From: NASA

On May 12, 2013, the sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 10 p.m. EDT. This flare is classified as an X1.7, making it the first X-class flare of 2013. The flare was also associated with another solar phenomenon, called a coronal mass ejection (CME) that can send solar material out into space. This CME was not Earth-directed.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth’s atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however — when intense enough — they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel. This disrupts the radio signals for as long as the flare is ongoing – the radio blackout associated with this flare has since subsided. Read more »

Survey shows heavy loss of pollinators is further evidence of mysterious disorder that has destroyed colonies for seven years

Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent

From: guardian.co.uk,

Nearly a third of managed honeybee colonies in America died out or disappeared over the winter, an annual survey found on Wednesday. The decline – which was far worse than the winter before – threatens the survival of some bee colonies.

The heavy losses of pollinators also threatens the country’s food supply, researchers said. The US Department of Agriculture has estimated that honeybees contribute some $20bn to the economy every year. Read more »

By Dave Johnson, 

From The Tribune

WELLAND - Diane Kramer, and her husband Gary, take emergency preparedness seriously.

The Welland couple have a location on their property as a meeting point in case of a fire in their home.

“It’s the tree in front of the house,” Diane Kramer says.

Kramer says her husband is a former boy scout and follows the organization’s motto: be prepared. Read more »