Man arrested after holding RV Center staff at gunpoint
Palm Beach Post
Chalin Christopher Merrihew, 41, has been arrested after holding RV Center employees at gunpoint. Police were called to the Florida Outdoors RV Center before 5 p.m., Wednesday, August 2. Merrihew was identified by video images and was caught after a four-hour manhunt. Merrihew was charged with armed charges, armed kidnapping with a firearm and was taken to the Martin County Jail.
Escapees RV Club offering members new healthcare program
Escapees RV Club
Escapees RV Club is partnering with Independent Truckers Group (ITG) to bring members an alternative to traditional medical insurance. Escapees members will be given more options for RVer-friendly healthcare coverage. The new Escapees Healthcare Solutions is available only to Escapees RV Club members.
RV crashes, gets stuck in Golden Gate toll booth
SFGate
An RV crashed into a Golden Gate toll booth early Wednesday. The RV’s door was ripped off, but no injuries were sustained. Occupants were trapped inside until the RV was wedged out by firefighters and bridge workers an hour later. A Golden Gate Bridge spokesperson says that while car crashes happen from time-to-time, RV crashes on the bridge are rare.
Millennials driving up RV sales
KPNX 12
A record nine-million American households own an RV, with many Millennials are fueling the big numbers. Sales to Millennials jumped 20 percent in the past year on all RVs including pop-up trailers. Some campgrounds are being redesigned to have communal areas where Millennials can mingle, and are building strong WiFi connections to please the high-tech crowd.
Deadly deer disease on the rise in Kentucky
WBIR
Wildlife officials warn of rising cases of Blue Tongue virus in deer. The disease, which cannot be transmitted to humans, is spread by a tiny fly commonly referred to as “no-see-ums.” Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, swelling in the head area, and internal bleeding. Deer can survive, but rarely. Officials ask that any deer seen with these symptoms be reported. Hunters should be especially aware if they see more than a single dead deer in one area.
Lightning sparks fire in backcountry of Yosemite National Park
National Parks Traveler
A lightning-sparked fire began Wednesday, July 31st in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park and is being monitored by firefighters. The fire is burning approximately one mile south of the Bridalveil Campground and between Alder Creek and Bridalveil Creek. Smoke is visible in the area, and might impact the Bridalveil Campground.
Missing physician found dead in Grand Canyon National Park
News 12
Searchers in Grand Canyon National Park found the body of Sarah Beadle, 38, a Texas physician who went missing after hiking into the canyon with two children, who were later found safe. Searchers found Beadle’s body on the north side of the Colorado River, about three-quarters of a mile from the Phantom Ranch lodge at the bottom of the canyon. Beadle was hiking into the canyon along South Kaibab Trail with two children, ages 10 and 11, when one child began to suffer from heat exhaustion and they ran out of water. Beadle left the children to retrieve some assistance and was never seen again.
National Park Service offering free eclipse glasses, viewers for solar eclipse
Oak Ridge Today
The National Park Service is offering free eclipse glasses and free eclipse viewers at two viewing sites in Oak Ridge during the total solar eclipse occurring on Monday, August 21. The distribution of eclipse glasses and viewers will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 21 at both the East Tennessee Technology Park as well as the American Museum of Science and Energy-Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Park rangers will also discuss safe viewing practices and using enhanced viewing equipment to help visitors enjoy all phases of the eclipse.
Wildfire closes big stretch of highway through BC National Park
The Canadian Press
The highway winding through British Columbia’s Kootenay National Park was closed for much of the day yesterday as wildfire smoke made for dangerous driving conditions. Parks Canada closed Highway 93 from Castle Junction, near the Trans-Canada Highway, to the town of Radium Hot Springs. Smoke from the fire is causing smog like conditions in Washington state.
