woman Arrested For Hamster Neglect
local6.com - Local News - Woman Arrested For Hamster Neglect: "JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Police arrested a woman for neglecting hamsters at her home after her roommate called authorities, police said Sunday.
Sgt. Rick Larson said police arrested the 23-year-old on 39 counts each of two charges: failing to provide food and drink and failing to provide proper shelter to animals.
The Rock County Humane Society removed 33 live and six dead hamsters.
The woman was already is facing charges of failing to provide shelter and food to a Great Dane removed from her home in August."
Sgt. Rick Larson said police arrested the 23-year-old on 39 counts each of two charges: failing to provide food and drink and failing to provide proper shelter to animals.
The Rock County Humane Society removed 33 live and six dead hamsters.
The woman was already is facing charges of failing to provide shelter and food to a Great Dane removed from her home in August."
Jul 19, 2006
Man charged after hitting wife in the eye with a carrot
"BRIDGEPORT — A Monroe man was charged with assault after police said he threw a carrot at his wife that put out her eye.
Appearing for his arraignment on Monday, Robert Vecsey, 46, of Woods Row, blurted out to Superior Court Judge Patrick Carroll that it was all a terrible accident, before Carroll hushed him.
The victim, 46-year-old Pamela Vecsey, underwent a six-hour operation at Yale-New-Haven Hospital, but doctors could not restore sight in her eye, Assistant State's Attorney Stephanie Damiani said.
Police said they were called to the couple's home on a complaint of a disturbance Saturday evening. When they arrived, they found the wife, her left eye swollen and bleeding, police said. Police said Roderick Vecsey told them: 'I threw a carrot at her and it hit her in the eye.'
Vecsey said he and his wife had gotten into an argument about taking their daughter to the doctor. He was eating a carrot during the argument, he told police, and he threw it at his wife, hitting her in the left eye.
Vecsey was charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. The judge continued a hearing on the defendant's bond until Thursday. He is free on $500 bond."
Appearing for his arraignment on Monday, Robert Vecsey, 46, of Woods Row, blurted out to Superior Court Judge Patrick Carroll that it was all a terrible accident, before Carroll hushed him.
The victim, 46-year-old Pamela Vecsey, underwent a six-hour operation at Yale-New-Haven Hospital, but doctors could not restore sight in her eye, Assistant State's Attorney Stephanie Damiani said.
Police said they were called to the couple's home on a complaint of a disturbance Saturday evening. When they arrived, they found the wife, her left eye swollen and bleeding, police said. Police said Roderick Vecsey told them: 'I threw a carrot at her and it hit her in the eye.'
Vecsey said he and his wife had gotten into an argument about taking their daughter to the doctor. He was eating a carrot during the argument, he told police, and he threw it at his wife, hitting her in the left eye.
Vecsey was charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. The judge continued a hearing on the defendant's bond until Thursday. He is free on $500 bond."
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