pileofcrapola

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A southwest Ohio sheriff’s office is trying to figure out how a critically injured man was left inside a vehicle for six hours after it was towed from a crash scene in suburban Dayton on New Year’s Day.

A worker preparing to take the vehicle off a flatbed truck found the man screaming for help, the Dayton Daily News (http://bit.ly/1xP7l7M ) reported.

The man was in stable condition Thursday, a week after the crash in Harrison Township, Montgomery County sheriff’s Capt. Jeremy Roy said. Roy is reviewing the case to decide whether a formal administrative investigation should be done.

“We got a lot of people who missed him and that’s what we’re trying to determine — what happened,” Roy said.

The office is trying to confirm whether deputies followed policy and conducted the standard inventory of the inside of the car, Roy said. It is reviewing whether the man might have returned to the car once it was checked, though Roy doubts that possibility because the man had severe injuries.

Wires strewn across the car and the road might have kept emergency responders from immediately accessing the scene after the vehicle struck and broke a utility pole early on Jan. 1, he said.

The deputies who were involved are working their usual patrol shifts while Roy reviews what happened.

The car is owned by a 42-year-old man, but the office hasn’t confirmed whether he is the person who was found injured.

___

Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com

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LITTLE CANADA, N.C. (AP) — The chill made it harder for William Broom to get around his yard, but he stood outside anyway, hoping a Christmas tree buyer might drive up.

Some years, Broom makes $400 on the trees to supplement the $1,400 per month he and his wife receive in disability and Social Security. But this season, he didn’t sell many.

Broom and others with limited incomes could face higher bills when counties surrounding two of North Carolina’s wealthiest mountain communities increase property tax rates to offset a sputtering vacation-home market. Modest homes with steady values are more likely to face higher bills after revaluations take effect this year in Macon County and next year in Jackson County, where Broom lives.

“We got enough taxes in my book,” Broom, 80, said. “It’s hard to live on the income I got.”

Before the recession began in 2007, taxes on surging housing values and new vacation homes fed county coffers and kept rates low. But construction slowed, empty lots lost value and some vacation homes entered foreclosure or sold at a loss.

Now, county leaders are factoring in declines that are expected to result in tax rate increases. Increased, flat or slightly lower values will mean higher overall bills for homeowners.

Both counties rank among the state’s wealthiest in property value per capita, but about one in five locals lives in poverty. Poverty rates put both in the state’s worst economic development category.

L.J. McVay, a father of two, said he struggles, earning $7.50 hourly at a pizza chain. After a sewage leak at his last apartment, McVay said charities helped him rent a trailer with government aid.

“We looked everywhere,” McVay said.

Nationwide, many counties adjusted property tax rates after the recession to make up for lost revenue. But while it’s common, it’s a tough call for local leaders. Rate increases in resort areas could discourage second-home buyers, who provide revenue that helps lower the cost of county services for taxpayers, said Erik Johnson, an assistant professor of economics at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

Joan Youngman, a senior fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, said state law allowing counties as much as eight years between assessments “can cause sticker shock” for homeowners. In North Carolina, the two counties did their last assessments near the market’s height.

Even a small tax increase could be tough for Loretta Lynn Zachary, who lives with her mother, Bessie, in a Macon County house built by Habitat for Humanity and valued around $100,000. Social Security and disability pay them $1,300 total monthly.

Loretta Zachary, 46, worked in restaurants including one her family owned in the resort town of Highlands until diabetes put her on disability.

Despite family roots in Highlands, about 20 miles south of her home, she said: “If I was to get dressed in my best attire that I would have, and go to Highlands and eat in one of their restaurants, I’d probably be stared down.”

Rick Westerman of Habitat said some vacation-home owners complained a few years ago when he built near them in Macon County.

“They gave us a fit,” he said. “Habitat’s got that stigma: Not in my backyard.”

This month, Macon County will mail homeowners valuations reflecting a nearly 15 percent countywide property value decline, county tax administrator Richard Lightner said. To bring in similar revenue, county commissioners would need to raise taxes from about 28 cents per $100 of property to 33 cents.

Lightner saw the most volatility in homes previously valued between $500,000 and $600,000 — common prices for overextended vacation homeowners.

He said homes in the $100,000 to $200,000 range were more stable. For example, officials cited a home that held its value around $128,000. Under the expected increase, annual county property taxes would rise by $64 to $421.

Jackson County Manager Chuck Wooten said that if his county’s revaluations took effect last year, commissioners would have needed an increase from 28 cents per $100 to between 35 and 37 cents.

Wooten said more taxes could shift to year-round residents in the northern end of the county: “And that’s going to be a real difficult problem to explain and make our people feel good about.”

The state allows tax relief for elderly and disabled homeowners with limited incomes, but their bill would still reflect rate changes.

During a spring meeting with the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, homeowners in the wealthy community told Wooten they were shouldering Jackson County’s tax burden without enough in return.

“It’s been a point of contention,” said real estate agent Ken Fernandez, a chamber board member.

About 20 miles north lies Little Canada, where Broom grows a couple dozen firs in uneven patches on the acre around his house. He sells mostly to neighbors but thinks the trees have gotten too big for homes near him.

Once a worker on highways and dams, Broom said he lost a hand in a rock loader in 1962, then worked another decade before a heart attack put him on disability.

Despite getting by on limited income, he said: “I’ve survived a pretty good while!”

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana couple faces charges after investigators say they found cellphone videos showing the woman’s 12-month-old daughter putting a handgun in her mouth.

Evansville police discovered the videos after a 19-year-old man was arrested for trying to sell a handgun to an undercover officer.

Police say the man and the girl’s 22-year-old mother can be heard encouraging the toddler to say “pow” and that no one tried to stop her as she put the gun in her mouth.

Police say the mother told officers the girl was holding a pellet gun; investigators say it was a .40-caliber handgun. They say the gun’s magazine appeared to be removed but it’s not clear if ammunition was in the chamber.

Both adults face charges including child neglect and recklessness with a deadly weapon.

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WASHINGTON — Each year, 12 million Americans  see their doctors to complain of headaches. It’s costing an estimated $30 billion in health care and annual productivity loss.

Yet a new study — from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston — seems to indicate there is a lot of money being wasted on unnecessary imaging tests, drugs and referrals. The study of more than 9,000 physicians suggests some of that cost could be offset if doctors ordered fewer tests and offered more lifestyle counseling.

“These findings seem to reflect a larger trend in the U.S. healthcare system beyond just headache: over-hurried doctors seem to be spending less time connecting with their patients and more time ordering tests and treatments,” says Dr. John Mafi, the study’s lead author.

For headaches in particular, though, Mafi says you should avoid certain foods, reduce stress and get more sleep and exercise.

“To me, this study suggests that the current 20 minute visit-based model of healthcare is broken and that we need to move towards promoting and reimbursing innovative solutions,” Mafi concludes, “such as doctors and patients electronically collaborating on their healthcare outside the office visit.”

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At least three dogs rescued from a South Korean meat farm will soon be available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

The AWLA is partnering with five other local rescue organizations in the D.C. area to find new lives for 23 dogs rescued earlier this month by Humane Society International. It’s the first time the organization has negotiated the rescue of dogs raised for slaughter. The farmer who owned the dogs was compensated with $2,500 and will use that money to start growing blueberries.

Three dogs were taken from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria — where all 23 have been housed since arriving at Dulles International Airport earlier this week — to AWLA’s headquarters at 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive: A shih tzu named Billy, a corgi mix named Abi and a mother dog whose puppies were taken to other shelters. AWLA Executive Director Neil Trent says he expects Billy and Abi to be available for adoption in about two weeks.

“Some of the animals are going to have behavioral issues for a while, they’re not used to a kind hand,” he told ARLnow.com as his staff helped load Billy and Abi into their van. “They’re nervous, they’re stressed in a new environment, so it’s going to take some time.”

The mother might “have some health issues,” Trent said, and he’s still not sure when or how many puppies AWLA will receive. The dogs will be available for adoption on a first-come, first-served basis.

The AWLA has worked with the Humane Society of the United States before, but this was their first interaction with HSI, Trent said. Trent, who is British, is a former executive director of HSI and said it’s been a recent initiative of the organization to curb the Asian dog meat trade. Trent was notified last month that dogs may be coming to the D.C. area from South Korea.

“We’ve taken dogs from HSUS before, so we said ‘absolutely, we’ll be on alert,’” he said.

HSI’s hope is the 23 dogs rescued will be a symbol in fighting the dog meat market. HSI director Kelly O’Meara told the Washington Post that between 1.2 million and 2 million dogs are eaten in South Korea every year.

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WASHINGTON — Some 23 dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Seoul, South Korea and flown to the D.C. area this week are one step closer to finding homes.

The dogs, which were flown to the States by Humane Society International, have spent the week at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria to rest. The animals were examined to make sure they weren’t ill. From there, the dogs will be transferred to other shelters in hopes that they’ll eventually find permanent homes.

“We transfer animals locally on a regular basis to aid communities in the Washington D.C., Maryland and D.C. region that simply do not have the resources or adopters,” Tawny Hammond, executive director of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, said in a statement. “This international effort mirrors what we are committed to locally and we can play a small part in aiding and shutting down a horrific practice.”

A regional group of six shelters: Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Loudoun County Animal Services, City of Manassas Animal Control and Adoption Shelter, the Washington Animal Rescue League and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria are helping place the dogs.

The animals were transferred to various shelters on Friday.

The dogs will be available for adoption through the six regional shelters. Information on adoption can be found at the individual websites below.

Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Loudoun County Animal Services

City of Manassas Animal Control and Adoption Shelter

The Washington Animal Rescue League

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

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This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Do you know somebody who suffers from arthritis? Chances are that you have a friend or relative with joint problems. But what about your cat? Senior cats are at risk for developing arthritis and it is relatively common. Luckily there are a wide variety of treatment options that can help alleviate your cat’s discomfort from laser therapy to supplements.

Just like us, cats often suffer from progressive and degenerative joint ailments like osteoarthritis (OA) as they age. The disorder is marked by a deterioration of the cartilage that cushions the cat’s joints. This results in inflammation, pain, worsening damage, and changes in and around the affected joint.

There are two types of OA: primary and secondary. Primary means that the cause is typically normal wear and tear on the joints as a result of the aging process. Secondary means that the OA is the result of injuries or abnormalities such tumors.

Unfortunately, many cat parents and vets are not aware that kitties can come down with OA, making the disorder one of the most underdiagnosed feline diseases. Cats older than 10 years of age are at increased risk.

What causes osteoarthritis?

It is not entirely clear what causes primary OA in cats. Some breeds just seem to be more genetically predisposed to having joint problems. For example, Maine Coons, Persians and Siamese are more likely to suffer from abnormal development of the hip joints (also known as hip dysplasia). Similarly, Abyssinians and Devon Rexes are at greater risk of having patella luxation or dislocation of the kneecap.

When it comes to OA, Scottish Folds are particularly vulnerable. This is possibly because of genetic abnormalities in this breed’s cartilage.

The causes of secondary OA are more straightforward. Injuries or trauma to the joint, such as fractures or dislocations, may result in abnormal joint formation. In other cases, the pituitary gland secretes too much growth hormone, resulting in a tumor in one of the joints. Though cats with these sorts of conditions usually develop diabetes, diagnoses of secondary arthritis are not uncommon.

What are the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis?

 Because our feline friends are so good at concealing pain and discomfort, it can be hard to tell when your kitty is suffering from OA. Look for any of these symptoms that may indicate your senior cat is suffering from joint pain:

Reduced mobility. Cats with OA are often reluctant or hesitant to jump up onto or down from elevated surfaces. Difficulty climbing stairs, stiffness in legs after a longer period of rest, difficulty climbing in and out of the litter box, or even having accidents outside the litter box can also indicate that your cat has joint pain.

Reduced activity and sleeping in different places. If your cat is having trouble moving, it may spend more time in a stationary position or sleep in spots that are closer to the ground.

Aggressive behavior when being handled or petted. A cat with joint pain will obviously not like it when those areas of its body are touched. If your kitty gets unexpectedly angry when you touch its hip that may be a sign that it has OA.

Too much or too little grooming. When something is wrong with your kitty, it will often either clean itself excessively or stop cleaning itself altogether. This is not a symptom that is specific to OA, though, so be sure to look for the other signs as well.

Spending more time alone. Cats tend to hide when they are not feeling well, so this can also be a sign of OA. Like grooming issues, however, this symptom is not specific to joint disorders.

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should visit your vet to have your cat evaluated. Your vet will conduct a physical exam to check mobility, access any swelling in the joints, and access pain. Based on the physical exam findings, radiographs is a likely next step to show any deterioration of the cartilage.

How is osteoarthritis treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for OA, but there are several environmental changes you can make to help your cat and an array of supplements and treatments to ease any discomfort and slow the progression of the disease.

• Acupuncture
• Laser Therapy – works extremely well for arthritis by calming down the inflammation of the joints
• Prescription diets like Hill’s J/D for joint disease
• Prescription pain mediations
• Nutritional supplements to help replenish the cartilage like fish oils
• Weight loss, if your cat is overweight

There are also some very simple things that you can do at home to reduce your kitty’s discomfort:

• Giving your cat a cozy blanket or a warm cat bed. Heat eases the pain associated with OA.
• Gently massaging your cat’s joints when it is relaxed
• Helping groom areas that are hard to reach
• Making sure that your kitty’s litter box is in an easily accessible place
• Keeping your cats needs on the main level of your home so no stairs are necessary

For more information, please visit our Feline Health Library.

 

The post How to Help a Cat With Osteoarthritis appeared first on WTOP.

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — Friends of an 87-year-old Frederick County man killed by his pit bull say he hadn’t reported problems with the dog.

The Frederick News-Post reported Friday (http://bit.ly/1xZspa8 ) that Eugene Smith was an animal lover and fond of the pit bull.

Co-worker Kimberly Young says Smith, a milk truck driver, had said the dog was nice and would sometimes climb into bed with him.

County Animal Control Sgt. David Luckenbaugh says his agency hadn’t gotten complaints about the neutered male before it attacked Smith as he lay on the floor Wednesday, taking down a Christmas tree. Authorities euthanized the dog.

Luckenbaugh says the family adopted the dog from an animal rescue organization in May.

The sheriff’s office says Smith lived in a rural area north of Frederick with his son and his son’s fiancee.

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Information from: The Frederick (Md.) News-Post, http://www.fredericknewspost.com

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WASHINGTON – A Prince William County teen was asked to take down a tweet this week, detailing his plan to ask someone to prom. The twist is that his desired date was a friend’s mom.

Patriot High School student Anthony Pinnisi texted his friend, asking how many re-tweets he would need in order to take her mother to his school’s prom, the Daily Mail reports. His friend said it would take 500,000 re-tweets, and Pinnisi accepted the challenge.

He tweeted a screenshot of his conversation with his friend earlier this week and nabbed 80,000 re-tweets within 24 hours, according to the Daily Mail.

But Pinnisi’s campaign came to a halt when a school official supposedly asked him to take the tweet down on Thursday.

My school admin asked me to take the tweet down sorry to let everyone down

— TONE (@AnthonyJPinnisi) January 8, 2015

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WASHINGTON — A dump truck driver who intentionally rammed his truck into two marked police cruisers has been arrested by Prince George’s County Police and charged with attempted murder of two police officers.

The suspect is 31-year-old Gene Thomas Brandon, Jr. of the 19000 block of Aquasco Road in Aquasco, Maryland. The attack on the officers was captured on surveillance video as they stood outside their cruisers.

“It’s by God’s grace that these two officers weren’t killed,” said Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark Magaw at an afternoon news conference.  “Seconds before that dump truck hits the first cruiser, those officers barely make it out from between those two cars.” 

Magaw says the dump truck driver has a history of mental illness, and he told investigators that he had not taken his prescribed medication.

The Chief says the driver was angry with the two officers because he believed they were responsible for something that didn’t even happen.

 

“This individual was under the delusion that his brother had been shot in Washington, D.C.,” Magaw said.  

The incident happened Wednesday around 11:35 a.m.  in a parking lot of Woodmore Towne Centre in Glenarden, Maryland.

Brandon pulled up his dump truck next to the officers and yelled at them from his open window. The officers ordered him to keep moving as he was blocking traffic. Brandon then drove off and turned around in the parking lot.  But seconds later, the officers saw the dump truck barreling directly toward them, according to a statement by Prince George’s County Police Department.

The officers ran out of the truck’s path. Brandon slammed his truck into the back of one of the cruisers, causing it to plow into the second one. The dump truck came to a final rest on top of one of the cruisers after pushing it more than 50 feet. Brandon then jumped out of his truck and aggressively approached the officers. The officers were able to take Brandon into custody without injury to the officers or the suspect.

The officers weren’t injured.

Brandon is charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of first degree assault. He’s in custody at the Department of Corrections being held without bond.

WTOP’s Michelle Basch contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on the WTOP Facebook page.

© 2015 WTOP. All Rights Reserved.

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Supreme Court of Virginia has ruled that a Blacksburg hookah lounge is not exempt from the state’s restaurant smoking ban.

In a Thursday ruling, the court said the She-Sha Cafe and Hookah Lounge is subject to the ban because it’s not exclusively a retail tobacco store. The lounge also serves food.

The state law regulating indoor public smoking covers restaurants but specifically exempts tobacco retailers.

She-Sha had contended that most of its revenue comes from customers’ use of hookahs — tall water pipes that are used to smoke flavored tobacco.

The decision reverses a December 2013 Virginia Court of Appeals’ ruling that She-Sha is not subject to the ban.

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ARL now

Dogs rescued from South Korean meat factory headed to Manassas for adoption PotomacLocal.com korean dog 3 Three dogs that were bound to be eaten are instead headed to Manassas for adoption. The city is receiving three Shiba Inu mixes that were rescued from a meat factory in South Korea. The three dogs are part of a group of 23 canines rescued ... Dogs rescued from South Korean meat farm up for adoption in DC areaWTOP Dogs Taken From Korean 'Meat Farm' Are Ready to Be AdoptedNBC4 Washington all 124 news articles »

Patch.com

Catalytic Converters Stolen Off Eight Cars Patch.com Manassas City Police also report a generator stolen out of the bed of a truck. By Greg Hambrick (Patch Staff) January 8, 2015 at 11:13am. Catalytic Converters Stolen Off Eight Cars. Unknown burglars pulled catalytic converters off of eight cars in a ...

If your next trip to the bank involved going to the drive-thru, you might find no one there to greet you. That could certainly be the case if you put your financial needs in the hands of Bank of America, which has plans to close some of its drive-thru windows this year.

The Ozark’s First reports that the move is part of Bank of America’s plan to modify its operations due to changing consumer demands including their increased use of online and mobile banking.

A representative with Bank of America tells Consumerist via email that the decision to close some drive-up windows were based on customer use and preferences.

“At selected locations where drive-up teller use was low, we are discontinuing the drive-up teller service and offering drive-up ATMs only,” the rep writes.

When asked where closures would be taking place or how many locations were affected, the representative said she was unable to provide additional information.

Closing drive-up teller services is part of a growing trend among banks, Ozark’s First reports.

A local sales manager for Arvest Bank tells the publication that branches nationwide are making such changes to improve business operations and cut costs.

“It’s about convenience is really what it is,” he explains. “I think customers are wanting to bank in their pajamas, so to speak, and stay at home.”

He believes that the loss of drive-up teller windows won’t have much of an affect on consumers.

“It may be one less way to make a transaction, but there are still options- mobile, online, telephone, and in store- that you can count on,” he’s says.

Bank of America Plans to Close Drive-Thru Windows [Ozark’s First]

International CES often serves as a showcase for companies to unveil their latest hi-tech consumer appliances. That was certainly the case for LG and Samsung, which both exhibited a number of products — including mini washers that replace your pedestal, washers with built-in sinks, door-in-door fridges, stoves with lights that mimic gas flames, and robot vacuums. But with all of these connected, cutting-edge advancements, we’d be remiss not to ask, are these appliances really going to benefit the everyday consumer or are they just another gimmick to increase sales?

Sure there are obvious advantages to such products, like doing more laundry at one time or not having to haul sopping-wet clothes from one room to the other after a pre-wash, but such appliances also seem more extravagant and probably more costly than a regular consumer would need.

“What Samsung does best is focus on how to make consumers lives easier,” Alicia Clark, a representative for the company’s home appliance division tells Consumerist of the company’s latest products.

While it could be argued that all of the appliances unveiled by Samsung and LG at this year’s CES make life easier for consumers, there are still a number of questions left unanswered regarding whether or not these products are worth the investment.

For instance, why would you need a washing machine with a built-in sink if you have a sink in your laundry room already or why would virtual flames help you when boiling a pot of spaghetti?

As Consumerist reported earlier this week, the Samsung Activewash aims to make pre-washing clothing easier by incorporating a built-in sink.

Clark says the washer targets the nearly 70% of consumers who pre-wash their clothes either in a sink in their utility closets or in the sink of a separate room.

“We’re incorporating two things in one,” she says. “We thing it’s going to be a popular product.”

Still, the company wasn’t able to provide Consumerist with many details about the new machine, including how much clothing can be pre-washed in the one-cubic foot sink or the cost associated with such perceived convenience.

And if previous reports about pre-rinsing dishes translate at all to clothing, pre-washing might actually be a waste of water and time.

Likewise, the company’s new Slide-In Induction Range with Virtual Flame Technology looks pretty cool when a stainless steel pot is being heated, but can a more novice cook really tell the difference when it comes to cooking?

Clark says the stove’s induction top’s LED lighting shows the intensity of the virtual flame increases as you turn up the power. It has nine levels of heat ranging from simmer to boil.

She says the product was designed to make induction cooking less intimidating, but is primarily geared toward consumers who like to be adventurous in the kitchen.

However, unlike traditional ranges’ the $3,000 Samsung product’s burner sizes must coincide with the size of the pot being used. That means to see the virtual flames, placement is everything and one must use their largest pot only on the largest burner.

Another premium-like product introduced by Samsung is meant to give consumers a break from one of the most daunting household tasks: vacuuming.

The Powerbot Vacuum aims to compete with the popularity of Roombas and other robotic vacuum cleaners, Clark says.

While consumers can set the device to roam their home, if they want to keep it out of a certain space they must invest and install magnetic strips that block the machine.

Clark says both the Activewash and Powerbot appliances are still being finalized, so no pricing information was available.

Also at CES, LG unveiled the Twin Wash system, aimed at allowing consumers to wash more clothes at once. The appliance includes a standard front-load washing machine on top and incorporates a mini-washer in an optional pedestal.

The company says the currently unpriced mini-washer is perfect for consumers who have a lot of delicates or are conscientious of wash settings.

John Taylor, VP of Public Affairs for LG Electronics USA tells Consumerist via email, that the mini-washer holds about four pounds of clothing.

“Also it is more economic than larger washing machines currently in use, as it can wash small loads all at once, saving users time and energy,” he says.

Still, the company’s assertion that the device saves time by allowing users to do one-and-a-half loads at a time, it doesn’t answer the question of how you dry all of those clothes if you only have one, standard dryer.

The company also focused on its latest door-in-door refrigerator, that allows consumers access their most used food products, like butter, easily without opening the entire door.

LG touted the Double Door-in-Door Refrigerator as giving consumers the convenience of organization while conserving cool air inside the appliance.

Taylor estimates that users can reduce cold air loss by up to 47% by using the door-in-door feature.

Instead of focusing on added space or virtual aspects, GE, which didn’t showcase at this year’s CES, took a different route when it comes to new appliance convenience by creating a suite of connected appliances.

The company announced this week that designed kitchen appliances, washers, dryers and a water heater that can be controlled by users’ smartphones.

“Smartphones are the toolbox where consumers go to manage day-to-day tasks,” Liz VerSchure, general manager for GE’s connected appliances, says in a statement. “At GE, we’re using connected appliances to help homeowners maintain their products, save time and give peace of mind.”

The new appliances use a variety of GE apps to allow consumers to monitor their laundry, pre-heat the over from the grocery store and more.

GE is clear in its announcement that consumers don’t have to purchase an entire new suite of appliances to take advantage of the smart-connection, but they don’t go into detail about how it will secure consumer data or shield devices from the possibility of hacks by outside entities.

Because most of these new appliances aren’t available for consumer purchase just yet, we weren’t able to peg down their costs, but we can only imagine that premium products come with premium prices.

Additionally, we were unable to receive information on whether or not such hi-tech products would have an adverse effect on energy-saving initiatives.

While it seems music has moved as far away from the more physical music era of the past — records, cassettes, CDs, etc. — as we stream millions of artists into our ears from wherever we want, whenever we want, some people still like to get their hands on a solid hunk of plastic for their listening pleasure. A new vinyl subscription service is catering to those analog folk with LP deliveries.

While some (including, no doubt, the company itself) are calling VNYL the Netflix of its category, it is and it isn’t. It is, in that customers can keep the records for as long as they want (while still paying a monthly fee).

But unlike Netflix, it’s more like monthly product subscriptions like Stitch Fix, Gwynnie Bee or Trunk Club, in that customers are in essence allowing a stranger to pick something out that they think they’ll like, and then either keep it or send it back, unused.

Subscribers choose from a list of hashtagged moods like #rainyday, #cooking and #comingsoon (which I expect must contain tracks that haven’t even been written yet! So hipster!) and then receive a curated set of three records every month, reports RollingStone.com.

And if you’re silently fuming, thinking, “Tell me how this isn’t just a record club dressed in a trendy’s start-up’s clothing,” there is a difference in those clubs of yore, albeit a slight one: The three records are chosen for you based on those hashtags, instead of members picking any 12 from a huge selection. There’s also some kind of social media community thing that’s supposed to be exciting somehow. The website doesn’t make it entirely clear how the whole things works. Something with Twitter?

Anyway, if you like the music enough to keep it, each costs between $8-$12. Otherwise, the records go back in a prepaid envelope, much like Netflix. That might lead to some incidental damage to the products, but hey, it’s what they’re doing.

Subscribers can keep the records as long as they would like, but the service costs $15 a month so if you don’t send’em back in a timely manner you might regret it holding on to unwanted records. Forget to cancel and you’ll find yourself paying a hefty chunk for something you maybe never wanted to listen to.

Vinyls are all the rage these days, it seems — a similar service called Vinyl Me, Please is already in business sending members a limited-edition record each month along with a cocktail paring recipe for $23 per month for a year’s subscription.

New Record Service VNYL Distributes LPs Like Netflix [Rolling Stone]

How much money would it take for you to be cool with the idea of embracing strangers for a living? For at least one worker making some dough off the growing industry, it’ll cost customers $80 an hour or $400 for an entire night of platonic spooning. There are worse things, surely.

In in-depth and interesting look at the burgeoning industry, the Wall Street Journal highlights one such professional snuggle buddy who charges the above rates, bringing clients into her home to spoon.

The Internet is spurring a boom in business, with apps and sites hawking services for hire. Some will locate fellow cuddlers in the area, while other sites providing matching services complete with profiles.

Others runs businesses out of their homes or in commercial districts. One such cuddle shop offers 45 minutes of body contact for $50 or $425 for overnights

All of it’s platonic, with some businesses installing cameras to ensure that customers will behave, or requiring contracts for customers to sign before touching that sets out the limits in no uncertain terms. Don’t know what those words mean? Here’s a diagram with all the no-touch spots marked on it.

“I could tell some were disappointed that all they were getting was a cuddle, but that’s the way it is,” says a worker for a Portland, Ore. cuddle business.

Professional Cuddlers Embrace More Clients [Wall Street Journal]

“I don’t like tofu, and you can’t make me eat it!” Americans and Canadians have said to Chipotle, ignoring the tofu that the chain introduced last year. “If you try it, I’ll give you a free burrito with meat in it!” Chipotle countered, striking a bargain like a clever parent. Will the chain’s customers take this deal? On January 26, we’ll find out.

That’s the day that Chipotle is making their try-it-you’ll-like-it offer. Customers are being invited to purchase and try a food item with braised tofu in it. They just have to try it. Whether they like it or they don’t, the receipt from that soy-laden visit will earn them a free burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos with any fillings they want. It can be tofu, or it can be something other than tofu. That’s up to you.

The free entrée deal starts the following day, January 27th, and lasts until the end of February. Of course, you have to remember to bring the receipt back, which adds an extra hurdle to this deal compared to Chipotle just giving free tofu burritos away.

I’ve tried Sofritas: it has good flavor and texture for a tofu, and is spicier than the chicken that I normally get. It’s worth a try even if that isn’t something you would normally order, and that’s exactly what Chipotle is doing here.

Sofritas Monday [Chipotle]

UPDATE: The dogs have been found and returned to the family. FedEx says the driver, a contract employee, will not be working for the company pending the outcome of an investigation.

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Between FedEx, UPS, USPS and the numerous other delivery services out there, we thought we’d heard just about everything possible that a driver could do wrong. But then we heard about this story.

According to a post by a woman named Erica on Facebook, her home security footage caught a FedEx driver walking away from her home with two of her pooches in his possession.

Making things even more bizarre, she alleges that the driver wasn’t even making a delivery to her home but just came with the sole intent of snatching her dogs.

We’ve contacted FedEx, where a rep said the company is aware of the story and will provide us with an official statement later today.

Now we have no idea if the person is indeed a FedEx driver, so this could be a matter of just an a-hole dog thief caught on camera. Either way, the family is now missing two puppies, which is decidedly not cool.

[via Reddit]

Smart appliances and Internet-connected household items are here on the market and on their way into our homes whether we like it or not, but here’s one unexpected smart product: a smart bed for children that serves as its own night light and banishes under-the-bed monsters using a smartphone app.

While our well-rested colleagues down the hall at Consumer Reports rate Sleep Number beds very well, they haven’t been able to test this kids’ version yet, which the company announced at CES to fit in with the “Internet of Things” theme this year. (Notably, Consumer Reports cut up some mattresses and weren’t able to find $2,000 worth of differences between two models. Your mileage, of course, may vary.)

In addition to being adjustable, the kids’ bed offers some features that may be useful to kids and parents. One important one is a night light emanating from under the bed that parents can turn off remotely. One slightly creepy feature is a sleep tracker that parents can use to check how well kids are sleeping…and a sensor that notifies them when the little ones are restless or jumping on the bed.

It’s the app features that gamify sleep that we find interesting, though. In addition to the app that gives under-the-bed monsters a face and lets kids vanquish them, Sleep Number also has a feature that “rewards” kids for sleeping well, with these rewards apparently coming in some digital form.

An app that gets rid of monsters under the bed [Consumer Reports]

CLINTON, Md. (AP) — Animal welfare advocates are offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever used a scalding-hot substance to burn a dog in Prince George’s County.

The Humane Society says the 1-year-old male gray and white pit bull was found severely burned and huddled in a backyard in Clinton on Dec. 29. The dog survived and has since been named Leonidas.

The Humane Society says veterinarian reports indicate that Leonidas was intentionally burned, most likely with a scalding substance.

Leonidas is still recovering and is now being cared for at The Humane Society of Calvert County. The group says they’re committed to finding Leonidas a permanent home once he’s better.

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WASHINGTON – When temperatures dip into the single digits, everyone needs to take extra care to protect themselves and their children from the cold.

Dr. Erik Schobitz, a Pediatric Emergency Department physician at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, offered some recommendations.

Schobitz referred to the acronym COLD Cover, Overexertion, Layers and Dry) to keep children, in particular, safe.

Firstly, he said to make sure to cover kids with a hat.

“You know, the majority of the heat you lose is from your head. Little kids, especially babies, they don’t have very thick hair. And older adults – the same thing. When they’re losing their hair, put a hat on,” Schobitz said.

He also said mittens were a better choice than gloves for children, as they’re more effective for keeping in heat.

Schobitz said in such cold temperatures, you should avoid overexertion and any activities that cause you to sweat a lot.

As for layers, loose-fitting layers are good choices with water-resistant outer garments.

The final piece of advice Schobitz offered was simply to keep dry.

If children are home and want to play outside, Schobitz said parents need to keep an eye out for shivering.

“If your child is starting to shiver, they need to come inside … People can survive out in Minnesota and Montana, where it’s arctic-bitter cold, because they are used to it and they dress their children well,” Schobitz said.

He added that kids should always have one extra layer, more than adults, to keep warm.

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WASHINGTON — With one out of every four 65-year-olds living past age 90 and one in 10 living beyond 95, having enough money to live on during a retirement that could last 30 years or more is critical.

For many, a Social Security benefit is a significant source of retirement income, yet most people are not aware of strategies that benefit married couples, widows and widowers, and even divorcees. Today, I plan to focus on strategies that every married couple should consider.

Claiming your Social Security benefit used to be pretty straight forward – you reached retirement age and received benefits based on your work record. But in 2000, the Social Security Administration added something called “file and suspend,” which changed the rules and opened the door for married couples to receive potentially much more income during their retirement years.

The “file and suspend” strategy allows one spouse who has reached full retirement age, and usually the one with the higher earnings, to file for his/her Social Security benefits and then suspend (or delay) receiving the benefits until age 70, after the maximum amount is reached. During that time, the benefits will earn an 8 percent annual delayed retirement credit. That’s a significant annual increase.

This also triggers the ability for the other spouse to claim his/her spousal benefit, which is typically 50 percent of the other’s benefit as long as full retirement age is reached. A spouse can claim spousal benefits as early as age 62, but those benefits will be less than 50 percent. By claiming their spousal benefits instead of their own, they receive income while the benefits under their own record continue to increase. Learn more about the qualifications for spousal benefits.

The rules for this can be a bit complicated, so I’m using my favorite couple example, Doug and Rachel, to help illustrate the basic steps.

1. Doug files and suspends benefits on his earnings record at age 67 when his spouse, Rachel reaches her full retirement age at 66.
2. Rachel files a restricted application for spousal benefits in the amount of $1,180 per month (50 percent of Doug’s $2,360 benefit), rather than collecting her own benefits at age 66.
3. Doug begins receiving his benefits on his earnings record in the amount of $3,120 at age 70.
4. Rachel switches to her own benefits in the amount of $2,515 at age 70.

Here’s the fine print:

The break, even for the “file and suspend” strategy, is typically around age 80 for the older of the two spouses, so I only recommend it if clients are in good health with a longer life expectancy.

Also, if you need the Social Security income to meet your expected living expenses, then I would not recommend this option.

Significant payoff:

Assuming that the couple in the example is in good health and can do without the additional income until age 70, the impact on their cumulative income is significant. When Doug is 85 and Rachel is 83, they will have received an additional $113,344 when compared to what they would have received if they filed for benefits under their own record.

For many married couples approaching retirement, the “file and suspend” strategy provides them the best potential for maximizing their expected lifetime benefits while reducing the risk that they will not have enough money in their later years.

More information:

Mary Beth Franklin is a nationally recognized Social Security expert and contributing editor to Investment News. She explains more about the “file and suspend” strategy in this Morningstar video, “How File and Suspend Works for Social Security Beneficiaries”.

To learn more about the “file and suspend” strategy and to calculate your benefits, here’s a helpful link to the Social Security website.

The Social Security Administration is one of those rare agencies with knowledgeable and helpful representatives. If you have questions or need additional assistance, you can reach them at 800-772-1213.

I plan to focus on claiming strategies for that benefit widows, widowers and divorcees in a future article.

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WASHINGTON – The D.C. area woke up with sub-zero temperatures Thursday, making for another day of closings and delays.

If you have to brave the cold and wintry conditions as a driver, you may want to prepare an emergency supply kit for your car.

Here’s what AAA recommends you put in it:

• Make sure you have a full gas tank
• Cellphone
• Blankets/sleeping bags
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Drinking water
• Jumper cables
• Tool kit
• Flares or orange triangles
• Knife
• Towels
• High calorie, non-perishable food.

Kitty litter, or another type of abrasive, can also be helpful when you need to give your tires extra traction.

In case you become stranded, AAA says it is usually best for drivers to remain with their vehicle rather than get lose looking for help.

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WASHINGTON — An 87-year-old Frederick County man was mauled to death by his pit bull while taking down his Christmas tree, according to NBC Washington.

Police say Eugene Smith was in the middle of the task Wednesday afternoon when the dog attacked him. Smith was seriously hurt and taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Smith lived along Stonehouse Road in Frederick County with his son and his son’s fiancee, NBC reports. The dog has since been put down.

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Fairfax County community calendar, Jan. 8-15, 2015 Washington Post Chef's Table Executive chefs Edwin Amaya and Eddie Ishaq present a gluten-free, four-course dinner. Wine pairings available. 6:30 p.m. Wildfire, Tysons Galleria, Third Floor, 1714 International Dr., McLean. 703-442-9110. Dinner without wine pairing ...

Fairfax County Animal Watch Washington Post No incidents were reported by the Animal Control Division of the Fairfax County Police Department. For information, call 703-246-2253. FAIRFAX CITY. The following incidents were reported by the animal control section of the Fairfax City Police Department. and more »

Prince William County community calendar, Jan. 8-14, 2015 Washington Post Ice skating The outdoor rink is open for the season. Check the Web site for times. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. www.harrispavilion.com. $8, children 10 and younger $7. Skate rental $4. Thomas Jefferson Toastmasters ...

Prince William County crime report Washington Post These were among incidents reported by Prince William County police. For information, call 703-792-7245. BRISTOW AREA. THEFT/BREAK-IN. Puddle Pl., 12100 block, 7:53 p.m. Dec. 22. A residence was entered by breaking a rear door. Nothing was ...

Companies with long histories in the photography industry are scrambling to stay relevant in a day and age when nearly every smartphone comes equipped with a high-resolution camera, making it incredibly convenient and easy for consumers to snap away in just about every occasion. The fight for relevancy has never been more evident than during the showcases presented at the 2015 CES, where companies like Kodak, Cannon and Nikon displayed a range of products designed to compete and capitalize on the convenience afforded by smartphones.

Because most consumers carry around their smartphones everywhere they go, it makes sense to whip it out at the first sign of a picture-perfect moment.

While consumers’ ever-increasing use of smartphones as cameras has no doubt changed the way phone makers have designed their devices, it has also forced traditional camera companies to rethink their products.

Emily Wong, Kodak Pix Pro assistant manager of marketing, admits that the company has struggled to address consumers’ fondness for smartphone cameras in the past, but that’s changing.

“We started building a lot of products with WiFi that fit into everyone’s needs,” she says. “We’re taking the smartphone and extending the function.”

To do that, the company created the Pixpro SL10 Smart Lens, a 10x or 25x optical zoom lens that snaps onto a smartphone to produce high-quality photographs.

“Smartphones are great for the everyday shot because they are convenient, but for special events like weddings and sporting events you need more,” Steve Parsons, business director for digital devices for Kodak tells Consumerist.

In addition to the smartphone lens, Kodak introduced the C360 video camera – a GoPro like device that allows users to take full circle video while out and about.

Over at Nikon, the company is banking on consumers’ need for high-quality equipment and the convenience of automatic WiFi connection.

The new D5500, a DSLR camera with WiFi and remote capabilities, allows the consumer to connect directly to their smartphone for easier transfers, Steve Heiner, senior technical manager for Nikon tells Consumerist.

“It brings quality and convenience to all areas,” he says.

Unlike previous Nikon cameras, where consumers had to purchase a $60 connector to enable WiFi, the latest cameras come with the technology built in. Additionally, the D5500 can turn your smartphone into type of remote – through the Nikon app, of course.

For example if a user is assembling a large family photo, the feature allows them to use the smartphone to view what the camera is seeing and to press a button to snap the photograph.

Margaret Piemonte, a representative for Canon, tells Consumerist that the company is focusing on consumers’ desire to seamlessly share and store their photos.

“We’re constantly trying to evolve and give people the option to back-up and share,” she says.

This week, Canon is focusing on the CS100, a hub-like device that allows users to store, share and view their photos on any device.

In addition to the connect station, the company has also put its focus on cameras equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, that allows devices to transfer photos with a simple tap.

While the products being shilled by Kodak, Nikon and Cannon all aim to capitalize on the popularity of smartphone cameras, the convenience provided by them will cost consumers a pretty penny.

The Kodak Smart Lens costs $229 for the 10x zoom and $299 for a 25x zoom, while the SP360 camera sells for about $350.

Over at Nikon the new D5500 will run consumers between $1,000 to $1,200 depending on the accessories and kit purchased.

The Cannon CS100 will be available for purchase in June for about $299.

So, while the companies are attempting to stay relevant, the high cost of their products – rivaling the price of a new smartphone – might make it difficult to convince consumers they need these new products to up their photography game.