the weekly reporter - january 12, 2012

TheWeekly ReporterWillingToSay TheTruth.

Protecting Liberty Through Freedom of Speech

January 12, 2012

TheWeekly Reporter

“Let us dare to, read, think, speak and write.” - John Adams, 1765

Neighbors Tell Mayor “No More Blasting!”Press Release Indicates Mayor Noak May Relent

Hanson /Material Service Corporation has managed to arouse the attention of an important block of citizens,who are also voters, with the application it has filed with the village to expand its quarry operations.

The company owns a significant amount of property west of Route 53 and bounded on the north by Taylorroad. It has requested village permission to begin quarrying on the property. If it gets the go-ahead from thevillage it plans to do only surface mining not underground work which it says is too costly.

The new tentative operation would require significant blasting and digging down to about 200 feet below thesurface of the land.

The company has submitted plans to do its blasting Monday thru Saturday in the afternoons excludingSundays.

The families who reside in close proximity to the proposed site have responded with a loud NO to thecompany’s plans. They suggest that the new operation will endanger their homes because the shock wavescreated by the blasting will damage their properties. Some say their homes shake now from the blasting that isdone farther from their homes on the east side of Route 53.

At least one resident has questioned whether the new operation will contaminate the air with dust from theblasting. That resident has questioned whether such contaminated air will contain silica particles that could causelung or other cancers.

The Weekly Reporter is not aware of any environmental impact studies that may have been done or

whether they are necessary under the circumstances.On December 12, 2012 Mayor John Noak met with residents of the

Nottingham Ridge sub division by invitation along with representatives ofHanson/Material Service Corporation. The company and the residents weregiven opportunities to address the issues from their individual perspectives.The Mayor presided over that meeting.

No conclusions were reached and the residents again presentedconcerns at the regularly scheduled village meeting on December 21, 2011and again on January 4, 2012.

The only concrete decision to come out of those meetings was therescheduling of a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting which will beheld on February 14th. That meeting will be conducted at 7:00 pm in theRomeoville High School to accommodate the large number of people whoare expected to turn out.

In the interim Village Manager Steve Gulden issued a press release onFriday January 6th in which Mayor Noak announced that “the CorporateAuthority” of the Village has decided that they “do not envision anypossibility of amending the Spangler property annexation to open theproperty to quarrying.”

That decision now finds two friends on opposite sides of the issue.Attorney Richard Kavanagh represents Hanson/Material Service and is alsothe Chairman of the Will County Republican Party. Mayor Noak is a

Republican and member of that party and has worked for CongresswomanJudy Biggert inthe past.

Mayor Noakis up for re-election nextyear; he mayvery well beconsidering howa decision infavor of Hansoncould impact hischances of beingelected to asecond term.There is always,of course, the chance that he might find himself confronted with the issueagain after the election. Assuming he were to win such an election he mightbe more willing to grant Hanson’s application on the gamble that voterswould forget the issue before another election came around.

Romeoville Mayor John Noak

Residents are pushing the issue with signs

Some residents have complained that 2 men, villageofficials were seen stealing signs from infront of homes.

Our BlogThe Squeaking WheelThe Weekly Reporter

Some Romeoville citizens have had signs printed thatthey have placed on their property to show they oppose theexpansion of the Hanson/Material Service Corporationquarry operations. They own those signs. Whether the signswere purchased by them, acquired by them, or printed bythem the signs are personal possessions and it may not beremoved from anyone’s property without the owner’spermission to do so.

Entering a man’s property to remove or to destroyanything on it is a crime. The victim can have the offenderarrested charged with a crime and tried. In addition, theperson may seek damages in a civil court with is entirelydifferent matter. So, the law provides two avenues of relieffor anyone who is a victim of theft.

Everything on a person’s property is protected and thatincludes signs of any nature including political signs or thosethat voice an opinion such as the No Quarry signs someRomeoville residents have put on their lawns.

Two men have been observed stealing signs fromlawns. The two men, whom our source wishes not to namefor the moment, are allegedly village officials.

Apparently they are not aware of the Mayor’s pressrelease of January 6th in which he seems to make it clearthat the application of Hanson/Material Service Corporationwill not be approved.

During the last Romeoville mayoral campaign manysigns that promoted candidates opposing Mayor Noak

were destroyed and stolen. It is strong evidence that manyAmericans who spout loyalty really do not support ourfreedoms. There was never any evidence that Mayor Noakwas aware of the sign thefts or destructions. Usually theoffenders are over zealous supporters of a candidate whoare acting without the knowledge of the person theysupport.

The right of Americans to voice their opinions orbeliefs, political or otherwise, is clearly and unequivocallyprotected by the First Amendment. Although mostAmericans will avow their strong support of theConstitution, that support often wanes when it comes to therights of others whose opinions or beliefs differ from theirown.

In other words, Americans love Constitutionalprotections for themselves but not necessarily for allcitizens.

The United States Supreme Court has upheld the rightof the people to display signs on their property. The FirstAmendment is still a part of the U.S. Constitution.

Entering onto someone’s property to steal anything is acrime. If you walk onto someone’s lawn to take a lawnchair placed on it to destroy that chair you are guilty of acrime. Something on one’s property is not deemed to beabandoned so that excuse will not allow you to trespassand then remove it or destroy it.

Whatever a person puts, or leaves or causes to be onhis property cannot be removed by anyone. Even lawenforcement is prohibited from removing anything from aperson’s property without a warrant to enter the premisesand then remove the item(s). A sworn affidavit must bepresented to a judge to obtain a search warrant that willallow an officer of the law to seek and remove anythingfrom your private property. That affidavit must convince thejudge that there is a justifiable reason to search for andsubsequently remove anything from your property.It is wise to always ask the opinion of a lawyer before yourun the risk of being arrested and/or being sued fordamages. The law depends upon the most recent courtdecisions. One thing is for certain, the Constitution is onlyas strong as the support of the citizens whom it wasintended to protect.

TWO MEN SEEN STEALING SIGNS By John GabrielA ward winning writer

http://www.thesqueakingwheel.wordpress.com

The Weekly Reporter Our BlogThe Squeaking Wheel

WHO IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB IN ROMEOVILLE?What Are The Village Attorneys Doing?

“It is the public policy of this Statethat public bodies eist to aid in theconduct of the people's business andthat the people have a right to beinformed as to the conduct of theirbusiness. In order that the people shallbe informed, the General Assemblyfinds and declares that it is the intent ofthis Act to ensure that the actions ofpublic bodies be taken openly and thattheir deliberations be conductedopenly.” (5 ILCS 120/1) (from Ch. 102, par.41) Sec. 1.

That quote is taken directly fromthe Illinois Compiled Statutes – the lawof the state; it does not exclude theMayor of Romeoville or any othermayor in Illinois.

On December 12, 2011, MayorJohn Noak conducted a “privatemeeting” intended for residents who willbe affected if Hanson Material ServiceCorporation is permitted to expand itsquarry operations in Romeoville.

The public was not invited andthose present were the invited residents,Attorney Richard Kavanagh Chairmanof the Will County Republican Partywho represents Hanson MaterialService Corporation. Other companyrepresentatives were present to supportthe companies bid to begin quarryingoperations west of Route 53.

The Illinois Open Meetings Actrequires that certain persons in eachgovernmental body be trained tounderstand and assure thecompliance with the act.

Someone in Romeoville hasdropped the ball because, while theMayor may argue it was not a villagemeeting it is difficult to call it any-

thing different. The village is represented by Attorneys Ray Meader andRichard Vogel of Tracy, Johnson & Wilson, a Joliet law firm, at a cost of nearly$900,000 per year. It seems someone ought to be making certain the Mayorand the village are obeying the law. No agenda was published, attendees wereinvited to the meeting to the exclusion of all others, and, important business wasdiscussed privately. We do not know if there was a quorum. We have no ideawho attended the meeting. The Act was intended to put an end to secretmeetings. The question? Why was the public excluded from the meeting?

Americans paying credit cards on time, but lag on mortgages

ARA) - While more Americans are paying their credit card bills on time, agrowing number are paying their mortgages 60 or more days late, according toresearch by Experian, the leading global information services company.Nationally, since 2007, thenumber of credit cardpayments that are 60 days ormore overdue declined by 20percent, the study found. Incontrast, 25 percent moreconsumers are paying theirmortgages 60 days late. In 30 of the nation'slargest metropolitan areas,the percentage of late creditcard payments decreasedsignificantly, with Clevelandshowing the mostimprovement, Experianreports. Residents of the"Rock and Roll Capital of theWorld" improved theirpayment rate by nearly 35percent between 2007 and2011.

Mortgage paymentrates, however, did not fareas well over the same timeperiod in many metropolitan areas across the country. The percentage of missedmortgage payments (considered to be payments 60 or more days overdue), rosedramatically in 26 regions in the study, and improved in just four.Portland, Ore., fared the worst, with nearly a 100 percent increase in the numberof missed mortgage payments.



SOMEHOW THEY ALWAYS FIND KAVANAGHWHEN ISSUES AFFECT THE LITTLE GUYS!

Neumann Homes, Inc. promisedcertain homeowners in Romeoville,particularly residents of NottinghamRidge that they need not be concernedabout the nearby quarry when theypurchased their homes. The quarry,Neumann Homes Inc. said, would onlybe active for a few years. Homeownerssigned documents verifying thatnotification.

Now, years later, the quarryowner, Hanson Material ServiceCorporation has applied for villageapproval to expand its operations toproperty it owns west of Route 53 atTaylor Road.

Homeowners have organized tovoice their dismay over such a proposalsaying the blasting that will be

undertaken, if the application isapproved, will cause damage to their

homes andmay eventhreatentheir lives.Some fearthat theadditionaldustcreatedmay

contain harmful materials such as silicathat might subject them to cancer.

Hanson Material ServiceCorporation (of Irving Texas) intendsto do deep underground mining and haspromised it will not blast on certainnational holidays but it will blast

everyday of the week with theexception of Sunday givinghomeowners little relief from theanticipated shockwaves from theexplosions.

The company is represented by alocal Attorney who is also theChairman of the Will CountyRepublican Party, Richard Kavanagh.Kavanagh has a history of representingquestionable causes such as twisting thearm of then Mayor Tim Murphy ofLockport, IL to assist in pushing thru a$19 million dollar tax break for a newTarget Store in Lockport.

Former Mayor Murphy who wassuspected of unsavory practices in thatdeal in which Target allegedly did notrequest the break did not choose to run

for another term in office. He was confronted with a greatdeal of heat for how he ran the city and for a number ofissues that painted him in rather shady tones.

The WeeklyReporter defendedhomeowners in Lockportwhen Mayor Murphydecided to take propertyfrom them to widen 151st

Street there. He was nottruthful when he said thecity possessed 100 yearold documents thatproved the city ownedthe property. In the endthe homeowners werevictorious but it isunknown if their lawsuits

have been resolved for trees as much as 200 years old thatwere sawn down by Commonwealth Edison to make roomfor the widening.

The families in Romeoville who purchased homes from

Neumann Homes, Inc. have little recourse as far asNeumann is concerned. That company filed bankruptcy in2007 owing creditors a reported $286.9 million dollars!Neumann told the bankruptcy court it was facing dozens oflawsuits from small businesses for breach of contract. Theywere listed as primarily plumbing, roofing, and flooringcontractors.

The Village of Romeoville is not responsible for anyassurances that may have been made by Neumann Homes,Inc. but the Mayor and the trustees do have to consider thefact that Mayor Noak is up for re-election next year andthat the issue could stand between him and another term inoffice should he choose to run again.

Atty. Richard Kavanagh

Mayor John Noak


http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/25/news/la-pn-gingrich-worth-2011http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/25/news/la-pn-gingrich-worth-201107250725The Weekly Reporter Our Blog

The Squeaking Wheel

ScienceBy John GabrielAward Winning Writer

NASA FILMS STRANGE UNEXPLAINABLE OBJECTS TRAVELING ABOUT THE SUN

How do they defy the Sun’sGravity?

How do they withstand theSun’s Intense heat?

Why are they there?

Where are they from?

Video #2

Video #3

Video #2WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE?

Last January NASA reportedphotographing unidentified objects travelingaround the sun as though someone orsomething is studying the huge star on whichall life on earth depends.

The three videos accompanying this articleprovide excellent zoom shots of the objects;shots that make it apparent they are not naturalby any means. They give the appearance ofbeing in contact with one another as theirmovements seem to be coordinated andpurposeful.

The surface temperature of the sun hasbeen estimated at 5,500 degrees but solarflares can reach temperatures much hotter.Solar flares also emit tremendous amounts ofradiation and electrical energy.

Thus the space surrounding the sun is veryhostile to anything coming close to it; theintense gravity of the sun will draw anythingclose to it to a fiery end.

Those facts raise some curious questions.Why would any intelligent creatures wish totravel so close to the sun and what could theypossibly hope to learn from it that requires alarge number of space stations to perform thework? The objects have been estimated to bethe size of the earth or larger.

What allows them to defy the gravitationalpull of the Sun? What manner of materialsallow them to travel close to the sun withoutexperiencing heat damage to the objects or tothe inhabitants if there are any?

No additional information concerning thestrange objects has been released. They arepuzzling and



HEADS UPON FINANCE

Courtesy of ARAContent

Smart ways to use creditwhen redecorating

(ARA) - When your redecorating project is done, youwant everyone who sees it to think it looks like a millionbucks. But woe to your wallet - and possibly your credit -if you overspend to achieve that look.

Credit can be a good tool to help you fulfill yourdecorating dreams, provided that you use it wisely. The last

thing you want is to rack up redecorating debt that outlivesthe stylishness of your room's new look.

Before you give your bank card a workout, or sign upfor a new credit card with your local home improvementstore, take these credit-conscious steps:

1. Assess your current credit status.Whenever you're considering a significant credit

expenditure - like financing a remodel - it's important tounderstand your credit and how your spending might impactit. Websites like freecreditscore.com allow you to see yourcredit score, and provide information on how it's calculated,

what factors affect it and even when is the best time toapply for new credit. Understanding your credit could meanthe difference between using credit wisely to fund yourredecorating project, or opting to wait until your creditsituation improves before you incur new debt.

2. Estimate the cost of your project.Spending without a plan is one of the surest ways to

overspend, especially when it's a home improvementproject. In order to create a plan, you need to know thelikely cost of your redecorating project. Online costestimators can help you get an idea of how much you'llneed to fund your redecorating dreams. You'll need toconsider all aspects of your project, from paint andcarpeting to curtains and accessories in order to get themost accurate cost estimate.

3. Determine what you can do yourself.If you can do some of the home improvement work

yourself, you'll not only save some money, you'll get theadded bonus of pride in doing it yourself. Be honest withyourself and think about which tasks you're skilled enoughto tackle (painting, hanging curtains) and which ones you'llneed to leave to a professional (laying carpet or placingtile).

4. Establish a budgetOnce you have a cost estimate, and know where you

can find DIY savings, you'll be able to establish a budgetfor your remodeling project. To prevent overspending, padyour budget as much as 10 percent to cover cost overruns.When your budget is set, you're ready to begin. Keep arunning log of all expenditures and refer to your budgetfrequently to ensure your project is staying on track andwithin costs.

Redecorating can be a fun, rewarding homeimprovement project. With advanced planning and carefulconsideration of your credit, you can use credit wisely to helpmake your vision a reality.


Your legacy of giving: Review your beneficiary lists during the holiday season


For Seniors [email protected]

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Say goodbye to the McMansion. According toa leading real estate website, Trulia.com, 2010 was officiallythe year that homes over 3,200 square feet ended theirdominance and appeal. But don't think that downsizingmeans downgrading. In fact, homeowners are looking toupsize their amenities to help them enjoy every inch of theirhomes.

And, while many different generations are following thistrend, Boomers are a unique group, looking to enjoy theirsmaller nest now that the kids have flown the coop - yetensure that their homes are filled with the many amenitiesthey'll require for their golden years.

Anything but basic bathsWhile they may purchase a smaller floor plan, mature

adults are looking for ways to turn ordinary rooms intoextraordinarily indulgent experiences. In the bath, that meansthe ultimate spa experience - from elaborate showers toheated floors and towel warmers. But when it comes to thebathroom, it's just as important to keep it safe. Luckily, safecan also equate to stylish. Try installing comfortable seatingfor the shower with a beautiful fold-down shower seat made

of teak and aluminum; or updating common bathaccessories such as a paper holder, towel bar or shelf with anew integrated version that combines each accessory with agrab bar for added safety.

"Our goal is to make every bath a safe bath. And, forsavvy homeowners looking to incorporate safety at any age,it's essential we provide products to meet their safety andstyle requirements," says Laurie Birko, Moen Home Carebrand manager. "Our newest products, such as our Fold-Down Shower Seat and Grab Bars with Accessories looklike decorative pieces rather than safety devices, sohomeowners no longer have to choose between safety orstyle ... they can have both."

Kitchens that cook ... and moreDifferent generations have very specific desires in terms

of creating a kitchen to meet their needs, and according tofindings from the Research Institute for Cooking andKitchen Intelligence, boomers are looking for kitchens withamenities that will assist with entertaining. These upgradesmay include cooktops with special-purpose features, suchas a built-in grill or wok; commercial or professional-gradeappliances; a built-in coffee pot connected directly to

Today's boomersdownsize homes, butupsize the amenities

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mailto:[email protected]



Budget-friendly tipsand tricks for easyentertaining

(ARA) - Whether entertaining throughout the season orinviting your closest friends and family over for an evening offun, every host strives to impress their guests. But sometimesthe stress and steep costs of shopping, cooking andentertaining can derail plans of being the hostess with themostess. This year, use a few simple tips and tricks to makeyour gatherings special, memorable and affordable.

"Costs and quality don't necessarily have to compete,"says Melissa d'Arabian, cook and celebrity chef who focuseson creating meals for the family that cost less than $10."When entertaining, I like to keep things creative, withoutbreaking the bank - especially if you have a big family or alarge group of guests. By being savvy and finding creativeways to save, I'll have extra funds to put towards partyessentials or gifts."

Celebrity chef d'Arabian offers these expert tips to addflair to your next special occasion without letting costs addup:

* Allow eager guests to bring their signature dish, in lieuof bringing a bottle of wine. This will help you to focus onyour plates and ensure everyone feels part of the specialoccasion.

* If kids are attending, set aside a table with fun gameslike Disney Puzzle Packs, Green Lantern Hot Wheels Set or

Music Ink Guitar. Stop by your local Family Dollar store topick up these games and toys, which are sure to entertain forhours. If kids are young, hire a local teenager for an hour tolead the games, freeing up some adult time.

* My favorite tradition is to use pretty greeting cards andenvelopes as place cards, then write a personalized noteinside. I love to have my visitors feel like their presencematters as they sit down at our family table.

* Instead of splurging on premade snacks, make yourown. Spiced Herbed Nuts is an easy and festive recipe.Sprinkle herbs, spices, a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of saltwith a bit of butter into a saute pan. Toss in the nuts andcook until fragrant. Serve as an appetizer, garnish a salad oraccompany a cheese platter. Stocking up on these simpleingredients at your local discount retailer like Family Dollarwill go a long way for a reasonable price.

* Buying preshaved toppings can be pricey, instead,purchase inexpensive bars of chocolate and use a vegetablepeeler to create elegant garnishes, giving a final touch to anydessert dish.

Perusing online and sharing ideas with other cooks is agreat way to become an expert host. Family Dollar's "DollarDinners for the Holiday" Contest offers a forum for you toexchange recipes and find special offers. Visitwww.familydollar.com to enter for a chance to win a privateentertaining consultation with d'Arabian, along with $500 inFamily Dollar gift cards for your next family bash.

As you're focused on creating an unforgettablegathering, don't lose sight of the most important part. "Whenyou welcome people into your home, it's about the people.Your guests want to see you more than anything else," saysd'Arabian. "Keep your menu simple so you can give yourattention and energy to your guests, not just the food."

For more value-priced entertaining and gifting ideas, visitwww.familydollar.com or check out Family Dollar onFacebook at www.facebook.com/familydollar.



Edu

cation

Matters

A collegefunding study

guide forparents

(ARA) - As many parents know,college students are no strangersto procrastination. Visit anycampus coffee shop late at nightand you're guaranteed to spot somestudents engaged in last-minutecramming for exams.

Of course, some things, likecollege funding, can't be preparedfor overnight. Funding your child's

education takes planning and time.Read up on these college fundingoptions from Thrivent Financialnow to prepare for the future, andsay goodbye to last-minute panicdown the road.

529 plan529 plans are a tax-deferred wayfor anyone to invest in a child'seducation. These accounts are

controlled by your state or by amanager your state has appointed.Anyone can establish a 529 savingsplan naming anyone as abeneficiary. Check with a financialprofessional in your area to findout how a 529 plan in your statecould be helpful to your college-funding

It's never too early to startsaving for the future

It's never too early to startsaving for the future

Custodial accountThis type of savings account allows you to build savings

for any child, meaning grandparents, relatives and friendscould also set thisup. While the child'sname is on theaccount, the adultcustodian isresponsible foroverseeing it untilthe child turns theage of majority.Custodial accountscan be used for anyreason, meaningthat if your savingsexceeds the amountneeded for tuition,your child could useit for living expensesor save it forsomething else.

The savings accrued in a Coverdell account can beused for approved expenses before your child goes tocollege, on K-12 expenses for students in private or publicschools, as well as eligible post-secondary educationexpenses. A child can receive up to $2,000 annually in aCoverdell account until age 18.

Other types of accounts* TrustsContact an attorney to see if a trust could be right for

you. Trusts can be used for education and other purposes.Once the trust belongs to your child (usually at age 18), thatmoney is no longer included in your taxable estate.Contributions to a trust have no minimum or maximum, andanyone can contribute.

* IRAsWhile traditionally used for retirement savings, traditional

and Roth IRAs allow you to withdraw funds penalty-free ifused for educational purposes. Your contributions may betax deductible and grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.Contact a financial representative about using IRAs forcollege funding, as this could affect your retirement strategyand financial aid eligibility.

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Health & Wellness

meningitis cases peak in winter months; help protectyour children by getting them vaccinated today

Meningococcal


(ARA) - School nurses are urging parents tovaccinate their preteens and teens againstmeningococcal disease, a rare but potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that can causemeningitis and take a child's life in just a single day.Cases of meningococcal disease begin to peak duringthe late-winter and early-spring months, so now is aperfect time to be sure children have been vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) recommends that preteens and teens getvaccinated beginning at age 11 with a booster dose by18 years of age. Despite this recommendation, morethan a third of teens 13-17 years of age in this countryhave not been vaccinated against meningitis, leavingfar too many children unprotected.

"Parents may be unaware about the importance ofmeningococcal vaccination, and that public healthofficials now recommend a booster dose by 18 years ofage," said Linda Davis-Alldritt, MA, BSN, RN, FNASN,FASHA, and President of the National Association ofSchool Nurses (NASN). "School nurses nationwide havejoined with families affected by meningitis and publichealth officials to educate communities about thedangers of meningitis and the need for vaccination."

Gaitley Batton knows all too well the dangers ofthis disease - she contracted meningitis on New Year'sDay as a child. Gaitley was fortunate to survive, but notwithout consequence - she had to have her legamputated below the knee due to tissue damagecaused by the disease.

Gaitley and her mother Heidi Moody have joined theNASN's Voices of Meningitis campaign, in collaborationwith Sanofi Pasteur, to raise awareness about thedisease and the importance of vaccination for preteensand teens.

"I continue to live with the lasting effects of thisdisease every day," said Batton. "No one should have togo through what my family and I did, which is why I'm

sharing my story. Vaccination is the best way to helpprotect preteens and teens from this disease."

About 10 percent of the 1000 to 1200 Americanswho get meningococcal meningitis each year will die.Like Gaitley, many who survive this disease - one in five- are left with serious medical problems, includingamputation of limbs, brain damage, deafness, andorgan damage.

Adolescents are thought to be at increased risk formeningitis because of common, everyday activities theyengage in with other teens, like sharing drinkingglasses and kissing, since meningococcal bacteria arespread from person to person through close contact.Not getting enough sleep can also increase their risk ofgetting the disease. A national telephone survey foundthat nearly 82 percent of teens engage in many ofthese activities. The result? Teens put themselves atrisk for getting meningitis every day, makingvaccination all the more important.

"Winter break is a great time to get preteens andteens vaccinated, and parents need to know that anyhealth-care visit is an opportunity to discussvaccination," said Moody. "Parents should make it theirpriority to schedule a vaccination appointment. Don'twait, do it today."



TheWeekly Reporter

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Across

Down

V L S R Z T H M U R

Q L L M L A P F F

R C T F

1 Cab 4 Grotto 8 Valley12 Wing13 City in Yemen14 Divide15 Chinese seasoning16 Kernel17 Not many (2 wds.)18 Turkey20 Open21 Yang's partner22 Saute23 Pitcher26 Move away27 Container30 Some countries commander inchief34 Unusual35 Night bird36 Praise37 Baboon38 Charge40 Negate43 ___ House Coffee47 Famous cookies48 Carry49 Thai50 Quieted51 Engage in a boxing match52 Manipulate53 Island54 Pour55 That (possessive)

19 Harp20 Globes22 Federal Bureau23 Pride24 Marry25 Expire26 Wing27 Killed in action28 Flightless bird29 Titan31 Leash32 Wonder

1 Roughing it home 2 As well as 3 Prego's competition 4 Spiny plants 5 Trim 6 Precice 7 Compass point 8 Meat and potatoes covering 9 Animation10 Always11 Salamander

33 Killed37 Store passageway38 Mortal39 Wield40 Indonesian island41 Flightless birds42 Lounge43 Pout44 Decorative needle case45 Latter46 Untruths48 Teaspoon (abbr.)

Down (continued)

January 12, 2012

Solutions



Crossword solution

money is the root of allevil

ANSWER

C A R C A V E G L E NA L A A D E N R I V EM S G C O R E A F E WP O U L T R Y O V E R T

Y I N F R YE W E R E B B K E GG E N E R A L I S S I M OO D D O W L L A U D

A P E F E EB E L I E M A X W E L LA M O S T O T E T A IL U L L S P A R U S EI S L E P E L T I T S

* Keep your hands and eyes away from your cellphone whiledriving.

"You need to teach safe driving behavior from the beginning,"says Lyman Munson, vice president of risk services at Fireman'sFund Insurance Company. As the parent, you can start bymodeling safe driving behavior whenever you drive your children,from the time they are infants."

Give teens an edge by teaching them some basics about carsand the rules of the road early, well before they hit driving age.Ease them into driving with short trips in familiar areas, at lowspeeds, in daylight and with an adult. Choose a safe car that ispredictable in its handling and easy to drive.

Insurance carriers often offer good student and safe drivingdiscounts for teens. Parents can include these incentives in thediscussion regarding safe driving. Fireman's Fund recommendsparents use devices such as Cellcontrol to disable cellphone usewhile driving.

(ARA) - In 2009, 3,466 teenagers died in the United States fromautomobile crash injuries, according to Insurance Institute forHighway Safety (IIHS). Such injuries are by far the leading public

health problem among youths 13 to19 years old. Traffic crashes arethe leading cause of death for teenagers in America. Mile for mile,teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as allother drivers. The crash risk among teenage drivers is particularlyhigh during the first months of licensure.

An IIHS review of recent literature confirmed that driver ageand experience both have strong effects on driver crash risk. Crashrates for young drivers are high largely because of the driver'simmaturity combined with driving inexperience. The immaturity isapparent in young drivers' risky driving practices such asspeeding. At the same time, teenagers' lack of experience behindthe wheel makes it difficult for them to recognize and respond tohazards. They get in trouble trying to handle unusual drivingsituations, and these situations turn disastrous more often thanwhen older people drive.

Research shows which behaviors contribute to teen-relatedcrashes. Inexperience and immaturity combined with speed,drinking and driving, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving(cellphone use, loud music, other teen passengers, etc.), drowsydriving, nighttime driving and other drug use aggravate thisproblem.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Association(NHTSA) recommends a multi-tiered strategy to prevent motorvehicle-related deaths and injuries among teen drivers: Increaseseat belt use, implement graduated driver licensing, reduce teens'access to alcohol and increase parental responsibility.

* Keep your hands on the wheel.* Keep your eyes on the road.

and save their livesTeach teens to drive safely



plumbing or an oven that dramaticallyreduces cooking times withoutmicrowaves.

Bedrooms that sizzleMature adults still know how to

spice up their bedroom with hotamenities, including fireplaces, heatedmattress pads and large-capacitywarming cabinets for blankets, robes,towels and clothing. Convenience-based bedroom trends include alaundry room off of the master suite,remote-controlled window treatmentsand voice controlled lighting andelectronics, making your matureboudoir much more magical than yourchildhood bedroom.

The greater outdoorsNo-mow lawns have sprouted up

as a time-, water-, fuel- and money-saving alternative to the traditionallawn. These lawns have been aroundfor over a decade in parks and other

public spaces. Now they're catching onwith homeowners - particularly with thegrowing population of second-homeowners who don't want to spendtheir precious getaway weekendsmowing the lawn. They're alsobecoming popular with mature adultswho are simply tired of the rigors andhigh cost of constant lawn upkeep.

For homeowners in colder climateswho are tired of the hassles andhazards of snow removal, drivewayheating systems are an ideal amenity.Radiant driveway heating systemsprovide heat similar to indoor in-floorheating systems. Heat is delivered witheither electric cable (electric systems)or by hot water pumped through plastictubing (hydronic systems) compacted inthe surface. Most driveway heatingsystems have automatic smart sensorsthat turn the systems on when it beginsto snow, providing great consistency

and reliability for snow removal,whether you're home or not.

And, with safety always a concern- both indoors and out - drivewayheating systems are not onlyconvenient; these systems arepotentially lifesavers, helping preventheart attacks, frostbite and back paincommonly associated with snowremoval. Driveway heating also helpsreduce injuries due to slips and falls,and possibly liability due to suchaccidents.

Regardless of the size of yourhome, whether you build new or buyused, filling your empty nest with hotamenities will help to make your goldenyears as good as gold. For moreinformation about Moen Home Carebath safety products, visitwww.moen.com.

Continued from For Seniors Only

Permanent life insuranceIf something should happen to you, a permanent life

insurance contract can help ensure that goals like educationcan be met, even if the unthinkable happens. In addition,permanent life insurance contracts accumulate cash valuethat can be used during your lifetime. Visit Thrivent.com formore information on types of life insurance to help you payfor college.

With so many options for college funding to choosefrom, selecting the best set of tools for you or your child canbe difficult. A financial representative can help you decidewhich options are best for you to meet your family's needs.Visit Thrivent.com to contact a financial representative,learn more about college funding options and even estimateyour needs with a College Savings Calculator.

Financial ease, like a good report card, doesn't comewithout preparation. Now that you have started studying,put your knowledge to the test and start forming yourcollege funding strategy.

Continued from Education Matters Dont Be StupidDon’t Vote For an IdiotBecause He’s In YourParty!! That’s Dumb!



(ARA) - Smartphones are steadily becomingcommonplace devices for everyone from professionals tobusy moms. Users of these devices now instinctively turn totheir phones for tasks that previously they would only haveaccomplished on a computer, over the phone or in person.These tasks include surfing the Web, obtaining drivingdirections, connecting via social media, and even shopping.

In the United States, 87.4 million people ownsmartphones. And, in 2012, smartphone sales are expectedto top sales of personal computers. As smartphones allowpeople to connect with businesses in new and exciting ways,businesses in turn need to become savvier about goingmobile.

For example, a small home health care provider recentlyutilized smartphones to expand to 400 patients across fourmajor counties in Utah. Its employees previously struggledto keep up with all the paperwork and regulatoryrequirements, so the company decided to go completelymobile, equipping its entire staff with Microsoft WindowsPhones. This allowed the staff to visit patients and instantlyupdate their condition and treatments.

For small businesses, embracing the smartphone age isbecoming crucial for success. Here are some easy wayssmall businesses can go mobile in 2012:

* Invest in smartphones - Transitioning from a flip phoneto a smartphone makes it much easier to run a business onthe go. Providing easy access to email, calendar informationand the Internet, smartphones increase productivity and canprovide peace of mind while out of the office. Today,

smartphones are more affordable than in the past, so now isa perfect time to take advantage of their capabilities.

* Consider industry-specific devices - Numerous mobiletechnologies, from smartphone applications to tablets, havebeen created with specific industries in mind. For example,rugged tablets that can withstand the elements are availablefor those in the construction industry and tablets created forthe health care industry can be sterilized between patientvisits to avoid contamination.

* Make websites mobile-compatible - In an era inwhich most consumers first go to the Internet to find localservice providers, it's crucial that small businesses have apolished and informative online presence that's friendly formobile consumption. Even for business owners who aren'ttech-savvy, starting a website is feasible. A quick Internetsearch will reveal numerous free or low-cost websitetemplates. You might also choose to work with a Webdeveloper to ensure your business's website is smartphone-friendly.

* Get social - Popular social media platforms likeFacebook and Twitter make it simple to connect withcustomers in a casual, but also personal, manner and alsoembrace the mobile population that frequents these sites onsmartphones. Consider leveraging one or more of theseplatforms to further establish your business's online presenceand create positive buzz around new offerings and specialdeals and promotions.

For more ideas on how to boost your business withmobile technology, visit www.microsoftbusinesshub.com.

Experts expect smartphones to overtake personal computers in 2012


the weekly reporter - january 12, 2012

Documents

mayor john noak

mayor noakis

significant blasting

scheduled village meeting

new operation

village permission

new tentative operation

property west of route