Cabin Fever

This winter, so far, has been a serious let down. Well, for me at least. I like winter.

So I guess I'll blame my lack of blogging on a lackluster winter.

Here are some not-terrible photographs from the last couple weeks.

Todd Bohanon, a crew member with Dingey Movers, specialist in large-scale moving based out of Zanesville, steers the rear wheels as the 140-year-old bridge is slowly removed from its resting place on Tuesday morning. It took roughly an hour and half to completely wheel the bridge up and out, setting it to rest in a field where it will be evaluated and restored in the coming months. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Firefighters battle a brush fire at the Newark Soccer Association park on Tuesday afternoon. The fire was contained, but not before it blackened nearly an acre, including an old baseball diamond. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Newark senior Ben Barnhart lays up the ball in Friday's 52-53 loss to Grove City at the Grove City High School. Barnhart, who sat the last three games due to an ankle injury, had 5 points and 6 rebounds. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Bicycle Accident

So, I completely neglected blogging in the month of December. Probably my holiday laziness kicking in.

Well, I'm back. Went to a vehicle-bicycle accident. A 15-year old was hit. Surprisingly, from what we know, the kid (I'm assuming a boy) was transferred to the local Children's hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Why surprisingly? Well, because he mashed up the front windshield REAL well and lost both of his shoes in the accident. Check it out.

Check out the full story, with updates in the next couple hours.

The first image is also the first iPhone image that I have taken that will be published in print. Kinda cool. I took it to have something to transmit back for web.

A bicycle and pair of shoes belonging to a 15-year old sits in the road near the corner of Foor Boulevard and Blacks Road in Pataskala on Wednesday. The child was struck by a passing vehicle and was taken to Children's Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

An iPod sits wrapped around the antenna of a car involved in pedestrian bicycle accident at the corner of Foor Boulevard and Blacks Road in Pataskala on Wednesday. A 15-year old riding a bike was hit by a vehicle and taken to Children's Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian bicyclist at the corner of Foor Boulevard and Blacks Road in Pataskala. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

The 12 Percent

So, according to a 2003 study by National Sporting Goods Association, of the 18.5 million active hunters in the US, 12 percent, or 2.3 million, are women. I spent opening day here in Ohio with 3 women hunters, along with their friends and family.

Kim Metheny, right, helps Kaylena Moore, a Lakewood senior, ziplock her phone in preparation for the rain after a hearty, 5 a.m. breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash browns, and vegetables, all in a caserole style dish. Kaylena is dating Kim's son, Connor, and has been hunting with the group for 3 years. She finds comfort and camaraderie in hunting with other women. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Kaylena puts on her hunting garb. Opening day was accompained with rain. Lots of rain. Fortunately, covered, waterproof blinds had been set up earlier so the hunters didn't have to sit in tree stands, exposed to the elemtns. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Kaylena grabs a 20 gauge deer slug and loads her single shot after settling into the blind. Kaylena and Barb Terry, a friend of Kim's and hunting instructor, talk strategy should a deer approach from an old angle, how to adjust seating while making as little noise as possible. "It's amazing what noise you can get away with in a blind, though." Barb says. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Kaylena waits patiently along with friend Barb, in a deer blind on Monday morning at Sugar Hill Farm. While luck may not have found them this morning, both women have taken trophy deer in years past. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

While on the trek back, Kaylena texts her boyfriend, who was also out hunting. He had texted her a few times during the morning to see if she had any success. The two can be a little competitive. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

The hunting party meets up at Kim's father's house for Lunch. The only one to shoot a deer during the morning of opening day was Kim's boyfriend, Chris. The group went back out afterwards to try again. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Open Season

I took this photo for a preview we ran in today's paper. I included what I thought would be a good headline.

Nobody else seemed to like it though.

Gun season opens December 28 in Ohio. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate