Odd News: Two Los Angeles Students Lose Fingers in Tug--OF-War

Photo by Craig Marren

It turns out that tug - of - war can be a dangerous game.

Los Angeles - On Monday two high school students, boy and a girl lost their fingers while participating in a tug - of -war game during lunchtime at El Monte High school, officials told Reuters.   

The students were competing  against each other and somehow the rope snapped amputating the fingers of two students. Los Angeles County supervising fire dispatcher, Eddie Pickett told NBC News that a male student lost four fingers on his right hand while a female student lost four fingers on her right hand and a thumb on her left hand.  However, CBS News reports that the girl lost three fingers on her right hand and two fingers on her left hand.  

According to CBS News the student were identified by their classmates as Edith Rodrigues and Pablo Ocegueda.  Both victims are under the age of 18.

Both teenagers undergone hours of surgery but there is no information at this time whether the doctors were able to reattach the fingers.  

Nick J. Salerno, El Monte Union High School District Superintendent said "I've never heard of anything like this happening…..It's unbelievable to me , it's shocking."  

However, the accidents like this happened before.  In Minnesota a girl lost four finger during a tug - of - war game in 2008.  The fingers were still attached by tendons and were successfully reattached.

In Colorado, two high school students had their right hands partially severed during a  tug - of - war at pep rally in 2007.






 Sources:  Reuters, NBC News, CBS News, Fox8

The Best Places to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Los Angeles

Scott's Photo stream

              
The Mardi Gras weekend is quickly approaching and if you are still looking for places to celebrate, here is a list of free events in Los Angeles area that entire family can enjoy.    

Farmers Market in Hollywood will be holding  a family friendly Mardi Gras event this weekend. The party will kick off on Friday evening and run through the weekend. The celebration will include Mutti Gras Pet Parade and costume contest, arts, crafts, strolling parade bands,  face painting and thousands of beads.  

Scott's Photo Stream

A huge Mardi Gras party is going to take place in Long Beach at Shoreline Village on Saturday the 9th.  This community event is free and offers a fun day with live entertainment, Second - Line Parade, art and costume contest for children and adults.  

Scott's Photo Stream

On Fat Tuesday, February the 12th, the best places to go for Mardi Gras celebration are  Amoeba Music Store and Olvera Street.  Both venues are free.  At Olvera Street the celebration will start at 9am with Mexican and Caribbean music and continue with parades, burning of a "Bad Spirits" (El Mal),  Children's Carnival, the crowning of Miss Olvera Street and a lot of fun family activities.   

At Amoeba Music Store in Hollywood, the celebration will start at 2pm with DJs spinning New Orleans music and annual Second - Line Parade.  

Scott's Photo Stream

Soledad Corona Evicted by Bank of America for a Second Time

This is an update on  Soledad Corona's reoccupied house story:

On January 18, Friday afternoon, Mrs.  Corona, a single mother of teenage daughter was locked out of her house by Los Angeles Police Department without prior notice.  Mrs. Corona said that she was in Orange County on Friday afternoon and her daughter, Victoria, was at home alone.  Police officers came into the house and escorted a teenager out on the street.  LAPD officers acted upon request of Bank of America to lock Soledad Corona out of her home.  A fence around the house was build and the locks were changed later on that day.  Both, a mother and a daughter were left out on the streets  without any personal belongings including cloth and medicine.  

On January 22, Tuesday morning Mrs. Corona and her supporters,  including OFF activists appeared in court in front of judge.  Prior to the court hearing, OFF activist Carlos Marroquin said: "We are trying to see if we could get some kind of ruling so Soledad Corona can go back to her house ….we'll see what happens here.  Me personally, i don't think the judge will want to make a decision because there was already an eviction notice that it was acted on .  We may not have positive outcomes here except for the fact that they may allow her (Mrs. Corona) to go get some of her property…." .

Video reportage by Patti Beers

OFF activist Carlos Marroquin speaks to the press

prior to court hearing.

It appears that Mr. Marroquin was rights predicting the outcomes of the court hearing.  Lenore Albert, Mrs. Corona's attorney, said that the judge did not think that there was an emergency to make a decision and determine whether Bank of America acted according to the law or not.  However, judge gave Mrs. Corona a permission to go back in a house and get some of her belongings.

Later on that Tuesday, neighbors, supporters, OLA and OFF activists gathered together for a Candle Light Vigil event to honor Soledad Corona's family.  Mrs. Corona said that she is thankful to Occupy for all the help and support they provided to her during those hard times.  "The fight is not over yet.   I have another court day on February 8 and a hope is always there"  Mrs. Corona added.

Mrs. Corona's belongings outside her house

Mrs. Corona's locked up house after second eviction.

Mrs. Corona's neighbors help to move Mrs. Corona's belongings. 

Candle Light Vigil at Corona's house

Mrs. Corona (middle) and two OLA activists hold their candles during Candle Light Vigil event.

The sign and candles at Corona's house.

John Romero light candles at a Candle Light Vigil event at Corona's house.

OLA activists, Brian Connolly (AKA "Nowhere Man"), holds a candle at Candle Light Vigil event.

Related Stories:

Occupy Fights Foreclosure Group Reoccupies Foreclosed House

Free Hot Dog Event at Casita Sol Corona