Scientists Question Government's 2001 Anthrax Attacks Conclusion

Three scientists said they're preparing a research paper questioning the government's conclusion that an Army microbiologist at Fort Detrick in Frederick was the sole perpetrator of the 2001 anthrax attacks.

The paper is scheduled for publication next month in the Journal of Bioterrorism & Biodefense, Louisiana State University epidemiologist Martin Hugh-Jones said.

The article raises questions about the chemical composition of the anthrax that Hugh-Jones said must be answered before the case can be closed.

The head of a National Academy of Science committee that reviewed the FBI's work said the article points out connections that deserve further consideration.

A Justice Department spokesman said his agency stands by its findings that Bruce Ivins made and mailed the anthrax-filled letters that killed five people and sickened 17 others.

Jersey City Merchants Fight Plans to End Bus Service

Merchants along a busy main street in Jersey City are fighting plans to end bus service there. 

Bus company Red and Tan Lines announced it will end all bus service on Central Avenue after Nov. 6, citing declining ridership. It said it was unable to no longer make a profit on the run.

"It's a death penalty," Michael Yun of Garden State News said, emphasizing mass transportation as a critical issue for his community. 

For Daniel Aguirra of Lodi, N.J., it means an end to his commute by car to the neighborhood, where he currently parks and then rides the bus to Manhattan.

Aguirra said he frequently picks up food after work, or shops at the Central Avenue stores instead of going to Wal-Mart.

Once the buses stop running, "I have no reason to come here," Aguirra said.

Merchants have put up a banner that stretches across the street urging people to ride the bus.

But they admit their nemesis is the jitney bus.

The private buses are for the most part unregulated, and merchants say they skim off regular bus customers during rush hours and mostly ignore Central Avenue during the business day and at night.

"The real bus will still run the rest of the day," said Gary Solomon, whose family has owned a floor-covering store on Central Avenue for more than a hundred years.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Jerremiah Healy said her boss is writing a letter to NJ Transit, asking the agency to use its own buses on Central Avenue to replace the soon-to-disappear Red and Tan Line buses.

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Occupy SD Transforms into Tent City

Occupy San Diego has moved into the Civic Theater outdoor space downtown – and they’re starting to get comfortable.

The movement that began as an angry cry against corporate greed has turned into a gathering of frustrated San Diegans living in small tent city, with 97 dwellings and growing. Occupy SD supporters aren’t necessarily roughing it – they have access to food, entertainment and medical care.

While typical hygienic needs, such as bathrooms or showers, are hard to come by in the immediate area the Occupy SD group has plenty to offer its supporters. Food is being provided by donations from local businesses, while one woman made fresh squeezed orange juice to hand out to campers.

A community medical tent is set up to assist anyone with health issues. The group has basic medical needs, such as band aids or over the counter medicine. Located immediately next door to the people’s clinic is the “comfort tent” which has clean towels, water and snacks.

Supporters seeking arts and entertainment can check out a book at the group’s small library which is comprised of a few books on a movable cart. There’s also a giant Monopoly game for those wishing to enjoy a board game.

The small garden outside one tent may be a testament to how long the group plans on staying. Lettuce, tomatoes and herbs were planted inside plastic containers and old coffee cans in hopes of growing something other than a movement.

For basic needs, organizer Kali Katt said people living in the downtown area have helped with bathrooms and showers. Additionally, a map has been set up to guide tent dwellers to the nearest facility.

Inspiration for supporters came in the form of a tree just outside the main tent area. The colorful branches sparkle as the group’s beacon of hope. Small paper hearts tied with string contain inscriptions of the supporters’ hopes for the movement.  “Jobs that pay a decent salary,” one heart-shaped wish shows. The wishes varied from “Destroy capitalism” to “Forgive student debt” and “I wish to legalize weed.”

While it is unsure whether officials will step in, Katt said the campers plan to occupy the area “indefinitely.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedication Plans Coming Together

The schedule for Sunday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial dedication is coming together.

President Barack Obama will speak during the 11 a.m. hour, syndicated columnist and TV analyst Roland S. Martin tweeted Monday. Though the dedication begins at 9 a.m., Sunday’s events also will include a pre-program beginning at 8 a.m.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, civil rights leaders and members of King’s family also are expected to participate.

Reserved seating will be available for the dedication party. It will be standing room only with no tickets required for the public.

The dedication, originally scheduled for Aug. 28, the 48th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, was postponed due to Hurricane Irene. Sunday is the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March on the National Mall.

The memorial sits on the National Mall adjacent to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial near the Tidal Basin and between memorials honoring Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. It includes a 30-foot-tall sculpture of King and a 450-foot-long granite wall inscribed with 14 quotations from the civil rights leader chosen by a panel of scholars.

Missing Ashes of Wife Returned to Highland Man

The ashes of a Highland man's deceased wife were returned Monday after they were stolen just a few days before her memorial service.

Arthur Pauly said he arrived home at about 8 p.m. Sunday to discover the urns and ashes were missing. His wife died about two weeks ago, Pauly said.

A neighbor returned the urns and ashes late Monday morning, but deputies continue to investigate and have not made any arrests.

A memorial for Ann Pauly is scheduled for later this weekend.

Electronics, a golf putter, jewelry boxes and other items also were stolen from the residence.

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Gary Native Killed in Afghanistan

A U.S. solider from Gary, Ind., died Saturday after a firefight in Afghanistan.

Army Ranger Spec. Ricardo Cerros Jr., 24, was killed in Logar Province after insurgents attacked his unit. This was his first Afghanistan deployment, according to Northwest Indiana Times. Cerros was the only casualty of the firefight.

Cerros Jr. lived in Gary as a small child before moving to Salinas, Calif., with his father. His mother still lives in the Brunswick neighborhood of Gary. Many of Cerros' relatives remain in Northwest Indiana.

Cerros joined the army with hopes of becoming a pilot. He was assigned to be a specialist with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Wash.

The family said Cerros Jr. was "happy-go-lucky" and passionate about his military service. The family plans to retrieve his body Monday afternoon in Delaware and hopes to bury him in Gary.

The army released a statement Monday calling Cerros a warrior. "Spc. Ricardo Cerros was an incredible talented and a well-respected member of this battalion," said Lt. Col. David Hodne in the statement. "We will honor his service to our country and never forget his sacrifice."

Cerros Jr. is survived by his parents, Ricardo Cerros Sr. and Marguerite Cuevas, stepmother, Deborah Cerros, and siblings.

 

Water Main Break Diverts Traffic Near SDSU

A water main break in the College area caused the street above it buckle Monday causing thousands of gallons of water to flood Montezuma Rd.

The break happened just after 11 a.m. near the corner of Yerba Santa Dr. and Montezuma Rd.

The break is near the entrance of Alvarado estates, less than a half-mile from San Diego State University.

Traffic is being diverted from the area.

This is the second water main break in just a week. Right now, a large hole sits at the intersections of Campus Point Dr. and Campus Point Ct., just north of Scripps Memorial Hospital. A water main break caused a sinkhole after a break in a rusty 30-inch storm drain pipe under the street.

The main break caused employees at a nearby business park to be sent home Thursday afternoon, since water in the building was shut down.

Construction to repair the hole was slated to start on Monday.