Cedar Falls Government to Demand Keys to Commercial Buildings & Apartment Complexes Per International Fire Code

Pursuant to the 2009 International Fire Code and Ordinance 2740, the Cedar Falls, Iowa government will require lock boxes to be installed on commercial buildings and apartments with three (3) or more units. Obviously, people around the Internet sphere have been upset with this news today, because this ordinance essentially gives the government potential access to the private residences of individuals without a whole lot of due process or probable cause.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the third and final reading of an ordinance adopting the 2009 International Fire Code. Part of that code specifies the fire chief can require lock boxes for emergency access to keys to buildings.

If you want to contact any members of the Cedar Falls government, the contact information is here.

The applicable provision at issue in the 2009 International Fire Code is Section 506 relating to key boxes.

SECTION 506 KEY BOXES

506.1 Where required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official.

Source: WCFCourier.com

Graphic Video of Elephant Rampage in Mysore India

If you cannot see the above video, click here to read about this elephant rampage in Mysore India. **Warning** - the video is graphic and shows a cow being killed.

Two wild elephants trampled a man to death and killed two cows in a rampage through an Indian city Wednesday.

Source: The New York Post

Governor Haslam Signs Tennessee Senate Bill SB 1659 Criminalizing Netflix & Other Entertainment Subscription Services Password Sharing

The next time someone gives out a password to one of his/her friends or associates, he/she should check to make sure he/she is not breaking the law. Tennessee just passed a law that will make the sharing of a password to an entertainment subscription service like Netflix a crime. The bill is Senate Bill 1659.

The bill, which has been signed by Gov. Bill Haslam [on May 30, 2011] and takes effect July 1, was pushed by recording industry officials to try to stop the loss of billions of dollars to illegal music sharing. They hope other states will follow.

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SB 1659 by *Tracy. (*HB 1783 by *McCormick, Shepard, Lollar, Haynes, Parkinson, Miller D, Alexander, Dean, McManus, Todd, Maggart, Williams R.)

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, includes entertainment services in services the theft of which constitutes theft of services and adds enhanced violation for repeat offenders; specifies that victims may report violations and testify. - Amends TCA Title 39.

Fiscal Summary

Increase State Expenditures - $14,100/Incarcaration*

Bill Summary

As described below, this bill specifies that the offense of theft of services includes the theft of entertainment subscription services and provides for increased penalties when the offender has two or more prior offenses that involve theft of entertainment subscription services.

Under present law, a person commits the offense of theft of services who (emphasis added):

(1) Intentionally obtains services by any means to avoid payment for the services;

(2) Having control over the disposition of services to others, knowingly diverts those services to the person's own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled to such benefits; or

(3) Knowingly absconds from establishments where compensation for services is ordinarily paid immediately upon the rendering of them, including hotels, motels and restaurants, without payment or a bona fide offer to pay.

Theft of property or services is:

(1) A Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property or services obtained is $500 or less;

(2) A Class E felony if the value of the property or services obtained is more than $500 but less than $1,000;

(3) A Class D felony if the value of the property or services obtained is $1,000 or more but less than $10,000;

(4) A Class C felony if the value of the property or services obtained is $10,000 or more but less than $60,000; and

(5) A Class B felony if the value of the property or services obtained is at least $60,000.

This bill specifies that "services" includes entertainment subscription services. This bill specifies that any victim of theft of services would have legal standing to report the offense to law enforcement and to testify in support of corresponding criminal charges.

This bill specifies that the theft of property or services valued at $500 or less would be a Class E felony instead of a Class A misdemeanor if such offense is the offender's second or subsequent offense after July 1, 2011, which involves theft of entertainment subscription services.

ON MAY 18, 2011, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1659, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 adds to present law by specifying that a person commits theft of services by intentionally obtaining services by forgery or false statement, in addition to deception, fraud, coercion, false pretense or any other means, to avoid payment for the services. This amendment removes the bill's provision that makes the theft of property or services valued at $500 or less a Class E felony if such offense is the offender's second or subsequent offense after July 1, 2011, which involves theft of entertainment subscription services.

Unbelievably Super Low Jet Plane Flyby Literally Three (3) Feet Off Ground

This video has to be seen to be believed. Some even say it is fake, but I do not believe it is a fake. Click here if the video above does not appear.

Will Federal Government's Failure to Manage Department of Energy's Helium-3 Supply Lead to Nuclear False Flag Event?

According to law enforcement, there are definite nuclear threats at certain U.S. borders and ports (see: San Diego Port Officer Says Nuclear Devices Have Been Found In An American Port). Coincidentally (or not), the General Accountability Office releases a report called Managing Critical Isotopes: Weaknesses in DOE's Management of Helium-3 Delayed the Federal Response to a Critical Supply Shortage that discusses how a lack of helium-3 supply could lead to national security issues.

Helium-3 gas is a key component of equipment used at ports and border crossings to detect radiation and prevent the smuggling of nuclear material into the United States, among other uses.

Hmmm, if there is no helium-3 supply, then how will Homeland Security detect potential acts of terrorism (or a false flag event) via the transport of radioactive materials into the United States of America?

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a separate agency within the Department of Energy (DOE), extracts helium-3 and controls the inventory. Since 2003, NNSA has made helium-3 available for sale to DOE’s Isotope Development and Production for Research and Applications Program (Isotope Program). After September 11, 2001, demand increased for radiation detection equipment, and in 2008, the federal government learned that it faced a severe domestic shortage of the gas. GAO was asked to review DOE’s management of helium-3 to (1) determine the extent to which the federal government’s response to the helium-3 shortage was affected by DOE’s management of helium-3; (2) determine the federal government’s priorities for allocating the limited supply of helium-3; and (3) describe the steps that the federal government is taking to increase the helium-3 supply and develop alternatives to helium-3. GAO reviewed DOE and NNSA documents and interviewed cognizant agency officials

What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends, among other things, that DOE clarify whether the stewardship for those isotopes produced outside the Isotope Program, such as helium-3, rests with the program or another DOE entity. DOE stated that it understands and can implement these recommendations.

Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office

FLASHBACK: Molecular Farming Companies to Create GMO Conceptive Corn to Prevent Herpes & AIDS (2001)

I've heard that birth rates are declining at startling rates around the world among animals and humans. I cannot prove that GMO corn is responsible, but when I read articles like the one posted above from 2001 about GMO corn being able to kill sperm, it certainly makes me wonder. It makes me wonder if this GMO corn and/or other man-made creations are having negative effects on mankind.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

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For additional information, check out the Farm Industry News article Corn-Bred Pharmaceuticals from Karen McMahon:

Drugs to prevent herpes and AIDS may be grown in a farmer's field of corn. A collaboration between a well-established drug manufacturer and a new company developing antibody drug products may make corn plants the ultimate pharmaceutical factory.

Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI, and EPIcyte Pharmaceutical, San Diego, CA, recently announced a long-term agreement for bringing the new antibody technology to the marketplace. In the agreement, EPIcyte is responsible for the technology to grow the antibodies for human and animal pharmaceuticals in plants. Dow and Dow AgroSciences will process the plants and manufacture the drugs.

Mega Rust 2011: U.S. Navy Corrosion Conference (June 6-9, 2011 in Norfolk, Virginia)

Example of complex machinery afflicted with rust. No word on whether the U.S. Navy has transforming, intelligent robots in its arsenal.

I didn't realize that rust was such a major issue that it needed its own special conference. For anyone who is in Norfolk, Virginia in early June, you should see if the event is open to the public. I cannot tell from the site that would be selling the tickets if it is open to the public. You can always call the venue at the number listed on that site.

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Welcome to Mega Rust 2011: U.S. Navy Corrosion Conference

Mega Rust is an annual event that began in June 2005 and rotates among several locations to reach a broader audience and to best meet the needs of the U.S. Navy. Mega Rust combines five annual meetings and conferences:

• U.S. Navy and Industry Corrosion Technology Exchange, "Rust" Conference
• Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command's Fleet Corrosion Control Forum
• Naval Shipyard Coatings Group Meeting
• USCG Coatings & Corrosion Control Tiger Team Meeting
• U.S. Navy Submarine Preservation Conference

This conference brings together government, military, owners, operators, shipyards, research facilities, and coatings manufacturers and suppliers to discuss issues pertinent to the preservation industry.

Goals:

• Present the Fleet and industry's needs in areas of preservation
• Highlight new and innovative preservation technologies/methods, successful applications of new products, research and development, preservation of materials, environmentally compliant processes, and lessons learned
• Develop and maintain an infrastructure to provide essential feedback loops between the Fleet and industry that will facilitate the transfer of technologies presently available
• Focus on partnership opportunities between the Fleet and industry
• Provide training opportunities to Fleet and industry

Volcano Eruption at Grimsvötn Iceland as Seen from a Helicopter (Video)

This is a great video of the recent volcano eruption in Iceland. One of the best I've ever seen.

FEMA Region 6 & Arkansas To Participate In NLE 2011 Exercise Simulating a 7.7 New Madrid Fault Earthquake Starting May 16, 2011

For further information on the NLE 2011 exercise, check out the official NLE 2011 page.

The below quote is from the FAQ:

NLE 11 will simulate the catastrophic nature of a major earthquake in the central United States region of the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), and involves the simulation of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake along the southern segment of the New Madrid Fault, closely followed by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake caused by a triggered event in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone (WVSZ).

One of the official press releases from March, 2011.

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FEMA Region 6 & Arkansas To Participate In National Level Catastrophic Exercise In May

Release Date: March 17, 2011

Release Number: R6-11-055

» 2011 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas -- FEMA Region 6 will partner with the state of Arkansas in a catastrophic earthquake exercise in May that will directly involve at least three other FEMA regions, several states and federal partners throughout the U.S.

Scheduled for May 16-19, National Level Exercise 2011 (NLE 2011) is designed to replicate a disastrous New Madrid Seismic event in Northeast Arkansas. The purpose of the exercise is to prepare and coordinate a multiple-jurisdictional integrated response to a national catastrophic event.

"NLE 2011 will focus on regional catastrophic response and recovery activities between federal, regional, state, tribal, local and private sector participants," said Region 6 Administrator Tony Russell. "Given recent and ongoing events in Japan, the decision months ago to focus on a catastrophic temblor was by chance, yet obviously appropriate for the U.S."

NLE 2011 is a White House-directed congressionally mandated exercise that includes the participation of all appropriate federal department and agency senior officials, their deputies and staff, and key operational elements.

For the latest NLE 11 news and developments, please call the FEMA Region 6 News Desk at 940-898-5454 or visit www.ready.gov/nle2011.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Mar-2011 17:17:10

Dick Cheney Admits Osama Bin Laden Was Not Directly Involved In 9/11 (Video)

I think this audio speaks for itself. If you cannot see it above, then click here for the YouTube link.

Abbottabad Resident Says Osama Bin Laden Depicted in Videos Is Actually Akhbar Khan

Obviously, the testimonial weight of the President, the military and specifically the Navy Seal team that carried out the operation will presumptively be favored over the hearsay of Pakistani residents in a Court of law. However, that presumption is not absolute, especially in light of the government's history of lies and half-truths in connection with the dissemination of information to the masses.

Therefore, I must examine anything that might lead to admissible evidence such as this witness interview from the BBC stating that the alleged man depicted in the Pentagon/CIA home movies was not even Osama bin Laden.

"His name is Akhbar Khan (Han), He owns the house......I know him very well..."

The above quote begins around the 0:48 second mark if you click the picture above.

Source: BBC

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Releases Radioactive Tritium into Mississippi River

Image Source: Bionerd

(Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license)

Not only is there a record flooding along many parts of the Mississippi River in Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee, there is an additional concern of dealing with a radiation release into the mighty Mississippi - specifically tritium (the radioactive isotope of hydrogen). The Grand Gulf Nuclear Station is responsible for the release.

An unknown amount of radioactive water was released accidentally into the Mississippi River late last week at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station...

...An alarm apparently alerted workers to the presence of tritium, a byproduct of the nuclear reactor processes. The pumps were turned off stopping the flow.

Source: Natchez Democrat

Millions of King Crabs Invade Antarctica!

File photo of a king crab

With this recent invasion of king crabs in Antarctica, I wonder how long before we will see Deadliest Catch: Antarctica!

-- thousands, possibly millions, of king crabs are marching through icy, deep-sea waters and up the Antarctic slope.

"They are coming from the deep, somewhere between 6,000 to 9,000 feet down," said James McClintock, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham Endowed Professor of Polar and Marine Biology.

Source: Science Daily

Uruguay to Legalize Up to Eight (8) Marijuana Plants for Personal Use

Jurisdictions around the world are loosening the legal restrictions on marijuana. Many States in the United States have passed or are considering passing medical marijuana laws. Last year, California even attempted to legalize marijuana for non-medical uses too.

Uruguay is the latest country to jump into the mix by proposing to legalize marijuana. The below quote is from the translated story (via Google Translate), but you can read the original Spanish story here.

The Frente Amplio (FA) agreed a draft law to regulate the use of marijuana. The new text was adjusted between the Movement of Popular Participation (MPP), the Socialist Party and the New Space (NE).

The initiative, to be adopted on Tuesday 26 April by the bench of the FA in the Lower House, allowing the planting, cultivation and harvesting and industrialization and trade up to eight cannabis plants per household.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, "shall include quantity for personal consumption to 25 grams of marijuana," as defined in Article 3 of the bill agreed that El Pais.

Source: El Pais Digital

White Nose Syndrome Found in Kentucky Bat for First Time!

Bats eat millions of pesky insects every year and also help pollinate crops. The loss of bats will cause major issues in the cycle of events - namely in agriculture and pest control. For additional information on white-nose syndrome, check out this Remixx World! article from the April, 2010 archives - White-Nose Syndrome Fungus Kills Ninety Percent (90%) of Bats in Hibernia Mine (New Jersey's Largest Hibernaculum).

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Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet News Release

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources

fw.ky.gov

White-nose Syndrome Confirmed In Kentucky Bat

Apr 13, 2011

Media Contacts:

Sunni L. Carr

Ky. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources

1-800-858-1549

Ann Froschauer
National White-Nose Syndrome Communications Leader
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(413) 253-8356

ann_froschauer@fws.gov

Tom MacKenzie
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

tom_mackenzie@fws.gov

Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/sets/72157626485081164/

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have detected the presence of white-nose syndrome in a bat residing in Trigg County, located in southwest Kentucky.

A suspect little brown bat from a cave in Trigg County, about 30 miles southeast of Paducah, was submitted to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) in Athens, Ga., which confirmed the disease.

White-nose syndrome was first detected in New York state in 2006. It has since killed more than one million cave-dwelling bats in eastern North America. Mortality rates of bats have reached almost 100 percent in multi-year infected caves. With confirmation of the syndrome in Kentucky, a total of 16 states - mostly in the eastern U.S. - and three Canadian provinces have now been confirmed infected.

“This is likely the most significant disease threat to wildlife Kentucky has ever seen”, said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, Dr. Jonathan Gassett. “It would be professionally irresponsible to take no action to stop or slow this disease. Bats are an important part of our natural environment, acting as pollinators and consuming mosquitoes and other insect pests across the landscape. We plan to aggressively manage this threat as it occurs in Kentucky in order to protect and conserve our bat populations.”

Anticipating the arrival of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in Kentucky, biologists have taken exhaustive measures to limit its spread.

“We have had a long-term partnership to address white-nose syndrome in Kentucky since it was first discovered in New York state,” said Mike Armstrong, USFWS Regional WNS Coordinator. “Now that it is confirmed here, we will continue to support the state in their research and management to limit the spread as much as we can.”

WNS is known to be transmitted primarily from bat to bat, but fungal spores may be inadvertently carried to caves by humans on clothing and caving gear. Both state and federal agencies took pro-active measures to limit potential human movement of the disease. These measures included increased education on decontamination procedures, surveillance, monitoring and cave closures on private, state and federal lands. All measures were included in the “Kentucky WNS Response Plan” developed in 2009.

Kentucky was the first state to develop a response plan to address WNS both before and after its arrival in the state.

Almost 100 hibernacula were checked throughout Kentucky during the winter. The Trigg County cave was one of five revisited by scientists upon confirmation of WNS in Ohio. These hibernacula were rechecked due to their known proximity to infected sites in adjacent states. The privately-owned Trigg County cave is used as a hibernaculum by six species, including the endangered Indiana bat, and is a summer roost for the endangered gray bats.

Surrounding caves were checked within a 16-mile radius; no additional infected sites were found. Measures were taken to limit the spread of WNS beyond the Trigg County cave that is regularly used as a hibernaculum by more than 2,000 bats. These included removing and euthanizing 60 highly suspect little brown bats and tri-colored bats, as they were not expected to survive.

Bats collected will be used to provide critical information to researchers. Under the direction of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s veterinarian, Dr. Aaron Hecht, staff from SCWDS collected samples from the bats.

“A better understanding of the disease process will enhance our ability to respond to outbreaks,” said Hecht.

Spores of Geomyces destructans, the fungus associated with WNS, are known to reside in the environment. Physical barriers were strategically affixed within the cave to prevent bats from roosting in areas known to harbor infected individuals. These barriers will not alter the climate or restrict passageways used by bats. Scientists are attempting to reduce the possibility of other bats from coming in direct contact with the fungal spores and becoming infected. White-nose syndrome does not affect people.

Pest-control services provided by insect-eating bats in the United States likely save the U.S. agricultural industry at least $3 billion a year, and yet insectivorous bats are among the most overlooked economically important, non-domesticated animals in North America, according to an analysis published in this week’s Science magazine Policy Forum. (Source: USGS)

For more information about white-Nose syndrome, visit these websites: www.fw.ky.gov

www.fws.gov/WhiteNoseSyndrome

www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/sets/72157626485081164

www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2743

Easter Stabbing at Venice Beach Drum Circle on April 24, 2011

At 3:05 of the above video, some dude says that he used his "wife beater" to save the guy's life who was stabbed. The dude also says that a fight broke out over dancing and that the guy was stabbed in the abdomen.

I have attended the Venice Beach Drum Circle on past Sunday occasions, so if I had been on my skateboard this past Sunday, I might have stopped by. Fortunately, I did not leave my couch, because you never know when you might be collateral damage to some nonsense.

I wonder if this is going to be a wild summer in 90291, because Venice has been seeing a lot of violence in the last few weeks including a shooting.

Source: Yo! Venice

Federal Reserve to Hold Press Conference for First Time Ever!

**UPDATE - April 27, 2011 - I'm dropping a fat update of the below post for today's Federal Reserve press conference including the official media statement, time and place of the press conference. I have not found a direct link to where you can view the press conference, but the press release says that Fed's statement will not be released until 12:30pm, so perhaps a video link will be active at that time.

For immediate release
Chairman Ben S. Bernanke will hold press briefings four times per year to present the Federal Open Market Committee's current economic projections and to provide additional context for the FOMC's policy decisions.

In 2011, the Chairman's press briefings will be held at 2:15 p.m. (Eastern) following FOMC decisions scheduled on April 27, June 22 and November 2. The briefings will be broadcast live on the Federal Reserve's website. For these meetings, the FOMC statement is expected to be released at around 12:30 p.m., one hour and forty-five minutes earlier than for other FOMC meetings.

The introduction of regular press briefings is intended to further enhance the clarity and timeliness of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy communication. The Federal Reserve will continue to review its communications practices in the interest of ensuring accountability and increasing public understanding.

**

I wonder what piece of news the Federal Reserve will reveal on April 27. It must be important, because this will be the first time that the Federal Reserve has ever held a press conference in its history. Will Bernanke announce the end of the dollar? The IMF is taking control of the Federal Reserve? The United States has defaulted on its debts? The Federal Reserve will keep printing as much money as it wants? Your guess is as good as mine.

For the first time for a Federal Reserve chief, after the next Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday, Chairman Ben Bernanke will hold a press conference to review the bank's latest maneuver, which may be the least surprising part of the show.

Source: UPI.com

Gophers Believed to Have Breached Canal Bank That Flooded Manchester Park Subdivision in Idaho

Please note that it has not been confirmed with certainty that gophers are indeed the cause of the breach. Click the following link for the official press release or read below. No word whether the line art drawing of the gopher below resembles the actual alleged gophers in question.

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MEDIA STATEMENT

Pioneer Irrigation District

3804 Lake Avenue, Caldwell, ID 83605

TEL: (208) 459-3617

www.pioneerirrigation.com

Regarding the Breach of the Phyllis Canal

For Immediate Use For Media Information Contact:

Caldwell, Idaho

April 13, 2011

Mark Zirschky

While our research results regarding the breach of the Phyllis Canal at Manchester Park subdivision are preliminary at this time, and our investigation continues; we have found evidence of gopher holes in the area of the breach and believe that caused the ultimate collapse of the canal bank.

We have found fresh gopher holes since yesterday in the area of the breach, and crews are working to fix the problem and insure the stability of the canal bank.

While our investigation does continue, at this point it appears that gophers are the major culprit.

- End -

Shooting at Venice Beach Boardwalk on Ocean Front Walk

I am usually skateboarding down at the Venice Beach boardwalk, but fortunately, I didn't do so this evening. Otherwise, I might have seen the shooting down there or even been a part of some collateral damage. One alleged witness said the following:

My husband and I were at the skatepark when all of a sudden we saw hundreds of people running away from OFW. It looked like a human tsunami. People were screaming and running from the plaza area, running north along OFW, onto the grass and towards the sand. It was very scary. I've never seen anything like it before.

Per Yo! Venice, there was a fight near 17th Street on Ocean Front Walk that ended with shots and a dude being hit.

Source: Yo! Venice Forums

Wyoming Will Aerial Spray Insecticide to Kill Looming Grasshopper Invasion

Remixx World! follows grasshopper stories. I covered them last year and I will continue covering grasshoppers as long as I am writing this blog. For past grasshopper stories there are links at the bottom of this article for a handy reference guide.

Now, back to the story.

Grasshoppers are set to invade the West just like they did in 2010. Wyoming is one State predicting such as invasion and is planning to spend millions of dollars fighting the 'hoppers.

Last year they invaded northeast Wyoming...

...Laramie County Weed and Pest Control District officials are preparing to sign up landowners for aerial spraying with an insecticide to kill the hungry pests...

Source: The Billings Gazette

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Wyoming is not the only State where there is a grasshopper concern. Please see the USDA/South Dakota document Grasshopper Outlook on the Rangelands: 2011 or below.

Grasshopper Outlook on Rangelands 2011


1. Grasshopper Infestation Swarm Could Destroy Western USA Crops (March 31, 2010);

2. America's Western States Poised for Worst Grasshopper Swarms in Thirty (30) Years (June 2, 2010);

3. Montana Faces Worst Grasshopper Infestation in Twenty-Five (25) Years (July 26, 2010)