Idiot of the Week: In Ireland 12 Police cars and Helicopter Chased Driver with Drugs

This week's idiot is from Ireland, who caused an all-out Garda (Irish Police) chase that involved 12 cars and a helicopter. Not only was the idiot on drugs, but his drug of choice was even more gross than possible, because it had Trump's face on it! Here's the story.

Twelve Garda cars and a helicopter involved in high-speed pursuit of driver, court told 

Man drove towards patrol car, went wrong way on M50, was later found with drugs featuring Trump’s face

Declan Brennan, Irish Times , Fri Feb 27 2026 -  

Twelve Garda cars an air support helicopter were involved in a high-speed pursuit that lasted more than an hour across north Dublin and into Co Meath, a court has heard.

At around 12.30am on May 29th, 2023, Dublin man Dziugas Odinas (25) was driving a Volkswagen Passat with two passengers in the car.A Garda inspector driving in a marked patrol car saw Odinas driving on the Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock, driving on the wrong side of the road and at high speed in a direction towards gardaí.

Garda Emma Young told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this inspector had to drive his car on to the grass verge of the road to avoid being struck by the oncoming car. The inspector then activated the blue lights and sirens of the patrol car, but Odinas drove off at speed.

During the high-speed pursuit that ensued, Odinas was observed driving the wrong way on the M50 against the flow of traffic, driving the wrong way down slip roads and driving across red bollards. At one point, he drove in the wrong direction around Dublin Airport roundabout between heavy traffic. On a number of occasions, his driving forced other drivers to take evasive action to avoid colliding with his car.

During the pursuit, Odinas did a U-turn. At a number of times, he switched the car lights off to try to evade detection, the court heard.

The pursuit ended outside Gormanstown, Co Meath, when gardaí threw a stinger, or spiked device, across the road. All four tyres [tires] on the car driven by Odinas were punctured and a number of patrol cars were used to box the car in. Odinas stopped the car and got out, Gda Young said.

She accepted a submission from John Byrne, defending, that from this point his client accepted his arrest and was well mannered towards gardaí.

He was not insured and the car was not taxed (Registered). A small amount of cannabis for personal use was found on him and a large knife was found in the car.

Emmet Nolan, prosecuting, told the court that 12 Garda vehicles were involved in the pursuit and about 30 minutes into it the force’s national air support unit became involved.

Odinas was released on bail and three months later plain clothes gardaí on patrol on the Ballymun road, north Dublin, stopped him and found he had 34 bags of MDMA and four bags of ecstasy tablets.

Doubly Gross

Gda Pierce O’Dwyer told the court that the tablets had Donald Trump’s face stamped on them and that the total estimated street value of the drugs found on Odinas was about €60,900 (71,971.62 U.S. Dollars).

When stopped by gardaí, Odinas said “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” and told them he was being paid €300 for transporting the drugs. Gda O’Dwyer said there was no Garda intelligence to suggest he was doing anything other than moving the drugs. He accepted Odinas was not on the “Garda radar” and not considered to be part of a “hierarchy”.

Odinas, of Sheepmoor Lawns, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of MDMA, ecstasy tablets and alprazolam tablets on Ballymun Road on August 3rd, 2023.

He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and endangerment at locations in north Dublin on May 29th, 2023.

His previous convictions include road traffic offences [offenses in U.S. English] and convictions for fuel drive-off type thefts. Byrne told the court his client was 22 at the time of these offences and was a more mature man now.

Judge Sarah Berkeley adjourned the case to May 11th next for finalisation. She remanded Odinas into custody for appearance on that date

Heroes of the week: Los Angeles Firefighters save dogs from Sherman Oaks house fire

This week's heroes are the  Los Angeles firefighters who rescued 2 dogs from a house fire.

  

Firefighters rescue family dogs from Sherman Oaks house fire

By FOX 11 April 2, 2026 7:01am PDT

Firefighters save dog from Sherman Oaks house fire

Firefighters rescued family dogs during a house fire in Sherman Oaks Wednesday night, April 1, 2026.

The fire, which was sparked by downed power lines and a pine tree, was extinguished in about half an hour. No injuries were reported, and the dogs were successfully reunited with the owners at the scene. 

LOS ANGELES - A Sherman Oaks family is celebrating a joyful reunion after Los Angeles firefighters saved their dogs from a house fire Wednesday night.

The fire was reported just after 8:30 p.m. at a home on West Rhinestone Drive, where flames from a pine tree and downed power lines spread to an attached garage, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

In the chaos of the emergency,  the family dogs went missing, sparking fears for their safety as smoke filled the area.

However, firefighters were able to successfully locate the dogs unharmed and quickly return the dogs to its grateful owners.

 

(Video: Credit; CBS Los Angeles)

Fire crews are conducting a final overhaul to ensure the structure is safe. The LAFD will continue to investigate the sequence of what led to the downed power wires and pine tree igniting.

Neighbors can expect utility workers in the area to repair the damaged electrical lines.

Book of the Week: Kindred Spirits: How a Spirit Befriended a Medium by Rob Gutro

Every week I publish a book of the week that I enjoyed, and this time is unique because it's a book I wrote from my personal experiences with a man named Ed who passed away and communicated to me from the afterlife.I LOVED writing "Kindred Spirits: How a Spirit Befriended a Medium"  and telling Ed's story, 23 years after he passed. *** Recently, the book found popularity again shooting into the top 200 on Amazon, because Ed's signs teach others what signs to look for from their own loved ones. Since this published in 2019, Ed continued to give many signs, so his sequel is coming out in 2027. Meanwhile, learn about today's book and there are some reviews included. 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Imagine that the spirit of someone you never met in life comes along in your new relationship. The spirit died 20 years before you met your partner, and this spirit was in a commited relationship with your partner decades before. That's what happened to author and medium Rob Gutro. The spirit, whose name is Ed, has come through in so many ways from dreams to coins, look-alikes, and more. Ed's spirit told Rob many things he couldn't possibly have known. Rob confirmed everything with his partner.

It's uncommon for a medium really get know a spirit so well that the living person considers the spirit a best friend. But that's exactly what happened to medium and paranormal investigator Rob Gutro. When Rob met his partner Tom in 2005, Ed's spirit came along for the ride. Rob never knew Ed in life.

Now, Ed often communicates to Rob and has revealed his sense of humor, his heart, and helped solved the mystery of his passing. Ed's "Spirit Treasure Hunt" showed his family he's with them, too. Ed even sent a look-alike to rescue Rob during a vacation in England. Ed also proved to Rob and Tom that he was with all of their dogs who passed.

As you read about this special spirit named Ed and his sometimes funny communications, you'll learn signs your loved ones send. This book will teach you how to be more aware of messages from your loved ones in spirit.

"Being a friend with Ed in spirit is like having a friend who lives in another state" - Author Rob Gutro describing his relationship with Ed's spirit.

REVIEW: Mike Sykes  5.0 out of 5 stars    Fantastic book , a must read !

Reviewed   September 22, 2019 Verified Purchase 

I could not put this book down. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end . What an amazing story of a special bond that develops unexpectedly but not by coincidence ( because there's no such as coincidences.) between Rob and a very special spirit Ed. The way Rob is able to channel Ed's messages for him to help bring healing ,love ,laughter and confirmation that he like many other spirits that have crossed are still very much around us all the time . I highly recommend this book, I have only touched on a few things that I loved about this book, there truly is so much that I could go on about . You won't be disappointed, and maybe it's not a coincidence that your meant to purchase this book , or that you're reading this review.

This is one in the author's "Ghosts and Spirits" series of books. Rob Gutro's other series include "Pets and the Afterlife," "Haunting Of," and "Ghosts on a Medium's Vacation."

DISCOVERY! Prehistoric water-dwelling weirdo with sideways teeth and a twisted jaw

Scientists have described Tanyka amnicola, a newly identified species of prehistoric creature that lived 275 million years ago and had a bizarre twisted jaw with sideways-facing teeth.

(image: An artist's illustration showing what the newly described species, Tanyka amnicola, may have looked like. (Image credit: Vitor Silva)

Prehistoric water-dwelling weirdo with sideways teeth and a twisted jaw was already a 'living fossil' 275 million years ago

Live Science News, By Aristos Georgiou, March 4, 2026

Paleontologists have revealed a bizarre prehistoric creature with a twisted jaw and sideways-facing teeth, and the water-dwelling weirdo was already a "living fossil" when it existed 275 million years ago.

The newly described species, named Tanyka amnicola, is an archaic member of the tetrapods — a large group of four-limbed vertebrates that today includes reptiles, birds, mammals and amphibians, according to a study published Wednesday (March 4) in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Despite predating the dinosaurs, T. amnicola was already an evolutionary relic in its time, during the Permian period. Many of the earliest tetrapod lineages, known as stem tetrapods, had already disappeared by that time. But the lineage that T. amnicola belonged to seems to have persisted, while tetrapods as a group were diversifying.

"Tanyka is from an ancient lineage that we didn't know survived to this time, and it's also just a really strange animal," lead study author Jason Pardo, a research associate at the Field Museum in Chicago, said in a statement. "In the sense that Tanyka was a remaining member of the stem tetrapod lineage, even after newer, more modern tetrapods evolved, Tanyka is a little like a platypus. It was a living fossil in its time."

Researchers identified the new species from nine fossilized lower jawbones, each roughly 6 inches (15 centimeters) long, recovered from a dry riverbed in northeastern Brazil. Although the creature's lower jawbones were distinctive enough for the team to determine the fossils represented a new species, the lack of other fossilized remains means much about the animal remains unknown.

So it's not a deformation, it's just the way the animal was made.

Jason Pardo, Field Museum research associate Given what is known about its close relatives, however, T. amnicola might have resembled a salamander with a slightly longer snout. It possibly measured up to around 3 feet (around 91 centimeters) in length, Pardo said. The type of rocks in which the fossils were found also indicate that the creature lived in lake environments and presumably had "aquatic habits," according to the paper.

Analysis of the lower jawbones revealed some intriguing features — principally, that they were twisted so that the creature's teeth pointed outward to the sides, rather than upward as seen in virtually all other tetrapods.

When T. amnicola lived, Brazil was part of the supercontinent Gondwana.

NH Woman's 2,266 rubber duck collection makes a big splash

 We all collect different things. It's always interesting to find out who collects what. I collect comic books and several friends I have do the same. Others collect superhero figures, or gnome figures, flowers, stuffed animals, flowers, plants, and many other things. What do YOU collect? - Today's blog is about a woman who started off giving little yellow ducks out in the office, and then people would find unique ones and give them to her! She's amassed quite the collection.

(Photo: Jason Schreiber photos/Union Leader Correspondent

Anita Wolcott of Hooksett showcases her 2,266-rubber-duck collection at her art and activity studio, The Creative Duckling, in Pembroke.)

NH Woman's 2,266 rubber duck collection makes a big splash

By Jason Schreiber Union Leader Correspondent 

Anita Wolcott has her ducks in a row — all 2,266 of them.

The Hooksett, New Hampshire woman and queen of quack has amassed an impressive collection of rubber ducks — along with some crystal ones — inside her unique art and activity studio, appropriately called The Creative Duckling.

It’s a vibrant space that not only fosters creativity through art, but showcases her quirky collection that has made quite a splash at the Pembroke studio, where kids get messy and adults stop to admire all the ducks.

The Creative Duckling is a children's art and activity studio in the heart of Pembroke, N.H., where owner Anita Wolcott showcases her extraordinary collection of 2,266 rubber ducks.

Anita shares the quirky story behind this unique collection, which grows by the hundreds every year, her journey in creating a delightful space for kids to engage in messy, creative play, and the various activities offered at the studio.

“It’s probably the largest that a lot of people have seen. It’s definitely not the largest in the world. I do not have the world record or anything like that,” Wolcott said.

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(CAPTION: In this episode of Grounded in Granite, we visit a hidden gem for families: The Creative Duckling, a children's art and activity studio in the heart of Pembroke, N.H., where owner Anita Wolcott showcases her extraordinary collection of 2,266 rubber ducks.)

Wolcott adds hundreds of new ducks to her delightful display each year, but she has no plans to try to beat the current Guinness World Record held by Seattle native Charlotte Lee, who owned 5,631 rubber ducks when the record was set in 2011.

The collection began about eight years ago when Wolcott was working as an executive assistant at a local mortgage company. During themed employee appreciation days, she would often place small rubber ducks in goodie baskets for workers.

“After you do that for six, seven years, you start getting a small collection on your desk, and then it just got to the point where people were like, ‘Here’s a duck. Oh, you don’t have this one? Here. Oh, I found this one. You can have it.’ Then it got to the point where I was saying, ‘Oh, I don’t have that one. I’m going to grab it,’” she said.

Wolcott admits that her duck collection has become a fun obsession that’s been easier to feed as rubber ducks have grown in popularity.

“I love hunting for them,” she said.

Each duck is unique. They all come in different styles, colors and sizes. Some are made in the likeness of celebrities or licensed characters. Others came from local businesses and include company names with logos on them.

While Wolcott didn’t grow up loving rubber ducks, they’ve certainly grown on her as an adult as her collection has expanded from a few to thousands. Her favorite is a Santa celebrity duck from 2001 that a friend found while antiquing and gave it to her for Christmas. The oldest duck in her collection is believed to be from 1975. Her priciest duck isn’t made of rubber — it’s Swarovski crystal.

Wolcott has three adult children, and when asked about what they think of her collection, she joked, “They’re more concerned about what’s going to happen to them when I’m gone.”

The growing duck collection has found the perfect home inside her studio, which opened about a year and a half ago and even has a wall filled with ducks and duck novelties like pens and notebooks for sale.

(Photo: Anita Wolcott of Hooksett showcases her 2,266-rubber-duck collection at her art and activity studio, The Creative Duckling, in Pembroke. Credit: Jason Schreiber photos/Union Leader Correspondent    )

The studio is a place where children of all ages can explore their creativity, make a joyful mess and have fun while learning essential skills. They experiment with paint using toys, kitchen tools, bathroom, marbles, balloons and other items, spend time using a spray station and participate in other activities.

“It’s really about them getting their hands dirty and getting whatever they see in their head down onto that canvas. It’s really hard for the parents to kind of step back and let them just go at it,” Wolcott said.

She emphasizes the importance of allowing children to explore their artistic instincts without fear of judgment.

Wolcott said parents are often reminded to step back and let their children express themselves freely, which can lead to surprisingly beautiful results, even if they appear as “green blobs” to the untrained eye.

The studio, which also hosts parties, offers ceramics, sand art and a variety of other exciting creative experiences as well. She’s even had teenagers stop by.

Wolcott said she hopes her studio offers a fun experience for those who visit.

“We all need fun in our lives,” she said.

For more information on The Creative Duckling, visit https://thecreativeduckling.com/

RESEARCH: Single protein could dramatically alter trajectory of Alzheimer's disease

There's some encouraging news in the quest to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease. In people destined to get Alzheimer's in their mid-40s, one protein can delay the onset of the disease by about 20 years.

(Image Credit: Adobe)

Single protein could dramatically alter trajectory of Alzheimer's disease 

 By RJ Mackenzie LIVE SCIENCE, March 10, 2026

A single gene mutation protects against Alzheimer's disease in people destined to get the disease very young — and now we know why.

The gene mutation affects a protein called reelin that directs brain cells to shred the probable culprits in the disease — toxic amyloid plaques and tau tangles. The mutation makes reelin work much more efficiently, new research reveals.

The finding could point the way towards transformative therapies for the condition, experts said.

"I would never have expected that it would be so protective that it actually negates the effect of a dominant early onset Alzheimer's disease mutation," Dr. Joachim Herz, a neuroscientist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center who was not involved in the new research, told Live Science. "That I would never have in my wildest dreams predicted."

A tale of two genes 

Unpacking how the protective mutation worked began with a population that faced the opposite problem: an extraordinarily harmful mutation that accelerates Alzheimer's disease.

For decades, people in the lush valleys near Medellin, Colombia, had faced premature memory loss.

Neurologist Dr. Francisco Lopera grew up in the region. While he was still a medical student, he came across his first case, a 47-year-old man displaying memory symptoms usually seen in elderly people with dementia. Lopera traveled across the region, determined to map where people were facing early memory loss. He ultimately identified thousands of people affected by a rare genetic form of Alzheimer's disease. The condition was autosomal dominant, meaning that anyone carrying at least one copy of the mutated presenilin 1 (PSEN1) gene would, like clockwork, lose their memories in their mid-forties.

Lopera's work in mapping this affected population was invaluable to dementia research, but his most important contribution came just a year before he died in 2024. He co-authored a paper in the journal Nature Medicine that detailed the case of a patient he met in his travels across Colombia. This patient had the PSEN1 gene mutation but lived well into his 60s before developing Alzheimer's. This was the neurological equivalent of a house that stays standing for decades despite cracks in its foundations that should give way.

Lopera discovered that this man's resilient brain was strengthened by another mutation, dubbed COLBOS after the research centers in Colombia and Boston that characterized it.

Improving efficiency 

The new research, published in December 2025 in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, has identified exactly how the COLBOS mutation protected the patient's brain for decades.

When the COLBOS variant was first identified in 2023, scientists noted that the mutation altered how a cell signaling protein called reelin functioned. The protein promotes the formation of new connections between brain cells, prevents the toxic tau protein from becoming activated, and prevents amyloid plaques from building up in the brain. 

COLBOS altered how reelin binds to another signaling molecule called heparan sulfate, a sugar found on the cell surface of virtually all cell types in humans, including neurons. But how reelin's binding ability affected Alzheimer's progression remained unclear. In the new paper, molecular biologist Chunyu Wang and colleagues at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York mapped this process.

Unfortunately, as Lopera noted, the COLBOS mutation could only delay rather than prevent people with rare Alzheimer's mutations from getting the disease.

Wang is currently discussing with a colleague at Rensselaer the development of a gene therapy that enhances reelin signaling based on these findings.

CLICK THIS LINK FOR FULL STORY 

Local! We Enjoyed a Literary Tea Tasting, and Got a Special Sign

Libraries in New England are like social and learning centers in many ways. They are much more active than those we experienced in the Mid-Atlantic states. Recently, our local library had a wonderful "Literary Tea Tasting" with special teas brewed to reflect various authors (whom you will learn about in today's blog, too!), Plus we got a sign from our dog Tyler on the other side. 

(Photo: Sara of the library explains about a tea blend. Credit: R.G)

ABOUT THE EVENT:  Join us for a literary tea tasting on Wednesday, March 25th at 6pm! Berwick Public LIbrary staff member Sara will be introducing us to three teas inspired by literary characters and talking about the significance tea has played throughout the centuries.

(Photo: Rob, Lisa and Tom) 

FUN WITH A FRIEND

Tom and I love tea tastings, and have enjoyed many British afternoon tea events, so this was perfect for us. Our friend Lisa, who works at the local post office also came so we enjoyed the teas, the confections and some laughs. We also got to know a few other folks whom we had not met before, including Tyler who is an engineer. 

A SIGN FROM OUR TYLER IN SPIRIT

Meeting a guy named Tyler at the event was a sign from our Tyler the Dachshund who passed in July 2025. - It seems that our Tyler influenced the library visitor to sit near us, when he could have sat anywhere else around the table. - There's no such thing as a coincidence when it comes to spirits!) 

(Photo: L to R; Tyler, Lisa and Rob) 

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(Photo: A big thanks to Sara and Sharon the Head Librarian who put this event together)

BEATRIX POTTER TEATIME- Beatrix Potter (1866–1943), an English author and illustrator, wrote and illustrated The Tale of Peter Rabbit. First published in 1902, the story originated from an illustrated letter she sent to a friend's son in 1893. It became one of the world's best-known children's books. The Tea that was served had Chamomile and some other flowers. It was a very light-tasting tea, and it was very tasty!

(Photo: Other tea tasters around the big table at the library. Credit: R.G.)

J.R.R. TOLKIEN TEA TIME - John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, or J.R.R. Tolkien, was an English writer and philologist who is credited with creating the modern fantasy genre. His most well-known works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, are set in Middle-earth, a fictional world populated by elves, dwarves, wizards, and talking trees. Tolkien's Catholic beliefs and his faith in the truth of mythology influenced his writing. He also invented several elvish languages, including Quenya and Sinadrin. 

The Tea that was served was darker in color, and more body to it. I can't remember what was in it, but it was good! 

(Photo: Tom and Rob agreeing not to try the "Steven King" brand of tea... it could be deadly delicious!)     STEPHEN KING TEA TIME - Stephen Edwin King, born September 21, 1947, is an American author from Maine known as the "King of Horror". He's written more than 50 novels and 200 short stories, selling more than 300 million copies. His work has modernized horror themes and techniques, and brought the genre to the forefront of popular literature. King's stories have been adapted into classic films like Misery, Stand By Me, and The Shawshank Redemption.  The Tea was actually not served for this horror author, but we did get to sniff it in a jar. Sara had found this special blend on-line, and it had a heavy scent to it.

FINAL TEA! Sara had the group select three different tea blends to mix together- so there was Vanilla, Cinnamon and a Smoky flavored tea. That was really tasty!  Plus, there were little cookies that accompanied all of the tea tastings.

 It was really a fun event, and we hope they make it an annual thing! 

  

Idiot of the week: Michigan Man Faces Charges of Child Criminal Sexual Conduct

Lately there has been multiple arrests weekly for right-wing people who are pedophiles. This week's idiot is another one. It has apparently become acceptable because their idol has no issue with it. It's just gross. This is another MAGA supporter who wrapped himself in the flag of his idol. 

Michigan man faces 5 charges criminal sexual conduct against young teen

By Paula Wethington February 23, 2026 / 11:08 AM EST / CBS Detroit

A man has been arrested on charges of criminal sexual conduct involving a teenager in Wayne County, Michigan.

Terry Wayne Sturgill, 36, of Huron Township, was arrested Feb. 17 in Monroe County, within a few hours of the incident being reported to police, the Huron Township Police Department said.

He is charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, court records show. Police said the victim was between 13 and 16 years old, and the activity happened on Feb. 15.

An arraignment hearing took place by video Feb. 20 at 34th District Court in Romulus, during which bond was set at $50,000. His next court hearing is a probable cause conference on March 3, court records show. A preliminary exam is scheduled for March 10.

"There is no crime more important than one that involves the victimization of a child. With assistance from every single layer of our public safety department, our Detective Bureau worked almost around the clock over the last couple days to bring this case to a resolution. We hope this will give the victim, who was incredibly brave throughout this process, a feeling of safety as they do their best to heal moving forward," said Everette Robbins, Huron Township Director of Public Safety.

Heroes of the Week: Prince George's Maryland firefighters Resuscitate Dog From House Fire

This week's heroes are the firefighters of Prince George's County, Maryland revived a dog who was unconscious after inhaling smoke during a house fire.

(Photo: Prince George's firefighters using a special CPR mask on the Australian Shepherd suffering from smoke inhalation. Credit: Prince George's County Fire and Rescue Department)

Unconscious Dog Rescued From Burning Garage By Firefighters 

A family's dog found unconscious in a burning garage at their Bowie home was given first aid and resuscitated by medics.

Kristin Danley-Greiner,Patch Staff, Updated Mon, Mar 23, 2026 at 11:42 am ET 

BOWIE, MD — Prince George's firefighters were called to a home located in the 2900 block of Tarragon Lane in Bowie, Maryland for a house fire. They found the single-family home with smoke coming from the garage. The fire was quickly extinguished, officials reported.

While searching the garage, the family's dog, an Australian Shepherd, was found unconscious from smoke inhalation. The dog received first aid from emergency medics who used specially designed animal CPR masks. They successfully resuscitated the dog before reuniting him with his family to be checked out by their veterinarian.

No injuries to firefighters or residents were reported. The cause of the fire was not immediately released.

Book of the Week: Royal Love by Josie Naclerio

If you enjoy police thrillers with romance, "Royal Love" by my friend Josie Naclerio is a fantastic story. That's today's book of the week.

We've been good friends for many years and have always helped each other out with our books. She has several series of books, one being about the Carabineri (Italian police) called "The Italy Protectors" series (and they all have HOT covers). - It does help to read them in order because she introduces the characters in later books. 

Another called the "Hockey series" and another about the Canadian Mounties.  (You can read summaries of 2 of the series below)

Josie has a unique style of writing, where she tries to "put you in the moment." She's also one of the most amazing storytellers. She creates her characters and gives them backstories, family ties, friends that become the key character in their own books in each series, and takes you to locations around the world (although the Italy series mostly happens in Italy, there are adventures that take you elsewhere). 

When I was reading it I was anxious to get to the end to find out how it was resolved with the criminal characters. I didn't expect some of the big things that happened to Nico, the main character who is a Carabineri (Italian police) officer, and it will surprise you, too.  

The romance aspect of it was also intriguing, bringing a love interest who was royalty. In the beginning, you would never expect things to come together. Josie weaves an interesting story with a lot of great charcters and a LOT of police action. Because I'm a gay guy,  I can only say about the romance parts they are steamy, although I wish it were about two guys. :)  Seriously, though, this is a GREAT read!  

ABOUT ITALY'S PROTECTOR SERIES - The Italy's Protector's Series, formerly The Carabinieri Series, by Josie Naclerio are set in stunning Italian locations, from Pompeii, Florence, Rome, Naples, and other areas. The series follows the lives of Italian Carabinieri, and other Italian polizia dedicated to protecting their country, cities, towns, and balancing the search for love.

From ancient ruins, past ghosts, family secrets, fighting crime, and escaping destiny and the ever present evil and its intent on wreaking havoc in their lives and those they love.

ABOUT THE HOCKEY SERIES - The hockey series follows the players of the Boston hockey team and their search for romance while striving to win hockey's ultimate prize. Past ghosts spring up in their attempts to foil each's pursuit of love and winning The Cup.

Why Living in New England is Awesome: The City of Boston handed residents $2.2M to decide funding. Here’s what they picked.

It's so great to live in New England, a part of the country where intelligent people who care about others use resources to help those less fortunate and give them a chance to be successful and comfortable in life. One example just happened in Boston when residents got to decide which programs would get some of $2.2 million. Today's blog is about what they picked.  (there's also a separate program called "Boston Cares" - featured at the end of the blog).

(Image: from the Boston Office of Housing. 2025 Statistics. Tthe Mayor's Office of Housing is reflecting on the progress that our divisions and partners have made across Boston in 2025 to expand housing access, strengthen stability, and invest in our neighborhoods. )

The City of Boston handed residents $2.2M to decide funding. Here’s what they picked.

The winning ideas include funding for immigrants’ legal defense, programs to expand access to healthy food, and initiatives supporting housing stability, workforce training, and youth financial literacy. 

 By Samantha Genzer, Boston Globe, February 27, 2026

Boston residents decided how $2.2 million in city funding is spent this year, selecting projects that support immigrant legal defense, expand access to fresh food, and strengthen housing and workforce programs across the city.

Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Participatory Budgeting (OPB) announced last week the eight winning projects of the second cycle of Boston’s Participatory Budgeting Initiative, “Ideas in Action.” Collectively, these proposals will receive $2.2 million in this year’s budget.

From Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, more than 4,800 Boston residents voted online and in person to determine which projects would move forward, according to the city.

“We are grateful to every resident who participated and look forward to implementing these investments across our neighborhoods,” Wu said.

The participatory budgeting process starts with residents submitting ideas for how the city should allocate funds. Community members then collaborate with city staff to refine proposals before a public vote. The projects selected by residents will begin receiving funding this spring. 

“Participatory budgeting continues to demonstrate what is possible when residents have a direct voice in shaping Boston’s future,” Wu said. Each of the eight winning proposals will receive dedicated funding, with the relevant city departments overseeing implementation. OPB will coordinate with lead departments on next steps later this year, according to the city. “We look forward to advancing implementation to ensure these investments are delivered effectively and translate into measurable progress across the city,” OPB Director Renato Castelo said.

Here are the winning proposals.

1) Immigrant Legal Defense Fund 

Department: Office of Immigration Advancement Budget: $400,000

The proposal will fund immigration legal services, including consultations, application assistance, and legal representation for immigrants facing detention or deportation. The measure comes amid increased immigration enforcement activity in New England. During “Patriot 2.0,” a month-long operation in September 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more than 1,400 people, according to ICE.

(A box of zucchini stored in the new cooler at the Greater Boston Food Bank's Yawkey Distribution Center in South Boston, July 14, 2025.(Will Katcher/MassLive)

2) Neighborhood Fresh Food Access Initiative 

Department: Office of Food Justice Budget: $500,000

This initiative will provide grants to local organizations working to increase access to healthy foods in neighborhoods with higher rates of food insecurity. Funds may support food pantries, pop-up markets, farmers markets, food vouchers, and refrigerated food distribution, according to the proposal. Similar efforts have taken shape in other Massachusetts municipalities. Last month, Cambridge endorsed the Plant Based Treaty, a global initiative aimed at promoting plant-based diets and more sustainable food systems.

3) Bridging the Gap: Assistance for Housing Stability 

Department: Supportive Housing Division, Office of Housing Budget: $200,000

Through grants to nonprofit organizations, the program will offer one-time financial assistance for housing-related costs, including storage fees, arrears, moving costs, start-up expenses, and basic furniture. “We are very grateful not only to Mayor Wu for her leadership in creating the opportunity for residents to engage in the Participatory Budgeting Process, but to our neighbors, Boston’s residents, who have awarded the Mayor’s Office of Housing $200,000 for our proposal,” Sheila Dillon, chief of housing and director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing, said. The funding pool is intended to help low-income families, people with disabilities, and those with intersecting marginalized identities secure or maintain stable housing.

4) Immigrant Career Pathways: Bridging Language and Employment 

Department: Arts and Culture Cabinet, with support from Office for Immigrant Advancement Budget: $300,000

According to a 2025 report from the Boston Planning Department, roughly 47% of Boston residents who are part of the city’s language access population are not U.S. citizens. The report also found that about 53% of residents with limited English proficiency speak English “not well” or “not at all.” The Immigrant Career Pathways proposal combines English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes with skills training in fields such as child care, construction, and small business development. The goal is to address language barriers while connecting immigrant residents to workforce opportunities, according to the proposal.

5) Green My Block 

Department: Office of Green Infrastructure Budget: $100,000

Green My Block will fund community-led greening projects on city-owned land, including spaces along roadways and sidewalks. Residents, schools, and community groups will receive resources and contracting support to maintain native plantings and improve neighborhood green space. “We are often approached by neighborhood groups and residents who have a vision for underused city-owned spaces along roadways and sidewalks,” OGI Special Projects Manager Ronak Sathyanarayana said. Sathyanarayana said there are dozens of sites across Boston that they have identified as potential spaces for community-led greening initiatives. The project will also launch a webpage for residents to view potential sites on a map, she said.

“We hope Green My Block will empower neighbors to meet each other and work together to beautify the streets and sidewalks we all share, fostering a sense of shared stewardship,” Sathyanarayana added.

(Photo: The curb cut-outs in this Boston bioswale allow water to flow in. The native plants absorb the water, diverting it from the sewer system. (City of Boston Office of Green Infrastructure)

6) Workforce Training Programs Focused on Trades 

Department: Office of Workforce Development Budget: $300,000

This initiative will expand access to vocational training in trades such as HVAC, automotive repair, computer skills, and culinary arts. The program aims to create pathways to higher-paying jobs while helping meet the city’s demand for skilled workers, according to the proposal. “At a time when federal investments in job training are flat or declining, we need to keep moving forward to meet the needs of residents and employers at a local level,” the Worker Empowerment Cabinet shared in a statement. “These funds will allow us to provide critical training opportunities and meet the need for skilled workers in growing industries.”

7) Youth Financial Literacy and Empowerment Workshops

Department: Center for Working Families Budget: $250,000

The workshops, designed for young people aged 14 to 24, will be offered at youth job sites, local events, and colleges. Topics include banking, credit, investing, budgeting, and career readiness. Massachusetts has not required any formal financial education for students, according to the Worker Empowerment Cabinet. Therefore, many use social media or other free resources to expand their knowledge, which can contain misinformation or lead to predatory financial practices, the cabinet said. “Youth in Boston deserve the opportunity to know how to manage their hard-earned wages and build a financially stable future for themselves and their families,” the cabinet said.

8) Small Business Development Resource Program 

Department: Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Budget: $150,000

The program will provide technical assistance and other support to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. According to the proposal, it will prioritize individuals who have not previously accessed city resources, with the goal of strengthening long-term financial stability and growth.

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ABOUT THE BOSTON CARES PROGRAM

Boston fosters a deeply connected community focused on neighborly support, utilizing extensive volunteer networks like Boston Cares (New England's largest) and government-backed initiatives to address food insecurity, homelessness, and education. Key opportunities include hunger relief, youth mentoring, and elder companionship 

WEBSITE: https://www.bostoncares.org/ 

SCIENCE: Needle-free insulin? Scientists invent gel that delivers insulin through the skin in animal studies

A new polymer gel can deliver insulin through intact skin in animal tests. The hope is that it could someday offer a path toward needle-free diabetes treatment. 

Needle-free insulin? Scientists invent gel that delivers insulin through the skin in animal studies 

LIVE SCIENCE By Sayan Tribedi Feb 11, 2026

For many people with diabetes, managing their blood sugar levels requires daily insulin shots — but now, scientists have invented a new polymer-based gel that can deliver insulin through the skin without needles.

The gel, described in a November study in the journal Nature, normalized the blood sugar levels of diabetic mice and pigs within one to two hours of application. The animals' blood sugar then stayed in a normal range for approximately 12 hours.

The gel's speed and long-term effects are comparable to that of "basal" insulin shots, which deliver a steady dose that stabilizes blood sugar between meals and overnight. These are typically used together with fast-acting insulin that's used just before, during or after meals to control big spikes in blood sugar triggered by food.

The gel is "mechanistically elegant," said Suchetan Pal, an associate professor and head of the Biomaterials Laboratory at the Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, who was not involved in the research.

 However, for now, it is still strictly experimental. To date, the gel has been tested only on mice and pigs and not on people, Pal told Live Science in an email. Human skin — which is variable in its thickness, fat content and pH — may behave differently than animal skin.

How the gel slips past the skin's defenses 

Human skin's outer layer, the stratum corneum, is only about 10 to 15 micrometers thick, thinner than a human hair. But the dead cells and fats that make up the layer form a shield that's tough to penetrate. While some small molecules can cross this barrier, larger proteins, like insulin, normally cannot.

 The team behind the study overcame this challenge by engineering a pH-responsive polymer, which they call OP.  At a pH of around 5, the skin's surface is acidic, while deeper layers of the skin are closer to a neutral pH of 7. At the skin's surface, the OP polymer becomes positively charged. This positive charge helps it stick to the fatty acids within the skin, much like opposite ends of a magnet attract each other.

As the pH gradually increases in deeper layers, the OP polymer changes to a neutral state that enables it to diffuse through fats in the skin. Insulin, which is chemically linked to the polymer, is thereby carried through skin layers that it wouldn't normally be able to penetrate on its own.

 Lab tests with mouse and pig skin confirmed that OP penetrates all layers of the skin, whereas insulin alone remains stuck on the surface. The researchers then tested whether applying the OP-insulin gel to animals' skin could lower their blood sugar.

In a mouse model of diabetes, applying the gel once lowered their blood glucose to a normal range in about an hour and maintained it within that range for roughly 12 hours. However, Pal noted that this effect required a very high OP-insulin dose of 116 units per kilogram of body weight (U/kg) — far beyond a typical human dose of insulin. ​​This could raise a concern that the insulin delivery through the skin might not be efficient enough.

But notably, the researchers were able to use a lower dose in diabetic miniature pigs, whose skin closely resembles that of humans. Using a single dose around 7.25 U/kg, the gel restored the pigs' blood glucose to normal levels. And using the gel repeatedly caused no skin irritation or inflammation, the team found.

More research needed If these animal results translate to people, the needle-free insulin gel could potentially help patients with a fear of or aversion to needles, thus helping improve their treatment adherence and easing the burden of diabetes management.

Not for Emergency Situations

Because the gel's absorption into the bloodstream is slower and steadier than that of an injection, it cannot quickly reverse high blood sugar in an emergency, Pal noted.

However, experts cautioned that hurdles remain before the gel could be approved for human use. "The polymer hasn't shown any side effects in mice or pigs," said lead study author Youqing Shen, a professor in the School of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Zhejiang University in China, told Live Science in an email. "But humans have used insulin for decades, so we need to investigate long-term toxicity."

Shen also said the insulin dose delivered through the gel must be carefully controlled, since too much can result in dangerously low blood sugar. In sum, developers would need extensive preclinical safety studies, an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing with the Food and Drug Administration, and human clinical trials before a skin-based insulin therapy could reach patients.

While the pig experiments offered a better model of human skin than the mice did, Pal also cautioned that the lower dose of insulin had lower efficacy. This underscores the amount of development still needed to achieve effective insulin delivery at safe and clinically relevant human doses.​​ The long-term safety of using the gel repeatedly is also unknown.

Looking forward, the team will need to figure out the optimal formulation and dosing for the gel; devise a way to scale up its manufacturing; and run clinical trials, Pal said. Nonetheless, he finds the idea exciting and believes it could create an avenue for needle-free diabetes care.