3 for 1 Special: Idiots of the Week

On March 28-29, 3 idiots came to light that need to be publicly recognized (and humiliated) for the idiots they are.  They have one thing in common: They're all conservatives who enjoy making up things to enrage people, harass innocent people, and commit crimes and then accuse others of doing what they did. All three of these idiots are today's 3 for 1 Idiot Special! 

IDIOT #1: MICHIGAN REP. CLAIMS BUSES FULL OF 'ILLEGAL INVADERS.' THEY WERE ATHLETES. 

Michigan state Republican Rep. Matthew Maddock posted a photo on social media of buses at a Detroit airport, claiming they were transporting "illegal invaders." The buses were actually full of college basketball players. Typical Conservative scare tactics to make people hate others. 

IDIOT #2: TRUMP ATTACKS JUDGE'S DAUGHTER AGAIN! 

Trump took to social media for the second time in two days to attack the daughter of the judge overseeing his upcoming criminal trial in New York. He is under a gag order that bars him from making public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff or jurors in the hush money trial.

IDIOT #3: GEORGIA GOP ANTI-'VOTER FRAUD' ACTIVIST VOTED ILLEGALLY 9 TIMES 

Brian Pritchard, a Georgia Republican Party official who claimed there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election, voted illegally nine times, a judge determined. He was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Heroes of the Week: NH Fish and Game Rescues Hiker in Wind Chills of -92F on Mt. Washington

Inexperienced hikers should not be climbing the White Mountains of New Hampshire or any other mountain, especially in the winter. That's what happened in late February when a 22 year old guy got lost and disoriented on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire's tallest mountain, and the site of the U.S.'s worst weather. The NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division was called to rescue this guy during wind chills of MINUS 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hiker Rescued From Western Slope of Mt. Washington in Wind Chills of -92F

NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division PRESS RELEASE February 18, 2024

On Sargents Purchase, Mt. Washington, NH - At approximately 11:50 AM on Saturday February 17, 2024, 22 year old Cole Matthes of Portsmouth New Hampshire was hiking in the Ammonusuc Ravine when he fell and became injured. After the fall, Matthes called 911 and requested help. Due to poor reception, very little information could be obtained other than he had an injury and needed help. This call was sent to a Conservation Officer along with the GPS coordinates of Matthes’ location. The coordinates showed Matthes well off trail in a drainage ravine west of Westside Trail and north of Crawford Path at approximately 4,500 feet in elevation.

With little information to go on, calls were made to Conservation Officers on the Advanced Search and Rescue Team, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team, and Mountain Rescue Service to start a response.

Calls were then made to The Mount Washington Auto Road and The Cog Railway about the possibility of getting rescuers up the mountain. It was decided that due to the location, The Cog Railway would be best. The Cog Railway was willing to start a special train, mount a snow blower on the front and bring rescue crews up to the crossing of the Westside trail. This offer would save the rescue teams many miles of strenuous hiking and the offer was gladly accepted.

(photo:  View from atop Mt. Washington. Credit: NBC 10 Boston) 

As rescue crews were responding, he Cog Railway it was determined that two trains would be utilized, an early team would go up and clear the path and get started to the GPS location while the second rescue crew would get relayed up after.

After the first crew had set off on foot from the train on the Westside Trail another call came in from Matthes. The call was transferred from Matthes via 911 to the Conservation Officer coordinating the rescue effort. Again, Matthes could not be heard. A while later Matthes called again and the reception was barely enough to understand that he was no longer at the same location but had made his way to the Lakes in the Clouds Hut and was below the building in the emergency shelter. It was also confirmed that he still needed help.

A radio call was made to the initial rescue team to make their way to the hut instead of going off trail towards the original coordinates. A short while later the second train with the second group of rescuers were dropped off and started across the Westside trail. Conditions on Mt. Washington were sustained winds at 90+ MPH, a wind-chill of -52 F and an ambient temperature of -9 F. These conditions do not allow for exposed skin and require proper gear and experience to survive in.

The first group of rescuers were able to meet with Matthes at the Lakes emergency shelter at 6:17 PM. The rescue crew relayed that Matthes was not injured but suffering from hypothermia and was wearing many layers of frozen clothes to include frozen hiking shoes. Over time the second wave of rescuers arrived at the emergency shelter and it took over three hours to slowly warm Matthes.

The rescue crew arrived at The Cog Railway base station at approximately 10:50 PM. Twin Mountain Ambulance was at the Base Station and initially treated Matthes for hypothermia and frostbite.

After multiple recommendations that he go the hospital Matthes refused treatment and “signed off” that he did not want to be treated. Matthes was released from the ambulance and brought to his vehicle at 11:38 PM.

Matthes made numerous poor decisions in regards to the hike that he planned in the White Mountains. Matthes did not have proper gear, equipment, weather planning, and or proper critical decisions in order to keep himself out of harm’s way and moving in the right direction on a dangerous mountain range. Matthes saw other groups turn around and say, “The weather isn’t worth it.” But he decided to keep going.

Matthes called for a rescue after making all these poor choices, and putting himself in a situation that placed 11 other lives in danger in order to save his. Even though the rescuers complete these heroic tasks with humility and passion there is still never ending concern as to why inexperienced solo hikers continue to push on. If it was not for the willingness and timeliness of The Cog Railway, the rescuers, and others, Matthes would have undoubtedly died on the mountain.

The list of people who have died on the Presidential Range will stay at 173 for now thanks to the rescue effort that saved Cole Matthes’ life on Saturday February 17, 2024.

DISCOVERY: 2,000-year-old 'bog body' of teenager in Northern Ireland Bog

I was surprised to learn that there have been over 1,000 bodies of ancient people discovered in European bogs, and the latest is that of a teenager from over 2,000 years ago. At first, it was thought the body was recent. Here's the story from LiveScience.

(A human skeleton While authorities recovered most of the skeleton, its skull remains missing.Image credit: Police Service of Northern Ireland )

2,000-year-old 'bog body' of teenager with missing skull discovered in Northern Ireland 

Live Science NewsBy Jennifer Nalewicki , Feb 5, 2024

The well-preserved skeleton still has portions of its fingernails and skin intact — however, its skull remains missing.

Archaeologists have uncovered a "bog body" in the U.K. that is between 2,000 and 2,500 years old.

The find was made after the police were alerted about the discovery of human bones in peatland near Bellaghy, a village in the central part of Northern Ireland, according to a statement by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

"On initial examination, we couldn't be sure if the remains were ancient or the result of a more recent death," Nikki Deehan, a detective inspector with the Police Service, said in the statement.

"Therefore, we proceeded to excavate the body with full forensic considerations in a sensitive and professional manner," Deehan said. "This approach also ensures that any DNA evidence could be secured for any potential criminal investigation. Ultimately this wasn't the case in this instance."

Instead, authorities learned that they'd found a "bog body," human remains that are incredibly well-preserved thanks to being in places that contain low levels of oxygen with wet and spongy soils. Forensic anthropologists determined that the skeleton, whose bones were scattered across the peatland and were just reassembled, was that of a teenage boy who died sometime between the ages of 13 and 17.

While most of his bones were recovered, his skull remains missing and researchers are unsure if it was separated from his body before or after his death.

More than 1,000 bog bodies, dating from the Stone Age to modern times, have been found in Europe over the centuries. While some bog bodies, like the well-preserved Tollund Man from Denmark, are the remains of sacrifice victims, others were likely the burials of deviants or executed criminals, or even the remains of accidental deaths, such as drownings, according to a 2023 study in the journal Antiquity. It's unclear how the teenager from Bellaghy met his end, however.

Due to the excellent preservation of the bog body, researchers were able to recover bits of skin, fingernails, toenails and "possibly a kidney," according to the statement.

"The well-preserved nature of the body meant radiocarbon dating could be used to ascertain the time of death," Deehan said. "The radiocarbon dates have placed the time of death between 2,000 [and] 2,500 years ago, approximately 500 B.C. This is the first time radiocarbon dating has been used on a bog body in Northern Ireland, and the only [bog body] to still exist, making this a truly unique archaeological discovery for Northern Ireland."

Authorities are transferring the remains to the National Museums Northern Ireland to conduct further investigations and determine how the boy died.

Science: Why do some homes in Beacon Hill have purple windows?

New England is fascinating place with history, hauntings and the mystery of purple glass! Here's a cool local quirk from Boston about the odd purple windows!

(Photo: The purple windows of Beacon Hill. Some examples are seen here on this 1818 house at 39-40 Beacon St. Brian McWilliams / Boston.com)

Why do some homes in Beacon Hill have purple windows? 

A chemistry flop turned into the ultimate Boston status symbol when visitors began to associate blue bloods with purple windows.

By Abby Patkin, Bostom.com February 12, 2024

Long before Birkin bags or TikTok’s “quiet luxury” trend, Boston’s blue bloods were making a subtle fashion statement of their own through window panes — purple ones, to be exact.

Struck by sunlight, this glass glowed brilliant shades of amethyst, heather, and lilac — a true splendor to behold, and a prized possession for the Boston Brahmin and Mayflower types of Beacon Hill.

Of course, that wasn’t always the case.

According to Boston legend, the “Lavenders” date back to around 1818 to 1824, when an English importer brought over a shipment of glass that was used to outfit several of the homes in Beacon Hill. While the panes arrived crystal clear, they soon turned a rosy mauve.

The culprit? Manganese oxide, a chemical compound used to remove the greenish tint common in old-school glass manufacturing (think: vintage Coca-Cola bottles). As the Corning Museum of Glass notes, manganese-laced glass has an unusual tendency to turn various shades of purple when exposed to ultra-violet light.

And needless to say, Beacon Hill’s wealthy homeowners were less than amused.

How purple windows became a status symbol 

“When the windows were turning purple, people were really offended by it,” says Nicholas Armata, senior preservation planner for Boston’s Landmarks Commission.

But according to Armata — who oversees the Beacon Hill Architectural District — visitors gradually began to associate the purple windows with Beacon Hill’s wealthy residents, turning a chemistry flop into the ultimate status symbol.

“One wonders if there is some subtle and subconscious connection between the ideas of purple glass and blue blood,” Robert Shackleton wrote in “The Book of Boston” in the early 1900s. This “empurpling effect,” as Shackleton called it, had become a point of distinction for Beacon Hill.

“Just why it should be a matter of special pride to have too much foreign substance in one’s window glass it is hard for even the Bostonians to explain, for they realize that the houses are just as old, and would look just as old, without the purple panes,” Shackleton mused. “But none the less, to them it represents vitreous connection with a proud and precious past.”

By the time Beacon Hill’s residents decided they actually liked the Lavenders, the original batch of manganese oxide glass had been discontinued and broken panes had to be swapped out for clear replacements, Armata explained.

“If you look at the windows throughout the neighborhood and beyond, you’ll notice that a lot of them, it’s only a couple of window panes on a specific window that are purple,” he said. “That’s because when this shipment came over, people were really upset that this glass was turning purple. It was a defect; it was weird. It was not what was expected.”

Yet by 1917, the purple glass was so highly sought after that architect J. Harleston Parker apparently used his professional connections to get his hands on a stash of old glass for his home at 173 Commonwealth Ave. in Back Bay, Boston.com reported in 2015.

Living fossil' tree from 66 million years ago being planted in secret locations

 Thirty years ago, in 1994, a species of pine tree that thrived in the Cretaceous period, some 145 to 66 MILLION years ago, was re-discovered alive and growing (in a limited capacity) in Australia. Since then, scientists have planted them to try and repopulate them. This is similar to the prehistoric fish (Silurian Period, 420 million years ago)  known as the Coelacanth,  found still living in the Indian Ocean in the 1990s! That species was thought to have been long extinct, too.  Today's blog is about the amazing story of the prehistoric pine species. from Livescience. 

Wollemi pines were rediscovered in Australia 2 million years after they were thought to have gone extinct. (Image credit: Ken Griffiths

'Living fossil' tree frozen in time for 66 million years being planted in secret locations 

 By Richard Pallardy, Feb 28, 2024 LIVESCIENCE

Wollemi pines — thought to have gone extinct 2 million years ago — were rediscovered in 1994. Scientists are now hoping to reintroduce the species in the wild in a conservation effort that could take centuries.

Scientists are planting "living fossil" trees in secret locations in a bid to bring back the lost species from the brink of extinction — an effort that could take centuries.

Wollemi pines (Wollemia nobilis) were believed to have disappeared some 2 million years ago. Fossils of the species dating the Cretaceous period (145 million to 66 million years ago) show they have barely changed in appearance since this time.

But in 1994, hikers in Australia's Blue Mountains stumbled upon a relict stand of these ancient conifers. Now, only around 60 of them remain in Wollemi National Park. They are threatened by Phytophthora cinnamomi, a pathogenic water mold that causes dieback, and by rampant wildfires that intermittently rage through this region of New South Wales.

Since its rediscovery, wollemi pines have been grown in botanical gardens and private spaces around the world. And the Wollemi Pine Recovery Team, a partnership between Australian government scientists and conservationists, has begun the process of reintroducing seedlings to three sites in Wollemi National Park.

"The sites comprise high-elevation sandstone gorges that are sufficiently deep, narrow and steep-sided to provide refugia from frequent, intense wildfires and drought," representatives said in a statement emailed to Live Science. "There was no evidence of infection with pathogenic Phytophthora species at either site when surveyed immediately prior to the translocations, and there is a low (but non-zero) likelihood of unauthorized visitation due to their remoteness."

Following a pilot transplantation effort in 2012, the recovery team initiated a more intensive project in 2019. Over 400 saplings were transplanted at two sites.

The young trees grow less than 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) a year, so it will take decades for them to reach maturity and produce seeds.  Given the slow growth and maturation of Wollemi pines in the wild, this is likely to take many decades, if not centuries.

My friend Paul's AMAZING Hubble Video: Hubble: Our Cosmic Time Machine

 It's not often I post about work, but you have to watch this video (and learn) - My friend and NASA colleague, Paul Morris is truly the best video storyteller at NASA in my opinion, and this fun and educational video is a perfect example. The visuals are fun and stunning, and it was scripted by another talented colleague, Elizabeth Tammi. Enjoy!

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/iMKX07okcaQ?si=iM_FgP9esTJot5hg 

 The Hubble Space Telescope is many things. It’s an observatory, a satellite, and an icon of cultural and scientific significance – but perhaps most interestingly, Hubble is also a time machine.

Hubble isn’t that far away, locked in a low-Earth orbit just a few hundred miles up that takes about 90 minutes to complete. But with its position just above Earth’s murky atmosphere, Hubble’s transformative view of our universe literally lets us witness our universe’s past. It allows us to effectively travel back in time.

The answer is simply light! Watch this video to learn more about Hubble: Humanity’s cosmic time machine!

For more information, visit https://nasa.gov/hubble.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Paul Morris: Lead Producer Elizabeth Tammi: Script

Somersworth, NH's Name Game and the Famous Somersworth Hotel - Day before Demolished!

 In Somersworth, New Hampshire, an old hotel that thrived about 100 years ago was slated to be razed so we went to see it and get pictures before it was demolished on March 12th, 2024. Today's blog contains the Weird Name Game of the town of Somersworth, the hotel history and our photos of what it looked like last week before it was torn down. 

 

(Photo: The Somersworth Hotel on Elm Street, Somersworth, NH. Credit: R.G.)

The old hotel was located at 67 Elm St. is in the city's historic district, about 2 blocks from the famous textile mills that made the town famous. The town, formerly known as Great Falls, New Hampshire was renamed Somersworth So, I'll back track here to give you some information about the area.

(Photo: Downtown Somersworth, NH now. Credit: Pinterest)
SOMERSWORTH- THE TOWN WITH SEVERAL NAMES - Somersworth, NH is on the eastern border of the state, and the Salmon Falls River divides New Hampshire from Maine to the east. Berwick, Maine was settled in the 1630's along the Salmon Falls River. It wasn't until more than 70 years later that Somersworth came about. BUT, Somersworth had several names. Originally part of Dover, NH around 1700, it was named as the "Sligo" area after the town in Ireland. Then It was organized in 1729 as the parish of "Summersworth" which means "summer town." . It was incorporated in 1754 by Governor Benning Wentworth, and until 1849 included Rollinsford, NH (which then separated).

ODD MISTAKE NAMES TOWN - A clerical error at incorporation contracted the name to "Somersworth". It was incorporated as a city in 1893, before which it was also known as "Great Falls".because that was the name of the textile mill.

MILLS AND TRAINS : . The town was nicknamed Great Falls because a textile mill used the Salmon Falls river’s swift current to power the mills. . Many of the housing structures of Great Falls, at that time, were brick tenement-style houses built by the mill owners to house workers. Great Falls began attracting tourists in the 1870's when the train between Great Falls and Conway began making regular tour excursions to the scenic White Mountains. In 1893, Great Falls was re-incorporated as Somersworth.Trains still run through Somersworth, but they are all freight trains.

THE HISTORIC SOMERSWORTH HOTEL - The hotel opened around 1930. It was located at 67 Elm Street and was popular in its heyday. According to Fosters Daily Democrat newspaper, In 1958, it had a name change for a bit, being called the Bancroft Hotel, probably a new owner. At the time it was listed as the home of the Kiwanis and Lions Club." Rooms were rented by the day, week or month. There was a cocktail lounge and it dining room, that became a place for wedding receptions

Idiot of the Week: Another Trumper charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot was seen taking painting

It's astonishing to think that the guy who orchestrated and conducted an insurrection against the U.S. is currently running for President, while the people who supported him and followed his direction keep going to jail for the idiot/criminal. This week's idiot is another follower of Trump, who was recently arrested and caught in many cameras that showed him stealing a painting from the Capitol. Like Trump, not only is this guy an idiot, but so are all the people who continue to support Trump - which are about 37% of Americans, sadly.  

(Photo:  michael fournier is seen entering the u.s. capitol on jan. 6, 2021 SOURCE: Courtesy FBI) 

Maine man charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot was seen taking painting 

 WMTW   6:55 PM EST Jan 23, 2024 , Adam Bartow, Executive Producer

WASHINGTON — More than three years have passed since the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, but the FBI continues to investigate and make arrests in connection with what happened.

On Monday, Michael Gerard Fournier of Portland was arrested in Portland and charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restrict building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds and; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

He is the ninth person from Maine charged in connection with the riot.

On Jan. 11, 2021, just five days after the riot, someone who knew Fournier reached out to the FBI and identified him as having taken part in the riot, according to court documents filed Monday.

In November of 2021, court documents say the FBI met with Fournier's brother, who confirmed that Fournier was in Washington, DC on the day of the riot. In August of 2022, the brother told the FBI that Fournier was inside the Capitol during the riot.

On Dec. 3, 2021, Fournier's then-attorney, Michael Zerillo, provided a letter to the FBI in which he admitted to being inside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. In that letter, Fournier claimed that he “observed no signage restricting his entry” into the U.S. Capitol and “there was no attempt to stop the protestors on that side of the building from entering.”

The FBI says Fournier is first seen on video at 2:38 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, approaching the Capitol from the east. He was seen taking a picture on the sidewalk and then continuing to the front of the Capitol where a crowd had gathered.

Campaign memo suggests Haley moving on regardless of primary outcome in New Hampshire A short time later, court documents say Fournier was seen climbing the Capitol steps to the Rotunda doors chanting "It's our house" with his fist raised in the air.

At 3:02 p.m., the FBI says Fournier was seen entering the Capitol through the Rotunda doors, by which time windows in the doors had already been smashed and alarms were sounding.

(IMAGE: michael fournier seen with a painting inside u.s. capitol on jan. 6, 2021 Courtesy FBI)

One minute later, Fournier entered the Rotunda and spent several minutes there, appearing to take pictures and/or video.

At 3:06 p.m., video shows Fournier coming face to face with a line of law enforcement officers wearing riot helmets as officers tried to clear the Rotunda.

He was then seen trying to leave the building but was stopped as Capitol Police officers temporarily closed the doors.

At 3:09 p.m., Fournier was seen talking with another person inside the Capitol who had picked up a painting. Fournier took the painting from the other person and was seen walking away with it. Two minutes later, he returned to the Rotunda area, no longer holding the painting.

(IMAGE: michael fournier on the upper west terrace of the capitol on jan 6, 2021 Courtesy FBI) 

He then left the building through the Rotunda doors, but court documents say he was seen putting both hands on a Capitol Police officer and appeared to exchange words with the officer.

He then went to the west side of the Capitol and spent at least an hour on the Upper West Terrace, according to court documents.

About 4:38 p.m., court documents say Fournier was seen at the stairs next to the inauguration stands on the southwest side of the U.S. Capitol where another police line had formed.

Court documents say Fournier left the area a short time later, after spending more than two hours on Capitol grounds and inside the building.

Heroes of the Week: Firefighters help rescue 1,000-pound elderly horse unable to get up

Today's blog is a spotlight on the hero of the week, and it's a group of firemen from Massachusetts, who helped a senior horse. 

(Photo; Whitman Fire Department) 

Firefighters help rescue 1,000-pound elderly horse unable to get up

By Emily Spatz, Boston.com; February 11, 2024

Whitman firefighters helped an elderly horse back to her feet Sunday morning after she was unable to get up on her own.

The Whitman Fire Department received a report of a “large animal down in a barn” on Winter Street at around 11:19 a.m., officials said in a statement.

Upon arrival, crews discovered the “1,000 pound elderly female horse” that could not get up. It is unclear how the horse got on the ground, officials said.

Firefighters requested assistance from the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team who brought a harness and other equipment to the scene.

“First responders attached the harness to the horse and were able to use a front-end loader to successfully lift the horse back onto her feet,” the statement read.

The horse was evaluated by a veterinarian and is not expected to have “lasting effects” from the incident.

Now Available as an Audiobook! - Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead: An answer guide to the paranormal

 Now Available as an Audiobook! - Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead: An answer guide to the paranormal By Rob Gutro

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PARANORMAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Written to answer any question you may have on the paranormal. In this revised version, six chapters have been added and information on ghosts and spirits updated throughout. Learn the difference between a ghost and a spirit and the energy foundation. Learn lessons spirits want us to know & many ways they communicate with us from the other side! Experience cemeteries, battlefields and historic places. Learn about spirits of suicide, murder victims, angels and demons, poltergeists, ashes, slow death experiences, how to protect yourself, reincarnation and how infants and animals pass messages to the living. Experience a "Spirit Treasure Hunt“ where a spirit solved his death.

Meet John Wilkes Booth’s ghost and photo proof of a ghostly face from a "Double Murder Ghost Investigation.“  Part of Rob Gutro's "Ghosts and Spirits" series of books. Other series include "Pets and the Afterlife" & "Ghosts on a Medium's Vacation."Rob can be found at robgutro com

AVAILABLE HERE on AMAZON in paperback, ebook, audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/yswrajpj

VIDEO: Hampton Court Palace: Stewart's Ghost Story (Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation by Rob Gutro)

Here's a first-hand account of a GHOST encounter from a docent I met at Hampton Court Palace, UK when we visited over 10 years ago. To celebrate that it's now also an AUDIOBOOK, this is a NEW promo for my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation."

VIDEO: Hampton Court Palace: Stewart's Ghost Story (Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation by Rob Gutro)

In my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation" by Rob Gutro one of the chapters covered my visit to Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace. I encountered a number of ghosts there, including the screaming queen who ran right through me. But one of the docents there had his own encounter with a ghost. In this short video, I asked Stewart to tell of his encounter (You'll find it in my book, too).

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/kFyizaQf1ZE

CLICK TO BUY THE BOOK: Available in Paperback, Ebook or Audiobook:

Maine has a Faulty Appliance Law - that Covers anything up to 4 years

Here's a law that ALL STATES should enact- a law that protects consumers from buying appliances that seem to stop working or working well after the 1 year warranty expires. It's a law that covers appliances for 4 years.

Faulty appliance? Maine law could cover it, but many struggle to take advantage 

by Dan Lampariello, WGME-TV CBS13 I-Team  February 26th 2024

 WEST PARIS, MAINE (WGME) -- When you purchase a major appliance, there's an expectation it will last, but if it doesn't, a Maine law could have you covered.

The only problem is that the CBS13 I-Team has found many consumers often have to fight to get those household items repaired or replaced under the law.

"It just all of a sudden stopped cycling from the fill cycle to the wash cycle," Candace Durgin, who's family purchased a Whirlpool washing machine new from the Home Depot in 2020, said. "There were days where it would take literally all day to fill or wash one load of clothes."

After trying to troubleshoot the issues on her own, Durgin called both the manufacturer and seller for help, but both told her there was nothing they could do.

"Whirlpool said, 'Well, you need to talk to service,' but then service said, 'We have nobody to service your area,'" Durgin said. "Home Depot said, 'Nope, your warranty is expired.'"

While Durgin, like many consumers, was convinced by the seller to also purchase an extended warranty for the machine, she didn't actually need one. That's because Maine's Implied Warranty Law covers faulty appliances that are under four years old, but Durgin says neither the Home Depot or Whirlpool told her that.

"I never would have known if you guys hadn't already done the stories on this law and somebody in the family hadn't seen it," Durgin said.

The I-Team has been trying to educate consumers about the Implied Warranty Law for years, helping many of our viewers get everything from stoves to dishwashers repaired or replaced.

The law has three major points: the item needs to be poorly designed or seriously defective, it hasn't been abused and the item was purchased less than four years ago and is still within its normally expected useful life.

If your appliance or product passes that test, both the seller and manufacturer are legally responsible for repairing or replacing it.

The 3-part test under Maine's Implied Warranty Law 

While the law seems simple enough, consumer advocates believe many people don't even know the law exists and that makes it hard to take advantage of.

"The first thing out of a their [a company's] mouth is 'We don't know what you're talking about' or 'We've never heard of that' and 'We don't do that here'," consumer advocate Carol Roberts said. "I bet 98 percent of Maine people don't even know they have it."

Carol Roberts is an advocate who has decades of experience helping consumers navigate their rights under Maine's Implied Warranty Law  

Complaints about faulty appliances are usually one of the top complaints into the Maine's Attorney General's Office. They also offer a mediation service to help resolve things if a manufacturer or seller refuses to honor the implied warranty. 

Bills have been proposed to strengthen the law in previous legislative sessions, but nothing has passed. Roberts says she hopes to revisit the issue with lawmakers in the near future but hopes education about the law will continue in the meantime.

An Eerie Premonition Before my Fundraising Talk, and a Guardian Spirit

Yesterday you read about the Animal Shelter event I did on March 16, 2024. But there was something before and after that was unnerving. Later I realized that I had a guardian spirit who ensured I had a safe trip. That's what today's blog is about.

Before I started driving to my "Pets and the Afterlife" fundraising talk in Tilton, NH, I had a weird and uncomfortable premonition of an auto accident and it involved a pickup truck (like the one I drive):. The feeling was one of either being in a deadly accident or one I would encounter. Fortunately, it was the latter.

THE PREMONITION: After waking up on the morning of the event, I had an odd and unsettling feeling about either being in a car accident or near a car accident. I'm not one to have premonitions, and it's not the kind of "gift" I want in addition to being a medium. I pushed it aside in my mind and made the drive. The roads were all one lane in each direction and it was 40 miles in each direction from where I live. Because the roads are often winding, sometimes drivers would get close to the double yellow line, so I took it slowly. I was likely over cautious given the premonition. Fortunately, it was a safe trip. 

ODD THING:  On the route, I had to take a short 1-mile stretch of Interstate 93 south to get to the Hall Memorial Library in Tilton, and I saw a lot of flashing police lights just further south past the exit. I thought nothing more of it, 

When I got home, I checked my phone for news, and there it was....THIS ARTICLE: 

Man dead after vehicle rolls over multiple times on I-93 in Northfield, police say 

WMUR-TV, Channel 9, March 16, 2024 by Matt Leighton 

NORTHFIELD, N.H. — A New Hampshire man is dead after a vehicle rolled over multiple times on Interstate 93 Saturday morning, authorities said. New Hampshire State Police said around 10:10 a.m., troopers responded to the reported crash on the southbound side of I-93 in Northfield. The driver, Jeff Aalto, 52, of Tilton, was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said. The vehicle was going south when it drove off the left side of the highway and rolled over multiple times before resting on its side, state police said.

****************************************

DOLLY WAS WATCHING OUT FOR ME:  I realize that the premonition was a "warning" or a "caution." I also realize that I was not involved in that accident because our dog, Dolly in spirit was watching out for my safety.

How do I know this?  - Because since Dolly passed on Oct. 20, 2020, she has sent me repeating numbers every single day. 

When I arrived at the Hall Memorial Library, the clock read "11:11 am." 

  I knew then that Dolly was with me on the drive, keeping me safe. 

Read Rob Gutro's Pets and the Afterlife series of books for more about how pets give us signs from the afterlife. 

A Great Animal Rescue Fundraising Talk in Tilton, NH

On Saturday, March 16th, I gave a "Pets and the Afterlife" lecture in Tilton, New Hampshire as a fundraiser for the Franklin Animal Shelter. It takes a good number of people to make anything happen. Today's blog is about the event and you'll learn a little about Tilton, too. 

ABOUT TILTON: I had never been to Tilton, NH before. Tilton is a town on the Winnipesaukee River in Belknap County, New Hampshire, and the population is around 4,000. The drive there from southern Maine took about 1 hour and 20 minutes, through forested roads. The sunny weather made the drive pleasant.

ABOUT THE EVENT: Back in October I attended the New Hampshire Comic Con in Manchester, and I met Jeff LeBlanc and other volunteers from the Franklin Animal Shelter who had a table there to fundraise. I explained that I do fundraising lectures where the rescue charges and keeps all the proceeds for shelter to care for the animals.

Jeff connected with Brittany at the Hall Memorial Library in Tilton, NH for a space to give the lecture, and Brittany and her mom (who also works at the library) made it happen. 

The rescue, the library and I all advertised the event on social media and it was a full house. Jeff met me at the library and helped me set up my banners, books and post cards. He introduced himself, the rescue and me. The event began at 12pm and when I realized it was 1:15pm I tried to wrap it up but the audience asked me to continue. There were a lot of questions and many shared experiences people had with signs from their own pets in spirit. There were also some healing tears. By 1:45pm, I wrapped up and signed some books. 

Thanks to Jeff, Brittany and Nancy for making it happen! Watch robgutro com/events for more appearances.

Wonder Woman: Season 2 on DVD- A Fantastic Season of an Iconic Superhero TV Show

Recently I bought Wonder Woman: Season 2 on DVD, featuring Lynda Carter in the iconic role. As a HUGE superhero fan (mostly DC Comics heroes), this was a  Fantastic Season of an Iconic Superhero TV Show! 

There's no one who can better represent Wonder Woman than Lynda Carter, and Season 2 of TV's 1977 Wonder Woman was filled with great episodes. The first season depicted Wonder Woman during World War 2 with Steve Trevor (played by the handsome Lyle Waggoner), as she was originally in the comics when she was created. 

(Photo: Steve Trevor (Lyle Waggoner) and Diana Prince/Wonder Woman's alter ego (Lynda Carter)).

Season 2 takes Wonder Woman into the mid-1970s, where she meets Steve Trevor's son, Steve Jr. who works for a government agency that protects the U.S. against threats. Wonder Woman's civilian identity as Diana Prince becomes an agent with Steve, so they're "reunited" 33 years later. The season is well done. 

My favorite episode in this season was the "Toymaker."  

A Perfect Hauntingly Good St. Patrick's Day Gift! Ghosts of Ireland

Get A Perfect Hauntingly Good St. Patrick's Day Gift!

READ Ghosts of Ireland on a Medium’s Vacation By Rob Gutro
Imprisoned in a jail beyond life. Dying in battle. Accidental deaths, fires, and more. Meet the ghosts in the book "Ghosts of Ireland: On a Medium's Vacation.” The book provides a brief history of the places where Rob encountered a ghost or ghosts. The book will take you to haunted places including churches, castles, a jail, and unexpected ghosts in an art gallery and shopping mall and more. Readers can use this book as a guide for touring Ireland and learning, history, mystery and finding ghosts, even in some unexpected places!

Available on Amazon in paperback and e-book  CLICK TO BUY Ghosts of Ireland!

Idiot of the Week: Another Capitol rioter who assaulted at least 6 police officers, sentenced to 5 years in prison

 This week's idiot is another Trumpanzee who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 under Trump's direction to use violence to keep him in power. Now this guy, who is said to be one of the most violent attackers, will be spending 5 years in prison. He's also from Florida... so he's a "Florida Man." Here's the story.

(Photo: This image from police body-worn camera video, and contained and annotated in the Justice Department’s sentencing memorandum, shows Kenneth Bonawitz colliding with two officer at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Bonawitz, who assaulted at least six police officers during a mob’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, has been sentenced to five years in prison. (Department of Justice via AP))

 Capitol rioter who assaulted at least 6 police officers is sentenced to 5 years in prison

 BY MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, AP News, January 17, 2024

A Florida man described by prosecutors as one of the most violent rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol was sentenced on Wednesday to five years in prison, court records show.

Kenneth Bonawitz, a member of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group’s Miami chapter, assaulted at least six police officers as he stormed the Capitol with a mob of Donald Trump supporters on Jan. 6, 2021. He grabbed one of the officers in a chokehold and injured another so severely that the officer had to retire, according to federal prosecutors.

Bonawitz, 58, of Pompano Beach, Florida, carried an eight-inch knife in a sheath on his hip. Police seized the knife from him in between his barrage of attacks on officers.

“His violent, and repeated, assaults on multiple officers are among the worst attacks that occurred that day,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean McCauley wrote in a court filing.

Hero of the Week: A UK Pet Detective Who’s Tracked Down and Reunited 330 Lost Dogs

Anyone who can track down lost pets and reunite them with their family is a hero. This week's hero is a "pet detective" who uses a drone to make that happen!

 (Photo: Erica Hart with her thermal imaging drone – SWNS)

She’s a Pet Detective Who’s Tracked Down and Reunited 330 Lost Dogs with Owners for Free–Using Thermal Imaging 

Andy Corbley -Feb 1, 2024, Good News Network

Meet the pet detective who has helped track down and reunite 330 lost dogs with their owners for free—using a thermal imaging drone.

She doesn’t accept a penny for her work, saying that the joy when an owner is reunited with their animal is all the reward she needs.

Erica Hart, 44, got her first drone as a present from her father in April 2018.

After practicing with it, Her dad told Erica a dog was missing in their local area and suggested she use her drone to help find it.

Erica called the owner of the missing dog—a schnauzer that went missing on a walk—and went out to help him find it, which she did.

Word spread and Erica said it “snowballed” from there. She has since been on 330 dog rescue missions with her drone. She’s even kept a few of the pooches she’s found. From Scotland to Somerset in the UK, Erica is the first one called in the nation for such missions.

“I don’t just help find dogs though, I have found, cats, emus, cows and helped mountain rescue locate missing people,” said Erica. “It is in my nature to help out.” “I do everything for the love of dogs. Imagine not seeing your mum for 10 years and then seeing her all of a sudden—it is that feeling.”

She estimated she’s been through 30 drones since she started out, and reiterated that the human element of the work is the most important for her.

“I have seen large, 6-foot men burst into tears; it is priceless to see their faces,” she remembers. “Some people can’t have kids so they will get a dog, they are comfort for some people.”

Erica is on call seven days a week and has been out looking on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The longest rescue Erica has been part of lasted 12 days but she said the length of the rescue depends on whether the animal missing goes into fight or flight mode.

New Survey of Presidential Scholars: Presidential Greatness Project- Ranks Presidents

A new survey of presidential scholars and social scientists  was released by the Presidential Greatness Project in which Trump ranked last of all U.S. presidents.  President Joe Biden placed 14th, Barack Obama in 7th, Bill Clinton in 12th, Ronald Reagan in 16th and George W. Bush in 32nd.  Below is a summary of just a couple of rankings from these scholars, and at the end is a very funny "Tweet" from someone reacting to the survey. 

New Survey of Presidential Scholars: Presidential Greatness Project- Ranks Presidents

     The results of this ranking are quite similar to the results from our previous surveys (released in 2015 and 2018): Abraham Lincoln again tops the list (95.03 average), followed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (90.83), George Washington (90.32), Teddy Roosevelt (78.58), Thomas Jefferson (77.53), Harry Truman (75.34), Barack Obama (73.8), and Dwight Eisenhower (73.73).

      The most notable changes in this ordering are Franklin Delano Roosevelt moving up to #2 from the third spot last year, and Dwight Eisenhower falling back to #8 from #6 last year. 

     The bottom of the rankings is also relatively stable. Donald Trump rates lowest (10.92), behind James Buchanan (16.71), Andrew Johnson (21.56), Franklin Pierce (24.6), William Henry Harrison (26.01), and Warren Harding (27.76).

  For the Full Survey go to:  

http://www.brandonrottinghaus.com/uploads/1/0/8/7/108798321/presidential_greatness_white_paper_2024.pdf

 

SOMEONE ON TWITTER RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY -  @JayLionel7   --William Harrison died 31 days into the job AND WAS STILL BETTER THAN TRUMP