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SEATTLE — As the toll of the tornadoes and storms that pounded the south this week becomes clearer and images continue to roll in, Seattle residents with ties to the area are still trying to get in touch with loved ones.

We noticed Jennifer Cashman, a West Seattle resident from Tuscaloosa, tracking the storm through her Twitter feed. Her father still lives in Tuscaloosa, and she warned him about the storm.

I just couldnt take my eyes off of it; it was so big, she said.

Tornadoes left paths of destruction through Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama on Wednesday and Thursday.

I dont recognize it; its gone, Cashman said of Tuscaloosa. What makes me really sad (is) I cant tell where theyre at (because of all the devastation).

On Thursday, she was still trying to connect with some friends in the area.

Thousands have been left homeless, and as traditional forms of communication have broken down, people have turned to social media to try to get in touch with friends and family.

Im stuck in my house, Cashman said, quoting what one of her friends posted on Facebook.

It seems if they couldnt text or call, they could (post to) Facebook, Cashman said.

Dana Lewis, another Alabama native now living in Seattle, wrote in a Facebook note on the storm that, Social media saved the lives of people who wouldnt otherwise have been alerted to get out of the path of the storm and inside to safety. As the storms passed, and people emerged, Facebook became the go-to resource to check on the well-being of friends and family, and to help get out the word for people who need to be found.

Editors note: Lewis emphasis in bold.

A Facebook page has been set up for found pictures and documents that were strewn about by the tornado, and some are also using it to try to find people.

Tuscaloosanews.com also has a people finder set up on its website.

More than 200 people were killed in Alabama alone and the numbers have been climbing all week.

It was like a locomotive train, Linda Jackson, a Tuscaloosa resident, told CNN of the tornado. Everything kept cracking, and popping and blowing — it was like a locomotive train shaking the house.

Jackson and her family hid in closets in her home and when they eventually headed back outside, people were screaming, and hollering and crying. People were dead; we lost everything, as well, she said.

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Photo by Bob Fowler // Buy this photo

TVA electrical engineer Ralph D. Boroughs plugs in a Chevrolet Volt at one of four charging stations at Melton Hill Dam Sustainable Recreation Area, showcased Friday, April 22, 2011. Behind him is a solar flair with solar panels that track the sun and produce electricity.

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Jamestown Sun

Dakota Recreation Report

April 29, 2011

Patricia Stockdill

Outdoor Notes:

Sunday: Paddlefish season opens.

May 15: Spring turkey season closes.

Tournaments:

May 6: Missouri River, Rifle Range.

May 7: Missouri River, Marina Bay: Lake Elsie.

Fishing:

Devils Lake elevation, April 27: 1,453.41 feet above mean sea level (msl).

Stump Lake elevation, April 27: 1,452.85 msl.

Lake Sakakawea elevation, April 27: 1,846.6 msl; 15,000 cubic feet per second average Garrison Dam daily releases.

ND Game Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: Many lakes south of Interstate-94 have open water with more ice the farther north an angler goes. Some smaller southeastern rivers are starting to see some angling activity with the Wild River kicking out some nice walleye in some areas. The drawback is many Richland and Sargent county roads remain marginal at best. Devils Lake remains slow for walleye and northern pike. Missouri River slow for walleye. Some activity along the east end embankment on Lake Audubon. Lake Sakakawea has some shore-fishing activity around Wolf Creek. Look for northern pike activity to start soon.

Coal Mine Lake, Anamoose: Access remains challenging but look for improving northern pike success.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Tackle, Devils Lake: Lots of northern pike and walleye activity in the feeder coulees north of Devils Lake. Try plastics from shore. Lake remains iced over with limited open water along the shorelines.

Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Work just about any feeder coulee and creek going into Devils Lake for walleye and northern pike. Try casting jigs with twister tails or crankbaits. The lake remains iced-over.

Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Lots of runoff coming into Devils Lake feeder creeks and coulees with fair to good walleye success.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Feeder creeks and channels going into Devils Lake remain good for northern pike and walleye. Devils Lake remains iced-over. Take waders, if possible.

Goose Lake, Harvey: Fair to good for northern pike.

Harvey Dam, Harvey: Fair for northern pike.

Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Good numbers of anglers working the James River along various bridges. The reservoir remains iced over with no activity.

Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Use caution around any of the bridges on the James River with flooding. Lots of water being released from the dam so river is running high downstream. The reservoir has open water. Fishing is limited in general due to high water. Anglers are trying small area lakes where access is available.

Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lake Ashtabula is above pool yet but look for it to start dropping soon. No fishing activity yet with docks out of the water until the lake drops. The lake is ice-free.

Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait Tackle, Garrison: Lake Sakakawea shoreline starting to open as water levels rise but not enough for shore-fishing in many areas. Missouri River starting to produce an evening walleye bite in the tailrace and wing walls. No reports from Lake Audubon.

Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait Tackle, Pick City: A few more anglers trying open shoreline areas of Lake Sakakawea for northern pike using herring. Also try casting rattling, jointed or flashy crankbaits. Missouri River tailrace remains fair to good in the morning or evening using minnows or nightcrawlers from boats. Also try casting crankbaits from shore off the rocks or jigging from the wing walls but the time of day seems to be key to success.

Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Missouri River starting to clear with more anglers working from Fox Island to the north. Try smaller Gulp minnows or minnows on long leaders. Also try light jigs. Look for improving northern pike activity in areas with flowing water in creeks. Try casting spoons or bobber fishing from shore.

Red River, River Keepers, Fargo: Recreational boating remains prohibited on the Red River. Be sure to wear lifejackets when necessary boat travel is necessary with exceptionally cold water conditions.

Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No activity.

Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Most ice is gone from the reservoir and the dam has minimal releases.

Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No activity.

Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: No reports.

Turkey hunting:

Southeastern ND: Many hunters are reporting that gobblers are starting to show more action towards calling. Look for continued improving success as the season progresses.

North Dakota river levels and streamflow, April 27:

Baldhill Creek, Dazey gage: Creek stage, 9.16 feet; streamflow, 830 cubic feet per second (cfs).

James River, Jamestown gage: River stage, 11.48 feet; streamflow, 1,730 cfs.

James River, Grace City gage: Streamflow, 1,980 cfs.

Pipestem Creek, Pingree gage: Creek stage, 9.62 feet; streamflow, 926 cfs.

Red River, Fargo gage: River stage, 31.73 feet.

Sheyenne River, Cooperstown gage: River stage, 19.2 feet.

Sheyenne River, Valley City gage: Streamflow, 6,210 cfs.

Sharp-tailed grouse observation blinds. Call for free reservations:

–Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, Pingree, 285-3341.

–J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, Upham, 768-2548.

–Lonetree WMA, Harvey, 324-2211.

–Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Moffit, 387-4397.

Numbers to know:

ND Game Fish Department, main Bismarck office: 328-6300; Web site: (http://gf.nd.gov).

ND Game Fish Department, Jamestown office: 253-6480.

RAP, Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.

Tags:
getting outside,outdoors,hunting,fishing,recreation

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In a half-hour-long meeting, the Greater Vallejo Recreation District board quietly voted Thursday to push back a proposed parcel tax election to 2012, and close its controversial Glen Cove Nature Center during construction.

The parcel tax measure had been contemplated for as early as August, utilizing mail-in ballots.

Board Chairman Gary Salvadori said August was way too fast to put the election together.

I dont think theres any doubt that we want to do this, we have to do this, he said.

GVRD General Manager Shane McAffee said the special district, which is independent from the city, has seen a 40 percent drop in revenue in recent years, and is already relying this year on a reserve fund.

We cannot continue to operate at that level, Salvadori said, decrying ongoing deferred facility and equipment maintenance. Things will have to significantly change, one way or another.

McAffee said the district is may need to ask voters to agree to an annual $36 to $48 tax per parcel to support the district.

A mail-ballot election, which could allow GVRDs tax measure to stand alone, could cost anywhere between an estimated $275,000 to $500,000, according to a GVRD consultant. Joining with existing ballot measures for a primary or general election might cost as little as $100,000, he added.

The board also passed, without discussion, a resolution to fence off the Glen Cove Nature Area, also known as the Glen Cove Waterfront Park, during

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PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former media mogul Conrad Black has sold his oceanfront Palm Beach mansion for more than $23 million.

County records show a deed for the sale was recorded Thursday. The Palm Beach Daily News quoted a real estate agent as saying a California family bought the property. Black paid $9.9 million for it in 1997.

The house has over 21,000 square feet and boasts a tunnel to the beach.

Black is the Canadian-born former chairman of the Hollinger International media company who was convicted in 2007 of defrauding investors and served two years of a 6½-year sentence. He was freed on $2 million bail pending outcome of his appeals.

An appeals court tossed out some of his convictions and Black faces a June 24 resentencing date for convictions that were upheld.

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Not that its any surprise, but the UK media sites shone brightest. A bit more surprising was which end of that media spectrum: Just as no one throws a royal wedding better than the British upper-class, nobody mixes dishy gossip with sentimental hokum better than the lowbrow British tabloids. Their exploitation of Princess Di who many believe was chased to her death by the paparazzi was all forgotten in the days glow.

• PHOTOS: The royal wedding in pictures
• BLOG: Relive the royal wedding
• THE DRESS: Kates gown wows
• GUEST LIST: A look at whos who

At least for today, her Wills and Harry were the kingdoms beloved hometown boys. The Mirror (mirror.co.uk), The Daily Mail (dailymail.co.uk) and The Sun (thesun.co.uk) made you tear up looking at Dis little sons, all grown-up and so handsome. Then they made you laugh with headlines like Weddy, steady, go! a couple hours before the ceremony.

Again less than surprisingly, The Irish Times (irishtimes.com) took a more restrained and disapproving tone, discussing the display of monarchist pomp and pageantry. Its focus wasnt hats but history: A series of scandals involving senior royals, Britains economic difficulties and Dianas death in 1997 aged 36 in a car crash after her divorce from Prince Charles led many to question the future of an institution rooted in the imperial past.

Many readers posts on The Times of India website (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) made it crystal-clear that the Irish are not alone in recalling the glory days of the British Empire far less fondly than the folks back home. And down under, Australian Geoffrey Robertson in TheSydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au) begins a piece with Its incredible that this mediaeval nonsense still applies in Australia referring to the British monarchy. Then he starts quoting American revolutionary Thomas Paine.

Back in the USA, Kate n Will coverage ranged from fawning to moderate to entertainingly snarky. Major American media, including NYTimes.com and CNN.com, trod the middle ground as if they were wearing the Queens sensible shoes. They covered the royal nuptials completely, but without going gaga or posting banner headlines. Their coverage was meat and potatoes (or, more appropriately, shepherds pie). For People.com, however, it looked more like its bread-and-butter, taking its slogan Everything Royals seriously. While lots of sites posted photos of the wedding (and annoying video clips that took forever to load), People went into total royal image overload.

The Huffington Post played both sides. On one hand, they posted such factoids as 85 percent of more than 15,000 respondents to a Huff Post Facebook poll said they dont care about the royal wedding, followed by breathless breaking-news alerts like Kate Middletons Wedding Dress amp; Designer REVEALED!

And for the hard-hearted cynics left behind by TV commentators caught up in the royal rapture (Your passport, Ms. Walters!), snarky blogs such as Gawker.com offered a change of pace by pointing out that Prince William might be charming but why no Rogaine for his bald spot?

In the end, the British tabloid Sun put it best: What a Kate Day!

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