In Detroit, a Black Goat Named 'Smoke' Scared a Local Resident That Didn't Know What to do

Would you be scared if you were walking to your car in your neighborhood and encountered a black goat roaming around?

One Detroit resident was, and ended up jumping on top of his car out of safety.

Black Goat named 'Smoke'

On the West side of Detroit, resident Dae'lan Scott was startled when he saw a black goat roaming around, and he was scared, so he jumped on top of his car.

Innocent Farm Animals or Harbingers of Evil?

Many people that grew up in the city may have little to no experience being around goats. After all, we see them on TV, and can sometimes be associated with the occult, devil worship, evil, and many other satanic things in pop culture.

To those that have farms, they know that goats are curious and mostly harmless creatures that can sometimes get into mischief.

Detroit Resident Startled by Black Goat in Neighborhood

Dae'lan Scott learned that 'Smoke' the black goat, escaped from his property and was just taking a tour of the Detroit neighborhood.

Dae'lan told WXYZ News:

"So I go outside. I'm like, OK, OK, I start 'Baaa, Baaa'" and Smoke "came out of nowhere."

The owner of Smoke the black goat is Robert Pizzimenti, and he was cited for "possessing a wild animal without permit."

Pizzimenti regretfully said:

"I don't want him to walk around. He actually hopped the fence. That wasn't the idea. I do need to keep him contained."

WXYZ  reported that court records reveal that the city has "had a history of problems with his animals."

Pizzimenti also said:

"If Detroiters were allowed to farm and garden the way many of us want to, we could have the most unique city on the planet."

Resident Dae'lan Scott now knows what to do if he comes across Smoke. He will try to get Smoke the black goat back home to Mr. Pizzimenti.

Gulf Coast News Facebook post can be seen below.

Would you be okay if there was a goat living in your neighborhood?

James Spann Posted on Facebook about Black Bear Sighting in Decatur, Alabama & Bear Found in TN Hot Tub

DeLa Bales sent black bear photos to James Spann after a sighting, and he posted them on Facebook.

James Spann Posted About a Black Bear Sighting in Decatur, Alabama

On July 23, 2025, James Spann posted the following about a black bear sighting on Harold Drive in Decatur in a Facebook post (see images below):

credit: DeLa Bales

Comments to the Facebook Post about the Black Bear in Decatur

There were interesting comments to the Facebook post about the black bear seen in Decatur, with some sharing about sightings also in Tennessee.

Betty Par wrote: "The close-up in the tree is so precious! I read somewhere that the growth of population in Tennessee is the reason for more frequent sitings in north Alabama...makes me feel sorry for the bears."

Nena Goodwin wrote: "What a beauty, that little bear!! harmless unless threatened. Or to protect their cub if they're too close, they usually just runoff black bears are not aggressive."

Tara Ann Redditt wrote: "We suddenly have them everywhere in west Tennessee suddenly. My husband said he saw one a year ago. They convinced him it was a cow but he always insisted it ran like a bear not a cow. Since he rode bulls. I guess he saw a bear. We now know of several. Lol"

Rita Mahaffey wrote: "How come all these bear sightings in the valley all of a sudden. Is some environmental organization trying to sneak in and establish a new habitat for them. We need them to go back where they came from."

Russ Williams wrote: "Is this the same bear that's been tracked from Arkansas, across North Mississippi, and spotted in a pear tree in Lawrence County a couple of days ago? MDWFP said yes to the bear in the pear tree. It can be identified by markings like a notch in the left ear."

Mickey V Brannan wrote: "There's got to be more than one bear... Considering there have been bear sightings in Limestone County, Lawrence County, Colbert County and Morgan County...I realize they can move around pretty quick but that's a lot of distance to cover in a very short time."

Sharon Durbin Horton wrote: "I feel bad for the bears because they are out of their normal habitat, run out by builders that just have to make more money."

Jeffrey Korner wrote: "Just remember folks bears are beautiful animals but are oh so dangerous especially to our children especially when startle them they will charge in their own fear. Bears close [to] homes with small children is a tragedy waiting to happen. Bears are so powerful and can and have killed humans."

Charlotte Hinkle wrote: "Thank you for sharing pictures. I will never walk to mail box or in back yard covered with trees and creek just down road without fear of seeing one. They are beautiful and amazing we have them so close."

Richard Paquette wrote: "What ever you do don't feed them. It's a death sentence for them and possibly you also. There [are] opportunists, they have a range of 200 miles. And there lazy they go where the food is. And [they] have [an] uncanny [sense] of smell."

Joanne Borden wrote: "He is just a baby! Y'all please don't hurt him or approach him and cause other people to hurt him or her."

Have you ever seen a black bear in Alabama?

credit: DeLa Bales

Video: Black Bear Sighted Swimming in Lake Guntersville

A black bear was sighted swimming in Lake Guntersville and can be seen in the video below posted on Facebook.

The description reads:

"While most Alabamians are wary of snakes and, in some areas, alligators in our waterways, it seems like it's time to add bears, like this one seen in Lake Guntersville, to that list."

video credit: A.J. McGee

Black Bear Seen in Pigeon Forge Tennessee Hot Tub

FOX 13 News reported on August 18, 2025, that a black bear was found in a Pigeon Forge, Tennessee hot tub at their rental.

"Felicia Shillingburg said she was in the hot tub of a rental in Pigeon Forge with her mother and a friend when a bear came around the corner and onto the wooden deck." -FOX13 News

Black bear in a Pigeon Forge, TN hot tub

Amy Roberts posted in the comments on Facebook: "Better take pics so you don't lose your damage deposit on the Air BNB!!! Owner never going to believe that story....no, really, it was a bear!"

Big Black Bear Spotted on Highway 89 Near Vacation Cabins in Mentone, Alabama on Monday

Meteorologist Jason Simpson posted a video on Facebook of a black bear running around in Mentone, Alabama, seen from Highway 89 North on Monday. People commenting on the video recommend locking your cars with a bear in the area.

Black bear sighting in Mentone, AL (credit: Sarah Blalock)

Sarah Blalock said:

"Don't let the video deceive you. That bear was bigger than it looked. We were on 89 North in Mentone."

Video of Big Black Bear Sighting in Mentone, Alabama 

Meteorologist Jason Simpson posted the video in his Facebook Reels, and the video can be seen below.

Video credit: Sarah Blalock

Would you like to see a black bear in Alabama?

Comments on the Facebook Reels Video of Black Bear in Mentone, AL

There were many interesting comments on Facebook after meteorologist Jason Simpson posted the video on Reels, which indicated that the black bear was sighted near vacation cabins.

Stephen V. Smith wrote: "These are our vacation cabins in Mentone ... we're gonna have to start charging this big boy a rental fee ..." 

Sarah Hatfield Blalock replied to Stephen V. Smith, "My sister lives down the road, so we come by your cabins all the time. You obviously have the best garbage on that side of 89." 

Then Denise Huff Willoughby also replied to Stephen V. Smith, "Can you please PM me your cabin rental page? We were just down there at the end of June & stayed off 89 on County Road 600."

Lisa Mullins wrote: 

"The music has me laughing. Someone in Gatlinburg show a bear opening up a car door with no problem and getting in. Lock our car doors, maybe door alarms and make sure you look in your car good before you get in."

Melissa Walls Estes wrote (with grammatical errors):

"We are taking up all their space. Bless their precious hearts ppl need to start trying to live in houses that are already built or tear down old ones & use the same spot. or we are soon gonna be no wilderness left. so sad"

Susan Killian Besant wrote:

"We were staying at an Airbnb in Mentone a couple of weeks ago-sitting outside enjoying beautiful view- hubs went inside and I heard rustling behind me and I thought it was a dog. Nope mamma and baby cub just came walking across the yard."

Sheila Trotman wrote: "I saw one yesterday in Ider, AL." 

Robert Keith wrote: "Who said you have to go to Cades Cove in the mountain to see a bear? They [are] right here in Alabama."

Pam German Cofer wrote: "Poor bears are running out of territory..."

Susan Driver wrote: "I'm not really crazy about bears."

James Spann Posted on Facebook about Black Bear Sighting in Leeds, Alabama

James Spann Posted About a Black Bear Sighting in Leeds, Alabama

On June 22, 2025, James Spann posted the following about a black bear sighting in a Facebook post (see image below):

Black Bear Sighting in Leeds, Alabama

James Spann Facebook post about a black bear sighting read:

From William Richard "Good morning Mr. Spann. The black bear spotted on Dunnavant Valley road and 41 was again captured last night shortly after 10:00 p.m. entering Leeds city limits. I captured him on one of my trail cameras just southwest of the quarry along Dunnavant Rd (SR 25) near Elliot Lane. After speaking with the woman who took the photo and got the security footage of the bear she gave me the exact location which was near the Dunnavant volunteer fire department, so I knew which ridge he was traveling along and set up multiple cameras.

This is the Little Oak Ridge that eventually becomes Mills Ridge in Leeds (AL). It's part of the mountain ridge that runs parallel to 119. I may have cheated a little bit and baited him to draw him in with a case of black berries, apples, and raw fish, so don't mind the bait pile.  This location is also just once in a list a few miles south of the Waffle House which is an infamous location for bear sightings in the past.

And as always, here is the photo (ssen above) from my trail camera app geo-tagged with exact GPS coordinates and the camera location on the map for authentication purposes to validate this is real. I noticed how many people questioned the validity of yesterday's photo. I believe this is the same bear from the video footage I sent you Thursday from Chelsea and Highway 51. I can't recall a black bear being this documented as it migrates northeast since I've lived here anyway. Pretty cool."

The Bear's Path Northward on a Map

The below map shows the black bear's path as it has been sighted moving northward in Alabama.

Map of black bear's path in Alabama

Have you ever seen a black bear in Alabama?

Black Bear Spotted Roaming Around Huntsville Alabama in June 2025. Get Your Eyes Checked, Because It's Not a Baby Elephant

WHNT News 19 Chief Meteorologist Danielle Dozier posted photos and videos of a black bear roaming around Huntsville on Facebook in June 2025, and local residents are surprised that it really happened.

Black bear was seen in Huntsville, AL in June 2025

North Alabama residents got to experience nature over the weekend that is more typical of Gatlinburg, TN, or Asheville, NC, when a black bear was seen roaming around a neighborhood in June.

WHNT News 19 Chief Meteorologist Danielle Dozier's Post on Facebook

WHNT News 19 Chief Meteorologist Danielle Dozier posted on her social media page about a black bear spotted in Huntsville, AL, in mid-June 2025, and people are losing their minds in the comment section. The first photo posted above was taken over the weekend.

Her Facebook post read:

"BEAR IN HUNTSVILLE! The bear was seen roaming around the Marina Park neighborhood in Huntsville over the weekend! Photo from Dana Doner." 

The second photo that Danielle Dozer posted (seen below) was taken on Monday, June 16, 2025, by Garrett Pinkerton.

Black bear spotted near the Redstone Arsenal in June 2025

On her Facebook page, she also has a video of the black bear roaming around Huntsville. AL.

Some Facebook Users Think That the Black Bear is a Baby Elephant

Facebook users sometimes say strange things, and this time was no different. Several users commenting on Danielle Dozier's original Facebook post think they are seeing a baby elephant. 

*For context, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide's mascot is an elephant, so there may be a joke hidden in there.

Facebook user Quoc Ha posted in the comments, "Looked like a baby elephant at first. lol" 

Facebook user Ashley Palguta added in the comments, "Quoc Ha, I thought it was an elephant. I thought it was some kind of AL joke."

Facebook user Paige Burnett Frost posted in the comments, "Why did I think that was an elephant 😂"

Facebook user Joni Charlton Colburn posted in the comments, "Quoc Ha, I had to zoom in. I saw an elephant too."

Facebook user Christa McDowell posted in the comments, "Quoc Ha, I thought that too 🐘"

Facebook user Nicole Burke McCowen posted in the comments, "Probably the same bear spotted by the train tracks on Hobbs Island yesterday."

Some Facebook users questioned if the bear was real or just AI, and WHNT News 19 Chief Meteorologist Danielle Dozier assured them in the comments that the black bear "was real after seeing the security video footage herself."

Safety Tips When Encountering a Black Bear in Huntsville, AL

It is important to remember that when you encounter a bear of any kind, to should keep calm. 

• If you have time, get all children and pets indoors quickly.
• Never turn your back on a bear and run. This can trigger a predator instinct to chase. 
• While black bears tend to be more skittish than other types of bears, a mother bear will be more aggressive when protecting her bear cubs. Always stay clear of bears and keep your distance.
• Never feed wildlife, including bears. It can cause them to get attached to humans, rather than fear them, and this will never end well for bears.

Virginia Residents See 'Mysterious' Black Smoke Ring in the Sky; No Fires Reported

On Tuesday, 13 August 2024 residents of Williamsburg, Virginia saw a mysterious black smoke ring in the sky, took videos and photos of what they saw, and sent them to News Channel 8. The strange smoke ring was not directly tied to any known fire in the area. 

Graphic representation close up of a black smoke ring (credit: Dall-E)

Williamsburg Residents Send Photos to the Local News Station

WAVY News Channel 8 received photos and videos from many residents. They reported the following photos.

Ron Stepp was working near Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia when he first noticed it in the sky. He said it lasted for about 10 minutes.

Joshua Bean sent in the photo seen below.

Black smoke ring seen in Williamsburg sky. photo credit: Joshua Bean

Another resident, Peggy Olszyk, sent in a photo of what she saw in the sky around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Her photo can be seen below.

photo credit: Peggy Olszyk

Renee Fisher sent in the photo seen below.

What Caused the Black Smoke Ring in Williamsburg Remains a Mystery

Many residents were perplexed by the black smoke ring seen in the sky until it disappeared.

What's even stranger is that the James City County Fire Department was asked if there were any reports of a fire at the time of the black ring in the sky. The fire chief was not aware of any fires that could have caused the singular black smoke ring.

The cause of the black smoke ring in the sky remains a mystery.

Watch the YouTube video below of the black smoke ring captured by Crystal West.

Florida Woman Files a Lawsuit Against Company that Owns Brooksville Chick-fil-A Over "Black Chicken Nugget Meat"

A Florida woman claims she got "violently ill" after eating "black chicken nugget meat" from a Brooksville Chick-fil-A. She has filed a lawsuit against Holland Hospitality, LLC, claiming that the incident caused her "great pain and suffering for some time."

Chick-fil-A employee smiling

A Florida woman has now filed a lawsuit against the company that owns the Chick-fil-A in Brooksville, Florida after she ate chicken nuggets that she claims made her "violently ill" because the food "was not fit for consumption."

Florida Woman Files Lawsuit Against Holland Hospitality, LLC

News Channel 8 reported that Shi'Terra Sharp from Orlando, Florida was eating chicken nuggets from the Chick-fil-A in Brooksville, Florida when she noticed her chicken nugget meat was "black in color."

She was was the location at 13143 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville in January of 2020 when the incident took place.

Sharp alleges that Holland Hospitality, LLC "breached its duty by negligently failing to adequately inspect and ensure its food was fit for human consumption before selling it."

Law & Crime reported that "her lawsuit seeks more than $50,000 for 'bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing home treatment. These losses are either permanent or continuing in nature, and the plaintiff will suffer said losses in the future, to wit, permanently.'"

What do you think about this lawsuit against Holland Hospitality, LLC, which owns Chick-fil-A in Brooksville?

Sources

Accettulla, Kevin. "Woman sues Brooksville Chick-fil-A location over ‘black’ chicken nugget meat." News Channel 8. Last Updated: 24 October 2023.

Kandel, Jason. "Woman sues Chick-fil-A over ‘black’ chicken nugget she claims made her violently ill with gastrointestinal illnesses." Law & Crime. 24 October 2023.

Why did Lebron James Wear a Black Face Mask?

Lebron James wearing a black face mask against New York Knicks

Q1: Why did Lebron James wear a mask?
or
Q2: Why does Lebron James wear a black face mask?

A1: Lebron James wore a face mask so he could protect his broken nose.
or
A2: Lebron James wears a black face mask to protect his broken nose.

Lebron James broke his nose in the game Miami played against Oklahoma City Thunder. Miami beat them 103-81 on the road.

Q: Who broke Lebron James' nose?

A: Serge Ibaka broke Lebron James nose when Lebron went up to dunk the basketball in the Miami Heat vs.Oklahoma Thunder game.

Lebron James Must Wear a Mask to Play Basketball

Because of the broken nose, Lebron James was not able to play in the Miami road game against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, February 24, 2014. In order for him to resume playing basketball, he would have to wear a mask to protect his broken nose from further injury.

Then, Lebron James tried wearing a mask during basketball practice and said it was "uncomfortable" - this is to be expected. Many basketball players that have to start wearing masks or goggles have to adjust their game play to get comfortable with the new protective gear. Other examples: Amare Stoudamire, Kobe Bryant, and Richard Hamilton.

However, this isn't the first mask for Lebron James. In 2005, Lebron James had to wear a mask when playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is because of a broken cheek bone.

Lebron James Looks like a Superhero in his Black Face Mask

Lebron James joked that he wants to wear a black face mask like the villain Bane in the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises (2012).

Lebron James said: "I've been talking to Marvel Comics for the last couple of days, and DC Comics, to try and come up with one of the greatest masks of all time...so we'll see what happens."

With Lebron James new black face mask, he helped the Miami Heat beat the New York Knicks 108-82 on Thursday, February 27, 2014.

Lebron James Decides to Wear a Mask to Protect his Identity and Play Basketball

So now do you understand why Lebron James must "wear a face mask" to protect his true identity on the basketball court?

It is really to protect his nose, but there isn't anything wrong to look good while working on the basketball court.

Chris Bosh poses in Lebron's black face mask, saying "I'm Batman" (Instagram)

Update 03-01-14: Lebron James is no longer allowed to wear his custom black mask, according to a USA Today article. The NBA has decreed that Lebron James must put away his custom black mask and wear a league-approved mask. Lebron James will comply before Saturday night's game against the Orlando Magic.

Lebron James black mask collage posted to Instagram

Dallas Safari Club Holds Permit Auction to Hunt and Kill Wild Black Rhinoceros

Black Rhinoceros grazing in Kenya; image credit: Flickr CC; by siwild

Is it okay to hunt and kill a Black Rhinoceros? 

Some people feel that this is the message being sent by the Dallas Safari Club - which held an auction for permit to hunt down and kill a Black Rhinoceros down in the wild. The permit auction was on Saturday, January 11, 2014, granting the winner exlcusive permission to hunt a specific Black Rhinoceros in Namibia, Africa. The Black Rhinoceros being hunted and killed is past his prime, and threatening other wildlife in the area, according the Executive Director of the Dallas Safari Club.

Both the Humane Society and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) have publicly spoke out against the Dallas Safari Club permit auction, which is essentially endorsing the killing of an endangered animal in the wild.

Is the Dallas Safari Club Sending the Wrong Message to Conservationists?

The North American regional director of the IFAW, Jeffrey Flocken, says: "The auction is telling the world that an American is will pay anything to kill their species...that is, in fact, making a spectacle of killing an endangered species."

The Dallas Safari Club has opened the permit auction up to anyone in the world, and will grant the permit to the highest bidder. The last time this type of auction was held, the winning bid was $223,000.00 USD.

The winning bid on Jan. 11, 2014 was $350,000.00 USD.

Some Dallas Safari Club member have even received death threats in protest of the auction, which have been reported to the F.B.I. for investigation.

Does it Matter That the Black Rhinoceros is on the Endangered Species List?

The Executive Director of the Dallas Safari Club assures everyone that the money collected from the auction is being used to protect the Black Rhinoceros in the wild, despite the fact that his auction is granting a permit to kill one of an endangered species. He said the animal was "likely to be targeted anyway, because it was becoming aggressive and threatening other wildlife."

Despite his reassurance, there are many people that are outraged that the Dallas Safari Club is granting a permit to hunt and kill an animal considered to be an endangered species.

How Many Rhinoceros are Left in the Wild?

It is estimated that about 4,000 Rhinoceros live in the wild today. There are about 1,800 in Namibia, Africa today. The main reason for their dwindling numbers is loss of habitat, and the other reason is illegal poaching for their ivory tusks.

Black Rhinoceros rear; image credt: Flick CC; by siwild

Pictures of My Black Cat Taken With a Nikon CoolPix S4100

I want to share with you some great cat pictures I took with the Nikon CoolPix S4100.

I am just trying to do my part in filling the internet with more cat pictures. So enjoy.

Black and white photo of black cat paw dangling

Black and white photo of black cat

Black and white photo of black cat

Black cat on a leash outside. 

Black cat two different eye colors

In the above photo, Storm appears to have two different colors in his eyes, resembling the rare condition of heterochromia iridum - the condition of having a different color in each iris.

Black cat watching guard

Storm makes a good guard cat. He will pounce at a moment's notice and can hear a pin drop on the other side of the house.

Black cat grooms his fur

 This is a photo of Storm licking his fur coat. It is very shiny - I think because of the food we feed him.

Black cat contemplates jumping onto vase

In the above photo, Storm contemplates jumping atop the decorative vase to get to the peacock feathers.

Laser cat

For everyone that has seen the SNL skit Laser Cats, you might enjoy this custom-made remixed picture (from above), with lasers shooting from his eyes.

Black cat munching on wild onions

Our black kitten, Raven, playing with cat toy stick

Extreme close up of our black kitten, Raven

~ All of the photos in this blog post are owned by me and if you would like to re-publish somewhere else, I ask that you give Z. Love copyright credit and provide a visible link referring back to this blog.~