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Homeland Security Issues Transit Alert
Fri Mar 12
By LESLIE MILLER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Homeland Security officials issued a bulletin advising state officials, police and transit and rail agencies to be vigilant in light of the bombings in Spain.

They were asked late Thursday night to consider additional surveillance and to look out for unattended bags and backpacks, Homeland Security spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said.

Homeland Security officials were keeping close watch on developments related to the terrorist attacks that killed or wounded about 1,400 train riders in Spain.

Amtrak increased patrols of its police force and canine units, spokesman Dan Stessel said. Electronic surveillance of bridges and tunnels was intensified, he said. And the company reinforced its message to Amtrak employees to report suspicious activities to police.

"That gives you another 20,000 sets of eyes," Stessel said. The railroad is continuing to review information received from the FBI (news - web sites) and the Transportation Security Administration, he said, but there has been no credible threat against Amtrak or other railroads.

Acting TSA chief David Stone said the agency has been working with public transit systems to close security gaps.

"TSA is very much involved in all risk mitigation plans with trains, metropolitan transit systems and ports," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=542&u=/ap/20040312/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/terrorism_transit_9&printer=1

Yahoo! News Fri, Mar 12, 2004
Elk Leave Area Plagued by Mystery Deaths

RAWLINS, Wyo. - Elk are starting to move out of an area where nearly 300 have died from mysterious causes in the past month.

The herds recently began migrating south from the Red Rim Wildlife Habitat Management Area near Rawlins toward Atlantic Rim and their spring and summer ranges, said pilot Dwight France, who has been monitoring the elk for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

During a recent flight, dozens of elk carcasses could be seen from the air. At least 289 elk have died or been euthanized since early last month as the result of an ailment that left many unable to get up, Game and Fish spokesman Tom Reed said.

It remains unclear how many other elk could be affected. The area they were found in is rugged and steep, meaning some animals could be hidden from view in deep washes and gullies, Reed said.

Researchers and veterinarians at the Wyoming Veterinary Lab in Laramie, meanwhile, are continuing to probe the deaths.

A number of possibilities have been ruled out, but researchers found lichen from the area in the stomachs of several elk and are now feeding the lichen to other elk to determine its potential effects, Game and Fish veterinarian Walter Cook said.

"We think that it is at least a possibility," he said. "I wouldn't say it is a high probability."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=624&u=/ap/20040312/ap_on_sc/elk_deaths_1&printer=1

Tainted soil dumped at Settler's Hill
By Patrick Waldron Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Friday, March 12, 2004

Garbage haulers mistakenly dumped 12 tons of petroleum-contaminated soil at Settler's Hill landfill in Geneva last month, a move that has city leaders asking for a quick cleanup but county officials unsure what action, if any, to take.

The material, shipped to the landfill by Shell Oil Co. from a company pipeline facility in Kankakee County, contained high levels of benzene and should have ended up at a hazardous waste dump, said Tim Harbaugh, the county's environmental management director.

"Shell Oil mistakenly brought it to the wrong pile," Harbaugh said.

Officials with Waste Management, the firm that operates the county-owned landfill, said soon after the material was dumped Feb. 5, 6 and 7 Shell notified the landfill and accepted responsibility for the error.

Since then, Waste Management and county officials have been talking with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Officials are trying to determine if the material should be removed. If asked, Shell has offered to pick up the estimated $5 million to $6 million tab to do the work, officials said.

http://www.dailyherald.com/mchenry/main_story.asp?intID=38058182

Deadly attack a mystery
Associated Press
Posted Friday, March 12, 2004

MADRID, Spain - A series of bombs hidden in backpacks exploded in quick succession Thursday, blowing apart four commuter trains and killing at least 192 people and wounding more than 1,400. Spain at first blamed Basque separatists but a shadowy group claimed responsibility in the name of al-Qaida for the worst terrorist attack in Spanish history.

{{{The bombing came three days ahead of Spain's general election on Sunday.}}} A major campaign issue was how to deal with ETA, the Basque militant group that is seeking greater autonomy.

Campaigning for the election was called off and three days of mourning were declared.

http://www.dailyherald.com/news_story.asp?intid=38058116