| Volcanic gas crimps Crater Rim Drive
HILO » Dangerously high levels of sulfur dioxide gas in a small but popular area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have officials warning visitors to stay in their cars with their air conditioner on re-circulation and to just drive through that area. The main area affected is a 5-mile stretch of Crater Rim Drive on the downwind, south side of Kilauea caldera. That means no stopping at a popular parking area at the beginning of a short path to Halemaumau Crater overlook. "Area closed due to dangerous volcanic gas. Stay in your car!" yellow-and-black warning signs say. The greatest danger is to babies and children, pregnant women and people with asthma or heart conditions, said spokeswoman Mardie Lane. FULL STORY » .
Gas-saving tips ::
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. According to www.gasbuddy.com, a single tire under-inflated by 2 PSI increases fuel consumption by 1percent. Get regular oil changes and fluid checks, and make sure you've got clear air and fuel filters. Dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels can contribute to poor fuel economy. Use the air conditioner conservatively, using the "economy" or "recirculation" setting, which reduces the amount of hot outside air that must be chilled. Don't drive over the speed limit, and do use cruise control to maintain a constant speed. Driving 62 mph versus 75 mph will reduce fuel consumption by about 15 percent. Don't drive with a lead foot: accelerating or braking hard uses a lot more gas. Slow, steady driving can increase your fuel economy by as much as 20 percent.
Officer Barely Dodges Pole through Car Window Tragedy
A chase ended with a pole smashed right through the windshield of a Edgewood ISD patrol car. The school district police officer was after two men who stole an air-conditioning unit. The Edgwood ISD officer saw the two people stealing the air conditioner. She chased after them into the street, where the two men separated and one ran right in front of her police car. She then swerved to avoid the suspect and instead smashed into a chain link fence. A post from the fence crashed through the windshield. Luckily no one was in the passenger seat of the patrol car, because the fence post went completely through the windshield and into the passenger seat of the police car. The two thieves got away with the air conditioning unit they stole from the abandoned Edgewood Elementary School.
Resident reports bullets hit house on Levin Street in Alexandria
Alexandria police were slated to collect bullets from an air conditioner at a Levin Street residence today where the bullets reportedly lodged during a shooting incident Monday. The Levin Street resident called police about 7 p.m. Monday to report someone had shot at her house. .
Ross Garnaut says greenhouse gas targets to tackle climate change are ...
THE V8, bar fridge and dodgy air-conditioner could be things of the past as the man commissioned to review climate change policy urges MASSIVE cuts. Professor Ross Garnaut released his interim report from the Garnaut Climate Change Review in Adelaide today and warns Australia could "possibly be the biggest loser among developed nations". The report also states that Australia’s interest in strong global action stems from its "exceptional sensitivity to climate change", and its "exceptional opportunity to do well in a world of effective global mitigation". "We have many resources and skills that will allow us to convert strong global action into an economic opportunity," Professor Garnaut said. "We have a first-rate skills base in areas related to innovation, management and financial services.
Copper thefts continue in Valley
On the rooftop of a strip mall near Hollenbeck Street and the 10 Freeway, burglars stripped six air conditioners of their copper coils in recent weeks. Then they returned to pull apart three more air conditioning units. Although the thieves may have made about $900 for two nights' work, businesses like World Gym, Dental Fun Zone and several others were left sweltering - and facing an estimated $100,000 in damage, said one expert called in by the West Covina police. "We have a rash of copper thefts - and not just in our city," said Cpl. Rudy Lopez. Thefts of copper, aluminum and other metals have increased in recent years as the materials' value has soared, but their worth to the burglars is still far less than the damage done to the victims, authorities said. The nighttime game lights are dead at Little League fields in Montclair and Hacienda Heights because of copper stolen in the past two weeks.
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