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31 Mar 14:20

What Have You Heard About the Coronavirus This Week?

by Beth Skwarecki on Vitals, shared by Beth Skwarecki to Lifehacker

The science on COVID-19 is moving faster than it has for any previous outbreak: The scientific community went from discovering the virus to starting a vaccine trial in just three months. But despite that speed, we still don’t know everything we’d like to know about it. And no matter how diligently scientists study a…

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28 Mar 16:57

24 Times Partners Learned New Things About Their Significant Other While Seeing Them Work From Home

by Inga Korolkovaite

When couples spend more time together than usual, they learn a lot about each other. With the coronavirus outbreak making us stay at home, some of us are now working from home. And if you’re spending all day with your partner, they’re going to see what you’re like when you’re at work. That, our dear Pandas, can bring out a whole different side to you that might just shock your loved one.

InStyle Magazine deputy editor Laura Norkin created an immensely popular Twitter thread when she shared how she learned what her partner’s like when they’re in “full work mode.” This inspired others to share their own shocking discoveries about their partners’ professional personas.

Scroll down, upvote your fave Twitter posts, and remember to share what you’ve learned about your partner if you’re both working from home!

More info: Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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Laura’s Twitter thread amassed more than 664k likes, was retweeted over 52k times, and got over 3k comments. That just goes to show that lots of couples are getting to know each other a lot better since the start of the pandemic. A small win for relationships? We hope so!

A lot of people seem to have very different personas when it comes to their work and personal lives. Having two different personas isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s very useful and keeps your life in balance. You can be super-professional and ambitious at work while kicking back and relaxing when you’re with your family and friends. It’s a Yin and Yang kind of situation.

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According to Timothy Sykes on Entrepreneur, it’s very easy to create a professional persona for yourself. The first step is deciding what kind of person you want to be at work and then following through by acting, dressing, and changing your attitude to fit your new character.

Sykes explains that if you “make a concentrated effort to conduct yourself with the professionalism of a manager or CEO,” then you’re more likely to get that promotion you’ve been angling for. In other words, fake it till you make it.

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You should also think about what qualities make you indispensable. Are you the kind of person who always finishes their work before a deadline? Are you dependable? Good. Turn those features into a core part of your professional identity and you’ll be valued more by your coworkers and your boss.

What’s more, you should also avoid a casual attitude while at work, otherwise, you won’t be taken as seriously. You can still have fun, but remember that you’re a professional. Just remember to switch back to your carefree and joyful persona when you’re done working from home for the day!

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12 Dec 00:52

Store Card Face-Off: Home Depot Consumer Credit Card vs. Lowe's Advantage Card

by Tobie Stanger

Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.

If you need to stuff a very big stocking with a major appliance, the promotions that Home Depot and Lowe’s offer to new credit card holders can be a nice gift for yourself.

Through Jan. 29, Home Depot is offering new holders of its Consumer Credit Card $25 off a first online or in-store purchase of between $25 and $999, or $100 off a first purchase of $1,000 or more.

With the Lowe’s Advantage Card, through Feb. 1 you receive $30 off for your first purchase (in-store only) of $50 to $599.99, or $100 off for purchases costing $600 or more. Exclusions from these promotions include appliance brands such as Bosch (for its Benchmark series), Fisher & Paykel, Liebherr, and Weber.

But beyond the promotions for new cardholders, which credit card gives you the best benefits year-round? We combed through the fine print to compare these two credit cards in detail, assessing interest rates, annual fees, regular purchase discounts, and more to help you determine the better card for you.

Vitals

Home Depot and Lowe’s credit cards have some key similarities. Both allow all cardholders to defer interest for six months on receipts totaling $299 or more. (Both require a minimum monthly payment during those six months: $28 or 1 percent of the purchase, whichever is larger.) Purchases totaling less than $299 incur interest if you don’t pay your bill in full.

Both cards also provide other perks and temporary financing promotions throughout the year. For instance, Home Depot is currently offering 10 percent off of the purchase of installed fencing through Jan. 8, 2020.

Lowe’s is extending its six-month special financing to 12 months for appliances costing $299 or more that are purchased through Feb. 1, 2020. A Lowe’s spokesperson said the retailer periodically offers 10 percent off days for cardholders. Neither card allows you to earn mileage or points for purchases, though. 

One more thing these two cards have in common: They may be easier to qualify for than bank-issued credit cards, says Bruce McClary, spokesperson for the nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), based in Washington, D.C. As with other store cards, “approval guidelines are sometimes more flexible,” he says.

Feature by Feature

Interest Rate
Lowe’s annual percentage rate (APR) is 26.99 percent for all new cardholders, regardless of credit score. Home Depot’s ranges from 17.99 to 26.99 percent, depending on your creditworthiness. These aren’t such great rates, considering that the average annual percentage rate for new credit card offers is currently around 17 percent, according CreditCards.com, a website that tracks rates weekly. We give Home Depot a slight edge because it’s possible you could get a lower APR with its card.

Annual Fees
Neither Lowe’s nor Home Depot charges an annual fee. It’s a tie here.

Unauthorized Charges
Neither card holds you responsible for paying unauthorized charges. That’s better than what’s required by federal law, which says cardholders can be liable for up to $50 of an unauthorized charge. Again, it’s a wash between the two cards.

Regular Purchase Discount
Lowe’s offers a 5 percent discount on most cardholder purchases, regardless of how much you spend. You can’t combine it with certain other discounts, sales, or promotions—including the six-month deferred-interest option—but assuming your purchase qualifies, it’s a nice perk. Home Depot doesn’t offer anything similar. Lowe’s wins here.

Financing Options
At Lowe’s, if you make a total purchase of $2,000 or more, you can get fixed monthly payments at 7.99 percent for up to 84 months. (Your credit limit depends on your creditworthiness.) You don’t get the 5 percent everyday discount on your purchase if you take this option.

Home Depot’s card does not offer the flexibility to possibly pay a lower fixed interest rate for large purchases. If you want a lower fixed rate, you’ll have to apply for a separate Home Depot Project Loan card. The terms are the same as Lowe’s—7.99 percent for up to 84 months—and the credit limit is $55,000. Lowe’s takes the lead here because you don’t have to apply for a new card to get low, fixed-rate financing.

Return Policy
Aside from the fact that you might not need a receipt to return items that were charged on your Lowe’s credit card—Lowe’s says in most instances your receipt can be retrieved—cardholders get the same terms for returns as everybody else. That’s 90 days to return or exchange an item for most purchases; 30 days for major appliances, outdoor power equipment, and paint, among other items.

Home Depot gives cardholders up to a year to return items purchased with its card, though it also has exceptions that require a 30-day return, including furniture, area rugs, generators (other than some kinds of generators), gas-powered equipment and tractors, TVs, and computers. Cardholders don’t need to have a receipt for returns. Because Home Depot’s return policy is four times as long as Lowe’s, it is the victor here.

The Winner

Both the Lowe’s and Home Depot credit cards have their advantages. But for its 5 percent cash back and added financing option for large purchases, the Lowe’s card edges out Home Depot’s to be the winner. Home Depot offers its cardholders better terms for refunds, though. So if that’s important to you, you might want to consider the Home Depot card instead.

Keep in mind that both cards have high interest rates, so you’ll want to pay off your balance each month if you can.

And don’t forget: You can also check out regular bank credit card options. At websites such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, and LowCards.com, you may be able to find some cards with lower interest rates that offer incentives like Lowe’s 5 percent cash back that you can use at any retailer.

In any case, don’t be tempted to apply for a bunch of credit cards because of their holiday promotions. Issuers will check your credit report every time you apply to help decide whether you qualify, and that can lower your credit score. “It’s best to wait at least a month or two between opening accounts,” says McClary at the NFCC.

Credit Card Face-Off: Home Depot vs. Lowe’s
The Home Depot
Consumer Credit Card
Lowe’s
Advantage Card
Interest rate 17.99-26.99% 26.99%
Annual fee None None
Cardholder liability for unauthorized charges $0 $0
Interest deferral For total purchases of $299 or more, 6 months of deferred interest as long as you make the minimum payment each month. For total purchases of $299 or more, 6 months of deferred interest as long as you make the minimum payment each month.
Regular purchase discount No regular per-purchase discount for cardholders. 5% off most purchases. Can’t be combined with certain discounts, sales and promotions—including the 6-month deferred interest option.
Fixed-rate financing None. Cardholders must apply for a separate, Home Depot Project Loan credit card. For total purchases of $2,000 or more, 7.99%, fixed-rate financing for up to 84 months; you cannot use the everyday 5% discount on these purchases.
Return Policy Up to 1 year. Some items, such as furniture and generators, must be returned within 30 days. Up to 90 days. Some items, such as major appliances and liquid paint, must be returned within 30 days.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc.

20 Jul 20:26

Blizzard’s bad-news year continues with another co-founder’s departure

by Sam Machkovech
Blizzard’s bad-news year continues with another co-founder’s departure

Enlarge (credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

Frank Pearce, one of Blizzard Entertainment's three original founding staffers, announced his intention to leave the game-making company on Friday, effective immediately.

Pearce's announcement came via a Friday blog post at Blizzard's official site, which was appended with a note from current Blizzard president J. Allen Brack. The combined blog post indicates that last year, Pearce "stepped into an advisory role to help with the transition," which seems to indicate that his departure has been some time coming. It's unclear whether this advisory-transition period began anywhere near the time another Blizzard co-founder, Mike Morhaime, left the company in October 2018.

The departure of Pearce as chief product officer leaves only one of Blizzard Entertainment's original co-founders, Allen Adham, at the helm. Adham returned to Blizzard in 2016 after a ten-year game-development hiatus to become the company's senior vice president. Adham, Pearce, and Morhaime founded the company, which was first named Silicon & Synapse, in 1991. Their first video game under the S&S label was RPM Racing for the SNES.

Read 3 remaining paragraphs | Comments

13 Sep 14:31

Firm hired to sell Prince William County Fairgrounds

06 Jul 12:30

The Best Burning Man Travel Tips From Our Readers

by Nick Douglas

This week Hack Your City went to Black Rock City, the seasonal settlement that fills up every August for Burning Man. Readers gave tips for surviving the heat, the dust, and the sensory overload. Honestly it sounds like literal hell to me, but people seem to have a good time there! Read all the comments on the…

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24 Jan 06:38

Hello Eight

07 Nov 02:41

Explosion critically injures 1 at pumpkin flinging contest

by wtopstaff

BRIDGEVILLE, Del. (AP) — A 39-year-old woman suffered critical injuries Sunday after a cannon used to launch pumpkins into the air exploded at a large outdoor competition, Delaware State Police said.

A 56-year-old man was also hurt with non-life threatening injuries. Both had been struck by debris from the explosion.

The incident occurred at the Punkin Chunkin Contest in Bridgeville, which is about 30 miles south of Dover. The competition involves dozens of contestants launching pumpkins from homemade contraptions, many of which are air-powered with long cannons and hauled on the back of trucks.

Police are still investigating what happened. For unknown reasons, they said a trap door where pumpkins are loaded into the cannon “separated upon the launch of the pumpkin.” The door and other parts were blown into the air before striking the woman in the head and face.

Spectator David Aronson, 52, of Falls Church, Virginia, said he was about 25 yards behind the cannon when it exploded. He said a piece blew off the launcher that was the size of a car door.

“It arcs down on this woman who is running away as it hits her,” he said.

Aronson said the woman appeared motionless as people gathered around her. A short time later, the competition’s announcer asked the crowd to pray as she was flown to a hospital. The announcer then said the contest was over, Aronson said.

Aronson said organizers tried to take precautions by using nets and placing spectators 25 yards away from the pumpkin launchers.

Master Cpl. Jeffrey Hale of the Delaware State Police said the woman and man who were injured were not among the crowd of spectators but among the launchers. He said they were observing the event but declined to elaborate.

Punkin Chunkin dates back to 1986. It had been canceled for the past two years because of problems finding insurance.

In 2014, a Sussex County farmer had stopped making his property available for the contest because a volunteer was injured in an ATV accident and filed a lawsuit. The suit was later dismissed. Organizers for the 2016 contest said an insurance policy was in place to protect the landowner.

The post Explosion critically injures 1 at pumpkin flinging contest appeared first on WTOP.

10 Sep 01:03

Why Do Purple Skittles Taste Different Outside The U.S.?

by Mary Beth Quirk

The idea that purple Skittles could taste like anything other than grape is not one familiar to folks who are used chomping on the candies in the U.S. — what else could it possibly be, after all, with that color? But outside the U.S., the purple part of the rainbow tastes completely different.

Purple skittles in the United Kingdom and Australia get their flavor inspiration from the blackcurrant, a berry that’s dark in hue and has more of a sweet and tarty tang to it than grapes, Atlas Obscura points out. It makes sense, as blackcurrant is a flavor that’s not very popular stateside, while the berry and its juice are found in many products, from cordials to tea.

Things might’ve been different if the U.S. government hadn’t outlawed growing blackcurrant shrubs in the early 20th century because the plant was spreading white pine blister rust, a fungus that destroys wood.

As of the 1960s, the federal ban is no more, so you could grow blackcurrant bushes in your backyard, if you wanted (and if your state allows it). But in the meantime, Americans just don’t have a taste for the berries like they do in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

So what does it taste like? When sweetened, the fruit tastes like a cross between a blueberry and cranberry, Atlas Obscura explains.

“People consistently love the flavor, but they just didn’t grow up with [blackcurrants],” one berry farmer told the site. “They do have a stronger taste than the American palate is used to.”

Why the Purple Skittle Tastes Different Outside America [Atlas Obscura]

19 Aug 12:48

Manassas' First Career Firefighter Retires - Patch.com


Patch.com

Manassas' First Career Firefighter Retires
Patch.com
MANASSA, VA - After an impressive 52-year career in fire services, Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Wade C. House is retiring. He was the first career firefighter in the Manassas Volunteer Fire Station, serving as a career member with Prince William County ...

19 Aug 12:47

Man Arrested in Deadly Manassas House Fire - NBC4 Washington


NBC4 Washington

Man Arrested in Deadly Manassas House Fire
NBC4 Washington
Prince William County police said 35-year-old Noe Antonio Nolasco Amaya intentionally set fire to a house in the 10300 block of Lomond Drive on July 31. After the fire was discovered, Amaya was found walking nearby suffering from burn injuries, police ...
Va. man charged in fire that left 2 men, 4 dogs deadWUSA9.com
Manassas' First Career Firefighter RetiresPatch.com
UPDATED: Man charged with arson in fatal Manassas area fireInside NoVA

all 5 news articles »
19 Aug 02:17

Petsmart Opens New Spa-Themed Prototype Store

by Laura Northrup

If you were to ask my dog what she wants out of her experience at the groomer, “no bath” and “no haircut” would probably be at the top of her list. She would be less interested in a more spa-like entrance with a concierge desk and free coffee beverages for humans. In a prototype store on New York’s Long Island, the big-box pet store is experimenting with a new store that focuses on pet services in a more fancy manner.

What customers will see when they walk in will be a concierge-style counter with bakery-style trays of fresh dog treats. The new store will be less than half the size of a normal Petsmart, and feature a small retail area with the more upscale, “natural” pet foods that the chain sells.

The store has self-serve dog wash stations, a useful feature close to the beach on Long Island, where the store is located. It also has a grooming salon and a Banfield animal hospital, common features for standard Petsmart stores.

“Like any spa, our Pet Spa store is intended to provide the amenities and comforts to enhance one’s lifestyle, but this time with your pet,” the company’s chief experience officer said in a statement.

The spa-like experience will probably be more relaxing for owners than for pets, but they are the ones holding the wallets. Petsmart’s plan is to offer an “enhanced pet lifestyle customer experience” and bring ideas that work well at this store to the rest of the chain.

18 Aug 15:55

Make Ice Cream Cones Out of Rice Krispies Treats for Instant Happiness

by Claire Lower on Skillet, shared by Alan Henry to Lifehacker

Few things make me happier than cereal that is held together by a mixture of butter and marshmallows, but cereal that is held together by a mixture of butter and marshmallows and also filled with ice cream is definitely one of them.

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18 Aug 15:32

Franklin County man given jail time for starving horses

by wtopstaff

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. (AP) — A Hardy man who had several malnourished horses on his property has been ordered to serve 20 days in jail.

Media organizations report 63-year-old Michael W. Cabbler pleaded guilty Tuesday in Franklin County Circuit Court to seven counts of animal cruelty.

The charges stemmed from a February inspection of Cabbler’s property. Animal control officers said they found Cabbler’s emaciated horses eating bark off trees, while two others were discovered stuck inside a barn, wading in mud and manure.

Cabbler testified he had been feeding the horses and had taken in the horses from other owners who hadn’t wanted them.

In addition to jail time, Cabbler forfeited any claim to the horses and cannot own any animals for five years.

The post Franklin County man given jail time for starving horses appeared first on WTOP.

18 Aug 02:49

Army to remove horses from Louisiana’s Fort Polk

by wtopstaff

FORT POLK, La. (AP) — The Army plans to remove hundreds of horses from Fort Polk in Louisiana.

An estimated 700 to 750 wild horses roam training lands on and around Fort Polk in the west central part of the state. The fate of the horses has been the subject of debate since the Army proposed removing them about a year ago. Army officials say the animals represent a safety hazard. Advocates have argued they should be left alone.

The Town Talk reports (http://townta.lk/2bxU6lM) the Army will catch and corral 10-30 horses at a time. The plan calls for the horses first to offered to animal welfare groups for their adoption program. If animal welfare groups do not take the horses, the Army will offer them to any citizen, and if that fails, the horses will be transported to a livestock auction for sale.

___

Information from: Alexandria Daily Town Talk, http://www.thetowntalk.com

The post Army to remove horses from Louisiana’s Fort Polk appeared first on WTOP.

18 Aug 02:46

US flags ordered removed from upstate New York fire trucks

by wtopstaff

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) — Fire commissioners in upstate New York have ordered a department to take American flags off its trucks, sparking a heated online debate.

The Poughkeepsie Journal reports (http://pojonews.co/2bApYs7 ) the flags were removed Tuesday from the Arlington Fire District trucks in the town of Poughkeepsie following Monday’s order.

Arlington Fire Commissioners Board Chairman Jim Beretta tells the newspaper the majority of the board saw the flags as a “liability during normal operations for our people and other motorists.”

The Journal reports the flags were recently put up at the request of the union. Fire Chief Tory Gallante says he’s “very disappointed” with the order.

The newspaper says some online commenters are outraged by the decision. Others believe the mounted flags violated U.S. flag code.

The post US flags ordered removed from upstate New York fire trucks appeared first on WTOP.

18 Aug 01:24

Naval Academy announces death of goat mascot, Bill 35

by wtopstaff

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The U.S. Naval Academy has announced the death of its goat mascot, Bill 35.

The academy said Wednesday that the Angora goat had a history of medical problems, which manifested soon after the school acquired him last year. The school says the 2-and-a-half-year-old goat suffered from idiopathic edema and related disorders, which appeared to have been caused by chronic kidney weakness.

The academy says the goat was taken on Tuesday to a veterinary facility in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, for treatment and was euthanized.

Navy has three other goats, including Bill 36, who is the brother of Bill 35. He will become the new mascot.

The mascot appears at home football games and the Army-Navy game. It is sometimes targeted for kidnapping in the days leading up to the storied rivalry.

The post Naval Academy announces death of goat mascot, Bill 35 appeared first on WTOP.

18 Aug 01:19

Fairfax County Adopt a Pet - Washington Post


Washington Post

Fairfax County Adopt a Pet
Washington Post
Zomboy, a handsome 6-year-old neutered domestic shorthair, is available for adoption from the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. Jax, a gentle 1-year-old, 100-pound neutered Anatolian shepherd-Great Pyrenees mix, center, is available for adoption to a ...

and more »
16 Aug 21:49

Webcam whale research buoyed by viewers around the world

by wtopstaff

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The underwater webcam attached to Hayley Shephard’s boat captures what at first appear to be green glowing orbs as she motors through an estuary in remote Canada. Then the orbs come into focus, revealing some of the more than 3,000 beluga whales that gather near that western part of Hudson Bay each summer.

The white whales, which resemble oversized dolphins, nuzzle and clown for the camera. They feel the lens with their teeth and blow bubbles at it. Sometimes they swim upside down for a better view.

That’s what Stephen Petersen, head of conservation and research for Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Zoo, and his wife, biologist Meg Hainstock, are looking for. Only when the whales turn upside down can the researchers determine their sex, which they need as they study the animals’ social structure and behavior.

The webcam’s viewers across the globe are helping, too.

Its creators — Bozeman, Montana-based Polar Bears International and Explore.org, a project of the Annenberg Foundation — included a “snapshot” feature that allows viewers to take still shots of the feed. Petersen and Hainstock hope the result will be a trove of photographs of individual whales that will help them catalog the population as they try to answer questions about the animals’ behavior.

For example, why do certain whales of a similar age and sex consistently gather at certain times or locations? What function do Hudson Bay’s estuaries serve for these animals? Do beluga whales have a matriarchal social structure? Do certain whale groups’ low numbers have a long-term effect on the rest of the population, such as the case with the population in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, which is struggling as compared to the healthy Hudson Bay population?

“As far as I know, there’s no other investigation of beluga from under the water on this scale,” Petersen said. “A lot of the stuff that’s been done before is from observers on top of the water. It doesn’t really give us a good sense — belugas don’t spend a lot of time on top of the water.”

Explore.org and Polar Bears International have used similar crowdsourcing technology to monitor polar bears’ annual migration in Hudson Bay. Researchers hope years of viewers taking snapshots will provide them with images that can help assess the bears’ health and reproductive rates.

Other scientists are increasingly using crowdsourcing to raise money for research or perform tasks that would be too costly or time-consuming to be performed by a team of researchers. One of the most well-known projects is by the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, whose software has been downloaded by millions of users and allows researchers to use the data-processing power of those computers in the institute’s search for alien life in space.

“In general, there is a growing interest in using citizen science projects to raise awareness and support scientific research,” said Krista Wright, executive director of Polar Bears International.

For the beluga whale project, Petersen said viewers are instructed on how to identify males from females, and are then asked to take snapshots when the whales flip over and their sex is in view of the camera. The photographs are tagged male or female and uploaded to a database that will help identify individual whales and their locations.

Operators switched on the cameras July 15 and have since averaged about 2,500 viewers a day, according to Explore.org spokesman Mike Gasbara.

The researchers hope that after this season ends in August, they will have a catalog of individual whales that can be tracked in subsequent years, along with the locations where different groups are gathering to find if any patterns emerge.

Understanding the beluga whales is important because their ecosystem soon may be altered with the effects of climate change, Gasbara said. Less Arctic ice could bring threats to the beluga in the form of killer whales and increased boat traffic and pollution, he said.

“I think because we’re right at the beginning of this, any information that we get on social structure is going to be informative for other locations,” Petersen said.

Back on the surface in Canada’s Hudson Bay, ghostlike humps emerge as more whales are drawn to Shepherd’s 10-foot inflatable boat. She pilots the vessel slowly around the estuary for four hours a day over the short northern summer, sometimes narrating her observations to web viewers.

“It’s important to know that we ultimately are visitors and we are in their territory,” Shepherd said. “Them approaching the boat, following the boat — it’s all their doing. We don’t need to run up to them and ride along.”

Occasionally, one of the whales will slap the water with its tail and soak her.

“Sometimes I feel like they’ve adopted me into their pod,” Shephard said.

The post Webcam whale research buoyed by viewers around the world appeared first on WTOP.

16 Aug 21:16

Deputies: Man fatally drags dog behind truck for miles

by wtopstaff

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man has been arrested after deputies say he dragged his dog for miles behind his truck, killing the animal.

Edmonson County Deputy Jordan Jones told WBKO-TV (http://bit.ly/2blgq41 ) on Thursday that Calvin Dennis of Grayson County is facing an animal torturing charge, along with DUI and drug charges.

Deputies say Dennis had been in an argument when he sped away from a parking lot with his dog attached to the back of his truck. The sight prompted authorities and drivers to follow him.

Authorities say Dennis eventually dragged his dog for 15 to 20 miles.

Deputies say Dennis admitted to authorities that he had taken prescription pills and methamphetamine and had forgotten his dog was tied to the hitch of his truck.

___

Information from: WBKO-TV, http://www.wbko.com

The post Deputies: Man fatally drags dog behind truck for miles appeared first on WTOP.

16 Aug 20:18

Heat wave causes fish kill in the District

by Nick Iannelli

WASHINGTON — The sickening odor of dead fish drifted through the heavy, humid air Tuesday morning at the Constitution Gardens pond in D.C. where the recent oppressive heat wave caused a significant fish kill, according to the National Park Service.

Crews carrying skimmers worked to clear numerous fish carcasses from the pond, which is about 3 feet deep.

“Because the pond is so shallow, the water temperature can rise dramatically in a relatively short amount of time,” said National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst.

“We certainly suspect that the water temperature rose above the tolerance level of the fish that are in there.”

Hot weather also promotes the growth of algae which can lead to less oxygen in the water.

“The last time this occurred on a scale this large was 2013,” Litterst said.

The National Park Service is working on plans to redevelop that pond which sits near the World War II Memorial. The agency wants to improve the long term water quality by making the pond 12 feet deep and installation aeration rings to help with oxygen flow, among other things.

“As we move to implement the rehab of Constitution Gardens in the coming years, hopefully, that will take care of some of these problems,” said Litterst.

The post Heat wave causes fish kill in the District appeared first on WTOP.

16 Aug 12:01

Two Reasons Target Is Having Trouble Selling Groceries

by Chris Morran

Following the crash of the housing market nearly ten years ago, some big box stores that had previously only dabbled in groceries started to give over more floor space to fresh and frozen foods. Walmart shoppers took to the idea of buying their food in the same store they purchase their TV, cleaning supplies, underwear, sporting goods, and just about anything else. Across the parking lot at Target, things aren’t as rosy.

Target sells around $18.5 billion in groceries a year, which may sound huge until you realize that it’s only around one-fifth of the company’s total annual revenue. Meanwhile, more than half of Walmart’s yearly revenue comes from groceries.

The Wall Street Journal recently took a look at Target’s fresh food woes and its efforts to course correct. Here are just a couple of the important takeaways:

1. Shoppers Just Don’t Visit That Frequently
While Target has many regular shoppers, they may not be regular enough to keep fresh meat and vegetables from spoiling.

One Target customer explains to the Journal that she shops at the store once or twice a month to purchase things like cleaning supplies and home décor, and she may pick up an odd food item here or there, but adds that “I don’t go out of my way to do grocery shopping at Target because there are so many other specialty stores.”

Data from Nielsen shows that shoppers favor traditional groceries over big box retailers regardless of whether they are buying a week’s worth of groceries or just doing some quick shopping to fill in the gaps. Meanwhile, it appears that Costco and other wholesale clubs are increasingly becoming a destination for shoppers looking to stock up their pantry, fridge, and freezer with food.

In 2015, Target’s chief operating officer acknowledged this outsider status: “We’re not really special and we’re not a full grocery. And so we’re sitting in the middle of no man’s land.”

2. Unwillingness To Invest
Target actually got into the grocery business more than 20 years ago when it opened its first SuperTarget. However, these mega-format stores with complete supermarkets only account for a fraction of all Target locations.

In fact, Target is increasingly looking toward smaller-footprint stores, where you can’t have rows up rows of groceries to choose from.

According to the Journal, previous disappointments in groceries have left the Target board of directors gun-shy about investing capital to improve this aspect of the business.

Which is problematic because Target’s supply chain has long been set up to handle transportation and distribution of home goods and non-perishable food items. If the company wants to better control the supply chain for fresh food, it will likely need to either go the route of Walmart and invest more money into systemic improvements, or pay more to a third-party provider.

16 Aug 03:47

10 miniature horses rescued; owners unable to care for them

by wtopstaff

DALTON, N.H. (AP) — Ten miniature horses have been removed from a New Hampshire property where authorities say they had been living in unsafe conditions.

The New Hampshire SPCA and the state police received a complaint about animal cruelty and took the horses on Sunday from a property in Dalton. Officials say the owners had become overwhelmed and unable to properly care for the tiny horses, which they voluntarily surrendered.

The horses range in age from 1 year to 16 years old. Their conditions vary.

SPCA officials will test the horses for parasites and diseases, treat any conditions and provide vaccinations and dental care. The organization is based in Stratham and is seeking help from the public in paying for the cost of helping the horses.

The post 10 miniature horses rescued; owners unable to care for them appeared first on WTOP.

16 Aug 03:08

All’s well that ends well for dog rescued from 30-foot hole

by wtopstaff

PERRYMAN, Md. (AP) — First responders in Maryland have rescued a St. Bernard that was trapped at the bottom of a well.

Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS spokesman Rich Gardiner tells local media the technical rescue team was called just before 5 p.m. Sunday after the dog, Mabel, fell into a 30-foot deep dry well in Perryman.

Fire crews were able to hoist Mabel out of the well by 6 p.m. Gardiner says Mabel wasn’t seriously injured and was seen running in circles after she was rescued.

He says Mabel will be taken to a veterinarian to be checked out.

The post All’s well that ends well for dog rescued from 30-foot hole appeared first on WTOP.

16 Aug 03:05

Va. Goodyear plant confirms 4th fatality in 1 year

by wtopstaff

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) — Goodyear has confirmed that an employee died in an industrial accident at its Danville plant.

Media outlets report that the employee who died Friday morning has been identified as William “Billy” Scheier of Halifax. He was in his late 40s.

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry spokesman Ron Graham says the incident has been classified as an industrial accident. He says the department has six months to investigate the incident and issue citations if there are violations.

The incident Friday marked the fourth worker death in one year at the Danville Goodyear plant.

Goodyear is facing three violations and a $17,000 fine from 56-year-old Jeanie Strader’s death last year. Two other deaths are still being investigated — those of 54-year-old Kevin Edmonds in March and 52-year-old Greg Cooper in April.

The post Va. Goodyear plant confirms 4th fatality in 1 year appeared first on WTOP.

16 Aug 03:01

Virginia officer cleared in killing man who shot police dog

by wtopstaff

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A prosecutor in Virginia says he has cleared a police officer of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of a man who killed a police dog and pointed his gun at officers.

In a report released Monday, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Gregory Underwood wrote that officers arrived at Keith Richardson’s house in January because he put a gun to his wife’s head and threatened to kill her.

A standoff ensued between Richardson and police. Underwood said Richardson exited his house after police deployed tear gas but refused to drop his gun and surrender.

Police sent a K-9 named Krijger to subdue Richardson but he shot the dog, and raised his gun toward police. Underwood said officer Vincent Tocco shot Richardson with a rifle from the turret of an armed police vehicle.

The post Virginia officer cleared in killing man who shot police dog appeared first on WTOP.

16 Aug 02:56

Undercover Bust Nets 27 Arrests in Xanax Drug Ring: Prince William Police - Patch.com


Patch.com

Undercover Bust Nets 27 Arrests in Xanax Drug Ring: Prince William Police
Patch.com
Gainesville doctor, Dr. Craig Charles Krause, is among those charged in the illegal distribution, according to Prince William County Police. By Skip Wood (Patch Staff) - August 15, 2016 1:20 pm ET. Undercover Bust Nets 27 Arrests in Xanax Drug Ring ...
Prince William County community calendarWashington Post

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16 Aug 02:56

5-year-old girl dies in fatal crash along I-66 near Haymarket - The ... - Washington Post


WTOP

5-year-old girl dies in fatal crash along I-66 near Haymarket - The ...
Washington Post
A 5-year-old girl died in a four-vehicle crash on I-66 that authorities said was caused by a chain reaction Monday morning, a Virginia State Police spokeswoman ...
5-Year-Old Girl Killed in Violent Crash Along I-66W in Haymarket ...NBC4 Washington
Fatal crash closes I-66 westbound near Haymarket | WTOPWTOP
5-year-old killed in chain-reaction crash on I-66WCTI12.com
Inside NoVA
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14 Aug 00:15

Style Encore resale store opens in Manassas - Inside NoVA


Style Encore resale store opens in Manassas
Inside NoVA
With a focus on savvy fashion and shopping smart, the new Style Encore store has opened at 9716 Liberia Ave., Manassas. Designed by women, for women, Style Encore is part of a national resale chain that specializes in clothing and accessories.

13 Aug 20:16

Use Leftover Pickle Juice to Make Amazing Bread

by Claire Lower on Skillet, shared by Alan Henry to Lifehacker

Pickle juice is a magical liquid that can be used to jazz up potato salad, brine meat, and even add a salty punch to cocktails, but it also makes a pretty fantastic loaf of bread.

Read more...