12 June 2013

Around the Ol' Home Town

We've been enjoying a streak of warm, sunny days, with 13 days in the 70s already. Last year, we only had nine days above 70 degrees all summer. Anyone who's ever been to Alaska will confirm that 75 is a luxury here.

AccuHunch, Weather Underground and the local talking heads agree that we'll hit 75 again today. Yahoo! weather predicts 79. There's always an outlier, but time will tell.

Meanwhile, this year's version of hay fever has been hitting those with allergies very hard, turning into bronchitis in many cases. Those affected have blood-red eyes for two weeks or more, even when the meds are effective - and in many cases, the meds aren't helping much.

No one in our household have had any troubles (thank you, God!).

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In the news, there's a new story, plus updates on continuing stories.

A woman was stomped by a moose in Kincaid Park (west Anchorage, south of the airport), but she had done something you mustn't ever do: she got between the cow & its calf.  She was kicked in the head, neck, and back, and is currently hospitalized.

Here are some updates for you:

a. in the case of the fellow who was fatally mauled by a bear the other day - Fish & Wildlife folks have confirmed that the guilty bear was the black bear which was later shot by a Wildlife trooper.

b. Re: the Eagle River (AK) guy who shot a charging moose cow in Denali National Park a couple of days ago ... the shooting has been ruled justifiable, and he's cleared of any wrong-doing. (While it's legal to carry firearms in national parks, you must have a verifiable reason for having fired one while there.)

c. You'll recall that Anchorage police have fired at people who were using their vehicles as weapons, ramming police cars and attempting to run over officers. One driver was killed by APD, while so doing. Now there are new rules are being set in place to specifically limit when officers can fire shots at or into a vehicle.

d. In the case of that convicted child molester who was released early from prison, and then killed two people while raping a two-year-old ... the 92-year-old great-grandmother, who was also molested, has died from the assault, bringing the fatalities to three. I'm wondering how long before the ACLU or a family member (or both) file suit against the authorities responsible for the release.

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That's about it for now. Y'all have a great day, and thanks for stopping by.

7 comments:

Amy said...

We have been having really hot weather here too. But more like 95. I am not use to Texas summers as I grew up in Ohio. We have months of 90's and 100's here. It usually starts in April and lasts until Oct.

God Bless and enjoy your beautiful weather.

Matt said...

on "c"

In this day and age of police aggressiveness, I'm usually for anything that clamps down on such.

But here, I'm not sure I get it.

The article said at the top:

"That is, if the vehicle is the only weapon the suspect is using."

How exactly are they supposed to know what weapons the criminal has in possession?

Just because he isn't brandishing a gun at that moment doesn't mean he may not have one in the car with him.

This sounds like a bunch of lawsuit prevention attorneys at work here.

Did I miss something?

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, Amy. I never enjoyed temps that high, even when we lived in the Lower 48. 75 feels plenty hot to all us thick-blooded Alaskans.

Matt, I don't think you missed anything.

ProudHillbilly said...

c - Um, can't say I have any problems with a cop shooting when somebody tries to run them over.

d - And once again my belief in the value of a human life conflicts with my desire to see someone suffer a very great deal for a very long time in this life.

Rev. Paul said...

PH, I agree with you on both counts. There are very real consequences for the actions we commit in life, and some of those consequences are (and should be) unpleasant.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

Now that's nice weather, but not so nice for allergies.

Have you tried using a Neti Pot to flush your sinus' several times a day with distilled water? This does help, it will take a few times using it before you see a change.

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, Sandy. I'll pass along your recommendation to those who have allergy problems. :)