Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Colorado Senators Working to Bring State It's Own Firefighting Air Power

Colorado lawmakers are working on a bipartisan effort to increase the state's ability to fight fires.

Senate Bill 14-164 would give the state it's own fleet of fire fighting helicopters and planes.

It is cosponsored by Republican state senators Steve King and Bill Cadman and Democrat Morgan Carroll.

Currently, Colorado is dependent on federal agencies, the military, National Guard, and other states to supply air power to fight fires.

Having it's own fire fighting fleet could mean faster response times.

Search Continues in Washington For Victims of Oso Mudslide

Search efforts renewed in Oso, Washington, on Wednesday, after rains brought a stop to them, on Tuesday.

Members of the National Guard aided local agencies as hope dwindles that they'll find survivors of Sunday's mudslide.

Officials raised the confirmed death toll up to twenty-four, with one hundred and seventy-six missing.

Eight people did survive the slide, with four still in the hospital from the injuries.


The slide, which crossed the Stillaguamish River as well as a road, buried forty-nine houses in twenty feet of mud.

Many buildings were simply crushed, not buried, by the force of the slide.

If no more survivors are found, the slide could become the deadliest in US history.

2 Firefighters Killed in 9 Alarm Boston Fire

Two firefighters were killed fighting a nine alarm fire in Boston, Massachusetts, on Wednesday afternoon.

Strong winds, with gusts over forty miles per hour, helped push and spread the flames through a four story rowhouse.

According to officials, a group of firefighters became trapped in the building's basement, leading to the deaths and other injuries.

A total of eighteen people, including firefighters and residents were hospitalized, because of the fire.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze.

The firefighters were later identified as Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy.

North Korea Fires 2 Ballistic Missiles

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles, on Wednesday.

They were aimed off to the east, into the Sea of Japan, and flew about four hundred miles, making it two thirds of the way to Japan.

The launches came as the US joined Japan and South Korea in talks to discuss how to defend against any North Korean hostility.

By launching the missiles, North Korea once again violated UN Security Council resolutions.

It also follows a series of rocket, artillery, and smaller missile launches over the last few weeks while the US and South Korea were conducting joint naval exercises.

No warnings were announced before any of the launches, however only this latest launch came near shipping lanes.

Nodong missiles, which were used Wednesday, are capable of carrying nuclear payloads.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Review: Shakira.

Shakira's latest album, which is self titled, was released on Friday, and is already headed to greatness.

Of course not too difficult a job when the three singles already released from it have already made it into her top ten most listened songs, on Spotify.

Can't Remember to Forget You, which features Rihanna, is already solidly in second with over the thirty-one million listen mark, on Spotify, which is nearly double the amount her previous hit Hips Don't Lie has.

Empire and Nunca Me Acuerdo de Olvidarte are both around the million mark, putting them eighth and ninth on her list.

Blake Shelton and Magic are also featured on a song each, and Loca por Ti brings in a second song in Spanish.

As usual her album has songs with great rhythms, beats, and heartfelt lyrics.

You won't regret giving this album a listen or a purchase, it's filled with songs you'll enjoy if you've ever liked Shakira's music.

Death Toll in Washington up to 14 With 176 Missing

Fourteen people are now confirmed dead in Oso, Washington, after Sunday's mudslide.

The slide, which crossed the Stillaguamish River as well as a road, buried forty-nine houses in twenty feet of mud.

One hundred and seventy-six more people are missing, though officials say some of those may be duplicates.

Members of the National Guard, arrived Tuesday morning, to help in search efforts.

The efforts have been majorly hampered by the quick sand like mud, which has made it dangerous for crews to enter the area.

Shooting at Naval Station Norfolk Leaves 2 Dead in Virginia

Two people were killed late Monday night during a shooting at Naval Station Norfolk, in Virginia.

According to authorities, a civilian attempted to board the USS Mahan, a destroyer docked at Pier 1.

When the shore patrol attempted to remove him, a struggle ensued, and the man ended up with one of the security member's guns.

The man then shot a sailor, killing him, and then was in turn shot and killed by other members of the shore patrol.

Officials placed the base on lockdown, after incident, however it was reopened by Tuesday morning.

At this time, the identities of the sailor and civilian have not been released, nor has any motive yet been uncovered.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Washington Death Toll Rises to 8, with 108 Missing

The death toll from Saturday's mudslide, in Oso, Washington, has risen to eight.

Authorities also raised the missing count from eighteen to one hundred and eight.

So far, only eight survivors have been rescued.

Mud up to twenty feet deep buried the area, which included fifty-five homes.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by thick, quick sand like mud.

Concerns about the possibility of the Stillaguamish River flooding are also on the minds of officials, as rescue efforts renewed on Monday.

32 Injured in Chicago Train Derailment

Thirty-two people were injured, early Monday morning, when a train derailed, in Chicago, Illinois.

The train struck a platform at O'Hare International Airport.

It's front car went off the tracks and landed on a nearby escalator.

 None of the injuries are life threatening.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the train to jump it's tracks, though excessive speed is considered a likely factor.

Authorities suspended train service, on that part of the line, for twenty-four hours, for the investigation to take place.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Mudslide Leaves 4 Dead, 18 Missing in Washington

A massive mudslide swallowed entire houses, Saturday morning, in Oso, Washington.

Four people have been confirmed dead, eight were injured, and eighteen are still missing.

Mud up to twenty feet deep swept in a sudden rush trapping many people.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by thick, quick sand like mud.

Concerns about the possibility of the Stillaguamish River flooding are also on the minds of officials.