“Police Car Fuel Snafu - Weblogs.baltimoresun.com” plus 4 more |
- Police Car Fuel Snafu - Weblogs.baltimoresun.com
- 9 Southeast storm deaths as floodwaters linger - The State
- Insurance changes expected to hit drivers in the wallet - Fond du Lac Reporter
- Falls man gets 4 years in shaken baby death - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Replace Your Vehicle's Belts, Hoses Regularly - The Auto Chanel
| Police Car Fuel Snafu - Weblogs.baltimoresun.com Posted: 22 Sep 2009 12:50 PM PDT Baltimore City general services department director Khalil Zaeid said Tuesday that preliminary lab results on fuel that fouled the engines of about 70 city police cars indicated "unusually high concentrations of ethanol" that may have contributed to the breakdowns. Mr. Zaeid said officials initially thought the tanks at the city fuel depot where the cars filled up over the weekend might have inadvertently been stocked with diesel instead of the unleaded gas city patrol cars use. But now it appears that ethanol is the culprit. That's probably good news for the city: Avi Amoyal, owner of auto repair business Roland Falls Service, says ethanol is likely to do less damage to the vehicles than diesel. Mechanics should be able to get the cars running again simply by draining the tanks and replacing the fuel filters. That still leaves the question of how this mix-up happened. Mr. Zaeid said it's likely the ethanol in the city's police cars came from a tanker truck that fueled the pumps at the city's gas depot at Falls Road and Gay Street. But he said it's still unclear whether the mixup occurred there or at the terminal where the truck picked up its load. The truck and driver were subcontractors of Norfolk, Va.-based IsoBunkers, a wholesale fuel supplier that holds the contract to supply fuel to the city and that also supplies heating oil to the U.S. military and federal civilian agencies, according to its website. In any case, Mr. Zaeid said the contractor is liable for the damage to city vehicles as well as for the cost of cleaning and refilling the tanks at the city gas depot. City lawyers have told him it's a relatively straighfoward case and that they don't expect IsoBunkers to fight paying up, he said. Meanwhile, city police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says the department is making do with other fleet vehicles until the prowl cars are fixed. The city uses about 5,000 gallons a day of unleaded and 3,000 gallons a day of diesel; that adds up to a yearly fuel bill of about $10 million. With that kind of money at stake, the contractor ought to be happy to pick up the tab for this kind of snafu -- and also fire whoever was responsible for letting it happen.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 9 Southeast storm deaths as floodwaters linger - The State Posted: 22 Sep 2009 01:26 PM PDT Washed-out roads and flooded freeways around metro Atlanta caused commuters headaches and hundreds of residents sought refuge in shelters. About 120 residents of a Tennessee retirement center were evacuated by boats and trucks and others were ferried from low-lying neighborhoods and motels in a Chattanooga suburb as two nearby creeks continued to rise. Georgia emergency officials said they were confident those in immediate danger had been evacuated, but were concerned about residents attempting to return to their homes too soon. "We had people who were out safely but decided they wanted to get back in danger," said Charley English, head of Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Gov. Sonny Perdue asked President Barack Obama to declare a state of emergency in Georgia and urged residents to stay away from flooded areas. Officials were beginning to assess the damage and did not provide a financial estimate. "I want to plead with you to give these waters time to recede," Perdue said. "Rescuers are putting their lives at risk to try to get someone out who foolishly drove through rushing waters." The skies were clear and even sunny in parts of Georgia on Tuesday. Most of the rain eased overnight, but some residents in some areas woke up to new flooding. In west Atlanta, resident Garrett Nail and several neighbors worked several hours to clear a tree that had blocked a road to their community. "It was troubling at first. There was no power. We knew people had to get to work, school, doctor's appointments," said Nail. "We were left with two options. Help ourselves or wait on the government. We obviously decided to help ourselves." State climatologist David Stooksbury said the ground was saturated and unable to absorb the large amounts of water. "It just takes time for that water to work through the system," he said. About 12,000 Georgia Power customers were without power. Scattered outages were also reported in North Carolina. Over 300 people were being helped at shelters across the Atlanta and north Georgia region, according to Red Cross officials. One of the largest shelters was at the Cobb County Civic Center, where Shirley Jones joined others sitting on green cots, chatting about the fate of their homes. Around them, children played games, oblivious to the destruction. "When I saw the water rising, it brought back bad memories," said Jones, who lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The 72-year-old had moved to the area two months ago. Jones said rescue efforts this time went much more smoothly. A boat retrieved her from a family member's house. Before being evacuated, Cordell Albert and her husband Christopher moved their valuables to the second floor of their Powder Springs home. The couple waded through knee-deep water before a raft picked them up. "I feel lost," she said. "I feel homeless." Seven people have died in Georgia since Sunday night, including a toddler swept away from his father's arms after a swollen creek ripped apart their trailer home. The eighth victim, a 22-year-old Alabama man, drowned when a pond's rain-soaked bank collapsed beneath him. In Chattanooga, Tenn., Sylvester Kitchens, 46, was still missing two days after betting onlookers he could swim across a flooded ditch next to his house. Several others who died were motorists whose cars were overtaken or trapped by fast-rising floodwaters. After several days of steady rain that dropped up to 20 inches in one place, forecasters said there was a chance of more light showers. Days of downpours and thunderstorms saturated the ground from Alabama through Georgia into eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, just months after an epic two-year drought in the region ended following winter rains. As Tuesday rush-hour began in Atlanta, Interstate 20 west of the city was closed in two spots by water spilling over the major artery for suburban commuters. Portions of at least two other freeways in the metro area were also closed, as was I-75 in Houston County in central Georgia. Hundreds of roads and bridges were under water or washed out, including 17 bridges on state and interstate highways.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Insurance changes expected to hit drivers in the wallet - Fond du Lac Reporter Posted: 22 Sep 2009 01:48 PM PDT (2 of 3) Were not going to fire people whove been with us for seven years because they have a few points on their license, she said. Agencies American Family Insurance expects that the new mandates will create an $8.2 million cost increase for policyholders throughout the state. But not every client will be impacted, said Brad Tagliapietra, an agent with American Family in Fond du Lac. He said 85 percent of his customers already carry the equivalent or more than the states latest requirements for minimum liability insurance limits $50,000 for one person, $100,000 for an accident and $15,000 for property damage. The current limits are $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for one accident and $10,000 for property. Those who are most likely to see a heftier bill are those who already pay higher rates, such as at-risk or youthful drivers. People who usually have lower limits are people with traffic records maybe they have one or two OWIs, Tagliapietra said. Higher limits stand to benefit consumers, said Mark Thomsen, president of the Wisconsin Association for Justice and attorney at Cannon & Dunphy in Brookfield. Limits havent changed since 1982, but health care and vehicle repair costs have climbed. If youre in an accident and you need Flight for Life, that helicopter alone will take almost the full $25,000, he said. Contention Stacking is causing the most frustration for insurance companies. Under the current system, drivers with insurance collect their coverage to pay for damages. But new mandates would allow people who own multiple cars to stack their coverage they could collect money for each vehicle, even those not involved in the accident, to cover expenses. Up to three autos could be stacked. For instance, instead of collecting $1 million, a client with two vehicles and $1 million in coverage on each could receive $2 million. More payments create an additional burden for insurance providers that theyll most certainly pass on to consumers, said Bill Hatch, an agent at Smith & Hatch, an Allstate agency in Fond du Lac.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Falls man gets 4 years in shaken baby death - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Posted: 22 Sep 2009 12:58 PM PDT Assembly passes shield, breastfeeding bills Big Top Chautauqua founder resigns Sartori Foods hires Schwager as new president Wellpoint would provide universal coverage if certain conditions met Wisconsin man accused of stalking Jewel Kindergarten bill goes to governor Grandmother killed in crash is identified Falls man gets 4 years in shaken baby death Meeting on DNA databank is overdue, official says Shorewood to go forward with donated sculpture Northbound I-43 in Sheboygan County reopens after emergency fix Council approves contract with no-layoffs guarantee Fighter jets from the115th deploy to Iraq Census says: more bikes on the road in Milwaukee Cultural Alliance gets $146,250 economic development grant Milwaukee to get more Frontier Airlines flights A.N. Ansay insurance agency merges with Vincent Group Two thirds of state's corn, soybeans in good or excellent condition Kohls deemed greenest retailer in the U.S. New park for Milwaukee's east side Waukesha narrows police chief search Midwest resumes seasonal flights to Fort Lauderdale 2 charged with pot-growing in Franklin Cranberries, '90s hit-makers, to bring reunion tour to Riverside Group seeks to defend domestic partner law Bill would let visiting NFL teams sail through red lights Milwaukee repair shop becomes victim of hard times Sheboygan passes on stimulus money for buses 30-point buck taken by bow near Fond du Lac Firstwatch: Beach cleanup, the flu and video games Boy dies at cross country practice County to study Huber Jail condition, programs City runs out of free flu shots at kickoff event at UWM Journal Sentinel signs deal to print suburban Chicago newspapers Unilever Foodsolutions to close Milwaukee plant, cut 38 jobs Invasive mussels found in Isle Royale waters 9% of state residents lack health insurance New city contract will cut into budget gap Suspect won't challenge charge in fatal stabbing Homicide charge filed in crash that killed motorcyclist in Cedarburg Kalmbach Publishing Co. adds Cabin Life magazine Shorewood resident says procedures weren't followed on public art College Ave. stretch closes for airport safety upgrade Suspect in Neenah hit-and-run commits suicide Kessler complaint should be dropped, referee says Former municipal judge wants his legal fees reimbursed  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Replace Your Vehicle's Belts, Hoses Regularly - The Auto Chanel Posted: 22 Sep 2009 02:02 PM PDT BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 22, 2009; Losing a belt today can mean big trouble for the engine because serpentine belts are used on most engines to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air-conditioning compressor. If a belt snaps, everything is lost and you may be stranded. Older cars use individual V-belts for these various accessories. A blown hose could result in an overheated engine and can cause additional engine damage. "It's not easy to know the true condition of a belt hose by its outward appearance, because most belts and hoses fail from the inside out," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "The Car Care Council urges replacing belts, radiator and heater hoses at specific recommended intervals to prevent your car from breaking down." Rubber hoses can become hard and brittle, deteriorating with age and exposure to heat, causing the hose to split, blister or leak. Belts also break down with heat, mileage and age. Every time a belt passes around a pulley, it bends. Flexing produces heat that causes the rubber to harden over time. In addition, if the belt is loose or slips, the wear process can be accelerated. Typical Service for Belts and Hoses: -- Hoses should be checked at each oil change for age hardening (or softening) by pinching. Any hose that feels rock hard or mushy is due for replacement. Leaking, visible cracks, blistering or any other visible damage on the outside of the hose would also indicate a need for replacement. -- The clamps should be replaced when new hoses are installed. -- V-belts should be replaced every three to four years or 40,000 to 50,000 miles. -- V-belts and serpentine belts should be checked for looseness. -- Replace the timing belt between 60,000 and 90,000 miles or based on the interval specified in the owner's manual. According to a recent survey, nearly one-third of all cars and light trucks have belts or hoses that should probably be replaced. Proper maintenance of your vehicle's belts and hoses is an easy way to protect your car's reliability and prevent more costly repairs down the line. About the Car Care Council: The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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