Daily Archives: November 21, 2012

Leahy scuttles his warrantless e-mail surveillance bill

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Sen. Patrick Leahy has abandoned his controversial proposal that would grant government agencies more surveillance power — including warrantless access to Americans’ e-mail accounts — than they possess under current law.

The Vermont Democrat said today on Twitter that he would “not support such an exception” for warrantless access. The remarks came a few hours after a CNET article was published this morning that disclosed the existence of the measure.

A vote on the proposal in the Senate Judiciary committee, which Leahy chairs, is scheduled for next Thursday. The amendments were due to be glued onto a substitute (PDF) to H.R. 2471, which the House of Representatives already has approved.

Leahy’s about-face comes in response to a deluge of criticism today, including the American Civil Liberties Union saying that warrants should be required, and the conservative group FreedomWorks launching a petition to Congress — with more than 2,300 messages sent so far — titled: “Tell Congress: Stay Out of My Email!”

Read more at CNET

County Public Health Confirms Five Flu Cases

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FLAGSTAFF —– The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) has confirmed five cases of influenza in the County this month.

The cases originated in the Flagstaff area and are the first of the 2012/2013 flu season. Those who contracted the illness ranged in age from infant to 30s.

The confirmed cases mark the beginning of the flu season in the County, as influenza activity within Arizona continues to increase with 20 cases reported statewide (including the County’s five cases).

“We have been anticipating our first flu cases in Coconino County,” said CCPHSD Interim Chief Health Officer Kimbal Babcock. “Since flu activity typically does not reach its peak until late January or February, and influenza activity can occur as late as May, this is still a good time to get a flu shot.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone older than 6 months old receive a yearly flu vaccination to protect themselves against flu viruses. A flu shot at a CCPHSD Clinic costs $25 for adults and $15 for children 18 years and younger.

As a courtesy, the CCPHSD will bill your insurance company, but those seeking a shot should check with their insurance provider to determine whether they are covered. No one will be denied service due to inability to pay.

In addition to getting a flu shot, practicing good habits will help people maintain proper health. These simple actions can stop the spread of germs and help protect you and others from getting sick:

• Wash your hands frequently during the flu season.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands afterwards. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
• Stay home when you are sick.

Coconino Co. Supervisor Metzger chosen as County Supervisors Association Second Vice President

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PHOENIX —– Coconino County Supervisor Mandy Metzger was elected by colleagues to serve as the second vice president of the County Supervisors Association of Arizona (CSA), a non-partisan research and advocacy organization representing the state’s 61 county supervisors.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Supervisor Metzger said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my fellow supervisors in this important organization and look forward to working on behalf of counties throughout the state as the Legislature begins its new session in January.”

Metzger was chosen for the post during CSA’s November meeting. She will serve on the organization’s executive board with CSA President and Yuma County Supervisor Lenore Stuart; President-elect and Greenlee County Supervisor Richard Lunt; First Vice President and Pinal County Supervisor David Snider; Third Vice President and Gila County Supervisor Tommie Cline Martin; and Immediate Past President and Maricopa County Supervisor Max Wilson.

“Supervisor Metzger is a dedicated public servant whose experience and commitment to local government make her an exceptional representative of Arizona counties,” declared outgoing CSA President Max Wilson. “Her selection as Second Vice President reflects the trust and confidence that her fellow supervisors have in her.”

As CSA’s second vice president, Supervisor Metzger will serve on the organization’s executive board, helping to develop plans and implement strategies for strengthening Arizona counties in state policymaking.

For more than 30 years CSA has served as a forum for county leaders to address important issues facing our communities and develop a proactive state and federal policy agenda. The organization is led by an executive board comprised of supervisors elected by their peers and is staffed by a team of professional policy analysts.

Supervisor Metzger has been a CSA member since 2008.

Williams Senior Center holiday dinner

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WILLIAMS—The annual holiday dinner at the Williams Senior Center—850 W. Grant Avenue—will be held at 12 p.m. on December 7th. The event is sponsored by the Coconino County NACOG and the City of Williams.

In order to attend, you must RSVP Max Bishop at 928-679-7485 by Tuesday, November 27th.

Families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman enraged by Discovery documentary; O.J. Simpson ‘loves it’

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We’re also told that Simpson, currently serving out a nine to 33 year sentence in Nevada State Prison for with multiple felony counts including kidnapping, assault, robbery, and using a deadly weapon, was sent a preview screener of “My Brother the Serial Killer” about a month ago, but was prohibited from watching it.

LOS ANGELES – The Investigation Discovery documentary “My Brother the Serial Killer,” which examines claims that serial killer Glen Rogers, not O.J. Simpson, brutally stabbed to death Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, has infuriated the families of the the deceased.

“The overwhelming evidence at the criminal trial proved that one and only person murdered Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. That person is O.J. Simpson and not Glen Rogers. The fact that O.J. Simpson was acquitted was a stain on the American criminal justice system. That stain will blemish our court system for a thousand years,” an attorney for the Goldman family told FOX411. “The Discovery Channel can pack a hundred thousand screaming Glen Rogers’s in the Los Angeles Coliseum. They can confess in unison from here until the cow comes home. But nothing, and I mean nothing, would absolve O.J. from the unrequited crimes that he committed when he took the lives these two people.”

In a statement, Ron’s sister Kim Goldman said she was “appalled at the level of irresponsibility demonstrated by the network and the producers of this so-called documentary,” and that they were never notified that the main character had confessed to her brother’s death.

Read more at Fox News

Mail Deadline for Packages and Cards for the holidays.

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According to the USPS calendar, November 13 was the last day to ship Parcel Post packages to military addresses to ensure Christmas arrival. The 3rd of December is the last day to send Priority Mail International in time for Christmas. The 11th is the last day to send Express Mail International for Christmas arrival. On the 15th you can ship Parcel Post to U.S. addresses in time for Christmas. On the 17th you can squeeze in letters to military in time for Christmas arrival.

The 19th to the 22nd are the busy days. The last day for most international shipping is the 19th. The 20th is the last day for first-class mail to ensure Christmas arrival. On the 21st you can send Priority Mail and the 22nd is the last day for most Express Mail to arrive on Christmas.

Hanukkah begins on sundown December 8th and last until December 16th.

If you miss those dates or desire to send additional greetings, you can do so with paid or free “e-cards” through the Internet. The following links are for e-card services on the Internet. They have cards for virtually—pardon the pun—every other occasions. Some of the free services may get paid by including advertising in the e-card. All are animated cards and some contain fun games.
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