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Five candidates are seeking three seats on the Williamsville School Board. They are: Patricia M. Losito, Stephen C. Munschauer, Michael J. Schmidt, Ronald S. Shubert and James F. Waack.
All the candidates submitted information to the Williamsville Parent Teacher Student Association about why they were running and also responded to the following request from the PTSA:
"The Williamsville School District is confronting 'one of the most difficult financial challenges faced by school districts in decades,' with a projected shortfall of over $8 million. In light of this financial scenario and as painful and difficult that this may be, what specific non-mandated programs would you recommend cutting or eliminating and which programs would you fight to retain?"
As a mother, nurse, and educator I provide a unique perspective that other candidates do not possess. Not only to focus on the K through 12 years, but beyond, to provide the best possible preparation for all children to compete in this global economy. I am a professor department head of nursing at Erie Community College one of the many responsibilities is the nursing departments budget. This experience will be invaluable in the school budget process.
Twenty years ago, my husband and I chose to live in Williamsville because of its exceptional educational system. Williamsville children including my own have benefited from the numerous non-mandated programs. Some of these programs include full day kindergarten, music, and foreign language, modified sports, special education needs, and advanced placement courses. I am an ardent supporter of the above programs plus the implementation of the District Technology Plan. When I am elected I will explore modifications that would not have a direct impact on students. As a Director of Nursing at SUNY Erie Community College, I am responsible and accountable for a multi-million dollar budget. I am the only candidate who has fiscal management experience and who has the ability to analyze line item budgets and discern its impact on student learning; a critical skill set needed at the board level.
As current Board VP, I am seeking re-election because I have invested a tremendous amount of time, effort and education to become an outstanding advocate for our community.
I am extremely proficient in understanding the budget process to ensure our budget reflects the values of the community in a fiscally responsible manner. It is critical to have experience at this time of fiscal and regulatory issues at the state level and changes within the District.
The budget process is never an easy one, but is particularly difficult under the current economic climate in New York State. Williamsville has had astute financial planning over the past number of years and maintained an updated a 5 year Financial Plan that has guided us very well through these fiscally troubled times.
Accordingly, we are in better financial shape than most other district in Western New York and are just now starting to face some of the challenges that others have had to deal with the past year or so.
It is this same type of planning and analysis that we turned to, to get us through our budget process this year and look to do the same for next year. We have established a very detailed and well thought out decision making criteria process with over 20 criteria to weigh over. The process is very thorough and looks at all the criteria with input from multiple levels of professionals and stakeholders.
This year, the only one non-negotiable item, Athletic trainers, was one that I put forth with the further caveat that I did not want to see any program eliminated, if possible, that we should only reduce, as necessary, I believe that it will be easier to reinstate, or reverse the reduction, than it would be to re-establish something that was eliminated.
Fortunately, this year, even with the slight reduction in LOTE, Art, and Home & Careers, we have still maintains those programs, even above mandated levels. It is my hope, that within the next 2 to 3 years we will be able to bring these programs back to at least the current levels.
I bring the voice of a parent with two young children as well as a taxpayer in our community. I also bring a fresh and energetic perspective on all matters with an emphasis on financial concerns and process improvement ideas.
I have the vision… I am looking to improve, not dismantle the district like we will see next year. I look to the future of Williamsville schools in the landscape of a diverse, fast-paced, world during changing financial times.
I believe in a strong educational core and the variety of special offerings that has set Williamsville apart from other districts. These are uncertain, difficult fiscal times. We have a challenge. I believe we can meet this challenge. Specifically, since this year's budget is nearly identical to the contingency budget, I would recommend a "maintenance budget" to vote on- one that consists of no program cuts and/or class size increases. The WCSD voters have consistently voted to support our school system, and I would let them have a choice. This budget essentially does not provide a choice if it is voted down. Let the community decide, and not make assumptions on the few that vocalize their opinions.
I have asked our teachers and educators first-hand about what programs they deem as important for across the district in core subjects as well as the music & arts. As they are a front line to our students, we have a vested interest in listening to their concerns.
The following are my recommendations to maintain (or add back in) for next year's budget proposal:
• Language Other Than English. (L.O.T.E.): I would have fought hard to retain L.O.T.E. for fifth graders for this year as I know once a program is cut, it rarely makes a return. Offering this program to this age group is "unique" to the WNY community and is what differentiates us for the better. One could argue that we should be finding ways to put L.O.T.E. in grades earlier than 5th, not later.
• Art Education: I am also against reducing the "Art" education requirement from 49 weeks to 40 weeks as "Art" provides a creative outlet and can be viewed as a universal and common language.
• Class Sizes: I would also fight to reduce or maintain current class sizes and not increase them as we will be experiencing next year- all children suffer and lose (from the gifted/advanced to the average to the struggling) with increased class sizes.
· Social Media Education and Safety: I am also a strong proponent for increasing student knowledge and resources on real world / current issue topics such as money matters (saving / credit card problems / debt), social media's potential problems (Facebook, Twitter, Texting, Internet posts) and bullying.
The following are my recommendations to cut from next years proposed budget:
· Look at trimming costs that are non-educational first and do not effect students. Further central office reductions should be looked at before anything is cut or reduced.
· I would further look at reducing additional 'team leader' positions and if there are not enough 'volunteers' to assume the extra time requirements, I would look at assigning the work to the assistant principals.
· Discuss cutting keyboarding classes as it is only a 20 week program. This program takes away from 15-20 math/science classes every year.
I believe the following needs further research and discussion that I would lead:
• Analyze transportation expenses and start discussing UB's "Kid Corridor Zones" study for the WCSD. There are many ideas that can be put up for discussion to reduce line costs.
• Explore charging a premium for attendance in clubs and co-curricular activities as many parents have suggested.
• Change the budget process and timelines next year so that all educators, parents and community members can have a proactive voice in shaping next year's budget proposals.
• Encourage the superintendent to supply several budget iterations with various options early in the school year so all stakeholders can be involved early in the process.
Finally, I feel it is important to "listen to learn" on all topics prior to having to take a vote. I have attended PTSA council meetings, music booster club meetings and attended school events, and I am continually impressed at the involvement of our teachers, parents and administrators and the excellence that everyone wants. I will have no preconceived decisions until all sides have had a chance to state their case. I thank you for the opportunity to discuss my ideas in this forum and welcome your support in keep our district #1.
I am seeking re-election due to my keen interest in assuring the children of the District a quality education second to none, while recognizing the need to keep tax increases down. I have lived in the District for more than 47 years having attended both Mill Middle and Williamsville South High Schools. I was elected to the School Board in 2000 and have served as Vice President, President and am currently the Parliamentarian.
Williamsville has a long history of being a cutting edge School District. As a School Board Member for the past 12 years, I am proud of our reputation in the Community for academic innovation and fiscal responsibility.
Now facing a $6,500,000 budget shortfall, as well as a possible property tax cap in the 2012-2013, we must find ways to preserve our programs.
The budget presented by the Superintendent includes a small increase in class size guidelines, as well as some program reductions, but no program eliminations. Both home and careers and art instruction will revert to State mandated levels and although language instruction will not be offered in fifth grade, class time it will be increased in sixth grade. Williamsville schools will continue to exceed the state imposed instructional guidelines for LOTE.
No programming will be eliminated and accordingly, as the result of efficiencies and adjustments, Williamsville expects to retain its position as the top School District in Western New York.
In answer to the specific question posed, I would not support the elimination of any programming, unless absolutely necessary, and fortunately, at this time, no program eliminations are being proposed.
I seek election to the school board because education is my passion. I believe all children deserve to be challenged to their potential. Committed leadership in the district is essential to maintain Williamsville's mission of high standards for staff and achievement we expect of children. My strong belief in the value of public education, combined with my experience as a teacher, administrator, and volunteer on community boards qualifies me to share in our school's leadership.
Program cuts are painful and potentially very divisive. Care is needed to minimize division and emotion, and instead focus on student achievement as the basis for elimination or reduction of programming. Once non-direct student areas like administration, physical plant, and bussing are exhausted for savings - a clearly defined - evaluation vehicle measuring student outcomes is needed. A decision-making process that takes into account criteria including: number of students affected, instructional length of time, cost, achievement area tested, etc., serves to diminish emotional inputs into the debate. If conversation can focus on educational results a more reasonable and rational discussion is likely to follow.
Questions of program cuts are painful and potentially very divisive. Great care is needed to minimize emotion and anger in its wake. Once non-student areas like administration physical plant, bussing are exhausted for savings. As programs are assessed for elimination or reduction, it is vital- a clearly defined – evaluation process be developed whose criteria focuses on student achievement. A decision-making rubric with agreed upon parameters such as: number of students affected, instructional length of time, cost, achievement area tested, would diminish emotional inputs into the decision process and instead help keep the conversation focused on defined educational objectives.


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Twenty years ago, Minnesota Lake, namesake of the community of Minnesota Lake nestled against its southeast shoreline, was in tough shape.
An infestation of rough fish that roamed the lake roiled the water so thoroughly that aquatic plants were unable to grow.
Increased drainage from tile lines in the lake's watershed along with an inadequate water control structure created chronic high water levels.
With no aquatic vegetation to moderate wave action on the wind-swept lake, shoreline erosion and water turbidity was compounded.
In a land of sky-blue waters, Minnesota Lake's were chocolate brown.
As a result, much of the luster of the 1,800-acre body, which during the early part of the 20th century had supported a diverse and abundant wildlife community and outdoor recreation heritage, had faded by the 1950s.
Recognizing that the lake had fallen on hard times, area conservation groups and community residents approached the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, requesting that Minnesota Lake be designated as a Wildlife Lake.
Such a designation, says Stein Innvaer, an assistant wildlife manager in the DNR's wildlife office in Nicollet, allows for the manipulation of water levels to optimize the lake for wildlife food and habitat.
Typically, that means periodic draw-downs where water levels are lowered to promote the die-off of undesirable fish populations, consolidation of lake sediments and germination of dormant aquatic vegetation to improve water quality.
In 1992, after public hearings and with the support of the Minnesota Lake City Council, the lake received that designation.
In 1997, a new, larger water control structure was completed to better allow for management of water levels. Other measures including raising a roadway to permit the installation of more effective barriers to prevent rough fish from migrating from the nearby Maple River into the lake during high water periods.
Since then, according to Innvaer, the lake has undergone several partial draw-downs with mixed results.
"Due to a combination of weather factors, it seemed like when other lakes were freezing out and filled with dead fish, fish in Minnesota Lake somehow would manage to survive," he said.
But not this year.
"The lake is completely dry right now," he said.
A draw-down started last year combined with drought conditions over the last several months have left the basin bone-dry.
Purged of rough fish and after a season of having the lake bed exposed, he expects the lake to blossom with aquatic vegetation and its accompanying benefits for water quality and wildlife when refilled by next summer.
But now, with the lake poised for a rebirth and two decades after first lending their support to the DNR's management of the lake, some Minnesota Lake residents now are taking a different view of the wildlife designation.
"People saw no water this summer and got alarmed," said city council member Richard Staloch. "They came to the council to ask what's going on."
But the real issue doesn't seem to be the lack of water.
Residents were aware of the draw-down and that the lake once again will hold water.
Rather, critics of the DNR's management plan would prefer that cattails and other aquatic vegetation that impede their view of the lake be removed.
The vegetation also hampers activities like swimming and boating, which have occurred at various times in the past, they claim.
The predominant emergent vegetation on Minnesota Lake is eight-foot-tall cattails that ring its shoreline, including that section abutting the community.
"We've spent a lot of money on our city park and we'd like to have a better view of the lake," Staloch said.
What's more, he said, things have changed over the last 20 years. "There's been a block-and-a-half of new houses built along the lake — very nice houses — and those people would like a better view of the lake."
But Stein says vegetation is a key component to the existing management plan. Further, the state Aquatic Plant Management Plan has no provision for wholesale plant removal just for aesthetic reasons.
And while he concedes that fishing and boating, even water skiing, may have occurred on the lake that has a mean depth less than four feet, it likely was when the lake was chronically higher than it should have been.
The official lake level was set at 1,035.01 feet above sea level in 1948 and hasn't changed, he said. What has changed is the construction of the new dam, built twice as wide as the previous one to better drain water from the lake more efficiently.
Innvaer said that because of the community's proximity to the lake, the management plan drawn up in1992 included an unusual provision that allows the city to apply for a permit to clear a small area — about 4 acres — of vegetation as well as spreading a sand blanket to create a wading/swimming area in the park.
And in accordance with existing rules applying to lakeshore owners anywhere in Minnesota, private citizens on the lake also can apply for a permit to clear aquatic vegetation.
However, they are limited to clearing a 15-foot-wide channel far enough to reach open water, not the wholesale removal of vegetation for aesthetic reasons.
Staloch said he understands the community is asking for something from the DNR that the agency doesn't normally do.
"But times change, people change, nothing stays the same," he said.
The DNR's position, however, is that the lake's health and value to wildlife is rooted in the shoreline vegetation.
"Where the city is located, it is right in the teeth of a northwest wind," Innvaer said, adding that the cattails along the southeast edge of the lake provide protection from shoreline erosion.
"Secchi disk readings out in the basin of the lake have averaged six inches or so," Stein said. "But if you get into the cattails, the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom."
Innvaer said the DNR recognizes the unique situation of Minnesota Lake and is willing to work within the scope of the management plan and existing plant management rules to come up with alternative solutions.
But ultimately, Minnesota Lake doesn't just belong to a few homeowners and city officials.
"The lake belongs to everyone," Innvaer said.
As the old saying goes: Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
While a few homeowners find a view of cattails unappealing, it's a pretty good bet that there are others who see it as a sign of a healthy lake.
And a thing of real beauty.
John Cross is a Free Press staff writer. Contact him at 344-6376 or by email at email@example.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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President Obama did a good job of articulating the problem this nation has with funding health care for individuals. His reform proposal, while still lacking significant documentation of how the plan is to work, delineates many good and desirable features that should help ameliorate our current health-care problems. What he has proposed is basically a conceptual framework that will require a tremendous amount of analytical and political maneuvering to reach fruition.
One fundamental piece of his proposal, perhaps its Achilles' heel, appears to me to be illogical and unattainable. That is, the concept that there are sufficient savings in the Medicare system to fund his proposed plan. If we can find hundreds of billions in waste, abuse and inefficiency in Medicare, one wonders if the government has been a good steward in administering it. Furthermore, doesn't this kind of excess suggest that government might be incapable of managing such a bureaucratic program? If this be true, how can we expect a more complicated health-care system not to be run the same way?
Allen J. Barwick


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WILLOUGHBY — Marija Susec, age 68, of Willoughby, Ohio, and formerly of Geneva, died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at the Emeritus in Willoughby.
Born July 21, 1944, in Brezovi Dol, Solvenia, she was the daughter of Frank and Marija Miklic. On Nov. 25, 1967, she married Otto C. Susec at St. Vitus Church in Cleveland, Ohio. She lived in Cleveland for 21 years then moved to Geneva with her husband and lived there for 24 years.
Marija loved spending time with her family.
She is a member of the Assumption Church in Geneva.
Survivors include three sons, Dr. Otto (Jayne) Susec of Evansville, Ind., Martin Susec of Hillard, Ohio, and Thomas (Christine) Susec of Lebanon, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Mandy, Lexi, Abigail. Josephine, Lidia, Martin and Marissa; and a sister, Ivanka Turk of Euclid, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Otto C. Susec in 1996; and a brother, Frank Miklic.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 14th, at Assumption Church, 594 W. Main St., Geneva, Ohio, with the Rev. Father Melvin Rusnak as celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Geneva.
Calling Hours will be Thursday, Dec. 13th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Geneva Home of FLEMING & BILLMAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS, INC., 323 S. Broadway, Geneva, Ohio.
Guest book and obituary at fleming-billman.com and starbeacon.com.


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JIB Productions presents:
PLAY with your FOOD
Great theater...and lunch!
Gourmet lunch, Readings of Short Plays,
Discussion with Actors
Series Opener at FTC Tuesday, January 22
12noon – 1:30pm
Tickets $43
Buy via the link or call 203.293.8831
Lunch provided by The Pantry
Stage Menu:
Amicable Parting, by George S. Kaufman & Leueen MacGrath – What happens to two funny, witty people when their relationship comes to a crossroad. Written in 1957, the brilliant Kaufman and Ms. MacGrath were married once. To each other.
Move On or Sondheim at Studio 54, by Michael McKeever – a play about a song – and its effect on an unsuspecting listener.
Dinner with Friends (an Excerpt), by Donald Margulies – Pulitzer Prize winning play about food, family and friendship.
See website for details on cast


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Impressive "Super Smash Bros. Source" Video Imagines a Valve Fighting Game
Who would win in a fight, Gordon Freeman or the Heavy?
Who would win in a fight, Gordon Freeman or the Heavy?
Left 4 Dead Survivors still takes place in the United States, but features mostly Japanese survivors.
Minh Le goes on to say that he's seen Half-Life 3 concept art and that it's public knowledge that Valve is working on that game.
It's 4 versus 1000 in Japanese arcades.
Left 4 Dead Survivors being specifically designed for Japanese arcades.
Figure is up from 7 million earlier this month.
Valve announces beta for new user-review feature that allows you to write reviews, rate others' reviews, and interact with developers.
Valve veteran Jason Holtman to work on "making Windows a great platform for gaming"; has been leading digital distribution platform for eight years.
Arma III will be shipping without a campaign, L4D3 and Source 2 engine may be happening and would you buy a PS4 bundled with a Vita for $500?
Members of the Dota 2 subreddit stumble upon a Valve project tracker referencing Left 4 Dead 3 and Source 2.
List of titles to be discounted next week includes Assassin's Creed III, Bulletstorm, Crysis 3, Left 4 Dead 2, and The Witcher 2.
Projects labeled after company's shooters and game engine turn up in internal documentation; other names include "SteamMMO" and "Steam Box".
Things take an extraplanetary turn on the Modcast as Master Chief faces the fearsome aliens of Mars Attacks, and zombies soar to the heavens in low gravity.
Resident Evil's Leon Kennedy desperately defends the air control tower from a horde of Minecraft zombies.
It's the Night of the Floating Dead! Find out what happens when the zombies turn the gravity off.
Master Chief Chief is no stranger to shooting aliens to bits, but will zombie Mars Attacks aliens prove harder?
No forum topics for Left 4 Dead 2 yet. Want to start us off? Create a new topic.
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Results 1 to 3 of 3
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Location
- Red Bluff, California
- Posts
- 37
Engine shudders or misfires on acceleration
1992 Chevy C1500, 5.7L V8, 700R4, TBI. Recently replaced Ignition Control Module that was tested and shown defective, reluctor(pickup) tested ok, Ign coil tested ok. Also replaced Cap and Rotor, old ones looked burned on contacts.
New problem: Engine shudders while accelerating under load, shudder more pronounced with AC on. Prior to ICM & cap und rotor replacement, engine had smooth and steady acceleration. All vacuum hoses connected. Firing order ok. All fluids ok. No bad codes.
Is it possible to incorrectly install ICM, distributor cap or rotor?? Thinking I goofed somewhere....
Any ideas?See The USA In A Chevrolet,
Or Buy A Ford And Stay At Home!!
I would check your wires. You may not have one on all the way or not have them all in the correct place.
1995 Silverado 4x4
6" BDS Suspension Lift-3" Body Lift-Add A Leaf in rear -Trailmaster SSV Shocks-Duel Steering Stabilizer Kit -AirAid Cold air intake-
4.56 Gears with Detroit Auburn Locker-Pro-Comp Traction Bars with duel shocks-Aluminum Skid Plate Kit-38.5" x 16.5" Mickey Thompson Baja Claws-Constant Dropping fuel gauge
2005 Yukon XL Jet Power Programmer, Bilstein Shocks, Bilstein rear springs, Helwig Anti-sway bars, EGR Window Visors, EGR Hood Shield, Denali Headlights, Headlight harness upgrade, GE NightHawk Bulbs, White Night Rear lighting system, Russell Braided SS brake lines, PowerStop Brake pads, PowerStop cross drilled and Slotted Rotors, http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/sho...5-GMC-Yukon-XL
2002 Silverado ext cab 2wd (Sold)
2003 Yukon XL (Totaled)
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Location
- Red Bluff, California
- Posts
- 37
Thanks. Decided to replace the wires, will report back with an uodate....
Tags for this Thread


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July 31, 2014
Snow leopard cubs Maliha and Everest sit on a table at the Chattanooga Zoo. The cubs were introduced to the public Saturday at the zoo's first Snow Leopard Appreciation Day.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP/WVLT) -- Two snow leopard cubs have gone on display at the Chattanooga Zoo.
Zoo officials told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that the cubs are a rarity because the animal is endangered and only 9 of 12 born in captivity this year survived.
The cubs at the Chattanooga Zoo, named Everest and Maliha, were born on Oct. 2. They went on display last weekend.
The cubs are young, and so zoo officials expect them to spend a lot of time napping, but say they should come out and show themselves without any issues.
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David Lee Pearson, age 62, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, while in Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.
He was born to the late Henry and Elease Pearson in North Carolina. He was married to the late Linda Pearson. He was preceded in death by his precious sister, Rosalie Pearson Jones.
David graduated in 1969 from Richard B. Harrison High School; the last graduating class of that institution. He took pride in his artistic abilities as a brick mason.
David had a sense of humor and liked to have a good time. He was affectionately known by many friends and family as "King Dave". He was an adventurous man who had the natural ability to connect and talk to people. David captured the ability to live in the moment. David also had a humble side especially when he would reminisce of his mother.
David is survived by his three children, Renee LaTrese Pearson of Greenville, NC, Jeffrey Tyrone Jefferson, Selma, NC, Sierrah Sade Pearson, Selma, NC; one sister, Ernestine Pearson, Raleigh, NC; one maternal aunt, Julia Johnson, Wendell, NC; one maternal uncle, Pernell Burgess, Raleigh, NC; one nephew, Dave Jones, Raleigh, NC; two nieces, Teresa Pearson, Raleigh, NC, Natashi Redmond (Kino) Whisett, NC; four great nephews; one great niece; cousins; a special friend and caretaker Lovita Clark, Brooklyn New York.
A memorial service was held at 3p.m. on Feb. 8, 2014 at Selma Church of Christ, Selma.


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Advertising dollars drying up. Readership disappearing. Relevance waning due to the Internet and smart phones.
The Yellow Pages and its competitors, which just a decade or so ago had rival publishers fighting with telephone company directories over copious ad revenue, have had a rough go of it of late, particularly in larger cities as fewer people bother to pick them up off the sidewalks or doorsteps.
But publishers of the voluminous tomes got a dose of good news recently when a 2011 San Francisco ordinance that created a program to restrict the distribution of Yellow Pages directories was shelved after a federal court decision that struck down a similar ordinance in Seattle, according to the Bay Citizen.
In an effort to stave off complaints and blight associated with the frequent pileup of never-used directories outside residences, San Francisco created a three-year pilot program under which residents and businesses would have to request a telephone directory in order to receive one.
But a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a similar case in Seattle that the distribution of Yellow Pages is protected under the First Amendment. San Francisco's ordinance had faced a similar challenge, and the Board of Supervisors suspended their ordinance last month.
Publishers say that customers can simply opt-out of receiving the Yellow Pages by visiting the Local Search Association's website.
The turn of events got us thinking: How many Napa Valley residents use the Yellow Pages these days? Is the arrival of the big yellow book on your doorstep a mere layover before its arrival in your blue recycling bin? Are the Yellow Pages a trusted resource or an obsolete pile of paper? Tell us in the comments.
This article was originally posted on San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch.
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Iran wins first Oscar with "A Separation"
"A Separation" won the Oscar for best foreign language film on Sunday, becoming the first Iranian movie to win the honor.February 27, 2012 1:12
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Drake & Scull said on Monday that its shareholders had approved issuing a convertible bond worth 55 million dirhams.
Etihad Airways confirms that it is not in talks with Malaysia Airlines about the possibility of an equity investment in the carrier.
Oil prices are at a suitable level for OPEC members and the group sees no shortage in supply, says UAE Energy Minister.
Israel's parliament has given initial approval to a law to enable the force-feeding of Palestinian prisoners on a hunger strike.
Turkey is investigating 28 truck drivers ferrying diesel to the Iraqi city of Mosul have been abducted by militants.
At least 27 people including 10 militants were killed at an attack on Karachi Jinnah Airport on June 8.
Israel announced on Thursday it would build 1,500 more settler homes in response to the formation of a Palestinian unity government.
Saudi MERS deaths rise to 282 from 190, cases from 688 from 575.
Kuwait's oil minister said his country was looking to sign an agreement with Iran to secure natural gas supplies.
The CID of the UAE has launched an aggressive campaign to track down illegal satellite service providers.
"A Separation" won the Oscar for best foreign language film on Sunday, becoming the first Iranian movie to win the honor.February 27, 2012 1:12
In a country where there still isn't a single public cinema, where detainees complain of torture and militants blow people up because of their sect, supporters of Iraq's first human rights film festival know they face a tough task.February 27, 2012 1:05
How is the new golf champion, Robert Rock, connected with two of GQ's best dressed men and an Aussie triple threat actress? Check out this new champion's six degrees.January 31, 2012 6:02
In no particular rank, we bring you ten movies you should see during the Dubai International Film Festival. From drama to documentary, here's our DIFF 'must-watch' list.December 10, 2011 5:28
We've picked some of the most promising films…at least from the outskirts for the 2011 Dubai International Film Festival.December 5, 2011 3:43
The world of feature films is still developing, but to date the GCC has managed to put a handful of flicks. Probably a lot more than you expected.July 10, 2011 4:06
Emirati film director Abdullah Khalifa al Kaabi may be having his film screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, but how can we connect him to a top celebrity chef and two controversial novelists?March 20, 2011 3:53
Juggling sea exploration, filmmaking and saving the world, is James Cameron the next renaissance man?March 16, 2011 5:45
A new exchange in the US offers a way to make money based on the success of movies. Kipp likes the idea, but can't count on the movie-going public.June 22, 2010 1:36
If you've ever been up close and personal with Beirut's moped-driving delivery guys, then the new web series 'Shankaboot' might bring back some memories.March 17, 2010 6:04


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The last time I checked, we were reserving economic sanctions for a select club of our sworn enemies: Iran, North Korea and others vying for positions on the Evil Empire list.
But not ourselves.
Yet here we are beginning Week 2 of GSA and we dont mean General Services Administration.
We refer to Government Shutdown Antipathy.
As our federal leaders from Idaho to Washington, D.C., wallow in an Animal House food fight in their chambers representing both political parties We The People are realizing more and more each day how irrelevant they really are when practicing government under the influence of emotional hangovers following episodes of talking at each other instead of to each other.
I dont mean to minimize the effect of the sanctions our leaders have exacted on us: closed national parks, the diminished emergency and national security services, lapsed inspection scrutiny and new roadblocks we discover each day. But, in fact, Congress and President Barack Obama have been crying wolf since we last raised the debt ceiling in 2011, navigated the sequestration last year, and now confront a budgetless-default cataclysmic, ah, something after Oct. 17 if we dont pay our bills.
I get the fact that some of our leaders are thumbing their noses at the debt ceiling and playing truth or dare with our overall indebtedness. But someone please tell me what our leadership has done for the American people in the last seven days and seven nights. OK, lets make that seven weeks.
Anybody for the last seven years?
With the exception of the controversial Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 which is a loaded and debatable achievement what are the benchmarks and accomplishments of the 110th, 111th, 112th and the 113th sessions of Congress?
Other than allowing our country to slip into a financial crisis/stubborn recession and then devising ways to get out of it, where is the progress?
Congress cant or wont stay focused on anything. Immigration reform? Spare me the frustration of thinking about what did not happen on that front this year. Tax code reform? Instead of revising it, the IRS will now become the agency responsible for bringing to justice all those people who dont sign up for health care.
You know who you are.
I dont have the perfect solution, but I do have one idea that could improve the political atmosphere in the modern era.
Though this might seem counterintuitive in a Throw-The-Bum-Out era, the two-year terms for members of the House of Representatives are too short. There are 435 elections for these folks every two years. Thats way too much drama, way too often.
There are continuous campaigns that beget what we are witnessing today: 700-day factions that terrorize progress; constant posturing without regard to statesmanship; sanctions on our own people because of the fear of losing an election.
It needs to stop. House terms need to be four years. Term limits on the table. This could reduce by half the angst, fundraising and gridlock we enjoy today.
Robert Ehlert is the Statesmans editorial page editor. Contact him at 377-6437, or on Twitter @IDS_HelloIdaho.


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Grid List
Classic Godfather FedoraITEM: 9235 Debonair. Suave. Refi ned. Nothing quite says it like a classic fedora. This pure wool beauty is brimming with style, down to its feather and hat pin. Classic 25∕8" brim is flattering on any shape face. Satin lining. Imported. Dry clean. COLORS: Steel Gray, Navy, Red, Royal, Black, Camel, Brown. AVAILABLE SIZES:* GODFATHER HAT (S-2X)Learn More
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Classic Wool BeretITEM: 9251 Our 100% wool designer beret for men and women is designed to be more substantial than an ordinary beret, with satin lining to ensure it keeps its shape. Classic French styling by Hispano Basque. Imported. Dry clean. COLORS: Black, Red, Brown, Navy, Camel. AVAILABLE SIZES:* WOOL BERET (S-2X)Learn More
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Ladies Cashmere-lined glovesITEM: 9477 Savor the warmth of classic Italian leather dress gloves, lined in luxurious cashmere. Super-soft inside and out, the longer 3-button length and elastic at the inner wrist help lock out the cold. Imported. Leather clean. Ladies' S(61⁄2), M(7), L(71⁄2), XL(8). COLORS: Black, Dark Brown, Red, Bronze, Turquoise, Purple. AVAILABLE SIZES:* LADIES' GLOVES (S-XL)Learn More
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Ladies Leather Fleece Lined GlovesITEM: 9852 Sleek and seamless, these classic lambskin beauties are a most elegant way to keep warm, thanks to a lining of comfy brushed fleece. Affordably priced so you can get them in more than one color. Imported. Leather clean. COLORS: Berry, Red, Black, Brown AVAILABLE SIZES:* LADIES' GLOVE (S-XL)Learn More
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Leather European Driving CapITEM: 9825 A choice look by men and women of all ages, eight pieces of leather are stitched together to create this smart cap with button detail. Choose smooth leather or water and stain resistant suede. Made in the USA. Leather clean. LEATHER COLORS: Brown, Black, Red, Luggage. SIZES AVAILABLE:* LEATHER CAP (S-XL)Learn More
Regular Price: $84.99
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Griffin Private Capital Group announces the expansion of its hard money loan program to include church loans up to $2M.
Fredericksburg, VA (PRWEB) July 02, 2014
Griffin is now offering hard money loans ranging in size from $50,000 to $2,000,000 on church and commercial properties.
Griffin Private Capital Group has increased its ability to fund hard money loan projects privately. The loans they choose to fund typically meet the following criteria: They are collateralized by commercial real estate, have a loan to value no greater than 60%, and the properties are located in an easily marketable area.
A typical borrower will be a church or commercial property owner that is in a turnaround situation or is being offered a discounted payoff from their current lender and would like to take advantage of that discount. A key difference for these types of borrowers is that Griffin Privates underwriting guidelines are more liberal than any traditional banks. Griffin Privates primary focus is the collateral for the loan and not the credit of the borrower. They are often able to help churches and other commercial borrowers that are close to or in bankruptcy.
Just recently Griffin was able to negotiate with a major bank to have $260,000 of debt forgiven for a church located in Philadelphia. Griffin then loaned the church $175,000 which was the remaining amount of money the religious organization needed to pay off the bank. Although the church had missed a couple of payments, Griffin was able to evaluate the current situation and found the church had strong financials. Griffin funded the loan through privately raised money when other lenders would not consider the loan.
Those interested in learning more about A paper financing for church properties can visit http://www.churchloans.net or call John Berardino at 540-736-7360 for more information. Those interested in learning more about Griffin Private Capital Groups hard money loan program can visit http://www.statedcommercialloans.com or call John Berardino at the same number listed above.
About Griffin Capital Funding
Griffin Capital Funding has been serving churches for 15 years by providing church loans for the refinance, construction, renovation and purchase of almost any type of church building (churchloans.net). On average, Griffin provides over $100,000,000 a year in loans to churches. Griffin Capital Funding is one of the most well-known and respected church financing companies in the country. Griffin Capital Funding also offers loans to for-profit businesses through the SBA 7A and 504 loan programs as well as offering hard money loans.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/churches/loans/prweb11993613.htm
Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. WorldNow and this Station make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you have any questions or comments about this page please contact email@example.com.


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Great selections for spring reads:
Riveted by Meljean Brook
A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland's inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magical--and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.
Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on an airship, searching for her sister and longing to return home. But that home is threatened when scientific expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard, looking to expose Annika's secrets. Then disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, with their very survival depending on keeping the heat rising between them--and generating lots of steam...
Shards And Ashes by Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, Nancy Holder, Melissa Marr, Beth Revis, Margaret Stohl, Kami Garcia, Veronica Roth, and Carrie Ryan
The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological, or supernatural causes. Survivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations, and one another; their resources are few and their courage is tested.
Powerful original dystopian tales from nine bestselling authors offer bleak insight, prophetic visions, and precious glimmers of light among the shards and ashes of a ruined world.
Stories from:
Kelley Armstrong
Rachel Caine
Kami Garcia
Nancy Holder
Melissa Marr
Beth Revis
Veronica Roth
Carrie Ryan
Margaret Stohl
The Lost by Vicki Pettersson
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Pettersson is back with The Lost, the second spine-tingling entry in her supernatural noir trilogy, Celestial Blues.
Fallen angel Griffin "Grif" Shaw and his mortal lover, reporter Katherine Craig, are trying to learn the truth about Grif's death a half a century earlier. This quest will lead them to discover that the Pures might have their own agenda—one that will have Grif and Kit scrambling to stay alive, to stay together, and to choose their fate...before it's chosen for them.
Blending paranormal romance, thrilling action, and a captivating mystery, The Lost, is an urban fantasy sure to please fans of Jeaniene Frost, Kim Harrison, and Charlaine Harris.
Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore—and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it's home...
A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of—but never arrested for—the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife.
He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though. Whiskey Beach's resident housekeeper, yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist, Abra is a woman of many talents—including helping Eli take control of his life and clear his name. But as they become entangled in each other, they find themselves caught in a net that stretches back for centuries—one that has ensnared a man intent on reaping the rewards of destroying Eli Landon once and for all...
Splintered by A.G. Howard
This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl's pangs of first love and independence.
Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers--precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now. When her mother's mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality.
The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice's tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice's mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.
The Odd Couple is on stage at the Wyly theater through April 14th.
For ticket information log on to www.dallastheatercenter.org


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Burglars hit Lower Saucon Township home
Published On: Aug 27 2013 03:22:09 PM CDT
Lower Saucon Township police responded to a burglary early Sunday morning at the home of Joe Topper at 1762 Arden Lane.
Police responded to an alarm call at 4:32 a.m. Sunday and determined a burglary had occurred when they arrived.
Police did not disclose what, if anything, was taken from the home.
Anyone with information should call the township police department at 610-317-6110.
Copyright 2013 WFMZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator. Desktop and mobile versions of this site use independent comment threads.
2 men struck, killed by train near Emmaus identified
Allentown police: Man a victim of apparent accidental drowning
Woman, 91, struck by fire truck outside senior living community
Coroner: 2 males struck, killed by passing train in Upper Milford Twp.
Woman's body found in Lehigh Parkway
Dozens of stray cats left behind by caretaker's death
Emmaus geese honk at lights designed to scare them off
Woman takes a stand against crime in her neighborhood
Listeria tests prompt fruit recall
Pedestrian hit by car near Allentown/Salisbury line


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About the Author
Eli Kaberon
Associate Editor
Recent posts by Eli Kaberon
Related Stories
Nobody eats cake as soon as they arrive at a birthday party. It's rude to go in for a kiss at the beginning of a first date. Comics don't deliver punch lines when they introduce themselves. Why? Because generally, you save the best for last.
Yet, here was the NFL, with 256 regular-season games to be played between Sept. 8 and New Year's Day, starting things off with Saints-Packers, a matchup of the last two Super Bowl champions. Rarely do games live up to the hype, and they exceed it even less frequently, but that's exactly what the opening tilt did. The contest went down to the final play, with Green Bay's defense stuffing New Orleans RB Mark Ingram on the goal line with no time remaining on the clock.
The quarterbacks for both teams showed why they are among the best in the business. Aaron Rodgers was nearly unstoppable in the early going, throwing three touchdown passes in the first quarter. Drew Brees responded in the second half, tossing for 250 yards and two TDs in the last two quarters to try and lead the Saints back. With their performances, each quarterback finds themselves in the thick of the MVP discussion after one week of NFL action.
The league showcased its very best in the opener with a game that will be tough to top. Nevertheless, we hope the best is yet to come for these quarterbacks.
(Last week's ranking in parentheses)
1. Patriots QB Tom Brady (No. 1) — Posting 517 yards, four TDs and one INT — off a deflected pass — in a win over the Dolphins, Brady had a record-breaking start to the 2011 season. His offensive line gave him plenty of time to throw and he picked Miami apart.
2. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (No. 2) — Rodgers no longer has his stylish preseason moustache, but as the Saints found out, he still has a cannon of a right arm. In the first game of the year, the Packers QB seemed to be playing a friendly game of backyard catch with his receivers, completing a ridiculous 77 percent of his passes.
3. Eagles QB Michael Vick (No. 3) — One of the greatest concerns for Vick this season is the Eagles' offensive line, a unit that had trouble on Sunday defending the Rams' pass rush. St. Louis sacked him three times, had 11 total QB hits and Vick lost a fumble on a blind side blitz by ex-Eagle Quintin Mikell. The constant punishment didn't slow Vick's playmaking ability, as he accounted for 284 total yards and threw a pair of touchdowns in the blowout win.
4. Saints QB Drew Brees (No. 5) — Think Brees had a problem with Sean Payton's call to hand it off instead of throwing on the final play of the team's Week One loss to the Packers? On the Saints' last drive, Brees completed five passes for 71 yards, plus had time to spike the ball and make a throw that earned a pass interference in the endzone. Then the ball was taken out of his hands in favor of a handoff to a rookie. Kind of strange.
5. Ravens RB Ray Rice (No. 7) — Baltimore made one of the loudest statements around the league in Week One, dismantling the division-rival Steelers. Of all the Ravens, it was Rice who was most responsible for turning up the volume. The back ran for 107 yards and a TD, while gaining 42 yards and scoring another touchdown receiving. The Steelers hadn't had a back run for 100 yards or more against them since December, 2009, when Rice also did the honors.
6. Chargers QB Philip Rivers (No. 4) — Week One didn't showcase Rivers at his best, as a pair of interceptions and a surprisingly tough Vikings "D" made it difficult for the Chargers to move the ball through the air. However, he did what stars are expected to do, which is deliver at the end. Rivers threw the go-ahead touchdown to RB Mike Tolbert with five minutes remaining, giving the Bolts some momentum heading into a big Week Two showdown with the Patriots.
7. Lions WR Calvin Johnson (Cusp) — The last time a Lion was a serious MVP candidate? Barry Sanders in the late-90s. Johnson is similar to Sanders in that even with constant attention from opponents, defenses have almost no chance of stopping him. The big-play wideout had 6-88-2 in a big Week One road victory for Detroit.
8. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (No. 6) — An all-around brutal game for Roethlisberger and the Steelers in Week One doesn't help Big Ben's candidacy, though it didn't completely ruin it either. Facing the Ravens is never easy. Taking on the secondaries of the Seahawks, Colts, Texans and Titans in the next month should help.
9. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (No. 8) — If Peterson looked a little slow on Sunday, it may be because his pockets were weighed down with the new $100 million contract he signed over the weekend. The All-Pro back didn't seem to let his heavy pockets bother him too much in the opener. He rushed for 98 yards on 16 carries.
10. Jets CB Darrelle Revis (No. 10) — The league's premier corner has 15 career interceptions, and likely none was easier then the one he made on Sunday. With about one minute remaining in a tie game, Cowboys QB Tony Romo threw a duck of a pass right into the middle of Revis' green No. 24 jersey. The corner nabbed it, brought it back 20 yards and put New York in position to kick the game-winning field goal.
On the cusp (in alphabetical order) — Bears RB Matt Forté, Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb, Texans WR Andre Johnson, Ravens S Ed Reed, Lions QB Matthew Stafford.


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Mott MacDonald
85 Employee Reviews (View Most Recent)
1 person found this helpful
"Mott MacDonald consultancy"
Pros – Open and flexible working environment, not too much emphasis on hierarchies, reasonable opportunities for advancement and encouragement to advance. The work-life balance is on the whole fairly good, and the work is project-focus so working additional hours is only expected where necessary. It is not a requisite for advancement. The culture of the company is in general friendly, and most of senior management are very open and responsive people. The salaries available to staff on lower grades are good when compared to competitors. On the whole the people at mott macdonald are friendly, highly skilled and ready to share skills with others, There is a strong feeling of teamwork and very few selfish or egotistical people.
Cons – Very large organisation in which people can get lost, not enough recognition given to technical experts. Also the holiday allowance is very poor indeed, and in general the benefits structure is poor. There is very little flexibility available. Annual leave is limited to 20 days plus 2 statutory days. Generally many employees can get lost in the huge organisation, however due to the skill shortage in most disciplines ambitious individuals get progress as they wish, with hard work. There is a high staff turnover, but this is true of most companies in this field and is partly due to the limited salaries on offer for technical jobs.
Advice to Senior Management – Staff turnover largely due to lack of recognition given to workers with strong technical skills but little ambition to become managers.
Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend
I worked at Mott MacDonald full-time for less than a year
Pros: Large International Company of repute Cons: Transmission & Distribution is new developing field and has very… Advice to Senior Management: Appreciate in public and scold in person. No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company… More


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News Article
Who is excited for the new season of The Vampire Diaries? When we last left Elena, she was in that awkward period of change: not yet alive, not fully dead. It seems that Stefan and Damon are determined to return her to humanity by any means necessary. This would include sending Bonnie into the netherworld to retrieve Elena's soul. Because that worked out so well for Buffy.


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Vicodin, Acetaminophen/Hydrocodone News
News on Vicodin, Acetaminophen/Hydrocodone (generic) continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.
11 hrs ago | The Daily Record
No. 1 killer in Ohio .... unintended overdose
When Emily Estrada stood in front of Judge Mark K. Wiest on Aug. 18, 2011, she was not ready to admit she had much of a problem.
15 hrs ago | St. Augustine Record
Arrest made after prescription drug investigation
An investigation that began online ended with one local woman arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
Health: Unlikely addict gets desperately needed help
"Anne" doesn't fit the typical stereotype that most of us have about what a drug addict looks like.
Baby's mother, father say given "pain pills" before kidnapping
The mother and father of a Beloit baby testify they were given "pain pills" by Kristen Smith, before authorities say Smith kidnapped the infant and made an ill-fated attempt to escape with the child.
Prescription tracking at 10: Maine police, doctors, lawmakers...
"I remember the first day I took a Vicodin, to a tee," says the 44-year-old lobsterman from Brunswick.
Police: New Hampshire woman forged prescriptions in Bellows Falls
A New Hampshire woman faces 10 felonies and has been barred from a Bellows Falls pharmacy after authorities said she fraudulently obtained hundreds of prescription painkiller pills there.
If a good politician is somebody who, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, never lets a serious crisis go to waste, then Deval Patrick, the governor of Massachusetts, is an excellent politician.
FDA approves new painkiller from OxyContin maker
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new combination pain pill from the maker of OxyContin that is designed to discourage abuse by painkiller addicts.
Doctors overprescribe dangerous, addictive drugs that lead to heroin use
The article on prosecuting heroin dealers for the deaths of their customers was very thought provoking.
Columbus Police Officer Fights To Keep Badge After Pain Pill Investigation
The Chief of Police decided Freetage should be fired for his misconduct, but that's not the final word on this case.
More turning to heroin after being prescribed painkillers
When he woke from a coma three weeks later, the other driver and Mike's wife and daughter were dead.
AG claims pharmacist unfit to practice
James McGrady doesn't worry as much about his locally owned pharmacy being robbed or burglarized since he stopped dispensing controlled substances, which include drugs with a potential for abuse or dependence like the pain relievers oxycodone, fentanyl and Vicodin.
Popping Pills in America: Can the DEA Fix This?
There's no doubt about it the U.S. is a big consumer of prescription painkillers .
Plan helps doctors check painkiller use
Small white pills, packaged in bright orange canisters and marked with inscrutable labels -- Oxycontin, Vicodin -- have long been considered the answer to physical pain.
DEA investigating distribution of prescription drugs in NFL, report says
A recent lawsuit in which former NFL players allege they were improperly supplied prescription pain medication has triggered an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York Daily News reports.
Among those fighting back are Dr. Deborah McMahan, Allen County's health commissioner.
V entura County is facing a big problem, one that is plaguing medical communities around the country.
EVZIO now available in the U.S.
Richmond-based Kaleo announced Tuesday that its handheld auto-injector for opioid overdoses is now available.
Wayne Police outline current drug market dangers
As a follow up to the township's annual drug forum the Wayne Police Department recently spoke with Wayne Today in an effort to highlight current drug trends, naming prescription pills, heroin, and marijuana as the top three.
RHONY Episode 6 18: Birdlandia
Allow me to preface this episode by talking about myself. Yesterday I had to go to the dentist to get a cracked molar removed, an experience that cannot be improved by any quantity of Vicodin or smoothies.
Updated: Wed Jul 30, 2014 02:02 pm
Copyright © 2014 Topix LLC


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Pictures | News
Story of the UAE in pictures - Part I
Gulf News has been recording events in the UAE for over 30 years, and has a photo archive of more than 500,000 images. The best of these have been bound into The Rise of a Nation, a 400-page book, telling the story of the UAE through pictures. Here we present some selected images from the book.
Related Pictures Back to gallery
Related Articles
Picture editor's choice
'Give me a Messi': Fan's novel Argentina haircut
See how an 'artist with clippers' shaves Barcelona star's portrait into back of supporter's head
Is this the ugliest dog in the world?
A 2-year-old mutt named Peanut has won the World's Ugliest Dog contest
Night of San Juan celebrated across Spain
Old possessions are traditionally burned in bonfires to purify and burn away their problems for the rest of the year


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October 12, 2006
Outdoor Corner
by Chris Feeney
A week ago I sort of chuckled when I read the news that a Tri-Rivers Conference school had proposed the possibility of changing the league's football schedule to allow the smaller schools to avoid playing the conference's larger schools. This idea wasn't particularly amusing, yet I still laughed at the idea of somehow segregating the powerhouse programs of Brookfield and Clark County. Who amongst us would not like to eliminate these two dominating forces from our football schedules each week?
But as I read the idea being discussed by the Knox County Athletic Department and School Board it did sort of make sense. These folks initiated the idea of possibly splitting the league's schedule into two tiers based on the member school sizes. The argument wasn't that Brookfield or Clark County has worn the league crown nearly every year in the past decade. Instead the proposal centered around student health issues.
Smaller schools, playing against larger programs are at an inherent disadvantage. More kids to choose from generally means better athletes for a program, and at minimum greater depth. That's why the state divides the schools into classes based on population. While there will always be exceptions to the rule, for the most part schools like Knox County, North Shelby and yes Scotland County will always face this disadvantage.
As Class 1 schools, the smallest population distinction, we will never know what it's like to have a schedule filled with "small" school competition like Clark County and Brookfield can do. Thanks to their membership in the Tri-Rivers Conference they are assured no fewer than five games against class 1 teams (SCR-I, North Shelby, Putnam County, Milan, and Knox County). That used to be six games before Schuyler County became one of the smallest Class 2 football teams when districts were redrawn.
To put numbers to this, Brookfield had a 9-12 enrollment of 380 students when MSHSAA gave it a class 2 distinction in football for 2006 and 2007. North Shelby received a Class 1 rating with a high school enrollment of just 130 students. Believe it or not, Scotland County with 238, was just shy of Schuyler County's 266 students, the latter of which qualified for Class 2 in football. Clark County comes in at 331 students while Putnam County has an enrollment of 241 compared to 202 at Milan and Knox County at 189.
This isn't meant to disparage either of the football programs at Clark County or Brookfield. Regardless of the enrollments, both schools have excelled above and beyond the perceived size advantage with hard work and dedication to winning.
But you have to toss out the win/loss issue when you consider Knox County's point to this argument. We aren't considering loses in games on the scoreboard, but the loses these schools are experiencing on the field in the form of injuries. Maybe it has just been a bad year, but if you take a look at the injury reports for many of these small schools, it's a miracle that some haven't had their health insurance revoked. Scotland County is nearing the .500 mark. While the team has a 2-4 record after getting beat by Clark County, it is closer to the halfway mark in the numbers of players from the original roster that are going to be physically able to suit up Friday night.
Opponents of this concept will argue "That's football." Yes it is a violent sport and there will always be injuries. The initial injuries are simply part of the game. Where the problem arises is just like this Friday night when we take on Brookfield. Minus our starting receiver, running back, three linebackers and at least a couple of linemen all out with injuries, a small school like SCR-I doesn't have the depth to put a second string out on the field. Instead, a small school is putting out the jayvee, freshmen and sophomores who aren't ready for varsity football.
I know it is not politically correct to write off this Friday's game against the #2 state ranked Bulldogs, but I know I can't be the only one wishing we could simply call down south and tell the school to save its gas money. I just want to avoid any more injuries. Last week the coaching staff asked me to suit up for the second half at Kahoka because they were so short of healty players.
I'm not sure what the answer to this dilemma is. The two tiered proposal would be an ultimate scheduling nightmare. Teams already struggle to fill open dates, so if we changed the conference around to avoid games versus the bigger or smaller schools, it would send schools scrambling to try to replace two or three ball games. That's nearly impossible. I remember when we had an open date on our schedule. Granted that doesn't sound so bad heading into this week, but I suspect our kids would much rather play the big Bulldogs than not to play football at all.


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The University Marketing and
Communications office strives to enhance the perception of the University as an
exceptional institution of higher learning, and supports university initiatives
through a wide range of communication vehicles. The department is proactive in
planning and executing strategies for communications both internally and
externally, providing services and resources to students, staff, administration,
alumni, the University's constituencies, media and the community. The department
helps the University realize its goals and mission by creating and publishing
publications—from Admission materials to Campus Security brochures—for
departments across campus.
Services and Resources
University Marketing and
CommunicationsJacksonville University2800 University Blvd. N.Jacksonville, FL 32211
Main Phone: 904.256.7033Fax: 904.256.7020
Copyright © 2013
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211


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More for less
The ASUS K53 has it all. An advanced Intel Core i3 processor offers powerful dual-core capabilities. Meanwhile, 4GB of pre-installed RAM (expandable to 8GB) handles multi-tasking like a boss. 500GB of hard drive space lets you save HD movies, high-res photos, and your entire music library with plenty of room to spare, so you shouldn't ever have to worry about running out of room. To help get those photos from your camera to the computer, the K53-A1 offers slots for a variety of common memory cards, no adapter needed. It's not lacking on features you'd expect in a laptop, like 802.11n Wi-Fi, a built-in webcam, or Windows 7 Operating System. But it's also got plenty of extras that aren't quite so standard, like HDMI output, a gorgeous 15.6" LED screen, and a multi-touch pad. It even offers ASUS IceCool technology to keep your palm-rest from searing your hands during long typing sessions. Oh, and it looks sweet too with its dark brown finish. But most of these features are available on a lot of laptops these days, why is this one so special? Because while most of its features are fairly common, you'll have a hard time finding all these features at this incredible price. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention — it's also got a two-year warranty, so you can count on reliable performance for years to come from this ASUS notebook.
Be the first person to write a review for this item.
Comparison Specifications
- 15.6" diagonal screen size
- 2.1GHz Intel Core i3 processor (Dual-core)
- 500GB SATA hard drive built in (5400 RPM)
- 4GB RAM pre-installed; 8GB max.
- DVD±RW drive
- SD card reader, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro reader, MultiMediaCard reader
- 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi built-in; Gigabit ethernet
- 3 Hi-Speed USB ports
- Intel HD Graphics
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit pre-installed
Additional Specifications
- 1366 x 768 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- LED backlight
- Altec Lansing speakers
- Multi-touch touchpad
- Microphone input
- Headphone output
- VGA display port
- HDMI output
- Security lock slot
Manufacturer Specifications
- ASUS IceCool palm-rest design
- Integrated webcam
- Dark brown finish
- ASUS Power4Gear
Dimensional Specifications
- Dimensions: 14.9" W x 1.4" H x 10.0" D
- Weight: 5.7 lbs.
ASUS K53E A1 Warranty Details
2-year limited manufacturer's warranty


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Learning Nagios 3.0
save 30%!
save 37%!
|Also available on:
- Secure and monitor your network system with open-source Nagios version 3
- Set up, configure, and manage the latest version of Nagios
- In-depth coverage for both beginners and advanced users
Book DetailsLanguage : English
Paperback : 316 pages [ 235mm x 191mm ]
Release Date : October 2008
Author(s) : Wojciech Kocjan
Topics and Technologies : All Books, Networking and Servers, Linux Servers, Networking & Telephony, Open Source
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration
Chapter 3: Using the Nagios Web Interface
Chapter 4: Overview of Nagios Plugins
Chapter 5: Advanced Configuration
Chapter 6: Notifications and Events
Chapter 7: Passive Checks and NSCA
Chapter 8: Monitoring Remote Hosts
Chapter 9: SNMP
Chapter 10: Advanced Monitoring
Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Extending Nagios
I've been reading and really enjoying Wojciech Kocjan's Learning NAGIOS 3.0 and it is a very handy book. If you're new to host monitoring and you want to use Nagios (and chances are good that you should do), this would be a good book to pick up to help you on your way.
The book's subtitle is "A detailed tutorial", and it is all of that. The eleven chapters of Learning Nagios 3.0 contain just about all I'd want to know about Nagios. All in all, it contains a lot of valuable information, particularly if you don't yet know Nagios.
Code Downloads
Download the code and support files for this book.
Submit Errata
Please let us know if you have found any errors not listed on this list by completing our errata submission form. Our editors will check them and add them to this list. Thank you.
Errata- 1 submitted: last submission 31 Jan 2013
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Sample chapters
You can view our sample chapters and prefaces of this title on PacktLib or download sample chapters in PDF format.
What you will learn from this book
- Understand system monitoring and how Nagios works
- Install and configure Nagios to administer your network and system
- Deploy agents and plug-ins, and monitor assets with advanced features of Nagios
- Notify users of current and future incidents to protect the availability, performance, and security of monitored assets
- Configure and work your way around Nagios's web interface
- Pass service and host check results over the network using NSCA
- Set up a working and usable distributed monitoring system using NSClient++ and NC_Net.
- Develop custom plug-ins responsible for doing the checks and analyzing results
- Use the web interface to manage scheduled downtimes for hosts and services
- Monitor UPS status over the network
- Use adaptive monitoring to modify various check-related parameters
- Use SSH and NRPE for doing remote checks
- Use SNMP to retrieve information from a device, set options, and also cover means for a device to notify other machines about a failure
In Detail
Nagios is a tool for system and network monitoring. It constantly checks other machines and various services on those machines. The main purpose of system monitoring is to detect and report any system not working properly as soon as possible—so that you are aware of problems before a user runs into them. It is a modular and flexible solution that uses plug-ins to do its job.
The book is an introduction to Nagios that will teach readers to use Nagios with its advanced features. At the same time, readers who have already used earlier versions of Nagios will also benefit because they will learn about the new and advanced features of Nagios 3.
This book focuses on the new features of Nagios and will teach readers to secure their systems in a much improved manner.
This is a beginner-level book, which will introduce Nagios to System Administrators who are interested in monitoring their systems. The focus is on teaching system administrators to secure their systems in a much improved manner incorporating the newer features of Nagios.
It will teach Nagios beginners the basics of installation and configuration of version 3; it will show professionals who have already worked on earlier versions of Nagios the new features of Nagios like inheritance and also the new internal functions like better check scheduling.
Who this book is for
The target readers for this book are System Administrators interested in using Nagios. This book will introduce Nagios with the new features of Version 3 for System Administrators.


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Contingent on the availability of funds, the program seeks to provide tuition assistance and financial support to all incoming students. First-year students are eligible for the Dean's Fellowship, which provides full tuition plus a stipend of $20,000 for the nine-month academic year. We also seek to provide support in students' second and third years in the form of tuition assistance and a combination of teaching, project, and/or research assistantships, contingent on each student's satisfactory progress in completing the program's requirements.
Opportunities for support in subsequent years and in the summers, including dissertation fellowships, research assistantships, and others, are also available.
Teaching assistantships are typically 50% time and will usually involve assisting faculty with larger class sections. Project assistantships are also typically 50% time and involve assisting faculty with research projects. Both appointments provide health-care benefits and remission of tuition. Further information is available at:


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By JOHN D. FERGUSON
Special Writer
SKIATOOK — Tahlequah's Lady Tigers saw things a whole lot clearer when it came to shooting free throws at Skiatook's Multipurpose Activity Center Friday night.
Tahlequah nailed crucial free throws when the pressure on was against a scrappy Bulldog team to prevail 44-40 in a Metro Lakes Conference basketball thriller.
Randee O'Donnell hit 3-of-4 fourth quarter free throws to hold on for the win. O'Donnell finished with 10 points and nailed 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Overall, the Tigers hit 6-of-10 from the foul line.
After missing 14 free throws Tuesday night in a loss at Claremore, coach Chad Walker had a novel idea to break the poor shooting.
"I had them wear blindfolds during practice," Walker said.
The idea worked.
"That's all we've been working on," O'Donnell said. "If you can make them with your eyes closed, you should be able to do it with your eyes open."
It was a good game for Tahlequah. The free throw percentage was up and the turnovers (eight) were down. That proved to be a winning combination.
"I was proud of them," Walker added. "They did a good job of getting rid of the fear (of shooting free throws)."
Hobbled Casey Beaston led the Tigers with 15 points and scored a team-high three, 3-point baskets. She did all this on a sore ankle.
"Considering I came back from a hurt ankle, I thought I played to the best of my ability," Beaston added.
The victory was in sharp contrast to the 59-37 blowout against the Bulldogs early in the season. Skiatook coach Tatum Beer had a reason for the improvement.
"That was our second game of the season and most of my players had never played a varsity game," Beer said. "I could not ask for a better bunch of girls. They would run through a brick wall if I asked them."
Jhonett Cookson scored 10 for Tahlequah (5-2 in league and 8-6 overall). Beaston and Whitney Wright each had four steals. Marisa Girdner and Beaston had two assists each.
Eden Henderson led Skiatook's scoring with 14 and Mikayla Schulanberger added 10. Madison Stuckey pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. The Bulldogs stand 1-6 and 2-10 on the season.
Skiatook 62, Tahlequah (boys) 61, OT
Garrett Massey picked a rolling basketball that had somehow got through a sea of legs inside the paint, shot and scored with a less than a second left to give the Bulldogs an overtime victory.
The game was almost an exact replay of the one earlier in the season. Tahlequah had one last shot to win that night, but missed. This time it was Skiatook that had the last chance and cashed in.
It was a tough loss for the Tigers. Coach Mike Leafgreen's team managed to send the game into overtime with two seconds left in regulation when Jake Vader rebounded Dalton Cunningham's missed shot and scored the equalizer.
It was a back-and-forth contest. Tahlequah led 17-5 before Skiatook unleashed six, first-half 3-point baskets.
The Tigers (2-5 in league and 4-10 overall) rebuilt the lead to 43-34 before the Bulldogs rallied again. Skiatook led 54-52 with 24 seconds left in regulation before Vader's big basket.
Vader also gave Tahlequah its last lead off a beautiful assist from Will Carlile with 22 seconds remaining in overtime. Vader's clutch shot made it 61-60.
That would set the stage for the wild finish. Skiatook came down the court and the ball seemed to go everywhere before Massey picked it up and scored.
"We showed some good signs," Leafgreen said. "Mentally, we had a few errors and the coach did, too, but the effort was good and defensively we were good."
The wild finish overshadowed four Tigers scoring 10 or more points. Vader had a double-double performance with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Cunningham had a game-high 14 points and Lain Wright and Carlile each scored 10 points.
A.J. Surritte hit a game-high 25 points for Skiatook (3-4 and 5-7) and had nine rebound. Big Jesse Haynes scored only nine, but had 14 rebounds and was a force to contend with in the middle all night. Massey tallied 11.
Tahlequah 18 7 9 10 44
Skiatook 13 8 12 7 40
Tahlequah: Beaston 15, O'Donnell 10, Cookson 10, Wright 5, Hadley 3, Girdner 1.
Skiatook: E. Henderson 14, Schulanberger 10, Linciome 8, Stuckey 6, Westover 2.
Tahlequah 17 8 18 11 7 61
Skiatook 8 20 14 12 8 62
Tahlequah: Cunningham 14, Vader 13, Alberty 11, Carlile 10, Wright 10, Moore 3.
Skiatook: Surritte 25, Massey 11, Lawless 11, Haynes 9, Lester 3, Estes 3.


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Jack in the Box is now serving a Bacon Milkshake. Yes, it's real, and yes, they are hoping it will cause some sort of bacon-fueled mass hysteria, so it's "as limited as limited can be." Denny's produced a Maple Bacon Sundae for their Baconalia promotion, so it's not unheard of for a chain to add bacon to dessert, although word on the street is the Jack in the Box shake uses bacon-flavored syrup and not actual porky goodness.
The shake is part of a new campaign that asks the question: If you like bacon so much, why don't you marry it? They mean literally: the ad below features a bacon wedding that ends with the oh-so-romantic words "You may eat the bride."
(you may eat the bride? who doesn't)
Bill Moyers used his Friday night PBS show to defend community organizing icon Saul Alinsky from Newt Gingrich's recent attacks. Alinsky's 1971 book "Rules for Radicals," which was dedicated to Lucifer, popularized many organizing tactics.
Moyers quipped "Maybe that's why Newt Gingrich has been slandering Alinsky's name," Moyers said. "Maybe he's afraid. Afraid the very white folks he's been rousing to a frenzy will discover who Saul Alinsky really was. A patriot, in a long line of patriots, who scorned the malignant narcissism of duplicitous politicians and taught every day Americans to think for themselves and to fight together for a better life. That's the American way, and any good historian would know it."
From HERE and do watch the video of this liberal nutcase defending a known commie rat. Next you know, Bill will be defending Satan?
The word 'HERO" is too over used! Someone running with a ball is NOT a HERO! Someone giving away money is NOT a HERO! Well, you finish it up.
Now get the story on the above bikini babe HERE. There are many gutsy people in the world who know that muslims want to take over and either enslave free men or kill them.
From Sad Hill
No stranger to using 'Christianity' when sales dry up along the ol' campaign trail, Chicago Jesus took some precious time away from the golf course to explain his legislative 'achievements.'
Read the article here.
Here's a crazy video from a Chinese women's volleyball match between TianJin and Army that shows the sport might not be as boring as you probably perceive it to be.
The rally lasts for nearly 2 minutes and is surprisingly thrilling. Neither side does much blocking, but hey, the numerous desperation dives to save the point add to the excitement. Pick a side to root for and check it out:
McCarthy: See Mitt Pander — He should leave class warfare to the professionals Obama will win if Romney is the man for the republicans!
Report: Rosie Show downsizes — Rosie not so much Her and her daily date Oprah not doing too well.
Obamacare is worth getting angry about — Did Mitt Romney miss the entire 2010 election? Another reason Romney will lose to Obama.
Amid crippling sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, Iran is continuing to prepare itself for war against the West, and now is warning of a coming great event.
"In light of the realization of the divine promise by almighty God, the Zionists and the Great Satan (America) will soon be defeated," Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, is warning.
Khamenei, speaking to hundreds of youths from more than 70 countries attending a world conference on the Arab Spring just days ago, told a cheering crowd in Tehran that "Allah's promises will be delivered and Islam will be victorious."
The countries represented included Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Palestine and Tunisia, all of which have been involved in the Arab Spring.
In his remarks, Khamenei advised the youths to remain vigilant, stating that the Islamic awakening in the region has delivered several blows to the enemies of Islam and that all Muslims, despite their own historical and social differences, remain united in opposing the "evil hegemony of the Zionists and the Americans."
Khamenei then claimed the current century as the century of Islam and promised that human history is on the verge of a great event and that soon the world will realize the power of Allah.
Many clerics in Iran have stated that Khamenei is the deputy of the last Islamic messiah on earth and that obedience to him is necessary for the final glorification of Islam.
Khamenei has been heard to say that the coming of the last Islamic Messiah, the Shiites' 12th Imam Mahdi, is near and that specific actions need to be taken to protect the Islamic regime for upcoming events.
(tell you, at some point, the USA will have to use some nukes to get nuts like this off this planet)


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A memorial Mass for William Edward Quick, 73, of Ft. Smith, Ark., will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 21, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with internment at Ft. Smith National Cemetery. He died Saturday, June 15, 2013, in Van Buren.
He was born Oct. 9, 1939 in New Albany. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force.
Survivors include a daughter, Wendy Quick; a son, William E. Quick Jr.; his sister, Judith Ann Rowe, of Jeffersonville; and companion, Connie Jones.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay Quick.


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Availability: Holiday Inn Express London Wandsworth
Standard RoomMax Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child)
Room, 1 Double Bed with Sofabed, Non SmokingMax Occupancy: 4 guests (up to 3 children)
Room, 2 Single Beds, Accessible, Non SmokingMax Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child)
Room, 2 Single Beds, Non SmokingMax Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child)
Room, 1 Double Bed, Accessible, Non SmokingMax Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child)
Family-friendly hotel with a restaurant, in London (Hammersmith - Fulham)
This family-friendly hotel is located in London (Hammersmith - Fulham), close to Wandsworth Park, King's Road, and Stamford Bridge Stadium. Also nearby are Craven Cottage Stadium and Hurlingham Park.
Hotel Features
In addition to a restaurant, Holiday Inn Express London Wandsworth features a bar/lounge. Other amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access and a business center.
Room Amenities
LCD televisions come with satellite channels. Guestrooms also feature complimentary wireless Internet access, sofa beds, and air conditioning.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!
Holiday Inn Express London Wandsworth Amenities
- General
Dining options at the hotel include a restaurant and a snack bar/deli. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning. Public areas are equipped with complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access.
This 3-star property offers access to a business center. Event facilities measuring 796 square feet (74 square meters) include conference/meeting rooms. This family-friendly hotel also offers multilingual staff, coffee/tea in the lobby, and express check-out. Onsite parking is available (surcharge).
- Business center
- Conference space
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- 24-hour front desk
- Express check-out
- Multilingual staff
- Elevator/lift
- Coffee/tea in lobby
- Number of floors - 7
- Bar/lounge
- Free breakfast
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wired (high-speed) Internet access - surcharge
- Total number of rooms - 148
- Restaurant
- Snack bar/deli
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Conference space size (feet) - 796
- Conference space size (meters) - 74
- Number of meeting rooms - 2
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Television in lobby
- Internet
Available in all rooms: Free Wi-Fi
Available in some public areas: Free Wi-Fi , Wired (high-speed) Internet access - ( $12.50 GBP / per day )
- Parking
Self parking (surcharge)
- Room Amenities
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Complimentary toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Shower only
- Desk
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Satellite TV service
- Sofa bed
- Air conditioning
- Coffee/tea maker
- Free Wi-Fi
- Sofa bed size
- Dining
A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM.
Lounge Bar - This restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves lunch, dinner, and light fare. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
- Accessibility
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the "Special or Accessibility Requests" section of "Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
- Accessible bathroom
- Accessible path of travel
- In-room accessibility
- Accessible parking
Holiday Inn Express London Wandsworth Policies & Fees
- Check-in
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
- Check-out
Check-out time is 11 AM
- Payment types
Accepted at this hotel: JCB International, American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa
- General
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- Fees
- The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
- Fee for wireless Internet in public areas: GBP 12.5 per day (rates may vary)
- Fee for high-speed Internet (wired) in public areas: GBP 12.5 per day (rates may vary)
- Self parking fee: GBP 10.00 per day
- Rollaway bed fee: GBP 30 per night
- Additional Details
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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GREEN VALLEY — Click here for exclusive video eyewitness account:
Road rage with gunfire between suspected drug dealers erupted Thursday afternoon on Airport Road, leaving at least two injured, three detained, and one on the run late Thursday evening.
The incident began to unfold at about 1:45 p.m., starting from a residence not far from the High Country Bar, just west of the intersection of Route 123 and the Mercer County Airport access road. A Mercer County resident traveling east on Route 123, slowed down to allow a maroon Dodge Stratus enter the highway.
"At first, it looked like someone was trying to get into the car, but the door was locked," Sean Fuda, an eyewitness said. "The Stratus pulled out in front of me, and moments later, a silver Cadillac pulled out behind me. The Stratus wasn't going too fast at the time, but after we started down the hill, it sped up, passed me and the silver Cadillac got behind the Stratus."
According to Fuda, the Cadillac struck the Stratus in the rear, prompting the Stratus to accelerate down the hill. He said that the Cadillac also increased his speed, and struck the Stratus again in the rear. On the second contact, the impact knocked the rear bumper off of the Stratus and spun the vehicle around 180 degrees. The Stratus traveled off the road backwards, partially re-entered the road, and came to a stop in a ditch on the north side of Route 123, almost directly across from the Airport Tavern, a bar that is now closed, but was formerly called "Club Blue."
By the time Fuda arrived at the crash site, the Cadillac was already well on its way to Kee Dam. "There were two guys laying in the road," he said. "I thought they were both dead."
Fuda said that he drove past the crash scene until he found a place to pull off the road, but when he got back to the scene, three occupants of the Stratus had walked up a path between a wooden fence outside the old tavern and a stand of pine trees.
"The silver Cadillac was mostly in my lane when it passed me going the other way," another witness who did not identify himself said. "When I came up, the three dudes who were in the Dodge Stratus were headed toward the woods, but the fellow who lives in the house up there came out and they stopped.
"A few minutes later, a green Ford Explorer with an Eddie Bauer package came up and stopped in the road and the three guys came back out of the woods to get in," the other eye witness said. "I went over to try to write the license number down, but the dude who was driving got out, went back and tore the license plate off. They took off in the same direction the Cadillac had gone."
Several witnesses gathered near the crash scene before law enforcement could arrive. A few men looked inside the crashed Stratus to see if there were any others inside. Deputy E.P. Parks of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department conducted a traffic stop of the green Explorer on Maple Acres Road near the Green Valley-Glenwood Public Service District, and detained the six occupants, including two who were apparently injured in the crash.
None of the occupants had been shot, said Lt. Joe Parks of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department.
Deputy D.A. Furches of the Mercer County Sheriffs Department was the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the scene of the crash. A Ruger, 9mm handgun with an extended clip was in plain view on the side of the road, as well as 8 or more spent 9mm shell casings and a half-dozen or more live 9 mm rounds. Furches also followed a blood trail between the wall of the bar and the pine tree stand, but was called away from the crash scene when the silver Cadillac was spotted about 2 miles away, stuck on an old logging road, approximately 60 yards from Route 123, north of the road and across from the boat dock at Kee Dam.
A second handgun was later found behind Swamp Fox Motor Sports between Route 460 and Maple Acres Road in Green Valley, Lt. Parks said. A box for a third weapon was discovered inside the Explorer.
Deputy J.D. Ellison and Detective L.B. Murphy, both of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department began processing the crash scene at the former tavern. Additional law enforcement officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the West Virginia Forestry Department Conservation Officers and the Bluefield Police Department arrived on scene.
Furches and his K-9 Maggie as well as Sgt. Joe Pack of the West Virginia State Police, his K-9 along with other officers searched the mountain without success. "We went up on Hurricane Ridge in case the dogs flushed him out, but he didn't come through," Mercer County Sheriff D.B. "Don" Meadows said.
"We know his identity, but we aren't releasing it now," Det. Murphy said. "The people involved are known drug dealers. We have deputies at the hospital, but at this point, we have not been able to talk with the victims yet. I don't know the extent of any of the injuries, and at this time, I don't know who was shooting."
One man, Dante Baker, 20, of Bluefield was arrested on a parole violation, Lt. Parks said. Baker was arrested in August 2010 after firing a shot inside the Mercer Mall. One other man was released after being questioned.
Jim Browning of Browning Wrecker Service worked the vehicle out of the logging road, and towed both vehicles from the scene.
Senior Reporter Greg Jordan and reporter Kate Coil contributed to this story.


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31st Annual
Portland Fall
RV & Van Show®
September 11 – 14, 2014
Thursday: 11am – 8pm
Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 11am – 8pm
Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Box office closes 1 hour prior to show closing.
Like OTSHOWS on Facebook
$10 General Admission
FREE to children 12 & under
*Does not include parking
The official show coupon is now available for download. Click here to download.
This is a 2 for 1 discount. Two tickets must be purchased to receive the discount. It is not valid for 1/2 off a single admission.
Thousands of parking spots are available on site at the Expo Center.
Parking is $8 per space, per entry. Carpools of three or more are $7.
Click here for more parking info.
Check back soon to view the official show floor plan before you arrive.
Are you looking for an Exhibitor Floor plan? If so, click here to view the floor plan and other exhibitor information.
The Portland Expo Center is conveniently located along Interstate 5, between downtown Portland and Vancouver, Washington, and is served directly by TriMet's MAX light rail Yellow Line.
Get Directions to the Expo Center
Watching your carbon footprint?
Take the Max Yellow Line to the show.
The RV Show you can trust!
Hard to believe, but Portland's largest Fall Recreation Vehicle Show, the Portland Fall RV & Van Show is about to turn 31 years old! And to celebrate being Oregon's top consumer show of RV's… get ready for a real first as the event showcases three distinctive and creative Oregon companies unveiling the most innovative and fun travel trailers you'll see at one show! Plus, there will be dozens of manufacturers, dealers, a phenomenal assortment of class A, B and C motor homes, 5th Wheels, campers, tent trailers, sport utility trailers, vans, tow vehicles, accessories and so much more – all at the Expo Center this September 12 – 15.
RV sales are up, and more and more people are heading out on the open road according to the Recreation Vehicle Association. And for those wanting to upgrade their RV, or begin their RV adventure – there is only one place to be – the 31st Annual Portland Fall RV & Van Show!
Dozens of manufacturers and 15 dealers are ready to kick off the 2015 sales season, showcasing their new units, technology, accessories and amenities.
Destination experts will offer attendees a wealth of information on local and regional RV parks and the (more than) 16,000 camping locations across the country.
The Portland Fall RV & Van Show, has been one of the major Recreation Vehicle (RV) consumer shows on the west coast for the past 31 years, and is about to unveil the 2015 models of RV's, coaches, trailers, park models, campers, vans and tow vehicles. Plus there will be pre-owned units on site, and this is one of the best times of the year to make deals and negotiate pricing.
At the show this year….
- Only 4 Days! Don't miss it!
- Come see the areas best RV Dealers compete for your business.
- Fun for the whole family!!!
- RV Destination Resorts & Accessories Come see the new '14 models
- Local dealers
- Local service
- Local financing
- Hundreds of makes and models to choose from!
- Close-out pricing