Remembering: The Tank

September 15, 1916 saw something that had never been seen before.

At the Battle of the Somme, in France, between the British and German lines, forty machines crawled across the field with the infantry.

They were called tanks and their indestructible nature sent fear into the hearts of infantry, who watched bullets and shells bounce off the armored surfaces.

Unfortunately, for the British, they were also extremely slow, easily bogged down, and broke down often.

It wouldn't be until near the end of the war when an American named Patton would actually have success with them.

When World War II began tanks were shown for all that they could be worth.

Since then they've been a main stay for any industrialized military.

Blue to Gold: ARMY Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn

ARMY Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn, 26, of Lafayette, IN, died Sep. 13 in Muqer, Afghanistan.

Several years ago Kyle Osborn, a McCutcheon High School alumnus and Clarks Hill native, returned to his alma mater to visit with a handful of his favorite teachers.

Having just made the decision to forgo a college wrestling career for a stint with the U.S. Army, the 2005 McCutcheon graduate was beaming with pride. "He was so enthusiastic about what he was doing," physics teacher Cheryl McLean said. "It was such a warm moment."

Osborn, who served in the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, was reported Friday as having been killed in Afghanistan. He is Greater Lafayette’s 12th member of the military to die in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since the conflicts began following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

According to the Associated Press, as of Tuesday at least 1,980 members of the U.S. military have died in Afghanistan as a result of the US led invasion.

McCutcheon Principal John Beeker met with members of Osborn's family Friday and said he anticipates that the school will do something to commemorate Osborn's life and service. "We're going to do something, but we've got to let the parents guide that a little," Beeker said. "We're going to do something when the time is right." Beeker praised Osborn’s intelligence. He said he often chose Osborn for leadership roles due to his outspokenness. "He'd always give a nice perspective on things. Just a fun kid. Fun to be around."

Osborn was a member of the football and wrestling teams at McCutcheon. He was an individual state qualifier at 152 pounds as a senior and captain of the Mavericks' 2005 regional championship wrestling team. He planned to pursue wrestling in college until he shifted to the military. His teammates called him "Ozzy."

Kathy Dale, whose son Travis wrestled with Osborn at McCutcheon, remembered him as a great leader and positive person. "It's just a tragic loss," she said. "He was very close with both his parents. My thoughts go out to them. He was very loved here."

Graphic arts teacher Ed Tilley, who coached Osborn in football, said, "He's a short guy but, man, he played like he was 10 feet tall."  Tilley clearly remembers the day Osborn came strolling back into McCutcheon's hallways to update his teachers on his life. "He said, 'Hey, coach Tilley,' and (gave) that smile," Tilley recalled. "I said 'Just be careful. Keep your head down.' You always want to make sure they're safe. I’m sad he's gone, but I know he died doing something he loved to do."

Ryan Walden, director of athletics at McCutcheon, said Friday: "The McCutcheon Athletic Department is saddened by the loss of a great Maverick, outstanding leader from our community, and a true American. We are thankful for everything that Kyle has done for our community and country, and cherish the memories from when he wore a McCutcheon uniform."

McLean, who Osborn once identified as his favorite teacher, described Osborn as "mischievous" but inquisitive and brimming with contagious enthusiasm. Osborn, she said, kept her on her toes. "I am a better teacher because of his input in my classroom, and I am a better person because I knew him," McLean said.

In McLean's class, at least, Osborn's legacy will live on. "I will forever share stories of Kyle in my physics class," McLean said. "He knew how to strike a perfect balance between the hard work of learning and having fun"

Camp Bastion Attacked by Taliban Forces

Camp Bastion in Afghanistan was attacked by Taliban forces, Saturday morning.

Two Marines were killed in the assault, and an unknown number of others were injured.

Army Major Martyn Crighton of the International Security Assistance Force's Joint Command, said that, "the base took indirect and small arms fire, causing major damage to buildings, an aircraft hangar and military jets".

The attack followed a heavy increase in violence throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and southern Asia.

Drunk Driver Kills 4, Injures 8 Others in Las Vegas

A suspected drunk driver is responsible for four deaths and injuries to eight others after crashing into a Las Vegas bus stop, Thursday morning.

Police say the vehicle was going at least one hundred miles per hour when it went airborne and slammed into the people waiting for the bus.

The driver, and his three passengers were injured in the crash.

He will face four felony counts of driving under the influence causing death, when they are released from the hospital.

Kenyan Police Stop Planned Terrorist Attack

Kenyan police state that they have stopped a terrorist attack in Nairobi.

Two Somalians were arrested after they were caught with explosive devices, weapons, and ammunition.

Police are searching for eight more that they believe were involved.

The ten are believed to be connected with al Shabab, a wing of Al Qaeda.

A spokesman for the police stated that they "found four suicide vests rigged with hundreds of metal ball bearings, two improvised explosive devices, also rigged with ball bearings, four AK47s, ammunition, and a dozen grenades".

L J Alleman Middle School Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat

L J Alleman Middle School, in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, was evacuated Friday due to a bomb threat.

A hand written note was found in one of the school's bathrooms.

The note stated that a bomb would go off at 9:30am.

As soon as it was found the entire school was evacuated, and everyone was moved to a safe distance.

No explosion occurred and authorities are searching the building.

Three universities across the US have also undergone evacuations on Friday: University of Texas at Austin, North Dakota State University, and Valparaiso University.

Valparaiso University Evacuated Due to Threat

Valparaiso University, in Valparaiso, Indiana, has been evacuated due to a threat.

BE ON ALERT!  An unspecific threat to campus was made through a graffiti message alluding to dangerous and criminal activity alleged to be carried out during the chapel break period on Friday.   The broad threat provided no details with respect to location or type.  Please be on alert and report any suspicious activity to VUPD immediately by calling 911 or 464-5430.
Please be advised that additional security presence will be on site and visible at this time.  If necessary, please comply with security personnel direction and requirements.
Status updates will be posted to this site.

Nothing was found on the campus after it was searched by security, local police, and the FBI.

Classes and scheduled events have resumed.

The University of Texas at Austin, North Dakota State University, and L J Alleman Middle School were all evacuated due to threats on Friday.

FBI Catches Bucket List Bandit

Authorities arrested a bank robber known as the "Bucket List Bandit" in Roland, Oklahoma, on Friday.

He is accused of robbing banks in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah.

All of the robberies happened over the summer.

Michael Eugene Brewster, fifty-four, was given up by an informant.

The FBI began calling him the "Bucket List Bandit" after he told a teller that he was robbing banks because he only had four months left to live.

Chinese and Japanese Ships Facing Off

Chinese surveillance ships and Japanese coast guard vessels continue to face off near disputed islands.

Both sides have sent threats and warnings against the other flotilla.

China says that their ships are there to defend Chinese territory from Japanese aggression.

Japan recently purchased some of the islands from their private owners, in an attempt to end the dispute, but China is calling the move illegal.

Anti Japanese protests have been taking place in China since the plan to make the purchase was announced, on Tuesday.

North Dakota State University Evacuated

North Dakota State University is evacuating the campus after receiving a bomb threat.

Security Alert

This is an emergency message from North Dakota State University. 

NDSU is requiring all employees and students to leave campus by 10:15 a.m. This includes residence hall students, who, if necessary, should walk to locations off campus. This also includes the downtown buildings and agricultural facilities.

NDSU received a bomb threat, prompting this evacuation.  Updates will follow.

Do not call local emergency numbers for further information in order to permit emergency lines to remain open for emergency calls.  Updates to this announcement will be made when information becomes available.  This message is authorized and transmitted by the University Police Communications Call Center.

No explosives were found on the campus, staff and students were allowed back in at 1pm, and classes resumed at 2pm.

University of Texas at Austin, Valparaiso University, and L J Alleman Middle School were all evacuated due to threats on Friday.