Toy recall
WLOSers said Mattell said that toy recall could get even bigger. More than 18 million toys have been recalled because of lead paint used on some and because somme have magnets that can be choke hazards.
WLOSers interviewed a local family who said they took the day off to sort through toys. What was sad was the million toys the single child had. It was disgusting. The real problem is over-indulgent parents who give their kids millions of useless toys!
It’s hot outside
Here’s the inane angle WLOSers came up with – the steel and plastic at playgrounds can be really hot for young butts, so parents should be careful.
WLOSers started asking parents if playgrounds should be covered, and guess what, parents on hot playgrounds said yes, this stuff should be covered. Give us a frackin’ break. If it’s too hot, don’t send your kid down a 100-degree slide! But WLOSers took it another step, and called around to parks and rec departments, asking if there were any plans to put canopies up over playground sets. Everybody said no, no plans to cover playgrounds.
In other heat-related news, farmers are battling the heat. Jeremy Butterfield said the hot weather, combined with the Easter freeze and drought conditions, are hurting crop yields.
Hunting bears at DuPont State Forest
Sheraldo went out to DuPont State Forest and talked to people about the forest service allowing bear hunting in the popular area. Most visitors said they’d probably stay away when the bear hunters were out.
Sheraldo told us that bear, deer and wild hogs will be hunted by two groups of 10 hunters each on three weekends this fall. Sheraldo didnt explain why this decision had been made. It will be hunting by permit only, and “safety zones” where hunters won’t be allowed will be clearly marked.
A forest service official said people visiting during the hunting periods should wear bright colors.
Dead animals dumped
Holly Headrick said dead animals are being dumped in Sandy Mush, including a 400-pound pig. “What we saw was disgusting,” Holly said, pulling no punches. She didn’t bring us video of the giant pig, which a DOT crew used to move out of a stream and bury, but she did show us a rotting goat.
Holly reminded us that in 2005, WLOSers did a story about deer carcasses wrapped in plastic bags being dumped in the same area. Residents want a camera installed to catch who’s dumping the bodies.
Faces of Asheville artist robbed
WLOSers ripped off a story first reported on the MountainX blogs – Jenny Bowen, the artist behind the Faces of Asheville photo project, was robbed of her camera and a hard drive containing most of her photos. She just wants the photos back.
In other news…
A motorcycle hit a tree and the drive was thrown. It happened on Gap Creek Road in Fairview. No word on the condition of the driver… Also, the Asheville Rotary is still looking for WWII veterans interested in a trip to Washington to see the World War II Monument there. The Honor Air flight is set for Sept. 29.