| Vandal spreads tacks to scupper cyclists on Beach Rd
AN anti-cyclist vandal who scattered road tacks in the path of bike riders could have killed someone, police say. Officers today blasted the offender, saying only luck saved a rider from injury or death. A large number of tacks, similar to drawing pins, were deliberately placed along Beach Rd in Mentone on Saturday and caused punctures to several cyclists' tyres. Sen-Sgt Hans Harms, of the Kingston Traffic Management Unit, condemned the act of stupidity and accused the offender of derailing bids to ease tensions between drivers and cyclists. Sen-Sgt Harms said a cyclist could have lost control and swerved into vehicles or other riders. "This stupid act does not assist anyone. "I, along with other organisations such as the Amy Gillett Foundation, are trying to work together with bicycle riders to ensure all road users are safe including vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Highway closed in Florida after Victorian cyclist dies
Australian tourist Elsise Hoath was apparently looking in the wrong direction for oncoming traffic when she was hit at 12.20pm Sunday US time.She died at the scene. Mrs Hoath and her husband were cycling near the town of Marathon, near Key West in the Florida Keys when the accident happened. The 23-year-old driver of the car that hit her is unlikely to be charged. Lieutenant Pat Santangelo from the Florida Highway Patrol said the pair were attempting to walk their bicycles across the road. They successfully crossed the northbound lanes of the US 1 highway but tragedy struck on the southbound lanes. "Evidently, because the traffic comes from the opposite direction in Australia, apparently she looked at where she expected traffic to be coming from and didn't see anybody coming and walked into the roadway but there was a vehicle coming from her right,'' he said.
Is there a European Islam?
Please don't hold me to the highest standards of BBC accuracy on this one. A Muslim saint, a Muslim portrait, acknowledging a Christian brother? Well, yes, Albania is the headquarters of the Bektashi, a Sufi group. Sunni Muslim Muslims are said to make up 70% of the population in Albania, and most of them are not Bektashi, who are Shia, but Sunni. It's mildly curious to me that while some people argue Turkey shouldn't join the European Union because most of its population is Muslim, I have never heard the same argument applied to Kosovo or Albania. Perhaps it's because they are so small. Perhaps it's because, for many, the religion is only nominal. As I write this, in Albania's capital Tirana , I can hear the call to prayer but the approach to religion seems much more European than the more profound attachments one may find in other parts of the world.
Sergeant who sued family after slipping loses job appeal
Eichhorn went to the home of 1-year-old Joey Cosmillo Jan. 9, 2007. The boy had fallen into the backyard pool, and his mother had dragged him out and called 911. While watching rescuers work to revive the boy, Eichhorn slipped in a puddle caused by his rescue, fell and broke a kneecap.
Although the city or its insurer paid all her medical bills and she lost not a single day of pay, she sued the child's grandparents, who own the home where the accident happened, accusing them of negligence.
Mark Schlueb, Rene Stutzman and Amy L. Edwards of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. More articles Copyright © 2008, Orlando Sentinel .
Kleinhans out as AD in Odem
Odem went 6-4 last season, but a 2-4 finish in District 31-2A kept the Owls out of the playoffs for the second straight year. Increased pressure from the community forced Parker to make a decision. "He's been an excellent coach, but you know how it gets when you're not winning and the community starts complaining that a change is needed," Parker said. "I kind of held off, hoping some of the talk would die down, but it didn't. We figured it would be a good time to do it. It's not a real pleasant thing to do, especially when you like somebody, but sometimes the community speaks louder." Parker said Kleinhans is likely to be reassigned within the athletic department and will remain at the school until his contract expires at the end of the school year. Kleinhans plans to continue his duties for now, but not all of them.
Getting There: Car limits remain in place on Third
The increased car traffic causes a lot of bus delays and blocked intersections. "How come the law's not being enforced as much?" Answer: Seattle police spokeswoman Renee Witt said there indeed are restrictions on vehicles other than buses on Third Avenue during rush hour. Metro paid for extra traffic officers for Third Avenue when the restrictions went into place and the bus tunnel closed for light rail construction in 2005, Witt said. But when the bus tunnel reopened in September, allowing many buses back underground, Metro stopped paying for extra officers. However, the city kept the restrictions in place to allow buses to move more smoothly on streets. Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond said the money for extra officers had come from a fund specifically for the tunnel closure.
Reel Paddling Film Festival
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Katie Scarvey column: Happiness as a science?
In the decade of 1995 to 2005, the Danes came in at a buoyant 8.2 on a 10-point happiness scale. Tanzanians were the gloomiest, at 3.2. The U.S. came in at 7.4. Having lived in Italy, I was surprised to find that Americans are happier than Italians (6.9), but I think the Italian postal service pretty much explains that. Living in a cold, dark place doesn't necessarily correlate with unhappiness. Icelanders are happier than most of us, probably because of their strong social connections. A recent study suggests that people are happiest at the beginning and end of their lives and least happy in middle age. Women are unhappiest around 40; men at 50. Good news for me. In my mid-40s, I am climbing out of the Slough of Despond. Bad news for my husband who, if the research is true, is on his way to becoming Eeyore in few years.
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