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North East, which includes Madison, used TASO umpires throughout the regular season, but switched to TCUA for the playoffs.
Champion was one of five area schools that used TCUA umpires all season.
Confession time: I couldn't make it through pages 59 to 76 in Richard Preston's "The Cobra Event." The chapter is innocuously titled "Kate," but it's no personality profile -- it's "Kate" as dead person, dead person whose autopsy is laid out in infinite detail. If you've read "The Hot Zone," which covers an Ebola virus outbreak, you know that Preston is not squeamish. And in "The Cobra Event" (I might as well get this over with), we are treated to descriptions of self-cannibalism (the victims of the deadly virus eat off their lips and more), plus the effects of decay on a corpse and, yes, how it smells. Be thankful there's no scent strip.
Disgust aside, this is a pretty good corker. Sometimes it's easy to ignore the clumsy writing, sometimes not. Grafting fiction onto extensive, fact-laden passages doesn't really work. And must we carry the science metaphors so far? Traffic, for instance, "moved on the avenue like blood swishing through an artery." Some marble lobby walls "reminded her of a cancerous liver, sliced open for inspection." "Her" is our Centers for Disease Control heroine, whose name is Alice Austen. But we'll call her Jodie Foster for short. Indeed, "The Cobra Event" is so hilariously bent on Hollywood, it reads more like a novelization than a novel. There's plenty of "Men in Black" FBI types, every chase scene leads to a cinematic tunnel and there's a hint of romance between Alice/Jodie and forensics hotshot Will Hopkins/Kevin Costner/Bill Paxton. The kickass government type has Tommy Lee Jones written all over him. Bioweapons inspector Dr. Mark Littleberry is "a tall handsome African-American with a crewcut."
Snideness aside, I'll admit that Richard Preston is a fine teacher. In the notes to the book, we learn that he spoke to hundreds of inside sources about "black biology." It shows. We discover that weapons inspectors need only a cotton swab to get the goods (they take samples of goo in suspect buildings, then feed the data to a biosensor). FBI snipers are taught to shoot terrorists in the eyes, because that shuts the brain down fastest, which means the reflex instinct that prompts a dying man to pull a trigger/detonator switch is shorted out. Viruses, Preston explains, are vampirish; they need blood to survive but often can be killed off by sunlight.
Even though I couldn't bear those 17 pages, I admit the science is riveting in "The Cobra Event." The story, however, is only fair. Recommendation? Stick to nonfiction, Mr. Preston. Hollywood will still sniff you out.
We have all heard many jokes about economists and how difficult it is to get them to agree on anything. Most economists always answer a question starting with the words “it depends” and then follow with the expression “on one hand…”. I am not here to defend (or criticize) my profession but to point out how difficult it is these days to get a consensus among some basic macroeconomic issues.
As an example, the debate about whether inflation or deflation is more likely, and about whether the aggressive response of central banks is appropriate today is at the heart of some of the most basic issues in macroeconomics. The disagreement could potentially be the outcome of a more uncertain world but seeing how strong are the beliefs of those who express a view on this subject, it seems that we do not have that much uncertainty at the individual level (those who believe that there will be inflation seem quite sure about, same for those who are concerned about deflation) but rather a polarization of views.
One example that I always find interesting is the debate that one finds in the minutes of the monetary policy meetings at the Bank of Japan. When discussing the inflation outlook in Japan in recent yeras, you can always find views on both sides, those who are concerned with deflation and those who are concerned with inflation picking up. Here is a paragraph from the meeting back in April 2010.
Of course, given the last 10 years of data in Japan, it seems awkward that some are concerned with the upside risk to inflation. While one cannot completely rule out this possibility maybe erring on the other side, making the mistake of letting inflation be “too high”, for a few years would be good for the Japanese economy.
Clearly the US or Europe are not in the same situation as Japan but given some of the recent commentary about inflation I wonder whether we are getting close to a debate with too many hands and too many scenarios that leads to a lack of strong actions in the right direction. One can make mistakes in both directions (too much or too little inflation) and only time will tell in which direction our mistakes go, but given what we know about inflation, inflation expectations and long-term interest rates (all of them are low, stable or falling), it seems that we are worrying too much about the potential mistake of being too aggressive when it comes to monetary policy.
Award-winning Goosnargh florist Sara Barrow is putting down roots and opening a flower and gift shop in Longridge this week.
Her Flowers With Passion has been run from home for the past four years but Sarah says she has missed the buzz of having a shop with customer contact.
So she opened this week on Inglewhite Road with a special Easter competition, inviting children to count the number of Easter chicks in the window and inside the shop.
Sara discovered her love of flowers eight years ago and embarked on a three-year degree course at Myerscough College. After graduating, her first success was winning a silver medal at RHS Chelsea, becoming a finalist three times in four years and winning a prestigious gold medal with her floral dress in 2014.
The same year Sara won best in contemporary floral design at Southport Flower Show and last year won gold at RHS Tatton. She was part of a team of four representing the North West Area of NAFAS – the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies – and they created a large carnival exhibit.
As well as gift bouquets and sympathy flowers Sara has built up her wedding work. She is is also a NAFAS demonstrator and holds workshops in her Goosnargh studio. Her husband Carl left his career last year to help her with the business and the two of them will be running the shop together.
Unfortunately, due to real life getting in the way, a fair few of us don't manage to take an hour away from our responsibilities to watch Game of Thrones as and when it airs.
So, if like myself, you kept one eye closed whilst scrolling through social media this morning, there's actually a more effective way to avoid spoilers. Google Chrome's GameOfSpoils extension filters out all GOT content and acts as a blocking plugin for your Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Google News feeds.
The extension,"detects and blacks out any posts on Facebook or Reddit, tweets on Twitter, or stories on Google News that mention Game of Thrones or many other GoT-related terms, such as 'Winterfell' or 'Targaryen'."
You can install the plug-in here and save your friendships and devices from being thrown out of windows in frustration.
The force of nature known as Mark Rivers has a new neighborhood in mind, to expand on his BoDo development: Call it "SoBoDo." Rivers now wants to build Boise a new library on the same site as the existing main branch, and develop several blocks around the area.
But now Rivers has competition for development of a key part of that area. The Capital City Development Corporation has asked for, and received, proposals from three developers, including Rivers, to redevelop a site the agency owns on 9th Street.
Rivers, Hosac Company and C2 Squared all hope to remake the old warehouse on the CCDC-owned site. While Hosac and C2 aren't whistling Dixie--both have what the CCDC terms "serious" applications for mixed-use buildings on the site--it's Rivers that has the bigger plans. He's been planning the development for six months, he said, going about acquiring options and stakes in various properties in the Library area.
"He did what he was supposed to do: Describe the pie in the sky," said City Councilor David Eberle who also serves on the board of CCDC.
River's key slice: the library. He wants to rebuild a $42 million modern library with all manner of energy-efficient technologies, then sell it to CCDC, who would lease it to the city for about $2 million per year, he said.
But no one seems to agree on just how the city would benefit from, and pay for, the snazzy new library.
"Those are huge questions," Eberle said. He suspects that new property tax valuations received off Rivers' project would go to CCDC, not the city. The machinations have alerted David Frazier, who earlier this year successfully sued Boise for trying to finance a parking garage without a public vote. Frazier, who said he's not ready to sue on this one yet, said any plan that results in Boise City owning the new library should get voted on by the people.
ATHENS - Greece - The IMF's Christine Lagarde, is threatening to pull out of a third Greek bailout, which will create another default situation for the ailing debt ridden country.
Greece is set to fail completion of a first progress report, or evaluation, of the economy that has been drawn out for the past nine months and has stalled over lender disagreement.
The Institutions (formerly ‘Troika’) are concerned that the Greeks refuse to overhaul their lucrative pension schemes, and generous pay packets.
Trying to reform a profligate country that spent 350 billion euros in EU loans in less than two years is going to be hard work.
In a leaked document, the IMF is threatening to pull out of another much needed loan to Greece, and compounded with additional eurozone pressures this could mean a final default for Greece. Technically, Greece has already defaulted, but it has been worded in other terms.
The recent Wikileaks publication involves the top two IMF officials in charge of managing the Greek debt crisis – Poul Thomsen, the head of the IMF’s European Department, and Delia Velkouleskou, the IMF Mission Chief for Greece.
The IMF anticipates a Greek default coinciding with the United Kingdom’s referendum on whether it should leave the European Union (‘Brexit’).
What the BSE (Britain Stronger in EU) group are not telling EU referendum voters in the UK is that the Greeks will default one month after the referendum. If Britain is still locked into the failing EU, it will be liable by the ESM (European Stability Mechanism) to pay billions more to the fund to shore up the Greek black hole.
It is exactly a Greek black hole, because trillions of taxpayer funds from other EU members are thrown into it where the money disappears without any trace.
To remove ourselves from this inevitable disaster, Britain must leave the EU on June 23 or we will be liable for the debt of others without any recourse or compensation.
Vote Leave on June 23 or condemn Britain to decades of payments without representation. Every week the UK sends £350 million to Brussels, and we get nothing back. We must change this or our nation will go down the sewer of EU history, flushed violently by the hand of misfortune.
An Afghan security member secures the site after an attack on Police station in Kandahar on December 8.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Taliban militants have carried out a bold attack on a major airfield used by Afghan and NATO forces in the southern province of Kandahar, with at least nine deaths confirmed among Afghan security forces and Afghan civilians.
The attack against Kandahar Airfield (KAF), about 30 kilometers south of Kandahar city, began shortly after sundown on December 8 with fighting continuing into the early morning hours of December 9.
Sameem Khpalwak, a spokesman for Kandahar’s provincial governor, confirmed that at least nine civilians and Afghan soldiers were killed.
Khpalwak said three Taliban attackers also were killed.
Dawood Shah Wafadar, an Afghan military commander in Kandahar, said the total death toll was at least 18 and that 28 others were injured.
Afghan security officials said fighting at the airfield, the second-largest military base in Afghanistan, ended shortly before dawn.
A Taliban statement said three suicide attackers managed to enter the base with light and heavy weapons and had attacked both international forces and troops from the Afghan National Army.
A spokesman for NATO’s Resolute Support mission said there were no reports of casualties among the hundreds of international personnel on the base.
Picturesque Afterglow Avenue beckons you to this beautifully updated 6 BR, 4.2 Bath Brick Tudor on the quiet end of this lovely cul-de-sac. Nearly 4,000 sq. ft and 4 floors of living space to enjoy! Built in 1920, this elegant but livable home boasts an open flow and lots of natural light w. stunning original woodwork & built-ins. Country kitchen has soapstone counters & farm sink. 4 generous corner bedrooms & 3 full baths complete the 2nd floor. 5th bedroom/office and renovated attic creates a Zen-like space for time apart with a good book. Newly-finished basement includes play space and in-law suite w BR and full bath. Upstairs, French doors open to a warm bluestone patio overlooking a lush, park-like backyard that leads to Eagle Rock Reservation and trails. 2-car garage, Central A/C, Don't miss this!
Keith Woods, vice president of diversity in news and operations at NPR, will deliver the keynote address for the 62nd Ethics Institute in Journalism at Washington and Lee University on Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons.
The title of Woods’ talk is “Combating the Brutality of Bias with Great Journalism.” It is free and open to the public. The institute is funded by the Knight Program in Journalism Ethics and is co-sponsored by W&L’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Woods leads the development of NPR’s vision and strategy for diversity as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and the Office of the President. His focus is to help NPR and member stations strengthen the wealth of diversity in content, staff, audience and the work environment.
“In a time fraught with biases so brutal people feel pummeled and polarized, journalism offers an opportunity for understanding and civil discourse. To address this issue, I sought out Keith Woods for his journalistic expertise in ethics and diversity,” said Aly Colón, the Knight Professor of Media Ethics at W&L.
Woods joined NPR in February 2010 after 15 years at the Poynter Institute, a training center for professional journalists, spending his last five years there as its dean of faculty. Prior to the Poynter Institute, he spent 16 years as a reporter, write and editor at The Times Picayune in New Orleans.
He has taught writing and reporting on race relations, ethics and diversity and was previously the Institute’s director of diversity. He regularly writes and speaks on race and media.
Woods is the co-author of “The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity” (2006, Columbia University Press).
Woods has consulted with most of the leading U.S. news organizations, and worked with faculty at journalism schools across the country to help better incorporate diversity in their teaching. He has also served as chairman of two Pulitzer Prize juries.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden--A man shot Prime Minister Olof Palme down on a snowy sidewalk yesterday night as he walked with his wife in downtown Stockholm. He was pronounced dead at a hospital soon afterward.
Police were hunting "a darkhaired man aged 35-40 in a long dark overcoat" who apparently fled in a car.
Palme, 59, and his wife, Lisbeth, had attended a movie premiere and were at an intersection when the man opened fire with a handgun, witnesses said. Police said he was hit at close range by at least two bullets in the chest and stomach.
Bystanders and Mrs. Palme tried to help the prime minister as he lay bleeding in the snow, and a taxi driver called for an ambulance and police. He was taken to Sabbatsberg Hospital, his wife at his side in the ambulance, and died on the operating table shortly after midnight, hospital sources said.
Police closed off the entire capital to search for the killer. A police report said squad cars chased a Volkswagen sedan headed north.
"We have very little to go after so far, with only sketchy witness reports," police superintendent Sune Sandstrom said.
Ingvar Carlsstrom, the deputy prime minister, arrived at Government House at 1 a.m. today to lead a crisis meeting of the Cabinet. The domestic news agency, TT, quoted him as saying: "We have asked all those we could get to come over here. It is horrible. I just got to know it 30 minutes ago."
Palme led the Social Democrats, Sweden's socialist party. He first was prime minister from 1969-76, then returned to office in 1982 after leading his party to victory over an incumbent conservative coalition. He won re-election to a three-year term in 1985.
He first became known outside Sweden in the 1960s, as an outspoken critic of the U.S. role in Vietnam.
While he was education minister in 1968, he marched side-by-side with a North Vietnamese diplomat at an anti-American rally in Stockholm, which inspired complaints from Washington and demands by the Swedish political opposition that he resign.
He was an aristocrat who chose socialism, and a brilliant debater with a sharp tongue that frequently got him into trouble.
He once said about his change in political loyalties: "I am born in the upper class but I belong to the labor movement. I have come to join the labor movement by working for the working class on its own conditions and by adhering to a movement which desires liberty, equality and fraternity between people."
In 1984, Palme gave the first Wurf Memorial Lecture at the Kennedy School of Government. Speaking during the process of instituting some economic reforms in Sweeden, Palme examined the development of modern socialism in his north European country.
Palme's visit to Harvard later generated controversy. Some of his critics in Sweden charged that the Prime Minister had, with the help of Harvard officials, rejected a highly taxable $5000 stipend he could have earned from his Harvard speech to finance tax-free his son's study here the following year.
Palme denied those charges, but the Sweedish Press treated the Harvard-related incident as a sizable scandal during the latest election in that country.
He was born into a bourgeoise Stockholm family with noble ancestors on January 30, 1927. He has three sons.
As a student he traveled to many countries, including the United States. He said seeing poverty and social misery at close range awakened him to socialism.
After private schooling with top grades, Palme went to the United States and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Kenyon College, Ohio, in 1948.
He was a secretary on the defense staff when Prime Minister Tage Erlander noticed him and opened the road to politics. He was named secretary to the government in 1954 and gained ministerial rank in 1963, the youngest man to do so in Europe at the time.
Palme served as minister for communications 1965-67 and led the Education Ministry from 1967-1969. He succeeded Erlander as leader of the Social Democrat Party in 1969 and began his first term as prime minister in October.
Funeral services were held here Monday for Nathan (Agmon) Bistritzky, a writer, dramatist and official of the Jewish National Fund for 30 years, who died at the age of 83. Bistritzky was born in Russia and came to Palestine in 1920 as a member of the third-aliya.
He was a member of the senior staff of the JNF from 1922 until his retirement in 1952, specializing in its youth and information activities. He was best known for his dramatic works, many of which dealt with Jewish history and such controversial personalities as Judas Iscariot and Shabtai Tzvi. He also published books on South American Jewry and Zionism. His latest book, dealing with the struggle of the third aliya, was about to be published at the time of his death. He was named academician by the Royal. Academy of Fine Letters in Spain for the first complete translation of Don Quixote into Hebrew in 1958.
The man who fatally shot eight co-workers at a Connecticut beer distributor told a 911 operator before he killed himself that he was avenging racism.
Omar Thornton's employer, his union and the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities all say there has never been a formal racism complaint against the Manchester company — from Thornton or anyone else.
State and Manchester police will not say whether Thornton's racism claims are figuring into their investigation of the shootings, which occurred early Tuesday when Thornton was confronted with video evidence he had stolen beer and was forced to resign.
Manchester police say they plan to have experts examine his cell phone, which was found in his car outside the Hartford Distributors warehouse.
His girlfriend, Kristi Hannah, said Thornton used his phone to photograph slurs and a noose scrawled in a company bathroom, though police will not say whether they are searching the phone specifically for those purported images.
"We don't comment on open cases. It's just inappropriate," State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance said. "Our goal is to attempt to answer any and all questions related to the incident."
Thornton, 34, killed himself after the spree — but not before calling 911.
"You probably want to know the reason why I shot this place up. This place right here is a racist place," he told the state trooper who answered.
"They're treating me bad over here, and treat all other black employees bad over here, too," he added. "So I took it to my own hands and handled the problem. I wish I could have got more of the people."
Hannah said Thornton called his union representative about the problems, but that his calls were never returned.
Officials from the union and Hartford Distributors say that's not true and that he never raised discrimination claims with them.
"I can state to you unequivocally no racism claim was ever alleged," company president Ross Hollander said at a news conference Thursday. He also said the company would cooperate with investigations into Thornton's "ugly allegations."
The allegations have upset many friends and family members of the victims and the Hollander family, which owns Hartford Distributors and is well-regarded in greater Hartford.
The Hollanders donated a full-size brass statue of Mark Twain to the city of Hartford in 1994, sponsor local sports teams in Manchester and are involved in volunteer and community service groups. Ross Hollander also was a plaintiff on a successful 2006 lawsuit to protect the results of a contested referendum on spending $94 million to improve schools in his hometown of Bloomfield — a majority-black school district bordering Hartford.
Some experts said Friday that, although nothing justifies Thornton's killing spree, the allegations of workplace racism should be investigated so they can either be dealt with or laid to rest.
"You have to investigate it," said employment lawyer Kelly Scott, adding that racial harassment in the workplace is often a crime.
"Any chance you have to make your workplace a better place, a safer place, you have to take it," Scott said. "If there are people who have these attitude problems or a problem dealing with other races, they should lose their jobs."
Sharon Toomer, founder of the website blackandbrownnews.com, called it "an accountability issue."
"If he didn't (report harassment), that's great. He's just a nut case," she said. "If he did go and nobody did anything, then the company's hands are not clean."
Messages seeking comment about a potential investigation into Thornton's racism claims were left Friday for the Hartford State's Attorney's Office, the FBI's New Haven office, the chairman of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and for the president of the Connecticut NAACP.
On the federal side, a spokesman for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said the agency is barred by law from confirming or denying the existence of any discrimination investigation.

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