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Man Who Diverted River at Sleeping Bear Dunes Gets Probation
A federal judge this week sentenced the Michigan man who illegally diverted a river to Lake Michigan for boat access in Sleeping Bear Dunes by banning him from all national park properties. According to Wednesday's announcement, 63-year-old Andrew Howard will also serve five years of probation and must pay more than $26,000 for his August 2022 crime.
New Jersey Man Dies Trying To Warn Kids About Lightning Storm On The Beach
A New Jersey man sprang into action when he realized a severe lightning storm was approaching the beach. Sadly, he died trying to warn a group of kids playing in the water about the brewing storm. Lighting struck the man on a Jersey Shore beach on Sunday. Patrick Dispoto, 59,...
Oh Crap! Popular California Beaches Close Due To Sewage-Contaminated Waters
Officials have shut down multiple San Diego beaches amid tourist season due to potential health concerns. They are concerned about the high levels of bacteria in the water, due to sewage contamination. The Department of Environmental Health and Quality has closed Tijuana Slough, Silver Strand, and Imperial Beach due to...
Beachgoer Impaled By Umbrella While Sunbathing In Florida In Freak Accident
A beachgoer experienced her very own Final Destination moment during a recent beach trip. That movie featured death trying to kill people in absurd, very elaborate ways. How else would you explain this freak accident that happened at the beach? A woman recently hit the Florida sand when an umbrella impaled her.
Study: Polar-Grizzly Bear Hybrids Exist But Are Extremely Rare
Researchers completed the first-ever large-scale analysis of how often polar and grizzly bear hybrids live in the wild. They found that although possible, their existence is "extremely rare." According to the study, researchers explored the belief that the number of polar-grizzly hybrids has increased as the animals' habitats continue to overlap due to climate change, but could only confirm that eight "grolar bears" ever existed.
It's Now Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill this week banning the release of balloons outdoors to protect wildlife. The governor signed the bill along with others to define antisemitism and provide security for Jewish schools on Monday without comment. With the bill, lawmakers removed language from the current statute that...
American Woman Disappears After Going To Bahamas On Yoga Retreat
It may sound a bit like a Liam Neeson movie, but reality is often bleaker and more unsettling. An American woman disappeared in the Bahamas last week. She went on a yoga retreat to the islands, but she vanished into thin air. If this was the movies, someone would go...
Massachusetts Man Trafficked Skulls of Lions, Tigers, and Bears—Oh My!
Federal authorities arrested a Massachusetts man for illegally importing wildlife parts into the U.S. According to last week's announcement, 39-year-old Adam Bied has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to smuggle goods and three counts of the Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking wildlife. Prosecutors say Bied bought and sold...
Canopy Covering Cockpit Blasts Open Mid-flight, Exposing Pilot in Terrifying Video
Narine Melkumjan, the self-described piano-playing pilot, shared a video this week of the terrifying moment the canopy covering the cockpit of her plane blasted open during a flight. In the caption, Melkumjan explained that the incident happened back in 2020 during an aerobatic training flight but she's been sitting on the video out of embarrassment.
Despite $20K Defense, Acclaimed Wildlife Photographer Lost in Traffic Ticket
Thomas D. Mangelsen is an acclaimed wildlife photographer. His work has won awards and hangs in galleries all over the country, including the Smithsonian. He's also been the subject of countless documentaries and honored by academia and prestigious groups. But none of that mattered in traffic court recently. Last week,...
Prosecutors: Yosemite Employee ‘Forcibly Raped and Strangled’ Coworker
A federal court unsealed charging documents last week linked to a hospitality worker at Yosemite National Park who prosecutors say raped his co-worker. In an announcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office charged 36-year-old Nathan Baptista with one count of aggravated sexual abuse. The charges stem from an incident in May when Baptista allegedly "forcibly raped and strangled" a fellow hospitality employee after meeting her. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Giraffe Soccer Kicks Woman in the Face
"Hi my name is Johnny Knoxville, and welcome to Jacka—!" The video below definitely reminded me of Jacka— from the early 2000s, minus all the vulgarity. Let's just say this woman is definitely nursing a few bruises after her run-in with this giraffe. Overall, giraffes look like peaceful creatures. They were the mascots of Toys R Us for Pete's sake. But giraffes are still wild animals, and you should never get too close.
Suspect In National Park Double Murder Cold Case Identified As Serial Rapist
FBI believes that they can finally bring answers to a decades-long cold case. Nearly 30 years ago, someone murdered two women in Shenandoah National Park. The culprit has baffled investigators for years. However, now, they believe their suspect was a convicted serial rapist from Ohio. Unfortunately, the person in question...
Turns Out That Rare White Bison Calf At Yellowstone Fulfilled An Ancient Native American Prophecy
If you feel like the world's going downhill and we're one step away from the apocalypse, maybe this will give you a bit of hope. It turns out that rare white bison calf we previously covered fulfilled an ancient Native American prophecy. Far from one of those bad prophecies of doom and gloom, this was actually a prophecy of prosperity. Yay!
"Oh It's Bad!" Angler Gets Hooked In The Neck While Trying To Catch Bass
You thought you were having a bad day. At least, you didn't get a hook in the back of the neck like this angler did. A day of training for a bass fishing competition turned painful for one fisherman. AJ was out fishing with his buddy Frank when Frank pulled and snatched a little too close on his cast.
Ever Wonder What The Inside Of A Bear's Mouth Looks Like? Bear Tries To Eat GoPro
Have you ever wondered what the actual inside of a bear's mouth looks like? Probably not, but it's still fascinating to ponder. Many who got up close and personal probably wished that they didn't. Take this veteran who was mauled on his honeymoon no less. It's very likely if you got close enough to see the inside of a bear's mouth, then you were probably worried about other things.
Is Mount St. Helen's Preparing To Blow Again? Scientists Weigh In
Mount St. Helen's devastated the state of Washington when it blew in 1980, killing 57 people in the resulting blast. It's ash was so widespread at the time that it reached Montana two states away. However, could the volcano be showing signs that it's going to blow again?. Recently, St....
Vacationing Doctors Saved Young Alabama Girl's Life After Shark Attack In Florida — Right Place, Right Time
We've previously covered the story of Lulu Gribbin, who experienced a life-changing shark attack in Florida. The 15-year-old lost a hand and a leg due to injuries from the animal. However, it's very likely she would have died if it hadn't been for vacationing doctors in Florida. Dr. Ryan Forbess...
Swimmer Had To Swim Through Own Blood After Grisly Shark Attack
One California swimmer details the grisly aftermath of a shark attack earlier in June. The man said he had to swim through his own blood after "tussling" with the animal. The shark ended up biting him several times while he was swimming near San Diego, California. Caleb Adams, 46, was...
Girlfriend Of Missing Hiker Blasts Greek Officials Over Inaction
A retired California cop went hiking in Greece and hasn't been since. He's one of seven tourists to go missing or die in Greece so far in June. Now, his girlfriend is blasting Greek officials for inaction. She said they're not doing enough to find them, forcing his family and friends to try to find him on their own.
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