Archive for Thursday, June 8, 2006
Traffic problems arise at Wakarusa fest
June 8, 2006, 10:01 a.m. Updated June 8, 2006, 2:45 p.m.
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Update: Journal-World reporter Eric Weslander has learned more about the reasons behind the traffic delay.
Gary Thomas, head of security for the festival, said the traffic is slower on the way in this year because of more stringent vehicle checks at the gate.
"We're popping a lot more trunks and checking for glass, fireworks and narcotics, people with counterfeit wristbands," he said. "We did a lot of those things last year but this year we're just stepping it up. "It's a slow go but it's steady and it's organized."
Thomas said many people were coming up to the gate unprepared, without their tickets in hand.
"Apparently a lot of people aren't reading the huge sign that says 'Approaching vehicle checkpoints, please have tickets ready,'" he said. "They're digging in their bags. It just causes major congestion and traffic."
Audio Clips
Wakarusa Traffic Snarl
Journal-World reporter Sarah Benson is at the scene of the traffic jam at the intersection of Wakarusa and Clinton Parkway. The traffic jam was caused by breakdowns among the hundreds of motoring music lovers headed to the Wakarusa Festival at Clinton Lake. Some cars had mechanical problems. Others simply ran out of gas. Here is Benson's eyewitness report.
"The cars are backed up as far as the horizon in the direction of the lake and only now has traffic begun to move at a crawl.
"A tow truck from University Towing is removing disabled cars from the front of the stalled line and taking them away. Some people were dancing between the stalled cars.
Video
Traffic backed up on the K-10 bypass. Enlarge video
"Others took advantage of the traffic jam by runnning across the street to a liquor store, coming back with cases of beer.
"A single policeman was directing traffic at the intersection. But there was little he could do to help. He had been there two hours.
"One older woman in a Lincoln Continental did as several others did and at the suggestion of the policeman jumped her car over the median. It took her two tries.
"I talked to a man on a scooter who had been helping out by running back and forth ferrying gasoline to those who had run out of gas."
Marshall Rake, who works promotions for lawrence.com, said the traffic jam was still going on about 11:20 a.m. today. Rake said some people are making the best of it, having jam sessions or walking car-to-car to sell their vendor wares.
Stay tuned for later updates.
Reader poll
Wakarusa Festival 2006
More about the Wakarusa Festival
Video:
- 6News video: Clean-up crews picking up after weekend festival (06-12-06)
- 6News video: Wakarusa Festival arrests scheduled to appear Friday (06-12-06)
- 6News video: Wakarusa festival winds down (06-11-06)
- 6News video: Heat beats down on Wakarusa (06-09-06)
- 6News video: Businesses benefiting from festival (06-09-06)
- 6News video: Law enforcement keeping eye on illegal substances (06-09-06)
- 6News video: Wakarusa swings into gear (06-08-06)
- 6News video: Traffic snarls grip festival (06-08-06)
- 6News video: Sweep yields drug arrests (06-08-06)
- 6News video: Apartment complex blocked by traffic (06-08-06)
- 6News video: Checklanes check out festival-goers (06-07-06)
- 6News video: Staff, volunteers, vendors prepare for flood of visitors (06-07-06)
Stories:
- Wakarusa inspections infuriate the ACLU (06-13-06)
- Police activity, arrests increase at Wakarusa (06-13-06)
- Police presence dampened fest, campers say (06-12-06)
- Wakarusa hits high note (06-11-06)
- Norway's Hurra Torpedo plays everything but the kitchen sink (06-11-06)
- Concert creates good vibes for area businesses (06-10-06)
- Logistical problems strike sour note for some (06-10-06)
- Medical personnel see variety of ailments (06-10-06)
- More than Lip service (06-10-06)
- Lawrence drummer adjusts to gig with the Lips (06-10-06)
- Sitar player carves out own La La land in music industry (06-10-06)
- Festival in full gear (06-09-06)
- Delay doesn't dampen spirits (06-09-06)
- Medical tent may curb trips to LMH (06-09-06)
- Youngsters walk through traffic to tae kwon do (06-09-06)
- Women of Wakarusa (06-09-06)
- The Mutaytor brings circus atmosphere to outdoor fest (06-09-06)
- Traffic problems arise at Wakarusa fest (06-08-06)
- Highway patrol drug check greets fans on way to fest (06-08-06)
- State rains on Wakarusa parade (06-08-06)
- Scattered by Hurricane Katrina, band remains intact (06-08-06)
- Walkin' Wakarusa (06-08-06)
- Police checkpoint near Wakarusa causing a stir (06-07-06)
- Partiers take note: Police presence at Wakarusa Fest to double this year (05-04-06)
Photo Galleries:
- Wakarusa Festival 2006 - Day 4
- Wakarusa Festival 2006 - Day 3
- Wakarusa Festival 2006 - Day 2
- Wakarusa Festival 2006 - Day 1
- Wakarausa Festival 2006 - Pre-Fest
Turnpike coverage
For more on this story, return to this site later and see the 6News reports at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunflower Broadband's channel 6 and pick up a copy of tomorrow's Journal-World.
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- Festival in full gear 41 comments / June 9, 2006
- 15,000 expected as fest gets off to colorful start 5 comments / June 17, 2005
- Youngsters walk through traffic to tae kwon do 3 comments / June 9, 2006
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- Delay doesn't dampen spirits June 9, 2006
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8 June 2006
at 10:13 a.m.
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pundit (Anonymous) says…
Maybe the drug dogs can be enlisted to direct traffic.
8 June 2006
at 10:19 a.m.
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Sandman (Anonymous) says…
Maybe they should spend some of their drug money on car maintenance.
8 June 2006
at 10:46 a.m.
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girly (Anonymous) says…
This morning around 10am, they were backed up on the by-pass clear out to 6th street. It's gonna be hot!
8 June 2006
at 10:49 a.m.
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blue73harley (Anonymous) says…
Seems to me that cops would serve the public better if they were directing traffic rather than stopping it.
8 June 2006
at 10:51 a.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
lawrence, traffic problems, nah not here…..:)
8 June 2006
at 10:57 a.m.
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Raider (Anonymous) says…
If the SLT were finished that would be another alternate route to help free up some of this traffic.
8 June 2006
at 10:58 a.m.
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adavid (Anonymous) says…
DERRRR
8 June 2006
at 11:01 a.m.
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pilch (Anonymous) says…
Lovely Democratic Peoples Republic of Lawrence
8 June 2006
at 11:02 a.m.
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samsnewplace (Anonymous) says…
blue73harley….who do you think is directing traffic? they do both fyi or didn't you know that?
8 June 2006
at 11:03 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“If the SLT were finished that would be another alternate route to help free up some of this traffic.”
And I have a bridge to nowhere I could sell you for a good price.
8 June 2006
at 11:05 a.m.
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tkofford (Anonymous) says…
Duh. A 4 year old could predict this with the checkpoint.
I go that way every day to pick up my son from school and if it wasn't for my wife warning me yesterday, I would have been really late picking him up. He would have been wondering where the heck I was, not to mention the extra cash I would have to pay daycare.
I really feel sorry for the people who rely on that road each day getting stuck in this police “dragnet”.
There has got to be a better way to accomplish their goals. The big drug dealers probably knew about this yesterday and diverted their route anyway.
8 June 2006
at 11:19 a.m.
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BJ (Anonymous) says…
I just came from the bypass, and it's horrible. Don't go to that area of town if you don't have to.
Stop the search for drugs and start directing traffic, please!
8 June 2006
at 11:41 a.m.
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blue73harley (Anonymous) says…
sam - get a clue. Twelve cops were manning a check lane at the I70 exit, stopping traffic. ONE cop (see above article) was directing traffic.
8 June 2006
at 11:44 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
It would appear that whoever designed the state's “security” detail around this festival has the main intent to create as much havoc and bad will towards the fesitival as possible.
8 June 2006
at 11:57 a.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
sounds like you should get out and walk might get there faster.
8 June 2006
at 11:58 a.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
I love the pic. of the girl hanging out the window. This reminds me of last years evacuations in LA. and TX.
8 June 2006
at 12:13 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
help us, help us, we are melting and missing the fun some one stop the madness…….
8 June 2006
at 12:15 p.m.
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cutny (Anonymous) says…
hmmm…why are there quotes in this story that are not attributed to people? Since when are police officers authorized to tell people to break the law by driving over a median? Sounds like another well-thought out plan by the KHP and local yokel crime force.
8 June 2006
at 12:16 p.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
If they were coming off I-70, they wouldn't be heading west on Clinton Parkway, would they? Wouldn't they be coming from the north?
Looks to me like these folk got the word about the I-70 checklane and tried to avoid it by going through town.
8 June 2006
at 12:19 p.m.
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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…
This is totally hilarious! I wonder how many will get busted for DUI's while going less than 5mph?
8 June 2006
at 12:20 p.m.
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blue73harley (Anonymous) says…
Godot - exactly. Plus out-of-towners, mapping a straight route from the east to Clinton Lake will often just take the straightest course…right down 23rd. A mistake of epic proportions.
8 June 2006
at 12:21 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
cutny I would say they were just trying to get people not going to the fest. out of the way so as to try and clear up some of the traffic heck I would have done it. no need to sit in the mess if I knew a way around it.
8 June 2006
at 12:25 p.m.
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mztrendy (Anonymous) says…
I don't know momma, I bet that older lady in the nice car was attending!
8 June 2006
at 12:26 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
good one confrontation I can see that one happening.
harley agreed on that one and all of poor lawrence is stuck in this mess what to do? make it bigger next year.
8 June 2006
at 12:26 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
that is a good vizuale trendy thanks.
8 June 2006
at 12:32 p.m.
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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…
Sarah Moore must have heard about the police trap and smoked all her weed before getting into town.
8 June 2006
at 12:38 p.m.
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filmguru (Anonymous) says…
What about the people who live near the event? I live in Pinnacle Woods and can't leave my apartment because of the traffic. I'm afraid that if I leave, it'll be hours before I can get back. This traffic is a MAJOR inconvenience for those who make Lawrence their home.
8 June 2006
at 1:12 p.m.
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bluedog (Anonymous) says…
Just drove by on my way back to work…the traffic is really backed up. Damn hippies everywhere…imagine being stuck in a car with no air conditioning with one of them. Ugh…
I think the LJ World needs to report on activities you can do to AVOID Wakarusafest.
8 June 2006
at 1:14 p.m.
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mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…
filmguru, don't you have enough beer in your fridge? One must always keep enough beer on hand to outlast any “crisis” that may crop up. Four years ago, I lived in midtown KC when that winter ice storm hit. I made it through two days of blackout with a case and a half of BEER!
“Because, without beer, things do not seem to go as well…”—Brother Epp, Munjor, Kansas, 1903.
8 June 2006
at 1:15 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
that might be helpful for law. drivers but what kinda news would that be? “how to avoid big mess” they would have to do that everyday
8 June 2006
at 1:17 p.m.
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doc1 (Anonymous) says…
Ok for the dumb people who can't read. The traffic problem on Clinton parkway has absolutely nothing to do with the KHP stopping people at the I-70 exit. They are trying to get into the festival and there are simply too many people doing it at once. If you want to blame somebody blame the roundabout that causes all the two lane traffic to funnel into one lane.
8 June 2006
at 1:19 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Bye, Bye, Waukarusa Festival!
You can than k the Governor who tells the Highway Patrol what to do!
demonrats!
Thanks.
Marion.
8 June 2006
at 1:23 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
basic fact here today traffic is a mess stay home if at all possible.
8 June 2006
at 1:23 p.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
doc1— word has undoubtedly gotten out to avoid the I-70 exit, so at least some of the traffic on Clinton Parkway is because of the checkpoint.
8 June 2006
at 1:24 p.m.
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bluedog (Anonymous) says…
Ahhh…staying at home…with air conditioning…
8 June 2006
at 1:33 p.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
Hey Marion,
Filbert!!
8 June 2006
at 2:20 p.m.
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YourItalianPrincess (Anonymous) says…
Another year of craziness in Lawrence. I would love to go to the festival myself, but I won't take my son there. Hes 8 and I don't think its a good idea.
As far as traffic……thats a given and they knew it would happen this year also.
Time to chill here at home this weekend. Spend time with son and maybe catch a movie.
8 June 2006
at 2:32 p.m.
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conservative (Anonymous) says…
Princess,
Take him to see Over the Hedge. My parents took my kids last weekend and they haven't stopped talking about it.
8 June 2006
at 2:33 p.m.
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peachesncream (Anonymous) says…
the older lady in the lincon jumped the median cause she didnt want her car searched… god forbid they take her hubbies viagra
8 June 2006
at 2:35 p.m.
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KsGirl (Anonymous) says…
Actually, whether you come in from I-70 or K-10 you still have to go through the festival entrance checkpoint.
8 June 2006
at 2:43 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
yep princess it is good my girled loved it also
8 June 2006
at 2:48 p.m.
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bluedog (Anonymous) says…
#1 reason not to go Wakarusafest…
PortaPotties…
8 June 2006
at 2:52 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
ucky portapotties, the evil of man in nature. safer to piss on the ground, and the ground smells better:)
8 June 2006
at 2:55 p.m.
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cutny (Anonymous) says…
Gawd Marion…you're comments are so F-ing tired and lame.
8 June 2006
at 3:04 p.m.
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Redzilla (Anonymous) says…
Ha ha! You Lawrencians and your adorable “traffic problems.” Please. Come down to Tampa, FL, and try to make the shot through the Devil's Vasectomy (I-4 & I-275) during rush hour EVERY weekday.
8 June 2006
at 3:16 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
been there done that keep it dont want it
8 June 2006
at 3:53 p.m.
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DrShades (Anonymous) says…
Good Grief People !!
Did Any of you even read the 1st paragraph?
“Gary Thomas, head of security for the festival” said they were “popping more trunks” Looking for items that were not allowed at the festival.
Stop blaming “the Man” The organizers were not ready to handle the onslaught of festival-goers lined up waiting for the gates to open.
Just once I would like to see you regualrs actually read the article, before you start youe I know every thing posts !! ARGH Good Grief Charlie Brown
8 June 2006
at 3:58 p.m.
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reginafliangie (Anonymous) says…
Just some info, the officers are not doing check points on the way to the festival on clinton parkway. That is not the reason for the delay. 10 to 15 thousand people trying to get to one entrance to check in is. The officers can't “fly” the cars out of your way. I'm sure everyone has heard about this for weeks now, so why the big shock of traffic? It's the fault of the promoters for waiting until 8am to open the gates and they have one ticket taker at the entrance, thats the reason for the delays.
8 June 2006
at 5:16 p.m.
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jhawkrawk (Anonymous) says…
I would like to offer my sympathy to those attending the Wakarusa Music Festival. It seems that you have been met by the “welcome wagon” of Kansas, our conservative politics.
Born and raised here, I have always admired the kindness of our citizens. But, Lawrence is a blue island, surrounded by a sea of red. Please, do not judge our loving city by the way you were treated by the state.
Although we can make no excuses for the state, we would like to welcome you! Most of us are so happy that many of you travel thousands of miles to visit our little island.
We hope you return. We cannot make any promises, but many of us will do whatever it takes to make sure you feel more welcome, the next time you come to town.
By the way, if Kansas has so much drug enforcement money available, why aren't we cracking down on the clubs that harbor the worst threats to our city since Quantrill, namely gangs fighting for our “territory”?
It's time to roll out this “unwelcome mat” to those who visit a certain club downtown, every weekend. Thugs with drugs and guns must be weeded out, but leave the peaceful hippies alone.
8 June 2006
at 5:36 p.m.
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conservativepunker (Anonymous) says…
Grandpa Simpson had it right……”What do you want to watch while dying?” “Cops beating hippies heads in!” HaHaaaaaaaa
8 June 2006
at 5:44 p.m.
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YourItalianPrincess (Anonymous) says…
I believe we will go and see Over the Hedge this weekend. It does look silly and funny and good enough for kids.
Looking forward to seeing Pirates in July. We will be at the theater the next day to catch a matinee.
8 June 2006
at 6:21 p.m.
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fleeba (Anonymous) says…
the bands are boring, the area is tick infested, and my days of being mezmerized by the cheap lazy thrill of pot are long past. so why should i care? i just don't. we're headin to topeka for some lobster. have fun waiting in line.
8 June 2006
at 6:27 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
well princess get ready to hear “but i like the cookie” from your little one after the show and I think you will like it as well.
YEAH pirates I can not wait two nice looking guys cool effects hey I plan on being there. enjoy both movies…
8 June 2006
at 6:28 p.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“we're headin to topeka for some lobster.”
Now that's a recipe for a good time.
8 June 2006
at 10:21 p.m.
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frwent (Anonymous) says…
Damn, with Kline's gestapo all out at the lake, there won't be one donut left in town! What am I gonna do for breakfast????????
8 June 2006
at 10:32 p.m.
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filmguru (Anonymous) says…
We do not fear the hippies, it's the six hour wait to get back home from two blocks away after leaving the house. The Eagles had it wrong. “You can check out any time you like, but getting back home's a bitch…”
We made a dash to the store in between traffic jams and now we're stocked up for the next three days. Nothing but DVDs, video games, and Starbucks mocha frappaccinos (while we sit on our porch and watch hippies play frisbee in our yard).
And, oh yes, “I like the cookie.”
9 June 2006
at 12:14 a.m.
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michaelm (Anonymous) says…
boycott kansas! save your money and visit other events where your freedoms are respected.
9 June 2006
at 12:23 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
I expect that there will be some congestion tomorrow, but probably less than today. And after that, the traffic will be higher than normal, but most people in Lawrence won't notice it much.
9 June 2006
at 12:42 a.m.
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michaelm (Anonymous) says…
Out of curiosity; does anyone have any idea how much all this intervention has cost us taxpayers?
9 June 2006
at 5:38 a.m.
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gbaker (Anonymous) says…
No fishing this weekend!!