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Gil Smart’s column, "Why must we take our pets to the grocery store?" (March 6), was about dogs in shopping carts, but how about dogs on the driver’s lap, sitting between the driver and the steering wheel? |
Is this any different than the possible distraction of cell phones? |
Many years ago, in a state far away, I served in the legislature that enacted a law that prohibited animals in the front seat of the car, and required that, if in the back seat, they had to be secured. Why? In a very short time period, two drivers with animals in the front seat had dogs that caused a disruption, follow... |
Just recently, I saw a woman driving with a dog on her lap. I immediately recalled the death of those people I previously mentioned. |
Oh, I can hear it now: My dog (pet) is calm and would never do that! If you really love your dog, you will keep it secured to save its life and the lives of others. You never know when a seemingly extraneous action will cause a response you never expected. |
May you never have to mourn a loved one whose death was the result of an uncaring driver’s selfish decision. |
March 3 was World Hearing Day. Almost one in five Americans has hearing loss, and that number is growing fast. We know that noise is the No, 1 cause of hearing loss; drugs and solvents the No. 2 cause. |
Are you being smart and protecting the hearing you have? Know that for a Johns Hopkins study, more than 150,000 people over 50 were followed for 10 years. Results show that people with untreated hearing loss have 52 percent greater risk of dementia, a 41 percent higher risk of depression, and almost a 30 percent greate... |
Hearingloss.org is a great source of information, as is Treasurehearing.org. A Hearing Guide for the Treasure Coast is available; lip-reading classes are available and can improve your communications whether you have hearing loss or not. Benefits of lip-reading include increased communication capabilities, increased ac... |
Classes and the Guide are co-sponsored by the Fort Pierce Lions Club and the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America. |
The person most responsible for your hearing, or help if there is a lack of it, is you. Be your own best advocate, don’t avoid getting help, do something about it and improve your health in so many ways! |
For more information about hearing loss, the Guide and scheduled lip-reading classes, I invite emails (tcflhla@live.com) and text messages: (772) 468-0123. |
Cheryl L. Nolte, of Fort Pierce, is the hearing chair & director of the Fort Pierce Lions Club, and president of the Treasure Coast Chapter, Hearing Loss Association of America. |
LUTHER, Okla. – A semi-truck driver has been arrested following a fatal crash on the Turner Turnpike near Luther that left two people dead. |
Officials say the crash involved three cars and a semi Tuesday evening. |
Capt. Paul Timmons with OHP says the driver of a semi, identified as 39-year-old Gurigbal Singh, did not slow down and hit the rear of a vehicle, causing that vehicle to hit the rear of another vehicle. |
Two people were killed in the crash. Officials say those two people, identified as 53-year-old Barbara Homan and 44-year-old Antonio Ibanez, were in the same vehicle. |
A man driving another vehicle involved in the crash was transported to the hospital in fair condition. |
Singh was taken to the hospital for a blood draw. Capt. Timmons says it normal practice for a blood draw where there is a death in a crash. |
He has since been arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on two counts of first-degree manslaughter. |
The COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION (CMA) hosted the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME (CMHOF) Class Of 2019 announcement ceremony this morning (3/18) in NASHVILLE, where it was announced that BROOKS & DUNN will be inducted in the Modern Era Artists category. RAY STEVENS will join the HALL in the Veterans Era category. JERRY BRADLE... |
"It’s really hard to put into words how it feels to hear you’re going into the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME,” said BROOKS & DUNN’S KIX BROOKS. “When you’re a huge fan of Country music, there’s nothing more humbling. My idols are on that wall in there - HANK WILLIAMS, JOHNNY CASH, WAYLON JENNINGS - so to think that RONNIE... |
“This means so much to us and I will be honored to accept it, but I still don’t think I’m ever gonna be able to believe it!” added the duo’s RONNIE DUNN. |
The COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME was created in 1961 by the CMA. The addition of BRADLEY, BROOKS & DUNN, and STEVENS brings the CMHOF from 136 members to 139 when they are formally inducted later this year. Watch the full CMHOF Class Of 2018 unveiling here. |
“One of my favorite days of the year is when I get to tell the new class they are being inducted into the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME,” said CMA CEO SARAH TRAHERN. “This is the highest achievement in Country Mmusic, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome JERRY, BROOKS & DUNN and RAY into the distinguished group and ... |
DPS Investigating State Rep. Dawnna Dukes' "Concerns" |
"DPS Investigating State Rep. Dawnna Dukes' "Concerns"" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. |
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, has asked the Texas Department of Public Safety for an investigation, the agency confirmed late Friday. Exactly what it will focus on is not clear. |
"DPS is conducting an inquiry into some concerns raised by Rep. Dukes," DPS spokesman Tom Vinger wrote in an email to The Texas Tribune. Vinger declined to say what those "concerns" entailed. |
"We have no additional information to provide at this time," Vinger said. |
A source with knowledge of the DPS investigation told the Tribune the agency has contacted at least one former Dukes staffer. |
DPS' action comes three weeks after the Tribune reported the State Auditor's Office was investigating whether Dukes had her taxpayer-funded staff perform non-legislative work, primarily on the African American Community Heritage Festival, a pet project the lawmaker created 17 years ago. An email sent by Dukes in Januar... |
"Festival is all hands on priority. I don't want any delays or fall throughs," Dukes wrote in a Jan. 12 email to her Capitol staff that was obtained by The Texas Tribune. "If you don't understand something or directive, ASAP. Timeliness is imperative to a successful event. Everyone must step up and be assertive." |
Dukes did not return the Tribune's calls for comment on why she called for the DPS investigation. |
The annual Heritage Festival, which will be held on Saturday, raises scholarship money for Huston-Tillotson University in Austin. The festival is organized by long-time friend and former Dukes staffer, Pamela Parker. |
Mike French, Dukes' former chief of staff who raised questions about the staff time devoted to the Heritage Festival told the Tribune he's not worried about this new inquiry by DPS. |
"If she wants to do that, it's fine by us," said Mike French. "The only one who has anything to hide is Dukes." |
DPS Investigating State Rep. Dawnna Dukes' "Concerns" By Terri Langford, Houston Chronicle February 26, 2016 State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, has asked the Texas Department of Public Safety for an investigation, the agency confirmed late Friday. Exactly what it will focus on is not clear. "DPS is conducting an inquir... |
Link back to the original article, which is located at https://www.texastribune.org/2016/02/26/dps-investigating-state-rep-dawnna-dukes-concerns/. |
Wireless networking meets social networking in WeFi (free). This useful software does double-duty: It helps you find reliable hot spots and then connect to them, and also helps you connect with your friends, and find new ones. Run the program and it shows nearby hot spots, with details about each such as signal strengt... |
WeFi finds hot spots near you…and people connected to them. |
You can also have the program send you to a Web page where you can see all the hot spots mapped out. New to this version of WeFi is its ability to show information about each hot spot such as whether it is a school, coffee shop, restaurant, home, and so on. And a new feature allows you to find hot spots not just in you... |
To see people who are connected to hot spots near you, click the People tab, and you'll see a list of people nearby who use WeFi. You can then get more information about any of them, and get in touch with them as well. In addition, the software also makes it easy for you to upload information about the hot spots you've... |
One problem with WeFi is that it's not always highly reliable in geolocation. When I connected to one hot spot, for example, it told me I was about nearly a mile away from where I really was. So don't necessarily trust its expertise at location. Still, despite that shortcoming, it's a useful program given that it's fre... |
Note that during the installation, it will make We-Fi search your default search engine, make We-Fi Search your default home page, and install a We-Fi toolbar. If you don't want those things done, at the beginning of the installation process, select Custom, and uncheck which of those options you don't want done. In add... |
Victoria Reggie Kennedy told the audience gathered last night for the Worcester Community Action Council�s 45th anniversary celebration that the antipoverty organization is as vital today as it was when it was created as an outgrowth of President Lyndon B. Johnson�s War on Poverty. |
Ms. Kennedy, widow of the late Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, said her husband respected the work the Worcester organization does, and commended it for recommitting its efforts even as similar organizations are suffering in the tough economic times. |
The 45th anniversary celebration also included the organization�s Action Hero Awards, given to individuals, groups, and businesses who have had an impact on the council�s efforts. |
The organization also announced the creation of the Edward M. Kennedy Scholarship Program, which will provide assistance for tuition, books, and supplies to college-bound youths. The scholarship will be funded by National Grid and the Quinsigamond Community College fund. |
Deborah Penta, chairman of the board of directors at the council, called the late senator the organization�s �superhero,� and said his support of anti-poverty initiatives over the years, including the Economic Opportunity Act, which helped create organizations like the council, made him a worthy namesake for the schola... |
Ms. Kennedy said organizations such as the Worcester one create hope for many individuals and families, and show them there are people who are there for them. |
She said the organization reflects an ideal that the community and government can work together to make a difference in the lives of the poor. |
She said the organization, which oversees groups that provide fuel assistance, summer jobs programs and green energy initiatives, has goals that dovetail nicely with anti-poverty initiatives included in President Barack Obama�s efforts to provide economic stimulus. |
She also said that Mr. Kennedy�s passion for health care reform, which was recently signed into law, fits into the Worcester council�s mission to help the poor. |
�Health care reform is the most important social program since the War on Poverty started 45 years ago,� Ms. Kennedy said. |
�We know that despite its great history, the Worcester Community Action Council�s greatest days are still ahead,� she said. |
The 45th Hero Award recipients were: Unum; Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce; Blackstone Valley Education Foundation; Center of Hope; Seven Hills Foundation; Energy All-Stars; NSTAR; Main South Community Development Corp.; Webster Five Cents Savings Bank; Smith & Jones; Greater Worcester Community Foundation; and C... |
NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — Starting at the stroke of midnight, when a handful of small towns opened their polls, tens of thousands of New Hampshire voters cast ballots Tuesday, choosing their favorites among the pack of Republicans and Democrats who hope to one day be president. |
Here's what some of them had to say as they headed to the polls in Nashua, a small city near the state's border with Massachusetts. |
The former textile hub, now home to some notable tech firms like HP, Dell and Oracle and with a downtown enjoying a revival of sorts, has more than 50,000 registered voters, of which nearly 15,000 are Democrats, 12,000 are Republicans and 24,000 are unaffiliated. |
"I felt like he was the most honest," said Nicole Reitano, a 24-year-old from Nashua who voted for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, running against Democrat Hillary Clinton. "He's had the same views forever and he's never budged. That makes me feel confident in him." |
"It's very important to vote and we always vote for the person we think is going to help the most people," said Alanna Van Antwerpen, 40, of Nashua, as she voted with her 6-year-old daughter, Norah, at her side. |
Van Antwerpen, who declined to say who she voted for, said she was just glad the primary season, at least for New Hampshire, was finally over. |
"If we make it to this time next year in one piece as a nation, I'd be impressed," she said. "There's this underlying tension. Everyone gets a little amped up. People are very committed to the political process here." |
"We voted for Hillary," said Kelly Stephens, 33, of Nashua, who voted with her husband Andrew Stephens, 34. "My heart kind of wanted Bernie, but my head went the Clinton route. She's a little more put together with her ideas." |
"We like that he is a born again Christian," said Phyllis Grant, an 80-year-old from Nashua who voted for GOP Texas Sen. Ted Cruz along with her husband, Martin Grant, 87. |
"I bounce around between Democrat and Republican," said Edward O'Neill, 68, a retired General Electric worker from Nashua who declined to say who he ended up voting for. "This election has been really crazy. I really just made up my mind when I sat down in the voting booth." |
"I voted for Hillary," said Ashok Patel, 58, of Nashua. "I think she is the most likely to win. I don't know Bernie well and I see Hillary with more potential to win. I also think it's about time that one of the best democracies in the world has a woman as president." |
It's time we talk frankly about development, baseball stadiums, convention centers, traffic and water. Someone has to be the first to stand up and say the emperor has no clothes! |
Jeff Smith wants to build a baseball stadium downtown. Rocky Scott works to attract new businesses to town. Terry Sullivan tells us we need Confluence Park and a convention center in the south end. These efforts have one thing in common: Developers stand to make money if these projects are successful. |
Does Smith want to move the Sky Sox in order to revitalize downtown? Or because he'll make millions from development around the stadium? We already have a charming, vibrant and vital downtown. Jeff's plans will ensure we have gridlock on Interstate 25 even if it's widened even further. |
Many in the business community believe we must grow aggressively or shrivel up and die. The rest of us shrug our shoulders and assume growth is inevitable. Let's stop buying that folly and fight for our town and quality of life. |
Few things get better as population increases. As you cram more people together they get meaner and more selfish. You get more crime, more road rage, more conflict. Check out Southern California, Atlanta or Dallas. The people in these places have paid a high price for the growth they courted. |
We're blessed with gorgeous views, fresh air and clean water. We live in a great place to hike, bike, golf, ski or just sit on the deck and enjoy the mountains and blue sky. |
Why did most of us come to Colorado Springs or stay here? How many of us said, "This is going to be one cool place when the population hits a million! Just think of the cars, the lines, the pollution, the water-rationing!" |
Yet we sit by while greed alone motivates construction of more houses and shopping centers, and while tax incentives and ad campaigns entice more businesses and people to move in. The old spin -- "It's necessary for our economic survival" -- may have been true years ago when our economic base was limited to military ba... |
But now our economy is diverse and our secret is out. We can stop begging people to come; they will still come. Instead we need to figure out if there is any way we can stop them! |
Those espousing the "grow or die" myth talk about bringing in more, better-paying jobs. We're kidding ourselves if we don't think more people will come to compete for those jobs. That's good for people selling gas, homes, insurance or newspapers, but it doesn't do a thing for the average citizen or our quality of life. |
Like a lobster unknowingly dying in a pot of boiling water, we are slowly allowing our treasure to be destroyed. It's gradual enough to keep us in ignorant bliss. But just because we go down the path to ruin slowly doesn't mean we won't get there. |
Ask the "grow or die" camp what city is the model for their plans? Is it Austin or San Jose (both formerly beautiful, now overcrowded)? Can we go on adding subdivision after subdivision, when that means we'll run out of water in 20 years? |
Is there anything "smart" about allowing this kind of growth in the face of such limited resources? Do property rights really trump the need to sustain life? It's time we all face the truth about growth. We really ought to be stopping it. If we can't, then we should be seriously limiting it. And at the very least, we m... |
I'm betting Jeff Smith's kids already have a great college fund. So come on, Jeff, can you relax and let us enjoy this beautiful city? |
And what about the rest of us? The ill effects of unchecked growth are only inevitable if we do nothing. It's time we tell our elected representatives and the business community that we don't want or need more people in Colorado Springs. |
Let's not follow these pied pipers down the road to water shortages, choked roadways and a permanent haze in the air. Just say no to growth. |
Many possibilities with this one story closed bank branch building. Three drive through lanes, vault, teller stations etc. Potential to convert open lobby floor plan to your specific needs. Good location just off of Rte 130 / Shell Rd. Large paved parking area with area to expand the building if need be. Schedule to se... |
British holidaymakers are being warned of the ten ways they may unwittingly break the law whilst driving to their annual getaway this year. |
Motoring giant LeaseVan.co.uk has researched the little know driving laws that could most affect Brits embarking on long road trips this summer. |
From eating and drinking while driving to using your mobile phone as a satnav when not fixed to your windscreen or dashboard, these are the most common things drivers do – particularly on long journeys – that are in fact illegal. |
Surprisingly, the list also includes paying contactless with your phone at a drive through, and beeping your horn in anger at other road users. |
Tim Alcock of LeaseVan.co.uk commented: “Whilst everyone knows that things like breaking the speed limit and driving under the influence of alcohol are not only illegal but incredibly dangerous, most won’t realise that things they do behind the wheel on an almost daily basis are equally as frowned upon. |
“We’re probably all guilty of sneaking a swift sip of water on a long car journey, and flashing our headlights to give way to other road users, but these actions are in fact illegal and could land you hefty fines or points on your licence. |
Although most smart phones come equipped with their own navigation app, it is in fact illegal to use your phone as a satnav if it’s not fixed to your windscreen or dashboard using a phone holder or something similar. |
If you are caught breaching this law, you could receive six points on your licence and a £200 fine – and if you’ve only had your licence for two years or less, this could mean a driving ban! |
When you’re on long car journeys, you may find yourself needing to refuel yourself after a couple of hours, but whilst eating or drinking behind the wheel might not be strictly against the law, the police can still prosecute you as this might mean you’re not in complete control of your vehicle. |
If you’re distracted by doing things such as snacking, drinking, applying makeup or changing a CD in your car, you could face a £100 fine and anything from three to nine penalty points. |
Contactless technology means that lots of retailer now allow you to use your phone to pay for items under £30 by simply swiping your device over the card machine, but although this seems like the easiest option when popping through the drive through on the go, you could face a maximum £1,000 fine or six penalty points. |
If you do prefer to use your phone rather than a contactless card, you must make sure your engine is switched off and your handbrake is applied. |
Bouts of road rage are common when you’ve been stuck in your vehicle for hours on end and traffic just isn’t playing ball, and we’ve all had those days where we’ve been tempted to honk our horns at other drivers in frustration. But it’s important to always avoid doing this, as beeping your horn for any other reason tha... |
We all know driving too quickly can be dangerous, but surprisingly the same goes for driving too slowly as well. |
If you’re a long way below the limit you could be punished with anything from a verbal warning to a whopping nine points on your licence. |
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