Highland Resident Was Pilot In Montana Plane Crash

The Press-Enterprise is reporting the pilot of the plane that crashed Sunday near Butte, Montana has been identified as Ellison "Bud" Summerfield, 65, of Highland. Fourteen people died in the crash of the flight that originated earlier in the day from Redlands Municipal Airport. MORE>>

The Sun is also reporting the pilot from Highland. MORE>>

Icing and overloading are issues that are being looked into by the National Transportation Safety Board. The magnitude of the tragedy compelled The New York Times weigh in on the story. MORE>>

image: The New York Times

Man in Santa Suit Kills at Least 8 at Holiday Gathering, Sets House Afire, Takes Own Life

In perhaps one of the most bizarre Christmas crimes on record, an estranged husband, dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, arrived at a gathering of his former wife's in-laws in Covina where he opened fire then set the house ablaze, killing at least eight people and injuring several others.

As of this posting it's on The New York Times' home page and the most popular news story of the day on CNN's web site. The Los Angeles Times has been following the story closely as well.

The suspect, according to reports, was identified as 45-year-old Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, who later killed himself in front of his brother’s house in Sylmar, about 40 miles from the scene of the shootings, the police said.

Pardo reportedly arrived armed with cans of accelerant, and went to the house looking for his former wife, Sylvia, with whom he had been entangled in a bitter divorce.

This incident has nothing to do with Highland except we can count our blessings we aren't dealing with a spectacular crime of this magnitude in our community today. There's something beyond evil about this crime, where the perpetrator dressed as the ultimate seasonal symbol of trust, innocence and good will to gain entry into a private home where he was unwelcome and murder, yes murder, the guests at a family gathering.

What could possibly have inspired him to do this? How could things in this person's life have gone so wrong for him to get the idea this was an appropriate solution? Taking his own life in turn after wreaking such havoc was the coward's way out. I feel sorry for his family, friends, the victims and the communities where this occurred.

image: Covina Police

Oil Prices Slip To Lowest Level In Almost Two Years

The New York Times is reporting that oil prices as of Tuesday have fallen to their lowest level in 20 months, despite efforts by the OPEC cartel to stem the slide, as weak economic growth continues to reduce demand around the world.

While lower energy prices are providing some welcome relief for struggling consumers, a 59 percent decline in oil prices since their summer peak also shows how radically the prospects of the global economy have darkened in recent months. At an emergency meeting last month, members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to reduce their output, as of Nov. 1, to slow the price slide. MORE>>

My neighbors, friends, family and I have all changed our driving habits significantly since gas prices peaked at around $4.65/gallon this past Summer in the Inland area. I try as often as possible to do my shopping on the way home from work and use my bicycle for short trips to the grocery store in between. How have your driving habits changed since gas prices set records in July? Have you resorted to your old gas-guzzling ways again now that a gallon of gas goes for about $2.50?

image: Kim Raff/The News & Advance, Lynchburg, VA, via AP