MAP SPY

Joplin Devistated by F5 Tornado

2011-05-22T21:04:00.000-04:00

Major destruction from a huge tornado has leveled parts of Joplin the evening of Sunday the 22nd. First responders are dealing with mass destruction, fires, gas leaks, and multiple fatalities. Officials are having difficulty dealing with the magnitude of the situation.

Man is told to destroy his motel room in elaborate phone prank

2010-11-24T21:15:00.001-05:00

View Motel 6 in a larger map
Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Motel 6 on Jones Road on Sunday night after a guest nearly smashed a hole through to an adjacent room with a wrench, saying later that a man who called his room told him to free a little person trapped there.

At about 11 p.m., a hotel worker called authorities, reporting that she responded to the room after guests complained about noise. When she arrived at the room, she found a guest destroying his room with a wrench in his hand, according to an incident report.

The man later told deputies that he was sleeping when his room phone rang. The male caller, who claimed to be management with the hotel, told the man a previous guest had placed highly sophisticated cameras in the room, but not to bother looking for them. The caller told the man to unplug the TV, which the man did. He then said to remove the back toilet cover and smash the TV, which the guest also did. When the TV didn’t break, the caller told the man to throw the TV outside, and the man complied, the report states.

At some point, the guest gave the caller his cell phone number so the guest wouldn’t have to keep running back to the landline. The caller then reportedly told the man to smash the room’s mirrors, after which the guest grabbed a wrench and began breaking the mirrors. According to the report, the caller then gave the guest an “elaborate story” in which a 4-foot, 3-inch person was barricaded in the adjacent room, and the police needed the guest’s help to free the smaller man. The guest began breaking through the sheetrock with his wrench, stopping short after realizing that if he created a hole, someone on the other side would see him, the report states.

The motel employee arrived at the room, saw the scene and called deputies. No charges were filed. The employee told deputies she did not hold the guest responsible, but she wanted him to leave.

7.7 Magnitude strikes Sumatra

2010-04-06T19:31:00.000-04:00

This is becoming the year of the earthquake.

View 7.7 Magnitude in a larger map

Jogger had no clue he was about to die

2010-03-16T21:55:00.002-04:00

A jogger on a quiet beach in South Carolina had no idea that he was in the direct path of an emergency landing. In an unusual accident the pilot had his vision obstructed by fluids on his windscreen, the jogger had his hearing diminished because of music playing is his headphones. The jogger was struck from behind and killed on impact. The pilot and his passenger were not injured in the incident. The airplane was a Lancair IV-P high performance full composite aircraft with retracting landing gear. The Lancair is able to fly at 29,000 feet with it's pressurized cabin. The aircraft is capable of flying at 330mph. The owner had little to say about the situation.
View Jogger Killed by airplane in a larger map

In Chile a 6.7 Magnitude earthquake is just an aftershock

2010-03-15T22:55:00.000-04:00

As the aftershocks continued in Chile this week, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck on March 15th. Anywhere else on earth a 6.7 magnitude earthquake would be a large one.

View 6.7 magnitude aftershock in a larger map

Shootout at Pentagon Metro Station

2010-03-04T19:54:00.000-05:00

Two police officers were injured by a gunman firing shots outside the Pentagon tonight. Hundreds of employees there were ordered to go into "Code Red" -- the entire building locked down, with no one allowed to enter or leave.

ABC's Steven Portnoy reported that Pentagon police had a suspect in custody. ABC's Martha Raddatz reported that three ambulances were on the scene, and all parking lots at the massive Defense Department headquarters were closed off.

The shooting occurred at the Pentagon Metro Station, which is just outside the Pentagon's main entrance.

The shots were fired at about 6:30 p.m. ET.

Pentagon Police spokesman Chris Layman told ABC News the initial report was that two police officers were shot. But local television station WUSA reported three people were injured. Two were taken to George Washington Hospital in Washington, the station said.

"All I know right now is that there was a shooting. We believe two officers, police officers, were hit. And I believe we have one person in custody," Layman told ABC News.

"Metro is locked down until further notice," Pentagon police said in a message over the building's intercom.

Some witnesses reported hearing gunshots being fired in the station and people screaming.

View Untitled in a larger map

8.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Chile

2010-02-27T10:34:00.001-05:00

One of the largest recorded earthquakes has struck off the coast of Chile.

View Larger Map

Sea World Trainer attacked by Killer Whale "Shamu"

2010-02-24T19:28:00.002-05:00

A 40-year-old female trainer was killed Wednesday by a killer whale at SeaWorld in Orlando Florida, a public information officer for the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. The trainer was introducing the show when one of the whales attacked. The show was immediately evacuated and Orange County authorities were called to the scene.

In 2006 a trainer was injured at SeaWorld Adventure Park after a killer whale grabbed him and twice held him underwater during a show.

View Sea World Accident in a larger map

6.7 Earthquake Strikes Russia

2010-02-17T20:43:00.008-05:00

An earthquake has struck an area near the Russia, China, North Korea Borders.

View Larger Map

Colorado Springs Can't Afford to Waste Electricity

2010-02-16T20:12:00.000-05:00

As a cost-saving measure, Colorado Springs, Colorado is turning off most of its streetlights. This is expected to save $1.2 million in electricity bills. NRR has reported this as a terrible circumstance of budget shortfalls. MapSpy sees a few positives. Less demand for coal to produce electricity is good for our environment. The reduction in light pollution will make Colorado Springs a destination for star gazers.

Climber Falls Into Mount St. Helens Crater

2010-02-15T21:14:00.006-05:00

A 52 year old climber fell 1500 feet to his death into the Mount St. Helens Crater.

View Climber falls into crater in a larger map

Man saved by webcam

2010-02-15T16:35:00.000-05:00

A woman watching the sunset on a web cam overlooking the North Sea in northern Germany spotted a man who was lost on the frozen ice and probably saved his life by alerting authorities.
The man had climbed over pack ice to photograph a sunset near the town of St. Peter-Ording, then became disoriented on the ice. When he was unable to locate the beach, the man began using his camera to flash for help. That got the attention of a woman hundreds of miles away who was watching the sunset on her computer. The woman contacted local police, who located the man's flashes and guided him to shore by flashing headlights.

View Man saved by web cam in a larger map

Pennsylvania Ice Rink Roof Collapses

2010-02-14T20:49:00.003-05:00

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area Ice Rink roof partially collapsed while the ice was being resurfaced during a youth hockey tournament. No injuries were reported.

View Ice Rink Collapase in a larger map

Kite Boarder Attacked by Sharks

2010-02-14T10:30:00.001-05:00

A south Florida man was attacked by sharks in the waters off of Stuart Florida. A lifeguard pulled Stephen Schafer, 38 500 yards to Stuart beach. Schafer died from the attack at hospital.

View Kite Boarder Attacked By Sharks in a larger map

Earthquake Shakes Chicago

2010-02-10T07:14:00.001-05:00

A revised 3.8 magnitude earthquake hit 48 miles north west of Chicago. Residents were jolted awake at 4 a.m. In April 2008 a 5.2 quake hit the region.

View Chicago Earthquake in a larger map

California Mudslides Damage Homes

2010-02-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

A heavy rainstorm has triggered a major mudslide along Ocean View Boulevard in the La Cañada Flintridge. Of the reported 43 mud-damaged homes in La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta, nine were red-tagged, meaning entry was temporarily prohibited. In addition, 25 vehicles were damaged.
View La Canada Flintridge Mudslide in a larger map

Power Plant Explodes

2010-02-07T12:45:00.004-05:00

An explosion has occurred at the power plant on River Road in Middletown,Connecticut.
At least 5 dead in Middletown CT Power Plant explosion.

View Power Plant Explosion in a larger map

Arizona storms cause Major Tent Collapse

2010-01-24T10:27:00.002-05:00

A classic car auction in Scottsdale Arizona was hit by high winds, collapsing two large tents covering hundreds of classic cars and trucks. One tent was blown onto highway 101, closing it for over one hour. The annual Russo and Steele is one of the largest specialty car auctions in the country. Russo and Steele reported over $1.5 million in damage was caused by the storm.

View Russo and Steele Auction Site in a larger map

Bowling Alley Owner Strikes a Match

2010-01-20T21:40:00.001-05:00

In the competitive world of bowling alley ownership one man has put his competition in the gutter. The owner of Pike Bowling Lanes is accused of hiring two men to burn down his competitor's operation.

Loyle Lanes was a neighborhood bowling center in Vineland, New Jersey, until it burned to the ground. Police have charged the owner of Pike Lanes in Deerfield Township, New Jersey with hiring two men to set the fire.

Charles Loyle, the co-owner of Loyle Lanes was quoted as saying "he wasn't a very good businessman." "We got comments that he would put us out of business in two years. Well, it took him a little over two years. But to get us out of business he had to burn us down."

View Bowling Alley Owner Strikes a Match in a larger map

Police find Underground Bud Bus.

2010-01-19T20:36:00.004-05:00

In North Carolina, a local jack of all trades was discovered to have built an underground grow bus that contained a school bus full of high quality pot plants. The bus was buried in the back yard under his shed. The Man had managed to power his operation with stolen electricity from the town of Kinston, North Carolina. The man was able to grow a fertile crop with, Heat lamps, LED grow lights, Fans, a watering system, timing systems, and a radio that played rap music 24 hours a day.

Police found the buried pot bus with the help of a pot sniffing K-9 that reportedly fell through a trap door that lead to the hemp crop.

View Underground Grow Bus in a larger map

Bank Robbey Foiled By GPS Device

2010-01-17T10:11:00.001-05:00

Minutes after an armed bank robbery in Calumet City, Illinois, the three suspects met up at the home of one of their parents in neighboring Dolton IL. Before they could count the GPS laced cash, they heard police approaching.

Timothy Rucker, 33, Phillip Griffen, 31, and Brandon Barnes, 25, met at Rucker's parents' Dolton home to plan the robbery, according to an FBI affidavit. They settled on a TCF Bank branch at 493 Torrence Ave.

Two of the men, wearing black masks, walked inside the bank about 10:40 a.m. One pointed a small handgun at a teller, and another jumped over the counter, officials said. They escaped with more than $9,000 -- and, unknown to them, two tracking devices -- in a blue nylon bag.

The three returned to Rucker's parents' home in the 14600 block of Wabash Avenue in two cars, officials said.

Griffen apparently accidentally locked the keys in his car and was captured less than 10 minutes after the robbery when police saw him walking quickly away. While a police officer ran his name, Griffen rolled down a squad car window, opened the door and "jumped out," before quickly being recaptured, the affidavit says.

About an hour after the robbery, authorities were allowed to enter the home where the GPS devices were located. In the basement, police found Barnes, a small handgun in a clothing bin and, behind a freezer, a blue nylon bag with $8,789, two tracking devices and eight bait bills.

The last bit of missing cash -- $250 -- was found in one of Barnes' socks.

By the time Tucker returned in his father's sedan, police had already searched the home, and Tucker was ready to tell federal agents "everything," according to the affidavit.

While GPS devices are proving valuable, most bank robberies are still solved with the help of security-camera footage, exploding dye packs and old-fashioned fingerprints.

View Larger Map

Major 7.0 Magnitude Quake Strikes Haiti

2010-01-12T22:20:00.003-05:00

Multiple earthquakes have struck Port-au-Prince Haiti. Major loss of property and life is expected. Over 24 aftershocks have put the Capital City into chaos. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and has a history of destructive natural disasters. Nearly 9,000 U.N. police and troops are stationed in Haiti to maintain order.

The quake, followed by aftershocks, prompted a tsunami watch for parts the Caribbean but this was later canceled.

View Major 7.0 Earthquake hits Haiti in a larger map

GPS Lost then GPS rescued the next day

2010-01-12T21:39:00.004-05:00

When people turn on a GPS Device and turn off common sense, interesting things are going to happen. Jeramie Griffin, Megan Garrison, and their toddler are a very good example of driving while GPSing.

The family, using a portable GPS Mr. Griffin received as a Christmas present, tried a "shortcut" from Lebanon, Oregon across the Cascade Range to his family home in Maupin Oregon some four hours away(indicated in blue), and got stuck on a snowy local road for 24 hours before being rescued.(blue push pin)

Mr. Griffin had made the trip several times before. Because they were running late, the 40 mile "shortcut" the device promised was welcomed. But by Christmas morning, the young couple never arrived in Maupin.

To figure out which route he took, Mr. Griffin's nephew Mr. Wiens called a friend with the same GPS unit. After typing in the Maupin address, the navigation system suggested a route through the forest that would have cut 40 miles off their trip.

"It was the old Santiam Highway, up in the Cascades," said Wiens. "This is a summer road, not a winter road, and he didn't know that."

More than once, Wiens almost turned back. But when he saw footprints along Forest Road 46 shortly after 4 p.m., about 17 miles from U.S. 26, he plowed through.

"My nephew came walking up the road. He gave me the biggest hug. They were at wits' end. He broke down in my arms," Wiens said.

Expecting a 3-hour, 40-minute highway drive, the couple wasn't carrying food or water or warm clothes. Both adults tried to hike out for help and to get cell-phone service. The couple even recorded their final goodbyes on home video, he said.
quotes used from The Oregonian

View GPS route thru Willamette National Forest in a larger map

God Bless GPS

2010-01-11T21:42:00.003-05:00

John Rhoads and Starry Bush-Rhoads got stuck on a mountain road, and wound up cold and hungry because of faith in a GPS enabled device. Three days later searchers, also using navigation units, tracked them down. The Rhoads were driving in their Toyota Sequoia four-wheel drive, heading home to Nevada after an Oregon vacation.

They had spent Christmas Eve in Redmond and set off to Bend and onto Oregon 31 then a straight shot to Reno, Nevada. They were both surprised when the unit's voice interrupted their drive near Silver Lake, Oregon. "We knew the route we wanted to take," said Bush-Rhoads, back home safely in Reno. "But after we were on 31 for about 25 miles, it said, 'Turn right on County Road 24.'" When they missed the turn, the GPS voice advised them to turn around. "We didn't know that it was a road that should have been closed. The only sign on the road, a little itty-bitty sign, said Not Winter Maintained." But the road appeared passable in both directions. The Rhoads took the road and wound up in a wildlife refuge wilderness area in Lake County. After the truck repeatedly got stuck in the snow, they spent first Friday night and then Saturday night in the truck. After rescuers pulled the 4x4 from the snow near Thompson Reservoir, Starry said it best "A GPS has its great pluses, but just like a dishwasher, it has its limitations."
View GPS Planed Route in a larger map

"Gee-oh" Lost

2010-01-10T21:53:00.002-05:00

The Global Positioning System works by using 30 U.S. government satellites that pinpoint your location on the Earth with the use of a GPS enabled device. GPS is a technology that most of us use daily. Everyday news reports emerge about people using GPS technology with blind faith. This week Mapspy will bring you some examples of blind GPS faith.