Europol Shuts Down "Ghost" -- Worldwide Cybercrime Social Platform

The platform used encrypted communication to allow criminals worldwide to send and receive messages and also order assassinations. Thousands of illegal ops and transactions were carried out using "Ghost," but even though multiple encryption options were used, the site was dismantled. The platform was run by a single admin, a 32-year-old male based in Australia.

Exploding Radios in Lebanon were discontinued Icom IC-V82's, often used by Ham Radio Operators

It was the batteries in radios and pagers that held the detonation device that maimed or killed hundreds of users in Lebanon this week.

The Japanese company Icom manufactured the IC-V82 radios from 2004 to 2012. It was a solid quality, well-

built HT or (handy talkie) as ham radio operators refer to hand-held portable radios. 

Production of the batteries for the IC-V82 radios was discontinued years ago, but parts are still available: It remains a mystery how the batteries detonated--although it is clear they had been loaded with explosive material.

Icom is one the top radio brands,  one of their best current hand-held models is the Icom ID-52.

Excitement Filled Black Bear Rampage Mountain Bike Race

 It will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15th, 2024--Meetup and start is at the Whitewater Center, Polk County TN. For additional details on time, fees, and how to register click on the 'Rides and Events' link  https://www.scottsbikes.com 

Car Accident Victim on Forest Service Road waits for 22 hours for help to come

Joe "Clooney" Rodriguez, a recent move-in to Monroe County TN escaped serious injury in what could have been a deadly single-vehicle car crash on USFS Wildcat Creek road just 10 miles from Tellico Plains on July 22, 2024. 

The good news was that he was not hurt and his cell phone still had service, 'Thumbs-up' for Boost Mobile--although he did not call 911. Joe said he spent the rainy overnight ordeal sleeping underneath the car. 

A USFS service employee happened to drive by and did report the accident to the Tellico ranger station, but they did not do any follow-up or offer assistance...this should serve as a warning to others: if possible, travel in a group or caravan and have plenty of supplies while on rural forest service roads. Use your head and plan ahead or you could easily become "bear food."

There are a few full-time dwellers and some vacation homes near the Cherokee National Forest, and most of the locals know their neighbors: "strangers and outsiders" are quickly recognized. 

No tow truck service companies were willing to come out to the remote crash site except Shep's garage from Tellico Plains: they came out and did the salvage op/recovery. If not for the big tree, he would have fallen down a deep ravine and the outcome of the crash would have been entirely different. There are similar accidents yearly, see statistics of U.S Forest Service road accidents on Accidentdatacenter.com