Asteroid that exploded in German skies is rare aubrite!

If you've ever seen a streak in the sky, it could be a meteor... and if you're lucky enough to find it, it may be a rare mineral. That's what happened in Berlin, Germany last month, January, 2024.

(This is one of the meteorites – rocks from space – recovered from the asteroid that exploded in the skies over Germany on January 21, 2024. Analysis shows that it’s a rare type of meteorite, known as an aubrite. Image via Museum für Naturkunde Berlin by Laura Kranich/ SETI.)

Asteroid that exploded in German skies is rare aubrite 

 Posted by Kelly Kizer Whitt February 7, 2024

Astronomers discovered a new asteroid last January 21, 2024, just hours before it struck Earth’s atmosphere above Germany. As it fell, producing a fireball, the little asteroid dropped meteorites – or fragments of itself – onto the countryside below. Meteorite hunters west of Berlin got to work and soon discovered asteroid fragments, which they then sent to labs for scientific analysis On February 5, 2024, the SETI Institute said the rock from space was a rare type: an aubrite. They said the fragments might have originated on Mercury.

The SETI Institute scientists said aubrites are tricky to find. Most meteorites that hit Earth have a thin black outer crust, resulting from their fiery passage through Earth’s atmosphere. But aubrites have a mostly translucent, glassy crust.

Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute traveled to Germany to help hunt for the meteorites. He said in a statement:

They were devilishly difficult to find because, from a distance, they look like other rocks on Earth. Close up, not so much … We only spotted the meteorites after a Polish team of meteorite hunters had identified the first find and could show us what to look for.

It was Jenniskens’ 4th trip to the site of an asteroid impact where remnant meteorites were indeed found on the ground. The previous three were in Sudan in 2008, Botswana in 2018, and France in 2023. 

VIDEO OF THE FIREBALL OVER BERLIN:    

An official classification Scientists at the Natural History Museum of Berlin examined one of the meteorites with an electron beam microprobe, which is a non-destructive tool that determines the chemical composition of small volumes of solid materials. They found the mineralogy and chemical composition was that of an aubrite. Then, they submitted their result to the International Nomenclature Commission of the Meteoritical Society on February 2, 2024. The society examined the meteorite and confirmed their classification.

Aubrites are named for a village in France: Aubrés. On September 14, 1836, a meteorite fell in this location and showed evidence of a violent origin. These magnesium-rich, igneous rocks might have originated on Mercury.

Ansgar Greshake, scientific head of the Natural History Museum of Berlin’s meteorite collection, said: So far, there is only material from eleven other observed falls of this type in meteorite collections worldwide.

GOOD NEWS -Overdraft fees could drop to as low as $3 under new Biden proposal

If you've ever accidentally overdrawn your checking account, and don't have a protection plan in place- like an automatic transfer from your savings account,  then you know Bank Overdraft fees can be Expensive!! Typically, large banks charge $35 per transaction in the event of an overdraft. Based on research conducted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the average U.S. consumer pays over $250 annually on overdraft fees. NOW, the Biden Administration is trying to Cut those Overdraft Fees! Here's the story from the Associated Press.

Overdraft fees could drop to as low as $3 under new Biden proposal 

Associated Press, Jan 18, 2024

The cost to overdraw a bank account could drop under a proposal announced by the White House, the latest effort by the Biden administration to combat fees it says pose an unnecessary burden on American consumers, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck. Read more.

Why this matters:

Overdraft fees have been a financial bonanza for the banking industry, with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimating that banks collected $280 billion from the fees in the last 20 years. The banking industry is expected to fight the new regulation vigorously to protect the fee revenue.

CFPB research has shown that overdraft fees overwhelmingly impact the poor and households of color. Biden has made the elimination of “junk fees” one of the cornerstones of his administration’s economic agenda, while banks have argued that government regulations on overdrafts could cause them to eliminate the service altogether.

Rob's Interview and Article on FM Radio Shark FM 102.1 and 105.3 Dover/Portsmouth,NH

 On Monday, February 26, an interview I did with morning personality Sarah Sullivan of the Shark, 102.1 and 105.3 FM, Dover/Portsmouth, New Hampshire aired during the morning show. The station plays 80s music, which is my favorite, so it was an honor to be asked to interview.   I also did a reading about her 2 cats who passed and one of them made  me smell kitty litter indicating something was important - and Sarah said that her cat's previous home never changed the kitty litter. So that tells her that her cat appreciated his new home where he was much better taken care of.  Sarah also wrote and published the article below  that appears on their website!

LISTEN NOW

Sarah Sullivan Sarah Sullivan

THIS  MAINE  MAN CAN TALK TO YOUR ANIMALS THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY

Sarah Sullivan

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When a beloved animal passes, it's always pretty devastating.  You might find yourself questioning where they went, are they at peace and out of pain, much like you might do if a human loved one passed away.

You may find comfort in Pet Medium, Rob Gutro.

Rob lives in Berwick, Maine and he has written many books about speaking to both humans and animals on the other side.

I spoke to him the other day about how exactly he communicates with the dead.  (Cue the kid from The Sixth Sense...."I see dead people.")

Rob explained that after a pet passes, he/she may still be with you, you just have to look for the signs.  Especially if the pet was your constant companion.  If they pass to the other side, they do make an effort to reach out to you.

• You may feel slight pressure/coolness next to you when you're sleeping
• You may hear a faint meow or bark
• You may see a shadow in the corner of your eye
• You may hear nails walking on the floor the way you did when they were alive

I totally believe that our two-legged and four-legged friends are with us after they give up their bodies here on earth.

I always believed that, but I really had to get answers FOR. REAL.

When my Mom died in 2016.  So, I had to go to the science of it all.  Energy, which we all can agree is part of us, doesn't die, it just changes form.

Rob is available for readings to try and communicate with your pet that has passed.  He is actually teaching a course on how to do that with humans and pets.

All the information to get in touch with him, right here on his website.

And Rob is also not the only animal communicator and pet psychic. A simple Google search for say "pet mediums new Hampshire" or "pet mediums Maine" offers up a variety of options if you're looking for one closer to you.

Just a few of those other names include Sara Moore in New Hampshire and Danielle Mackinnon in Maine.

Do you have any pets you'd love to connect with?

Original link:   Maine Man Can Talk To Your Animals That Have Passed Away | 

Visited Dover, NH PART 1: The Cocheco River's "Darkest Day"

 Earlier this month we drove to downtown Dover, New Hampshire with our friend Jeff to explore the historic downtown and learned of an historic flood that happened there in 1896.

(Photo: L to R: Rob, Jeff, Tom) 

WHAT WAS "DOVER'S BLACK DAY"? - An early March rainstorm, paired with snowmelt, caused a 12-hour flash flood and fire in 1896. The event is known as 'Dover's Black Day' and 'Calamity on the Cocheco.' Huge chunks of ice rushed down the river and banked up against the dam on the Cocheco River, which runs right through downtown Dover.

(Photo: Historic sign explaining the extreme damage and flooding in downtown Dover, NH from 1896. Credit: R.G.) 

 Heavy rains on March 1, 1896 caused the Cochecho River to rise 10 feet above its normal level and carried large broken chunks of ice downstream that took down 3 bridges and caused damage to buildings.   

(Photo: The Cocheco River today, Feb 4, 2024. Credit: R.G.) 

Today, there are new buildings that line the Cocheco River, and there's even a small park along part of its banks, accessible from the main street of downtown Dover. 

ABOUT THE COCHECO RIVER - The Cocheco River flows 34.8 miles from the headwaters in Milton, Farmington, Middleton, and New Durham. It meanders through Rochester, cascades down the Central Falls Dam in downtown Dover, and becomes tidal before meeting the Salmon Falls River at the Maine border.

DOWNTOWN DOVER - It's a very walkable town, and there are lots of little shops, including antiques, jewelry, and gifts. There are also quite a number of restaurants. 

(Photo: Sidewalk of Downtown Dover, NH. Credit: R.G.)

Idiot of the Week: FBI: Maine nurse arrested for being inside Capitol on Jan. 6

There have been so many idiots that back in December I was posting 2 months out... like this IDIOT. A nurse from Maine, who says she was disoriented after taking part in the Insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and after an hour of going through the Capitol with the other wacked out Trumpanzees, she was "looking for a way out." Yeah, sure. Here's the idiot's story:

 

FBI: Maine nurse arrested after multiple images show her inside Capitol on Jan. 6 

WTMW-TV Dec 14, 2023 

AUBURN, Maine —The Federal Bureau of Investigations has arrested a registered nurse from Auburn, Maine for her alleged role in the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot.

According to court records, authorities first identified Kymberly Sylvester through her cellphone, which was in service in the interior of the United States Capitol Building on Jan. 6.

In Dec. of 2021, FBI agents say they interviewed Sylvester. She allegedly told authorities to be inside the Capitol Building through a door that was already open. Court documents say she admitted walking through various rooms and saw others pushing and shoving on a door.

Sylvester alleged that was when she realized she shouldn't be in the building and told a Capitol Police Officer she wanted to get out.

According to court documents, she said that the officer helped her out of the building. She noted to authorities that "she was not involved in any rioting, theft or destruction of any kind."

Court documents note footage on Jan. 6 captured Sylvester entering the building through the Senate Wing door as an emergency alarm was going off and rioters were climbing through broken windows. From 2:22 p.m. to 3:21 p.m., Sylvester was captured in various rooms throughout the building.

Sylvester faces federal charges related to being in a restricted building and disorderly conduct.

New Book "Ghosts of Ireland: On a Medium's Vacation" for St. Patrick’s Day

It's finally here!! After working on this for years, I'm happy to announce my 11th book, "Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation" just in time for St. Patrick's Day! It also includes references to places where St. Patrick traveled. On-pre-order status, the book attained the number 1 spot on Amazon’s “Irish Travel” and “Haunted and Unexplained” categories.

 Today's blog is the press release I wrote about it! Hope you'll check it out. It's loaded with photos, including one ghost I encountered in an old jail!- Rob

 New Book "Ghosts of Ireland: On a Medium's Vacation" Before St. Patrick’s Day   

BOSTON –   Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, best-selling true paranormal author and medium Rob Gutro is publishing his 11th book, “Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium’s Vacation.”  The book debuts on February 24, 2024.  

What happens when a medium goes on vacation? Can a medium simply switch off their ability at will?  Well…not exactly. Like others in his “Medium’s Vacation” series, this book contains Rob’s ghostly encounters, history, his sketches of ghosts and photographs of each place. Readers will experience ghosts in prisons, castles, churches, other historic places and even a shopping mall with a tragic past.  

“Cork City Gaol (jail) was the most haunted place and many prisoners still lingering there as earthbound ghosts,” Gutro said. He sketched out one ghost and captured a photo of a male ghost walking across a corridor that was sealed off by a glass window. “I sensed a ghost down an empty corridor in the jail so I snapped several photos one after the other, and the ghost appeared in one of the photos. That’s the cover of my book.”

The book is organized alphabetically by County, and crosses Ireland from Dublin in the east, to Galway in the west, and south to Cork County. Within each County section are chapters of the haunted places he visited, so readers can use it as a paranormal tour book. “It’s the perfect guidebook for travelers who want to see Ireland, learn history and find out where ghosts still dwell and why,” Gutro said.

"Ireland’s rich history resulted in many ghosts who decided to stay earthbound. I also encountered an abundance of residual emotional energy generated from battles. Everywhere I traveled, I had a paranormal experience, he said.”        

On pre-order status, the book attained the number 1 spot on Amazon’s “Irish Travel” and “Haunted and Unexplained” categories.

The book provides a brief history of haunted places and is intended to be much more than just a collection of personal ghost stories. “Knowing the history of a place is key to understanding why a ghost has decided to stay behind,” Gutro said. Readers will experience haunted places like churches, castles, jails, and unexpected ghosts in an art gallery and shopping mall. “You’ll also understand how the spirits of your loved ones can give you signs anywhere in the world, even on vacation.”

This is the third book in his popular “Ghosts on a Medium’s Vacation” series. The others include Ghosts of England on a Medium’s Vacation and Ghosts of the Bird Cage Theatre on a Medium’s Vacation.  

Gutro also has two other series of best-selling books. One is the award-winning "Pets and the Afterlife" series, containing for books on how pets communicate from the other side. His third series is “Ghosts and Spirits” which conveys his personal experiences with ghosts in paranormal investigations and spirits. He is the first in the paranormal field to make the distinction between earthbound ghosts and spirits who have crossed over.

Rob maintains a website, social media pages and a weekly blog where he writes about paranormal topics, and where people can share their stories or find other resources on the paranormal. He also provides pet spirit readings for people around the world for a small fee. Details are on www.robgutro.com.

Rob Gutro has been featured in hundreds of radio and video programs and podcast. He was featured in the Washington Post, MSNBC, WBZ News radio Boston, "Coast to Coast AM" syndicated radio with George Noory, and many more. See his website for upcoming appearances and interviews and links to previous interviews and videos.

Rob’s books are available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rob-Gutro/author/B003UNTASW. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Website: www.robgutro.com or www.petspirits.com 

 Facebook1: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsandspirits.insightsfromamedium 

 Facebook2: https://www.facebook.com/RobGutroAuthorMedium 

 Facebook Videos: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsandspirits.insightsfromamedium/live/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/robgutro_author 

 TikTok @robgutro YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/wcvhqbt Email: Rgutro@gmail.com

SCIENCE: US scientist recommends adding salt to make perfect cup of tea

If you're a tea drinker, like Tom, this article is for you. A U.S. scientist suggests adding a salt to tea to make it taste better! Here's the story from BBC News. 

US scientist recommends adding salt to make perfect cup of tea

24th January 2024, 03:01 EST, James Gregory, BBC News

The British claim to know a thing or two when it comes to making a good cup of tea.

The beverage is a cultural institution in the UK, where an estimated 100 million cups are drunk every day. But now a scientist based more than 3,000 miles away in the US claims to have found the secret to a perfect cuppa that many Brits would initially find absolutely absurd - adding salt. Prof Michelle Francl's research has caused quite the stir in the UK, and has even drawn a diplomatic intervention from the US Embassy.

"We want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain's national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be," the embassy said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

60-second cuppa - an 'insult' or a teatime treat?

It is not the first time the drink has caused controversy on both sides of the Atlantic. Back in 1773, demonstrators in Boston, colonial Massachusetts, threw 300 chests full of tea into the harbour in protest at British taxes - a key moment which sparked the American Revolution. "I certainly did not mean to cause a diplomatic incident," Prof Francl, a professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, tells the BBC.

"My emails have been going crazy today. I did not anticipate waking up this morning to see loads of people talking about salt in their tea."

So why add salt?

It turns out that it is not a new idea - the ingredient is even mentioned in eighth century Chinese manuscripts, which Prof Francl analysed to perfect her recipe.

"What is new is our understanding of it as chemists," Prof Francl said. She explains that salt acts as a blocker to the receptor which makes tea taste bitter, especially when it has been stewed. By adding a pinch of table salt - an undetectable amount - you will counteract the bitterness of the drink.

"It is not like adding sugar. I think people are afraid they will be able to taste the salt." She urges tea-loving Brits to have an open mind before pre-judging her research, which she has documented in her new book Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. "It is okay to experiment," she says. "I did experiments in my kitchen for this - channel your inner scientist." 

Prof Francl has loved tea ever since her mother made her first brew when she was 10 years old. Everyone has their own opinion on what makes the perfect cuppa, but Prof Francl recommends using loose leaves instead of tea bags and giving the drink a constant stir so the tea gets a good exposure to the water and milk.

Adding a small squeeze of lemon juice can also remove the "scum" that sometimes appears on the surface of the drink, she adds.

Other suggestions she makes include using short, stout mugs to keep the tea hotter, and warming up the mug and milk, with the latter added in only after pouring the tea. But chief among her advice is to never, ever heat up the water in a microwave: "It's less healthy and it does not taste as good," Prof Francl says.

"You end up getting tea scum forming on the surface, and that scum contains some of the antioxidants and taste compounds." While the concept of microwaving tea might sound a bit alien in the UK, it is "totally common" in the US.

"Americans have some truly awful tea-making habits," Prof Francl says. "I have had better cups of tea at service stations in Ireland than I have had at fancy restaurants in the US. "I think it is just that people do not know [how to make a good cuppa]. If you do not drink tea, you do not know you are making a horrible cup of tea for someone and giving them a miserable experience."

She says she loves coming to the UK, where she knows she will be able to locate a decent brew. "I know when I land I can get a great cup of tea. It is good to have that common ground," she says.

So, what next for British-American tea relations? 

The US embassy is not heeding Prof Francl's advice and says it will stick to what it calls the "proper way" of making tea - by microwaving it - while the UK Cabinet Office is adamant it can only be made using a kettle.

Have you heard of Baltimore Salt Boxes?

As someone who enjoys history and especially about quirky or unusual things, I loved finding out about Baltimore "Salt Boxes." Although I lived in Maryland for decades (up until recently), I never knew about these helpful gems until my friend Cynthia shared this 7 minute video from Baltimore Heritage. This was REALLY cool and artists started painting on them... Watch and learn. You will see a number of artistic salt boxes near the video's end.  You'll also learn more history from the Baltimore Dept of Transportation in today's blog! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBTY5w3120o

ABOUT BALTIMORE SALT BOXES -Baltimore Salt Boxes are wooden boxes with hinged covers distributed annually to supplement the city's snow removal and road salting operations. They are a service of Baltimore's Department of Transportation, and we distribute the boxes around the city in the late fall in anticipation of winter weather.

During storms, primary roads like main streets, including emergency routes to hospitals, police stations, and schools are prioritized, and areas are plowed in order by zone.

Popular to decorate, the Baltimore salt boxes are meant for steep hills or areas too narrow for salt trucks to reach during a snow event. They are filled with road salt and sand for residents to spread as needed to assist with traction and prevent or melt icy patches on city streets.

Baltimore City Salt Box Map 2024 

To Locate A Salt Box Near You: Zoom to view an address in your neighborhood or request a Salt Box using the 311 App. Click here for the app on the Play Store, click here for the app on the Apple Store.

HISTORY 

 Historians at the Baltimore Historical Society say the first reference to the ubiquitous Salt Box in the Baltimore Sun archives is from 1969.

Besides the practical use, the humble Salt Box has fans for many reasons, as demonstrated by an eponymous social media presence on Instagram, established in 2018. In 2020, awareness of the salt boxes was significantly increased when local artist Juliet Ames noticed that salt boxes remained unseasonably present due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She decided to spruce up a local box by adding decorative elements, thus creating street art. 

READ MORE OF THE HISTORY HERE: https://transportation.baltimorecity.gov/salt-boxes

An Historic Reminder of the U.S. Economy in Last 3 Years, VS. the 4 Years before

Today's blog is an historic reminder of all the good things that have transpired in the last 3 years here in the U.S. and reasons why we should keep it going. At the bottom of the blog, you'll see just one of 1,000 reasons from the 4 years before that, that should warn you never to revisit that period. 

So much of what has happened during Joe Biden’s presidency is so unknown to so many when they are so obvious. Take a look at the last 3 years:

• The recession everyone predicted a year ago didn't happen. Instead, those same economists are praising the Federal Reserve for a now-likely soft landing for the economy, a remarkable achievement that will be studied for years.
• Record job creation for a president’s first term, nearly 15 million so far.
• An unemployment rate that continues to hover at a 50-year low of 3.7%, down from the 8.6% that Biden inherited from Trump.
• Inflation is down almost 80% from what it was a year ago, sitting at 3.7%.
• GDP ran an extraordinary 5.4% last quarter.
• The Dow Jones on the day Trump lost in 2020: 26,800. Trump said the market would crash if Biden was elected. Today’s Dow: 37,000-plus.
•  Multiple bills have passed addressing infrastructure, manufacturing and technology creating so many Jobs, Repairing our Bridges, Roads, and more.
• For those who think the Presidency controls gasoline prices, it doesn't. But if you're one of them, In 2023, the average price of gas was $3.52 a gallon. In 2022, it was $3.95 a gallon. That’s an 11% drop. The current national average? Just over $3 per gallon.  

These are numbers that affect everyone. How does anyone miss these tidbits of information?  

Trump’s major achievements? 

• An almost $2 trillion tax break that benefited corporations and the wealthy, INCREASING THE FEDERAL DEFICIT BY  30%. 
• The growth in the annual deficit under Trump ranks as the third-biggest increase in the nation’s history.

Cool Book: Strange and Unsung All-Stars of the DC Multiverse: A Visual Encyclopedia

 Recently, DC Comics published a great encyclopedia of odd or unusual comic book heroes and villains called "Strange and Unsung All-Stars of the DC Multiverse: A Visual Encyclopedia."

 My brother bought a copy for me and I really enjoyed it!  There are so many characters that fell into obscurity like the original Red Tornado, The Forever People, the ridiculous Ambush Bug, Creature Commandoes (soon to have an animated movie).  It was really interesting to read and I recommend it for any DC Comics fan!

ABOUT THE BOOK: Move over Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman—Peacemaker is now on the scene and he’s bringing along more than 100 of the most colorful characters from all corners of the DC multiverse in this officially licensed book. 

Peacemaker had a long road to the spotlight and he’s not alone. There are dozens of unique, sometimes absurd, and yet truly memorable characters waiting for their chance to shine. Strange and Unsung All-Stars of the DC Multiverse celebrates some of the quirkiest, most compelling, and ready-for-primetime characters from throughout DC’s history. With peculiar powers—from Matter-Eater Lad to Arm-Fall-Off Boy—and one-of-a-kind costumes—from Red Tornado with her red long johns and a cooking pot for a helmet to Blue Snowman with her wintry robotic armor—these characters are truly unforgettable. Dive in and discover your next favorite DC Super Hero or Villain.

Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation -Hits #1 on Amazon in 2 Categories!

It was a banner weekend for my new book, even though it won't be released until this Saturday, February 24th! 

 Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation -Hits #1 on Amazon in 2 Categories! 

(My last 3 books also reached #1)

 - My 11th book "Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation" will be Officially released on Feb 24th. Right now, under pre-order status, it reached the Number 1 Spot in "Haunted and Unexplained Travel" and the Number 1 Spot under "Irish Travel"  on Amazon!

   I've been doing a lot of promotion, reaching out to newspaper, on-line news, television and radio stations and it's obviously made a difference. I'm really humbled. 

New VIDEO & Podcast ! Join Brittani Starr and Rob Gutro as they discuss the fascinating world of ghosts and pets

If you have 30 minutes, Join Brittani Starr, host of Indie Authors Podcast/Vodcast when she talked with Rob Gutro todiscuss the fascinating world of ghosts and pets that have passed. (30 minutes) 

VIDEO:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Peu7iEF0h8Y

WANT A PODCAST INSTEAD?  Listen here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/zarlequan/episodes/Medium-and-Pet-Medium-Rob-Gutro-e2efn89

To BUY Rob's books go to: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rob-Gutro/author/B003UNTASW

Idiots of the Week: Bridget & Christian Ziegler: Founders of "Moms for Liberty" in Sex Scandal

There's something really satisfying about self-proclaimed righteous, conservatives who tout (False) "Christian values" getting caught in sex scandals and exposed as the hypocrites they are. That's what happened to Right-Wing Group founder  Bridget Ziegler of Florida, and her husband Christian Ziegler (who raped a woman they were supposed to have a threesome with) She was also a big part of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law. Here's the story of this week's Idiot and hypocrite:

(Photos: Bridget Ziegler of Florida, and her husband Christian Ziegler  Credit; NY Post) 

Florida school board recommends ouster of Moms for Liberty co-founder over Republican sex scandal 

BY CURT ANDERSON< Associated Press December 12, 2023

“The Zieglers have made a habit out of attacking anything they perceive as going against ‘family values,’ be it reproductive rights or the existence of LGBTQ+ Floridians.

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida school board voted on Tuesday to recommend the resignation of one of its members because she is embroiled in the fallout of a sexual assault investigation into her husband, the Republican Party state chairman.

The Sarasota County School Board cannot directly remove Bridget Ziegler from the panel but voted 4-1 Tuesday for a resolution requesting that she step down. The resolution was authored by board Chair Karen Rose, who said in an email that she is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the rape allegations involving Ziegler’s husband, Christian Ziegler, and the couple’s admissions about having a three-way sexual encounter previously with the accuser.

“I personally care about Bridget and her family and deeply regret the necessity for this course of action, but given the intense media scrutiny locally and nationally, her continued presence on the Board would cause irreparably harmful distractions to our critical mission,” Rose wrote.

Bridget Ziegler is co-founder of the conservative Moms for Liberty group. She has served on the board since 2014, when she was appointed by then-Gov. Rick Scott, and has previously been its chair. She voted against the resolution, saying she was “disappointed” but gave no indication she would step down. She remained on the board’s dais after the vote.

Prior to the meeting, several dozen people marched outside carrying signs and chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho, Bridget Ziegler has got to go.” Among the signs’ slogans were “Ban Bridget, not books” and “Real women aren’t homophobes.”

“Bridget Ziegler must apologize and resign,” said Carol Lerner of Support Our Schools, a nonprofit group that supports public education. “The Zieglers are through and through grifters.”

Board member Tim Enos said it’s up to Bridget Ziegler to decide whether to quit. Only Florida’s governor can remove a school board member, and only under certain conditions, such as a criminal charge.

“If she continues and doesn’t resign and stays, we have an obligation that we all need to be focused on education,” Enos said. “The politics have to get outside the boardroom. It should be only about the kids.”

The Sarasota Police Department is investigating a woman’s accusation that Christian Ziegler raped her at her apartment in October. Police documents say the Zieglers and the woman had planned a sexual threesome that day, but Bridget Ziegler was unable to make it. The accuser says Christian Ziegler arrived anyway and assaulted her, according to the documents.

Christian Ziegler has not been charged with any crime and maintains his innocence, contending the encounter was consensual. Scott, now a U.S. senator, Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Florida Republicans have called on him to step down as GOP chair, but he has refused to do so.

In a recent message to Florida Republicans, Christian Ziegler said he would remain as chair “because we have a country to save and I am not going to let false allegations of a crime put that mission on the bench as I wait for this process to wrap up.” 

Bridget Ziegler has long been active in conservative politics. She was a champion of the DeSantis-backed law known by critics as “Don’t Say Gay,” which restricts teaching of sexual and gender material in early school grades. Moms for Liberty, which she co-founded in 2021, aims to inject more conservative viewpoints into schools, restrict transgender rights, battle pandemic mask mandates and remove books the group objects to from school classrooms and libraries.

In addition, DeSantis appointed Bridget Ziegler to the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District that oversees Walt Disney World’s operations. That panel — which replaced one controlled by Disney — was created by the Legislature at DeSantis’ request after Disney objected to the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The board currently is the subject of state and federal lawsuits over control of the huge theme park outside Orlando.

Democrats and other critics say the Zieglers are hypocritical because the alleged sexual activities are completely at odds with the conservative views they push on others, particularly LGBTQ people.

“The Zieglers have made a habit out of attacking anything they perceive as going against ‘family values,’ be it reproductive rights or the existence of LGBTQ+ Floridians,” state Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said in a statement. “The level of hypocrisy in this situation is stunning.”

The state GOP has called a meeting for Sunday in Orlando to discuss Christian Ziegler’s future as party chair.

Heroes of the Week: Norwood, Mass. Fire Department Rescue Driver in Flooded Street

Firefighters in Norwood, Massachusetts are this week's heroes. After heavy rains flooded roadways throughout eastern New England, some drivers didn't heed the flood and became trapped in floodwaters. One driver managed to get out of their submerged car and hold onto a tree until firefighters could send a diver to rescue them. The Lesson: Don't drive through flooded roads!   Here's the story.

 

(Photo: Norwood fire and police responded to Upland Road near Washington Street, Norwood to rescue a driver. Credit: Norwood Fire Dept.)

Firefighters Rescue Driver hanging from tree after vehicle was  submerged 

The driver was unable to swim and held on to the tree until they were rescued by first responders.

By Dialynn Dwyer, Boston Com, and Norwood Fire Dept/ January 10, 2024

A driver escaped flood waters by clinging onto a tree in Norwood after their vehicle became submerged in floodwaters early Wednesday morning.

Norwood fire and police responded to Upland Road near Washington Street just before 5:30 a.m. for a report of a vehicle in the water. At the scene, they found the vehicle was fully submerged.

(Photo: Norwood fire and police responded to Upland Road near Washington Street, Norwood to rescue a driver. Credit: Norwood Fire Dept.)

According to the fire department, the driver had been able to get out of the car before first responders arrived but was unable to swim and resorted to hanging from a tree instead.

“Firefighters quickly deployed a rescue swimmer in a survival suit to remove the person who was then transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” the fire department said.

(Photo: Norwood fire and police responded to Upland Road near Washington Street, Norwood to rescue a driver. Credit: Norwood Fire Dept.)

Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation Hits #1 on Haunted and Unexplaned Travel (on Amazon)

Oh my gosh!  Tonight, February 16th, 8 days before my 11th book "Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation" becomes available, it reached the Number 1 Spot in "Haunted and Unexplained Travel" on Amazon. I'm totally blown away. Thank you for your support. I hope you all find it enjoyable and inspirational to visit Ireland!

Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation by Rob Gutro (Author) Format: Kindle Edition Book 3 of 3: February 16, 2024 8:45pm ET 

 

Big News! Rob's New Book gets "Best-Seller" status, News coverage : Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation

When you write a book, the next hardest part is marketing it. I've had to create a press kit that includes a press release about the book, picture of the front cover (which I created), headshot, and a promotional excerpt that includes a couple of chapters. Then you have to research the local press- newspapers (physical and on-line), television and radio stations. After I did all that, I've been sending out press releases this week to local newspapers and TV stations about my upcoming book "Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation," by Rob Gutro. All of the promotions are finally helping get exposure for the book. Today's blog is about what has happened this week! 

Three newspapers carried the press release: the Quincy Sun (MA); Seacoast Online (NH), and the Portland (ME) Press Herald!

   Yesterday, Feb 15, someone saw the NH article and sent it to the NH SPCA, who contacted me to give a fundraising lecture about my Pets and the Afterlife books.  Today, the book is only available on Kindle Pre-order. The paperback comes out Feb 24. The Kindle pre-orders were enough to make the book reach #50 on Amazon in the IRISH TRAVEL Category, qualifying it as a "Best-Seller."  I can't wait for the book to be published in 8 days! 

Wow!  Achieved Best-Seller Status 8 Days Before Publication Date! 

Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium's Vacation Kindle Edition by Rob Gutro

(Photo: 1/2 page article in the Quincy Sun from Feb 13, 2024)

PAPERBACK AVAILABLE ON  

February 24, 2024

• Best Sellers Rank  in Kindle Store  (on Feb 16)

o #50 in Irish Travel

o #67 in Haunted & Unexplained Travel

o #237 in General Ireland Travel Guides

TO Buy the Ebook (Paperback coming Feb 24): https://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Ireland-Mediums-Vacation-Book-ebook/dp/B0CSBJN33Z?ref_=ast_author_mpb

(Photo: On-line article appeared on Feb 15, 2024 in New Hampshire's Seacoastonline website)