Lake Erie burps and nearby residents smell it
Friday, September 30, 2005
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05273/580563.stm
AP
ERIE, Pa. -- State and federal environmental officials are trying to determine the cause of a big stink reported along Lake Erie.
Hundreds of residents called authorities or the National Weather Service yesterday to report the smell, which has been variously described as like gasoline, natural gas or even decaying garbage and rotten eggs. The smell was strongest yesterday morning when a cold front swept through the area, churning up larger than normal waves from Erie to Dunkirk, N.Y., officials said.
Scientists said tests run so far aren't conclusive, but they believe the churning waters may have released some naturally occurring gases that are normally trapped beneath the lake's deeper waters. Decaying plants and fish washed ashore by the waves could also be contributing to the stench.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection biologist Jim Grazio said the wave-churning theory makes sense because the smell lessened when the waves diminished.
"It's like the lake burped, and then the burp passed by us," Grazio said.
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Colonoscopes stolen from Armstrong hospital
Friday, September 30, 2005
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05273/580562.stm
AP
Four colonoscopes were stolen recently from Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, a theft that one law enforcement official says is likely driven by a big overseas market.
"If you go on the Web and type in 'used endoscopes' or 'used colonoscopes,' you'll find dozens of suppliers selling used equipment," said State College police Det. Ralph Ralston. "It's kind of bizarre."
State police in Kittanning announced yesterday that they were investigating last weekend's theft from Armstrong County Memorial Hospital in East Franklin Township, about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh. The devices, worth $103,680 total, are used to examine the human colon.
"We're mystified by it ourselves," said Bud Mitchell, the hospital's director of facilities management.
Meanwhile, Ralston has been investigating the theft of two colonoscopes, worth a combined $46,700, from the Mount Nittany Medical Center since July.
"There aren't any leads to go on," Ralston said.
The medical devices, which sell for $25,000 new, can be purchased for as little as $4,000 on some Web sites. Ralston said some used equipment sites let hospitals and others enter information about stolen equipment so it can be identified if somebody tries to sell it through those sites.
The Armstrong County units were discovered missing at the beginning of Monday's daylight shift, when patients began showing up for colonoscopies. The hospital had other colonoscopes and the procedures were performed as scheduled, but hospital officials immediately began a department-by-department search for the equipment because of its value, Mitchell said.
"Later the same day, we called the police, once we felt there was some foul play there," Mitchell said. The hospital is mulling offering a reward. State police said they have no leads.