Santa Rosa, California Government officials have decided against housing a homeless encampment on a parking lot near the Sonoma County Airport due to the potential for UXO as the parking lot is located within the former site of the WWII-era Santa Rosa Army Airfield.

In the early eighties, the area was a hotbed of development and in 1982, ampules from CAIS kits were discovered by construction crews during the digging of a sewer line. Further development in the area uncovered dozens more items.

Due to the concerns for more CAIS and the possibility for UXO in the area, city officials opted not to take the risk and decided to relocate the homeless encampment elsewhere.

Athen, Georgia Dr. Valentine Nzengung, a Professor of Environmental Geochemistry at the University of Georgia, has been named a National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow.

Dr. Nzengung, founder of MuniRem Environmental, a company which provides innovative green remediation technologies and services for soil, buildings and equipment that have been contaminated with explosive residues.

"This is a humbling endorsement of the applied research I have focused on as a faculty member at the University of Georgia," said Dr. Nzengung. "I never thought of the solutions to environmental problems that I have developed as deserving of this very high level of recognition. My focus has been and remains developing and applying innovative solutions that benefit human health and our environment."

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On this Memorial Day, UXOInfo.com would like everyone to remember the great service and the sacrifices made by the men and woman who have served or are currently serving to keep our country safe. Thank you for your service. In the words of President Ronald Reagan:

"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A veteran does not have that problem."

We especially like to thank those who have served or are currently serving in EOD and remember those who paid the ultimate price for our Freedom.

Regards,

Jenna
UXOInfo.com / OHI
Client Relations Manager

Wells, United Kingdom Police were called to Alderman Peel High School following reports that a student brought ordnance which he found on the beach to school. After seeing what was described as a corroded cylindrical metal object about 5 inches in length that looked suspicious, the principal evacuated the school and called the police.

Police called in an EOD team to investigate the item. EOD confirmed that the item was not hazardous and the school was re-opened to students. Police did remove the item from the school and thanked school officials for calling them to report the find. The police did states that the student had not acted maliciously, but rather brought in his beach find to "show his friends."

Denver, Colorado the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) issued a warning for hikers to be aware of UXO as they traverse many trails and pathways through the mountains. Due to the record avalanche season across the state, over 1,500 explosives were deployed statewide in avalanche control efforts. Of those, 22 failed to explode and were recorded as duds.

Although CDOT has dispatched a team to look for the UXO, there is a chance that members of the public may encounter the items before CDOT finds them. CDOT is warning hikers to stay clear of any suspect items and report findings to law enforcement for proper follow up.

Cornwall, United Kingdom part of a popular beach was cordoned off by police after it was a reported that a suspect item resembling a sea mine washed ashore. The Coastguard and police responded and setup a 150 foot exclusion zone around the item as they awaited for a Royal Navy EOD to arrive.

EOD based in Plymouth in the early evening to investigate. According to reports from the incident, initial design features of the item including the shape, size and condition suggested that they item was a sea mine. However, after further investigation and removal of sand, the item was found to be the lid of a barbecue.

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Fairbanks, Alaska A portion of Richardson Highway was shut down by Alaskan State Troopers for about two hours after a 28-year old resident reported a possible UXO in the road. The resident reported seeing a 61 mm mortar round along mile post 352.

State troopers contacted Eielson AFB's EOD unit for assistance as they responded to the scene. The Alaska Department of Transportation was also called in to erect temporary detour signs and barricades.

However, after further investigation the suspect item turned out not to be a mortar or even a munition at all as authorities identified the item as a part of a driveshaft from a vehicle. After the scene was clear, the highway was reopened to traffic.

Bretten, Germany An 81-year-old German man called police claiming to have found a WWII-era bomb in his garden. Police responded to the scene and were relieved to find that the "bomb" turned out to be a particularly large zucchini plant.

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Salcombe, United Kingdom A Royal Navy bomb disposal team was called to the area of Rickham Sands after tourists spotted what they thought was a UXO partially buried in the sand.

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Wishing all our readers a very happy and safe 4th of July holiday. As we celebrate the birth of a country, UXOInfo honors all who fought for that independence and those who continue to serve to insure those freedoms.

We especially like to thank all of those who have served and those who continue to serve in EOD. We also like to thank and recognize the civilian bomb disposal community as well who undoubtedly will be busy on this holiday responding to fireworks related incidents.

We know that our readers understand and respect the hazards from explosives. So, this reminder that fireworks are dangerous and should only be handled by trained professionals is for the general public.

Have a happy and safe 4th - From UXOInfo.com