12 October 2011

Thousands Not Following Fort Worth's Water Restrictions

Fort Worth has warned more than 2,600 residents about violations of the city's water restrictions.

The water restrictions have led to a decline in water use in the city, but lake levels continue to drop.

Levels have dropped 5 percent since Aug. 29. Before the restrictions were put into place, lakes were dropping by nearly 3 percent per week.

The Fort Worth Water Department said it has notified 2,649 customers who have been spotted violating the water restrictions. Of those, 80 customers were told they were one step away from fines.

But most residents, including Anne Rampling, who lives in the Ryan Place neighborhood, are following the rules.

"I haven't used the sprinkler since the water restrictions came in, so it's hand watering," she said.

The city continues to try to educate people who break the rules on what they are doing wrong and what they can do to fix it.

"Since this is the first time in Fort Worth ever, we did expect it is going to take time to educate the public," said Hilda Zuniga, of the water department.

The 80 violators close to fees and citations have received bright green door-knockers informing them of what they were seen doing wrong, by whom and what could happen the next time it happens.

After customers are fined for violations, they can then be cited for up to $2,000 per day per event if witnessed by a city staff member.

"We've gone and talked with them," Zuniga said. "[We tell them] when they can water, when they can't water, and it seems to help a lot."

The city relies on residents to report their neighbors because it doesn't have the staff to hunt down violators.

The majority of complaints come from neighbors, but not all residents say they report their neighbors.

"You know, I'm not going to tattle. I'm not going to do that," Rampling said. "If they don't want to [follow] it -- I don't want to do it, either, but I can't afford [not] to."

Whatever the reason for not watering, the city said it hopes people continue to follow the rules so that it doesn't have to impose the next round of restrictions.

At 60 percent of lake levels, customers would only be allowed to water once a week.

Medical Pot Plan for Maple Shade Up in Smoke?

Medical Pot Plan for Maple Shade Up in Smoke?

The first local board in New Jersey to consider allowing a medical marijuana site turned the request down Wednesday, possibly a harbinger of more delays to come in getting the Garden State’s medical marijuana program running.

The Maple Shade zoning board unanimously agreed that an alternative treatment center is not a permitted use for a former office furniture store along Route 73.

Board members said they would rather see a treatment center close to a hospital. There are no hospitals in the community, a largely blue-collar Philadelphia suburb of 19,000 whose unassuming motto is “Nice town, friendly people.”

Compassionate Sciences Alternative Treatment Center hopes to open to patients early next year. Spokesman Andrei Bogolubov said the group would consider appealing the board decision, but he said the group has other sites in mind.

It's one of six nonprofit groups licensed earlier this year by the state to grow and sell medical marijuana under the strictest of the 16 state laws that allow medical marijuana.

Its advocates say marijuana can ease symptoms such as pain and nausea. Under New Jersey's law, there would be restrictions on how much cannabis registered patients could get, and -- unlike in other states -- even the potency of the drug. Only patients with certain conditions-- among them terminal cancer, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis -- will be eligible, and they must have the recommendation of a doctor who's been treating them for a year.

Compassionate Sciences and the five other licensed alternative treatment centers are awaiting final regulations from the state government before they can begin growing and selling pot.

The state Health and Seniors Services Department says those rules, delayed amid concerns from Gov. Chris Christie about medical marijuana, will be in place by the end of the year.

Only one other center -- Compassionate Care Foundation -- has announced a potential site. It's in Westampton, just off Exit 5 of the New Jersey Turnpike and only about a dozen miles from the site that was rejected Wednesday.

Compassionate Sciences picked a former office furniture store in Maple Shade about a mile from Exit 4 of the New Jersey Turnpike and located amid a swirl of highways that separate the site from any homes and all but a few businesses.

“We will be a discrete, secure, professional and confidential operation,” Will Stapter, chairman of Compassionate Sciences, told the board.

Mike Nelson, the chief operating officer for Compassionate Sciences, said New Jersey headed off the possibility of abuse largely because it isn't allowing pot to be used to treat chronic pain unless it's accompanied by another serious illness.

Some members of the public -- though only one of them was a Maple Shade resident -- spoke in favor of allowing the dispensary. But it was the critics who got applause as they talked about their worries about crime, children getting the drug, patients driving under the influence, property values and their community's reputation.

James Quick, who said his late son was an addict, said he worried about the town's safety and reputation.

“What's to stop these people from going out in that parking lot, smoking that joint, getting high as a kite, going out on that highway and killing somebody?” he asked the zoning board. “We're going to be known as the marijuana capital of New Jersey... What are we, California? What's next -- palm trees down Main Street?”

Others said they see the value of medical marijuana, but they don't want it in their area.

“I do believe in alternative treatments,” said Michael Kirk, a Maple Shade resident and registered nurse who has a daughter with epilepsy whom he believes may one day benefit from medical marijuana. “I just don't believe that alternative treatments should be on 73 in Maple Shade.”

Medicaid Errors Costing Virginia Millions

Medicaid Errors Costing Virginia Millions

Virginia may be losing hundreds of millions of dollars each year because of errors in the processing of medicaid applications.

The estimate comes from the state's Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission, or JLARC, and the report on Medicaid errors says improperly enrolled recipients could have cost the state anywhere between $18 million and $263 million in fiscal year 2009.

Many errors are due to a paper-driven applicant review process at the local level, JLARC said.

"There's quite a lot of manual work that's done, things like notices, worksheets," said Joe Schwartz, a Medicaid eligibility supervisor in Arlington County, which currently has more than 9,000 Medicaid enrollees. "In a lot of ways, the Medicaid is still pretty antiquated."

For one thing, there's no way right now for eligibility workers at the local level to easily verify the financial or property assets of applicants. State medicaid supervisors are working on a new  system, but it won't be ready for another two years.

Dinosaurs Take Over the National Mall

Dinosaurs Take Over the National Mall

The characters of the popular television show "Dinosaur Train" visited the National Mall Wednesday.

They were there to help the National Park Service kick off events throughout the country celebrating National Fossil Day. 

The special day dedicated to dinosaurs is part of Earth Science Week, a program that encourages people, especially kids to study geosciences and the natural world. 

A hunt for fossils was a major part of Wednesday’s program for kids. It also included discovering creatures that roamed Washington before people, children collecting sediments and recording their best dinosaur roar.  

The event was topped off this by a visit from Buddy, the T-Rex and Buddy Bison from the National Parks Trust.

Attempted Abduction of Teen in Fairfax County

Attempted Abduction of Teen in Fairfax County

A man in Oakton, Va., tried abducting a 16-year-old girl on her way to school, according to police.

The attempted abduction happened around the intersection of Blake Lane and Palmer Street about 6:30 a.m.

The girl told police the man began talking to her and then asked her to get into his car. When she refused, he grabbed her and attempted to force her inside the car. The girl, however, managed to get away, according to a Fair Oaks police district press release.

The man was described as possibly Hispanic, in his early to mid-20s, 5-feet-6 to 5-feet-9 inches tall with a thin build, and short, black hair. He had an eyebrow piercing and two piercings in his left ear. He was wearing blue jeans and a short-sleeve shirt.

The man’s vehicle was described as a white, four-door sub-compact with a “Baby-on-Board” sign on the driver’s side.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at >

Guilty Verdict in Trinidad Murders That Led to All Hands on Deck

Guilty Verdict in Trinidad Murders That Led to All Hands on Deck

Two Washington, D.C, men face the possibility of life in prison after being found guilty in a triple murder that led to a controversial crackdown.

The murders happened May 31, 2008, near a BP gas station at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Holbrook Street in Northeast.

William McCorckle and Andre Clinkscale, Jr. “brutally executed” Duane Hough, Johnny Jeter and Anthony Mincey, following a verbal argument outside the gas station, prosecutors said.

Hough was shot 17 times, Mincey 11 times and Jeter nine times. Each victim was unarmed.

“William McCorckle then tried to obstruct justice by threatening and intimidating witnesses in order to prevent them from cooperating with police,” U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. said in a statement.

“Today, both men were held accountable for their heinous acts of violence,” the statement continued. “Today’s verdict is a testament to this community’s refusal to allow senseless acts of violence to go unpunished.”

The murders were among at least 22 that happened in the 5th District police precinct that year.

They spawned a controversial police program in which checkpoints were set up on roads leading into the Trinidad neighborhood.

Police turned away people who didn’t have a legitimate reason to be in the neighborhood.

Those checkpoints were later ruled unconstitutional.

Analysis: The Case of The Phantom Contributors

Analysis: The Case of The Phantom Contributors

The mayoral election of 2013 is more than two years away – but the city comptroller, John Liu, is working very hard to raise money for that campaign.

And now The New York Times, in a comprehensive article, raises some questions, saying:  “There is much about Mr. Liu’s campaign money that does not add up.”

The Times says nearly 100 homes and workplaces of donors listed on Liu’s campaign finance reports may not all exist. The reporters, Raymond Hernandez and David Chen, claim to have uncovered “two dozen irregularities.” Among these are: people on the list who say they never gave  or that the boss of their company gave for them.  And some contributors, the Times says, could not be found at all.

Liu says he’s launching an internal investigation of his campaign fund raising to see whether these charges are true. Meanwhile, the Campaign Finance Board is supposed to do an independent investigation of the charges.

In 2009, Michael Bloomberg spent more than 108 million dollars of his own money:  to change the law so he could run for a third term – and to win the election. Liu is raising millions to succeed Bloomberg. 

In the light of recent history, it seems inevitable that the candidates who try to win City Hall will be raising money at a feverish pace.  The multi-billionaire mayor set the standard.  He lived up to the Vince Lombardi motto: winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.

Now, his would-be successors will try to follow in his footsteps, but with a big difference. They can’t find their money in their own pockets. They need dollars from donors, big and small.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that free speech protects corporations in their right to spend big sums of money on elections. That decision seems to have opened the floodgates to heavier campaign spending and, lamentably, New York will continue to spend big in the post-Bloomberg era. That means candidates who don’t have big war chests will have a tough time getting their ideas listened to and their campaigns off the ground.

Susan Lerner of Common Cause told me that “it’s appropriate that Mr. Liu is conducting an internal investigation and that the Campaign Finance Board is investigating too.”

She says “it’s a real challenge to raise money without violating campaign restrictions. There’s always a possibility that your supporters can go overboard in trying to win. And there is reluctance by some supporters of candidates to fill out paper work. There need to be strict controls at the campaign level.”

There can be cultural obstacles to getting people to follow rules.  One Chinese-American told me: “there’s a reluctance by some immigrants to sign papers or open themselves up to scrutiny by outsiders. That’s why it invites political fund raisers to sign papers for them.”

And that’s why,  in Liu’s campaign, it’s alleged, one person appeared to fill out cards for multiple donors. Liu told reporters he was baffled by the findings.

Yet, whether or not Liu failed to be vigilant, the situation points up the continued difficulty of keeping the playing field level. Raising big money and practicing democracy are not always compatible.

Four So Cal Waterways Join EPA's Polluted List

California’s waterways have become much more polluted since 2006, a new report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revealed.
 
The number of rivers, streams and lakes on the EPA’s polluted list increased 170 percent in five years.
 
Four newcomers to the list are in the Inland Empire.
 
The Santa Ana River, which stretches from the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, is the largest watershed in Southern California, but two sections of the river are among the waterways listed by the EPA.
 
The sections of the Santa Ana River between Prado Dam and Mission Boulevard and from Seven Oaks dam up to the mountains headwaters made the list.

Connie Librenjak, the executive director of the environmental group Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful has an idea why.

“We would see batteries and tires and computers and sofas and refrigerators and all kinds of things in the river,” she said.

The California Water Resources Board found both stretches of the river polluted with lead and the upper regions of the waterway also polluted with copper.

States are required to submit pollution reports to the EPA and this year the board found 3 million acres of lakes, rivers and streams that are either not meeting clean water goals or are in need of a pollution cleanup plan.

Among the waterways new to the list are Temescal Creek near Lake Elsinore and Cucamonga Creek, east of Ontario International Airport.

The EPA cited lead and copper from discarded vehicle brake pads, and bacteria from leaking sewers and septic tanks as their main polluters.

“There’s movement through storm water and on a daily basis all of these things end up in the river,” said Alexis Strauss, a spokeswoman for the EPA.

“It’s so incredibly frustrating,” she added.

She noted the pollutants travel the length of the river and end up affecting coastlines and beaches.

Ten days ago, some 500 volunteers gathered at the Santa Ana River in Rubidoux for their annual watershed cleanup. They pulled four tons of refuse from the waterway.

“Everybody now is aware of what a serious problem this has been over the course of the years,” Librenjak said.

Her group organized the recent watershed cleanup and she said awareness is helping to improve the situation.

“Maybe they’ll think twice before depositing a hazardous material or throwing away their trash,” said Rachel Hamilton of the Inland Empire Waterkeeper.

Federal, state and local officials agreed that continuing education and enforcement are the only ways to really cleanup California’s waterways.

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Ex-Iran Prisoners Lunch With American University Professor Who Helped Them

American University Professor Akbar Ahmed hosted the three American hikers imprisoned in Iran for lunch Wednesday.

Sarah Shroud, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer talked about their imprisonment and thanked Dr. Ahmed for his efforts to win their freedom.

Dr. Ahmed later talked about the private lunch his involvement with the case with News4.

AC Cops Hunt for High-End Shoplifting Suspects

AC Cops Hunt for High-End Shoplifting Suspects

Atlantic City Police are trying to track down two suspected thieves who appear to have very expensive taste.

The pair has stolen approximately $17,000 worth of high-end items from at least two stores in the upscale Pier Shops at Caesars in the last few weeks, police told USA LOCAL NEWS.

Authorities say the men shoplifted 13 purses and four men’s belts from the Gucci and Louis Vuitton stores on September 23, 28 and October 10.

Detectives are hoping the public will be able to identify the pair from surveillance photos released Wednesday.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call the Atlantic City Police detective bureau at 609-347-5766. Detective Craig Argus is the lead investigator on the case.

 

Second Child Groping Near Hyattsville Middle School

Second Child Groping Near Hyattsville Middle School

A young girl was groped after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning near Hyattsville Middle School, police confirmed.

Investigators believe the man is the same man who groped a young girl in the same area about the same time Sept. 26.

A Safe City alert described the man as Hispanic, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-7, about 150 pounds, 35 to 40 years old, with black hair, a full beard and a mustache, Hyattsville Patch reported.

Amid Protesters, Zuccotti Park Will Get Cleaned

The Occupy Wall Street protesters who have taken up residence at Zuccotti Park for the past three weeks may temporarily have to find new digs Friday when crews plan to enter and clean the park.

The owner of the park, Brookfield Properties, will be dispatching cleaning crews there, said Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway.

Holloway said Brookfield wrote a letter to the city expressing concerns over the upkeep of the park and maintaining it in a "condition fit for public use."

"The last three weeks have created unsanitary conditions and considerable wear and tear on the park," said Holloway. "The situation is not in the best interest of the protesters, residents or the City."

The cleaning will be done in stages, and the protesters will be able to return to the areas that have been cleaned, provided they abide by the rules that Brookfield has established for the park, said Holloway.

Overnight Homicide Rattles Fredericksburg

Overnight Homicide Rattles Fredericksburg

A quiet Fredericksburg, Va., neighborhood was rattled by a fatal stabbing overnight.

Police went to the scene after reports of noise in the street just before midnight near the intersection of Charles and Pelham streets. They found 33-year-old Jermaine Samuel in the road suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses helped put police on the trail of a suspect. About 10 minutes later they found 20-year-old Justin Brunell, of Fredericksburg.

He’s been charged with first-degree murder and is being held in Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.

Despite the arrest, Fredericksburg police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said it remains an open investigation.

Officers do, however, believe the stabbing followed an argument between the suspect and victim over illegal narcotics.

Second Death in East River Chopper Crash

A second woman has died as a result of the East River helicopter crash last Tuesday.

Helen Tamaki, a passenger in the sightseeing helicopter that took off from the 34th Street heliport and then plunged into the river Oct. 4, died from injuries she sustained in the crash, Bellevue Hospital confirmed Wednesday.

Tamaki's official cause of death was listed as complications from near-drowning, according to the medical examiner's office. She died at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Tamaki's girlfriend, Sonia Marra, died in the river when she became trapped in the helicopter. Her body was found in the water about an hour after the crash.

Marra was in New York City with her parents and Tamaki to celebrate her 40th birthday. The four had taken off in a helicopter to tour the city.

Marra's 60-year-old mother, Harriet Nicholson, and her 71-year-old stepfather Paul Nicholson, survived the crash.

Tamaki initially survived the crash as well, but was listed in critical condition.

Authorities said the helicopter, piloted by Paul Dudley, had just taken off from the 34th Street heliport at 3:17 p.m. with five people aboard when it turned around after unknown issues in the air.

Dudley tried to turn back but crashed into the water just north of the landing pad, authorities said.

The Nicholsons are originally from England but were living in Portugal.

The family released a statement three days after the crash thanking the city of New York and its rescuers.

"Sonia was loving her first experience of New York, the city and its people," her family said. "She was incredibly happy to be here and it gives us some comfort to remember that. We are a strong family and will cope with our loss in our own way."

The family also thanked the rescue teams "who acted with great courage," along with hospital staff and NYPD "for their compassion, kindness and great care."

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and questioned the pilot, Paul Dudley, for several hours last Wednesday. Dudley is a friend of the family.

Investigators are looking into the winds at the time of the crash, as well as the weight allowances for the aircraft.

Nothing has been ruled out, investigators said, but the engine has not shown signs of catastrophic failure, and there is no indication of a fire.

 

RELATED VIDEO:

  • Raw Video: Moments After Chopper Crash
  • Raw Video: Helicopter Pulled Out of East River
  • Witnesses Describe Helicopter Plunge
  • Heroic Rescue Efforts in Chopper Crash

  • History of Helicopter, Pilot

 

Stay with us on Twitter @NBCNewYork and Facebook/NBCNewYork.

Timber Salvaged from Wildfire-Killed Trees

Timber Salvaged from Wildfire-Killed Trees

Forestry experts say some trees killed as thousands of acres were blackened by East Texas wildfires have a new use.

The Texas Forest Service on Wednesday reported that more than a third of the nearly 36 million cubic feet of timber killed since June in Grimes, Jasper, Trinity and Polk counties has been salvaged.

The agency says the timber, collected through August, will be used to produce up to $110 million worth of forest products like homes, furniture and paper.

Agency official Burl Carraway said logging contractors, foresters and forest owners worked together to mitigate the timber losses.

The Texas Forest Service last month reported East Texas had lost nearly 208,000 acres of timber to wildfires since last November.

Occupy Philadelphia: Day 7

Occupy Philadelphia: Day 7

The seventh day of Occupy Philadelphia protests included several marches and shows of support from unions and a university.

Members of the Teamsters union attended Thursday's demonstration at City Hall in solidarity and the University of Pennsylvania released an open letter of support to the protesters saying that "extreme inequalities that structure our society" must end.

Some of the demonstrators marched several blocks to protest outside of Wells Fargo Bank.

An encampment of about 100 tents remained at City Hall on Wednesday despite the rain.

Unlike other cities, Philadelphia's demonstrations have been peaceful and there have been no arrests.

Police Chase D.C. Car From Virginia to Maryland

Police Chase D.C. Car From Virginia to Maryland

An unusual police chase that began with a robbery in Virginia ended with an arrest in Prince George’s County, Md.

Officers pursued the Mercedes-driving suspect after a woman in Fairfax County called police about an unwelcome acquaintance in her home. She saw the man she knows as "Boo" leaving her house and discovered $200 and credit cards missing from her purse.

The man led police into Maryland on a 20-minute, 10-mile chase, running into three Fairfax County police cruisers and three barriers on an access road before crashing to a stop.

Charges are pending.

The Mercedes bore D.C. tags 485 with an image of a rose. Such low tag numbers with a rose are assigned by the mayor and council members.

Brothers Convicted of Human Trafficking

Brothers Convicted of Human Trafficking

Ukranian brothers were convicted Wednesday of smuggling desperate villagers into the United States to work in bondage, working long hours at little or no pay cleaning retail stores and office buildings.

The four-week trial in Philadelphia lifted the veil on human trafficking and forced labor in the U.S., with tales of rape, violence and deplorable living conditions.

“They call it modern-day slavery,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Velez said. “It's hiding in plain sight.”

Nine workers who testified described being raped, beaten or threatened by Omelyan Botsvynyuk, 52, a compact man who glared at prosecutors after the verdict and shouted at them in his native tongue as he was led out in handcuffs. He had denied the accusations when he testified.

The jury, though, found him guilty of using sexual and physical violence to intimidate workers.

He faces 20 years to life in prison on racketeering and extortion charges. His brother Stepan, 36, was convicted of the racketeering enterprise but acquitted of extortion. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Defense lawyers had argued that the workers would say anything to get special T-visas, set aside for trafficking victims, and avoid returning to the Ukraine. At least five of the nine victims who testified may apply for the T-visas, Velez said.

The workers said they were promised $500 a month and came to pursue the American dream. Instead, they made little progress as they tried to pay off the cost of their serpentine journey to the U.S. and other debts owed to the brothers.

Authorities have said the retail stores were unaware of the situation, because they hired cleaning crews through contractors.

“I think every business should know who's working for them, but this is a common practice in all large businesses, they use subcontractors to hire workers,” Velez said.

He said he hoped the verdict would lead to more prosecutions of human-trafficking cases in the United States.

The Botsvynyuk crews cleaned Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, Safeway and other retail stores, along with homes and offices in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New York and New Jersey.

Juror Joe Higgins, a Teamsters Union trucker from Northeast Philadelphia, said traffickers like the Botsvynyuks take jobs away from U.S. workers.

“They (stores) should check into what kind of contractors they're using to clean their stores. Do a little bit of digging, and make sure they're not using illegal aliens,” said Higgins, 53.

“Just because it's cheapest, it's not (always) right.”

Cumberland Co. Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Special Needs Girl

Cumberland Co. Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Special Needs Girl

A Millville, New Jersey man was arrested Monday on charges that he used candy and money to lure and sexually assault a 13-year-old neighbor, according to police.

Investigators say 43-year-old Thomas Taylor sexually assaulted the girl inside his Oak Street home as many as 15 times between early July and late August.

“It turns my stomach to know that a man would do this to a little girl,” the victim’s mother tells USA LOCAL NEWS. 

She says her daughter is in special needs classes and "has the mind of a seven or eight-year-old.” Her daughter has had nightmare ever since the assaults, she says.   

Taylor’s fiancée, Virginia Shafer, admits that they both gave the girl, who lived around the corner at the time of the alleged assaults, candy and money for new sneakers. She denies, however, that Taylor ever molested the girl.

“I love that man. He would never do anything like this,” Shafer tells USA LOCAL NEWS. “That’s terrible. That’s a lie. It’s not true.”

Millville Police say that Taylor often gave out candy to neighborhood children.

The suspect is behind bars in the Cumberland County jail. His bail is set at  $250,000.

 

NTSB Wants Nationwide Ban on Mobile Use by Commercial Drivers

NTSB Wants Nationwide Ban on Mobile Use by Commercial Drivers

The National Transportation Safety Board is advising Texas, and every other state in the Union, to ban the use of mobile phones by commercial drivers -- even those with hands-free devices.

The recommendation by the NTSB comes after an investigation into a crash in Munfordville, Ky, where a tractor-trailer driver crossed a median and struck a 15-passenger van, killing 11 people including two children. The NTSB said the probable cause for the crash was that the truck driver became distracted while using his mobile phone, which had recently dropped a call.

While no state has an outright ban on mobile phone use by all drivers, the NTSB recommends that states adopt such an ordinance that prohibits the use of handheld devices by commercial drivers even if they have a hands-free attachment.

A recent study by the Texas Transportation Institute revealed that reading or writing a text message behind the wheel can more than double a driver's reaction time.  It's safe to assume the results may be similar for drivers trying to dial a telephone, an action the NTSB said can have fatal consequences.

Texting while driving is currently banned in 34 states while using a handheld device in any way (presumably as a telephone) is banned in nine states.  See a state-by-state list here. 

Texas has attempted to ban texting while driving as recently as this past summer when both the house and senate passed an ordinance prohibiting the act.  Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the bill saying, it was the government's "effort to micromanage the behavior of adults."

Still, Texas has passed two statewide laws regarding the use of handheld devices by drivers and local municipalities have picked up the slack from there.

Statewide, Texas prohibits any driver from using a mobile handheld device while in a school zone unless it has a hands-free attachment.  Additionally, school bus drivers, who must have a commercial driver's license, can only use a handheld device while driving a bus if there are no passengers under the age of 18 in the vehicle.  When passengers under 18 are present, the use of a handheld device, even with a hands-free attachment, is prohibited.

The NTSB said the only caveat to their recommendation is when the driver is in an emergency situation.  See the full recommendation here.

Man Robs Loop Bank for 4th time in Two Months: FBI

A man who is believed to have robbed a Loop bank branch at least three times in the past two months may have struck for a fourth time.

At about 1:30 p.m., a man handed a note demanding money to a teller at the Chicago Community Bank branch at 52 E. Lake St.

Though the man never showed a gun, his note implied he had a weapon, said police spokesman John Mirabelli.

The teller complied, and the robber ran off with an unidentified amount of cash.  He was last seen running eastbound toward Michigan Avenue, Mirabelli said.

No one was injured.

It is believed this same man may be responsible for three other robberies of the same bank this year, FBI spokeswoman Cynthia Yates said. He is believed to have robbed the branch on Aug. 12, Sept. 6 and Sept. 30.

He is described as a black male in his 30s, wearing a tan baseball cap, jeans and white tank top. He stands about 5'8" or 5'9" tall, according to a post on BanditTrackerChicago.com.

Anyone with information should call the FBI at 312-421-6700.

There have been at least 71 bank robberies in the Chicago are this year. 

Tutoring Business Booming

Tutoring Business Booming

As California’s education budget suffers numerous cuts, parents have been turning to tutoring programs for help.

A recent tutoring increase throughout the nation has emerged for a number of reasons. Competitive college admissions, distracted students and larger classroom sizes have caused modern learning environments to change drastically, forcing parents to seek assistance outside the classroom.

Tutoring costs can be as cheap as $20, but for more elite business can charge upwards of $200 per session. With tutoring company giants such as Princeton Review or Sylvan Learning Center charging hundreds of dollars for test preparation, local companies can often offer a better deal for parents.

Founder of San Diego Tutor Dennis Adelpour said his company tries to make it inexpensive by offering scholarships and financial aid.

“We try to make it as affordable as possible,” he said.

Adelpour said he has seen tutoring needs increased since he started his company 10 years ago, and credits it to increasing competition for college admissions.

“Schools are getting much tougher to get into, but students aren’t getting the one-on-one assistance that they used to,” he said.

Aside from offering a price advantage, smaller companies may also be able to offer a more personalized plan for students.

Owner of Atutors.org Jupiter Morissey critiqued larger tutoring companies for not being individualized enough. Since many use a classrooms-style approach, Morissey worries that students don’t get the full benefit.

“Parents need to make sure they’re getting one-on-one home tutoring … it will make a huge difference.”

Even in a struggling economy, the tutoring business is continuing to grow nationwide. Adelpour believes the reason the business could become recession-proof is because parents will always be willing to invest in education.

“Parents know that their kids are our future to build our economy in years to come,” he said.

Tea Party Group Challenges Government Grants to Business

Tea Party Group Challenges Government Grants to Business

Taxpayers allied with the Tea Party movement have urged New York's top court to help them end corporate welfare and require the return of potentially billions of dollars to the state's taxpayers.

The 50 taxpayers say in their lawsuit argued Wednesday at the Court of Appeals that New York's constitution prohibits giving state funds to private organizations and makes no exception for economic incentives.

They want the practice stopped and companies to repay grants since their August 2008 lawsuit.

The top court will decide next month whether to let the case continue in the trial court, where a judge initially dismissed it.

Defendants, including IBM and computer chip maker Global Foundries, argue that appropriations for the public purpose of economic development are supported by precedents and don't violate the constitution.

Gov Gives Away Free Tix, Doesn't Keep Track of Who Got Them

Gov Gives Away Free Tix, Doesn't Keep Track of Who Got Them

Gov. Pat Quinn has discovered a great way to avoid Freedom of Information Act requests: Don’t have any information.

The State Journal-Register asked Quinn for a list of the people who received the 1,997 free State Fair concerts tickets given away by his office and the Department of Agriculture. Quinn’s response: We didn’t keep a list.

    

Most of the tickets went to TV and radio stations, which gave them away in on-air contests -- a form of free advertising for the fair. Quinn’s office distributed 75 tickets -- mostly to families of veterans killed in action, Quinn spokeswoman Annie Thompson told the newspaper.    

“There just wasn’t a list,” said Annie Thompson, a spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn, whose office received 144 tickets and distributed 75 of them.

Thompson said she believes most of the governor’s tickets were given out to Gold Star families, families of veterans who were killed or have died. That was in addition to the 222 already allocated to those families.

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform believes the state should keep track of tickets, to ensure they’re distributed fairly.

“It would seem prudent to keep a list,” deputy director David Morrison said. “On each individual ticket, it doesn’t matter whether it goes to a reporter or some group that’s sponsoring the event or some veteran who’s been fighting our freedom. The overall picture does matter and goes to how well the event is being managed.”

In another FOIA controversy, the Southern Illinoisan wants Attorney General Lisa Madigan to investigate how the Carbondale police department quashed a report of a gun stolen from the police chief -- a gun that was later used in a homicide.

In “Open letter to state Attorney General Madigan,” the SI suggested the gun might have been recovered if the entire department had known it was missing, and had this question for Madigan: 

What we’d like to know, Ms. Madigan, is where the flow of information stopped, why a follow-up report was described as an “Animal Complaint” (can such a mistake actually be a “typo” as suggested?) and why many FOIA requests involving police records are denied because the records are linked to an ongoing investigation. …Transparency is not just a popular "buzz word" concerning governmental accountability. It is a duty for everyone paid by taxpayers' contributions. Please, Ms. Madigan, get involved and assure us that everything possible is being done to let the sun shine in.



And while you’re at it, tell the governor to keep track of his ticket freebies. 

What to Watch at Chicago Ideas Week: Tech and Web Megatalk

What to Watch at Chicago Ideas Week: Tech and Web Megatalk

Chicago Ideas Week is underway, and we’re highlighting Mega Talks and speakers to consider as the week unfolds. Take a look at what’s going on today:

Today’s CIW Megatalk: Tech and Web

Why you should care: This Megatalk is packed with internet experts that continue to shape technology. Eric Lefkofsky, chairman of Groupon and partner in venture capital firm Lightbank, and Tim Westergren founder of Pandora, headline the discussion of what has changed lives so far and what’s yet to come. Also included is Mitch Lowe, the founder of Redbox and co-founder of Netflix, the beginning of the end of video stores. Peter Barris of New Enterprise Associates – the first to snag a share in Groupon – is also on the panel.

It’s a weighty list of tech and web entrepreneurs and those who believe in them:

  • ·        Bo Fishback:  Founder & CEO, Zaarly
  • ·        Bruce Mau:  Co-Founder, Massive Change Network
  • ·        Eric Lefkofsky:  Managing Partner, LightBank, Chairman, Groupon
  • ·        Gian Fulgoni:  Executive Chairman & Co-Founder, comScore
  • ·        Julie Novack:  SVP Mobile Solutions, Vibes
  • ·        Lifelens Team:  Microsoft Imagine Cup Winners, 2011
  • ·        Mitch Lowe:  President, Redbox
  • ·        Peter Barris:  Managing General Partner, New Enterprise Associates
  • ·        Ted Leonsis:  Founder & Chairman, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
  • ·        Tim Westergren:  Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Pandora Media, Inc.
  • ·         Travis Kalanick:  Co-Founder & CEO, Uber

This should be a lively discussion and one of the reasons Chicago Ideas Week has come about.

Facts: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Northwestern University’s Thorne Auditorium, 375 W. Chicago Ave. Tickets are still available for some events.

For more great speakers, and to see them streaming live, head to nbcchicago.com and search Chicago Ideas Week.

Nassau County Mulls Closing Police Precincts

Nassau County Mulls Closing Police Precincts

A Long Island county is considering closing two of its eight police precincts to help close a $300 million-plus budget gap.

Nassau County acting police commissioner Thomas Krumpter discussed the closings Wednesday at a meeting of the county legislature. Krumpter says $15 million could be saved if two precinct houses are closed. He insists no patrol officers would be eliminated.

He also contends says the redrawn precincts would more evenly distribute calls among the remaining six precincts.

The police union has said the closures would imperil public safety.

Democrats are concerned because the specific precincts to be closed have not been identified. Krumpter says that is still being worked out.

The legislature must approve the closures, which are part of the 2012 county budget, by Oct. 30.

Brush Fire Sparks Up Near Zoo Safari Park

Fire crews are battling a five-acre grass fire just east of the Zoo Safari Park in Escondido.

The fire started at about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday and is burning upslope near Clevenger Canyon, fire officials said.

The fire grew five acres in under one hour. The department dispatched airtankers, a helicopter and a bulldozer, the incident commander said.

No structures were threatened - including the Zoo Safari Park - as of noon Wednesday, but the area is surrounded by light to moderate slope.

Santa Ana Winds are shifting the fire from the west to the east, causing some control issues for firefighters.

Check back soon for more information on this fire.

 

State to Provide More School Help to NYC Immigrants

State to Provide More School Help to NYC Immigrants

New York's state education department has approved a plan that will provide more help to immigrants and other English language learners in New York City schools.

State Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. says the city plan will provide more options, support and services for students and their families. The city expects to open 125 bilingual programs in the next three years.

King says Wednesday that English language learners face serious obstacles to academic success and the program will remove many of them.

In addition to Spanish, students in New York City schools come from homes and neighborhoods where any of dozens of different languages are spoken.

The graduation rate for English language learners was just 42 percent in June. That's up from 25 percent in 2003.

Raiders Back to LA? Rumor Machine Running Full Steam

Raiders Back to LA? Rumor Machine Running Full Steam

The greatness of the Raiders could mean a return to Los Angeles. Or the City of Industry. Or a shared stadium with the San Francisco 49ers.

The death of longtime owner Al Davis has put a cloud of uncertainty over the Oakland Raiders' future in the East Bay, according to Bay Area News Group. The future of the NFL in California is uncertain, but almost definitely will include LA, as multiple stadium plans are in the works in Southern California, though all without teams.

Rumors that the Raiders, whose lease on O.co Coliseum ends in 2013, could move back to LA and occupy a new stadium built near the LA Convention Center or in the City of Industry began to fly as soon as Davis, 82, died on Saturday.

The flamboyant and eccentric Mr. Davis turned down an offer to move the team to LA earlier in the year because the deal included selling a stake in the team. However, now that Davis's son Mark runs the team, all speculation is on the table.

Davis is rumored to have scoffed at a deal to share a stadium with the 49ers, but he did want a new venue for the team, according to the newspaper.

The stadium deal approved by Santa Clara voters includes a provision for the billion-dollar field to be shared by two teams. Meanwhile, officials in the East Bay are in conversation with the Raiders to either build a new field there or keep the team in Oakland, the newspaper reported.

Both Raiders and 49ers team officials declined to comment on the possibility of the teams sharing a field.

Groupon Watch: Lightbank's $3 Million Bet

Groupon Watch: Lightbank's $3 Million Bet

Lightbank, the venture capital firm led by the founders of Groupon, have placed a $3 million bet on educational website Udemy. The site's courses range from technology to entrepreneurship to lifestyles.

Mutual funds are feeling the burn from Groupon’s IPO delay, and the the New York Times takes a closer look at Groupon’s and Zynga’s actions leading up to their respective IPO delays.

Read more:

  • Lightbank adds $3 million to its current $1 million in Udemy. (CNBC)
  • The effects of the Groupon IPO delay on mutual funds. (Wall Street Journal)
  • Remember how we thought the fall would be congested with IPOs? (New York Times)
  • Groupon's regrouping, and how it’ll come out in the end. (Seeking Alpha)
  • Today’s Deal: $50 for $200 toward SEE Eyewear Prescription Eyeglasses or Sunglasses
 

Elderly Person Dies of Legionnaires' After Ocean City Stay

Elderly Person Dies of Legionnaires' After Ocean City Stay

An elderly person from out of state died from Legionnaires' disease after staying at an Ocean City hotel where Maryland’s health department confirmed the presence of bacteria that cause the disease, officials said.

Tests on water collected from various locations at the Plim Plaza Hotel confirmed the presence of the bacteria, officials said.

Last week, the department confirmed three cases of Legionnaires' disease in people who had stayed at the hotel. Three more cases have been confirmed, the Associated Press reported.

The hotel is closed for the season. The health department urges anyone who stayed at the hotel in September and is experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms to contact a health care provider.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea or severe body aches.

Truck Rollover, Chemical Spill Prompts Evacuations Near Melissa

Evacuations have been ordered south of Melissa after a chemical spill along state Highway 5.

The single-vehicle crash took place shortly after noon when the small tanker truck rolled down an embankment and spilled it's load. 

Markings on the truck indicate it is owned by Douglass Distributing. A hazardous chemical placard for flammable Class 3 1268 petroleum distillates could be seen on the truck's tank.

The crash is located south of the intersection of Highway 5 and Collin County Road 275 south of Melissa and north of McKinney. There are several homes about a half-mile to the northeast of the crash site and residents are being sheltered at the First Baptist Church on W. Louisiana Street in McKinney.

A HAZMAT team is at the scene, though officials have not said what chemicals were spilled.

Highway 5 is closed between Farm-to-Market Road 543 and state Highway 121 while crews clear the scene.

No injuries have been reported.

UNT Student Suspected of Having Tuberculosis

UNT Student Suspected of Having Tuberculosis

A student at the University of North Texas is undergoing treatment for suspected tuberculosis.

Officials with the university are investigating the case with Denton County health officials.

Earlier this month, a Denton High School student was suspected of having tuberculosis after a skin test came back positive. Last year, the boy attended Ennis High School where more than 100 people have tested positive for TB.

Denton High School began testing students for TB on Tuesday.

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria that is spread from person to person through the air. It typically attacks the lungs but can also affect other organs, such as the brain, kidneys or spine. It can be fatal if not treated.

Symptoms include flu-like conditions including coughing, fever and weight loss.  Learn more about TB here.

Not everyone who is infected with tuberculosis gets sick. People can be exposed to it but not have active tuberculosis.



 

Family Files Lawsuit in Delco Elder Abuse Case

Family Files Lawsuit in Delco Elder Abuse Case

A lawsuit has been filed over the alleged abuse of a dementia patient at a suburban Philadelphia care home.

Relatives of the 78-year-old Alzheimer's patient say they recorded the physical and verbal abuse through a video camera hidden in a clock radio.

Mary and Paul French of Havertown say they installed the camera after nursing home officials ignored her mother's complaints of mistreatment, attributing them to her dementia. They filed suit Wednesday in Delaware County.

Sunrise Senior Living Inc. of McLean, Va., operates the Quadrangle Continuing Care Retirement Community in Haverford.

Sunrise officials did not immediately return a message. The company, which operates more than 300 facilities, has said it takes the allegations seriously.

Three former aides, all women, are awaiting trial on assault and neglect charges in Delaware County.

Iranian Assassination Plot Unusually Amateurish: U.S. Officials

Iranian Assassination Plot Unusually Amateurish: U.S. Officials

The alleged plot against Saudi Arabian Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir was unusually amateurish for Iran's foreign action unit, the Quds Force, U.S. officials said.

By the U.S. account, the force's agent -- 56-year-old Manssor Arbabsiar, an Iranian-born naturalized citizen living in Corpus Christi, Texas -- turned to a woman he met while working as a used car dealer to find a Mexican drug dealer-assassin, and he wound up with an informant instead, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. officials said they believe the sloppiness executing the assassination plot was due to inexperience with covert operations inside the United States and Mexico. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss classified analysis, believe Iran hoped to disguise the assassination attempt as an al-Qaida attack.

The informant, a DEA agent, discussed with Arbabsiar the bombing of a D.C. restaurant frequented by al-Jubeir, according to the indictment.

Arbabsiar was arrested Sept. 29 during a layover at JFK International Airport in New York. He has since confessed, authorities said.

Also indicted was Arbabsiar’s Quds Force contact, Iran-based Gholam Shakuri, who remains at large.

President Barack Obama’s administration is pushing for a united world response of tougher sanctions against Iran for what it calls a flagrant violation of international law.

Parents Warned of 2nd Possible Cougar Sighting

Parents Warned of 2nd Possible Cougar Sighting

Parents with children at two Poway schools were sent a warning on Wednesday after reports of a second cougar sighting, according to the Poway Unified School District.

A parent reported seeing the mountain lion near Chaparral Elementary School and Painted Rock Elementary School, according to the school district.

“In an abundance of caution, and due to the heat today, we have kept students off of the playground for the remainder of the day,” the statement read. “We will employ extra supervision at dismissal.”

The Department of Fish and Game is investigating.

The warning came one day after a similar sighting in the same area. The Department of Fish and Game did not find any evidence of a cougar and that search was eventually called off.

Several Injured in Explosion at Newport Beach Apartment

Several Injured in Explosion at Newport Beach Apartment

A gas leak explosion and fire injured four people at a Newport Beach apartment complex Wednesday.

The Newport Beach fire department responded to the call around 10 a.m. at the complex located near MacArthur Boulevard and San Joaquin Hills Road.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire, limited to one unit, within  a few minutes, Restadius said.

Three people were taken to the hospital, two with critical injuries. Another was treated at the scene for minor injuries, Restadius said.

The explosion and the fire may have been related a natural-gas fired water heater.

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Protests Spread to City Hall

Protests Spread to City Hall

Protesters who say they're angry with Mayor Rahm Emanuel for privatizing primary care at city health clinics in his new budget rallied outside his office Wednesday.

As aldermen left Emanuel's budget address, about 40 members from the Mental Health Movement, an advocacy group supported by the Chicago Board of Mental Health, led nearly 150 others from groups participating in Take Back Chicago outside the council's chamber.

"We are not crazy," said Che "Rhymefest" Smith, a failed aldermanic candidate and MHM advocate in a speech to the assembled protestors. "We are not drug addicts, but we are sick, sick of the rich people getting all of the benefits."

The mayor’s office has indicated that it will use surplus TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds to cover a $635 million budget shortfall, but Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle, spokesman for the MHM, said the mayor is taking away funding for social services.

“He's going to say that there is not enough in those TIF funds to keep the clinics public, but there is enough to help the major corporations and banks on LaSalle Street,” Ginsberg-Jaeckle said.

Therapists, clinical workers and mental health patients spoke on behalf of the movement.

"If the clinics are privatized we will see a higher rate of death and more people go to prison because they will be denied care and resort to self-medicating," said Robert Stewart, a clinical worker at an Englewood mental health center.

Bedonna Reingold, a retired therapist, said there were only two psychiatrists for the city's 12 mental health clinics.

“The mayor knows better,” Ginsberg-Jaeckle said. “It's just a question of him not wanting to hurt his political and economic influences.”

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, members of the Chicago Teachers Union and other labor groups planned a protest outside Bank of America Building on LaSalle St. as part of Take Back Chicago.

Names Emerge as Replacements for MTA Chairman Jay Walder

Names Emerge as Replacements for MTA Chairman Jay Walder

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to announce a replacement soon for outgoing MTA Chairman Jay Walder, and several names have emerged as the final candidates, sources confirm.

The finalists are:

  • Joseph Lhota, former deputy mayor of operations under Rudy Giuliani
  • Karen Rae, deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration and a former deputy commissioner with the New York State Department of Transportation
  • NYC Transit President Thomas Prendergast
  • Daniel Grabauskas, former general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
  • Nuria Fernandez, a former deputy administrator with the Federal Transit Administration
  • Neil Peterson, who has served as CEO of transit agencies in Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif. and Seattle.

The finalist names were first reported by the Daily News on Wednesday.

Walder's last day is Oct. 20. He announced in July he was leaving after two years on the job for a position as CEO of MTR Corporation in Hong Kong. It operates rail services in Asia and Europe.

Bodies Discovered in Wastewater Plant

Bodies Discovered in Wastewater Plant

A wastewater plant employee found the bodies of two men in San Ysidro on Tuesday night, according to police.

One of the bodies was found at 7.51 p.m. Tuesday in the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. The other body was found at 9.38 p.m., according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

San Diego police said the deaths did not appear suspicious.

No other details were immediately released.

Poway High School on Lockdown: Deputies

Poway High School on Lockdown: Deputies

Poway High School was placed on lockdown early Wednesday according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The lockdown began at 10:30 a.m.

Deputies would not reveal what prompted the lockdown.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

Leesburg Puts 'Christmas' Into Holiday Parade

Leesburg Puts 'Christmas' Into Holiday Parade

A town in northern Virginia voted to add the word 'Christmas' to the title of its annual holiday parade, the Loudoun Times reported.

Since the event was first held in 1994, it has had the official title 'Holiday Parade.'

But prompted by a resident's suggestion, the Council held a vote on October 11 to rename the event, to include the word 'Christmas.' 

From the Loudoun Times:

Council Member Marty Martinez brought up the fact that since his time in Leesburg, he and everyone he knows has referred to the parade as the Christmas Parade, and he has no problem with adding Christmas into the name.

The actual parade was never formally named the Christmas Parade; it was just referred to that throughout the town, Martinez pointed out.

One Council member, Dave Butler, disagreed with the change, saying the parade has been successful as is.  "It's not broken," he told the Loudoun Times, "and it's a wonderful event.

The council voted 6 - 1 to rename the parade, 'the Christmas and Holiday Parade.'

The parade this year will be held on Saturday, December 10.  It's actually closer to the Thanksgiving holiday than Christmas.

 

Occupy LA Resolution Put to Vote

Occupy LA Resolution Put to Vote

Councilmembers were scheduled to vote on the Occupy L.A. resolution Wednesday at City Hall after more than a week of protests.

The resolution was introduced last week councilmembers Richard Alarcon and Bill Rosendahl. It  seeks to address "the City’s position to support the First Amendment Rights carried out by ‘Occupy Los Angeles,'" according to the L.A. City Council Agenda.

The proposed recommendation is to support the continuation of peaceful protests and advise the city departments to bring the already-approved Responsible Banking measure up for a final vote to before the council by the end of October.

The council members said the Responsible Banking measure will alleviate some of the concerns of the downtown demonstrators. The measure demands accountability and results from the banks supported by taxpayer dollars.

If implemented, the Responsible Banking measure would require that all banks and financial institutions that provide services to the city would be required to submit an annual report to the City Treasurer detailing "the number, size and type of small business loans; home mortgages; home improvement loans; and community development loans and investments within the City of Los Angeles." 

The official Occupy L.A. Twitter account provided a live stream link to the City Council meeting on their feed.

Downtown at the Occupy L.A. camp, scheduled activities for Wednesday include Marianne Williamson, a New York Times best-selling author, who will speak and lead a meditation at 12 p.m.

Williamson was invited as part of the movement’s new lunchtime speaker series that kicked off Monday.

 

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3.0-Magnitude Aftershock Shakes Virginia

3.0-Magnitude Aftershock Shakes Virginia

Another strong aftershock has shaken the small town near the epicenter of August's 5.8-magnitude earthquake.

The U.S. Geological Survey said a 3.0-magnitude aftershock occurred at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday about 6 miles southwest of Mineral, the epicenter of the Aug. 23 tremor. The USGS originally reported that the quake was a 2.6, but later increased the strength to 3.0.

Media outlets report the aftershock prompted a brief evacuation of Louisa County Middle School.

It was the 41st aftershock to shake the area since the quake.

Aftershocks are smaller tremors that take place in the weeks and possibly months following a major earthquake.

7,300 Still Without Power After Overnight Storms

Storms packing rain and strong winds have left thousands of North Texas homes and businesses without electricity.

Oncor on Wednesday reported crews were working to restore power to more than 7,300 customers.  By noon, 2,300 customers in Dallas were without power and another 2,600 in Fort Worth were without power.

The utility said most of the outages were in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, though 1,200 outages were in the southern part of the state.

The National Weather Service said showers were likely for the area through Wednesday, with sunny conditions returning Thursday.

Police Chief Allegedly Left Scene of His Own Accident

Police Chief Allegedly Left Scene of His Own Accident

A Chester County police chief left the scene of an accident he allegedly caused, then returned to it after hearing a 911 report about the crash, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Trooper Corey Monthei said the crash, allegedly caused by Chief Albert McCarthy, happened shortly after noon on October 4 on southbound Route 82 south of McFarland Road.

Sixty-year-old McCarthy allegedly struck the rear of a 2000 Jeep driven by a woman from Hockessin, Delaware, then left the scene, said state police.

McCarthy returned to the scene after the other driver called 911, but did not realize that he was responding to the crash he caused, according to state police.

State troopers arrived a short time later and said McCarthy cooperated fully.

Investigators said the chief did not intend to avoid responsibility and showed no signs of alcohol impairment. They said instead it appears he was confused and suffering from an illness.

No charges have been filed against Chief McCarthy, and damage to both cars was minor.

Officials in Kennett Township are awaiting a medical report from McCarthy's doctor before taking any action in the case, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that for the last four years, McCarthy has served as a one-man police department, acting as chief, patrol officer, traffic cop and detective.

Before that he was a longtime member of the Kennett Square police force.

 

Scaled-Down MLK Dedication Is Still Star-Studded

Scaled-Down MLK Dedication Is Still Star-Studded

President Barack Obama, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dan Rather and poet Nikki Giovanni are among the participants expected this weekend at the rescheduled dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

Despite the fact that the rescheduling led to what organizers are calling a "scaled-back" ceremony, the lengthy list of speakers includes civil rights leaders, entertainers,members of the King family, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and PBS' Gwen Ifill as master of ceremonies.

The event will begin with a "Morning Joy" program from 8 to 9 a.m., emceed by Roland Martin. President Obama will deliver an address.

The ceremonial dedication will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16 in the forecourt of the memorial. Participants will include Aretha Franklin; Herman "Skip" Mason, general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; and President Barack Obama.

The dedication is free and open to the public; planners are bracing for big crowds by airing the 11 a.m. portion of the program on jumbotrons in West Potomac Park.

Gates will open at 6 a.m. Members of the public can access West Potomac Park through four gates on Independence Avenue S.W.

See the complete list of notable guests below.

Morning Joy Participants:

  • Emcee Roland Martin
  • Dupont Diversity Choir
  • The Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir
  • Kumar Das and Abhik Mukherjee
  • Shirley Murdock
  • Rabbi Israel Dresner
  • Dedication Choir

Dedication Program Participants:

  • Presentation of the Colors: Joint Service Color Guard
  • National Anthem: Nova Nelson
  • Master of Ceremonies Gwen Ifill
  • Reverend Joseph Ratliff (invocation)
  • District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray
  • Julian Bond
  • Christine King Farris
  • Martin Luther King, III
  • Bernice King
  • Mary Mary
  • Dan Rather
  • Reverend Joseph Lowery
  • Congressman John Lewis
  • Nikki Giovanni
  • Marian Wright Edelman
  • Ambassador Andrew Young
  • Miri Ben-Ari and PoemCees
  • Dan Akerson
  • Tommy Hilfiger
  • Amandla Stenberg
  • Dedication Choir
  • Reverend Jesse Jackson
  • Lee A. Saunders
  • Reverend Al Sharpton
  • Cicely Tyson
  • Sweet Honey in the Rock
  • Jennifer Holliday
  • Reverend Raphael Warnock (benediction)

Ceremonial Dedication Participants:

  • Herman "Skip" Mason
  • Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
  • Aretha Franklin
  • Harry Johnson
  • President Barack Obama

Congressional Football Game Tonight at RFK Stadium

Congressional Football Game Tonight at RFK Stadium

Members of Congress will join NFL players in a charity event against the Capitol Police at RFK Stadium Wednesday night.

But if you were hoping to see a member of Congress get sacked by officers, think again -- the teams will be playing flag football.

Congresswoman Donna Edwards from Maryland and Congressman Jim Moran from Virginia will join in the game.

Heath Shuler, representative from North Carolina and a former first-round draft pick bust for the Redskins, is one the Congressional co-captains.

Several retired players from the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys will also take part.
           
The game begins at 6 p.m. The cost is $10.  The money will go to Military Kids and the Capitol Police Memorial Fund.

Cop Dressed as Chicken Rappels Down Clock Tower

An Irvine police officer in a chicken costume rappelled down the department's clock tower Wednesday as part of a chicken pre-run.

The fowl, played by Irvine Police Lt. Mike Hallinan, was practicing for a Special Olympics Southern California fundraiser scheduled for later this month.

On Oct. 29, donors will descend down the 16-story Hyatt Regency Long Beach, located at 200 South Pine Ave.

The "Over the Edge" event is open to the first 100 participants who raise at least $1,000 for the organization. The so-called "edgers" must be at least 12 years old and weigh between 110 and 300 pounds.

As for Hallinan's chicken outfit, the event corresponds with Halloween weekend, and organizers "encourage everyone to arrive in costume."

Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell is also expected to participate.

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South Korean President to Visit Chicago

South Korean President to Visit Chicago

Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-bak will make his first visit to Chicago Friday.

Lee arrives in Chicago Friday afternoon after an official state visit Thursday at The White House to discuss a wide range of economic and security issues.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel will meet him at O'Hare International Airport.

"President Lee's visit will highlight the strong commitment to education and innovation, close partnership and deep economic ties between Chicago and the Republic of Korea," said Emanuel in an issued statement. "It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the rich bonds of friendship between Chicagoans and the Korean people."

A welcome dinner will be hosted at the Chicago Cultural Center in President Lee's honor Friday night.

Bears Don't Want to Swallow $4M Tax Bill

Bears Don't Want to Swallow $4M Tax Bill

The Chicago Bears think an administrative judge fumbled in his ruling about the organization owing back taxes.

The Bears on Tuesday filed an appeal of the judge's September 7 decision that the organization owes Cook County more than $4 million in back amusement taxes and interest.

The judge sided with the county's contention that tax applies to amenities that come with Soldier Field's club seats and luxury suites, such as food and beverages, the Chicago Tribune reported.

But the Bears organization maintains the tax only applies to fees related to admission.

Homeless Houseguest Rips Off Benefactors: Cops

Homeless Houseguest Rips Off Benefactors: Cops

A homeless man was arrested for allegedly taking advantage of the kindness of strangers, according to the Delaware County Times.

The Times reports that maintenance men at the Gardens Apartments on Alderbrook Avenue in Upper Darby offered Michael Rainey, 27, a place to sleep.

Rainey, who is homeless, was allowed to sleep in the basement of the complex. Police say he was wide awake however, when he stole copper pipes from the unit before leaving the next morning.

On October 7, Rainey allegedly sold the stolen copper for scrap at the Accurate Recycling Center on Baltimore Avenue. The maintenance workers discovered the theft and confronted Rainey who was then arrested.

Rainey is charged with theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

The Times reports that he was jailed in lieu of posting 10 percent of $20,000 bail pending a preliminary hearing on October 14.

 

Metro Mulls Station Name Changes

Metro Mulls Station Name Changes

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is in the process of redrawing the Metro map, as part of the coming route changes to the Blue and Yellow lines.

WMATA is taking the opportunity to edit some existing station names. 

In a press release, Metro laid out its policy for new names.  Landmarks referenced by station names should be within walking distance, and can include squares, neighborhoods, or intersections.  New names should also "evoke imagery in the mind of the patron,” which means names like "7th and H" should be avoided.  In addition, new names should be no longer than 19 characters, including spaces.

Metro said stations could have secondary names, written in smaller font below the main name, to accommodate some of the older, longer station names.

Here is a list of proposed name changes, requested by the jurisdiction where the stations are located:

-New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U would get shortened to New York Ave-NoMA, with the secondary name Gallaudet U.  Metro noted in its research, many customers reacted negatively to the name 'NoMa.'

-A request was put in to stretch the Forest Glen station to Forest Glen-Holy Cross Hospital.  Customers gave this one mixed reviews.  Metro recommends the word hospital gets replaced with the universal symbol H for hospital.

-Smithsonian would get the secondary name 'the National Mall.'  In the polling, customers gave the longer name good reviews.

-Waterfront-SEU would switch to Waterfront-Arena Stage.  SEU stood for the now defunct Southeastern University.  Metro would prefer simplifying the station's name to Waterfront. 

-Navy Yard station would become Navy Yard-Ballpark, a switch that also got good reviews. Metro recommends that Ballpark becomes the secondary name, written in smaller letters beneath.

 

-King Street would become King Street-Old Town, a move that customers gave mixed reviews.  Metro would like Old Town as the secondary name.

Despite the push for shorter names, Metro has obviously been willing to entertain more than one proposal that exceeds the limit.

Right now, all these name changes are just proposals - nothing will get finalized until the Metro board votes.

 

Coastal Flood Advisory Wednesday Evening

A half-inch to an inch-and-a-half of rain could accumulate in the D.C. area Thursday evening as a couple of rain systems move through the area.

Light rain will continue throughout the area Wednesday afternoon with passing moderate downpours and maybe some briefly heavy rain into the evening.

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory for the D.C. area from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The tide is expected to be a foot above normal about high tide Wednesday evening. Coupled with the wind, there could be flooding of low-lying areas along the shore, mainly near and to the south of Alexandria, Va.

Expect a respite from the rain after midnight and much of the day Thursday -- with a possibility of the sun breaking through the gray -- before more showers pass through the area.

There’s a chance of rain again Friday before the area dries out for the weekend.


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Southwest Growing, Hiring 140 Pilots

Southwest Growing, Hiring 140 Pilots

While North Texas' Fort Worth-based airline may be cutting jobs, the Dallas-based one is adding positions.

Southwest Airlines said they'll hire an additional 140 pilots to fly new flights and help fill-in for those on vacation.

The low-fare carrier added 25 percent more traffic with the recent acquisition of AirTran, including routes in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta.

In just three years, passengers will be able to fly coast to coast from Love Field with the restrictions imposed by the Wright Amendment come to an end.

Three Communities Named Best for Young People

Three Communities Named Best for Young People

Three local communities are named the best for young people in a national contest.

That's according to America's Promise Alliance, a non-profit organization founded by General Colin Powell that promotes the interests of children.

The Alliance's annual  '100 Best Communities for Young People' competition names communities around the country "that have made the well-being of children and youth a priority."

The city of Alexandria, Prince William County and Calvert County were all named.

The communities were praised for their efforts to reduce dropout rates and to provide services to support kids.

Each of the 100 cities that won will get $2,500 to fund a local service program or to host a victory celebration.

America's Promise Alliance is supported by 400 corporations and non-profits.  Financial firm ING is a major underwriter of the 100 Best contest.

For more about the competition, and how to enter your city next year, click here.

 

Please Bears, Just Pay Forte

Please Bears, Just Pay Forte

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the very best offer the Bears gave to Matt Forte was $13-14 million, with $6 million guaranteed. While that is a whole lot of money to this writer, it is not enough money to put him alongside the league's best backs.

In fact, it barely makes him among the best paid backs on the Bears. Marion Barber's contract with the Cowboys paid him around $6.5 million. Chester Taylor had a $7 million dollar contract with the team last year. Taylor got that for his 267 yards, so it's not insane for Forte to want considerably more for his 1500 all-purpose yards in 2010. 

Other featured backs in the league have received their paydays. Carolina's DeAngelo Williams got a $43 million, five-year contract that includes $21 million guaranteed, Tennessee running back Chris Johnson got a record-setting $55.26 million, six-year contract that includes $30 million guaranteed.

Something Jerry Angelo has pointed out throughout the process is that unlike Williams, Johnson and even Taylor, Forte is not a free agent. He is looking for an extension.

That's true. Matt Forte is not a free agent, but that's the idea, Jerry. You don't want him to become a free agent, because if he does, he will leave Chicago. You need to give him a reason to stay, which is the whole idea behind a contract extension. Take care of the best players -- say, the ones who are responsible for 51 percent of the offense -- so that they'll stick around.

Just pay the man, Jerry.

NY Dad Shoots Daughter, Kills Self in New Rochelle

NY Dad Shoots Daughter, Kills Self in New Rochelle

Police say a 61-year-old man shot his daughter in the neck on a New Rochelle street, then put his gun in his mouth and killed himself.

They say the 34-year-old woman is in critical condition at a hospital.

Police say they don't know of any motive and are investigating.

New Rochelle Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll identifies the father as Alfredo Monegro of Manhattan.

He says Monegro confronted his daughter, Miosotis Monegro of New Rochelle, just before 8 a.m. Wednesday near the city's train station.

Carroll says that after shooting her, the man knelt and shot himself.

A nearby shopkeeper says the man's body landed on top of the woman.

Carroll says the woman had been was on her way to the train station and her job in New York City.

FBI Make Arrest in Celebrity Phone Hacking Investigation

FBI Make Arrest in Celebrity Phone Hacking Investigation

The FBI announced it has made an arrest in a celebrity phone-hacking investigation, dubbed "Operation Hackerazzi," according to a news release Wednesday.

The FBI has not confirmed which celebrities were victimized in its investigation, but an FBI spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal earlier this month that the agency was investigating the person or group responsible for a series of computer intrusions involving high-profile figures, including Scarlett Johansson.

The actress reportedly asked the FBI to investigate after nude photos of Johansson leaked, allegedly at the hands of a hacker.

More details will be released at a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at FBI offices in Los Angeles.

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Cement Truck Driver Cited After Killing Woman in Wheelchair

Cement Truck Driver Cited After Killing Woman in Wheelchair

A Glenwood man has been cited after hitting a 60-year-old, wheelchair-bound, woman with his cement truck Tuesday afternoon on the South Side.

At about 3:30 p.m. in the 300 block of West 39th Street, an eastbound cement truck blew a stop sign and struck Joyce Thomas of 266 W. Pershing Rd., according to Chicago Police.

Thomas was crossing the street in a motorized wheelchair with her dog when the incident occurred, police said.

Michael Carter, 31, of the 100 block of North Wabash Street in Glenwood, was cited for negligent driving, striking a pedestrian in the roadway, and failure to stop at a stop sign, the statement said.

No criminal charges have been filed, but police continue to investigate.

Weary Irene, Lee Victims in NY Mired in Red Tape

Weary Irene, Lee Victims in NY Mired in Red Tape

Tropical storms Irene and Lee have left its victims tired and frustrated more than a month after the back-to-back disasters swamped homes, washed away roads and upended lives.

Hopes and promises of many for fast bailouts from government and insurance companies are dashed. The critical force of volunteers is dwindling as the storms fade from memory. New problems arise and the looming onset of winter brings new threats to recovery.

Some survivors have spent a month sleeping on friends' couches, some in cars. Places like Schoharie are still little more than blocks of gutted shells of stores, bars and homes.

The disaster is far from over.

FEMA so far has approved $76 million for statewide relief for damages estimated at more than $1 billion. Although typical homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage, residents are being told they still must get a time-consuming "declination" of coverage before FEMA can provide a final grant, according to the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State.

Many, even the few with flood insurance, say they still are awaiting insurance company checks delayed in part by the volume of claims and that has, in turn, delayed Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.

"This is almost worse," said Heather Vilegi, co-owner of Middleburgh Hardware in Schoharie County. Like most, she is indebted to scores of neighbors and volunteers who came from afar to help in the recovery effort.

"Now everyone is tired and cranky and finding there isn't much government help," Vilegi said. "Flood insurance is taking a long time."

When checks do arrive, they average $5,000; the maximum is $30,200 for total loss of a house. That's far less than many expected after a string of press conferences by state and federal officials promising that insurance and government aid would cover most of the $1 billion in damage caused in New York.

Even comparatively wealthy Windham, a Catskill ski resort and the weekend home of many New York City residents, still had 5-foot high piles of soggy dry wall, hardwood planks and debris along a 90-foot stretch of curb last week. Reconstruction continued at some businesses six weeks after they were shut down. Thirty garbage bags lined the curb within sight of the Batavia Kill, still churning reddish brown from the Catskills' clay.

"Nobody thought we would re-open," said Nick Malegiannakis, 65, owner of Michael's Diner in Windham, where he still waives the lunch tab for some young recovery workers. The Greek immigrant left Queens after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks for the serenity of his hunting lodge in Windham. He lost a month of business and $67,000 in food, with more losses at home.

"The scary thing now is, will people come back?" he said. He said few rental properties for the ski season were open by mid-October, when a normal season would have 80 percent set to go by now.

"Right now, it's a ghost town," said Sharon Okonski, 54, the owner of Urban Country goods and gifts.

In Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School District, the tropical storms plowed a foot of muck through buildings, deposited three feet of river bottom mud and gravel on the soccer and baseball fields, and forced school officials into the business of redirecting the new course of the Batavia Kill that carried a bus five miles after it surged over its banks. School opened two weeks late. The library and seven classrooms remain closed.

"We're in chapter one still," said Superintendent John Wiktorko.

The district is asking its taxpayers, many still trying to fix their own houses, to support borrowing of up to $4 million to cover the lag between contractors' bills due and the 83 percent federal reimbursement.

"No one could have planned for the river doing what it did," Wiktorko said. "We persevere here on the mountaintop, but this shouldn't fall on the local taxpayers."

Other school districts and municipalities in the Adirondacks, Catskills, Southern Tier and Hudson Valley hit hardest by the storms face bills that could also force borrowing, even as reserves were already drawn down to make up for a cut in state aid. A new statewide 2 percent cap on the growth in local property taxes will make recovery difficult without borrowing.

More than a half-dozen school districts that opened late will also likely seek waivers to the 180-day school year.

In places like Greene County's mountain pass town of Prattsville, property taxes aren't so much the concern as the property itself.

"This is far from over," said Karl Gonalez, 32, at his father's home in Ashland where a heavily used bridge to Prattsville was just getting its replacement frame. "Budgets are going to be out of whack, and in this economy?"

Here, power lines still hang close to Main Street from snapped poles. Houses crushed by the tide that roared down the street stand at wild angles. Two muddy American flags were nailed to little more than frames. Gutted homes stretch for two blocks.

"Town meetings are getting a little scary," said Michelle Petricini, 34, outside Beth's Café where she works. The sessions can be heated these days, with slow insurance payments that delay FEMA checks frustrating residents.

"Everybody is still in shock mode," said Beth Ballard, 55, who just re-opened her café a week ago after working 5 a.m. to midnight days since the flood renovating while frying up free meals for neighbors.

A spray-painted message on a home twisted off its foundation in Prattsville captures the sentiment of many: "FEMA: Thanks for Nuttin'."

"Sure, that happens," said FEMA spokesman Nate Custer. "People are discouraged. They are sometimes in a state of shock. It's a huge setback for a lot of them and when they have a little bit of delay, it just exacerbates those feelings."

"It's a slow process and it has a lot of red tape," said Dan Corbin of the insurance agents association.

FEMA offers ways for victims to question and prod action through toll-free numbers and its website as well as counseling and ways to get free legal advice. The state Department of Financial Services is pressuring insurance companies.

The emergency agency approved $76 million for homeowners, renters, businesses and municipalities for Irene and more than $41 million for Lee. The state provided $3.7 million more so far to 252 farms, but the Cuomo administration says recovery is mostly a responsibility of private insurance and the federal government. FEMA and the federal Small Business Administration are offering loans.

Beth Ballard's daughter, 26-year-old Alanna, is still waiting for a FEMA trailer. Twenty-five of the two-bedroom temporary units arrived a week ago, but hadn't yet been assigned.

"I expected to be further along," she said, living with two of her children at a friend's while another child stays with the child's father. "Everything is so wet and it won't dry ... it's going to be a really long time."

In Windham, as saws buzzed to get business open for last weekend's Autumn Affair, the biggest festival of the year for merchants, a jack o' lantern sat outside Zegra's Pizzeria.

Its message in thick black marker: "Keep smiling."