Well! That's refreshing!

Upon browsing the news this morning, I came across this edition of "Watter's World" on the Fox News website.
He is talking to a handful of college students who did or are spending their spring break helping rebuild a community in WV, rather than go to the party town beach with their classmates and friends.

If you recall, large portions of southern West Virginia were devastated last year by massive flash flooding that was almost unprecedented.  Many, many communities suffered extensive damage that will take years from which to recover, if ever.

Kudos to you kids.  Perhaps there is some hope in the upcoming generation.

  

Fishing expedition?

Those in the eastern panhandle of WV, NVA or southern PA that are attuned to the shooting sports are likely familiar with (in name, at least) Peacemaker National Training Center.

Peacemaker has a lawsuit against them regarding excessive noise.  On the surface, it sounds like just a pain-in-the-butt type of lawsuit.  However, the plaintiff has filed for information in discovery that involves private information on pretty much anyone that has ever been there, including law enforcement and military personnel.

I really have to wonder what the true agenda of this lawsuit is.  The West Virginia Citizens Defense League is involved as well on behalf of Peacemaker.  
Below is the press release from Peacemaker;

PNTC Members and Customers,
We would like to thank each of you for being members and customers of PNTC and we look forward to your continued support and use of the complex. We cannot stress enough how much we appreciate and need your continued support.
We feel compelled inform our members and customers regarding a recent court ruling related to PNTC’s private customer information. Specifically, a resident of Virginia has filed a nuisance complaint against PNTC alleging that noise from operation of the shooting range is a nuisance, and therefore interferes with his property rights. This complaint was filed in Berkeley County Circuit Court and is before Circuit Court Judge Grey Silver, styled Ben and Diane Goldstein v. Peacemaker Properties, LLC and Peacemaker National Training Center, LLC, Civil Action No. 15- C-520. Court documents filed in the case are public record and may be reviewed through the Circuit Clerk’s office.
Although our legal team pointed out that Berkeley County, WV specifically exempts shooting ranges from their noise ordinance and prevents nuisance claims against shooting ranges, the complaint was filed and not dismissed by the court. You may also access the Berkeley County Noise Ordinance at this link: http://www.berkeleycountycomm.org/docs/ordinances/amendnoiseord0409.pdf
Despite numerous motions and requests to reconsider, and numerous mediation efforts with the plaintiff, the court has ordered PNTC to produce the below documents and other private records under a “Protective Order.” Under this order, the plaintiffs and their counsel are legally permitted to access the following information:

• -  All member files
  
• -  All waivers from any person who has accessed PNTC, to include all law enforcement,
  federal agency personnel, military personnel and foreign military personnel names
  
• -  All shooting competition files and lists
  
• -  All training information and lists
  
• -  All customer waivers
  
• -  Identities of all persons who have used PNTC ranges
  
• -  All ATF & NFA records (to include Forms 4473 and ATF bound book information)
  Unfortunately, PNTC is unable to answer additional questions or comment on this matter at this time. Please know that we have done everything in our power to protect your private information, but we must comply with the court order.
  Again, we look forward to seeing you soon and thank you for your support and understanding.
  Thank You,
  Cole McCulloch – President Peacemaker National Training Center
  

The snow hath come

We almost made it through this winter without any appreciable snowfall.  We had a few quick moving storms that gave us a heavy dusting, but nothing to really speak about.
Even this Nor'easter wasn't really much in the grand scheme of things.  Not that I'm complaining.  I still well remember the 3+ feet of snow we had last year and what a pain that was for our county's emergency services.  My department's 6x brush truck (with all wheels chained) and our utility truck with plow and all 4 wheels chained were some of the few vehicles getting around in that mess.

This storm dropped around 6-8 inches on the frozen surfaces.  Not so much stayed on the ground and paved areas as the ground temps were still pretty warm from the mild weather.  The snow I cleared from the driveway was probably around 4-5" deep with a slushy base.

The snowing is now pretty much over and the wind is picking up.  I'm a little surprised at how much the snow is blowing and drifting given how wet it was.  Should make for some dicey road conditions tonight when the temps drop.

Sure is pretty, though!