News Stories: December 17 - December 21
Freak Snow Storm Grounds International Flights
Orlando Sentinel Frontpage, December 17th 2006.
The bizarre snowstorm that has left meteorologists puzzled nearly
caused widespread disaster across Central Florida. Planes were
grounded, flights long delayed, the roads cleared of all but a few
daredevils and crazed commuters. Thankfully the midnight storm
cleared by daybreak, but by then almost 2 inches of snow had already
fallen, setting records for Orlando and it's outlying cities.
continued in, Snow A-23
Central Florida Has An Archangel
Orlando Sentinel Frontpage, December 18th 2006
Following the freak snowstorm last Friday night many Central
Floridians were stuck. Buses weren't running and few had snow chains.
The streets were clogged with several inches of snow, a problem
Orlando has never faced before.
By midafternoon the streets were cleared and commuters were running
again, if only a little late. All thanks to an internationally known
and celebrated aid foundation, Archangel.
Archangel spokesman, Tom Rogers, had this to say, "It was just a
stroke of luck that we store our secondary fleet of snow plows here in
Orlando. We choose Central Florida because we never expected to be
snowed in and could easily ship them to trouble spots in the south
east quickly."
Stroke of luck turned into disaster relief for Orange County.
Archangel offered it's fleet to the county emergency workers and the
extra ten plows more than made the difference. The counties workers
quickly restored the airports and primary streets to functionality and
had cleared the remainder by dinnertime.
When asked why Archangel's presence hasn't been felt more often
spokesman Rogers had praise for the Red Cross and OC CERT (Orange
County Citizen Emergency Response Teams) both very strong organized
volunteer efforts. "We've [Archangel] given them aid during past
difficulties and with their manpower we've never felt the need to
recruit relief workers of our own. Remaining quiet and in the
background may not be our standard m.o., however here in Central
Florida we think it is a better strategy."
continued, Archangel A-25
FBI Reports Orlando Murders On Rise
Orlando Sentinel Frontpage, December 20th 2006
The FBI released its crime statistics reports for 2006 and they show
Orlando to spiraling down the drain. Murder has risen 33% during the
year, Assault has risen 60%, Theft has risen 73%, and
Kidnapping/Missing Persons Reports have risen 300%.
State Lawmakers are confounded. After pouring millions of fresh
revenue into the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County
Sheriffs Office, State Lawmakers say they expected better. Governor
Jeb has agreed to look into the problem and work with Mayor Buddy to
find solutions.
OPD and Sheriff Keary both blame these increases on the almost total
replacement of OPD's staff of patrol officers and detectives following
last years multiple police massacres. The Five Star General Bevin
Keary then went on to add, "[It] is also on account of them damn Goth
wanna-be pretender cultists. Spoilt rich kids, dressing in all black,
play acting like 'Princes of Darkness'. If I catch one breaking the
law I'll stick my taser so far up their-"
continued, Murder A-17
Guardian Angels To Get Aid
Orlando Sentinel Page A-10, December 21st 2006
The Guardian Angels, a volunteer crime prevention association,
well-known for their signature red berets will be getting a much
needed monetary boost from two very different sources; Archangel
Enterprises, the internationally recognized disaster relief
organization, and the Valentine Foundation, a local not-for-profit
that gives aid and assistance to families of missing persons.
Archangel has promised the new Central Florida Guardian Angels Chapter
over nine hundred thousand dollars in equipment and money as seed
fund. The Valentine Foundation has promised an undisclosed amount to
be paid yearly. When asked why Archangel Enterprises would intervene
with aid Tom Rogers, spokesman for the Central Florida branch,
responded, "While crime and it's prevention would not normally seem to
be the purview of a disaster relief org, we feel that helping here
will have positive benefits for the community at large. A crime free,
or crime lessened, society will be more inclined to give and help
other areas during a crisis."
Macaffey Smith, chairman of the Valentine Foundation, on why the
amount of their generosity would remain hidden, "We are a private
company. Our shareholders all wish to remain anonymous and they
desire our actions remain largely anonymous as well. We are helping
the Guardian Angels for a very simple reason; Orlando is no longer a
safe place to raise families. We believe they can change this."
- news stories courtesy the DST, Jake T., US2002022694