From the Star Tribune:

On Thursday, Minnesota health officials issued a warning regarding the stolen device, which is used to measure the moisture content in soil and construction materials.

“The radioactive materials are actually encased and encapsulated; they’re inside metal, and they aren’t going to be exposed unless somebody does physically break the unit,” said Buddy Ferguson, a spokesman for the Minnesota Health Department, which regulates use of this kind of device and others similar to it.

The radioactive elements are Cesium 137 and Americium 241, he said.

“You obviously always want to avoid any unnecessary exposure to radiation, and that’s really what we’re dealing with here,” Ferguson said. “In terms of getting a big dose of radiation from this, that’s not going to happen unless you have prolonged close exposure to it … This is really about exercising a reasonable amount of caution.”

Citizens are also urged to keep a lookout for but not handle the box — which is 2½ feet by 17 inches by 14 inches — or the device inside. Instead, call Forest Lake Police at 651-464-5877, the state duty officer at 651-649-5451, or the owner, Asset Management, at 612-272-1376.

“If for any reason the device has been damaged, avoid prolonged exposure to it,” Ferguson said.

The device has no resale value because it can only be used for the intended purpose, and by people who have been properly trained and licensed, he said.

Hmmm. Why steal a radioactive device with no resale value? What could one possibly do with something like that?

h/t Hot Air

Lost in Lima Ohio brings us this disturbing report about jewelery used by pedophiles as identifiers with one another being sold on-line by upscale jewelers:

I’ve mentioned before that pedophile’s have symbols which they use to promote their deviant sexual attractions towards children. You can view more on that, including the symbols and explanations of them here.
But there is one particular symbol that is of importance to this post, it’s a heart within a heart. It is used by “girl lovers” or, as they are really known- pedophiles who prefer to use female victims in their heinous crimes.

The very reason I bring this up, while mentioning the jewelry is that it seems that there is a line of jewelry that is catering to those who like to molest/rape/abuse children. The store Ellis Jewelers, that carries the line, Daring Diamonds by Krementz.

Read the whole post. The question I ask is whether or not the jeweler knew that the symbol could have this connotation and thought no one would notice or if this is just an unfortunate coincidence. Either way the store should stop selling the pieces, and parents should familiarize themselves with the symbols of these perverts to better protect their children.