Llandrindod Wells, United Kingdom rumors and other anecdotal information passed down throughout the years suggests that hand grenades and other munitions may have been dumped in a 10-acre lake during WWII. These rumors are now being taken seriously as dredging plans for the lake becomes a reality.

The British Royal Engineers recently completed a magnetomer survey of the lake and a dive to investigate detected anomalies. To date no munitions have been found. A second dive is planned for next month to continue the search for the potential discarded military munitions.

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Pace, Florida a group of young boys out treasure hunting with a metal detector in a field found more than just some old coins and construction debris. What the boys uncovered was a live WWII era hand grenade. The 8-year old who initially discovered the grenade decided to take it home with him. Several other boys followed him home.

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Richmond, Virginia A man who ran a Civil War relic business was fatally wounded when a munition item he was reportedly handling exploded outside the detached garage at his home. Police responded and evacuated dozens of nearby homes after a search of his property turned up other UXO at the house.

Woodstown, New Jersey Members of the Woodstown Quakers continue to make a difference in the international UXO and cluster munition problem. UXOInfo.com posted an article back in December about the Woodstown Quakers raising money to purchase three magnetic locators for use in Tajikistan. Since then, the group has raised additional funds and through the Schonstedt Humanitarian Demining Initiative, in cooperation with the United Nations Mine Action Service, has donated 24 additional sensors. The latest set of locators were shipped to Vietnam to support on-going efforts to clear explosive remnants of war (ERW) littered throughout that country.

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Raleigh, North Carolina Two men have been detained for questioning in connection to the explosive incident that occurred at the Raleigh Scrap Metal Recycling Plant (see UXOInfo.com article posted 13 February). The men were detained after a search of their mobile home and surrounding property resulted in two live projectiles being recovered. Munitions debris was also recovered from their property as well.

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Iraq A 25 year old EOD Technician based out of Norfolk, Virginia was killed by an IED incident while serving his country. Six other members of his team were wounded during the incident. EOD Technician 1st Class Luis Souffront was supporting a Navy SEAL team when the IED incident occurred. Luis joined the Navy in 2000 from his hometown in Miami, Florida.

Raleigh, North Carolina Two workers at the Raleigh Metal Processors plant were injured when an explosive incident occurred during a scrap metal recycling process. The two workers were taken to a nearby medial facility for observation. The two were reported to be in good condition and released.

The metal recycling facility is set up to process munitions debris (i.e. non hazardous items) but it appears that some hazardous munitions items got co-mingled with the scrap that was being processed. It is unknown at this time exactly what type of munition or explosive configuration caused the incident. The incident however sparked an in depth investigation by local Authorities.

The EOD unit from Fort Bragg was called to help support the investigation. The EOD unit reportedly found other items that potentially presented an explosive hazard. These items were safely detonated by EOD in a series of controlled demolition shots. Nearby neighbors were evacuated and streets were closed during the detonations.

Plymouth, United Kingdom a man digging in his garden uncovered a strange metallic item. Unsure what the item was, the man called a neighbor who had some military experience over to his house. The neighbor looked at the item and suspected that it was an old hand grenade. The homeowner then called the police who sent a bomb disposal squad over to investigate further. The responding bomb disposal unit identified the item as a live WWI era hand grenade. The hand grenade (shown in the image below) was safely removed from the property and properly disposed of by the bomb disposal squad without incident.

MCAS Miramar, California The Marine Corps reported that 15 non-lethal grenades and 5 empty AT-4 launch tubes were missing from a secured storage facility. The AT-4 launch tubes did not contain explosives. Authorities suspect that the munitions items were stolen. NCIS and Marine Corps officials are investigating the incident.

Denver, Colorado Colorado law makers are debating a Bill introduced in the State Senate regarding the real property associated with the Former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range located in Arapahoe County.

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