There's Only THREE Words For It...
Hazy...
Hot...
Humid...
That's the way I remember most summer forecasts back in Philly. Used to get tired of "hearing the same old record".
But that's what we have here in Fort Wayne today...and plenty of it. Highs to reach the middle NINETIES, with enough humidity to wring out the air you breathe. I am SO glad I don't have to get out an mow ANYTHING today.
And that's pretty much the GOOD news...
Everything else?
Not so much.
So, let's get crackin', and see what's been happening.
*** First up, not all that much coverage about the 67th anniversary of D-Day around the media circles.
I found more coverage on BLOGS (and the Military channel...thank you, Lord)
As long as ONE person remembers, it will never be forgotten.
And at the rate the vets from that operation are passing on, it shall not be long before none of them will be around to convey what they experienced.
I charge my generation, as well as all that come after us to never let this pass from our view and memory.
it is up to US (now) to keep history alive in whatever manner we can, so that we may instruct those that come after us.
*** Next up, we have the Fort Wayne and Allen County's ELEVENTH HOMICIDE (for those in the betting pools)...!
See, I told you we're still on track to mimic last year's count.
The fellow that was bludgeoned with a hammer on the WEST side of town died Friday, and now those "aggravated battery" charges just got booted UP a few notches to good old HOMICIDE.
Here's the "skinny":
(( Published: June 7, 2011 3:00 a.m.
West-side beating victim, 20, dies; 2 held - Hammer found; prosecutors expect charges today
Archie Ingersoll The Journal Gazette
A Fort Wayne man has died from head injuries he suffered when two men severely beat him, possibly with a hammer, in his west-side apartment.
William J. Fett Jr., 20, (no relation to BOBA or JANGO) was found unresponsive and bloodied early Thursday in his home. Fett was taken to Lutheran Hospital in critical condition. He died there Friday, the Allen County Coroner’s Office said Monday.
According to court documents, a neighbor called police about 3 a.m. Thursday because he heard what sounded like people "bouncing off the walls" in Fett’s apartment. The neighbor reported that the walls of his apartment were shaking and that he could hear yelling.
City police officers went to Fett’s apartment in the 5700 block of Ullyot Drive, near Illinois and Getz roads, and knocked on the door but there was no answer. They noticed blood on a window and on the blinds.
Through a gap in the blinds, officers saw Fett on the floor with blood on his face and body, so they forced their way inside. Along with Fett, they found Anthony Tate, 22, and a 17-year-old male. Court documents said Tate and the teen were not injured but both had a "substantial amount" of blood on their clothing and hands. It’s unclear whether Fett and the two suspects knew each other.
Blood was visible throughout the apartment, and a hammer with what appeared to be blood on it was found in the laundry area, according to court documents.
Tate and the teen were arrested and taken to a police station to be interviewed. Both requested attorneys, which ended the interview process. Tate, of the 2700 block of South Anthony Boulevard, and the 17-year-old, also of Fort Wayne, were preliminarily charged with aggravated battery.
An autopsy found that Fett died from blunt-force trauma to his head. His death was the city and county’s 11th homicide in 2011, the coroner’s office said.
Allen County Assistant Prosecutor Mike McAlexander said his office expects to file formal charges in the case by this afternoon. Prosecutors were still discussing Monday what the charges would be in light of Fett’s death, McAlexander said.
Tate was being held at the Allen County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond. The teen was earlier booked into the Allen County Juvenile Center. ))
And "Tony The Hammer" is no stranger to the Allen County Penal system:
Tate, Anthony S 03/17/2008
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided CARRYING HANDGUN W/O LICENSE
CRIMINAL CONVERSION
Tate, Anthony S 03/31/2008
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided RECKLESS DRIVING
NO FIN RESPONSIBILITY(INF)
EXPIRED PLATE
Tate, Anthony S 04/29/2008
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C BURGLARY
RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
Tate, Anthony S 05/02/2008
Allen Superior Court 6 FB - Class B Felony
Decided BURGLARY
CARRYING A HANDGUN WITHOUT A LICENSE
RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
Tate, Anthony S 12/08/2009
Marion County - Infractions/Ordinances OV - Local Ordinance Violation
Decided SPEEDING: CERTAIN STREETS/OI
Tate, Anthony S 06/29/2010
Allen Superior Court 4 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided FALSE INFORMING (B)
EXCEED POSTED SPEED LIMIT
Tate, Anthony S 06/03/2011
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal (Citation)
Pending 35-42-2-1.5(1)/FB:
Aggravated Battery (injury causes serious permanent disfigurement)
Something tells me that Anthony will be looking EVER-so-stylish in his "ORANGE WEAR" for some time to come.
Ditto for his accomplice.
*** Next up, Indiana made some interesting finds regarding it's homeless population.
Here's the link to the WANE story:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/indiana/in-homelessness-increases-1-percent#
What is disturbing is that the population of homeless ONLY rose ONE percent, but the VETERANS counted in the total rose EIGHT percent to 673.
Now, I stated that ONE sure way to change the face of the SOUTH SIDE of this city was to REHAB the houses that have suffered from all those "government-sponsored" renters...the ones that trash a place just before they move the hell out (read evicted), only to have another tribe of animals take over the crib for more (donk) wheeling and (drug) dealing.
After you get these hovels OUT of the hands of these deadbeat landlords, and get them into capable hands, and then have them made habitable (again), place the VETERANS INTO THEM.
Many such houses around here could easily accommodate those with missing limb injuries and the like.
(only OUR house is "acropolistic" in nature...on a slight hill - best site for a "fortress"...the high ground)
I know I'd much rather have a bunch of VETS living around us than what we have passing for humankind these days...that's for sure.
I Also know this COULD be (and should be) done, but I am nowhere close to having the resources needed, nor knowing those in authority that could effect such change. It would be a lot more beneficial to the city to have people STILL capable of finding work, than those who simply don't WANT to work (and live off of YOUR paychecks). The veteran population of homeless should have that chance to prove as much.
It would also provide more room in emergency shelters for the rest of the homeless folks.
I think that if this city extended it's HAND to HELP these vets, rather than just walk by counting them in shelters or wherever else they find them, it would provide the impetus for these veterans to get on with life, and not just allow it to pass them all by.
Sure, it might cost a few bucks to make it all happen, but it would cost a lot LESS than what's being wasted now...and it would also pay for itself in a relatively short span of time, as most all vets WANT to prove they're still useful and productive.
We didn't spend all that money to TRAIN them, equip them, and teach them to fight for freedom, only to nonchalantly toss them aside whenever the mood in this nation strikes someone's fancy.
People are NOT disposable...not even the worst vermin in society.
All life should be sacred, and those who fight for such a life for themselves as well as the rest of us deserve no less.
One need only look to heroes like Lance Corporal Brandon Long to see as much.
(google his name or read some of our local news stories to get the low-down)
He is getting the chance that other veterans have not so far.
As well he should.
To us, it should always be that whole "history will haunt us if we do nothing" gig.
Yeah, it's hazy...and hot...and humid out there today.
Now, imagine carrying 100 lbs of equipment outside.
Better yet...imagine trying to get around in a wheelchair today...or finding someplace so you can get OUT of such weather, and finding a bit of shade under some bench in a park.
Now, imagine a HOUSE you can live in..with such amenities that regular people have like air-conditioning...or running water...or even a ramp to get you inside and cabinets or a bath tub you can reach from that wheelchair.
The SE side of Fort Wayne has such potential...but will it ever be realized?
I'd like to think so...and for one single reason... It's the RIGHT thing to do...it's WHO WE ARE.
Okay, I'll get off the old soapbox for now...
Take it easy outside today...don't over-exert yourselves and stay hydrated.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there.