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Tragic drowning death of toddler, age 2, at popular Chesapeake park
A tragic scene unfolded Sunday, reported the Virginian-Pilot (click here for source article) – A toddler, just 2 years of age, drowned in the waters of Lakeside Park. Lakeside Park, a city-owned recreational area, has experienced only two such tragedies involving drowning deaths; this being the second.
Reportedly, the young boy ran astray from his family in the early evening hours – some time prior to 6 p.m. After authorities were contacted to assist in locating the lost boy, it was the Firefighting Department that eventually made the unfortunate and heart-wrenching discovery. The young boy was found in the water by the South Norfolk Firefighters and pronounced dead later at the hospital. Efforts to resuscitate the boy sadly proved to be ineffective.
According to a detective working with an ongoing police investigation, at the present time it seems that the incident was “an unfortunate accident” – (said) Detective Gus Mojica, as reported by the Virginian Pilot.
The article goes on to explain that a former director of the city department which oversees recreation activities, said to his knowledge this is the first drowning to take place at Lakeside Park in around a half century.
According to this source provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (click here for water-related statistics and safety information), males were 3.4 times more likely to die from an unintentional drowning during the year of 2006.
The following reference for the aforementioned statistic can also cited to the following source: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (2009) [cited 2009 Nov 24]. Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars”)
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Gary Coleman Remains Sought by Parents, Next of Kin
Gary Coleman’s former manager and family spokesman, Victor Perillo, is asserting that Coleman’s parents are entitled to the custody of the late actor’s body. (Reported by the Associated Press, available here, via PilotOnline.com) The family apparently wishes to have the body returned to the Illinois home where Coleman was raised, so that they can hold a ceremony.
Perillo says that Coleman’s parents should be considered the “legal custodians” of the remains, because Coleman and former wife Shannon Price divorced in 2008. Coleman and his parents – according to the grapevine – were not on good terms. Perillo says though, that the family wished to reconcile prior to his passing.
The former child star suffered a brain hemorrhage and was taken off life support last week, according to the AP. He was just 42 and suffered from an array of medical issues over the years. The difficult decision to cease life support was made by Coleman’s ex-wife – Shannon Price. Coleman had previously given the right to his ex-wife to make decisions regarding whether to remain on life support, also known as an advance medical directive. Price told one website that she made the decision to take Coleman off life support when it became apparent to her that even if surgery was performed, he would have died or “never been the same.”
Perillo helped Coleman begin his acting career and has said that his parents hope to have a private memorial service in the town of Zion, Illinois.
An attorney for the estate, hired by Coleman’s parents, said that it is not the intention of his clients to “fight over his estate” – but rather the primary focus and concern at the moment is gaining custody of their son’s body, so they can proceed with a private ceremony.
Full StoryStudy: Traumatic Brain Injuries may Lead to Sleep Problems
In a recent study reported on by ScienceDaily, scientists believe that they now know the reason behind the sleep issues sufferers of brain injuries often report. The study suggests that brain injury victims may produce smaller amounts of melatonin in the brain, a hormone that plays a role in regulating sleep patterns.
The study is reported to have involved 23 subjects with brain injuries – the injury having occurred 14 months ago, on average, as well as 23 subjects with no such injuries. For two nights, the subjects were studied. The results? Those without brain injuries produced more melatonin.
The study was supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, and was conducted at Monash University in Victoria, Australia. As far as how to combat sleep issues which stem from brain injuries, PhD Shantha Rajaratnam, alluded to supplementation when he commented on the study: “Future studies should examine whether taking supplemental melatonin can improve sleep in people with brain injuries.”
Sleep is important. Click here for an interesting article provided by Harvard, which explains why. It offers several common-sense reasons that should prompt prudent individuals to take sleep seriously. Among the reasons to get adequate sleep include; learning and memory, weight, cardiovascular health, mood regulation, and disease related immunity.
Journal Reference: J.A. Shekleton, D.L. Parcell, J.R. Redman, J. Phipps-Nelson, J.L. Ponsford, and S.M.W. Rajaratnam. Sleep disturbance and melatonin levels following traumatic brain injury. Neurology, 2010; 74: 1732-1738. Click Here.
Full StoryResearchers: Dark Chocolate May Decrease Risk of Brain Stroke
ScienceDaily reported recently that researchers at Johns Hopkins may have found protective qualities contained in dark chocolate. In sum, the compound in chocolate might shield an affected brain following a stroke by multiplying signals produced by cells that naturally protect nerve cells.
The compound – known as “epicatechin” – occurs naturally in dark chocolate. In a recent study, scientists tested mice which were previously induced with a stroke. The mice that were given the compound epicatechin suffered far less damage to the brain, when compared to the test animals with no preventative treatment. The dose of the compound was reportedly modest, yet the results were significant.
The correlation to humans is the obvious next step for researchers. A particularly interesting note is that according to ScienceDaily, most treatments for humans who have suffered strokes must be administered within a narrow timeframe; two to three hours. Epicatechin, however, may be different. Researchers say that the compound seemed to limit neuronal damage in mice, when administered 3.5 hours following the stroke. This is promising in that if the compound can be eventually used to treat human stroke victims, the window for treatment and mitigation of brain damage might be expanded. It should be noted, though, that when administered six hours post-stroke, it was too late for the protective qualities of epicatechin to be noticed.
The mechanism of action by which epicatechin may be effective is explained by an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – apparently, the compound “stimulates two previously well-established pathways known to shield nerve cells in the brain from damage.” (See Science Daily article here).
Full StoryVirginia Beach juvenile pleads guilty to manslaughter of friend, teammate
Drunken driving, especially when a new driver is the person intoxicated behind the wheel, is a perilous combination. A Virginia Beach juvenile – 16 years old – pleaded guilty last week to aggravated involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving in an accident that took the life of his teammate. Read the Virginian-Pilot article here, courtesy of hamptonroads.com.
The case was not transferred to Circuit Court – if it had, then the juvenile driver would be tried as an adult. Instead, the case was not transferred after a guilty plea was agreed to in the juvenile court system.
The 16 year old driver, and a teammate on the Kempsville High School varsity baseball team, were traveling on the night of March 7 when the vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The young men, police believe, may have been consuming alcoholic energy drinks.
Police noted that the impairment of the driver may have been the result of consumption of an “alcoholic energy drink.” Gaining popularity over the past several years, most convenience stores that carry alcohol also carry carbonated and caffeinated beverages, containing up to 12% alcohol. The drinks are gaining popularity among young adults and juveniles who are drinking under age, probably due to their somewhat palatable taste, and energetic feeling they provide. Even more alarming is that these alcoholic drinks often look (are packaged) like regular, nonalcoholic drinks.
Police say that there is video of the two juveniles purchasing alcohol before the crash.
Full StoryVirginia-based vessel assisting Louisiana oil-rig disaster
The devastating oil spill, which the Louisiana coast is facing after a rig failure, is receiving some assistance from a local ship among others, reported today by the Virginian-Pilot. (provided courtesy of hamptonroads.com here).
This is the first time the vessel has been called into duty. It departed April 26 and arrived on scene May 4. Officials and federal authorities are still trying to determine the remedy to this looming environmental disaster, caused by an oil rig which sunk some 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana.
The ship, “The Virginia Responder,” has been harbored in Little Creek, Virginia Beach for 17 years and includes an 8-person crew. Five of those crew-members are locally based; the ship is paid for by oil companies, but is operated by a nonprofit organization, according to the Pilot. Specifically, the Virginia Responder is just one such vessel of 22 across the nation, that are equipped to respond to oil spills. The nonprofit organization operating the Responder is known as Marine Spill Response Corporation.
The tasks for the Responder include oil skimming, and prevention of further oil dispersion. Specifically, there is concern that oil may leak west of the Mississippi River. The Responder, along with nine other similar ships, have been primarily focusing on a radius of 5 miles around the rig, which now is located upon the ocean floor.
The magnitude of the oil spill is huge; in fact, almost 300 response vessels are involved. According to www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com, over 3.5 million gallons of water tainted with oil have been treated and/or recovered. The above source provides updates on the disaster, and for those who are watching this story unfold, it is an invaluable resource.
The Virginia Responder has a limited capacity and thus is working with other larger vessels so that it may work fervently on the disaster.
Full StoryCarbon monoxide scare at Norfolk shipyard
We’ve all heard of the dangers associated with carbon monoxide exposure – these days, detectors of the silent killer are routinely installed in homes along with fire alarms and smoke detectors.
The Virginian-Pilot reported today that the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning were felt in Norfolk yesterday, when six employees of a shipyard subcontractor (BAE Systems) had to be transported to a hospital following exposure to “high levels” of carbon monoxide. The workers were cleaning the tank of a ship which recently returned from Haiti.
Captain Mike Marsala of Norfolk Fire and Rescue told the Pilot that an alarm sounded, as the employees were hard at work cleaning and sandblasting a tank on an assault ship. Fortunately, the workers were able to vacate the area where the alarm sounded, however, one victim experienced dizziness. A shipyard spokesman told the Pilot this information, and that the men were transported to Sentara Leigh Hospital where four were treated with oxygen to even out levels in the body, and to ensure safety. The alarm which alerted the workers underscores the importance of businesses and residences having such devices installed.
The Pilot article elaborates on the job the workers were performing: apparently, they were using a breathing device in the tank of the ship (The Bataan). An engineer had certified the safety equipment, according to the shipyard spokesman.
At the present time, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident.
Full StoryState of Virginia mourns loss of an extraordinary senior lacrosse player
Thousands of mourners gathered to pay respects at a service to at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in light of the recent tragedy.
A recent Washington Post article, which is available here, courtesy of HamptonRoads.com, reported on the nature of Yeardley Love, University of Virginia senior lacrosse player recently and tragically found slain in her apartment.
University coach Julie Myers said Love was “truly remarkable . . . . not because she tried to be, but because she just was. It came easy for her to be great, to be kind-hearted, welcoming, encouraging and engaging to all who knew her. She was legitimately awesome.”
On Saturday morning, about 2,000 people joined together, holding hands, and remembering Love’s favorite game-time cheer. Myers told the Washington Post that normal protocol during lacrosse games involves a chant – “1, 2, 3, together, Hoos.” However, on one occasion, Yeardley Love slipped up and counted out the number four. At the time it was a funny mishap on Love’s part – now it will be instilled into the routine pre-game chant for the future of the team. Love’s mishap is now how the future lacrosse players will honor her all-to-early passing.
The turnout included friends and family from UVA, as well as former classmates from Love’s former school – Notre Dame Prep.
Currently, authorities suspect an ex-boyfriend is responsible for the slaying. George Huguely, 22, was charged. He is also a lacrosse player, and was arrested by Charlottesville police. According to investigators, he “[slammed] her head against a wall.”
Full Story13 year old boy hit by vehicle at Oceanfront
On May 8, 2010, at the intersection of 68th Street and Atlantic Avenue, a 13 year old boy was struck by a vehicle and injured, reported by the Virginian-Pilot, available here, courtesy of Hamptonroads.com.
The accident occurred before 11 a.m., according to one detective and police spokesman. Fortunately, the injuries sustained by the young man were not life threatening, but did require medical treatment. He was promptly taken to the hospital, where his injuries were said to be minor.
The driver was not charged, and police have said that he/she did not flee the scene; rather they stopped to presumptively assist the injured boy.
You can view a full-size image of the scene where paramedics were treating the boy here, and a Google map of the location of the accident here, provided on the HamptonRoads site.
The Oceanfront will be seeing an increase of tourists and general foot-traffic as May has arrived and June is just around the corner. Crossing the street in designated locations is a safety key for pedestrians; drivers should pay attention too – especially where businesses and restaurants line the streets.
Full StoryVirginia Beach-based Navy SEAL not guilty of assault on suspected terrorist
It was a joyous day for Matthew McCabe – he was found not guilty of abusing a suspected terrorist by a seven-member military jury. Read the Virginian Pilot article here.
Mr. McCabe is a Virginia-based Navy SEAL and was accused of “punching” an Iraqi man in custody, who was thought to be a terrorist. This alleged terrorist being far from just a run-of-the-mill bomber…this man, Ahmed Hashim Abed, was the suspected mastermind of a strike in Fallujah that previously killed numerous Blackwater contractors, also of whom were fighting terrorists. Two other Navy SEALS were cleared in addition to McCabe; McCabe however, was the last to be cleared.
As the Virginian-Pilot noted, the prosecution of this case drew widespread criticism. Perhaps this criticism is a result of an uncomfortable notion shared by many in the community that is the home of so many men and women who server our country with dignity – a notion that prompts one to think of the idea of a man or woman, one who serves their country with pride, facing highly publicized prosecutorial inquires.
Undoubtedly American service men and women bear a duty to represent and conduct themselves with ideals of justice and dignity. Where to draw prosecutorial lines is for the military to decide, and it is not up to this author to speculate whether any over-zealously occurred here.
As the Virginian Pilot noted, Defense attorney for McCabe stated, “for McCabe to be guilty, everyone who testified in the case – with the exception of Abed and the Navy Master-at-arms who was guarding him- would have to be lying…They’re professionals”
Full StoryPortsmouth officials want to try high school shooting suspect as adult
A shocking reminder of how students, faculty, and parents need to be on alert for dangerous and suspicious behavior, came all too suddenly Wednesday in a Portsmouth high school – shots rang out in both a classroom and a crowded cafeteria at Woodrow Wilson High School – no one was injured in this scary incident.
City officials have requested the ability to try the suspect as an adult, according to the Virginia Pilot.
The arraignment was held this morning in a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, but the 15 year old suspect’s name has not been released due to his age. Allegedly, he brandished a weapon to gain entry through a locked door, then entered a classroom and discharged the weapon. He later allegedly discharged the weapon again in a crowded cafeteria two times before fleeing the area.
According to information obtained from the hearing, the Pilot reported that the suspect’s record includes time spent at the State Department of Juvenile Justice, released on probation two years ago.
The next scheduled court hearing is set for May 17. Students interviewed, according to the Pilot, expressed shock and fear. Although no one was injured, the matter obviously could have brought with it much more devastating consequences. Thus, the school officials are concerned with how this situation could have happened in the first place. One official expressed his frustration – “I don’t think we can afford to place someone at every door…[that would be like] having a marshal on every plane” – The superintendent believes another “kid” let the alleged suspect in the building.
Staying on high alert is critical for all school students and faculty members, as is reporting any suspicious behavior.
Full StoryChesapeake suicide crash: many questions remain
The horrific scenario that unfolded this past Monday – the Chesapeake suicide on the High Rise Bridge – apparently occurred very quickly according to the Virginia Pilot.
If you missed the story: authorities have said that a man, Robert Michael O’Brien, appears to have committed suicide by driving into oncoming traffic at the High Rise Bridge. His goal was apparently to take his life and that of his wife. The wife lived, and is listed in good condition. O’Brien did not live, nor did the driver of a pickup truck who was struck head on by O’Brien’s vehicle.
A neighbor, according to the Pilot, says O’Brien left his apartment complex in a hasty manner. He is said to have “walked quickly to his car…” and “sped through a stop sign as he left the complex.” Interestingly, the neighbor noted that he left alone. The crash took place an hour and a half later with his wife in the car.
Just prior to the crash, O’Brien called an acquaintance to reportedly “watch the news.” He also directed the person to the location of a letter – Police recovered this letter at his home, eleven pages in length.
For the time being, police are not discussing or releasing the contents of the letter. The public should not expect such information, as Sgt. Michelle Cotton, state police spokeswoman, said “I don’t think we’ll be giving out any more information” when referencing the 11 page [possible] suicide note.
Key information the police have kept under wraps include whether alcohol was a factor, motive, and the speed of the vehicles when the crash took place. Thus, many questions still remain and perhaps only time will provide the answers for a community still in shock.
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