Tuesday Tidbits...

Okay, so we have rain coming down...that's not too bad. The snow will come later on today.
Don't worry, it's not supposed to be much at all (no shoveling required).
And the temps will be dropping throughout the day, hence the rain changing over to snow (yes, kids...it's still winter).
Our Hoosierland weather for today is pretty much what I just mentioned with the addition of mostly cloudy skies, slight breezes, and a high today is whatever it is outside right now (upper 30s actually). It will be getting colder.

So, let's get the ball rolling with a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the soggy lawn is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JANUARY 23 -
---It's National Handwriting Day

(which is still important should someone require your SIGNATURE)
---It's National Pie Day

(that sounds good because it's a wonderful day for pie)
*** Next up...and since it is a Tuesday, let's look at all the FWPD calls that went out last week which we were not made aware of because the media was SO incessantly fixated with their coverage of the government shutdown (brief as it was this go-round):
JAN 15 - JAN 21:

SHOTS FIRED ((113)) - ARMED ROBBERY((53)) 
((23,113 - vandalism by gunfire))
=======================================  
18F005349 01/15/2018 01:47am 113 SHOTS FIRED WINTER ST & COLERICK ST
18F005351 01/15/2018 01:56am 113 SHOTS FIRED EUCLID AVE & E RUDISILL BLVD
18F005464 01/15/2018 12:21pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 2000 DODGE AV
18F005663 01/16/2018 12:35am 113 SHOTS FIRED 400 ARCHER AV
18F005684 01/16/2018 03:25am 113 SHOTS FIRED ST MARYS AVE & HERMAN ST
18F005751 01/16/2018 10:46am 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 W WASHINGTON CENTER RD
18F005912 01/16/2018 06:12pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 3700 WEISSER PARK AV
18F005924 01/16/2018 06:33pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 3000 MCARTHUR DR
18F005954 01/16/2018 08:19pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 3500 RODGERS AV
18F005962 01/16/2018 08:55pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 3300 WEBSTER ST
18F006021 01/17/2018 01:35am 113 SHOTS FIRED E RUDISILL BLVD & SANTHONY BLVD
18F006417 01/17/2018 11:25pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 4400 GAYWOOD DR
18F006719 01/18/2018 08:05pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 5800 TURTLE CREEK DR  
18F006883 01/19/2018 11:39am 113 SHOTS FIRED 2100 MINER ST
18F006965 01/19/2018 03:41pm 113 SHOTS FIRED E RUDISILL BLVD & SOUTHPARK DR
18F007522 01/20/2018 10:05pm 113 SHOTS FIRED WINTER ST & COLERICK ST
18F007538 01/20/2018 10:57pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 3400 S WASHINGTON 
18F007563 01/21/2018 12:21am 113 SHOTS FIRED 6400 COVINGTON RD 
18F007573 01/21/2018 01:04am 113 SHOTS FIRED 200 W WOODLAND AV
18F007574 01/21/2018 01:05am 113 SHOTS FIRED S ANTHONY BLVD & BAXTER ST
18F007581 01/21/2018 01:29am 113 SHOTS FIRED COLERICK ST & WINTER ST
18F007587 01/21/2018 01:35am 113 SHOTS FIRED 200 W LEITH ST
18F007589 01/21/2018 01:36am 113 SHOTS FIRED 100 ESMOND ST
18F007593 01/21/2018 01:38am 113 SHOTS FIRED E WILLIAMS ST & S CLINTON ST
18F007591 01/21/2018 01:40am 113 SHOTS FIRED KILLEA ST & WEBSTER ST
18F007598 01/21/2018 01:55am 113 SHOTS FIRED 2400 INDIAN VILLAGE BLVD
18F007636 01/21/2018 04:01am 113 SHOTS FIRED RADCLIFFE DR & MCKEE ST
18F007795 01/21/2018 05:17pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 1500 WOODSIDE AV
18F007822 01/21/2018 06:57pm 113 SHOTS FIRED 1100 ELMWOOD AV
18F007869 01/21/2018 10:12pm 113 SHOTS FIRED HOAGLAND AVE & W CREIGHTON AV
=======================================================================
18F005443 01/15/2018 11:03am 23,113 5000 ASHWOOD DR
18F005524 01/15/2018 03:22pm 23,113 5100 STONEHEDGE BLVD
18F005690 01/16/2018 03:25am 23,113 1000 HERMAN ST
18F006194 01/17/2018 02:21pm 23,113 S CALHOUN ST & E PAULDING RD
18F007035 01/19/2018 06:31pm 23,113 S HANNA ST & E RUDISILL BLVD
========================================================================
18F006172 01/17/2018 01:36pm 53 ARMED ROB 3700 LINDBERGH BLVD  
18F006694 01/18/2018 06:15pm 53 ARMED ROB E RUDISILL BLVD & WEISSER PK AV
18F007091 01/19/2018 08:53pm 53 ARMED ROB 1000 HERMAN ST
18F007763 01/21/2018 03:49pm 53 ARMED ROB 5300 COLDWATER RD
18F007837 01/21/2018 07:56pm 53 ARMED ROB 6200 STELLHORN RD
18F007876 01/21/2018 10:39pm 53 ARMED ROB 4900 LIMA RD
========================================================================
18F005943 01/16/2018 07:35pm 58 SHOOTING         3500 S HANNA ST
18F005993 01/16/2018 10:36pm 58 SHOOTING         2900 BEAVER AV
18F006825 01/19/2018 08:03am 58 SHOOTING         700 BROADWAY
18F007093 01/19/2018 08:58pm 58 SHOOTING         1200 BRECK ST
========================================================================
18F006812 01/19/2018 06:51am 59 CUTTING/STAB 900 BUCHANAN ST
18F006929 01/19/2018 02:07pm 59 CUTTING/STAB 4600 PLAZA DR
18F007505 01/20/2018 09:17pm 59 CUTTING/STAB 2500 OXFORD ST
18F007607 01/21/2018 02:10am 59 CUTTING/STAB 700 BROADWAY
=======================================================================
18F005874 01/16/2018 04:42pm 61 RAPE                  00 E MAIN ST(?)
=======================================================================
18F006136 01/17/2018 11:06am 67 INDECENT         3900 S CLINTON ST
=======================================================================
Plus 15 narcotics calls
=======================================================================
---FIREWORKS CALLS - JAN 15 - JAN 21:
NONE AGAIN??? Why, that's simply AMAZING!
==========================================
*** Next, an update to a (SE) fatal shooting over the weekend. Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2018/01/20/arrest-made-in-fatal-shooting-of-2-women-unborn-baby/

Creepy-ass eyes.

((Deyante A. Stephens, 26, of Fort Wayne is charged in the shooting deaths of Preonda M. Jones, 37, and Brianna R. Gould, 24, inside a home Saturday morning in the 1200 block of Lillie Street.
Jones died at the scene and Gould, who was pregnant, was taken to Lutheran Hospital where she died. The deaths were ruled homicides and a statement from the Allen County coroner's office said the fetus would have been of a viable age if he had been born. Stephens has a rap sheet that includes a conviction for accidentally killing a friend in 2010 and a stint in federal prison for robbing a bank.))

His new "home"?

(check my archive from 15 JAN 2010)
Well now, seems Deyante scored a HAT TRICK this time around. That first conviction in 2010 was for negligent homicide, and he only served HALF of his sentence, otherwise he'd still be in jail and the women would still be alive (as would the unborn infant). And as a sidebar, Jones was one of Wifey's former students when she was teaching at SouthSide.
Our current score for the year stands at 4 homicides for Allen County and 3 for Ft. Wayne...just so you know.
Should be SIMPLE for even THIS prosecutor's officer to put him away for a very LONG time...and KEEP HIM THE HELL THERE.
MY choice would be the DEATH PENALTY, but I'm the kinda guy who believes in something called JUSTICE.
We can only hope that prevails...right?
*** Next up...In a somewhat related story, there's THIS:
http://wane.com/2018/01/22/mayor-fwpd-discuss-public-safety-while-dozens-hope-for-answers-in-homicide-cases/

Our "king" is touting how crime has gone down (a mere 5%), and that homicides dropped 14%.
I'm sure that makes the 32 families (of 38 homicide victims last year) feel a LOT better.
That's a deplorably LOW rate of solving such crimes.

Not convinced, your highness

((But not all the percentages revealed a dip in crime.
Rape and sexual assaults in 2017, strikingly, were reported up 43 percent from a year earlier. 
Arsons increased 38 percent, and vehicle thefts were up 28.5 percent.
Reed last year said police would be more focused on property crimes that in many cases are fueled by the need for drug money.)) Gee...'ya think?

Some "Point-Of-Destination", regarding Ft. Wayne, hmm?
Our city is surely that if you consider it a FINAL destination.
*** Next, this proves you can cater to the dumbasses among us:
http://wane.com/2018/01/22/indiana-senate-approves-carryout-sunday-alcohol-sales-bill/

Guess when this (pending law) does take place, we can start counting the number of robberies, assaults (to employees) and yes, even the possibility of a homicide in our liquor stores...can't we?
Wonder if our "king" even entertained THAT thought?
*** Another update to the story about the FOUR armed robberies that took place early yesterday morning:
http://wane.com/2018/01/21/fwpd-searching-for-suspects-in-reported-gas-station-armed-robbery/

Another LOSER!

Oh, look...ANOTHER black guy!
((Brendan D. Collicott, 23, is charged with three counts of robbery with a deadly weapon in four robberies allegedly committed over 41/2 hours. Collicott is also charged with three counts of felony carrying a handgun without a license. ))
Yeah, like having a license for that handgun would even matter to this piece of crap.
Wonder why he's only charged with 3 counts? The other suspect was supposed to be the "lookout" in a vehicle, so wouldn't that make it FOUR counts of armed robbery? Police HAVE linked him to that other robbery, so do te math.
A wonderful example of that "Quality-of-Life" our "king" (read mayor) always seems to want to mention.
How's this working out for all the gas station clerks around town these days?
*** Next, a little fun for all of you.
Our very own "Rhymin' Preacher" (Rev. Bill McGill) has a column in today's paper. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20180123/race-progress-pleasing-but-tensions-need-more-easing

I can only imagine what hearing a sermon from him would entail.
I'd probably be keeping score as he spoke.
Now, while he's got a decent and timely message, the "fun" part comes in when you COUNT the number of rhymes used IN the column.
(yes, the title of the article DOES count as well)
Have fun, boys and girls.
*** Next up, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

Stalking her prey (brother).

The kids were not really into a spazmotic mode, but they tried everal times. Must have been crazy weather creating crazy antics.

And he's minding his business.

I honestly don;t know the fun in running through the house chasing one another.
I will be so glad when these "terrible twos" is over with.
In many ways, having more mature cats is a nice thing, even if it tends to lack all the cuteness that abounds with younger felines. You can't top cute, no matter how hard you try.
And as far as adorable goes...ditto.
*** Next, let's take time to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

(Love the amenities here)

Yes, the furry twosome were awaiting their "breakfast" as usual.
And we had the two-tier dining arrangements going on.
Midnight was a tad late for midday snacks, but came by 15 minutes after I fed Whiskers, so she got a little more (for a change).

(More for me then)

Last call was enjoyed by both, as it's the hand-treat time of day.
They take turns getting fed single treats, and it's pretty cute.
*** Last back to the rain gutters...we ALL know what causes most all the problems in this world. It's PEOPLE...plain and simple.

So, how does a society solve that problem?
Often times, it turns to innovation and technology, but that only causes the people to change up how they cause those aforementioned problems...people tend to be clever along those lines.
Other times, we select other people (like police officers and such) to solve the problems created by the first group of people, and that has a better chance of success.

But the real way to solve such problems is by changing the hearts and minds of the people causing the problems, and that can be a daunting task.
Granted, some hearts and minds refuse to BE changed, and we have places for such people who choose to make bad choices. We call that prison. Rather than put such bad people out of OUR misery, we lock them up and give them free stuff to make their jail time "easier", instead of creating a comprehensive environment to help them become more penitent.
So, when these people come out (of the current system), they are often better criminals than before they were incarcerated.
To me, that's not a win in any way.
We've also all but abolished the death penalty, and yet still perform abortions upon the unborn.
Now THERE is a case of duplicity if ever I saw one.
We need a serious paradigm shift in the way people think...and act...and relate to one another.
Actually, going back to a time when we acted a LOT better toward one another would work just as well.
All we have to do is make the choice to pursue that course of action.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.