The Good
You know “Going Green” has caught on when the military implements it. The Navy recently unveiled its first Hybrid warship — the WASP-class Makin Island. The warship can carry transport, anti-submarine helicopters and VOTL bombers. The hybrid gas/electric engine allows the USS Makin Island to get underway quicker and travel further distances without refueling, which saves money. The warship is the first of its kind with a gas turbine-electric hybrid propulsion system, which saved $2.2 million in fuel on its maiden voyage. No word yet on Birkenstocks replacing combat boots.
A recent report released by Iowa’s Tourism Office stated that Greater Des Moines hosted more than 2.9 million visitors who spent more than $1.6 billion between Polk and Dallas counties in 2008. Polk and Dallas counties also combined for a growth rate of 2 percent in travel expenditures from 2007. Polk County’s was approximately $1.5 billion in 2008, while Dallas County recorded $130 million. We will take it.
The Bad
Randy Thompson evidently doesn’t understand the law. The Pleasant Hill resident is in legal trouble for having signs illegally posted in public right of ways and not complying with city officials with their requests to stop. Thompson, 53, is behind the “I Fix Faded Headlights” signs that can be seen throughout town. Thompson claims numerous real estate signs along roadways also violate the policy and that he is being singled out. Thompson has been charged with six civil infractions over the signs and could be fined up to $750 for the first offense and as much as $1,000 for each additional violation. This all leads us to the question, who actually gets faded headlights fixed?
H1N1 is taking its toll. According to a new government survey by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 U.S. children have experienced flu-like symptoms this month. The virus is causing more illness now than at any time since it was first identified in April, and CDC officials estimate that millions of Americans have been infected. Citizens should stock up on over-the-counter flu fighters, because pregnant women, small children and hospital workers are first in line for a vaccination. Flu happens.
The Ugly
Last week, a horrifying attack took place in the Drake University area — a couple was in bed shortly after 10:30 p.m. when four black males, all wearing dark clothes and masks, entered their apartment. The male victim was ordered to take off his pants, and the woman was ordered to undress. They were pushed to the floor and pistol-whipped multiple times. According to the police report, the female stated that she was sexually assaulted several times. The suspects ransacked the apartment, looking for money and drugs. When they found nothing, the suspects reportedly fled the scene in a white 1980s Oldsmobile. The victims ran for help and found an officer on patrol in the area. Officers were unable to locate the suspects.
Academic elitists at Harvard University Medical School are dying for a good cup of coffee. Police are working to determine how six scientists and students fell ill in August after consuming a potentially lethal chemical in their morning java. All had used a single-serve coffee machine and later reported dizziness and low blood pressure. Testing concluded that the presence of sodium azide, a common preservative, was in the coffee. The chemical is an odorless white solid. Since the incident, officials have installed new video cameras in laboratories during both normal business hours and off hours. So much for “good to the last drop.” CV
