#commissioner ambrose

[boxdstars]

Mutiny

And there was no mirth behind the eyes of his once dearly beloved friend. No, the Chief Aurors gaze was held true — laced with a cold absence as though she weren’t there at all.

“I want you gone, Sebastian.” She said. “Now.”

[s-darling-art]

Commission from Vex! Loved drawing your guy and his tattoo fr 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Few more slots still available, DM me or fill out the commissions form on my ko-fi

[catohphm]

One of my favorite headcanons for Danny post-graduation is when he becomes part of a joint British-MACUSA joint liaison force, even working directly under MACUSA. Danny’s boss (or one of them) on both of these occasions is Commissioner Mara Ambrose, one of his best friends from his Hogwarts days. She outranks him, but that doesn't stop them from being an equally dangerous duo to be reckoned with. 😂 These sillies live in my mind rent-free 🥺💙💚

Mara belongs to my good buddy @boxdstars<3

[theankoletimes]

Churches, Clubs in Gulu Must End Noise by 10 pm

(Gulu) – Gulu’s Resident City Commissioner, Ambrose Onoria, has ordered security personnel to begin enforcing noise restrictions on churches and nightclubs that operate beyond permissible noise levels after 10:00 pm. The directive came during a meeting organized by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on November 13, 2024, attended by various stakeholders including church leaders, local…

[reportafrique]

Lagos State Unveils  Plans for Cocoa Industry Expansion by 2025

The Lagos state government has announced plans to establish three cocoa processing plants with an annual production capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes each by 2025. Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, revealed these initiatives at the International Cocoa and Chocolate Forum held in Lagos. Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ambrose-Medebem highlighted the administration's vision to capitalize on the state's strategic geographical location, aiming to transform Lagos into a key cocoa trading hub within Nigeria. The government also aims to train and empower approximately 20,000 cocoa agro-processors and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) by 2025 through various programs. "We are already working on a strategic roadmap to explore the potentials of cocoa, increasing its local processing to 40% of total production," Ambrose-Medebem stated. The ambitious plan includes the establishment of three major cocoa processing plants, each with a minimum annual processing capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes. Emphasizing the benefits of cocoa processing, the Commissioner stressed the importance of strategic partnerships within the cocoa value chain to generate revenue, create jobs, and contribute to economic diversification and development. The declining global ranking of Nigeria in cocoa production, falling behind Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Indonesia, underscores the urgency for such initiatives. "With this vision and resources, Lagos state is committed to leading this transformation. Together, we can create a sustainable and prosperous future for the cocoa industry, our economy, and our people," Ambrose-Medebem declared. Nigeria's cocoa production has faced a significant decline over the past four decades, losing its status as the top global producer. In response, the Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM) previously launched a platform to connect cocoa farmers, aggregators, and processors across Africa, aiming to enhance value addition and promote intra-African trade in the cocoa value chain. Recall that the Supreme Court had in its verdict yesterday affirmed the victory of Sanwo- Olu at the last general election. Read the full article

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade JUST IN; Again, Lagos Assembly rejects Sanwo-olu's Commissioner nominees clears 15 Lagos State House of Assembly has confirmed 15 of the remaining 18 commissioner-nominees sent by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Former Commissioners Lere Odusote and Sam Egube were rejected, while the House stepped down Tolani Sule-Akibu’s confirmation for another day. The confirmation happened after the Chief Whip and Chairman of the Screening Committee, Mojeed Fatai, laid a report of the exercise before the House during plenary. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa hailed the committee for doing a thorough job. Other lawmakers agreed with his position. Those confirmed include Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medem, Mrs. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, Mrs. Cécilia Dada, Mrs. Barakat Bakare, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso and Mosopefoluwa George. Others are Dr. Yekini Agbaje, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, Abayomi Oluyomi, Dr. Iyabode Ayoola and Sola Giwa. #clears15 #LagosassemblyrejectsSanwoolusCommissionernomineesagain

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

“Two of Five Escaped Oakalla Prisoners Are Captured In Vancouver,” The Province (Vancouver). January 4, 1932. Page 1 & 2. ---- Desperadoes Manipulated Centrally-controlled Cell Locks to Reach Corridor of Jail Tier And Then Filed Window Bars. --- USED BLANKET ROPE TO DROP FROM SECOND FLOOR  --- Three of Party Believed to Have Made Attempts to Escape Before - Police Guard All Roads. ---- At 2:45 p.m. Vancouver police received a vicious characters believed to be Hagley and call that three suspicious characters believed to be Bagley and his companions had been seen near Still Creek. Burnaby. Officers were sent to investigate. A party of constables searched Kitsilano Indian reserve where men in prison uniform had been reported. They could find no trace of the suspects, however. 

"We were not part of the jailbreak conspiracy," Lane told officers. "Moore and I saw Bagley going through the fourteen-inch hole which they had cut in the wall and waited for twenty minutes afterwards before we also went out. 

"We met the other three afterwards, but decided to go our separate ways. We haven't seen them since and have no idea where they went."  ---- COLD and hungry, after less than eighteen hours freedom, William Lane and Norman Moore, two of five prisoners who made a sensational escape from Oakalla jail Sunday evening, were captured early this afternoon in vacant brush land near Thirty-third avenue and Prince Edward street, by officers of "B" Division city police. 

Sergeant Charles Thomas and Constable Allan Slattery arrested the unresisting pair after receiving information from a woman resident of the district. "

Cold," was the terse and only comment made by the shivering pair to arresting officers. At city headquarters they admitted that they had separated from Bagley, Fawcett and Sorge immediately after getting away from Oakalla. Moore was dripping wet after trying vainly to hide in swamp undergrowth. 

On information given him, Constable Slattery investigated the presence of a suspect in the vicinity named near Mountain View cemetery. He recognized the prison clothes and arrested Lane without trouble. 

Sergeant Thomas rushed to the scene and called for reinforcements. Before they arrived, however, he saw a movement in the brush from his vantage point on a high stump. He arrested the second fugitive. Motorcycle officers Ambrose and Lloyd arrived within a few minutes and officers soon satisfied themselves that the two were alone. They searched the vicinity thoroughly but found no trace of the other fugitives. 

Lane was arrested at 12 :50 p.m. and Moore at 1 :20 p.m. 

STOLEN CAR RECOVERED NEAR NORTH ARM OF FRASER. Shortly before noon the stolen car used by the convicts following their escape was found in the 2000 block, East Sixty-fifth street. Its discovery led police to believe that the other three prisoners may have had a boat waiting for them on the North Arm of the Fraser River. 

The car was a coupe stolen from Victor Cooper, 3455 Imperial street, Burnaby, which is only half a mile from Oakalla, at 6 :55 o'clock Sunday night. There were no marks to indicate that all five men had crowded into it. No other trace of the men has been found despite a widespread search by all police forces of the lower mainland. 

In the meantime Assistant Commissioner W. R. Dunwoody of the provincial police is conducting an investigation into the jail break. Warden Walter Owen suspended two .guards, D. Campbell and P. D. G. Cunningham, pending investigation into the break. Campbell was on duty in that part of the jail containing the cells from which the men escaped and Cunningham had been in charge of the shift previous to the escape. 

SOME DELAY IN BROADCASTING NEWS. The jailbreak was discovered at 7 o'clock when Guard Campbell was making his rounds. The men, who occupied five cells in a tier of twenty, had been placed in their rooms at 4 :30 o'clock after an early Sunday dinner. 

New Westminster police were informed at 7:15 of the jailbreak and Vancouver police were warned at 7:50. 

Those who escaped were: 

William Bagley, 39, slender, bespectacled bank robber and safecracker, awaiting appeal from a sentence of fourteen years and fifteen lashes, for Harrison Hot Springs Hotel robbery in April, 1931; 

The practice of prison authorities is to permit criminals who appeal sentences to remain in Oakalla pending final judicial decision in their cases. 

Frank Sorge, 27, in Oakalla pending appeal of sentences of four years on each of two charges of possessing burglars' tools; 

Gordon Fawcett, 23, sentenced to eighteen months for automobile theft and three years for complicity in the attempted holdup of Bank of Montreal branch, Sixteenth and Cambie, several months ago; 

Norman Moore, 25, committed for trial in Burnaby on a charge of breaking and entering; 

William Lane, serving one year for car theft in Chilliwack, concurrent with a sentence in Kelowna of two years for receiv-ing stolen property. He was also sentenced in Vernon to two years for breaking and entering, the term to start at expiration of the others. 

DESPERATE FIGHT IS ANTICIPATED. Police officers engaged In the hunt are working with caution. They have they been warned that the fugitives, particularly Bagley and Sorge, will probably lose no time in obtaining arms, if they have not already done so, and that they will fight to the death rather than submit to capture. 

It was only recently that Bagley, held in Whatcom jail, awaiting extradition to Canada on Harrison Hot Springs Hotel robbery charge, attempted to shoot his way to freedom. His gun misfire, however, when he drew it on Jailer Earl Loop, and as he fled, Loop fired and struck him in the thigh.

Bagley is an old time convict, having served a term of ten years with twenty lashes for a bank robbery in Nanaimo.

Sorge also put up a terrific struggle before arrested in Vancouver on charges for which he was sentenced. He seriously injured Detective John Berry when the latter was apprehending him in a West End rooming-house.

‘I’m convinced that Bagley will never he taken alive," said one police official Sunday night. "He'll fight It out to the last" 

There is one peculiar coincidence In the situation. Two of the men who fled Sunday night, and who are believed to have escaped In the coupe - Moore and Lane - were both Involved in former attempted escapes from Oakalla, and in  both instances one of their companions was killed. On March 21, 1927, Lane and a man named McGregor, made a break from from the Jail. MGregor was killed In the attempt. On August 11, 1926, Moore and William Marsden. alias Brewster, made a dash for liberty and Brewster was shot by a guard and fatally Injured. 

The escape will be the subject of an exhaustive investigation, It Is declared j by Deputy Warden C. C. Whebell of Oakalla. Bagley was one of the most carefully-guarded Inmates of the Jail. and since his entry last June officials had been watching with utmost caution to outwit possible plans for escape. 

GUARDED AGAINST PLANS FOR ESCAPE Time and again rumors were carried to them that Bagley was working with outside confederates to gain his liberty, and on each occasion every precaution was taken to guard against a break.

In his routine prison life the man was classed as a good prisoner, but guards never slackened their watch on him. It was Just a few months ago that officials found firearma, ammunition and a bottle of ammonia In a stump near the Jail, which they believe had been secreted by Bagley's friends In readiness for a break. 

Even as recently as four days ago. prison authorities were "tipped off" that Bagley had another scheme brewing and he was moved from a former cell tier to the one from which he escaped. 

"He's a dangerous man," said Whebell ruefully. 

It was at 7 o'clock that absence of the quintette was noticed. Guard D. Campbell was making his  regular rounds and found the five cells empty. There are twenty cells where the men were confined and prisoners were assigned to nineteen. HACKSAW BLADE FURNISHED PRISONERS. In some manner possibly from an outside confederate a hacksaw blade waa obtained, and It is thought the prisoners cut the bars between 4:30 o'clock when they were locked In their cells after dinner and 7 o'clock, when their escape was discovered. One of the five, Lane, had been assigned the task of cleaner for the particular tier occupied by the escaped men. and he was not usually locked In his cell until 7 o'clock. 

The Ingenuity of the men - and the plan is credited to Bagley - is exemplified by the fact that they managed to manipulate the cell locks to gain freedom to the corridor which passes outside the cages. The locks are controlled from a master lever, which can open all, or any one of the cell doors. Never before has a prisoner been able to open these locks. In this case, however, the whole five were opened. 

It is thought that one of the men, possibly Lane, who as cleaner had freedom of the cell-corridor after the others were locked In, sawed his way through the narrow bars at the end of the corridor, first cutting through a light "V-Joint" wooden wall covering the grill. To prevent light from penetrating this opening, a piece of blanket was hung over it. 

TWO BARS CUT AND BLANKET TIED. Through this opening the men could enter a main corridor with access to a barred window. Two bare on this window were cut through, a blanket fastened to a bar, and the five slid to freedom. Prom the end of the blanket to the ground they dropped eighteen feet. Two halves of a hacksaw blade were found near the window. 

The remaining fourteen prisoners In the tier were left In their cells. Officials believe the fugitives did not offer to take the other prisoners with them, as a Jail delivery would hinder their evident plans for a quiet break. 

Once outside, it is conjectured by both police and prison officials, the fugitives found confederates waiting In an automobile with clothing to cover the prison garb and with guns. They point to the fact that two men took a car and fled through New Westmlnster. Since no other automobile was reported stolen in the district, it Is assumed that the other three had made previous arrangements for transportation. 

ALARM BRINGS REINFORCEMENTS. As soon as the escape was noticed Oakalla officials Instituted a hasty but thorough search of the grounds and the district surrounding the Jail. Misty rain added to the difficulties. Police of New Westminster were notified at 7:15 o'clock, and immediately Chief Cameron summoned his entire force and set patrols on Fraser bridge and all possible points of egress, 

Two Vancouver constable were sent to augment the Royal City force and guard the bridge where all cars, moving In either direction, were stopped and searched. Hardware stores were guarded, on the possibility that the fugitives would seek to break Into any store where they might obtain firearms. Chief Cameron also ordered patrols to watch freight trains passing through New Westminster. Fraser River waterfront was thoroughly patrolled. 

Vancouver police were notified at 7:50 o'clock, and other districts were warned to watch for the fugitives. Police have been despatched to the International border, customs and Immigration authorities have been notified, and police of Seattle have been told to be on the lookout for Bagley and his two companions as far east as Hope all roads are guarded. 

"MASTER MIND OF HARRISON ROBBERY.  Bagley was sentenced at the fall Assize Court at New Westminster, November 19, 1931, by Chief Justice Aulay Morrison to fourteen years and fifteen lashes after being convicted of robbery with violence in connection with Harrison Hot Springs Hotel holdup last April. He was in Oakalla prison pending an appeal of this sentence. 

He was the only one of the three bandits captured In connection with the crime. in which he was undoubtedly the "master mind." After blowing the safe in the hotel lobby, holding up the Japanese night watchman, and escaping with about 400, the trio fled in a stolen automobile as far as Mission City. There they engaged In a running gun battle with provincial police and doubled back to Deroche. Near this point they disappeared after abandoning the car.

Bagley was captured by the United States border patrol near Nooksack. Wash. He waa taken to Whatcom County Jail at Bellingham. 

Brought to Oakalla Jail In June. Bagley refused immediate election and his trial was stood over from the spring assizes until the fall court. 

Bagley was one of the six bandits who on Friday. December 12. 1924, Invaded the Royal Bank of Canada at Nanaimo, and at the point of revolver, rifled bank vault of $43,000. They escaped In an automobile. The money was a portion of a mining company'a payroll. Bagley was convicted later. The robbery, which was the first of its kind in Nanaimo for half a century, caused a sensation throughout the lower mainland. Unusual ability and determination was shown by the bandits, who on one occasion escaped from police by strewing nails on a Vancouver Island highway, thus puncturing tires of an auto carrying officers who were close behind them.

[AL: This escape took almost eight months to resolve, with Bagley finally tried in October 1932. I’ll be using the tag ‘1932 oakalla escape’ to track it as I post.]

[winfall]

Episode 1: Welcome to Suplex City (Volume 1)

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

(photo by Michal Franczakk from Unsplash)

INT. PILLMAN'S WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

CHAINS RATTLE as the garage door of an abandoned warehouse rises to reveal three SCPD officers standing side by side suited up and aimed. DEAN AMBROSE, ROMAN REIGNS, and SETH ROLLINS.

Dean takes the lead, cautiously stepping forward to scope the place out.

Bags of money and weapons are piled in the middle of the floor, but no one's home.

DEAN: All clear. Someone must have tipped them off.

SMACK. Roman collapses to his right. Dean swings around prepared to shoot—stops, mouth open in shock. A chair slaps his head and he hits the floor. He's out.

A gloved hand clutches a black metal chair drops as the attacker hovers above Dean. We rise up his SPD uniformed torso until we see the face of--

Seth Rollins. Grinning. No remorse.

INT. PILLMAN'S WAREHOUSE – SOME TIME LATER

SIRENS SOUND and LIGHTS FLASH outside the building's dirty windows. Dean and Roman are still knocked out on the ground, money scattered around them. Dean stirs, wincing in pain. He looks around, disoriented. What happened?

The garage doors open and SCPD swarm inside waving flashlights led by OFFICER SAMOA JOE.

JOE: SCPD!

Dean struggles to climb to his feet.

JOE (CONT'D): Don't move! Hands up where I can see them.

Dean remains on his knees and holds up his hands. Flashlights find his face and he squints.

Surprise twitches on Joe's face, but he maintains his position.

Dean has some explaining to do.

(photo by Joshua Newton from Unsplash)

EXT. SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE THE CITY - NIGHT

MONTAGE: Newspapers with breaking headlines are dropped one on top of another in a metal trash can.

-Front page: Dean Ambrose's mugshot on the front page. Headline: Dirty Cop Behind Bars.

SETH ROLLINS (V.O): Funny how this world goes 'round.

-Front page: Captain Rollins shaking hands with Chief of Police SHANE MCMAHON. Headline: New Captain Helps Nail Dirty Cop.

SETH ROLLINS (V.O): One minute you're surrounded by kings and queens, on top of the world.

-Front page: Captain Rollins standing with city council leaders HUNTER HELMSLEY  and STEPHANIE MCMAHON at a charity baseball game. Headline: SPCD and City Council Unite for the Greater Good.

SETH ROLLINS (V.O): And the next...

-Front page: Captain Rollins in a hospital bed and a photo of a silhouette with a question mark. Headline: Captain Rollins Brutally Attacked, Suspect Unknown.

SETH ROLLINS (V.O): Your world comes crashing down on top of you.

-Front page: Triple H shaking hands with a smiling Samoa Joe. Headline: City Council Backs New Captain.

SETH ROLLINS (V.O): Some say their kingdom is too big to tear apart. The only way to end it?

-Someone lights a match.

SETH ROLLINS (V.O): Burn it down.

-A menacing Seth Rollins tosses the match onto the pile of newspapers. Watches it burn.

Superimpose: Three Years Later

(photo by Theme Photos from Unsplash)

INT. THE CELTIC TAVERN – NIGHT

A boot taps to the music playing on the jukebox. It belongs to former officer Dean Ambrose. He's a little rough around the edges. Times have been hard. He takes a sip from his coffee mug, hearing the breaking news on the TV hanging above the counter, but not really listening. It's Talking Smack. Suplex City's leading news station.

RENEE YOUNG (ON TV): After nearly a decade, Mayor Jerry Lawler is stepping down. His reasons are unknown, but it leaves the position open for candidates looking to fill that role including Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and Chief of Police Shane McMahon.

Clip of an interview with Stephanie McMahon standing with her Director of Operations, GLENN JACOBS:

STEPHANIE MCMAHON (ON TV): I am not aware of what led to our former mayor's decision to abdicate his position, and quite frankly, that's none of my concern. My concern is for the citizens of this city. We want to build a community that's working toward the same goal: Success. That is why I am running for mayor.

Clip of an interview with Shane McMahon:

SHANE MCMAHON (ON TV): This city has gotten out of control. It's about time someone stepped up and did something about it. Which is why I'm running for mayor.

The door to the tavern opens and Big Show steps inside. He grunts on sight of Dean.

He makes his way over and takes the seat next to him. Taps the counter with his beefy finger. Bar owner, SHEAMUS, walks over and places a glass in front of him. Big Show chugs it and slams the empty bottle back down with a THUD.

BIG SHOW: You've got some nerve showing your face around here.

Dean ignores him. Keeps tapping his foot to the music.

BIG SHOW (CONT'D): Shoving your badge in our faces like you're better than everyone else. Now look at you. You're just like us. Cheers.

He lifts his glass in salute and drops it at Dean's boot.

Dean's foot stops tapping.

DEAN: Is there a problem?

Big Show stands, his massive frame towering over Dean.

BIG SHOW: You're my problem.

Dean causally sips his drink.

DEAN: (To Sheamus) I'm going to take this to go.

He slams it across Big Show's head. Big Show totters, but he's still standing. Dean throws a punch, but Big Show grabs his fist midair and headbutts him.

Dean stumbles back. He grabs his stool and whacks it against Big Show's body. Big Show barely loses his balance. Dean tries again, but Big Show yanks it from him and chucks it against the wall where it shatters to pieces.

He grabs Dean by the throat, lifts him off his feet, and chokeslams him through a table breaking it in half.

Dean lies there, coughing.

DEAN: You're going to have to do better than that.

Big show snarls.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE CELTIC TAVERN – SECONDS LATER

Dean crashes through the window. He lies motionless in a pile of shattered glass on the sidewalk, in pain.

SIRENS SOUND.

OPENING TITLES: WINFALL “WELCOME TO SUPLEX CITY”

(photo by Syarafina Yusof from Unsplash)

INT. SPCD STATION – LATER

Dean gets his mugshots taken. He's been here before.

INT. SPCD HOLDING CELL – MORNING

Dean is asleep in the cell. Looks like he needed it. OFFICER DANA BROOKE bangs on the bars with her baton, startling him awake.

DANA: Naptime's over. Someone actually likes you.

She unlocks the cell.

INT. SCPD STATION – CONTINUOUS

The station is teeming with bad guys and bad girls being brought in and processed. PHONES ARE RINGING off the hook. A usual day for the Suplex City Police Department.

Dana walks Dean out as Chief Shane McMahon exits his office.

DEAN: Chief Mac. Or is it Mayor Mac. You've got my vote.

Shane is not in the mood.

SHANE: You think this is funny? Listen to me. We've got real problems to deal with and instead we're wasting time with the likes of you. You want to throw your life away, do it someplace else. Don't ever let me catch you in here again. Captain, a word, please.

Recently promoted, Captain Samoa Joe follows Shane back to his office. As he passes Dean he acknowledges him with disgust.

EXT. SCPD PARKING LOT – MOMENTS LATER

Dean exits the building spotting Officer Roman Reigns who's leaning against a patrol car.

ROMAN: Rough night?

DEAN: Had worse. Good to see you, brother.

ROMAN: Don't be so sure.

He moves to the driver's seat.

(photo by Vaibhav Goyal from Unsplash)

INT. ROMAN'S POLICE CAR - MOVING – LATER

Roman and Dean are riding outside of the city, seemingly to the middle of nowhere.

DEAN: I appreciate you running to my rescue, but I hope you didn't spend your last dime on me. All I've got to offer in return is a half-eaten tuna sandwich in the fridge. You can have it if you want.

ROMAN: Keep your sandwich. I owe you enough as it is. Besides, I'm not the one who bailed you out.

Dean is puzzled by this information, not knowing what to make of it.

EXT. PILLMAN'S WAREHOUSE – LATER

They pull up to the abandoned warehouse and park. This place still haunts Dean to this day.

DEAN: What are we doing here?

ROMAN: You'll see.

He gets out. Dean sits there, contemplating. Going against his gut, he follows Roman.

Roman pulls the chain to lift the garage door open. Inside, it's dark and empty, hollow. Until someone steps out of the shadows.

Seth Rollins. 

[boxdstars]

Your favorite wizarding war criminal, hot off the press

The final design of timeskip!amara aka Commissioner Ambrose aka the bane of everyone’s existence

[vanwartime]

Flashback to a little domestic terrorism at the Vancouver courthouse...

The Vancouver Sun November 4, 1942, Pages 1; 10

Blasts Mystify Police 'Short Man' Seen On Court House Steps

One of the two majestic 10-ton granite lions-symbols of British justice guarding Vancouver's Court House entrance-was split in two on Tuesday night by mystery dynamite blasts which smashed windows within a block's radius, rocked the entire city centre and were heard miles but in the suburbs. There were two explosions. The first came at 9:37 p.m., and the other seconds later. The lion on the right of a person facing the Court House was shattered. The hind quarters were blown away from the rest of the body and three blocks of granite at least a foot in diameter, were blown on to a nearby parking space. Smaller chunks were scattered over the roadway and lawn. Windows were smashed in Hotel Vancouver, in the Devonshire and Georgia Hotels, in the Court House itself and in another building on Howe Street.

FUSE AND WIRE Experts of three police forces the City, Provincial and Royal Canadian Mounted Police are co-operating in today's investigation of what they believe is "an isolated act of vandalism." The dynamite "time-bombs" were placed one on each side of the stone lion, in small depressions just below the animal's flanks. The space would allow insertion of about two half sticks of dynamite on each side. A lengthy piece of fuse and another length of wire both found near the shattered granite lion are to be examined by Inspector J. F. C. B. Vance, city police scientist. One opinion is that the length of fuse was blown out of one of the bombs when the first explosion set off the second charge. The wire to be examined is believed to have been used to bind the half sticks of dynamite together.

SAW SHORT MAN A number of persons saw the flashes of the explosions and at least one person a soldier saw a man running down the Court House steps when the first blast went off. This witness is Sgt. P. E. J. Tomey, and here is the story he told police: "I was in a building on Howe, overlooking the Court House. There were two blasts, about five seconds apart. The second was the loudest. "Right after the first, I saw a short man dash from the steps. I saw him in the light of the explosion as he started to run across the grounds to ward Georgia and Hornby," A few minutes after the dynamite went off, City Police, B.C. Police and RCMP were on the job. Until a heavy guard was thrown around the building, hordes of curious spectators trampled over the Court House lawns and up the steps to peer at the battered lion. In addition to the long piece of fuse and the wire, police found seven other bits of fuse all about one foot in length, All the fuse is the waterproof variety.

CHECK SALES Inspector Vance will test it to determine how long before the explosion the fuse was lit. City detectives Jack Horton and Gordon Ambrose, who are investigating the case, are back on the scene today to look for dynamite caps or bits of metal There have been no recent reports of dynamite being stolen, and since a permit is necessary to purchase the explosive all sales in this area will be checked in an effort to apprehend the vandal. It is estimated that between two and three feet of fuse may have been used for the first bomb, since the mysterious "short man" was seen at the bottom of the steps when it exploded. In addition to placing a heavy guard around the Court House, Assistant Commissioner John Shirras of the Provincial Police ordered an exhaustive search of the building itself a few minutes after the explosions.

WINDOWS SMASHED Provincial Police were called in from as far away as New Westminster. Greatest damage, outside of the wrecked lion, was the smashing of windows. Twenty were broken in Hotel Devonshire, across the street from the Court House. One was cracked in Hotel Georgia. Five were broken in Hotel Vancouver, and every one of the wire-mesh windows in the front section of the Court House was shattered. Forty windows were broken in the Court House alone. Most investigators believe that the dynamiter is a "crank."

[article 2] [photo caption: Damage to the carved granite lion which has symbolically guarded the west side of the Georgia Street entrance to the Court House since 1910 can be seen in this picture. Despite the huge split caused by the mysterious double blast which shook the city Tuesday night, the "guardian" appears as unperturbed as ever. Estimated weight of the huge granite beast is 10 tons. The explosions shifted the hindquarters of the lion approximately a foot, and scattered pieces of rock and dust over a wide area. The detonation was the second act of defacement the statuary has suffered in three years. On September 6, 1939, the "Lions" which surmount the pillars on either side of the entrance were defaced with green swastikas.]

Thought The Japs Were Here Hotel Guests Fled To Bomb Shelter

Residents in hotels near the scene of Tuesday night's mystery explosion thought that war had come to Vancouver when two blasts shook the area in quick succession and shattered a total of about 70 windows. Guests in Hotel Devonshire, which' felt the greatest effects from concussion, ran to the basement garage in the building, convinced that enemy bombers were overhead. One of them, a merchant navy seaman who has seen action, ran past the switchboard in the hotel to take shelter in the basement, as other guests made frantic inquiries of Miss Ada McLennan of 1915 Haro Street, the operator on duty. H. D. Cura, the desk clerk, rushed to the door when the first explosion shook the building, and opened in time to witness the second.

SAW BRIGHT FLASH "I had just reached the door and started to open it," he said, "when I saw a bright flash across at the Court House. A split second later I felt the impact, which was great enough to force the door out of my hand." Closest man in the city to the granite Court House lion when it was blasted in two by the dynamite charge was probably Sidney Kelland, Vancouver organist. He was cutting across the Court House lawn to enter CBR studios in Hotel Vancouver for a rehearsal when the explosion occurred. I was only about 12 paces away," he said. "Another few paces and I would have been right there in front of the steps." Mr. Kelland does not remember any flash or sheet of flame, nor did he notice the man seen running away from the steps by Sgt. P. E. J. Tomey. He reported that for a moment the air was filled with flying bits of granite, none of which fell near him. 'I expected to see more dam age" he said. He felt that the force of the explosion expended itself in the open space of the Court House grounds. William Benekritis, a peanut vendor, also saw and felt both blasts. He was standing in the door of the Devonshire Hotel, in which about 20 windows were broken. "The first thought that entered my head was that the Japs had come," he recalls. "But the lights were still burning, so I decided that it must have been dynamite. "I wasn't looking in the direction of the Court House at the time of the first explosion.

WISELY SEEKS REFUGE "A moment later the second explosion came, and glass started to fall from broken windows in the hotel. I decided I would be better off indoors, so I picked up my basket and went in the beer parlor." Russell Escott, sitting at a table in the Hotel Devonshire beer parlor with his wife, said people inside thought that a bomb had exploded in the street right outside the hotel. "Glass fell within five feet of us," he told a reporter. Miss Odette Ainsworth, telephone operator at CBR studio: on the ground floor of Hotel Vancouver, narrowly escaped severe lacerations when a window two feet from her chair was shattered and blown across the foyer. She was showered with glass but unhurt. Two other CBR windows were shattered, and two in other parts of the hotel were blown in. People in the hotel thought boilers of the steam heating system had blown up.

STUDIO NOTED TIME Bill Herbert, chief announcer at CBR, timed the first blast by the studio's stop watch, which he was watching at the time. "The first explosion occurred exactly at 9:37 p.m.," he said "The second one was about 15 seconds later. I just got out on Hornby Street in time to see the flash." Professor F. G. C. Wood of the University of British Columbia was broadcasting when the explosions occurred. "He never batted an eye," said Herbert. "He just kept on talking." Only one window in Hotel Georgia was cracked by the blast, but the entire building shook, according to Leslie H, Davies, night room clerk.

IN THE COURT HOUSE Also close to the explosions, but behind closed doors was F.H. Brown, night janitor in the Court House. He was cleaning floors in the main entrance of the building when concussion from the two blasts hit the building like waves. "I ran into the centre of the building after the first explosion, he said, "and then ran downstairs into the Provincial Police offices when the second one occurred." Detective John Cameron, seated in the Provincial Police offices, said the whole building shook. Shatterproof glass windows on either side of the main entrance crumpled and were left hanging from their steel mesh protection. Intensity of the explosions can be judged by the fact that inquiries from Point Grey residents were received at The Sun office. "The explosions were quite distinct out here," one Point Grey resident said.

[shanie-the-toyaddict]

SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon Completed 1/29/21 Custom by Shanie

OMG I SWEAR THIS IS THE LAST FOR THE NIGHT! Anyway, I was literally rooting through my parts box, when I found this custom half completed in there. I realized that I could probably finish it, and then when I realized how WELL I could make it, I got stoked. Recipe: Summerslam Elite Dean Ambrose Body (With Sculpted Milliput Sweater Piece) Paul Ellering Arms Battle Pack 46 Shane Jacket Full Paint Job See! I told you to remember the jacket! Anyway, I’m thrilled how this one turned out. I’ve gotten so much better in the time since my first. Before, I would have never dreamed of parts swapping anything besides a head. Now, I’m swapping heads, hands, and arms. Still need practice on feet though. Very happy with how this turned out. Great stuff. (Edit: I will be doing his hair. Tomorrow.)

[batmanonthecover]

BATMAN #149 - August 1962

Cover Art: Sheldon Moldoff

THE MAESTRO OF CRIME

Script: Jerry Coleman

Art:  Sheldon Moldoff (Pencils), Charles Paris (Inks), Stan Starkman (Letters)

Characters:  Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Ambrose Weems (music expert); Maestro of Crime [Payne Cardine] (villain, introduction); Maestro's henchmen (villains)

Synopsis: Angered because of poor reviews of his music concerts, Payne Cardine turns to crime. Batman then uses a music expert to decipher the clues left behind by Cardine as the Maestro of Crime.

Batman story #961

THE INVADERS FROM THE PAST

Script: Jerry Coleman

Art: Sheldon Moldoff (Pencils), Charles Paris (Inks), Stan Starkman (Letters)

Characters:  Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Dr. Alpheus Roberts (scientist); Ben Ryder (villain); Slick Ronson (villain)

Synopsis:  The appearance of strange men through portals and the kidnapping of the Caped Crusaders by two Vikings all lead to the eventual capture of two crooks perpetuating a hoax.

Batman story #962

BATMAN TUNES IN ON MURDER

Script: Jerry Coleman

Art: Sheldon Moldoff (Pencils), Charles Paris (Inks), Stan Starkman (Letters)

Characters:  Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Mayor of Gotham City; Jaharian Rajah; Plethi (villain, Jaharian Ambassador); two crooks (villains)

Synopsis:  The light reflected off the ring of a visiting Rajah allows Batman to tune in the thoughts of a person planning murder with a bomb.

Batman story #963

[jbbarnesnnoble]

Through the Flames (Part Four)

Summary:  You’re a firefighter with the FDNY. After a fire that ends in tragedy, you find yourself running into some of the Avengers and maybe finding some new friends and romance along the way.

Features: Mentions of fire and explosions; mentions of potential character death

Pairing: Sam Wilson/Reader

Notes: The aftermath of the fire

Word Count: 1140

“She’s crashing!” someone yelled. Your condition had quickly changed en route to the hospital. They were quick to figure out why. You were bleeding heavily, shrapnel from the blast having gotten through your jacket. While you were being rushed into surgery, the Avengers were across town.

A fire had broken out in Queens, following the pattern. The commissioner called the Avengers to the scene. Commissioner Haddock frowned as he stood with Captain America and the ones he had brought with him.

“The evidence we’ve turned up suggests that these fires are in your wheelhouse. We’ll meet tomorrow to discuss the findings, but, my officers and detectives can no longer safely investigate these fires. Fire Commissioner Andrews agrees and the Bureau of Fire Investigation is turning over what they have in conjunction with the NYPD,” Haddock said. The lines on his face seemed to deepen as he shook his head. The rash of arsons that turned out to be murders had taken a toll, not only on his officers but on the morale of first responders throughout the city. His radio started picking up chatter from Brooklyn.

“Looks like you’re up, Captain,” Haddock said, running a hand through his hair. Another night with no rest for the city. The Avengers gathered looked toward their captain for orders. It was a smoke condition that had come in at a vacant building in Brooklyn. An uneasy feeling settled on the group. 

“Nat, Bucky, you stay here with Parker. Wanda, Sam, and I will head to Brooklyn, find out what’s going on. We’ll meet up at the Tower after. Stay alert, we don’t know if these are connected or if there’s others out there,” Steve said. 

They arrived on the scene to hear someone laying on the horns of the fire trucks. Evacuation. Seconds later, an explosion rocked the building. Steve made his way to the firefighter running the scene.

“Anyone inside?” he asked. The chief rattled off your name and several others. Steve glanced back at where Sam and Wanda stood. Two firefighters emerged, clutching on to one another for support. Steve recognized them from the reports. Amanda and Carlos. You were still missing. He could see Sam and Wanda putting the pieces together before they reached him. 

“She’s in there, Cap. She’s in there, we have to go in there,” Sam said. Steve put a hand on his chest.

“We can’t. We’re not trained for that, Sam. Like it or not, we can’t go running in there. We don’t know what else could be in there. The structure isn’t stable,” Steve said. Sam looked at him in disbelief.

“We’re the Avengers,” Sam protested. 

“Right. The Avengers. Not firefighters. We’re a lot of things Sam, but immortal isn’t one of them. None of us are going in there,” Steve said, his tone saying it all. It was final. No arguing. Regardless of whatever burgeoning friendship Sam had with you. Sam ran toward you when he saw you emerge from the smoldering wreck of a building. You were rushed to a stretcher, talking and alert. Steve gave him a nod to go with you. Someone needed to be there. This was their investigation now, their problem. 

“I need you to tell me everything leading up to the explosion,” Steve said to the chief. His eyes flitted around the scene, taking in every detail he could. He could hear the creaking of the building as everyone was ushered further away. 

“There’s not much to tell you, Captain. Call came in for a smoke condition at an unoccupied structure. We figured it was routine. We arrived, no fire showing. One of the firefighters noticed something. Don’t know what, she radioed that no one should come in, something wasn’t right. Before she could say anything else, the explosion happened,” the chief explained. 

“We have a member of our team at the hospital. As soon as any of your crew are able to tell us what happened in there, we’ll need to speak to them,” Steve said. 

“Of course...I should start reaching out to their families, let them know to get down there,” the chief said. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They wouldn’t let Sam go past the double doors of the ER. You were tough. You were strong. You had to be. The situation had been dire enough they had needed Sam as an extra set of hands to keep pressure on the biggest would you had from the explosion until they reached the hospital and staff took over. Protocol be damned. 

He was still pacing when Steve arrived with Wanda. They were brought to another waiting room to wait for any news about you and the other three firefighters. A doctor emerged a short while later.

“Ms. Paulson and Mr. Mendoza are both being kept for observation. I’ve informed them that you’re here. They suffered minor injuries in the explosion. Ms. Paulson said they were further behind the other two when it happened. The other two are still in surgery,” the doctor, who introduced herself as Dr. Ambrose, told them. 

“How bad is it?” Sam asked. Dr. Ambrose had a grim expression.

“It’s not looking good. They were closest to the blast by Ms. Paulson and Mr. Mendoza’s accounts,” she said. Sam felt his heart break a little more. You had only known him a short while, but it had been enough for you to find a home in his heart. As sure as the sun was to rise in the morning, he knew he was falling for you, fast. 

“Let us know if there’s any updates. We’ll speak to the other two now,” Steve said. Sam followed behind, lost in his thoughts. You were going to be okay, you had to be. He was zoned out as they spoke to your colleagues, your friends. Sam knew you considered them family. It was the same way he saw his fellow Avengers. The amount of trust you had to have in them to have your back day in and day out was more than your average work place. It could be the difference between life and death for people. 

When they finished the interviews, the three of them headed to the empty room a nurse had shown them to so they could wait for news on you and Garrett. Natasha, Peter, and Bucky arrived soon after. 

“What are we thinking?” Steve asked.

“Sam’s not going to like this,” Natasha said.

“What is it?” Sam asked. Anxiety started to set in. He was worried about you as it was. Anything Natasha had to say now was cause for worry. He ran through the list of things she might say. He hoped it wasn’t what he thought she was going to say. Natasha was already suspicious enough about you. 

“Your girl’s father? He’s ex-HYDRA,” Natasha said, sending the room into a stunned silence. 

[reportafrique]

Lagos State Unveils  Plans for Cocoa Industry Expansion by 2025

The Lagos state government has announced plans to establish three cocoa processing plants with an annual production capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes each by 2025. Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, revealed these initiatives at the International Cocoa and Chocolate Forum held in Lagos. Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ambrose-Medebem highlighted the administration's vision to capitalize on the state's strategic geographical location, aiming to transform Lagos into a key cocoa trading hub within Nigeria. The government also aims to train and empower approximately 20,000 cocoa agro-processors and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) by 2025 through various programs. "We are already working on a strategic roadmap to explore the potentials of cocoa, increasing its local processing to 40% of total production," Ambrose-Medebem stated. The ambitious plan includes the establishment of three major cocoa processing plants, each with a minimum annual processing capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes. Emphasizing the benefits of cocoa processing, the Commissioner stressed the importance of strategic partnerships within the cocoa value chain to generate revenue, create jobs, and contribute to economic diversification and development. The declining global ranking of Nigeria in cocoa production, falling behind Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Indonesia, underscores the urgency for such initiatives. "With this vision and resources, Lagos state is committed to leading this transformation. Together, we can create a sustainable and prosperous future for the cocoa industry, our economy, and our people," Ambrose-Medebem declared. Nigeria's cocoa production has faced a significant decline over the past four decades, losing its status as the top global producer. In response, the Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM) previously launched a platform to connect cocoa farmers, aggregators, and processors across Africa, aiming to enhance value addition and promote intra-African trade in the cocoa value chain. Recall that the Supreme Court had in its verdict yesterday affirmed the victory of Sanwo- Olu at the last general election. Read the full article

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade Sanwo-Olu drops five names sends reviewed new list to House for confirmation Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has removed five names from the list of commissioners-nominees he sent to the state House of Assembly. The affected nominees are Folashade Adefisayo (Education), Solape Hammond (SDG), Aramide Adeyoye (Works and Infrastructure), Lekan Fatodu, and Rotimi Ogunwuyi. They were replaced by six new names – Afolabi Tajudeen, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Tolani Sule-Akibu, Yekini Agbaje, Iyabode Ayoola, and Sola Giwa. Clerk of the House of Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, read the governor’s letter during plenary yesterday. The speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, thus directed the screening committee, led by the Chief Whip, Fatai Mojeed, to reconvene and start screening the nominees on Tuesday, September 5. The committee is to report back to the House on Thursday. The governor’s letter reads: “After careful consideration of the 17 names that were rejected, I have decided to represent a list of nominees which includes a balanced selection of previously presented and new individuals. This list represents a broad political spectrum and diverse backgrounds reflective of the rich diversity of our lovely state. I am confident these new nominees would bring fresh ideas that would help the growth and progress of Lagos.” Other names on the list are former commissioners Gbenga Omotoso (Information and Strategy); Prof. Akin Abayomi (Health); Olalere Odusote (Energy); Cecila Dada (Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation); Sam Egube (Economic Planning and Budget); as well as Folashade Ambrose-Medem, Yomi Olorunyomi, Rotimi Fashola, Mosopefolu George, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Mrs. Barakat Bakare, and Olumide Oluyinka. Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has resolved to review the performance of the 2023 budget in preparation for the presentation of the 2024 budget estimate by Governor Sanwo-Olu. The House approved N1.768 trillion for the Year 2023. Obasa urged the committee for the budget review, headed by Sa’ad Olumo, to ensure a proper review and make its report available to the House. #SanwoOlusendsnewlistofCommissionerstoHouseofAssembly

[bcsndrew-blog]

CFL to possibly cancel season affects HBCU players

According to multiple sources, the Canadian Football League may be forced to cancel the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 epidemic.  In addition to this season, the long-term future of the league is in question.  There are approximately 80 players, who attended an HBCU, currently under contract for training camps in the CFL.  

CFL Commissioner Randy Ambroise testified before the House of Commons committee of finance, this past Thursday.  This testimony came a week after the CFL requested $150 million in assistance from the Canadian government.  The nine team CFL lost approximately $20 million last season.  The CFL relies heavily on ticket sales for revenue.  A fanless CFL will be detrimental to finances.  In Canada, there are approximately 64,000 confirmed cases, with a majority of those being in Quebec and Ontario.

“Unlike large U.S.-based leagues, our biggest source of revenue is not TV, it’s ticket sales,” Ambrosie said while testifying to a House of Commons committee, via the CBC. “Governments coping with COVID-19, for reasons of public health that we totally support, have made it impossible for us to do what we do.  “Our best-case scenario for this year is a drastically truncated season. And our most likely scenario is no season at all.”  He later stated, “The fact is that in the face of essentially a zero-revenue model, all of our teams, including our community teams, are going to suffer significant losses that are going to be hard to recover from,” Ambrosie said. “The real issue is this crisis is essentially going to quadruple or more the financial losses that our teams will take in a season that could potentially be lost altogether.”

In a press conference the prior week, Ambrose stated, “We’re like so many other businesses across Canada.  We’re facing financial pressures unlike anything we’ve seen before. Our best-case scenario is we’re almost certain to have to cancel games. But at worst if this crisis persists and large gatherings are prevented, we could lose the whole season and the types of losses we could incur would be devastating.”

The regular season was scheduled to begin in early July, with training camps opening up next month.  All have been postponed.  With only 30 HBCU players being drafted by the NFL in the previous decade, many have looked to other leagues to play professional football in North America.  With the AAF and XFL folding over the past 12 months, the CFL and Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA) of Mexico are the top remaining professional leagues.  During the off-season, CFL teams are able to expand their rosters to 85 players.  Season rosters are limited to 46 players, of which 20 can be non-Canadian players exclusively.  An additional 3 players can be classified as quarterbacks without restriction to their country of origin.  There are 10 practice squad slots available where a maximum of 8 American can be listed.

The opportunities for HBCU players to earn a living playing professional football may become even more limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Clifford Jackson, CEO and sports agent for Right Touch Sports, stated that “although in the short term, opportunities may be limited, the playing field will be level.   The market will be flooded with players due to free agency as a result of a cancelled season.  Because of supply and demand, salaries may decrease but there will still be opportunities.  If players look and do their research, there are a few leagues who still plan to continue operations.”  Leagues that Jackson suggested include the Rival Professional Football League in America, the X-League in Japan, and German Football League as options for HBCU players.