Emergency.Blog

Signicant River Flooding Outlook 14-19 June 2008

Signicant River Flooding Outlook 14-19 June 2008

-- Source/larger view (or click on graphic):
http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
nationalfloodoutlook/index.html

ERRI emergency service analyst comment:

Even though it may sound like the water levels are lessening in certain parts of Iowa, it should be remembered that the water must go someplace...and it most certainly will flow downstream and eventually into the Mississippi river. Even without more rain, the danger of flood crests will continue progressively downstream from the current locations...with the consequential danger of flooding in other communities. Bottom-line, and like many kinds of disaster...it ain't over 'til its over.

Quincy declares state of emergency; Memorial Bridge may close by Friday

By EDWARD HUSAR, Herald-Whig Staff Writer

QUINCY, IL: The city of Quincy has declared a "state of emergency" while Adams County has declared a "state of disaster" as local governments begin mobilizing for the region's biggest flood-fighting effort since 1993.

With the latest National Weather Service forecasts now predicting a Mississippi River crest of 29.9 feet in Quincy next Wednesday -- just 2.3 feet below the record level set in 1993 -- the city of Quincy announced plans to launch a sand-bagging effort, probably starting Friday but definitely taking place Saturday and Sunday.

Mayor John Spring said the sandbagging will take place at the parking lot on the south side of the Oakley Lindsay-Center. In case of bad weather, the sandbagging operation will move inside the OLC.

Volunteers from throughout the community will be asked to help pitch in. Spring said this effort will be directed at providing sandbags for "wherever they're needed" in the region. However, the immediate focus will be on fortifying the levees protecting local industries near Quincy's riverfront and the Fabius River Drainage District.

The Fabius levee protects the U.S. 24 highway approaches to both Quincy Memorial Bridge and Quincy Bayview Bridge -- a key transportation link for this region. Keeping bridges open so commerce can continue moving between Missouri and Illinois is a major priority, Spring said...

-- Source/continues: http://www.whig.com/story/
Disaster-2-THUR-MAKEOVER

Cedar Rapids hospital evacuates; river expected to crest higher now

updated 1 hour ago (10:40 CDT)

Iowa river still rising -- at 2 inches an hour

Cedar Rapids hospital evacuates; river expected to crest higher now

Jeff Roberson / AP

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA: Officials evacuated patients from a Cedar Rapids hospital on Friday as the rising waters from the Cedar River confounded the city's best efforts to secure the downtown area. Much of the Midwest remained under threat of more severe weather, with yet another storm front moving through Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin.

In Cedar Falls, officials early Friday had hoped the Cedar River would crest Friday at about 31.8 feet, but NBC's Kevin Tibbles later reported from the city that officials now fear it won't crest until the weekend, with a predicted crest of 33 feet.

The water has been rising about two inches an hour, Tibbles added.

The river was at 30.9 feet early Friday. In a 1993 flood, considered the worst in recent history, it crested at 19.27 feet.

"We are seeing a historic hydrological event taking place with unprecedented river levels occurring," said Brian Pierce, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Davenport. "We're in uncharted territory -- this is an event beyond what anybody could even imagine..."

-- Source/continues at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25020185/

Additional Reference/FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/info.shtm

Heat Wave: A Major Summer Killer

Heat Wave: A Major Summer Killer

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
0315 AM EDT MON JUN 9 2008

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT TUESDAY.

A LARGE BERMUDA HIGH WILL REMAIN OVER THE REGION TODAY AND TUESDAY... RESULTING IN VERY HOT AND HUMID WEATHER. HIGH TEMPERATURES TODAY SHOULD APPROACH 100, THEN HIGHS ON TUESDAY WILL BE IN THE UPPER 90S. HOWEVER, TUESDAY WILL BE A BIT MORE HUMID THAN TODAY. THEREFORE, THESE TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A HUMID AIRMASS MEANS HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL BE AT OR A BIT ABOVE 105 EACH AFTERNOON...

Heat is the number one weather-related killer. On average, more than 1,500 people in the U.S. die each year from excessive heat. This number is greater than the 30-year mean annual number of deaths due to tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and lightning combined. In the 40-year period from 1936 through 1975, nearly 20,000 people were killed in the United States by the effects of heat and solar radiation.

In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died. In the heat wave of 1995 more than 700 deaths in the Chicago, Illinois area were attributed to this event. And in August 2003, a record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives.

North American summers are hot; most summers see heat waves in one section or another of the United States. East of the Rockies, they tend to combine both high temperature and high humidity although some of the worst have been catastrophically dry. Additional detail on how heat impacts the human body is provided under "The Hazards of Excessive Heat" heading...

-- Source/continues: http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php

7 dead in stabbing spree in downtown Tokyo

7 dead in stabbing spree in downtown Tokyo

Jun 8, 6:15 PM (ET)

By SHINO YUASA

TOKYO, JAPAN (AP/MY WAY): A man plowed into shoppers with a truck Sunday and then stabbed 17 people within minutes, killing at least seven of them in a grisly attack that shocked a country known for its low crime rate.

The lunchtime violence in the Akihabara district, a popular electronics and video game area, sent thousands of people fleeing.

The assault, which occurred on the seventh anniversary of a mass stabbing at a Japanese elementary school, was the latest in a series of knife attacks that have stoked fears of rising violent crime in Japan.

A 25-year-old man, Tomohiro Kato, was arrested with blood on his face.

"The suspect told police that he came to Akihabara to kill people," said Jiro Akaogi, a spokesman for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. "He said he was tired of life. He said he was sick of everything," Akaogi said.

The violence began when the man crashed a rented, two-ton truck into pedestrians. He then jumped out and began stabbing the people he had knocked down with the truck before turning on horrified onlookers, police said.

Police confirmed seven deaths - six men and one woman - but they could not say whether the victims had died of injuries from the truck or were stabbed to death...

-- Source/continues at: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080608/D9165LBO0.html

Second arrest in failed UK 'bombing'

23 May 2008

Second arrest in failed UK 'bombing'

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A second man was arrested Friday after a failed bomb attempt at a British restaurant, police confirmed. The alleged bomber was arrested Thursday but police believe he has a history of mental illness and fear others preyed on his vulnerability. A third man is helping with police inquiries.

Nicky Reilly, 22, traveled by bus from his home in Plymouth, Devon, to the Giraffe restaurant -- a chain popular with families -- in Exeter, where he attempted to detonate explosives, police say.

They believe Reilly is a recent Islamic convert who had been "radicalized."

British authorities rarely name suspects before they are charged, but police said Reilly had been manipulated and appealed for help tracking his movements.

Tony Melville, the deputy chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police told reporters at a news conference at the scene Thursday: "Our investigations so far indicate Reilly, who has a history of mental illness, had adopted the Islamic faith," the UK's Press Association reported.

"We believe, despite his weak and vulnerable state, he was preyed upon, radicalized and taken advantage of," he said...

-- Source/continues at: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/05/23/exeter.blast/index.html

Tornado Touchdown in Colorado (Raw Video)

Explosion in Exeter (England) Restaurant

Last Updated: 7:23PM BST 22/05/2008

Exeter explosion at Giraffe restaurant:
Man injured is alleged Islamic extremist

By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent and Richard Savill

EXETER, ENGLAND: A suspected Islamic extremist has attempted to attack a restaurant in a shopping centre in the middle of Exeter. Nobody in the restaurant was injured in the explosion, apart from the bomber

The man suffered cuts to his eye and facial burns in the attack when his device went off in the toilets of the restaurant in the brand new, #230m Princesshay centre.

Police sources believe the man was arming a bomb when it partially exploded in his face. He then tried to detonate a second device in the crowded street outside the restaurant.

Bomb disposal teams have recovered canisters of a sodium-based homemade explosive, it is understood, and there were reports that nails may have been part of the devices...

-- Source/continues at the Telegraph.co.uk: http://tinyurl.com/4y42lo

EMT shot while treating patient in ambulance

EMT shot while treating patient in ambulance

By Leah Thorsen, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL: An emergency medical technician (EMT) treating a gunshot victim in an ambulance en route to a hospital was hit by gunfire, police said late Monday.

The gunfire started about 9 p.m. Monday, when two young men who were sitting in a car in the 1300 block of North 51st Street in Washington Park were shot, Illinois State Police Sgt. Dave Wasmuth said. Both victims had serious injuries, Wasmuth said.

As one of the victims was being taken by ambulance to Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital in East St. Louis, shots struck the MedStar ambulance, hitting the EMT.

The extent of the injuries to the EMT was unknown, said Herb Simmons, operations manager of MedStar ambulance service. The EMT was taken to Kenneth Hall hospital and then flown to a hospital in St. Louis. Simmons and several other MedStar workers gathered at Kenneth Hall.

The ambulance shooting happened on Interstate 64 shortly after the gunfire in Washington Park.

Wasmuth said police believe the shootings were related. Illinois State Police and other police agencies were investigating.

-- Source: http://tinyurl.com/55etc7

Emergency.com EMS Archive Page
http://www.emergency.com/emspage.htm

Woman arraigned in courthouse bombing case

May 16, 2008

Woman arraigned in courthouse bombing case

The woman arrested Thursday in connection with the investigation into the federal courthouse bombing on May 4 in downtown San Diego has been identified as Rachelle Lynette Carlock, 31, according to U.S. Attorney Karen P. Hewitt.

Carlock was arraigned today after being driven to federal court in El Centro - more than 100 miles from where she was arrested - on a felony complaint charging her with using a false identification document to obtain explosive materials and being a felon in possession of explosive materials.

The investigation is ongoing and no person has yet been charged with the actual bombing, the FBI said.

The government asked that Carlock remain in custody based upon risk flight and danger to the community.

Carlock was arrested shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday near 35th Street and National Avenue in San Diego by members of the San Diego FBI SWAT team.

Search warrants were also served Thursday at two San Diego residences. Six people were detained at one of the houses, in City Heights, but were released shortly afterward.

Posted by Susan Shroder May 16, 2008 15:39 PM

Click here: Newsblog - Woman arraigned in courthouse bombing case:
http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/breaking/2008/05/woman
_arrested_in_courthouse_b_1.html

Mapping the Earthquake Zone: China

14 May 2008

Mapping the earthquake zone

Nearly 15,000 people have died in the devastating earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province on Monday. Click on the map to find out more about some of the worst-affected places...

Includes map and pictures, summary of dead and injured, in various cities near the epicenter of the quake:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7400614.stm

China Earthquake - Supplemental/Rescue Operations (Reference)

ESR12-134a - Addendum to Daily emergency service reports (ESR)

12:22 PM - 05/13/2008

SUBJECT: China Earthquake - Supplemental/Rescue Operations (Reference)

Following is a summary of some selected earthquake rescue articles previously produced by ERRI and EmergencyNet News:

1. BUILDING COLLAPSE RESCUE, By Clark Staten, EMT-P I/C
Asst. Chief Paramedic, Chicago Fire Dept. (ret.)
Former Chairman, National Society of EMS Administrators
Former Chairman, Emergency Management Committee, National Assn. of EMTs
Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/bldgclps.htm

2. "The Politics of Disaster; Unnecessary Deaths Editorial," By: Paul Anderson ENN correspondent Chicago, IL, (ENN) June 7, 1995
Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/dstr-pol.htm

3. "Major Earthquake Devastates Osaka, Kobe," Chicago, IL, January 16, 1995
Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/jpnquake.htm

4. "Series of Continuing Emergencynet News Real-Time Reports Concerning A Major Earthquake in Turkey -- 16 Aug 99 to 17 Aug 99,"
Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/1999/turkquak.htm

5. "Series of EmergencyNet News 'Real-Time' Reports Concerning a Devastating Earthquake in India: 25 Jan 2001 to 03 Feb 2001,"
Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/2001/India_quake2001.htm

Additional references, links, and resources can be accessed at:
http://www.emergency.com/disaster.htm

Thousands killed in China by powerful earthquake

Published: May 12, 2008

Thousands killed in China by powerful earthquake

By Jim Yardley

BEIJING: A powerful earthquake struck a mountainous region of western China on Monday, reportedly killing more than 8,500 people, including as many as 5,000 people in a single county, and trapping more than 900 students beneath a collapsed high school as tremors shook buildings throughout China and were felt as far away as Thailand and Vietnam, according to interviews and reports in China's state media.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit in Sichuan Province on Monday afternoon, and the death toll steadily increased throughout the evening, raising concerns that the number could go far higher.

By 9 p.m. local time, the state news agency Xinhua quoted provincial disaster relief officials as saying that 3,000 to 5,000 people were feared dead in Beichuan County. Roughly 80 percent of the buildings in the county were reportedly destroyed. Later, it reported 8,533 dead in Sichuan Province alone, The Associated Press reported.

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who arrived in the earthquake region on Monday night, described the situation as a "severe disaster" and called for "calm, confidence, courage and efficient organization..."

-- Source/continues: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/12/asia/13china.php

Reference/USGS report: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008ryan.php

Reference: Most Destructive Known Earthquakes on Record in the World
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/world/most_destructive.php

Poison Suicide Gas Sends At Least 90 to Hospital

11:35, Thursday April 24, 2008

INTERNATIONAL HAZ-MAT NEWS/ ERRI ADVISORY

Poison Gas Suicide Puts 90 In Hospital

JAPAN: Some 90 residents of an apartment block in Japan had to be taken to hospital after a teenager committed suicide by making poisonous hydrogen sulphide gas. The 14-year-old was said to be the latest person to kill herself by the method, which has received much recent media attention in the country.

Reports say websites have sprung up showing people how to make the poisonous gas with bathroom cleaning products. Police found a container of such a product in the girl's apartment that they believe may have been used to make the gas, according to the fire department.

The apartment block filled with a "rotten egg" smell from the hydrogen sulphide gas the girl made up and released.

More than 100 residents were evacuated from the building, with most - including the girl's mother - taken to hospital.

The fire department said it found a note on the door of the girl's apartment which read: "Poisonous gas being produced".

Japan's public broadcaster says 40 such suicide case have occurred this year, citing figures from the country's suicide prevention association.

The country's suicide rate is among the highest in the world, with the annual figure from the past nine years higher than 30,000, according to police data.

-- Source: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1313891,00.html

RELATED

Apr 24 03:18 AM US/Eastern

LEAD: 1 girl dies, 120 evacuate after her suspected suicide by gassing

KOCHI, JAPAN (Kyodo/AP): A 14-year-old girl was found dead Wednesday in an apparent suicide by gassing in Konan, Kochi Prefecture and about 120 neighbors were forced to evacuate, police said.

Of the 120 people, 90 people were taken or went on their own to hospitals, the police said. At least three people, including a woman, 38, believed to be the girl's mother, were hospitalized.

A 27-year-old woman who lives in the condominium briefly became unconscious, but her condition is not life-threatening, firefighters said. Others are suffering mild symptoms such as sore throat and other conditions.

The police suspect the girl may have committed suicide at her home, where she lived with her mother, in a five-story condominium in the city. A note was posted on the front door of her home that said, "Gas is being generated. Do not open."

The girl was found lying in the bathroom wearing a school uniform and hydrogen sulfide was coming out of a box placed in the bathroom, according to the firefighters.

The police said they received initial reports from condominium residents about an abnormal odor at around 19:45 p.m. Wednesday. After residents were evacuated, the condominium buildings were kept off- limits until Thursday morning, the firefighters said.

The police have conducted an autopsy on the girl and found that she died of gas poisoning. According to a friend of the girl, she came to school only several days after the new school year started earlier this month.

Hydrogen sulfide, which can be made by using common detergent or liquid bath agents, is used increasingly in suicides, accompanied by alert notices indicating that gas is being generated.

ERRI hazardous materials specialist comment by Chief C. L. Staten: If it happens in Japan, it could happen elsewhere. If it has not already, something like this could appear in a video on FaceBook, MySpace, or some other "social network" site and the idea could then soon spread around the world. We are concerned that, potentially, this sort of idea could be adopted for use in some sort of "school violence threat" by a disillusioned/despondent student...or other nefarious person. This information regarding the dangers of routine household products, used to produce poison gases, should be noted and studied by Haz-mat crews and shared with other emergency first responders. Caution is urged about this one...DO NOT...REPEAT...DO NOT...TRY THIS AT HOME.

Additional/Previous Reference/Data:

4/17/2008

Japanese fad: rotten-egg suicide gassing

"Traditionally" Japanese suicide with been done in the past couple of decades with carbon monoxide -poisoning with leaving a small, burning, charcoal grill in a confined space or commonly inside a rented automobile.

However, there has been a new fad in the past few months to mix Japanese SunpoleR toilet cleaner and MUTOUHAPPU (calcium sulfide) bath salts to produce deadly poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas. The problem is that poisonous hydrogen sulfide-the rotten-egg gas-produces a lot of collateral damage killing the rescuers. family members, firefighters, and police officers. It even endangers people in other apartments below the suicide room since the gas is heavier than air.

[This case follows a spate of 26 incidents in which 27 people have allegedly killed themselves by mixing detergents and generating hydrogen sulfide since the beginning of this year, police said.]

-- Source: http://news.3yen.com/2008-04-17/japanese-fad-rotten-egg-suicide-gassing/

Bloody Start To Weekend: No Fewer Than 20 Shot

Apr 19, 2008 7:19 am US/Central

Bloody Start To Weekend: No Fewer Than 20 Shot

But Police Point Out Shootings, Murders Down So Far In 2008

CHICAGO, IL: It was a violent night all across the city, with no fewer than 20 people shot on the streets from Friday afternoon through early Saturday. The shootings have sent more than a dozen to area hospitals and three to the county morgue. Nine of the shootings happened in a period of less than two hours on Friday night.

The most serious shooting happened when the night was still fairly young, at 9:30 p.m. Two teens were shot dead in the 7500 block of South Phillips Avenue in the South Shore neighborhood, Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said.

Police say gunmen jumped out of a car and opened fire. One of the teens suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and back, the other was shot in the neck, police said.

Melvin Thomas, of 14922 Washington Ave. in Harvey was pronounced dead at the Stein Institute at 1:20 a.m. Rhonell Savala, of 9750 S. Hoxie Ave. in Chicago, was pronounced dead at 12:50 a.m. Saturday at the Stein Institute. Both were only 18.

Story source/continues at: http://cbs2chicago.com/local/shootings.across.city.2.703725.html

ERRI emergency service analyst comment: Ahhh...Spring...when a young gang members's thoughts turn to taking over another block or two, where gangs can sell drugs, guns, prostitutes, and engage in extortion. A retired Chicago emergency services chief, and long-time ERRI analyst, said today that the annual Spring territorial conflict between gangs must be underway.

"Almost every Spring we see a rash of shootings as territorial disputes break out and these are usually followed by targeted and/or drive-by shootings to ultimately settle the problems, as the gang members might see them," the chief said.

He added, "One Spring a few years ago, I responded to no less than three multi-casualty shootings in one shift...with a total of 23 people shot."

"One incident that day involved 11 people shot over a five-six square block area, by two assailants on a motorcycle and using an automatic weapon (Mac 10/11, 9mm)," he concluded.

Colleges try to find best method to get word out to students

Published: 4/12/2008 11:50

Colleges try to find best method to get word out to students on problems

By Joseph Ryan -- Daily Herald Staff

ILLINOIS: A full year after the Virginia Tech massacre, Illinois college campuses have taken noticeable steps to tighten security -- but many still lack universal public address systems that could help students avoid danger.

Instead, most campuses rely on a patchwork of blast e-mail, voice mail and text message alerts, a Daily Herald survey of college security has found.

Some experts say those systems might fail to reach enough students in enough time to get them to safety.

"Who is going to find out what is going on when they are in a classroom?" said Mathew Lippman, a University of Illinois-Chicago criminal justice professor who specializes in security concerns.

Lippman argues that a universal public address system is the best way to get emergency information to the most people instantly as opposed to text messages, e-mail or voice mail that rely on immediate access to a phone or computer.

Since a student ruthlessly shot 32 people to death in the nation's bloodiest school shooting nearly one year ago, university officials have been searching for ways to keep students safe from such unpredictable violence.

The hunt for answers intensified locally when a gunman shot five Northern Illinois University students and himself to death in a packed lecture hall on Valentine's Day...

Story continues at: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=171969

Emergency.Blog Reference:

Total of Five Dead in NIU Shooting

Virigina Tech Shooting, 31 Confirmed Dead

EmergencyNet News Summary of Recent/Major School Shootings

Anti-Tank Grenade Launcher Seized In Massive Crime Ring Bust

11:28 am EDT -- April 4, 2008

Anti-Tank Grenade Launcher Seized In Massive Crime Ring Bust

POLK COUNTY, FL: Thirty people were arrested and an anti-tank grenade launcher was seized along with numerous guns and stolen motorcycles in what may be one of the largest organized crime busts in Central Florida history, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

The crime ring was operating in at least three Central Florida counties. Detectives started investigating a rash of motorcycle thefts in Polk County and stumbled onto something bigger than they ever imagined that included both Osceola and Orange counties.

U.S. Marshal's arrested the ring leader at a house in Osceola County in January, but a federal grand jury just indicted Otis Carden on gun charges Wednesday and now the Polk County sheriff is talking about the investigation that turned up weapons that could've been used to make parts of Central Florida more like a war zone...

-- Story continues at: http://www.wftv.com/news/15785942/detail.html

Drug Cartels Training Near U.S. Border

ERRI WMD [Acronyms] Self Test

ERRI WMD [Acronyms] Self Test (On-line Quiz)

Can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/erri_wmd_self_test_acronyms.htm

Multiple Shooting Incidents Along Interstate 64 in Virginia

12:00 CDT - 27 March 2008

Multiple Shooting Incidents Along Interstate 64 in Virginia

VIRGINIA: Police today are hunting for a sniper(s) who fired on multiple vehicles on/near Interstate 64. The shootings started at about 00:10 this morning and other incidents then followed in at least three locations. The stretch of interstate involved in the shootings is located West of Charlottesville, VA.

No one was seriously hurt in the shootings, but two people were treated and released at the hospital for minor injuries, according to state police Col. Steve Flaherty.

An unoccupied V-DOT vehicle was found with bullet holes near an exit for I-64 along Route 250, said State Police Sgt. David Cooper. Police are gathering forensic evidence there and at other locations.

According to State police, there may be one or more shooters involved in these incidents. Police are not describing these circumstances as a "sniper incident" at this time, saying that the incidents appeared to be "random shootings..."

Officials are asking everyone to be observant of anything suspicious. Police are asking anyone with information to please call state police at 434-293-3223 or crimestoppers at 434-977-4000.

Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this story, as circumstances warrant...

WIU on Lock-Down Following Shooting Threat

10:30 CDT - 26 March 2008

Western Illinois University on Lock-Down Following Shooting threat

EmergencyNet News Exclusive Report

McCOMB, IL: According to students at Western Illinois University (WIU), the school has been placed on alert due to a possible threat about a shooting. Western Illinois University is taking precautions after a threatening note was discovered in an off-campus apartment complex regarding a shooting on campus.

According to the WIU Office of Public Safety Director Bob Fitzgerald, an employee of an off campus apartment complex reported receiving a handwritten note in the complex's payment drop-box that indicated "there would be a shooting on the WIU campus today."

"While this is an anonymous off-campus threat, it is imperative that we take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students, staff and faculty," WIU President Al Goldfarb said.

WIU says residence halls are locked and students will be allowed to miss classes, if they chose to stay home. A warning has also been issued using Western's emergency alert system.

An ERRI staff member's daughter, who attends the university, confirmed that the alert had been received via cell phone and the threat is being taken seriously by students and faculty. She told EmergencyNet News that a number of police cars can be seen on campus and that residence halls are on lock-down, allowing only students with keys to enter.

The actual veracity of the threat has not been determined, and a police investigation is ongoing at the time of this report. Authorities said that the alert was issued with an abundance of caution following the shooting incident at Northern Illinois University (NIU) that resulted in the deaths of six people.

Any unusual or suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Office of Public Safety by calling 9-1-1 from any campus phone or 309-298-1949. There are also 51 emergency callboxes located throughout campus. Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this still developing story, as circumstances warrant...

Crane Collapse With People Trapped in Florida

13:50 CDT - 25 March 2008

Crane Collapse With People Trapped in Florida

MIAMI, FL: Police say at least 5 people have been injured, and one person is dead, after a portion of a crane working on a high-rise construction project fell through the roof of an adjacent home being used as office space for the construction project.

The extrication incident is on-going at the time of this report and is occurring at 2121 North Bayshore Dr. in Miami, according to emergency service sources. One or more people are/were thought to be trapped in the rubble of the crane collapse at this time.

According to Miami fire spokesman Ignatius Carroll, one person has died. Three people were transported to hospitals in critical condition, Carroll said. Few other official details are currently available. Watch EmergencyNet News for additional information as circumstances warrant...

Woman, 4 Children Found Dead in Iowa City Home

Monday, March 24, 2008

Woman, 4 Children Found Dead in Iowa City Home

IOWA CITY, Iowa ? Police said a van involved in a fiery, fatal crash Monday morning belonged to a man who was being sought in connection with the killings of his wife and four children. Iowa City police said the van was owned by Steven Sueppel, who was being sought after the five bodies were found in his home at 629 Barrington Road.

Sgt. Troy Kelsay wouldn't release the names of the victims, but he confirmed they were Sueppel's wife and children, ages 3, 5, 7 and 10.

The matter began when dispatchers received a call at 06:31 a.m. saying officers needed to respond to the Barrington Road home immediately. The caller then hung up....

-- Source/continues: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340920,00.html

Iowa City Police Investigate [Multiple] Shooting

09:01 am CDT March 24, 2008

Iowa City Police Investigate [Multiple] Shooting

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa City police are investigating a shooting early Monday morning. Police confirm they were called to a residential part of town Monday morning on a report of a shooting involving a family living on Barrington Road, which is in the far eastern part of the city.

Authorities are telling KCCI-TV that several family members were shot. Police are not yet commenting on their conditions or injuries.

Few other details are being reported yet in the case.

The University of Iowa has issued a campus alert to students and parents by text message and by e-mail saying there is "an active shooter" is in the Iowa City area, white male in his mid-40s, tan Toyota Sienna minivan with license plate 501 BLO. Call 911 if seen...

-- Source/continues: http://www.kcci.com/news/15689368/detail.html

Magnitude 7.2 - XINJIANG-XIZANG BORDER REGION

2008 March 20 22:33:01 UTC

Magnitude 7.2 - XINJIANG-XIZANG BORDER REGION

Earthquake Details

Magnitude 7.2

Date-Time Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 22:33:01 UTC

Friday, March 21, 2008 at 06:33:01 AM at epicenter

Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 35.424°N, 81.386°E

Depth 37.2 km (23.1 miles)

Region XINJIANG-XIZANG BORDER REGION

Distances 230 km (140 miles) SE of Hotan, Xinjiang, China

375 km (235 miles) ENE of Leh, Kashmir

615 km (385 miles) ENE of Srinagar, Kashmir

3105 km (1930 miles) W of BEIJING, Beijing, China

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 6.6 km (4.1 miles); depth +/- 10.2 km (6.3 miles)

Parameters NST=134, Nph=134, Dmin=962.1 km, Rmss=0.89 sec, Gp= 54°,

M-type=moment magnitude (Mw), Version=7

Source USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)

Event ID us2008pvcl

-- http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/
Quakes/us2008pvcl.php#details

Man Arrested on the Runway at Heathrow Airport

15:25pm GMT - 13/03/2008

Heathrow Airport hit by major security alert

By Gary Cleland

LONDON, ENGLAND: A man has been arrested after being caught on a runway in a secure area of Heathrow Airport. Scotland Yard confirmed that the man, who has not been identified, was arrested at 14.05pm (GMT) this afternoon on the airport's northern runway.

A police spokeswoman said the man was now in custody and had been carrying a rucksack, which she said "would be examined in due course". She was unable to give any details about his age.

It is thought that the emergency services received two 999 calls about the man. No one has been reported injured in the incident.

It is not yet clear whether or not the man was engaged in terrorist activity.

Heathrow has been targeted in recent months by climate change protesters angry at plans to expand the airport...

-- Source/continues: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/13/nheathrow113.xml