Uncategorized

Hiker missing from US state of Utah wilderness found in Australia

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

A man missing from a camping ground in southern Utah in the Western US since July 30 was found in Australia. His automobile was found in a campground of Dixie National Forest with a note that he would be back in a few hours. An extensive search and rescue operation was conducted to try to locate this hiker by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Utah.

Investigators in the Sheriff’s Office were able to track him down to Cairns, Queensland. Apparently before he was “missing”, he bought a one-way ticket to Australia. Bryan Butas, the missing hiker, apparently had been under a great deal of stress and “got sick of it all”, according to a telephone interview by the Associated Press.

Butas has been charged with insurance fraud, a second-degree felony, by Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap. This was because Butas plotted to obtain a $250,000 life insurance policy before faking his own disappearance. He has also been given a bill for $20,000 by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their search and rescue operations on his behalf.

His wife and children have since his disappearance moved to the wife’s parent’s home in Ohio. Butas’s parents came to Southern Utah to help in the search and were “embarrassed and shocked” to learn their son had merely run away from marital and financial difficulties, Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith said.

Washington County Sheriff Sgt. Jake Adams said his investigation included tracing an application Butas made for a passport, his purchase of a one-way airline ticket to Australia, and the life insurance policy that names his wife and children as beneficiaries. On August 18, Adams said Butas’s mother called him to say her son had called home the evening of August 11, several days after the search was officially called off for the missing man. Butas asked his mother for money and an airline ticket home, which she sent.

Butas has since been checked into the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Brecksville, Ohio, according to Adams, but will shortly return to Utah.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Hiker_missing_from_US_state_of_Utah_wilderness_found_in_Australia&oldid=3130263”
Tax Specialist

Tax Havens For Rv Owners

Tax Havens for RV Owners

by

Bill Weston

When it comes to determining the most RV friendly states, the typical criteria includes weather, attractions and accommodation for maintenance. Each individual RV traveler may have some additional criteria, but generally, these are the big concerns. However, a state can be friendly to RV owners without those owners ever having to set foot, or in this case put wheel to gravel, in them. How can this be? Well some states have designed tax policies that should appeal to the full time travelers. There are a lot of benefits of being a full time traveler. The open road is your address. However, the United States government does not recognize the open road as a street address. Now, having the government not know where you are certainly has its benefits. But when it comes to your taxes, not having a listed place of residency starts to be a little tricky. When you’re using your golden years to tour America’s interstate system, you may be free of your 9-5 schedule, but you’re still not free of Uncle Sam. Thankfully, as a full time traveler, you can list any state as your place of permanent residence. So what states are the most advantageous for RV travelers looking to catch a break during tax season?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QIvERcsnd8[/youtube]

It’s not as hard to figure this out as it sounds. There are only nine states in the union that don’t have an income tax. You’ve just eliminated 82% of the field right there! Those nine states are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. We can even eliminate a couple more on top of this. New Hampshire and Tennessee don’t have an income tax, but both states do tax interest income and dividends. Without breaking a sweat, the list has been whittled down to seven options. Alaska, like the other states, does meet the initial criteria of tax havens for the full time RV traveler, but apart from the issue of taxes, Alaska has one big problem: It’s Alaska! RV travelers, just like anyone else, is going to have to go through the process of renewing drivers licenses and vehicle registrations. Whatever state you list as your place of residency on your taxes is a state you are going to have to at least visit, probably annually. Alaska, although a beautiful state, is a little too far removed from the contiguous states to make such a trek plausible. So that minimizes the list to six potential states. The next natural step would be to look at the respective sales tax rates for these states, but unfortunately this measure comes to be of no use, due to the fact that the rates in each state are fairly similar. Most people not in the know would probably say that RV travelers are exempt from property taxes, and they are not necessarily wrong, but that’s just for houses. A personal property tax will affect the RV and possessions within it. Florida and Washington each have such a tax, so it’s best to take them off the list of candidates. All of a sudden, we’re left with a final four of Nevada, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. We didn’t even need an NCAA bracket to come up with that final four. Statistics suggest, that most full time travelers list South Dakota and Texas, but Nevada and Wyoming are states that will prove to be tax friendly as well. Texas provides other benefits for RV travelers, including the fact that it Texas absentee voting laws are some of the most lenient in the country. But these are the four states that accommodate RV owners the most on tax issues. You will never be able to fully shake Uncle Sam on the open road, but you don’t have to invite him in to your vehicle. He can hang onto the tailpipe. If you’re interested in camping

or

outdoors

check these out.

Bill Weston is a freelance writer for

LakeShore RV

.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

Uncategorized

Sesame Street to promote healthy lifestyles

Monday, April 11, 2005

PBS has recently decided it was time their Cookie Monster was sent on a diet. Sesame Street’s cookie-loving Muppet icon developed a sudden interest in vegetables, as part of PBS’s drive to instill a healthy lifestyle in children.

The blue furry monster’s makeover comes as part of a larger plan, introducing additional characters as well. Intended new cast members include talking eggplants and carrots, among others.

According to the Sesame Street Muppet Bios, “This season, Cookie Monster learns a lot about health and nutrition. Hoots the Owl explains in a song that ‘A Cookie is a Sometimes Food,’ and he joins Wyclef Jean in a rap song, ‘Healthy Food’.”

Every other day, health will be the focus of the shows. In addition, every other day there will be segments dealing with health/nutrition. There will be a “Health Moment” at the top of every show featuring special guests, celebrities and Sesame Street characters.

The producers of the show insist that they are not asking small children to go on a diet.

“We would never use the word ‘diet’ with pre-schoolers,” a spokeswoman told The New Zealand Herald.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Sesame_Street_to_promote_healthy_lifestyles&oldid=4564350”
Uncategorized

Japan’s January exports fall by 46% from last year

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

According to official figures, Japan’s exports dropped by 46% in January compared to a year ago, the lowest statistics ever to be recorded.

Japan’s exports to the United States plunged by almost 53% in January, with car shipments down by 81%. Exports to the European Union fell by 47%.

The Finance Ministry stated that the trade deficit was 952.6 billion yen (US$9.9 billion), the largest deficit ever recorded. The country’s trade deficit with China increased by 61% to 562.7 billion yen (US$5.86 billion).

“Japan is particularly vulnerable to this downturn because trade is so central to the economy,” said Pascal Lamy, head of the World Trade Organization in a statement during a press conference today.

The demand for Japanese automobiles was hit particularly hard, plunging by 69%. Demand for electronic goods also dropped substantially.

Last week, the government announced that the country’s economy had shrunk at an annualised rate of 12.7% in the last quarter of last year, the fastest contraction in nearly 35 years.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Japan%27s_January_exports_fall_by_46%25_from_last_year&oldid=780692”
Cosmetic Surgery

You May Able To Learn Something New At One Of The Hair Schools In Salina

byAlma Abell

The ever changing hair styles can make it difficult for a hair stylist to be able to keep up with the latest trend, but you can take classes at one of the Hair Schools in Salina to be able to keep up with the changes. There are classes to allow you to learn the new cutting techniques, new methods of dying, and any new tools that are on the market. It can be a great way for you to better your skills so that you can expand your clientele easily.

When you go to sign up to take classes at the hair school, you want to be sure that you take the time to find out about all of the classes that are available. There are often classes offered at different times of the day and you want to be sure that you only sign up for classes that you will be able to attend. You may also want to choose to only take one class at a time. This will allow you to be sure that you are not taking on too much at one time. You can choose to work at the same time to ensure that you do not go into debt while trying to better your skill set. Juggling work and school may not be easy at first, but it is worth the effort. The more skills you have, the more clients you will be able to help.

When you take the classes, it is important to pay attention to what you are taught. There are some stylists who assume that they know everything there is to know about styling hair and do not take the time to consider that there may be different approaches or developments that have been discovered. Taking the time to pay attention in class may help you learn a new way to do something, which could make your job easier in the end. Being able to accomplish the same task with less effort can give you the ability to be able to please more of your clients in less time. You can find all of the information you need at www.haysacademy.com.

Uncategorized

Australian Police alerted to child-sex claims at St Stanislaus in 1997

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Following the escalation of investigations into St Stanislaus College in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, Wikinews has obtained a police statement from an alleged victim made in 1997 against priest Brian Joseph Spillane. Spillane is facing 33 charges relating to the allegations.

It had been believed that Bathurst detectives set up Strike Force Header after receiving a complaint from a former St Stanislaus student last year. The complainant came to the police’s attention after he came to Bathurst handing out fliers documenting alleged abuses at the school and providing a link to a website he had set up. St Stanislaus College contacted police and asked them to investigate. Police contacted the alleged victim and asked him if he would like to make a complaint.

In the statement obtained by Wikinews, the same man complained to detectives at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia about abuse by Spillane at St Stanislaus. In the graphic statement, he describes abuse which began following a poker game with the priest at the centre of the allegations. The statement describes further abuses spanning several months.

Bathurst Police refused to comment when contacted about the statement today.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Australian_Police_alerted_to_child-sex_claims_at_St_Stanislaus_in_1997&oldid=1838577”
Uncategorized

Gallery seeks Control themed mail art for exhibit

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Canadian community art group Visual Arts Brampton is looking for entries for its international entry mail art exhibit “Control”.

The exhibit’s entry information discusses the theme of the show: “Are you a control-freak, or more happy-go-lucky? What do you think of corporations’ control on the media and governments? Is your life quickly spinning out of control? Always hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del?”

The exhibition dates have yet to be scheduled, but the show will run in early 2006 at either the Fridge Front Gallery or upcoming World Art Gallery in Shoppers World Brampton, a mall in suburban Toronto.

While it prefers 4 x 6 inch artworks, VAB asks that entries are no larger than 6 x 6 inches. VAB’s address is “Snail Mail Central / 1 Bartley Bull Parkway, Suite 10 / Brampton ON / L6W 3T7”. Entries must be received by January 31, 2006.

This show will help Visual Arts Brampton to continue to build up a reputation in the mail art world. The non-profit community art group is in the process of opening up the World Art Gallery, which will be the first permanent display space to solely exhibit mail art. Over the past few years, the club has organized three general no theme exhibits, and “SAT: An Exhibit of Chairs”, which is running currently.

This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.
This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.
Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Gallery_seeks_Control_themed_mail_art_for_exhibit&oldid=1857666”
Property Development

Buying Investment Property With No Credit Check

By JM Anderson

Low down payments, no credit check and guaranteed approval. This is the convenience for many investment property buyers who choose to shop online. With the internet being responsible for dramatically changing the way people do business, it is also responsible for revolutionizing the way people shop for investment property.

A conventional loan for investment property would entail an application, credit review and complete disclosure of the applicants financial situation. However, an increasing number of real estate developers, owners and brokers are offering investment property with the convenience of owner financing. A low down payment, which is followed by regular monthly payments, may result in a prime piece of investment property. Most commonly used for purchases of land, owner financing is extremely popular for investors, first-time home builders with no credit or even individuals who have past credit problems and would not otherwise qualify for a conventional loan.

With very low down payments, which are often lower than $1,000.00, many investment property sellers provide competitive interest rates and low monthly payments with absolutely no qualifying, credit check or income verification. As long as consumers continue to make their minimum required monthly payment, they will be approved.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ylxIZQqQno[/youtube]

No matter when, where or how investment property is purchased, the buyer must perform due diligence prior to signing on the dotted line. The buyer will want to make sure that he/she will receive a warranty deed on any investment property, which means it will be free and clear of any liens, and that the current owner has the full right to sell the property. In addition, it may be a good idea for the potential buyer to contact the local tax office and inquire about the most recent assessment of the investment property. This will give the buyer a good idea as to whether or not he/she is getting a bargain. If the investment property is located in another state, the buyer should request photos and even consider hiring a video professional to make a recording of the immediate area and the land for visual purposes.

When agreeing to purchase investment property with owner financing, a signed contract is a must. This is simply a contract that is drawn and signed by both parties, which will indicate the down payment required, full purchase price, monthly payments, number of payments required until payoff, a listing of pre-payment penalties (if applicable), the location of the investment property and the size and details of the same.

A valid investment property contract will confirm that the seller agrees to finance the property at a certain amount of interest and will sell the described property after a predetermined number of payments. In return, the buyer agrees to pay a certain amount each month on a specified day each month. The contract should outline the exact location, street address, size of the lot and parcel number. In addition, it must include terms regarding late or missed payments, late fees and cancellation options (if any). The contract must be signed and dated by both parties in order for it to be valid.

About the Author: For more information about investment property, click the link to visit our website at www.investmentpropertyguide.info . We have some great free articles and resources about investment property.

Source: isnare.com

Permanent Link: isnare.com/?aid=60508&ca=Finances

Uncategorized

Researchers find preserving spotted owl habitat may not require a tradeoff with wildfire risk after all

Sunday, October 8, 2017

In a study scheduled for publication in the December 1 issue of Forest Ecology and Management, scientists from the University of California, Davis; USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station; and University of Washington have found a way to resolve the conflict that has sprung up between protecting forests from increasingly frequent wildfires and droughts and preserving sufficient habitat for the endangered spotted owl, Strix occidentalis. The study was performed in two national parks in California, United States.

For the past twenty-five years, spotted owl habitat preservation has focused on keeping 70% or more of the total ground area covered by natural tree canopy, a tree density that leaves forests prone to wildfires and trees more likely to die during droughts. Both wildfires and droughts have become more frequent in the years since the program began.

However, the previous studies upon which the 70% figure was based only measured overall canopy coverage. In this work, researchers used aerial LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) imaging technology to scan areas within Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park in California. The regions were analyzed by distribution of foliage, tree height, and the sizes of the spaces between trees and stands. These data were then cross-referenced with decades of field studies showing the locations of hundreds of owl nests. They found that spotted owls clustered in areas with very tall trees and stands almost exclusively, over 150 feet (48 m), avoiding areas that only had moderate or low canopy, regardless of how dense or wide.

“This could fundamentally resolve the management problem because it would allow for reducing small tree density, through fire and thinning,” said lead author Malcolm North, of UC Davis and the USDA Pacific Southwest Research Station. “We’ve been losing the large trees, particularly in these extreme wildfire and high drought-mortality events. This is a way to protect more large tree habitat, which is what the owls want, in a way that makes the forest more resilient to these increasing stressors that are becoming more intense with climate change.”

The spotted owl gained national prominence in the United States during the 1990s, when environmentalists’ efforts to preserve its habitat resulted in federal measures forbidding logging on large swaths of land, as well as federal limits on the sales of harvested wood. There was a 1995 U.S. Supreme Court case which was preceded by lawsuits on the part of timber companies and by years of large protests by timber workers and their communities who feared job losses. For a time, it seemed that the spotted owl was also threatened by competition from the faster-breeding barred owl, which had moved west into its territory.

This is not the only major study of spotted owls to reach the public eye this week. On Thursday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the California Spotted Owl Conservation Objectives Report, which analyzes the past several decades of research on the California spotted owl and provides recommendations for ecologically and economically viable conservation.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Researchers_find_preserving_spotted_owl_habitat_may_not_require_a_tradeoff_with_wildfire_risk_after_all&oldid=4356885”
Digital Marketing

Media Strategy Company: Why Video Matters Today

byphineasgray

Today’s business owners are looking for new ways to compete in a growing online marketplace. Even if your customer base is very local, you still need to reach your audience through online media, including through social media. One of the best ways to do this is through video. When you hire a video marketing agency, they will help your business to get in front of people in a meaningful and effective manner. Hiring a YouTube advertising agency is something you can do right away and see results almost immediately.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DNO-2CWPc4[/youtube]

Consider the Value of Video

Video and other forms of digital marketing are growing in importance for today’s customer base. As you scroll through Facebook, for example, what is most likely to grab your attention? The individual with a statement, a meme or perhaps a video with an interesting title and graphic? People stop for video. That is why so much of what we do at Connectivity Strategy is to help you develop new ways to engage with your customers through the use of video.

Why Video Works

Video stops people from moving through social media to learn about what you have to offer. It is far more engaging than other forms of media. It is also more likely to be shared on platforms. With the right media strategy services, you can attract more people and get better results from them.With traditional, experiential and digital platforms available, our team works closely with you to customize a marketing solution to reach your clients more effectively. This includes our video marketing agency. Use our advertising agency to get your audience’s attention and create the possibility of investment.