Does Your Kid Have a Cold or Enterovirus D68? Here Are Two Ways You Can Tell the Difference

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It starts as a case of the sniffles but can end up putting a child in the hospital–or worse. Enterovirus D68 is sweeping through the country, causing, so far, 691 confirmed cases and at least one death. The bug also has been present in at least four other children who died from other illnesses.

Although this virus has been known since 1987, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the strain this year has been particularly brutal:

From mid-August to October 6, 2014, CDC or state public health laboratories have confirmed a total of 594 people in 43 states and the District of Columbia with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68.

Read more at IJ Review

Happy Birthday to the United States Navy

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The Chief of Naval Operations has stated that the Navy Birthday is one of the two Navy-wide dates to be celebrated annually. This page provides historical information on the birth and early years of the Navy, including bibliographies, lists of the ships, and information on the first officers of the Continental Navy, as well as texts of original documents relating to Congress and the Continental Navy, 1775-1783.

The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October 1775, by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work. All together, the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course of the war, with approximately twenty warships active at its maximum strength.

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The Birth of the Navy of the United States

On Friday, October 13, 1775, meeting in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress voted to fit out two sailing vessels, armed with ten carriage guns, as well as swivel guns, and manned by crews of eighty, and to send them out on a cruise of three months to intercept transports carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America. This was the original legislation out of which the Continental Navy grew and as such constitutes the birth certificate of the navy.

To understand the momentous significance of the decision to send two armed vessels to sea under the authority of the Continental Congress, we need to review the strategic situation in which it was made and to consider the political struggle that lay behind it.

Americans first took up arms in the spring of 1775, not to sever their relationship with the king, but to defend their rights within the British Empire. By the autumn of 1775, the British North American colonies from Maine to Georgia were in open rebellion. Royal governments had been thrust out of many colonial capitals and revolutionary governments put in their places. The Continental Congress had assumed some of the responsibilities of a central government for the colonies, created a Continental Army, issued paper money for the support of the troops, and formed a committee to negotiate with foreign countries. Continental forces captured Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain and launched an invasion of Canada.

In October 1775 the British held superiority at sea, from which they threatened to stop up the colonies’ trade and to wreak destruction on seaside settlements. In response, a few of the states had commissioned small fleets of their own for defense of local waters. Congress had not yet authorized privateering. Some in Congress worried about pushing the armed struggle too far, hoping that reconciliation with the mother country was still possible.

Yet, a small coterie of men in Congress had been advocating a Continental Navy from the outset of armed hostilities. Foremost among these men was John Adams, of Massachusetts. For months, he and a few others had been agitating in Congress for the establishment of an American fleet. They argued that a fleet would defend the seacoast towns, protect vital trade, retaliate against British raiders, and make it possible to seek out among neutral nations of the world the arms and stores that would make resistance possible.

Still, the establishment of a navy seemed too bold a move for some of the timid men in Congress.

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USS Yorktown (Ret.) in October 1987.

USS Yorktown (Ret.) in October 1987.

$6,000 reward for shooters of DPS officer

From Phoenix police Facebook Page:

DO NOT LEAVE ANY TIPS ON FACEBOOK.

UP TO $6,000 REWARD!!! Phoenix Police and Silent Witness are looking for the DPS Officer shooting suspect RAMON BUENO and investigative leads, Danny Vargas and Vanessa Martinez.

If you have any information regarding this case you may contact
Silent Witness at W-I-T-N-E-S-S, that’s 480-948-6377, or toll free
at 1-800-343-TIPS. You can also leave an anonymous tip on the silent witness website at silentwitness.org.
phoenix-suspects

SOUTHCOM Commander keeps eye on Ebola situation

Gen. John F. KellyMarine General John F. Kelly, Commander of U.S. Southern Command, gave a warning to the National Defense University on Wednesday that the spread of Ebola to Central and South America could cause a mass exodus to the United States from fear. Some with the Ebola disease could illegally enter the United States for treatment.

According to DoD News,

“By the end of the year, there’s supposed to be 1.4 million people infected with Ebola and 62 percent of them dying, according to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention],” Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly said. “That’s horrific. And there is no way we can keep Ebola [contained] in West Africa.”

The General said if the disease gets to countries like Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador, it will cause a panic and people will flee the region.

“If it breaks out, it’s literally, ‘Katie bar the door,’ and there will be mass migration into the United States,” Kelly said. “They will run away from Ebola, or if they suspect they are infected, they will try to get to the United States for treatment.”

He also noted that transnational criminal networks could smuggle those carrying Ebola to the U.S. southern border. This was the reported situation with M-13 gang members and children with diseases being smuggled by the Mexican drug cartel into the US with Mexican government knowledge several months ago.

Kelly spoke of visiting the border of Costa Rica and Nicaragua with U.S. embassy personnel. At that time, a group of men “were waiting in line to pass into Nicaragua and then on their way north,” he recalled.

“The embassy person walked over and asked who they were and they told him they were from Liberia and they had been on the road about a week,” Kelly continued. “They met up with the network in Trinidad and now they were on their way to the United States — illegally, of course.”

According to KeysInfoNet web site

The U.S. Coast Guard so far this fiscal year has interdicted almost 950 Haitians at sea trying to reach South Florida.

That figure refers to normal illegal attempts to enter the US and not because of a current Ebola outbreak.

Science of Us web site reported that a DoD official issued the following statement:

We expect our combatant commanders to prepare and plan for all manner of contingencies and threats. That’s their job. Our focus remains on supporting the international community and the government of Liberia in their efforts to stop the spread of Ebola in Western Africa. That’s our commitment. We remain in close contact with our friends and partners in the international community as together we look for ways to assist against this deadly disease. It’s important for everyone to be thinking carefully about all aspects of this deadly disease. That’s what General Kelly is doing.

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Kiwanis holds 1st Pajama Drive

300px-kiovalWILLIAMS – The Kiwanis Club of Williams is working with local businesses and the Scholastic Pajama Drive to collect pajamas for local kids.

With winter coming on, the Kiwanis Club hopes to collect warm pajamas for toddlers through size 16. You can also make monetary contributions to the effort.

All-State Insurance on 1st street is the “Bedtime Sponsor.” National Bank on Route 66 is the “Sweet Dreams” sponsor. The Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce in the Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue is the “All Tucked In” sponsor and Mountain Ranch Resort at Beacon Hill is the “Sleep Tight” sponsor.

You can donate pajamas or monetary contributions at any one of the businesses. In addition, the Scholastic Pajama Drive will donate a new book for every pair of pajamas collected.

Pavement Markings to be replaced on I-17 just north of SR 179 Junction beginning Columbus Day

adot-logo3One lane for northbound traffic on I-17 will be temporarily closed with reduced travel speeds for a three mile segment just north of the SR 179 junction beginning Monday, Oct. 13. The lane reduction is required to allow for removal and installation of new pavement markers which provide greater visibility during weather events and are more durable under heavy traffic.

The marking replacement operation will continue weekly Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is expected to be completed mid-November. During construction, drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time, exercise caution and observe reduced speeds within the construction zone.

Williams dresses up for Halloween

tarantulaWILLIAMS – It must be October in Williams. The trees are turning and the turantulas are out and running about. Williams residents and businesses are dressing up for the Halloween. You also have the chance to win a fall basket through the Williams Chamber of Commerce.

On the weekends you have the chance to ride Pumpkin Patch Train. The train runs Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1 & 3pm. The cost is only $20 per adult and $15 for children.

Bearizona Photo

Bearizona Photo

The other big event is the Bearizona Howly Growly Owly fall festival. The event is included in the price of admission. Do not get so wrapped up in the event, however, that you forget to drive through the park to see the animals.

Of course if you want to do something a little less scary, the weather is still great for a Marvelous Marv Grand Canyon Tour.

A really scary decoration.

A really scary decoration.

On Halloween the First Baptist Church and Family Harvest Church are hosting family friendly, safe events. Both churches are located across the street from Safeway along Grant street.

The Tainted Angel LLC will host a Zombie Prom at the Sultana Theater to benefit SAVE Meant to Rescue. The $10 per person event will include a brain eating contest, Cash Bar, photo booth, 80’s theme dance, contest and prizes and more.

The Williams Chamber of Commerce is currently running a scarecrow contest as part of their Alpine Harvest Festival. Several of the businesses have put up scarecrows and you could win a fall gift basket simply by judging the entries.

You can obtain a form from the Williams Visitor Center or any of the participating businesses. Judge a minimum of nine of the scarecrows and rate them each from 1 to 5. Make sure you obtain a sticker from the participating business. Drop off your entry at the Williams Visitor Center by October 29 in order to win the gift basket. You need not be present to win.

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe "El Muerto." Don't forget to try the pumpkin pancakes and latte during October.

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe “El Muerto.” Don’t forget to try the pumpkin pancakes and latte during October.

Participating businesses are Bearizona Wildlife Park, Camp Civitan Thrift Store, Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe, National Bank of Arizona, Pizza Factory, Old Glory Gifts, the Williams Depot, Pine Country Restaurant, Williams Veterinary Clinic, The Station 66 Italian Bistro, Elephant Rocks Golf Course, Williams Wear, The Gallery in Williams, Sultana Theater and Boutique 66.

"Night Rider" at Camp Civitan Thrift Store. The thrift store benefits Camp Civitan for special needs people.

“Night Rider” at Camp Civitan Thrift Store. The thrift store benefits Camp Civitan for special needs people.

"The Scared Crow" sits beside the GMO Corn crow at Williams Wear in the mall.

“The Scared Crow” sits beside the GMO Corn crow at Williams Wear in the mall.

Old Glory Gifts has "The Mother Road & the Kicks." Old Glory Gifts sells only American made products.

Old Glory Gifts has “The Mother Road & the Kicks.” Old Glory Gifts sells only American made products.

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Overdue Hiker on Kachina Trail Located

coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF – At 8:30 pm on Thursday, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies to investigate a report of an overdue hiker on the Kachina Trail. The 55-year-old male was reportedly conducting a day hike with his dog along the Kachina Trail. He was reported overdue by his girlfriend when he did not return by late afternoon as expected.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit members responded to the location and conducted search operations throughout the evening. During the search they located clues indicating the path he had traveled near the Weatherford Trail. Search operations continued into the early morning hours this morning. The hiker was able to self-extricate and contacted the Sheriff’s Office.

Interviewing the hiker revealed that he had become disoriented while on the Weatherford Trail as the result of white-out conditions and had taken shelter until daylight.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and our Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind hikers and hunters to leave a detailed trip plan with a trusted person and be prepared for the unexpected night out in the event of an accident or other emergency.

They also recommend that you carry these Essentials:

  • extra water and food
  • warm clothing
  • compass or GPS
  • headlamp or flashlight
  • first aid kit
  • shelter material
  • fire starting kit
  • pocket knife
  • signaling equipment like a signal mirror and whistle.

These can be important tools to help you stay safe in the outdoors and to aid searchers in locating you.

No justice for Habersham County toddler

070214_Habersham_toddler_640The Atlanta Journal-Consitution is reporting that Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh will receive not justice from the Habersham County grand jury. It is reported that Habersham County officials have withdrawn an offer to pay the $800,000 hospital bills for the child.

The toddler was severely injured in May when a SWAT team through a stun grenade into the room which landed in the playpen where the nineteen-month-old toddler was located.

An incident report indicated that a suspect, Wanis Thonetheva, lived in the house and that deputies could expect a cache of weapons and armed guards at the house.

A search turned up NO guns or drugs. The suspect that they were after did not even live there. Thonetheva was arrested later without incident and only charged with possession of Methamphetamine.

Mawuli Davis issued a statement that the Phonesavanh family is devastated to learn no criminal charges would be brought.

SEE ALSO: WSB-TV

Allergy Alert On Undelcared Eggs In Lotte Waffles

ucm418337LOTTE Confectionery Co., Ltd. (manufacturer), 21-5ka, Yangpyung-dong, Youngdeunpo-gu, Seoul, Korea, is recalling its 1.41 ounce (40g) and 5.64 ounce (160g) packages of Lotte Waffles because they contain undeclared egg ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

(Product Barcode: 1.41 ounce – 8 801062 518111 / 5.64 ounce – 8 801062 518135)

The recalled Lotte Waffles were distributed to California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, and Canada retail stores.

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