Remembering: The Punitive Expedition

Pancho Villa

In the early morning hours of March 9, 1916 hundreds of Mexican guerrillas under the command of Pancho Villa invaded, slaughter, and burn down the town of Columbus, New Mexico. Outraged by the attack America demanded a response, and President Woodrow Wilson was quick to respond by sending nearly ten thousand US troops into Mexico, under General John J. Pershing. Pershing's orders were to capture Villa and disperse his rebels.

The Punitive Expedition spent the rest of 1916 chasing Villa around Mexico, but never catching him. By that time the Mexican government had grown tired of allowing US troops into Mexico. War seemed imminent after Mexican government troops attacked US troops in Carrizal, Mexico. But focus was being aimed at Europe and the war there. When the Mexican government asked the US to remove all troops from Mexico, Wilson complied and ordered them out. Only for troubles to flare up again in February when The Zimmerman Note was released. America however would not declare war on Mexico, but focus everything at defeating Germany.

Pershing would go on to lead US forces in Europe. Some notable occurrences during the Expedition were the use of automobiles and planes, both firsts for the US military. America's first mechanized attack was led by Lieutenant George S. Patton, which would give him the taste for tanks that he would become famous for.

Pancho Villa had launched the attack in anger after the US pulled support from him and backed the Mexican government. He would later succeed in helping overthrow the Mexican government and then retire from politics. In 1923 his enemies caught up to him though, and he was murdered.

Hawaii in State of Disaster

After days of continuous torrential rains Governor Neil Abercrombie has declared two of the Hawaiian islands to be disaster areas, and more of the islands are likely to join them. The rains have brought flash flooding and at times have been joined by up to golf ball sized hail.

Never in recorded history has it rained so much in so short of a time on the islands. For many residents this is the first time in their lives that they've seen hail.

Since last Saturday, some areas have been receiving an average of three inches an hour. Waste water in certain areas has backed up, causing brown water advisories to be issued for some coastal areas.

More storms are expected to continue the onslaught over this weekend as well. Weather advisories and flash flood warnings are in effect, with continuously lengthening times.

Remembering: The Russian Revolution

March 8, 1917 mobs demanding bread took to the the streets of the Russian capital, Petrograd. Russia's economy was destroyed by World War I, government corruption was rampant, and Czar Nicholas II had repeatedly dissolved the Duma. The Russian people were tired of it all, and could no longer even get food.

An estimated 90,000 marched on March 8 and clashed with police. Over the next couple days their numbers grew until they burned down the police stations on the 10th. On March 11 the Petrograd garrison was sent forth to stop what was becoming an uprising. But it backfired on the 12th when 150,000 soldiers defected and joined the revolt.

On March 15 Czar Nicholas II abdicated and his brother Michael refused the crown, ending the rule of the czarist autocracy. And in Switzerland, the leader of the Bolshevik revolutionary party left his exile and headed home, for the the revolution needed a leader. Vladimir Lenin was on the way.

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance

New Belgium Brewery Increases Canning

New Belgium Brewery announced that, on Tuesday, it's brand new canning line became fully operational. The new line multiplies their ability to can by six times what they did before. It also is capable of not only doing the normal twelve ounce cans, but "tall boy" sixteen ounce ones as well.

The eighth largest brewery in the country will not be expanding it's production however. It plans to stick with a max of 920,000 barrels a year at this point.

Coors Light Iced T

Molson Coors has announced their newest product, Coors Light Iced T. Yes, now there's an iced tea beer.

The company will be releasing Iced T in Canada, starting in April. Depending how it does there, they'll bring it to the States as well.

They are also busy expanding other lines including Blue Moon and Batch 19. And they're working on targeting expanding markets in China and India.

Niagara Bottling Plant Coming to Aurora

Aurora City Council approved a deal, Monday, that will bring a Niagara Bottling plant to town. Prologis Park, near E-470 and I-70 will be the home of the 177,000 sq. ft facility. The company plans to bring thirty-six full time jobs to it's $30 million area.

The plant would use 300,000 gallons of water daily, six days a week. Less than one percent of the water Aurora produces. But in an area that is regularly under water restrictions during the summer, it is of concern to some residents. Also of concern was that the city council made the decision without any public hearings.

Utah to Ban Sex Ed

A new law in Utah would effectively ban sexual education. House Bill 363 would keep schools from teaching safe sex, and only allow abstinence to be taught. The bill also makes it illegal for teachers to discuss premarital sex or homosexuality, even if asked by a student.

Supporters of the bill say that the law puts all the power into parent's hands. Opponents argue that it is out of touch of reality.

Teaching abstinence is highly important, but some students will not follow that path, no matter what. To be effective a program should emphasize abstinence, but also explain safe sex practices. Condoms, birth control, and abortion pamphlets should not be passed out. But students need to know the importance of safe sex. Also the emotional and mental toll that promiscuity can bring should be talked about, just as much as the danger of disease.

Robert B. Sherman, Dead at 86

Robert B. Sherman died of natural causes Tuesday, at the age of 86. A World War II Army vet, who enlisted at the age of 17. Fighting in Europe he earned a purple heart after being shot in the knee, and was amongst the troops who discovered the Dachau concentration camp.

Robert came back from the war, with the goal of becoming a writer. His younger brother Richard wanted to compose symphonies. It was their father who challenged them to work together. There was their success.

Their first song, "Gold Can Buy Anything (But Love), was recorded by Gene Autry. "Tall Paul" their second song became a hit for Annette Funicello, in 1959. During the early 60's they began to write songs for Disney movies, including "The Parent Trap", as well as a song called "It's a Small World". It was then that Walt Disney called them into his office, and showed them a book that he wanted songs written for. The book was about Mary Poppins.

Mary Poppins, was their biggest success. Practically every song was a total hit, and is still now. They continued to write music and songs for many Disney movies and TV shows including: "Winnie The Pooh", "The Jungle Book", "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", "The Sword in the Stone", "The Aristocats", "The Happiest Millionaire", and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". They also continued to write songs for non Disney movies, artists, and musicals.

Never will Robert B. Sherman's works and creativity be forgotten.

210,000 Jeep Libertys Recalled

209,724 Jeep Libertys of the 2004-2005 model are being recalled due to potential issues brought on by excessive corrosion.


No accidents have been reported due to this problem, but complaints were starting to come in. Nine incidents of fractures in the rear lower control arms were attributed to excessive corrosion due to road salt. All vehicles that could be effected will be recalled and have the arms replaced.


States effected are: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington DC.