First a Superstorm, Now a Fire

Eighty homes have been torched due to a fire that spread throughout a flooded neighborhood in Queens, New York early Tuesday morning. About 200 firefighters tried to contain the flame, but high winds from the superstorm and downed power lines made this very difficult, not to mention highly dangerous. Steve Mastrandrea, resident of the neighborhood said, “I was trying to give a helping hand and got trapped. We couldn’t help anybody, I couldn’t even help myself.” Not even “the Perfect Storm”, the nor’easter that was occurring along with Hurricane Grace in 1991, could compare to Hurricane Sandy. It is bad enough that are two extremely dangerous storms happening in unison, there is a destructive fire that was spreading as well. 

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/30/us/new-york-storm-fires/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

Gas Prices Expected to Decrease by Thanksgiving

This predicted drop in gas prices is music to the Thanksgiving traveler's ears. The national average for a gallon of regular gas is currently $3.67, a 3.8% drop over the past eleven days. However, experts say that price could very well drop 30 more cents by November 22nd, which means the estimated national average would be $3.35. Over the Christmas holidays, prices are expected to stay low- around $3.25 to $3.45. Others agree with the claim that gas prices will drop, though not as steeply. The decrease in prices is mainly due to the season change. Americans are driving less because the summer season is now over.


http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/22/news/economy/gas-prices/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Space Shuttle Endeavour's New Home

On Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, California, the space shuttle Endeavour rolled to its final home at the California Science Center, where it will soon go on public display. The journey was twelve miles, from the Los Angeles International Airport to the center, and took more than two days to complete. Trees and traffic signs were obstacles for the space shuttle and had to be removed to allow it to get by. The shuttle was so carefully navigated through some parts of the streets that the distance between one of the wings and a tree was barely that of the width of a credit card. So, after 22-year career and 25 missions, Endeavour will be on display in a pavilion built just for the shuttle.


http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/14/us/shuttle-endeavour/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

California squirrel tests positive for plague

On Tuesday, a squirrel in California was tested positive for exposure to the bacteria that causes the plague. This is the first known positive test in over ten years. The squirrel was exposed to fleas that were carrying the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The infected squirrel doesn't pose any harm to the county of Riverside, California, but environmental health program chief Dottie Merki says, "We do want them to be educated so they can protect their families and their pets." Routine tests are done because the plague is endemic to that area and more are to follow. Humans are at risk of exposure from handling infected animals or being bitten by fleas that live on rodents with the bacteria.


http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/09/us/california-squirrel-plague/index.html?hpt=us_c2

Bo Johnson Stole Victory from Defeat

At approximately 3:30 in the morning on Friday, September 28, Door County's famously inspirational 13-year-old boy, Bo Johnson passed away. In October of 2011, Bo was diagnosed with Extramedulary Acute Myeloid Leukemia after a jet ski accident. After nearly one whole year of fighting the disease, doctors informed Bo and Annika Johnson that there was nothing more to do and that Bo would soon be facing the end to his life. Bo made the choice to return home to spend his last few weeks surrounded by friends and family. He made it to some sports events and even spoke at Gibraltar's Welcome-Back assemblies. The Make a Wish Foundation gave Bo and friends the opportunity of a lifetime- sending them to a Green Bay Packer game where Bo met Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, Aaron Rodgers, and more. By this time the community had been painted orange. The orange continued to spread when each high school class was sent outside to tie up orange ribbon during Homecoming Week. Bo lost his battle to leukemia, but he "stole victory from defeat."