German Gas Mask

Store clerk in Statesville shot by man in Spider Man mask

31.12.69

Two men with masks -- one of them wearing a Spider Man mask -- walked into a gas station in Statesville early Thursday morning and one of them used a revolver to shoot the clerk, just missing an artery, city police said.

The shooting happened just before 1:30 a.m. at the Kangaroo Express gas station, which fronts Safriet Loop at its intersection with East Broad Street, said Statesville Police Department Sgt. Dan Miglin

"The whole thing took about five seconds," Miglin said. "The quick version of the story is they walked in, immediately saw the clerk and then shot him. Then they turned around and left."

The clerk, Eugene Cintron McClain, was fortunate that the bullet went through the his pants and grazed his inner thigh about an inch from his femoral artery.

Source: Winston-Salem Journal

Canada eyes mask-wearing demonstrators

31.12.69

Alberta Conservative Member of Parliament Blake Richards announced his private member's bill Sunday that could result in five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000 for a rioter caught wearing a mask.

Beginning in June 2010 when masked rioters breaking from a demonstration against a Group of 20 summit in Toronto torched and smashed the downtown core, demonstrations have increasingly turned violent.

Last June, masked rioters led an alcohol-fuelled crowd of thousands on a rampage that caused millions of dollars in damages in Vancouver after the hometown Canucks lost the Stanley Cup.

Source: UPI.com

Local veterans give reading at the Mill

31.12.69

When the University of Iowa Power Plant whistle sounds at 8 a.m., Ted John still reaches for his gas mask.

The sound reminds him of the warning signal that told troops a missile was coming in when he served as part of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield.

Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder is something John had to face in order to move on with his life once he was sent back to the United States.

"It's manageable," John said. "I wouldn't say I'm better, but I'm able to function now."

Writing is one of the outlets that helps him reflect on his difficult experiences during the war.

Source: UI The Daily Iowan