More nasty winter weather; Pierce County, Washington Deputy succumbs to wounds; attempt to blow up airliner; plans for 2010 FOP Charity race

Happy New Year, everybody!!

I find it ironic that so much is being made about global warming and we’ve just experienced the biggest snowstorm in 60 years. We had a late Christmas on December 30th and I saw a note from Heather that they weren’t leaving Grand Island as soon as they thought because the interstate was closed again. We got light snow but it stopped after an hour or so. We’re now in the “deep freeze” with lows the next few nights dropping well below 0. We may also get some more snow. It’s my firm belief that the fuss about global warming will pad somebody’s pocket, if it isn’t already.




Just for fun, do a Google search on “blizzard of 1949 Nebraska.” There are pictures of railroad locomotives stuck in snow banks that are taller than the locomotives. When you read about that winter, you’ll find that it started snowing in November and was actually a series of blizzards. It looks like the big storm hit in January 1st, and the forecast did not call for any snow that day!!

On a sad note, Pierce County, Washington, Deputy Sheriff Kent Mundell, 44, succumbed to his injuries with his family at his side Monday evening, December 28th. Deputy Mundell had been on life support since being shot on December 21st. Deputy Mundell and Sgt Nick Hausner responded to a call from family members to have David Crable, who was intoxicated, removed from the home. Crable, who had a history of domestic violence, opened fire on the deputies and wounded both deputies. Deputy Mundell was able to return fire and David Crable died from his wounds on the scene.




Deputy Mundell had served with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, 16-year old daughter and 10-year old son. Rest in peace brother thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.

This is another sad day for our nation. While another family mourns the loss of a husband, father, son, and hero, defense attorneys everywhere are demanding rights for their clients that commit these most heinous of crimes. Something just doesn't seem right with this.

In 2009, Law Enforcement nationwide lost 125 Officers to Line of Duty Deaths. Please keep all of the officers, families, friends and co-workers in your prayers.

We woke up on Christmas morning to learn that an attempt had been made to blow up another airplane. Now, there is a call for congressional investigations to find out how the suspect was even able to board a plane. We know he was on a “terrorist watch list” that consists of 500,000 names. A HALF MILLION PEOPLE ON A WATCH LIST!!?? “Profiling” isn’t allowed, so do we have to ignore these people? When does the right to privacy over shadow the rights of everyone on that plane to arrive safely? Fortunately, this incident ended safely, but what about the NEXT time? Flying can be an inconvenience, but is necessary at times. The last time I flew, I only had a small carry-on bag, as the rest of my stuff went ahead of me by way of 4 wheels. I had to take my shoes and socks off and walk through a metal detector three times. An elderly lady ahead of me had a small bottle of perfume taken out of her purse and was not allowed to take it with her. However, there were no terrorists among us that night and we made it safely to our destination.

Thanks to the support and dedication of my wife, Jan, most of the 2009 R & R Racing season at Beatrice Speedway is on videotape. She had her hands full, especially when we had two cars on the track at the same time.




In August, members of the Beatrice/Gage County Fraternal Order of Police took to the track for a Charity Race. Including me, we had 9 drivers in cars that owners/drivers let us drive. Who drove what car was determined by a draw, as was starting position. Before the evening of the race, each driver picked a charity that they would be racing for. Money was donated for the purse by Beatrice Speedway, Women for Racing, FOP Lodge 45, and individuals who donated by putting money in a jug at the WFR booth or sending money to the FOP. The total purse ended up being $1,000. The winner’s charity got 40%, 2nd place 30%, 3rd place 20% and 4th place 10%.

At intermission that evening, the track announcer had the 9 drivers come to the front straightaway where each driver was interviewed. When it was time for us to strap in and get on the track, we were given a few “hot laps” before lining up and getting the green. At the white flag, three cars were battling for the lead, and the pass for the win was made going into turn 3. People in the grandstands were hooting and hollering for the drivers at the end. It was probably the best race of the evening. We all had fun doing it and have talked about doing it again in 2010. We’re looking into what we can do to raise money for the purse.




In the age of computers and social networking, I’ve registered with Facebook and am adding to my “Friends” list at every chance. I have this blog as a “Group” on Facebook and encourage everybody to become a member of the Group. I have almost 1,100 friends on Facebook and over 300 members of my Group. I am going to try to raise purse money for the 2010 FOP Charity Race by asking for donations from my Friends on Facebook. If everybody would donate just $1, that would give us over $1,000 just to start. We hope to raise enough money for the 2010 Charity Race to be able to donate to every charity represented. I am going to try to start promoting this event through Facebook and this blog and hope that everybody that reads about it will be willing to donate to it in order to make it successful again in 2010. If everybody would donate $1, it would be a huge success!

Our chosen charities in 2009 were the YMCA, Special Olympics, American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, Mother to Mother Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Food Pantry, Make A Wish Foundation and the Beatrice Youth Center. I am already going to post a sign-up roster so we can see what kind of turn-out of FOP members we will have to drive in this event. Keep watching here and on Facebook to keep track of updates.