Jedi knight arrested in Oregon

A long time ago. In a galaxy far far away. Actually, it was last week at a Toys R Us in Portland, Oregon. A 33 year old man was arrested for swinging a light saber at random customers. He continued the battle into the parking lot, where his light saber proved stronger than the police officer's taser. Call it what you want. I choose to believe in "the force."

Officers arrived and attempted to take the suspect into custody but he continued to swing the light saber and was yelling incoherent statements. One officer attempted to use a Taser but it was ineffective. A second officer used a Taser which made good contact but the suspect used the light saber to break one of the wires.

Who hasn't wanted to do this every time they walk by the Star Wars section? The man has probably been thinking about it since he walking out of a movie theater in 1983. He wasn't even born when the original movie came out. Police did not release the name of the suspect, but our sources have identified him as Obi-Wan Fitzgerald.

Speaking of Star Wars, I'm sure most people have seen the following clip of 15 year old high school student known as the Star Wars Kid. He was secretly filmed by a couple of his classmates as he fantasized being a Jedi Knight. In fact, this was several years ago and British Columbia is not that far from Portland, Oregon. Coincidence?

Anyway, he sued his classmates and won. If you haven't seen it yet, there really are no words...

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/police-arrest-man-accused-light-saber-assault-toys-162829995.html



Share|

Lafayette we are here (for now)

Now this is what I paid to see. The love fest between city hall and the agitators is about to end. Well, sort of. A splinter group has left Niagara Square and has decided to occupy Lafayette Square. Does this mean the Niagara Square group are the 98%ers?

"If they use force to remove us we will come back in force," said one of the protestors at Lafayette Square, Chris Phillips. Phillips is a 30 year-old English major at Buffalo State College.

Now that is a true protester speaking. I like the new protesters over at Lafayette Square. Forget about thanking the mayor or bringing donuts over to the downtown police station. We're talking good old fashioned fisticuffs here. These people are genuinely angry. I might go down there dressed in a police uniform just to get them warmed up. Someone might want to remind them that they'll be sending in 100 police officers and they only have six, one-man tents, though...

City may evict 'Occupiers' in Lafayette: wivb.com

Share|

Hochul running a tight ship

Congressperson Kathy Hochul is spending only 30% of the money she was offered to run her office. The rest she is giving back to the taxpayers. If this becomes a trend Brian Higgins might have to tell Bonnie Kane Lockwood, Chris Fahey, Rick ($10,000) Finnegan, and the rest of his bloated fat cats to get off the public dole and find work in the private sector. Too many political HACKS. Not enough leaders...

Rep. Hochul to return unspent money: wivb.com

Share|

Uncle Phil vs Aunt Amber

The Federal government says that 50% of the teachers at lower performing schools need to be replaced in order for the district to receive millions in funding. Uncle Phil Rumore says over his dead body, as it violates the teachers' contract. Everyone seems to agree that this game of musical chairs with the teachers makes no sense.

The question I have is who are the idiots at the federal level that think it's a good idea? The teachers in these buildings are not the problem nor the cause of the problem. They are dealing with a very rough population of students. Throwing money at the problem won't help. The interim superintendent, the parents, and the teachers at the lower performing schools need to come up with better ideas. Many (not all) of these students come from dysfunctional homes. This is a major cause of the schools' problems. I think smaller class sizes at these schools would be a good start. Many of these kids do not know how to deal with resolving minor conflicts with classmates. They are used to watching the adults in their lives yell and swear at each other when they don't get their way.These students become a major distraction to the others and need to be separated from them. Why has my son been separated from the rest of the class? Because your son throws a tantrum every time he doesn't get his way. One word you'll hear every day if you work in Buffalo is "outburst"...

Share|

Company donates to South Buffalo family

Who says all our stories are negative? Channel 7 did a nice story about a South Buffalo family I knew from the South Buffalo Charter School. Their young mother lost her battle with cancer last month and they are being raised by their grandmother. A local company, wishing to remain anonymous, donated several Christmas gifts to the four young boys.

The four kids are very nice. They live one street away from me. The oldest one, Anthony, acts as the leader and watches over his younger brothers. They are very smart, good students, and always display good manners (a rarity these days). All last summer, I could hear my doorbell ringing (which I usually ignore, unless the person calls first). They knew I was home because the car was in the driveway. "Mr. Blake! Mr. Blake!" For about 20 minutes while I tried to continue my perennial nap. They knew I coached soccer teams and wanted to know if I had any old soccer balls. Eventually, I was able to get them some. I knew them from school and was aware of their mother's condition.They asked me if my doorbell was broke and I told them it was when I was taking a nap. I give their grandmother a lot of credit. She has done her best with them and I'm glad the neighbors on their street keep an eye on them also...

South Buffalo (WKBW) Just a week before Christmas, it was a holiday surprise for a family who needed it most in South Buffalo. A special delivery of three bags of presents and boxes of food translates to smiling faces and clapping hands, things that have been absent from one South Buffalo home. Late last month, Madonna Kaminski lost her daughter Rhonda Osborne, a mother of four, to cancer.

"She was young. She fought cancer. She lost. These four moved in with me. We're doing the best we can to give them a good Christmas," Kaminski said.

Share|

Whitetail population on the rise

WGRZ did an interesting story about the exploding whitetail deer population in WNY. According to one of the experts, the deer began migrating north from the Southern Tier 50 years ago, adapting to changing landscapes there.

A recent aerial survey spotted 77 deer over the Tifft Farms Nature Preserve in South Buffalo alone. And they are doing a number on the plants over there as well as at the Botanical Gardens...

Share|

Google Earth

Just learning how to use Google Earth. It is an amazing application. The world is really is getting smaller. I took this aerial snap shot of Cazenovia Park. If you look at the bottom photo, you can see there is an actual baseball game or practice going on when this image was taken from outer space. On the site itself, you can zoom in on home plate or the waterfall.

In Street View, with a little practice, you can literally drive across the entire city (state, country, etc.) from the comfort of your home. With technology improving daily, It makes you wonder what people will be looking at in 10 years. Excuse me while I go close my drapes...

Share

Wack pack's NFL picks: week 15

I'd like to ask everyone for some patience, as I've clearly run out of talent. The blog is only as good as the Blogger's mood. Fortunately (or unfortunately), my mood as of late has been pretty good, which makes for less controversial opinions. In what could only be described as a ghost from Christmas' past, J.P. Losman might be making an appearance at Rich Stadium tomorrow. With it being Christmas, I expect both J.P. and the Bills to be in a charitable mood. The over/under on turnovers is at five.

Buddy the Book



Looking out on his East Amherst patio, Buddy is shaking off a tough week, where he went 1-4. If this series teaches you anything, it's do not bet on NFL games. He says he spoke to his good friend Bill Bellichick during the week and has made some adjustments. This week, The Book likes Washington, Dallas, his beloved Boston Patriots, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh's steel curtain...


The OTB Boys (The Rooster and MacGavis)


MacGavis has asked the Rooster to never call him again with a tip on a racehorse. He says,"the only thing slower than the Rooster's horse is Ray reaching for his wallet to pick up the bill." (My grandfather used to get similar tips on horses. He would make large bets and tell people it was a sure thing. According to my mother, his famous saying before betting was, "I heard it straight from the horse's mouth.") I love that quote.

The Rooster and MacGavis think the Tebow luck will run out this week. They say to go with the Patriots (-7) over the Broncos. They also like Philly (-3), the Cardinals (-6), and San Diego (+3). The Bills will be playing the Fish this week and it's possible the Big Fish (J.P. Losman) might be under center. With words like cool, rad, and aaa, the Rooster wonders which one of the Bills' brain-trust decided to go with J.P. He also does not expect Leodis McKelvin to be part of U.B's Distinguished Speaker Series any time soon. The Rooster says, if the Fins beat the Bills, he will give up Pepsi (his only vice) for six months. The OTB Boys will keep watch, he says. By the way, the Rooster's horse finished dead last and was sold to Arby's for tomorrow's lunch special (5 Roast "Beef" sandwiches for $5).

By the way, I'm sick and tired of hearing about Tim Tebow. I hope some other born again christian knocks him out of the game and and announces it as a sign that God likes him better. If he's so religious, what is he doing playing football on Sundays?

Share|

crime stats 12/9-12/15

12/9/2011

339

Mystic

Assault

UNK

Compl was walking home and was jumped by 4 UNK susp


12/9/2011

65

Allegany

Burglary

KNOWN

Known susp did enter compl home and did remove various items


12/9/2011

81

Kamper

Burglary

UNK

UNK person did UNLOCK compl door and did remove various items (weird)


12/9/2011

1460

South Park

Larceny

Ronald Jablonski

Def did steal body wash and advil from Tops


12/9/2011

839

Perry

Harassment

Amanda Beltran

Def arrested for fighting and making threats


12/9/2011

15

Bloomfield

ID Theft

POSS KNOWN

Poss known susp did cash compl check


12/9/2011

339

Germania

Assault

KNOWN

Known susp did strike compl several times, and did refuse to give child to
parent


12/9/2011

726

Exchange

Larceny

UNK

UNK person did steal compl purse while compl was brushing snow off veh


12/9/2011

139

Weimar

VOOP

KNOWN

Known susp did harass compl in VOOP


12/10/2011

781

McKinley

Larceny Vehicle

UNK

UNK person did enter compl veh and did remove various tools


12/10/2011

27

Kamper

Larceny

KNOWN

Known susp (BF) did take items from compl


12/10/2011

100

Gorski

Larceny Vehicle

UNK

UNK person did damage window and did remove GPR, and other items left in veh


12/10/2011

362

Germania

Trespass

UNK

UNK person did unlock hallway door, but did not enter (weird report)


12/10/2011

17

Pomona

Criminal Mischief

UNK

UNK person did smash glass window


12/10/2011

1329

Clinton

VOOP

KNOWN

Known susp did VOOP by calling compl


12/10/2011

185

Cazenovia

Theft of services

POSS KNOWN

Poss known susp did only pat $8 of a $33 cab ride


12/10/2011

214

Stevenson

Multiple charges

Thomas Cole

Def was arrested for having a party with underaged kids drinking, poss of
marij, making threats to officers and obstructing


12/10/2011



Frank and Ryan

Assault

William Hanavan

Def did strike compl while driving, and compl then hit utility pole.


12/10/2011

342

Cable

Criminal Mischief

UNK

UNK person threw a rock through compl window


12/10/2011

87

Altruria

Harassment

KNOWN

Known susp did send unwanted texts


12/10/2011

224

Oconnell

Assault

KNOWN

Known susp did attack her and did cause swelling


12/11/2011

284

Potters

Larceny

UNK

UNK person did remove 2 UPS packages from door


12/11/2011

396

Swan

Stolen Vehicle

KNOWN

Known susp (BF) did take keys from compl and stole veh


12/11/2011

128

Pries

Stolen Vehicle

UNK

UNK person took compl car


12/11/2011

300

Fulton

Multiple charges

Devin Jackson

Def was seen jumping out of vacant home (after burg in progress call) after
appreh, it was found that he was in poss of sawed off SG


12/12/2011

108

Pries

Assault

KNOWN

Known susp did strike compl, and did refuse to let them leave


12/12/2011

1305

Seneca

Larceny

KNOWN

Known susp did steal compl phone


12/12/2011

2379

Seneca

Burglary

UNK

UNK person did enter compl home and did remove various items


12/12/2011

2097

Seneca

Larceny

UNK

UNK person entered store and did steal a beer from cooler


12/12/2011

76

Remoleno

Assault

Joseph Bishop

Def did try to break up a fight between his 2 ex GF, in the process he did
pull out compl bottom teeth, and broke other compl arm (weird)


12/12/2011

1981

Clinton

Burglary

UNK

UNK person did enter vacant home and did punch holes in wall


12/12/2011

1460

South Park

Larceny

UNK

UNK person did steal compl purse


12/12/2011

47

Strathmore

Criminal Mischief

UNK

UNK person did throw shovel at house and did break window


12/12/2011

35

Armin

Harassment

KNOWN

Known susp keeps calling compl (unwanted)


12/12/2011

21

Salem

Larceny Vehicle

UNK

UNK person did steal 2 cartons of ciggs out of unlocked car


12/12/2011

95

Dorothy

Criminal Tampering

KNOWN

Known employee did change all passwords which cost $ to re-set


12/12/2011

20

McCamley

Harassment

UNK

UNK person keeps calling compl asking for information


12/12/2011

100

Weyand

Obstructing

William and Donald Krebs

Def did make threats to officers when they assist exGF to remove items from
home


12/12/2011

150

Southside

Assault

JUIV

Juiv did engage in fight with other student


12/12/2011

52

Lorraine

Larceny

KNOWN

Known susp did take compl ipad from rent-a-center


12/12/2011

115

Pries

Stolen Vehicle

UNK

UNK person did steal compl veh (1991 caddy with chrome rims, 4 door)


12/12/2011

565

Abbott

Larceny

UNK

UNK person did steal compl lic plate from veh (DRE3253)


12/12/2011

839

Perry

Harassment

KNOWN

Known susp keeps texting compl (unwanted)


12/12/2011

325

Baraga

Assault

KNOWN

Known susp did smash compl cell phone and did punch compl in face.


12/13/2011

520

Swan

Assault

Antonio Gonzalez

Def did follow compl. When she went into her apt, def did display a hand gun
and did make threats. Weapon recovered.


12/13/2011

9

Duerstein

Harassment

KNOWN

Known susp keeps calling compl (unwanted)


12/13/2011

473

Hopkins

Assault

KNOWN

Known susp did slap and punch compl in face


12/13/2011

11

Remoleno

Stolen Vehicle

KNOWN

Known susp did drive off with compl veh wile in store


12/13/2011

62

Fillmore

Burglary

UNK

UNK person entered compl apt and did cut copper pipe from apt


12/13/2011

654

Elk

Larceny

UNK

While compl veh was at SB Auto, unk person removed inspection sticker from
veh


12/14/2011

402

Babcock

Larceny Vehicle

UNK

UNK person did smash window of compl veh and did remove briefcase and rolls
of coins


12/14/2011

94

Norman

Larceny

UNK

UNK person did steal compl bike from driveway


12/14/2011

377

Cumberland

Larceny

KNOWN

Known person did take compl car key


12/14/2011

160

Hollywood

Larceny

UNK

UNK person did remove UPS package from doorway


12/14/2011

33

Olsen

Assault

Jeffery Takacs

Def did strike compl


12/14/2011



Seneca and Yale

CPCS

Travis Dries

Def was driving with expired reg, no license, and then was in POCS


12/14/2011

473

Hopkins

Harassment

Kenneth Maynard

Def arrested for harassment


12/15/2011

36

Susan Lane

Assault

KNOWN

Known susp did strike compl


12/15/2011

252

Katherine

Assault

KNOWN

Known susp did strike compl in head


12/15/2011

1989

Seneca

Trespassing

Kevin Zingg

Def arrested for trespass at Tops


12/15/2011



Abbott and Columbus

Larceny

Jonathon Dobbs

Def did attempt to steal compl bike.


12/15/2011

211

Reading

Larceny and Criminal Trespass

UNK

UNK person(s) did enter fenced in yard and did remove copper wire


12/15/2011

1028

McKinley

Trespass and CPCS

Robert Willard

Def did trespass on McDonalds property and was found to be in POCS


12/15/2011

118

Cushing

Criminal Mischief

UNK

UNK person did slash compl tire


12/15/2011

145

Cable

Assault

Thomas Zuppa

Def did slap compl as they called 911 to report crime


12/15/2011

1180

Abbott

Stolen Vehicle

UNK

UNK person stole veh. Found at Marks Coll. In Lack


12/15/2011

793

South Ogden

Burglary

UNK

UNK person did smash front window, enter, and ransack office


12/15/2011

38

McCamley

Burglary

UNK

UNK person did remove compl dirt bike from garage


12/15/2011

101

Downing

Burglary

UNK

UNK person did cut lock on shed, and did remove various items


12/15/2011

85

Geary

Trespass

UNK

UNK person did enter compl vacant apt, and appeared to be living in same.





Share|

Return of the Jedi

In a strange coincidence, former Bills' Quarterback J.P. Losman, might be getting the start this week for the Dolphins against his former team. In an act of kindness and mercy just in time for the holidays, CBS has announced that the game will be blacked out locally...

Share|