William Gomez Missing: Carrollton Grandfather Tracked To Kentucky, Indiana With Grandchildren Marcus And Dominique Gomez getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® William Gomez Missing: Carrollton Grandfather Tracked To Kentucky, Indiana With Grandchildren Marcus And Dominique Gomez

William Gomez, the missing Carrollton, Texas, man who was last seen Sunday driving off with his grandchildren, have been spotted in Indiana and Kentucky as authorities continue their search for the grandfather and Marcus and Dominique Gomez.

Gomez’s family believes his issues with memory loss may be to blame for the eerie disappearance. His condition is also worrying authorities who are trying to locate Gomez and his white Jeep Cherokee where he’s believed to be riding in with his 8-year-old granddaughter and 7-year-old grandson.

"Mr. Gomez has a medical illness that causes memory loss, so we're very concerned for him and also for the children," Carrollton police spokeswoman Nicole Rodriguez told NBC DFW.

Authorities are tracking the use of Gomez’s credit card to help locate him. Since his disappearance, the 57-year-old used his card Monday at gas stations in Arkansas and Tennessee, according to the Dallas Morning News. On Monday night, the card was used again to purchase underwear for his grandchildren at a Sears in Paducah, Kentucky.

About $21 was purchased on the card at the Sears, and Gomez reportedly asked a store clerk for directions back to Dallas, according to KLTV.

By Tuesday morning, it appeared Gomez, Marcus and Dominique were in Indiana.

“Recent debit card activity shows that Mr. Gomez has turned north and is located in the NW corner of Indiana,” Rodriguez told the Morning News. “We have notified the Illinois and Indiana State Patrol and sheriff’s departments. We have also sent a bulletin to the National Center for Missing Children. We are currently in the process of calling agencies north of Mr. Gomez’ last location.”

Gomez’s wife, Maria Gomez, told WFAA that she’s been on edge since the disappearance of her husband and grandchildren.

“They must be scared,” she said of Marcus and Dominique. “They’re not home.”

Maria Gomez said her husband is in a fragile mental state.

"I think he is confused; he thinks he's driving home," she told WFAA. "He was raised in New Jersey, so he could be driving home... but we don't know."

William Gomez Missing: Carrollton Grandfather Tracked To Kentucky, Indiana With Grandchildren Marcus And Dominique Gomez

Petrobras Wants To Increase Production 50% To Save Company From Crisis getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Petrobras Wants To Increase Production 50% To Save Company From Crisis

Petróleo Brasileiro (NYSE:PBR), Brazil’s state-owned oil company and the 10th largest business on the planet, is not having its best year. After dealing with losses and a rise in the price of oil, Petrobras lost its position as the most valued Latin American brand earlier this year. But as the oil giant approaches 60 years of age, Brazil has announced an increase of 50 percent in production as a way to improve performance and raise revenues.

The company is installing nine new production units, that are expected to result in an extra million barrels a day, as outlined by Petrobras CEO María das Graças Foster.

"From 2011 to 2013 we had problems,” said Foster to Brazilian newspaper O Globo, “ but we will see important growth next year.”

The company’s ambitious plan outlined an investment plan of $236 billion from 2013 to 2017, and a production goal of 4.2 billion daily barrels by 2020.

Petrobras has been steadily declining in market value. On the São Paulo’s stockmarket it currently has a capitalization of 240 billion reais (approximately $108 billion). Three years ago, its value was almost double, at 453 billion reais ($204 billion).

Among the reasons behind this drop analysts mentions the problem of price controls in Brazil, since Petrobras buys oil at a higher price than the one at which it is allowed to sell in the country. This is due to the government’s intervention in gas prices, which have been frozen in order to control the country’s spiraling inflation (currently at 6 percent).

Another reason is the obligation of the company to participate with at least 30 percent in exploration projects in Brazil, and excessively protectionist policies which have scared away investors, like the recent auction of the off-shore oil site Libra, estimated to be the largest in the world, sat out by oil giants like Chevron (NYSE:CVX) and BP (LON:BP).

Petrobras Wants To Increase Production 50% To Save Company From Crisis

Cowboys, Chargers Fans Fight: Cowboys Fan Hit By Bottle In Qualcomm Stadium Parking Lot Brawl [VIDEO] getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Cowboys, Chargers Fans Fight: Cowboys Fan Hit By Bottle In Qualcomm Stadium Parking Lot Brawl [VIDEO]

An argument between tailgaters at last Sunday’s football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys turned violent when a pair Cowboys fan were struck in the head by a beer bottle.

The violent altercation occurred right after the Chargers’ 30-21 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday, NBC San Diego reports. A group of fans wearing Chargers and Cowboys jerseys argued in a parking lot of Qualcomm Stadium until two men were hit over the head with beer bottles.

The attack sent shards of glass flying through a crowd of bystanders, and at least one person had to be hospitalized with serious injuries. The entire Cowboys-Chargers fan brawl was caught on video.

NBC San Diego notes that a “verbal altercation” between Cowboys and Chargers fans intensified when an unidentified woman slapped a man across the face. As the Cowboys fan stepped forward to confront the woman, a Chargers man grabbed his shirt and hit him over the head with a beer bottle.

Later, when a group of bystanders attempted to separate the two combatants, another Cowboys fan was struck in the head by yet another beer bottle. The bottle shattered, spraying spectators with shards of glass and drawing blood on at least one person.

Todd Bowen, an eyewitness who suffered a cut from the flying glass, described the scene to NBC San Diego. “The glass actually stuck in my arm about 2 inch, 3 inch long and of course I’m looking at my arm and I pull it out and it doesn’t stop bleeding,” Bowen said. The cut was reportedly so deep that a paramedic asked Bowen if he had been shot.

San Diego Police questioned the woman who started the brawl by slapping the Cowboys fan, NBC San Diego reports. In addition, authorities confirmed that at least one person was detained in connection with the incident.

Pete Rhoades, a Chargers fan who managed to capture the beer bottle incident on video, was shocked to see the situation escalate to violence. “It’s only a football game and I can’t understand why people would get to that point,” Rhoades told NBC San Diego.

Qualcomm Stadium officials limit alcohol sales to prevent such violent incidents, NBC San Diego notes. Fans are limited to two drinks in the first half of each game, and are not permitted to buy alcohol after the start of the fourth quarter.

The beer bottle brawl occurred less than a week after another California sports fan was stabbed to death after a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Michael Montgomery, a 21-year-old suspect, was arrested in connection with the stabbing, but was released last Friday due to a lack of evidence.

The video of the Cowboys-Chargers fan brawl can be viewed below.

Cowboys, Chargers Fans Fight: Cowboys Fan Hit By Bottle In Qualcomm Stadium Parking Lot Brawl [VIDEO]

WWE Battleground 2013: Match Card And Predictions For PPV, Including Daniel Bryan Vs. Randy Orton And CM Punk Vs. Ryback getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® WWE Battleground 2013: Match Card And Predictions For PPV, Including Daniel Bryan Vs. Randy Orton And CM Punk Vs. Ryback

On Sunday the WWE will debut its newest Pay-Per-View. Battleground is set to take place in Buffalo, New York, coming just three weeks after Night of Champions.

Since there is such a short turnaround between PPV’s, the WWE can go a lot of different ways this weekend. The WWE title is being held in abeyance, and Daniel Bryan is trying to win back the belt that was stolen from him twice in just a few weeks. Other than the main event, Cody Rhodes’s quest to win his job back might be the most important part of the PPV.

Six matches are on the official match card for Battleground 2013, but a few could be added throughout the week. According to the Wrestling Observer, Kofi Kingston could face Brat Wyatt, and R-Truth might challenge Curtis Axel for the Intercontinental Title. The Big Show doesn’t have a match, but he could be involved after threating to knock out Triple H on “Monday Night Raw.”

Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship Match)

Bryan is due for a run as the WWE champion, but it won’t start on Sunday. For his feud to continue with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Orton, he can’t walk out of Buffalo with the belt. If Orton wins, there could be interference by someone like Triple H or the Big Show. A draw or no contest is also possible, setting up a final match between the two at Hell in a Cell at the end of October.

Prediction: Randy Orton

World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Rob Van Dam (Battleground Hardcore Rules Match)

With rumors that RVD could be taking a break from the company soon, it’s not probable that he’ll win the belt. His partnership with Ricardo Rodriguez doesn’t seem to be working, and a Hardcore Rules Match would allow the ring announcer to turn on Van Dam and give Del Rio the win. An injury angle would give the WWE a reason to keep Van Dam off TV for a while.

Prediction: Alberto Del Rio

CM Punk vs. Ryback

With Ryback entering the picture at Night of Champions, the feud between Punk and Paul Heyman may continue past Sunday’s PPV. Punk is the favorite to win the match, but he might have to wait to get his hands on Heyman.

Prediction: CM Punk

Divas Champion AJ Lee vs. Brie Bella

If the WWE wants to inject some life into the Divas division, they’ll put the title on Brie. AJ has proven to be much better than all of the female wrestlers, which is something that could change on Sunday. Giving Brie the championship would also give the WWE another storyline for “Total Divas” in time for when the series comes back on the air in November.

Prediction: Brie Bella

Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns

Considering that a loss for the Rhodes family would mean an end to any one of them competing in the WWE, it’s a pretty safe bet that the two brothers will come out on top. With Dusty Rhodes at ringside, there’s a chance that he’ll get involved in the match, somehow. Cody will likely get the pin, beginning his rise to the becoming a main event wrestler.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes & Goldust

Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow (Kickoff Match)

After Ziggler won the Money in the Bank contract last year, he lost most of his matches, until cashing in. The WWE appears to be doing the same with Sandow in 2013. Since babyfaces usually get the win on the pre-show, Sandow’s losing streak is likely to continue.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler

WWE Battleground 2013: Match Card And Predictions For PPV, Including Daniel Bryan Vs. Randy Orton And CM Punk Vs. Ryback

Ken Yasger, Openly Gay U.S. Army Ranger, Asks Katy Perry To Attend Ranger Ball On YouTube [VIDEO] getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Ken Yasger, Openly Gay U.S. Army Ranger, Asks Katy Perry To Attend Ranger Ball On YouTube [VIDEO]

As many women and men of the service have done before him, United States Army Ranger Ken Yasger has requested the company of a celebrity on a date.

In a new video uploaded by Yasger, the reported first openly gay ranger in his unit, he requests the company of “Roar” singer Katy Perry to his upcoming Ranger Ball later this month. “Katherine Elizabeth Hudson, I would like to formally invite you to the ranger ball October 10th, 2013. Katy Perry, will you please go to the ranger ball with me?” said Yasger in the two-minute clip, all the while blasting Perry’s single “E.T.” in the background.

According to Yasger, Perry’s three studio albums and film “Part of Me” have been his solace while serving overseas, telling the singer that her music speaks to him in a way no other artists does. “Katy you’re inspiration to me in a lot of ways and this is what this video is for. This is the reason I'm inviting you and no other celebrity,” he said, adding his struggles with being an openly gay ranger have been nullified through listening to her singles, specifically the 2012 hit song, “Wide Awake.” “Your music really helped me get through it. I had family, friends, they helped me also but I’d wake up in the morning and I’d been feeling really down… I’d listen to it while I got ready in the morning. No matter how down I felt I would listen to that song and It would really help me get started for the day," he said.

Yasger's video, which had received over 18,800 views as of Tuesday morning, also goes on to discuss Perry’s 2012 divorce from her husband of two years, comedian and actor Russell Brand. “I feel that since you got through that, I can get through it too and that’s one thing that I love about you,” said Yasger, who revealed to the 28-year-old singer that her music is his main inspiration in life. “I would get home and listen to all of your other music and be in a great mood because that’s what your music does for me and many others, but especially me. It just really puts me in a good place,” he later added.

This isn’t the first time Perry has been asked to attend a ball with a member of the service. According to a report from the Daily Mail, Lieutenant Clayton Heyward, a West Coast based Navy F-18 pilot, requested the singer’s attendance at his Navy Ball in Oct. 2012 via a now viral YouTube clip.

Ken Yasger, Openly Gay U.S. Army Ranger, Asks Katy Perry To Attend Ranger Ball On YouTube [VIDEO]

Google Doodle Mocks Government Shutdown With A Timely Tribute To Yosemite National Park getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Google Doodle Mocks Government Shutdown With A Timely Tribute To Yosemite National Park

Tuesday’s Google Doodle was designed to celebrate 123rd anniversary of Yosemite National Park, but ironically, the park -- as well as all 401 national parks -- are currently closed due to the government shutdown, which began Tuesday at midnight.

For those unfamiliar, the government shutdown was caused by Congress’ inability to settle on a government-funding bill after a long and drawn-out ping-pong match between the Senate and House Republicans fighting to strip away Obamacare. While national parks are closed during the government shutdown, other national security operations including Social Security and Medicare will continue as usual, and members of the military will continue to be paid.

The National Parks Conservation Association in late September warned about the dangers of a government shutdown, saying it would “put nearly 87 percent of Park Service employees – more than 21,000 staff members – indefinitely out of their jobs.” The group also noted that the last government shutdown, which lasted for 27 days between November 1995 and January 1996, cost local businesses $14 million per day, and the current government shutdown could cost businesses about $30 million a day.

In the case of Yosemite National Park, California’s Mariposa County suffered losses of $10,000 a day in tax revenue and saw 25 percent of adults out of work during the last government shutdown. Since visitation to Yosemite has increased since 1996, the impact of the current government shutdown on local tax receipts is expected to be much higher.

“A shutdown will affect as many as 750,000 visitors daily across all parks,” the Parks Association said. “October is peak season for many tourists who travel to see the changing autumn leaves; family trips to parks like Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Golden Gate, and Cape Cod will all be impacted. It is also peak wedding season in some parks, and many carefully planned events are now in jeopardy.”

The new Google Doogle may have been an accidental mockery of the current government situation, since many of the Google Doodles are designed ahead of time, but it could also be perceived as a pointed and timely critique of our political system. In the case of national parks, which are very close to Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., this government shutdown has a detrimental effect on the overall economy, since national parks support $31 billion in private sector spending each year, and the National Park service employs about 24,000 people and support roughly 252,000 private-sector jobs.

“Closing our parks is not only depriving visitors of an experience of a lifetime, it is also preventing park staff from monitoring and maintaining natural and historic resources throughout the park system,” the Parks Association said. “Staff biologists, ecologists, and other resource professionals work to rid our parks of invasive species and to protect the threatened and endangered species that call our national parks home. Other staff members monitor grounds to prevent vandalism, illegal dumping, and other detrimental activities. While the shutdown allows for the most critical staff to remain, much of this work is being severely hampered by the government shutdown.”

Google may take some heat for the Doodle, but the search giant has created so-called “controversial” doodles in the past. In 2010, Google was accused of designing its Veterans’ Day Google Doodle to make the “e” in Google look like a crescent moon, which many people took as a reference to Islam. In April, Google celebrated Easter Sunday with a Doodle of Cesar Chavez, which was criticized because there was no mention of Jesus or his resurrection even though Google had never honored Jesus on any prior holiday, including Christmas or Easter.

“Doodles are the fun, surprising, and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists,” Google says on its website.

Follow Dave Smith on Twitter

Google Doodle Mocks Government Shutdown With A Timely Tribute To Yosemite National Park

Caribou Feeling The Heat Of Climate Change Too: Study getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Caribou Feeling The Heat Of Climate Change Too: Study

You’re probably familiar with the plight of the polar bear in a warming world, but did you know that melting sea ice might be endangering caribou too?

Penn State University biologist Eric Post has been tracking the caribou population in Greenland for two decades. Now he and colleague Jeffrey Kerby have found that the loss of sea ice is indirectly leading to larger die-offs of baby caribou. Post and Kerby reported their findings in a paper published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

The heart of the problem lies in a growing mismatch between the life cycles of the caribou and the plants they feed upon. Caribou arrive in their ancestral calving grounds between late May and early June, searching for young vegetation to feed upon. But the warmer temperatures in a changing climate are driving a wedge between the animals and their food.

Thanks to warmer temperatures,"plants are emerging earlier in the year, [so] they tend to be older and past their peak nutritional value by the time the hungry caribou arrive to eat them," Kerby said in a statement. "The animals show up expecting a food bonanza, but they find that the cafeteria already has closed."

Plant life cycles are relatively flexible. New generations can time their emergence with the outside temperatures to maximize their fitness. But the caribou life cycle marches to a separate drum: day length. Since seasonal changes in daylight length are fixed, so is the caribou’s reproductive cycle.

“This scenario is what we call a trophic mismatch -- a disconnect between the timing of when plants are most nutritious and the timing of when animals are most dependent on them for nutrition," Kerby said.

The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to climate change, since the loss of sea ice exposes dark water that absorbs more heat and thus, drives even more sea ice loss – a positive feedback mechanism. Before the year 2000, about half of the plant species at the caribou calving site emerged around the same time as the caribou arrived. But from 2002 to 2011, as the sea ice loss has accelerated, the plant growing season has shifted earlier by more than two weeks, and the mismatch between plant emergence and caribou arrival has grown steadily larger.

"Sea ice is part of a broader climate system that clearly has important effects on both plants and animals,” Post said in a statement. “Exactly how sea-ice decline might affect species interactions in this and other types of food webs on land in the Arctic is a question that deserves greater attention.”

SOURCE: Kerby et al. “Advancing plant phenology and reduced herbivore production in a terrestrial system associated with sea ice decline.” Nature Communications published 1 October 2013.

Caribou Feeling The Heat Of Climate Change Too: Study