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Travel Insurance Rates Are Rising. Here Are 10 Ways To Save Money Now – Forbes https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/travel-insurance-rates-are-rising-here-are-10-ways-to-save-money-now-forbes/ getty Alex Gillard hesitated before he bought pricey travel insurance for his visit to Thailand. And he’s glad he did. Thailand requires visitors to carry insurance, but the policy offered through the government site cost $57 for a one-week stay. So before he clicked the “buy” button, he spent some time shopping. “I saved money by going through an insurance company that I found reading blog articles about travel insurance, rather than just immediately going through the Thai government’s partner insurance company,” says Gillard, a wildlife photographer. “I ended up paying $43 for the coverage.” Why are travel insurance rates rising in 2023? Experts predict travel insurance rates will rise even more as demand surges. So if you’re planning a trip for 2023, chances are you’ll be in the same boat as Gillard. “I believe travel insurance rates will rise next year,” says Mike Nelson, CEO of the travel technology company arrivia. Inflation and increased demand have pushed the cost of individual trip components higher. That means the value of what’s covered by a travel insurance policy is higher. Also, there’s been a significant spike in claims over the past two years – first COVID-related cancellations, then the travel disruptions at the beginning of the summer. Travel insurance providers will try to recoup those losses through higher premium rates. Tim Dodge, vice president of marketing at insurance company Arch RoamRight, says that the price increases are modest for now. “We’re seeing an increase of 1% in the average insured trip cost,” he told me. But I spoke with several experts who said that if the current pricing trends hold, the increases could be more significant — perhaps as much as 10% for the year. “Increasing rates are certainly likely to send travelers shopping for deals on travel insurance,” says Brooke Kirby, vice president of marketing at Travelex. “I strongly recommend that travelers fully understand what coverage they are and aren’t getting before making a decision to purchase.” Kirby says plan prices are generally competitive, so consumers often have to look at other factors. Those include the quality of customer service, claim payment rates, coverages included in plans, and upgrade options. “That’s how to determine which plan gives them the best coverage for your money,” she adds. So how do you save money when you buy travel insurance? Industry professionals say it’s a combination of careful research and understanding the limits (and a few secrets) of how travel insurance works. Here are a few strategies that could help you save serious money on travel insurance in 2023: 1. Run a travel insurance audit before you book Whether you need travel insurance for your domestic trip or international travel insurance, you’ll want to figure out what kind of policy you need long before you book your vacation. This is particularly true for vacation packages. “Look at the cancellation and refund policies,” says Murat Ozguc, owner of the Turkish tour operator Travel Atelier. “Based on that, decide on the insurance you need.” Ozguc says once you ask yourself what could possibly go wrong, you may eliminate some eventualities. And that could lead you to a less expensive travel insurance policy. 2. Avoid no-name travel insurance companies You might pay less for your policy from one of them, but it could cost you in the end, says Andrew Lokenauth, a former travel insurance executive who now teaches at the University of South Florida’s School of Management. “Purchasing from the right company is crucial,” he says. “Many travel insurance companies have bad customer service. That makes dealing with the whole claims process a terrible experience.” How do you know if the company is legit? I publish a free guide on travel insurance that will help you sort out the quality companies form the fly-by-night travel insurance operators. 3. Buy separate policies for your family You can divide the cost of your travel arrangements among the travelers in your family. “If you are traveling with children, their coverage is priced lower because of their age,” says Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com. “And when you allocate the cost of travel evenly among the travelers, you will save money on the total cost of the plan.” 4. Compare travel insurance and shop like a pro That’s the advice of Matthew Roberts, chief operating officer at the Canadian car insurance site My Choice. “Compare quotes from multiple insurers before buying,” he advises. “Do not immediately buy on the travel booking site where you just tick a box and have to pay additional fees for the travel insurance. In most cases, it would cost you more.” Roberts says the key to getting the best insurance policy deal is shopping around. Use comparison sites, but also research insurance companies “and get their quotes to ensure you’re not missing out on those offering comprehensive coverage at lower rates,” he adds. 5. Look for a low price along with the coverage you need Damian Tysdal, editor of the travel insurance site CoverTrip.com, says travelers are often confused when they’re on a travel insurance comparison site and they see a big price difference between similar plans. “But this does not mean one plan is worse than the other,” he explains. “It simply means that each company designs its plan to appeal to a different demographic.” In other words, cheaper doesn’t always mean worse. 6. Avoid overinsuring yourself Here’s a common mistake travelers make when looking for the best travel insurance: They overestimate when they give their insurance company the trip cost. That drives up their costs. “When entering your trip cost, only total the nonrefundable costs,” says Lynn Pina, chief marketing officer, at Geo Blue. “So if you can cancel and get a full refund for your hotel, you don’t need to cover that.” If you have to file a claim later, your insurance company will ask if you could get a refund for your hotel. If you can, it won’t cover the lost room night. But you will still have paid for the extra coverage. 7. Don’t buy any extras (unless you need them) Many travel insurance providers offer add-ons that may not be relevant to your trip, like rental car protection, vacation rental damage protection and the option to cancel your trip for any reason. “If those aren’t of interest to you, then no need to add them to your policy,” says Elad Schaffer, CEO of Faye travel insurance. Note: The popular “cancel for any reason” option can double the cost of your travel insurance. And if you want vacation rental damage protection, add 10 percent to the cost of your travel insurance plan. 8. Consider a health-only policy If your credit card already covers most of your travel insurance needs, you can save money by getting a health-only policy. “The available plans will have all of the benefits except for trip cancellation and trip interruption and can be a very cost-effective way of getting travel medical coverage along with baggage, trip delay, and other benefits,” says Stan Sandberg, the co-founder of travel insurance site TravelInsurance.com. Pro tip: Read the “member benefits” section of your cardholder agreement to find out if you’re covered for your next trip. 9. Don’t just buy the cheapest policy You might regret buying a policy based strictly on price. You could miss important and necessary travel insurance coverage. “Everyone wants to get the most out of their travel insurance for a reasonable cost,” says Christina Tunnah, general manager for the Americas at World Nomads. “But it’s important to be aware that deals that seem too good to be true often are.” That’s also true of “free” insurance — coverage you already have through your auto insurance or credit card. “That might seem like a great way to keep down costs, but there might be some exclusions that could come back to bite you if there’s an accident.” 10. Check your memberships Before you buy any travel insurance policy, make sure you’ve checked your memberships. Sometimes, they will include coverage. For example, if you’re a AAA Premier Member, you get various travel insurance coverage including up to $1,500 in trip interruption or delay and lost baggage coverage for up to $500, says Andrea Woroch, an expert on saving money. “You may not even have to buy additional insurance coverage,” she adds. If you want the best travel insurance for your 2023 trip — and trust me, you do — then you’ll need to conduct a full audit of your insurance needs and sharpen your pencils. It’ll take a little research to find the cheapest and best travel insurance for your upcoming vacation, but you could save hundreds of dollars with these simple strategies. %

Openings And Closings: Business Happenings Around Region | Business News | Wfmz.com – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/openings-and-closings-business-happenings-around-region-business-news-wfmz-com-69news-wfmz-tv-2/ From new apartments being approved to restaurants reopening and ready to serve, here’s your weekly look at what’s happening with businesses in your neighborhood. APARTMENT AND RETAIL BUILDING: 128 E. Third St., Bethlehem The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission granted a “COA” or certificate of appropriateness to Rocco Ayvazov‘s plan for a six-story building with apartments and retail space in South Bethlehem. Ayvazov’s Monocacy Development will demolish an existing structure and put up a new building with 55 apartments and retail space on the first floor. The plan has no on-site parking. Read the full story. *** ARTSQUEST BANANA FACTORY: 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem The historic conservation commission also approved materials and designs for ArtsQuest’s new cultural center.  The new center will take the place of the Banana Factory, which was named for its former use as a banana warehouse. The planned 73,485-square-foot building will face West Third Street. It will connect to another one-story building facing Northampton Street, a small road between Second and Third streets. The expected price is $22.1 million. Six buildings will be demolished to make way for the new center. Bethlehem’s historic conservation commission is an appointed advisory board. City Council makes final building decisions. Get all the details. *** CAPO & CO.: 1375 Chestnut St., Emmaus The gangster-themed restaurant held a ribbon-cutting with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. The speakeasy-style bar and restaurant serves pizza, burgers and sandwiches. Owner Antonio Mannino, who formerly ran Italiano Delite, decided to convert his restaurant into a 1920s-era theme bar. Mannino, a native of Sicily, was inspired to create the gangster-style bar and restaurant while watching an episode of the TV show, “Bar Rescue.” *** CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE: 30 Centre Square, Easton An attraction that started in downtown Easton may go global. Crayola said it has reached a licensing agreement for at least five more Crayola Experience venues over the next five years. Those will be within the U.S., but global expansion is a possibility, the company said in a statement.  The first Crayola Experience opened in Easton. Since then, Crayola has expanded to Orlando, Florida; Plano, Texas; Mall of American in Minnesota, and Chandler, Arizona. Hallmark Cards owns Crayola, which used to be known as Binney & Smith. Find out more. *** CURALEAF: 1801 Airport Road, Hanover Township, Lehigh County A marijuana dispensary has taken the place of the old Chess N Checkers bar on Airport Road. Curaleaf operates 137 dispensaries, including 18 in Pennsylvania. The Airport Road dispensary is only for patients with Pennsylvania medical-marijuana cards. Brands of cannabis available include Grassroots, Select and the company’s namesake line. Read more. *** MS. VELVET’S CAFÉ: 239 N. Fourth St., Allentown The new downtown Allentown cafe held a grand opening Tuesday in conjunction with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Owner Carlos Marrero named the new restaurant in honor of his sister Ruby, who died in 2017 after a hit-and-run accident.  Marrero has extensive experience in the food industry and opening his own place as been a dream for more than 20 years.  Ms. Velvet’s Cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Get the full story. *** PRESSED BOUQUET SHOP: 6330 Hedgewood Drive, Suite 220, Upper Macungie Township Pressed Bouquet recently held a ribbon-cutting with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. The business has specialists who preserve flowers from special occasions such as weddings. Options include pressed floral-resin coasters, a pressed-flower serving tray, framed flowers and more. *** RIVER HILLS ESTATE: 3017 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem Township The township’s board of commissioners has now approved the subdivision plan twice. The board voted again Monday because of a surveying error in an earlier plan for 80 homes on 29 acres on Farmersville Road. River Hills is a Kay Builders plan for 44 single-family dwellings and 36 multi-family units on 29 acres near Shannon Avenue. Read more. *** SKYLINE WEST: 143 W. Broad St., Bethlehem Bethlehem City Council delayed a decision on a COA, or “certificate of appropriateness,” for the apartment complex proposed by developer Dennis Benner, his developer sons Garrett and Brandon, and Musikfest founder Jeffrey Parks. Their plan is for 40 apartments in a five-story building overlooking Monocacy Creek and the city’s Moravian industrial quarter. Concerns about whether the project could jeopardize Bethlehem’s earnings a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing the Moravian site, have been raised. Earlier, the city planning commission said its responsibility to review Skyline West did not include consideration of World Heritage status. World Heritage status would draw attention and tourists to historic Bethlehem, advocates have said. Council will review the COA again Oct. 4. Skyline West, southwest of the Broad Street Bridge, has been under review in one form or other since at least 2018. Get the full story. *** IDEAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: 196 Beaver Dam Road, Long Pond The Pocono Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting for Ideal Property Management on Thursday. Ideal is a manager of vacation rental properties.  *** KEYBANK: 372 Delaware Ave., Palmerton The bank branch will close Dec. 2 as KeyBank and other companies move toward Internet finance. Accounts at the Palmerton branch will be transferred to other KeyBank locations. KeyBank is a subsidiary of KeyCorp, a Cleveland-based company. Read more. *** KEYBANK: 209 N. Main St., Sellersville Another bank branch will close, this one on Dec. 2, with accounts being transferred to other KeyBank locations. KeyBank said branches remain important to its business, but the bricks-and-mortar network is being “optimized” as many customers prefer digital banking. KeyBank has about 1,000 branches and 1,300 ATMs. *** REGAL CINEMAS: Off Route 309, Richland Township The Quakertown-area theater has closed after its parent company, Cineworld, filed for bankruptcy. The company cited the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic for a decline in attendance.  A post on the theater’s website said moviegoers should check out the Regal Warrington Crossing location. In 2020, Cineworld temporarily closed all theaters because of financial losses from the pandemic. Get all the details. *** SAINT ROCCO’S TREATS: 6026 Easton Rd., Pipersville The gourmet kitchen for dogs will hold a ribbon-cutting Friday, Oct. 14 from noon to 1 p.m., in conjunction with the Upper Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. Founded by brothers Kolby and Kaleb Rush, St. Rocco’s offers treats baked fresh weekly, fresh-frozen dog food and more. To attend, register via the chamber’s website. *** CATCH 22: 1102 Route 22, and KEY CITY DINER: 985 Route 22, Lopatcong Township Warren County lost two Route 22 diners on the same day. One has been a landmark along the highway for years, and the other was just about to open.   Catch 22 burned first. The diner, not yet fully open, caught fire early that morning. The owner said the fire started in a neon sign. Later that day, the Key City Diner caught fire. That restaurant has been operated by the same family for 22 years. Owners at both diners say they plan to restore their businesses and reopen. Find out more. *** SULLIVAN’S ON THE MAIN: 371 S. Main St., Phillipsburg After 22 years, the casual restaurant has been sold. COVID-19 shutdowns, then owner Mack Sullivan’s own case of long COVID led to closing. What will take the place of the restaurant was not posted on Sullivan’s website.  “We will miss your great food and good service,” a customer wrote on Facebook. Check the restaurant’s social-media posts for information on redeeming certificates. Read more. ***

A Growing Epidemic: North Dakota’s Childhood Obesity Rates Climb Annually; State, Local Officials Emphasize Prevention – Bismarck Tribune https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/a-growing-epidemic-north-dakotas-childhood-obesity-rates-climb-annually-state-local-officials-emphasize-prevention-bismarck-tribune/ Obesity among North Dakota youth has been on the rise for more than two decades, and health officials fear the coronavirus pandemic might make the situation worse.  Childhood obesity can lead to complications later in life such as heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems and mobility issues. Obesity among high school students in the state has increased from 7.2% in 1999 to 16.3% in 2021, according to a state survey of youths. The next survey will be conducted next spring. “It’ll be interesting to see (the results) because that’s really what we’re going to be looking at from 2019 to 2023 — with the pandemic, are we going to see a huge increase?” state School Health Specialist Sarah Massey said. “We’re expecting that.”  A growing trend The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2019 showed a national average of 15.5% of adolescents in grades nine through 12 who have obesity. North Dakota is slightly below the national average at 14%, which compares to Montana’s 11.5% and South Dakota’s 14.1%. CDC data differs from that of the state survey; the state uses both for reference. Sarah Massey, North Dakota School Health Specialist at North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, talks about the increase in childhood obesity in North Dakota. The North Dakota Health and Human Services uses CDC data along with trends that are collected from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was developed by the CDC in 1990. The survey, which includes grades seven through 12, is conducted in North Dakota schools in the spring of odd years.  The survey tracks body mass index data for students in grades nine through 12 and classifies them as obese, overweight, normal weight or underweight. BMI is calculated by gender, height and age.  The percentage of middle school children who were physically active for 60 minutes per day every day of the week was 34.5% in 2021 compared with 30.25% for high school students, according to the state’s youth survey. Massey said that since there hasn’t been an increase in middle school students being physically active, that directly impacts the percentage of high school students who are identified as overweight or obese. “When we see the physical activity decline in the middle school and then we look at the high school data, you can see the trend,” she said, adding, “When we don’t teach our kids at an early age to be physically active and make those healthy habit choices, we’re not going to see any linear change.”  Gym and lunches  Parker Trewin, a physical education teacher at Silver Ranch Elementary in Bismarck, said he strives to show students multiple ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle while also following state standards.  “One thing that I really do is I try to make everything I do — whether we’re working on a skill or playing a game — I try to keep it short and engaging and interactive the entire time,” Trewin said, adding that phy ed classes have diversified since he was in school. “… There was an old way where we’re playing dodgeball for two weeks and then we’re playing basketball for a month. And now what we’re doing is we’re trying to have shorter things to keep students engaged.” The Kids Heart Challenge, which works with the American Heart Association, is a program within Bismarck elementary schools that educates students about healthier lifestyles and incorporates physical activity. Silver Ranch Elementary also hosts free cross country meets and a fifth grade track meet.  Bismarck Public Schools Dietitian Joan Knoll said school lunches within the district have less total fat than the 35% standard set by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, which are developed by the federal Department of Health and Humans Services and the federal Agriculture Department. Bismarck’s school lunches range around 20% fat. Knoll noted that the schools’ lunches incorporate all five food groups, have adequate protein, and are low in sodium and sugar.  “School lunches, in general, what research has shown is that they are healthier than what a child might bring to school in a packed lunch,” Knoll said. “… We just wish kids would eat at school more; we just know that they’ll eat better if they eat at school.”  Evidence-based programs  Massey works at the North Dakota Health and Human Services department to fund local public health units, North Dakota State University Extension programs and regional education associations. These grantees implement evidence-based programs that serve as prevention methods to “combat the epidemic of childhood obesity,” she said. “Evidence-based” means backed by scientific research and data. The “Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community” CDC model is one way that North Dakota is focusing on addressing health in schools, she said. The model is student-centered and focuses on the role of the community in supporting the school, the connections between health and academic achievement, and the importance of evidence-based policies and practices within schools, according to the CDC website.  Fargo Cass Public Health has developed “Fast Fuel,” an initiative surrounding concession stands that makes more fruits and vegetables available to athletes, families and others. Massey said the approach aims to educate consumers about the importance of choosing vegetables and fruits over junk food.  Sarah Massey, North Dakota School Health Specialist at North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, highlights programs to fight childhood obesity in North Dakota. “The price point is very important because if you can get an orange for 50 cents or a candy bar for $1.50, we’re hoping that the students, the families, the athletes would choose those fruits and vegetables,” she said.  The western region of North Dakota is “a little bit more difficult,” Massey said, explaining that some rural communities can be “food deserts” — a term for an area where it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality food. She added, “They don’t have the opportunities or the products that we have in our urban communities.”  Garden boxes is one way rural communities can access fresh produce, especially for lower-income families, Massey said. Cavalier County District Health Unit, for example, is partnering with the local high school consumer science and industrial arts programs to build garden boxes for local businesses to sponsor and provides free produce at no cost for community members. Sarah Massey, North Dakota School Health Specialist at North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, discusses how food deserts in western North Dakota are being taken on to combat childhood obesity. Programs such as “Farm to School” — established by the U.S. Agriculture Department to enable schools to purchase farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, honey, dairy products and other food from local producers for their school lunch menus — are ways schools and families can access resources. Health and Human Services also works to fund some tribal communities within the state for similar healthy initiatives. Massey said that launching these programs into communities across the state will help “get those kids moving and making those healthy life choices.”  “We’re really striving to make sure that the funding is available to all communities in North Dakota and also providing them the evidence-based resources or promising practices that we have developed — whether it’s we, at the state, that developed it or at a local public health or even our Extension agencies, and then regional education associations play a big part in it as well,” Massey said.  Built-in healthy environments  Nutrition Services Coordinator Katie Johnke at Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health works within the community to establish programs and incentives that make it easier for those who want to be active. This includes collaborations with the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District and area schools on bike- and walk-to-school efforts.  “Physical activity doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to cost money either,” she said, adding that daily walks are a great way for families to make it interactive. Being active year-round and embracing the North Dakota seasons is crucial in getting children off their screens and outside, Johnke noted.  Nutrition also can be interactive and can help develop healthier habits leading into adulthood, she said, adding that testing out a new fruit or vegetable each week exposes children to a variety of produce. Shopping what’s in season is another way to keep the menu diverse.  Education with youth is vital, Johnke said — such as teaching them the difference between a bag of chips and a bundle of bananas that’s healthier and cheaper. It doesn’t mean that children can’t enjoy treats and snacks, but it’s teaching youth to be more mindful about what is going to fuel their bodies in a healthier way, she said. A healthier lifestyles developed at an early age can mitigate childhood obesity, and it can be learned from families leading by example, according to Johnke.  “I think it’s just a concern in general as we’re seeing it nationwide and then just locally that we want to be able to provide kids the opportunities to move their bodies and choose healthy foods, which is basically what it comes back to in terms of living that healthy lifestyle,” she said. “… It really is going to take a village to talk about this.” Sarah Massey, North Dakota School Health Specialist at North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, talks about the impacts of COVID-19 on childhood obesity in North Dakota.

What Channel Is Michigan Vs. Maryland On Today? Time, TV Schedule For Week 4 College Football Game – Sporting News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/what-channel-is-michigan-vs-maryland-on-today-time-tv-schedule-for-week-4-college-football-game-sporting-news/ Two of the nation’s best offenses meet on Saturday in a game certain to be filled with fireworks. No. 4 Michigan has beat the doors off of its competition in its opening three games, all in the midst of a “biblical” quarterback battle. The Wolverines have outscored their opponents 166-17 in their opening three games, hanging 50-spots in each matchup. With coach Jim Harbaugh at the helm and a host of talented players across the roster, including star tailback Blake Corum and All-Big Ten honorable mention DJ Turner, Big Blue seems primed to compete for a return to the College Football Playoffs. Maryland, meanwhile, has seemingly gotten past the throes of Mike Locksley’s first couple of seasons. Now, the Terps look like a solid side, granted, they have yet to claim a victory over one of the conference’s true heavyweights. Perhaps Saturday can be the day when that changes. MORE: Updated AP Top 25, Coaches Poll rankings after Week 3 With that, here’s how you follow all the action at the Big House. What channel is Michigan vs. Maryland on today? TV channel (national): Fox Live stream: fuboTV This week’s nationally-televised Big Ten clash will be broadcast on Fox. The primetime showing will feature Gus Johnson on the play-by-play, Joel Klatt as color commentator and Jenny Taft as the game’s sideline reporter. Michigan vs. Maryland start time Date: Saturday, Sept. 24 Kickoff: Noon ET Michigan vs. Maryland will kick off at noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 24 from the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. MORE: College Football Playoff picture for Week 4 Michigan schedule 2022 Date Opponent Result September 3 Colorada State W, 51-7 September 10 Hawai’i W, 56-10 September 17 UConn W, 59-0 September 24 Maryland Noon ET October 1 at Iowa TBD October 8 at Indiana TBD October 15 No. 14 Penn State TBD October 29 Michigan State TBD November 5 at Rutgers TBD November 12 Nebraska TBD November 19 Illinois TBD November 26 at No. 3 Ohio State TBD Maryland schedule 2022 Date Opponent Result September 3 Buffalo W, 31-10 September 10 at Charlotte W, 56-21 September 17 SMU W, 34-27 September 24 at No. 4 Michigan Noon ET October 1 Michigan State TBD October 8 Purdue TBD October 15 at Indiana TBD October 22 Northwestern TBD November 5 at Wisconsin TBD November 12 at No. 14 Penn State TBD November 19 No. 3 Ohio State TBD November 26 Rutgers TBD

Which Metaverse Is Superior: Decentraland (MANA) Or Sandbox (SAND)? – Yucatan Magazine https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/which-metaverse-is-superior-decentraland-mana-or-sandbox-sand-yucatan-magazine/ Decentraland and Sandbox are significant words in the area of the metaverse. Let’s examine the distinctions between Decentraland and Sandbox and understand what is better, mana or sand. Metaverse is a prevalent term in tech discussions nowadays. The whole tech industry expects the metaverse, but it’s undefined. Think 1980s internet. The metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual world where users may interact as digital avatars. Amid all the buzz around the metaverse, the Decentraland vs Sandbox argument has begun to gather traction. Both are entirely decentralized metaverse systems with no central authority. So, what are their distinctions, and which one is superior?  The first need for a comparison between sandbox and Decentraland is a summary of the respective definitions. Anyone who carefully follows metaverse news must have heard of the current top two leaders in the area. There are several parallels between the two, although there are also many substantial variances. Let’s begin by defining both platforms to determine, if there is one, which is superior: sandbox or Decentraland. Definition Decentraland (MANA) Decentraland, the early pioneer in the metaverse area, began in 2017 and is a fully immersive and entertaining 3D metaverse. It focuses on allowing users to acquire land parcels in addition to exploring the vast virtual globe. Decentraland offers participants a variety of activities, including gaming, casinos, galleries, and concerts, among others. It is now the longest-running project inside the metaverse. Decentraland launched in 2020 with a $24 million ICO. On the platform’s virtual land, people may develop unique experiences. MANA and LAND are tied to Decentraland. MANA, the platform’s ERC-20 token, may be burned to buy LAND tokens, which are ERC-721. The MANA token is accepted in the Decentraland marketplace for avatars, wearables, products, and names. Definition Sandbox (SAND) The next significant participant, Sandbox, began as a blockchain-based virtual world in 2011 and transitioned to a 3D game platform in 2017. The virtual world enables users to construct, play, exercise ownership, and monetize all of their virtual experiences. One of the key goals of Sandbox is to enable blockchain community artists, designers, and gamers to construct the platform according to their vision. Sandbox provides the optimal environment for releasing creativity in the creation of contemporary game ecology. The idea combines the advantages of NFTs and DAOs to empower a community of gamers that is continually expanding. Sandbox is an ingenious play-to-earn paradigm that assists users in their growth as gamers and producers. The platform provides a utility token, SAND, which is required for all platform-based transactions. MANA is a great creative medium, entertainment source, and economic opportunity for corporations, individuals, and artists. It’s a fast-growing DAO project. MANA token holders control Decentraland. Sandbox is a blockchain-based virtual environment that uses SAND. Users may create, trade, and buy digital items and experiences on the platform, which also supports blockchain-based games. Sandbox emphasizes user-generated content and develops a player-driven environment. Want to know about other cryptocurrencies? Follow the link: https://godex.io/versus/algo-vs-ada and learn about ALGO vs ADA or make a fast and secure exchange.

The Potential Power Of The Microwave – And The Surprising Foods You Can Cook In Yours – The Telegraph https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-potential-power-of-the-microwave-and-the-surprising-foods-you-can-cook-in-yours-the-telegraph/ Most of us own a microwave: anything between 80 and 95 per cent of UK households (estimates vary) have one. So why are we such terrible snobs about them? They are often hidden away, or dismissed as somewhere to heat ready meals. Gastronomes take pride in doing without one, like a quasi-intellectual gloating about not having a TV. It’s that vegan joke rebooted: how do you know that the cook doesn’t have a microwave? Because they’ll tell you. Well, it’s time to wake up to the power of the microwave. Or rather, the lack of power that it uses, compared with conventional cooking methods. With energy costs spiralling to unthinkable levels, it seems that the microwave’s moment has come. Not before time, according to environmental campaigners, who have been pointing out for years that we need to think harder about how we use energy. Recent research by energy supplier Utilita, as part of its “Cook Smart, Shop Savvy” campaign with Iceland supermarkets, showed the most energy-intensive cooking appliance in our kitchens is the electric cooker. This power guzzler typically costs 87p per day to run or £316 a year, based on it being used for an average of 43 mins per day, with dual-fuel cookers chalking up 72p a day. Meanwhile the least cool kid in the kitchen, the microwave oven, works out the cheapest of all the cooking appliances at 8p a day, assuming it’s used for 20 minutes. It’s no surprise to Dr Christian Reynolds, of the Centre for Food Policy at London’s City University. “An oven is, in some ways, a hugely inefficient way of cooking, because you’re just heating a big box full of air.” Real issues So can we come round to the mike? There are irritations. We complain about the incessant pinging, the scalding steam when the cling film is pierced, and the glass door between us and the food making for a sort of gastronomic social distancing. I think we’ll get over these annoyances. Pingers can be turned off in newer microwaves and silicone food covers are easier to peel away in safety. As for that glass divide, we don’t get in a state about closing a (conventional) oven door on our dinner. The real issue is the kind of heat, which in the case of microwave ovens is wet. While conventional ovens are big dry boxes of hot air, cooking from the outside and relying on conduction to transmit heat to the centre of the food, microwave ovens work by making the water – and to a lesser extent fat and sugar – molecules in food vibrate. This produces heat through friction and cooks the food. So they are essentially steamers: the surface of the food just doesn’t get hot enough to brown. The exception is food with a very low water content, such as bacon, which can be cooked to a perfect brown crispness in the microwave oven. Yes, beautiful browning. We are in thrall to the Maillard reaction, a phenomena that occurs when heat makes amino acids, constituents of proteins, react with sugars, to create that colour and flavour we find irresistible. It’s what makes a roast dinner our favourite meal – the dark, Bovril-y outside of roast beef or crisp golden chicken skin, the crunchy roast potatoes, the gravy. But it’s also the delectable browned edges of a lasagne crust, or golden toasted cheese, or that flavour magic that happens when you fry courgette slices in butter until mahogany-edged. Sadly, the cost of those oven dinners is high. Running an oven for an hour takes around 2.1kWh (more if you run it at a very high temperature), which from October will cost £1.09 (based on 51.89p per kWh]. But how do we match our Maillard aspirations with the steam-not-brown capabilities of the microwave? The answer is, use your mike to do the donkey work, the cooking, then finish them under the grill or in a hot oven (no need to preheat) to brown them. With an 800W microwave using 0.18kwh for 10 minutes worth of cooking – enough to cook the veg in batches – that’ll cost 9p. Add in 20 minutes of oven time – 37p – and you’ve more than halved your costs. Same goes for a baked potato, points out Reynolds, especially for single people: “Whack it in the microwave, having pierced it, [give it] five or six minutes to precook it and then put it into the oven just to crisp enough at the end.” If your microwave has a combi-function, so much the better, as you’ll be heating a smaller space, which will be more fuel efficient. There are countless other dishes that are done beautifully, and completely, in a microwave oven. Anything that is wrapped before going in the oven – like baked celeriac, say – will work just as well, more quickly and more thriftily, in the microwave oven. Vegetables cook perfectly, losing fewer nutrients than in a pan, ideal for soup bases and purées as well as eating as they are. Fish is arguably better done in the microwave than poached or steamed. What’s missing, according to Reynolds, is better communication. “In the 1950s , 1960s and 1970s we had people knocking on doors saying, ‘This is how you cook with it.’” Now we are more sophisticated, but “the cooking community as a whole is quite snobby towards more convenient ways of cooking.” So let’s have a new microwave maven, someone who can bring the genre up to date in the way that food writer Catherine Phipps has transformed attitudes towards the pressure cooker – another excellent power-saving device. We need a Diana Henry of digital cookery, a Tom Kerridge of the turntable, a Nigella to rule the wahvés – someone who can make us proud to show off our lean, green, thrifty microwave machine. The Language of Microwaves Timings in the microwave are based on the quantity of food, and its water content. So halving the quantities in a microwave recipe will mean reducing the time far more than you would for an oven or stove-top-based recipe. Start by cooking for the same proportion of time as ingredients, so half the time for half the amount of food. There will be an element of trial and error: stopping and starting to see if it’s done. Then there is the power, or wattage, of the microwave, which is the equivalent of the oven temperature in a conventional cooker. Annoyingly, recipes don’t always give the power level: if they don’t it’s probably 650W or 700W, which used to be the standard for most microwaves. These days they can be 1100W or more, although some smaller, older ones run at as little as 400W. If your microwave oven is a different wattage to the one in the recipe, you can adjust the cooking time, but there’s no precise formula for this: it’s a matter of trial and error. A better bet is to adjust the power level of your microwave to fit. However, manufacturers seem to be oblivious to the needs of the cook when it comes to power levels.  Most microwaves don’t state their wattage on the front, so if you’re in a holiday let, say, you may have to check the back of the oven for the details. Be aware that if it is a combination microwave oven (one with a built-in grill, say) the power level stated may be for the conventional heating element, and higher than the microwave power level. The only way to be sure may be to find an online manual. But I have a bigger gripe with the manufacturers. There is no standard method on microwaves for controlling those power levels. You may be able to vary it by percentage, but trying to work out what percentage of 1100W is 650W feels like facing an exam maths problem when you’re hungry and tired. Alternatively, the microwave may simply have a dial reading “high”, “medium-high”, “medium” or “low”, which in the absence of an instruction manual or the energy to trawl through one, you can take as 100 per cent, 75 per cent, 50 per cent and 25 per cent. None seem to have controls which allow you to choose 1000W, 700W or 400W, in the way conventional ovens have standardised controls that can be set to 200C, 150C or 120C. I don’t think microwave designers cook much. Standing time is key. Once the microwave oven has done its work, vibrating the molecules, they need time to settle and for the cooking to complete by more conventional conduction. If you tuck in straightaway, your food may not be done – and you may burn your tongue. Micro Management: How to… Cook crispy bacon Lay four slices of bacon (not too lean) on a plate with two sheets of kitchen paper under, two on top. Heat for 3 mins (repeat if needed for 1-2 mins) until golden. It will crisp-up as it cools. Toast nuts or seeds Spread the nuts or seeds in a single layer on the turntable. Microwave for 20-second bursts, stirring well each time, until they smell roasted. Caramelise sugar Mix 200g sugar, 2tbsp liquid glucose or golden syrup, 2tbsp water and a couple of drops of vinegar or lemon juice in a 750ml heatproof glass bowl. Heat for 4 mins, then in 30 second bursts until turning a dark-honey colour. Stop when it’s a bit lighter than you want it: it’ll darken as it stands. Use straightaway, as it will solidify as it cools. Roast root veg Cook 400g well-seasoned carrots, covered in the microwave for three minutes or until barely done. Repeat with other root veg. Toss in olive oil, spread on a baking sheet and cook at 220C (no need to preheat the oven) for 20 mins or until touched with brown. Reheat leftovers Spread the food in as thin a layer as practicable, and cover with a damp paper towel (or damp muslin, if you sticking to reusables). Microwave in bursts of 20 seconds or so, shifting the dish a little each time, and stirring if practical. More dense foods will heat more slowly than those that are less dense. Steam fish Lay a fish fillet in a buttered microwave dish and add fronds of dill or other herbs. Season well and dot with butter, or spread with pesto. Nuke for 90 seconds per cm of thickness, checking every 90 seconds and shifting the posit...

Merchant Crypto Payments: Clever Marketing Or Signs Of Real Adoption? – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/merchant-crypto-payments-clever-marketing-or-signs-of-real-adoption-cryptonews/ Source: AdobeStock / ra2 studio Andrey Diyakonov is the Chief Commercial Officer at Choise.com, a MetaFi (CeFi/DeFi) ecosystem based on Crypterium CeFi solutions and Charism DeFi protocol. __________ Earlier this year, all the news about digital assets was about the ongoing crypto winter, the bankruptcy of lenders and other projects, and major black swan events like Axie Infinity‘s Ronin bridge hack or the collapse of Terra’s UST algorithmic stablecoin. Surprisingly, a significant change could be observed in recent months. Despite the fact that cryptocurrency prices remain near the current market bottom, there has been quite some positive media coverage about the industry lately. The reason for the latter is rather straightforward. In the last few months, a surging number of prominent businesses and government entities have started adopting digital assets for payments. Accelerating business and state crypto adoption In August, while Gucci expanded its list of supported digital assets with ApeCoin and the luxury resort chain Soneva started accepting major coins at its premises in the Maldives and Thailand, Oxford City has become the first non-league football club to integrate crypto for matchday payments. Moreover, businesses have expanded crypto payment coverage in Australia and Argentina. Сitizens of the latter can now utilize a prepaid card brought about through a partnership between Binance and MasterCard to settle transactions at merchants via cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, Aussies can now purchase fuel and other merchandise with their digital assets at On The Run‘s 175 premises. At the same time, states are also increasingly realizing crypto payments’ potential use cases and benefits. Of course, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) continue playing a major role in governments’ cryptocurrency adoption, especially if we consider how close China is to launching its digital yuan (e-CNY). While visitors and residents can leverage e-CNY to buy subway tickets in Ningbo and Beijing, bus fares can be covered with the state-issued digital asset in Guangzhou. Clever marketing or real signs of crypto adoption? Large brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Tag Heuer joining the ranks of companies like Microsoft, PlayStation, AT&T, and Subway to accept crypto is definitely good news for the industry. However, before we imagine bitcoin (BTC) and other major cryptocurrencies “going to the moon”, we should discuss whether this is a signal of real-world, no-fooling around adoption or just a marketing plot by brands. Fortunately, the prior statement seems to hold the truth. Whether they like it or not, big firms are adopting cryptocurrency for payments to fulfill consumers’ surging demand. In Gucci’s case, the luxury brand likely decided to integrate ApeCoin due to its customers’ strong interest in the non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of the popular Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) project, where top celebrities like Eminem and Snoop Dogg are actively involved. Furthermore, with an estimated 320 million crypto users worldwide, many consumers have realized the benefits of crypto payments. Compared to conventional forms of payment, digital assets are cheaper and faster to transfer due to the lack of intermediaries in the transactions. At the same time, while users have direct ownership over their funds (provided they weren’t goofing around with their private keys) with non-custodial wallets, they don’t have to use a bank account, a credit card, or other services of financial institutions to settle their payments. For businesses, the advantages of crypto payments are even more obvious. Compared to traditional providers that typically charge between 1.5% and 3.5% for processing credit card transactions, a recent report revealed that it only costs enterprises approximately 1% to accept digital assets with a capable processor. The savings in fees and the speed of transactions provide an excellent opportunity for merchants to reduce their bottom line. Furthermore, while they can target crypto-native prospects more efficiently, they face significantly fewer risks of unfriendly behavior, viz. fraudulent chargebacks, with digital assets-powered transactions. Who will take the lead in crypto adoption? In the coming months, I expect more luxury brands, especially those actively involved in the NFT and metaverse sectors, to follow in Gucci’s footsteps and adopt crypto payments. Also, as demand among merchants grows, it will likely give one more reason for payment giants like MasterCard, Visa, and PayPal to introduce new or expand their existing digital asset offerings to fulfill enterprise demand. At the same time, as the upcoming metaverses of tech firms like Meta and Microsoft are getting one step closer to their launch, we might witness an acceleration of crypto adoption in this field as well, where said assets might be utilized as a means of payment in virtual worlds. Now, how and whether – if at all – future-proven and regulation-resistant will those new efforts be, remains to be seen. Meta still hasn’t fully recovered from the Libra blowback. How decentralized and peer-to-peer (P2P) those infrastructures are is yet another point of uncertainty. Next year, we may also see some new government initiatives that aim to leverage the benefits of crypto payments in a similar way, spanning across the continents, from Iran through African states to Argentina’s Mendoza province. However, I believe all those efforts will be slowed down by the focus that might be diverted to CBDC development. For that reason, I expect businesses to take the lead in crypto payments adoption for the next few months – or at least until China completes the nationwide launch of the digital yuan, opening up the way to millions of new crypto users. ____

Convertibles Drive Into The Sunset As Automakers Invest In Electric Vehicles – CNBC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/convertibles-drive-into-the-sunset-as-automakers-invest-in-electric-vehicles-cnbc/ 2024 Ford Mustang Source: Ford Convertibles — once a sign of open-air freedom, road trips and summer adventures — are fading away as the auto industry shifts to all-electric cars and more rugged sport utility vehicles. Sales of traditional drop-tops such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, as well as roadsters such as the Mazda Miata, have plummeted in the U.S. to fewer than 100,000 vehicles annually, according to S&P Global Mobility. That’s down from a recent peak of nearly 320,000 vehicles, or 2% of all new U.S. vehicle sales, in 2006, and roughly 144,200, or 0.8%, in 2015. Reasons for the decline of convertibles include practicality, durability, cost increases, and new panoramic sunroofs and glass tops, according to experts. Automakers are also investing capital in off-road models and electric vehicles. “The trajectory has been down and there just isn’t as strong of a consumer interest,” said Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at S&P Global Mobility. “In the transition to electric vehicles, and where do automakers put their development money, it just isn’t going to convertibles.” 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Ford Including SUVs that are considered convertibles by federal safety standards, such as the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, doesn’t help sales too much. Even counting those vehicles, sales last year were down by 26% since 2015. They were off 21% from then until 2019, which is the last year the automotive industry wasn’t experiencing significant production or supply chain disruptions. The decline in sales has occurred amid a drop in the number of convertibles and roadsters — two-seat vehicles with drop-tops or removable roofs — from 29 models in 2011 to 23 models in 2019. But many current vehicles are high-end or low-volume models from super premium automakers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and other luxury carmakers. J.D. Power reports convertibles have represented 28% of the super premium vehicles so far this year while representing only 0.5% of the U.S. auto industry overall, including 0.3% of mainstream vehicles. Discontinued models from more mainstream brands since the 2000s have included: Chrysler Sebring, PT Cruiser and 200 Pontiac G6 Nissan Murano Volkswagen Beetle Toyota Camry Smart ForTwo Buick Cascada Haartz Corp. — the global leader in materials for soft-top convertibles — reports its sales have recovered to pre-pandemic levels, but the downward trend in soft-top continues globally, not just in the U.S. “What we’re seeing right now is electrification is taking away, even more, from the convertible world,” said Phil Hollenbeck, planning manager at Haartz. 2016 Beetle Dune Credit: © Copyright Volkswagen of America, Inc. The Massachusetts-based supplier, which is celebrating its centennial, developed its first “synthetic fiber topping” for cars in 1922. In the early days of the automotive industry, nearly all cars were open-air vehicles or convertibles. Hardtop vehicles were introduced as a premium option — a trend that has switched in modern times. For example, the 2022 Ford Mustang hardtop starts at $27,470. The convertible version starts at about $33,000. J.D. Power reports the average cost of a convertible has risen from about $45,000 in 2011 to $70,400 in 2021. For 2022, amid supply chain problems leading to higher prices, that has ballooned to $79,200. That makes SUVs such as the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco among the least expensive, most available options. “Bronco and Wrangler combined outsell all convertibles 5:1 and both start in the $30,000s, which make them among the cheapest ways to enjoy the open top experience,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data and analytics at J.D. Power. “With SUVs 59% of retail sales in 2022, these two may be the face of convertibles in the future.” The top-selling convertibles over the past two years have included the Chevrolet Corvette, Mazda MX-5, BMW 4 Series and the Ford Mustang, according to J.D. Power. Jim Owens, head of Ford Mustang marketing, said only about 15% of the car’s sales to consumers — 72,500 units in 2019 — are convertibles. He said demand has slowly been declining. However, there’s still a “predominant” demand in rental car fleets. Polestar O2 electric roadster concept Source: Polestar Aside from rental cars and SUVs, there is still some hope for new convertible and roadster models in the coming years, including EVs. Ford last week unveiled a Mustang convertible as part of the seventh-generation car. Tesla has pledged to bring a new roadster to market. EV startup Polestar plans to produce an electric convertible. S&P Global Mobility forecasts sales of convertibles and roadsters to increase to about 82,000 vehicles in 2024 and 2025, before once again falling to under 70,000 units by the end of this decade. Haartz’s Hollenbeck said once automakers have come out with EVs, they’ll be looking for ways for the vehicles to stand out — and one will likely be drop-tops. “We’ll see what the market wants later. Could we see a possible convertible electric Challenger in the future? I don’t see why not,” he said. “I can’t imagine they’re all going to go away. People who are into convertibles love them.”

Musk Says He Will Activate Starlink Amid Iran Protests – Dunya News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/musk-says-he-will-activate-starlink-amid-iran-protests-dunya-news/ (Reuters) – SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Friday that he would activate the firm’s satellite internet service, Starlink, in response to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s tweet that the United States took action “to advance internet freedom and the free flow of information” to Iranians. The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday issued guidance expanding internet services available to Iranians despite U.S. sanctions on the country, amid protests around Iran following the death of a 22-year-old woman in custody. A Treasury official briefing reporters said: “Our understanding of Starlink is that what they provide would be commercial grade, and it would be hardware that’s not covered in the general license; so that would be something they would need to write into Treasury for.” A U.S. State Department spokesperson later said of Friday’s updated license that it was self-executing and that “anyone who meets the criteria outlined in this general license can proceed with their activities without requesting additional permissions.” Musk could not be reached for comments or clarification regarding Starlink’s clearance to operate in Iran. Iranians have been protesting over the death of Mahsa Amini last week while in police custody after being arrested by the morality police for wearing “unsuitable attire”. Musk said on Monday that the company wanted to provide Starlink satellite broadband service – already provided to Ukraine for its fight against Russia’s invasion – to Iranians, and would ask for a sanctions exception. The U.S. State Department spokesperson added that if SpaceX were to determine that some activity aimed at Iranians requires a specific license, “OFAC would welcome it and prioritize it”. “By the same token, if SpaceX determines that its activity is already authorized and has any questions, OFAC also welcomes that engagement,” the State Department spokesperson said.

POLICE | News, Sports, Jobs – Morning Journal News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/police-news-sports-jobs-morning-journal-news-2/ Lisbon – Officers responded to the area of the Columbiana County courthouse at 12:28 p.m. Sept. 22 in reference to a woman who escaped from common pleas court. Officers were unable to find the woman in question. Officers later found the woman at an East Washington Street home when the resident reported she was there without permission. – Officers responded to a state Route 45 business at 9:31 a.m. Sept. 20 in reference to an irate customer attempted to get a refund for $500. The customer was advised to contact Amazon. – Officers stood by while an individual gathered belongings from a North Beaver Street home at 8:15 a.m. Sept. 20. – Basil McMurray, Longs Crossing, Leetonia, was charged with criminal damaging after officers responded to a West Washington Street, Lisbon, home at 12:04 a.m. Sept. 17 where a resident reported McMurray had damaged the door while banging on it in an attempt to speak with her. – Logan Jones, 32, Oak Street, Lisbon, was charged with two counts of assault and criminal damaging after officers responded to a South Jefferson Street business at 1:52 a.m. Sept 16 in reference to a fight and found that Jones had broken out the back window of a vehicle with a beer bottle following a physical altercation, causing injuries to passengers in the vehicle. – John Holenchick, Lisbon, was charged with criminal trespassing after officers responded to an East Lincoln Way business at 12:29 p.m. Sept. 11 where he had been despite being told not to return. – An officer responded to Allay Senior Care at 12:29 p.m. Sept. 10 in reference to a combative patient. When the officer arrived, the patient calmed down and agreed to go with EMS. Salem — Officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of East Sixth Street at 8:54 p.m. Thursday for a report that the caller couldn’t find his wife after she had been sitting on the porch. Officers arrived and located the woman sitting out back of the residence. The woman said she felt her medication has been off and was offered medical attention, which she agreed to. Fire department first responders and KLG responded, and she was transported to the Salem Regional Medical Center.  — Officers responded to the area of South Lundy and Pershing at 7:38 p.m. Thursday for a report of a woman screaming and throwing things. Officers located the woman and advised her of the complaint. She was warned for her disorderly behavior.  — Officers met with a man at the police department at 5:12 p.m. Thursday who said he were having issues with his neighbor. The man advised officers of the issues and said he wanted a report documented in case something happens on his property or with the neighbor in the near future.  — Officers responded to the intersection of North Cunningham Road and Bentley Drive at 3:31 p.m. for a two-vehicle accident. Trisha Baddeley, 39, was travelling northbound on North Cunningham Road and stopped at the stop sign at Bentley Drive when a vehicle driven by Tara Miller, 52, attempted to turn right onto North Cunningham Road and failed to maintain control, sliding into the front left of Baddeley’s vehicle. Baddeley’s vehicle was towed from the scene and Miller was cited for failing to maintain reasonable control.  — Officers responded to the 2000 block of East Fourth Street at 1:20 p.m. Thursday for a report of a reckless driver. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the vehicle.  — Officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of East Fifth Street at 10:31 a.m. for a speak with officer report. The caller advised she had left to take her children to school in the morning and when she returned home found most of their belongings were on the porch The male who lives there with her claimed he did not put her belongings there, but also locked the door. The woman said she and her children had lived there since February of this year. She was advised of her options on gaining access since she is a resident. Officers contacted the man and informed him of the same. Officers also advised the man she would have to be legally evicted if she did not leave on her own. The man said he had not placed her belongings on the porch and figured she had moved out so he locked the door, but would respond to unlock it. The woman said she didn’t have any other place to move with her children and had already tried checking with the area shelters, who advised her they were full. Officers called and left a message at an agency which provides assistance, and both parties were advised to remain civil with each other and not let things turn physical.  — Officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of Mullins Street at 9:55 a.m. Thursday for a report of suspicious activity from a man. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate him.  — Officers responded to the 1000 block of North Ellsworth Avenue at 9:20 a.m. Thursday for reports of a suspicious woman sitting on a curb with her belongings. Officers located the woman in the 1200 block of North Ellsworth Avenue who advised she did not need assistance and was heading to the Salvation Army.  — Officers spoke to a woman at the police department at 8:45 a.m. Thursday about possible threats she was receiving on social media. Officers read the messages and advised the woman a report would be made and contact with the person messaging her would be attempted. — Officers spoke with a man by phone at 6:15 p.m. Sunday who said his ex-girlfriend was stalking him and threatening him with violence. Officers made contact with the woman by phone and advised her of the complaint, instructing her to leave the man alone or there would be charges. The woman said she would stay away and wanted nothing to do with him.  — Officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of South Howard Avenue at 5:43 p.m. Wednesday for a medical problem. When officers arrived, the person had calmed down and agreed to be transported to the Salem Regional Medical Center.  — Officers responded to the area of Newgarden Avenue and Liberty Street at 5:39 p.m. Wednesday for a report of juveniles riding bicycles in the roadway. Officers located several young juveniles in the 800 block of Liberty Street who advised them they had been riding in the roadway. Officers advised them of the danger of their actions and of safer ways and locations to ride their bicycles.  — Officers responded to the 2300 block of Southeast Boulevard at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday for reports of a distraught man. Officers checked the area but were unable to find the man.  — Officers responded to the 100 block of Jennings Avenue at 10:22 a.m. Wednesday to attempt to locate a man with an active warrant. Officers successfully found the man, William Tomlin, 52, taking him into custody. Tomlin was transported to the police department for processing and then released to a Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office deputy.  — Officers responded to the Dollar General at 9:44 a.m. Wednesday for a report of counterfeit money. Officers were advised two men came to the store and passed 10 $100 bills which were found by Huntington Bank to be fake. Officer was advised that one man provided five of the bills in return for the money to be placed on a cash app, and the other man provided the other five bills with $450 going on his cash app, and $50 in cash from the register. Video of both men were obtained on body camera and pictures of one of the bills from the caller’s phone was obtained. The caller was provided with a report number.  Perry Township   — Officers responded to the 200 block of South Broadway Avenue at 4:22 p.m. Tuesday to assist the Columbiana County Drug Task Force execute a search warrant.  — Officers responded to the KFC parking lot at 1:41 p.m. Tuesday to assist the Salem Police Department with a traffic stop. Officers stood by until no longer needed.  — Officers responded to the 13000 block of Salem Alliance Road at 11:27 a.m. Tuesday to recover items discovered in a trash can in Perry Township. The items were found to be several live rounds of ammunition. Officers disposed of the ammunition properly.  — Officers responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Jackson Avenue for a report of a neighbor finding arrows on his property. Officers were shown where the neighbor has an archery target set up with inadequate backstop. Officers spoke with the neighbor and advised him to put up a better backstop for safety, which they advised they would.  — Officers responded to the 1500 block of Madison Avenue at 7:12 p.m. Sept. 17 for reports of an opened door on an abandoned house. Officers checked the property and found it to be empty. Officers secured all entrances to the house.  — Officers responded to the 2000 block of Egypt Road at 5:43 p.m. Sept. 17 to assist the Goshen Township police with a traffic stop. A person in the vehicle fled from Goshen officers into the woods. Officers searched the woods for the person but were unable to locate them. Officers assisted until no longer needed.  — Officers responded to the area of U.S. Route 62 and state Route 45 at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17 for reports of a reckless driver. Officers found a motorcycle matching the description given by the caller and performed a traffic stop. The driver showed no signs of intoxication and advised that the driver behind him was showing signs of road rage.  — Officers responded to the 400 block of Benton Road at 3:26 p.m. Sept. 17 for reports of ducklings by the road. Officers were unable to find any ducks.  — Officers responded to a residence in the 1100 block of West Perry Street at 5:50 p.m. Sept. 16 for a neighbor complaint and property dispute. Officers spoke with both parties about the issue and both parties were able to resolve the issue.  — Officers responded to a residence in the 1600 of Van Buren Avenue at 7:21 p.m. for a noise complaint. The caller advised tha...

Calculating Your Vacation’s Carbon Footprint, One Travel Mode At A Time – InsideClimate News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/calculating-your-vacations-carbon-footprint-one-travel-mode-at-a-time-insideclimate-news/ SOLUTIONS A Calculator To Plan Climate Friendly Travel Planning a vacation? A new tool lets you calculate the carbon cost of your trip, taking into consideration distance traveled, mode of transportation and accommodation type.  Created by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, the Travel and Climate tool lets a user put in where they are, where they’re going, how many are traveling and for how long. The tool tells users the carbon impact of each of their options, whether they travel by train, bus, gas-powered car, electric car or plane, and whether they stay in a tent, hostel or hotel. Flying tends to be the least climate friendly way to reach a destination because of the significant carbon emitted by airplanes. Driving a car is often less carbon intensive than flying, especially if the car is electric. Trains are often the best choice, according to the tool, especially in Europe where they are powered by electricity.  Jörgen Larsson, who is a researcher in sustainable consumption at Chalmers and one of the researchers who helped create the tool, said one way he likes to travel sustainably is train-bike tourism. This summer, he took a night train from his home in Gothenburg to northern Norway, where he biked 30 to 40 miles every day on a foldable bike to see the sights. Keep Environmental Journalism Alive ICN provides award-winning climate coverage free of charge and advertising. We rely on donations from readers like you to keep going. Donate Now Although the tool is backed with European data, users can insert destinations from around the world, but Larsson cautions that calculations in places like the United States may be less accurate. He hopes to improve the tool with data from the U.S. and Canada.  Larsson hopes that people who use this tool will consider why they want to travel. Is it because they want to do a certain activity or see a certain place? Or is it more about spending time with friends and family away from your normal environment?  “If that is your deeper goal with your vacation, then you can find lots of climate friendly options,” Larsson said. “You don’t have to fly long distances in order to be with your friends and family. You can take public transportation on your way to some place and get that fulfillment.” SCIENCE The Motivating Power of Climate Anxiety Only a small percentage of people in the United Kingdom experience climate anxiety, a new study found, but the condition can be a motivator for people to take action on global warming. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Bath, surveyed about 1,300 adults in the U.K. in 2020 and again in 2022. About 80 percent of respondents reported they worry about climate change, but most did not elevate that worry to anxiety, where the concern affects their emotions and daily functioning.  But, researchers found that those who do experience climate anxiety are more likely to take action in their lives to reduce their carbon footprint, like cutting waste and consumption. “Maybe there’s a certain level of climate anxiety which is quite an adaptive response,” said Lorraine Whitmarsh, the study’s lead author and an environmental psychologist at the University of Bath. “Because it does seem to actually promote positive action on climate change.” The survey also found climate anxiety is predicted more by a respondents’ media consumption than by whether they had first-hand experience with a climate disaster. Whitmarsh suspects this is because media coverage tends to highlight the most dramatic effects of climate change. She said that the best way to communicate the gravity of climate change is not just to discuss its terrible effects, but also “to show that there are things you can do to tackle that risk, to increase that sense of efficacy to reduce harm,” Whitmarsh said. “So I think there is an important role for media in not just telling people about climate change, but also telling people there are solutions.” CULTURE ‘Outsource the Suffering’ A new collection of essays, speeches, eulogies and poems tell a story of heartbreak and grief on Guam, in the Pacific, bearing witness to loss in the natural world.  Julian Aguon, a writer and human rights lawyer, delves into the climate and justice issues arising from the militarization of Guam, while reflecting on his own coming of age experience as an Indigenous Chamorro person growing up on the U.S. island territory in his new book, “No Country for Eight Spot Butterflies” out this month. Guam—about 4,000 miles west of Hawaii—is strategically located for the U.S. military and is home to two, soon to be three, bases and thousands of military personnel. Much military development is underway on the island, including a new machine gun practice range in the heart of an ecologically sensitive forest that supports many native species found nowhere else in the world, including the Mariana eight-spot butterfly. Inside Climate News recently discussed the book with Aguon. This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.  Tell me about this new book, and why did you want to write it? It’s sort of many things at once. It sort of breaks the rules when it comes to form for sure. It’s like essays that were inspired by old notes collected from old journals that I have done since even my teenage years, but also commencement speeches, eulogies and shorter vignettes, sort of ala Sandra Cisneros’ “House on Mango Street.” It’s just a total hodge podge, I think a lovely mess, but honestly, I just thought that I had really specific things to say, and they didn’t lend themselves to one neat categorizable thing. So I was lucky enough to find a publisher who was willing to crash every party at once. What does the title of your book mean, “No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies”? The Mariana eight-spot butterfly is one of several endemic endangered species that are being directly threatened because the U.S. military is building a massive, multipurpose 59-acre machine gun range, because they need this machine gun range. So because of that claimed need, they have already begun to destroy limestone forest and these are forests that took thousands of years to evolve. These are really specific environments, and they are home to the eight-spot butterfly. And so when I wrote “No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies,” I’m trying to point out the just incredible beauty of a species being smashed and obliterated by the U.S. war machine. It is like bearing witness to this smashing.  How is your perspective informed and shaped by being a native of Guam, and what should mainland Americans know about this Pacific island?  The sort of spreading canopy of militarization is not only here, but it’s palpable, it’s felt in the air that we breathe.  Americans think that they’re gearing up for a war. There’s always the rhetorical sort of going to war, sort of like “rallying the troops” rhetoric that we’re seeing, even at the congressional level, sometimes at the executive branch. But there’s actually already a war that is happening in real time if you are part of a frontline community. As America is increasingly concerned with China’s rising influence in the Asia-Pacific Theater, what’s happening on the ground is they are expanding their military footprint. They are building a brand new Marine Corps base, the first one built since the ‘50s anywhere in this country. You can see the military transport vehicles both on the ground and in the waters. You see, the war is already here.  It’s like climate change. This is not a future crisis. It’s a current crisis. It’s happening now. That’s what happens sometimes in America. This country likes to go to war, but it likes to outsource the suffering. The suffering is happening on the ground in communities so far away.  SCIENCE Smaller, Slower and Less Effective Warmer temperatures can lead to smaller body sizes for insects. A new study on a common butterfly species shows that smaller sized individuals also carry less pollen, which could be a problem for food crops that rely on pollinators.  Researchers from the University of British Columbia raised cabbage white butterflies in a laboratory setting and found that those raised in warmer temperatures were smaller than those in colder temperatures. They also found the smaller butterflies with their smaller wings could not fly as far or as fast as larger butterflies.  Then, the researchers looked at cabbage whites in the wild and found that individuals similar in size to the small, warm-raised butterflies carried less pollen from fewer different species of plants than larger individuals.  Pollinators like butterflies play an important role in spreading pollen to about 35 percent of the world’s agricultural crops. The researchers argue that warming temperatures driven by climate change could make pollinators smaller, slower and less effective at transporting pollen.   “There’s a bit of a concern that maybe plants will be not able to get as much pollen as they need to make all their fruits,” said study co-author Michel Tseng, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia. “But we don’t know for sure yet if that is the case.” Further study is needed to understand if this phenomenon is widespread enough to cause issues for agriculture, she said.  Katelyn Weisbrod Columnist and Web Producer, St. Paul Katelyn Weisbrod is a reporter and web producer for Inside Climate News based in Minnesota. She writes ICN’s weekly Warming Trends column highlighting climate-related studies, innovations, books, cultural events and other developments from the global warming frontier. She joined the team in January 2020 after graduating from t...

News In Brief – Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/news-in-brief-northwest-arkansas-democrat-gazette/ Fortium Holdings sells 2 subsidiaries The parent company of White River Holdings Corp., an oil and gas exploration and production firm, said Friday that it’s sold two other subsidiaries to focus on its energy business. Fayetteville-based Fortium Holdings Corp. has also formally changed its name to White River Energy Corp., the company said, and has applied to financial industry regulators to change its trading symbol. White River trades on over-the-counter markets as FRTM, according to its website. “We are excited to announce this rebranding and renaming initiative so we can focus all efforts on developing our more than 30,000 acres of oil and gas mineral leases in Louisiana and Mississippi through a vertically integrated business model,” said Randy May, White River’s executive chairman. Fortium, itself a subsidiary of Ecoark Holdings Inc., sold its cannabis business, Elysian Premium Corp., and its retail sporting goods business, Norr LLC. Jay Puchir, White River’s chief executive officer, said the company believes that divesting from those businesses “is in the best interest of the company and our shareholders.” — Serenah McKay Big Easy beer firm merges with 3 more NEW ORLEANS — A New Orleans beer company with roots in the early 20th century — and purchased five years ago by the owners of the New Orleans Saints — has merged with three other regional breweries. The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reports that the Benson Group in New Orleans and Wiregrass Equity Partners of Montgomery, Ala., announced the plans Thursday. The late Tom Benson and his wife Gayle bought Faubourg Brewing Co. — which was then Dixie Brewing — five years ago. Wiregrass owns the holding company Made By The Water LLC, which owns craft beer breweries in the Carolinas and Florida. Made by the Water will relocate its headquarters to the Faubourg Brewery in New Orleans as part of the deal. Financial terms were not disclosed by the two privately owned companies. They described the deal as “a 50/50 partnership,” with plans to add more brewing capacity and acquire additional craft beer companies. A new $30 million brewing facility in the New Orleans East area was completed in 2019, the year after Tom Benson died. — The Associated Press Arkansas Index dips to 727.22, off 17.41 The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, closed Friday at 727.22, down 17.41. Shares of America’s Car-Mart gained 0.38% to lead the index. Tyson Foods Inc. saw shares drop 1.51% and Murphy Oil shares declined 8.9% The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.

World Heart Day 2022 Date, History & Theme: What Is The Significance Of The Day Raising Awareness About Cardiovascular Diseases? Everything You Need To Know | LatestLY – LatestLY https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/world-heart-day-2022-date-history-theme-what-is-the-significance-of-the-day-raising-awareness-about-cardiovascular-diseases-everything-you-need-to-know-latestly-latestly/ More than 17 million individuals lose their lives to heart disease each year. The World Heart Federation established World Heart Day as a means of combating this on the September 29 of each year. Events are held all across the world to educate people about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its warning signs, prevention methods, and how to assist those who may be affected. More than 17 million individuals lose their lives to heart disease each year. The World Heart Federation established World Heart Day as a means of combating this on September 29 of each year. Events are held all across the world to educate people about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its warning signs, prevention methods, and how to assist those who may be affected. So, on September 29, participate in a World Heart Day event near you to battle CVD. Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) constitute the leading cause of death. An estimated 17 million people per year pass away from CVD. The two main causes of these deaths were coronary heart disease and strokes. Many individuals have the impression that CVD affects more people in industrialised nations because they rely more heavily on technology and lead sedentary lifestyles. But middle-income and low-income nations account for more than 80% of all fatalities. Fortunately, the primary contributors to cardiovascular diseases—such as inactivity, smoking, and a poor diet—can be tackled to prevent a fatality. World Heart Day 2022 Date & History The World Heart Federation established World Heart Day, which is observed annually on September 29. Its goal was to raise awareness of cardiovascular illness among all individuals (CVD). Through this worldwide initiative, the federation hopes to inspire and catalyse international action to promote heart-healthy living while also uniting individuals in the fight against the burden of CVD. World Heart Day is marked and commemorated with the goal of raising awareness of cardiovascular diseases and ways to prevent them to lessen their impact on people worldwide. The World Heart Federation and the World Health Organization collaborated to create the international holiday. Antoni Bayés de Luna, who served as the World Heart Federation’s president from 1997 to 1999, had come up with this concept. World Heart Day was originally celebrated on September 24, 2000, and up until 2011, it was marked as the final Sunday in September. What is the Purpose of World Heart Day? The primary goal of this day is to increase public knowledge of cardiovascular disease, how to prevent it, and the effects it has on individuals all over the world. Annual mortality from CVD, which includes heart disease and stroke, is 17.9 million because of this, the day emphasises the steps that people may take to avoid and manage CVD. Every year, more than 90 nations participate in this global holiday. World Heart Day has thus shown to be a successful method for spreading knowledge about CVD. The importance of government and organisation involvement is especially crucial for developing nations because they are severely affected by these diseases. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2022 11:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

Here Is The Latest Pac-12 Conference Sports News From The Associated Press – Mankato Free Press https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/here-is-the-latest-pac-12-conference-sports-news-from-the-associated-press-mankato-free-press-2/ UNDATED (AP) — No. 7 USC and Oregon State are both undefeated heading into Saturday night’s game at Reser Stadium. The Trojans have a high-scoring offense with quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Jordan Addison. The Beavers make the most of their roster on offense. Oregon State is seeking to go 4-0 for the first time since 2012, while USC looks to match its win total from last season. UNDATED (AP) — Oregon State has a chance to start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2012 with a win over No. 7 Southern California. The Beavers beat USC 45-27 last season for their first win in the Coliseum in more than 60 years. There are currently four Pac-12 teams in the latest AP poll, but a win over the Trojans could very well elevate the Beavers into the rankings. In other Pac-12 games, No. 15 Oregon travels to Washington State and Sun Devils interim coach Shaun Aguano makes his debut after taking over for Herm Edwards. Arizona State will host No. 13 Utah. UNDATED (AP) — Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley is a transfer from Nevada who might be the steal of the transfer portal this year as the Cougars prepare to host No. 15 Oregon on Saturday. Henley had a huge day in Washington State’s 38-7 victory over Colorado State, registering 13 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. The senior was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week. Henley will be challenged Saturday by Oregon’s veteran offensive line and standout quarterback Bo Nix. TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State would have a tough task beating No. 13 Utah this weekend even in ideal circumstances. The Sun Devils will play their first game with interim coach Shaun Aguano in charge when they host the Utes on Saturday night. The school fired coach Herm Edwards on Sunday after the team’s embarrassing loss to Eastern Michigan. Aguano called the opportunity to lead the Sun Devils a “dream” even though he considers Edwards a good friend. Now it’s his job to help the Sun Devils salvage a season that’s quickly gone south. SEATTLE (AP) — Washington is showing the troubles of previous seasons may be in the past after a 3-0 start to the first season with Kalen DeBoer as head coach. The latest victory over Michigan State vaulted the Huskies back into the AP Top 25 at No. 18. Now the challenge is proving to the rest of the Pac-12 that Washington is back. That begins this weekend with the Huskies hosting Stanford. It’s the conference opener for the Huskies, while the Cardinal dropped their first conference game. Stanford has lost seven straight Pac-12 games dating back to last season. UNDATED (AP) — Arizona and California are both looking for a fast start in conference play when they meet in their Pac-12 opener. Both teams won two of three in nonconference play. The Wildcats have already exceeded their win total from the previous two seasons combined. The Golden Bears have won five straight home games. UNDATED (AP) — The UCLA Bruins have won six straight games since last season as they head into their Pac-12 opener at Colorado. The Bruins haven’t won more than six straight since opening 8-0 in 2005. The Buffaloes may be playing to save coach Karl Dorrell’s job. Athletic director Rick George put out a statement to quell the fan base after a 49-7 loss at Minnesota. He said he understands the disappointment and frustration for a team that’s been outscored by a 128-30 margin. UNDATED (AP) — The early-season starts by the four Pacific Northwest schools would have had all the hallmarks of an exciting race in the Pac-12’s North Division. If only the North Division still existed. The current season marks the first time that the two teams with the highest winning percentage in conference games will meet in the championship game. The Pac-12 decided to do away with divisions after the NCAA Division I Council changed the rule requiring conferences to have divisions to conduct championship games. Washington, Washington State, and Oregon State are all off to 3-0 starts, while Oregon is 2-1. The Huskies and Ducks pulled off significant wins last weekend, with Washington defeating No. 11 Michigan State 39-28 and 25th-ranked Oregon beating No. 12 BYU 41-20. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Dimension X To Host Virtual Metaverse Creators Summit – EIN News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/dimension-x-to-host-virtual-metaverse-creators-summit-ein-news/ Dimension X Logo Metaverse Creators Summit Scott Robertson Creating immersive experiences with storytelling at the center is the theme of this Metaverse Creators Summit. This is the next evolution of the internet. Consider this event to be the Metaverse 101 for all who want to take part in the economic opportunities that this next evolution of the internet will provide.” — Scott Robertson, DimX CEO SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, September 23, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Dimension X, Inc. (DimX), a Metaverse company developing a platform that radically simplifies the creation of immersive experiences, is hosting the Metaverse Creators Summit, a virtual learning event focused on next generation immersive storytelling to be held on November 16th, 2022. Registration is open at https://mcsummit.dev “Consider this event to be the Metaverse 101 for all who want to take part in the economic opportunities that this next evolution of the internet will provide,” said Scott Robertson, DimX CEO. “And, storytelling will be at the center of every great immersive experience. There will be something for everyone. For advanced developers, we will have a session on Unity’s Data-Oriented Technology Stack, a key enabling technology for complex Metaverse experiences, that lets your code run faster on multicore processors without the typical heavy programming headaches.” The virtual event includes two keynotes, eight lightning talks, two networking sessions, and a follow-on hackathon a few weeks later. Learning, networking and creating are the three priorities of the event. Perhaps most valuable, facilitated networking will be organized in two formats: 1) Speed networking with quick introductions 2) Round table introductions, and a facilitated discussion about Ball’s keynote talk. Headlining the event is keynote speaker, Matthew Ball, author of The Metaverse: And How it Will Revolutionize Everything. About Ball’s work, Tim Sweeney, CEO of Fortnite-maker Epic Games, said: “Matthew Ball’s essays have defined, analyzed, and inspired the Metaverse for years. His book is an approachable and essential guide to the strategic, technical, and philosophical foundations of this new medium.” Respected as one of the best Metaverse thought leaders, Ball has delivered an exceptional overview of the history of the internet leading to the present situation. In part 3 of his book, Ball discusses the winners and losers, the business opportunities and the personal value we might realize as participants in the next evolution of the Internet. One thing appears clear. Immersive and engaging experiences will permeate people’s lives as the physical world is augmented with smart technology. Lives will improve if first-world learning experiences can be made available ubiquitously. The first 100 registrants at the Metaverse Creators Summit will receive a signed copy of Matthew Ball’s book. About Dimension X: Dimension X is creating the world’s easiest-to-use Metaverse Creator platform for corporate trainers, educators, developers, designers, manufacturers, gamers, storytellers, and business leaders to train, educate, design, simulate, entertain, and market. Intentionally named, the 10th dimension in superstring theory is the last dimension in which anything is possible; a point of infinite possibilities when time and space fold over. Dimension X enables boundless immersive experiences. Learn more at: https://dimX.dev Chris Keller Dimension X +1 8012309223 email us here You just read: EIN Presswire’s priority is source transparency. We do not allow opaque clients, and our editors try to be careful about weeding out false and misleading content. As a user, if you see something we have missed, please do bring it to our attention. Your help is welcome. EIN Presswire, Everyone’s Internet News Presswire, tries to define some of the boundaries that are reasonable in today’s world. Please see our Editorial Guidelines for more information. Submit your press release

Xiaomi Mijia Smart Bath Heater Launched With Built-In Light And 2400 W Power – Notebookcheck.net https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/xiaomi-mijia-smart-bath-heater-launched-with-built-in-light-and-2400-w-power-notebookcheck-net/ Reviews, News, CPU, GPU, Articles, Columns, Other Not Set Default Review Flagship Review Short Review Review Update Ultra Short Review Live Default Review Live Flagship Review First Impression Review Other Review Smartwatch / eBike / Camera Comp. Accessory Review Game Benchmark Review 3D Printer Review Analysis Default News Major Launch News (NDA) Sponsored News Special Topic News Advertorial Article Magazine Article List Article Column “or” search relation. 3D Printing, 5G, Accessory, AI, Alder Lake, AMD, Android, Apple, Arc, ARM, Audio, Benchmark, Biotech, Business, Camera, Cannon Lake, Cezanne (Zen 3), Charts, Chinese Tech, Chromebook, Console, Convertible / 2-in-1, Cryptocurrency, Cyberlaw, Deal, Desktop, DIY, E-Mobility, Education, Exclusive, Fail, Foldable, Gadget, Galaxy S, Gamecheck, Gaming, Geforce, Google Pixel, GPU, How To, Ice Lake, Intel, Intel Evo, Internet of Things (IoT), iOS, iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, Jasper Lake, Lakefield, Laptop, Launch, Leaks / Rumors, Linux / Unix, List, Lucienne (Zen 2), MacBook, Mini PC, Monitor, MSI, OnePlus, Opinion, Phablet, Radeon, Raptor Lake, Renoir, Review Snippet, RISC-V, Rocket Lake, Ryzen (Zen), Science, Security, Single-Board Computer (SBC), Smart Home, Smartphone, Smartwatch, Software, Storage, Tablet, ThinkPad, Thunderbolt, Tiger Lake, Touchscreen, Ultrabook, Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR), Wearable, Wi-Fi 7, Windows, Workstation, XPS, Zen 3 (Vermeer), Zen 4 Ticker

South Korea Seizes $184 Million In Crypto Assets From Alleged Tax Dodgers, Reports Reveal – Taxes Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/south-korea-seizes-184-million-in-crypto-assets-from-alleged-tax-dodgers-reports-reveal-taxes-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ The government in South Korea has seized cryptocurrency worth around $184 million in two years due to tax arrears, according to local media. The authorities in Seoul started confiscating virtual assets from people accused of tax evasion in 2021. Almost 260 Billion Won in Crypto Seized for Tax Evasion in South Korea The amount of crypto assets seized from South Koreans accused of dodging taxation has reached almost 260 billion Korean won (close to $184 million at current exchange rates), the online editions Yonhap News and Maekyung unveiled on Thursday. The reports quote official numbers provided by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Security and Public Administration, the National Tax Service (NTS) of South Korea, and the authorities in 17 cities and provinces. Out of the total exceeding 259.7 billion won, more than 176 billion won of assets were seized due to non-payment of national taxes, and over 84 billion won of crypto was seized as a result of local tax arrears, the news outlets detailed. Nearly a third of that cryptocurrency was seized in capital Seoul (17.8 billion won), the city of Incheon (close to 5.5 billion won), and the rest in Gyeonggi province (over 53 billion won). The South Korean government authorized the seizure of virtual assets in the second half of 2020. The highest amount of crypto seized from a single individual since then was 12.5 billion won ($8.8 million). The person, a resident of Seoul, failed to pay 1.43 billion won in local taxes and had holdings in 20 digital currencies, including 3.2 billion won in BTC and 1.9 billion won in XRP. This taxpayer opted to cover his obligations and asked to keep the crypto investment. When the Korean tax authority seizes a person’s exchange account or their assets, it sells the coins at the current exchange rate, if the due tax is not paid. The statistical data about the seized crypto has been released after, in early August, the NTS vowed to take strict measures against tax evasion through virtual assets and platforms. Earlier this year, South Korea postponed a 20% tax on crypto-related gains until 2025. The levy, applicable to capital gains exceeding 2.5 million won, was previously supposed to come into force in January, 2023. Tags in this story amount, Coins, confiscation, Crypto, crypto assets, Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency, data, forfeiture, numbers, Seizure, South Korea, south korean, Tax, tax authority, tax evasion, tax service, Taxes, taxpayers, virtual assets Do you think South Korean authorities will continue to seize crypto assets from taxpayers with outstanding obligations? Share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below. Lubomir Tassev Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchens’s quote: “Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do.” Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons, Hyejin Kang Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

Johnny Depp And Attorney Joelle Rich Dating During U.S. Heard Trial – TMZ https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/johnny-depp-and-attorney-joelle-rich-dating-during-u-s-heard-trial-tmz/ Johnny Depp Dated Atty. Joelle Rich Through U.S. Heard Trial … But They’re Not Exclusive 9/24/2022 1:00 AM PT Johnny Depp and his former attorney, Joelle Rich, have actually been a thing for longer than we first thought … but there are no plans for the two to settle down as an exclusive couple any time soon. Sources connected to the pair tell us … Johnny and Joelle were very much an item during his nasty trial with Amber Heard back in the summer. In fact, we’re told Joelle left her kids and estranged husband in the UK for 2 months while she was in Virginia supporting Johnny. What’s more, we’re told Joelle had no role in Johnny’s legal defense here in the U.S. … so her appearance in court was strictly for pleasure, no business. TMZ.com One thing our sources are adamant about — Johnny and Joelle are NOT exclusive. In fact, a source connected to Johnny’s new movie tells us he’s recently been spotted on set getting cozy with a new woman while filming over in France. We’re told it’s more Joelle who wants it to be a serious relationship than Johnny — as one source put it, “He’s f*****g Johnny Depp” and he’s not going to settle down with one partner — at least not yet.

Whittier Tech Launches New Marine Technology Pathway | Local News | Newburyportnews.com – The Daily News Of Newburyport https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/whittier-tech-launches-new-marine-technology-pathway-local-news-newburyportnews-com-the-daily-news-of-newburyport/ HAVERHILL — Whittier Tech, which includes students from Greater Newburyport, is expanding its educational offerings with the launch of a marine technology pathway. The new endeavor marks the 23rd career pathway the school offers. The program was approved over the summer by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Only three other vocational high schools in the state offer a marine technology program and they are on the South Shore and Cape Cod. “We have a real need in the area for marine service between the North Shore, Merrimack Valley, Seacoast and everything in between,” Vocational Coordinator Paul Moskevitz said. “Our instructor, Mike Murray, has worked extremely hard to get the program running. This program brings even more opportunities to Whittier students.” Students in the Class of 2026 will be the first to be able to pursue Whittier Tech’s new program. Currently, 306 ninth-graders are participating in Whittier Tech’s Exploratory Program and will select a trade pathway in January. During the marine technology rotation, students are learning the parts of a boat, the concept of buoyancy, annual boat maintenance and replacing water pumps. “I really like my experience in the Exploratory Program, so far, especially here in marine tech,” said freshman Argelis Vargas of Haverhill. “It’s hands on. I am not stuck in a classroom learning.” Whittier Tech was awarded a $181,778 Skills Capital Grant to fund the new program. With the funding, Whittier purchased a Parker boat, Yamaha WaveRunner and a Sea-Doo GTR for student learning; Yamaha outboards for student training; and a new ventilation system for engine exhaust. Students who choose to pursue the pathway will learn how to operate, maintain, repair, rebuild and install onboard systems, as well as hull maintenance and repair, marine canvas fabrication and repair, gas and diesel engine operation and repair, and welding and precision metal fabrication. They also will earn relevant certification, learn how to operate a boat safely, and obtain their boating license. Students will have the opportunity to earn their captain’s license during their senior year, according to school officials. Whittier Tech has offered marine service technology through its Adult Evening Education Program since summer 2021 with support from the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association and donations from Yamaha. The program has trained three classes of unemployed or underemployed workers for entry-level jobs. All graduates left the program having passed the Yamaha certificate test and earning an introduction to outboard systems certificate. The recreational boating industry in Massachusetts has an economic impact of $4.4 billion and employs more than 20,000 men and women. There is, however, a substantial workforce shortage in the industry, both in Massachusetts and nationwide, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “The marine industry has ample opportunities,” Superintendent Maureen Lynch said. “We hope to connect students to these many well-paying jobs and career opportunities available through our new program. “Expanding this program to daytime students was a collaborative effort by faculty, community partners, and so many more,” she added. “We thank everyone who made the introduction of this new pathway possible.” Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008. Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.

Tuscarawas County High School Sports Scores, Summaries And Schedules – Times Reporter https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/tuscarawas-county-high-school-sports-scores-summaries-and-schedules-times-reporter/ OHIO FOOTBALL SCORES Akr. East 64, Akr. North 0 Akr. Hoban 32, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 20 Alliance 41, Salem 30 Andover Pymatuning Valley 38, Fairport Harbor Harding 12 Ansonia 57, W. Alexandria Twin Valley S. 14 Antwerp 49, Sherwood Fairview 7 Archbold 43, Delta 0 Arlington 49, Arcadia 0 Ashland 49, Mansfield Madison 14 Ashland Crestview 31, Lucas 6 Ashtabula Lakeside 38, Chesterland W. Geauga 0 Attica Seneca E. 33, New Washington Buckeye Cent. 15 Aurora 31, Tallmadge 30 Avon 63, N. Ridgeville 7 Avon Lake 56, Grafton Midview 7 Bainbridge Paint Valley 42, Piketon 8 Barberton 34, Richfield Revere 7 Barnesville 35, Worthington Christian 20 Beaver Eastern 24, Portsmouth Sciotoville 8 Bedford 50, E. Cle. Shaw 8 Bellbrook 43, Waynesville 29 Bellefontaine 19, New Carlisle Tecumseh 16 Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan 44, Lewistown Indian Lake 7 Bellevue 40, Norwalk 3 Bellville Clear Fork 48, Ontario 28 Belmont Union Local 42, Weir, W.Va. 6 Beloit W. Branch 57, Minerva 7 Berea-Midpark 48, Amherst Steele 7 Bethel-Tate 41, Lees Creek E. Clinton 0 Bidwell River Valley 42, Wellston 22 Bishop Fenwick 24, Day. Chaminade Julienne 7 Bishop Watterson 42, Cols. St. Charles 0 Blanchester 45, Batavia Clermont NE 21 Bloom-Carroll 49, Baltimore Liberty Union 14 Bloomdale Elmwood 53, Elmore Woodmore 0 Bluffton 17, Convoy Crestview 14 Brookfield 53, Columbiana Crestview 6 Bryan 42, Hamler Patrick Henry 35 Bucyrus Wynford 20, Bucyrus 14 Burton Berkshire 42, Mantua Crestwood 8 Caldwell 56, Bowerston Conotton Valley 8 Caledonia River Valley 64, Marion Pleasant 7 Cambridge 25, Martins Ferry 18 Camden Preble Shawnee 49, Union City Mississinawa Valley 6 Can. Glenoak 31, Green 24 Can. McKinley 42, N. Can. Hoover 9 Can. South 56, Wooster Triway 36 Canal Fulton Northwest 27, Orrville 7 Canal Winchester 13, Dublin Scioto 10 Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 41, Bishop Ready 7 Canfield 20, Dover 14 Canfield S. Range 56, Girard 12 Carey 7, N. Robinson Col. Crawford 3 Carrollton 36, Alliance Marlington 14 Castalia Margaretta 30, Tiffin Calvert 0 Cedarville 17, Spring. Greenon 7 Celina 29, Lima Bath 0 Centerburg 47, Cardington-Lincoln 14 Chardon 35, Chagrin Falls Kenston 18 Chardon NDCL 46, E. Liverpool 0 Chillicothe 50, Greenfield McClain 14 Chillicothe Huntington 36, Southeastern 0 Chillicothe Unioto 42, Frankfort Adena 0 Chillicothe Zane Trace 48, Williamsport Westfall 0 Cin. Clark Montessori 40, Hamilton New Miami 14 Cin. Colerain 22, Cin. Oak Hills 17 Cin. College Prep. 24, Day. Christian 8 Cin. Country Day 10, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place 6 Cin. Elder 42, Cin. St. Xavier 10 Cin. Hughes 40, Cin. Aiken 8 Cin. Indian Hill 17, N. Bend (Cleves) Taylor 0 Cin. Madeira 13, Reading 10 Cin. Mariemont 20, Cin. Finneytown 13 Cin. Moeller 47, Cin. La Salle 14 Cin. NW 36, Hamilton Ross 35 Cin. Purcell Marian 29, Cin. Hills Christian Academy 15 Cin. Shroder 42, Cin. Gamble Montessori 0 Cin. Summit Country Day 21, Cin. N. College Hill 0 Cin. Western Hills 42, Cin. Woodward 24 Cin. Winton Woods 62, Cin. Anderson 31 Cin. Wyoming 41, Cin. Deer Park 0 Circleville 50, Amanda-Clearcreek 19 Circleville Logan Elm 35, Lancaster Fairfield Union 14 Clarksville Clinton-Massie 42, Goshen 0 Cle. Glenville 40, Cle. Rhodes 0 Cle. Hay 41, Cle. E. Tech 0 Cle. Hts. 55, Strongsville 28 Cle. John Adams 26, Cle. JFK 22 Cle. John Marshall 44, Cle. Lincoln W. 0 Cle. St. Ignatius 21, River Rouge, Mich. 14 Cle. VASJ 34, Cle. Collinwood 6 Coldwater 49, Rockford Parkway 0 Collins Western Reserve 31, Ashland Mapleton 0 Cols. DeSales 7, Bishop Hartley 2 Cols. Eastmoor 43, West 0 Cols. Hamilton Twp. 24, Ashville Teays Valley 17 Cols. KIPP 34, Cols. Grandview Hts. 13 Cols. Linden-McKinley 40, Cols. Centennial 8 Cols. Upper Arlington 29, Hilliard Bradley 0 Columbia Station Columbia 41, Lorain Clearview 21 Columbus Grove 23, Leipsic 0 Conneaut 41, Cle. Cent. Cath. 6 Copley 54, Cuyahoga Falls 14 Cory-Rawson 34, N. Baltimore 0 Creston Norwayne 68, Rittman 7 Crown City S. Gallia 59, Belpre 3 Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 22, Navarre Fairless 20 Danville 19, Loudonville 7 DeGraff Riverside 42, Troy Christian 0 Defiance 31, Elida 14 Defiance Ayersville 37, Hicksville 6 Defiance Tinora 13, Haviland Wayne Trace 6 Delaware Buckeye Valley 22, Gahanna Cols. Academy 0 Delaware Hayes 21, Worthington Kilbourne 17 Delaware Olentangy Berlin 38, Lewis Center Olentangy 0 Delphos Jefferson 48, Ada 21 Delphos St. John’s 41, Anna 13 Dola Hardin Northern 41, Marion Elgin 35 Dresden Tri-Valley 42, McConnelsville Morgan 21 Dublin Coffman 14, Powell Olentangy Liberty 9 Dublin Jerome 24, Thomas Worthington 21 Eaton 35, Middletown Madison Senior 0 Edgerton 48, Paulding 0 Elyria Cath. 42, Fairview 7 Fairfield Christian 55, Lancaster Fisher Cath. 17 Findlay 50, Fremont Ross 48 Findlay Liberty-Benton 45, Van Buren 0 Franklin 27, Day. Oakwood 14 Franklin Furnace Green 21, Willow Wood Symmes Valley 0 Fredericktown 22, Galion Northmor 15 Ft. Loramie 42, Edon 7 Gahanna Lincoln 56, Galloway Westland 7 Galion 34, Shelby 27 Gallipolis Gallia 43, Proctorville Fairland 35 Garfield Hts. 16, Shaker Hts. 10 Garfield Hts. Trinity 14, Independence 13 Garrettsville Garfield 54, Warren Champion 14 Gates Mills Hawken 48, Brooklyn 7 Geneva 42, Orange 0 Genoa Area 42, Fostoria 7 Germantown Valley View 28, Brookville 14 Gibsonburg 44, Kansas Lakota 7 Glouster Trimble 28, Racine Southern 22 Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 61, Magnolia Sandy Valley 21 Greenville 34, W. Carrollton 8 Greenwich S. Cent. 28, Monroeville 21 Grove City Cent. Crossing 28, Lancaster 7 Grove City Christian 49, Zanesville Rosecrans 6 Groveport-Madison 20, Reynoldsburg 19 Hannibal River 49, Bridgeport 8 Hanoverton United 47, Columbiana 7 Harrod Allen E. 58, Spencerville 14 Heath 42, Hebron Lakewood 6 Hilliard Davidson 14, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 7 Holgate 30, Harlan Christian, Ind. 25 Holland Springfield 27, Sylvania Northview 6 Huber Hts. Wayne 44, Beavercreek 7 Hudson 45, Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 0 Huron 66, Willard 35 Ironton 62, Chesapeake 0 Ironton Rock Hill 21, S. Point 7 Jackson 49, Washington C.H. Miami Trace 28 Jamestown Greeneview 39, S. Charleston SE 8 Jefferson Area 25, Hubbard 13 Jeromesville Hillsdale 27, Dalton 12 Johnstown 42, Johnstown Northridge 10 Kettering Alter 28, Cin. McNicholas 7 Kettering Fairmont 24, Springfield 21 Kings Mills Kings 34, Cin. West Clermont 14 Kirtland 38, Chagrin Falls 6 Lebanon 45, Cin. Turpin 14 Liberty Center 42, Swanton 0 Lima Cent. Cath. 31, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 8 Linsly, W.Va. 41, Beverly Ft. Frye 38 Lisbon Beaver 62, Oak Glen, W.Va. 0 Lisbon David Anderson 34, E. Palestine 0 Lockland 36, Miami Valley Christian Academy 12 Lodi Cloverleaf 42, Streetsboro 27 Logan 35, Athens 13 London 49, Plain City Jonathan Alder 21 Lore City Buckeye Trail 34, Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 7 Loveland 45, Cin. Walnut Hills 7 Lowellville 50, Atwater Waterloo 26 Lucasville Valley 35, Oak Hill 7 Madison 20, Eastlake North 14, OT Malvern 42, Strasburg-Franklin 0 Mansfield Sr. 41, Lexington 0 Maple Hts. 32, Lorain 19 Maria Stein Marion Local 27, Versailles 7 Marysville 19, Hilliard Darby 14 Mason 21, Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 6 Massillon 49, Austintown Fitch 28 Massillon Perry 40, Louisville 14 Massillon Tuslaw 27, Akr. Manchester 26, OT McArthur Vinton County 48, Albany Alexander 14 McComb 61, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 7 McDermott Scioto NW 48, Portsmouth Notre Dame 18 McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 40, Lima Perry 0 Mechanicsburg 34, N. Lewisburg Triad 12 Medina 48, Euclid 7 Medina Highland 69, Kent Roosevelt 0 Mentor 35, Brunswick 14 Miamisburg 42, Clayton Northmont 26 Middlefield Cardinal 64, Beachwood 0 Middletown 28, Cin. Sycamore 24 Milan Edison 13, Port Clinton 7 Milford 42, Morrow Little Miami 17 Millersburg W. Holmes 48, Wooster 6 Milton-Union 49, Casstown Miami E. 0 Mineral Ridge 40, Berlin Center Western Reserve 13 Minster 31, St. Henry 12 Mogadore 28, Warren JFK 14 Mogadore Field 35, Ravenna 23 Monroe 32, Carlisle 14 Mt. Gilead 22, Howard E. Knox 6 Mt. Orab Western Brown 36, New Richmond 20 N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 41, Sebring McKinley 0 N. Olmsted 42, Westlake 8 N. Royalton 28, Stow-Munroe Falls 11 Napoleon 47, Maumee 7 Nelsonville-York 35, Pomeroy Meigs 0 New Albany 45, Grove City 21 New Bremen 41, Ft. Recovery 13 New Concord John Glenn 28, Byesville Meadowbrook 14 New Lexington 39, Coshocton 7 New Madison Tri-Village 42, Lewisburg Tri-County N. 12 New Middletown Spring. 37, McDonald 21 New Paris National Trail 30, Arcanum 6 New Philadelphia 44, Mt. Vernon 6 Newark Licking Valley 33, Zanesville 7 Newcomerstown 26, E. Can. 20 Newton Falls 27, Leavittsburg LaBrae 0 Northwood 53, W. Unity Hilltop 0 Norton 14, Akr. Coventry 7 Norwalk St. Paul 35, Plymouth 20 Oak Harbor 42, Vermilion 6 Oberlin Firelands 46, LaGrange Keystone 42 Olmsted Falls 25, Elyria 14 Oregon Clay 26, Tol. St. Francis 14 Oxford Talawanda 18, Harrison 14 Paden City, W.Va. 28, Millersport 8 Painesville Harvey 42, Orwell Grand Valley 0 Painesville Riverside 58, Mayfield 14 Pandora-Gilboa 49, Vanlue 6 Parma Hts. Valley Forge 49, Parma Normandy 6 Parma Padua 21, Mentor Lake Cath. 9 Pataskala Licking Hts. 28, Granville 18 Pataskala Watkins Memorial 22, Cols. Northland 0 Pemberville Eastwood 35, Millbury Lake 0 Peninsula Woodridge 55, Akr. Springfield 0 Perry 50, Ashtabula Edgewood 12 Perrysburg 44, Sylvania Southview 7 Philo 28, Crooksville 6 Pickerington Cent. 35, Newark 6 Pioneer N. Central 41, New Lebanon Dixie 0 Piqua 63, Fairborn 0 Point Pleasant, W.Va. 44, Vincent Warren 0 Poland Seminary 31, Niles McKinley 7 Portsmouth 43, Coal Gro...

NOTICE INVITING BIDS 2022 DOWN | Legal Announcements | Lodinews.com – Lodi News-Sentinel https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/notice-inviting-bids-2022-down-legal-announcements-lodinews-com-lodi-news-sentinel/ NOTICE INVITING BIDS 2022 DOWNTOWN CONCRETE CLEANING School Street, Lodi to Locust CITY OF LODI, CALIFORNIA Sealed proposals will be received by the Purchasing Officer, Lodi Finance Department, 310 West Elm Street, Lodi, California, 95240, until 11 a. m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. At that time, the proposals will be publicly opened and read in the Public Works Conference Room, 221 West Pine Street, Lodi, California, for performing the following described work. The work consists of power washing the yellow concrete curb, gutter and sidewalks in the downtown area and the Elm Street Center Paving (Concrete Sun). Heated water shall be used and all washing water shall be collected and properly disposed. Major stains on adjacent paver areas shall also be cleaned. This work includes protecting the adjacent structures, street furniture, and pavers, and other incidental and related work, all as described in the project specifications. The Contractor agrees to commence work within 15 calendar days after both parties have signed the contract and to complete the work within 14 calendar days. Upon signing the contract, Contractor agrees that length of time of the contract is reasonable. Per Senate Bill 854, contractors and listed subcontractors must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) prior to submitting bids to any public work contracts. Failure to comply will make bids non-responsive. No contractor or subcontractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public works project unless registered with DIR pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5. In accordance with the provisions of Section 1770 of the Labor Code, the Director of Department of Industrial Relations of the State of California has determined the general prevailing rates of wages and employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, travel time, and subsistence pay as provided for in Section 1773.8, apprenticeship or other training programs authorized by Section 3093 and similar purposes applicable to the work to be done. Said wages are available online at www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR/PWD. The Contractor and any subcontractor shall pay each employee engaged in the trade or occupation not less than the hourly wage rate. As the wage determination for each craft reflects an expiration date, it shall be the responsibility of the prime contractor and each subcontractor to ensure that the prevailing wage rates of concern are current and paid to the employee. The Contractor shall make travel and subsistence payments to each worker needed to execute the work as such travel and subsistence payments are defined in the applicable collective bargaining agreements in accordance with Section 1773.8 of the Labor Code. If a craft or classification used on the project is not shown on the wage determination, the Contractor may be required to pay the wage rate of that craft or classification most closely related to it as shown in the general determinations. The City of Lodi hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex or national origin in consideration for an award. For any moneys earned by the Contractor and withheld by the City of Lodi to ensure the performance of the contract, the Contractor may, at Contractor’s request and expense, substitute securities equivalent to the amount withheld in the form and manner and subject to the conditions provided in Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code of the State of California. The Contractor shall submit copies of payroll records. The contract documents are available to download for free at www.ciplist.com. Registration with the website is free and is required to download the documents. Companies downloading the documents will automatically be added to the plan holder’s list. No bid will be considered unless it is submitted on a proposal form furnished by the City of Lodi within the full set of contract documents. The City Council reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informality in the completion of such forms, and to award to the lowest responsible bidder. The list of plan holders and the bid results will be available on the ciplist.com website. Bid results will be available four hours after the bid opening. By Order of the City Council OLIVIA NASHED City Clerk 9/24 & 9/29 – 202451 %

It’s Prime Time For The Business Of Farming In Chautauqua County – Evening Observer https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/its-prime-time-for-the-business-of-farming-in-chautauqua-county-evening-observer/ It’s harvest time, and in Chautauqua County that means you can literally smell the grapes from the vineyards as you drive along Route 20. But it’s more than just grapes that are being harvested right now. Chautauqua County growers have seen a plethora of tomatoes, squash, and other vegetables this year. Late season corn is still available, and pumpkins are everywhere right now. Field crops such as grains and hay are also being harvested. What does all of this have to do with business, you may wonder? Farming is business. It’s big business in Chautauqua County and across New York State. In Chautauqua County alone there are more than 1,500 farms, producing all types of products from milk to poultry to beef to fruits and vegetables. And that doesn’t even count the enormous number of individuals who have their own backyard gardens, raising produce and herbs. Many local farms sell their products to consumers in a variety of ways: farmers markets, direct sales to supermarkets, farm stands, and more. Tons of grapes harvested locally go into local winemaking, but they also go into other grape products, especially juice and jelly. Beverage and food production companies abound in Chautauqua County, featuring everything from craft beers, wines, and spirits to grape pie filling. Our region has not only a strong agricultural economy it also has strong support systems in place for local growers. Cornell Cooperative Extension houses a Community Educator for Dairy/Livestock as well as a Business Management Specialist for Field Crops. There is a whole facility with support staff for research and extension in the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program. This past week, State Senator George Borrello hosted legislators from other parts of New York State in a regional farm tour with focused stops at a variety of agribusiness and research sites in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. But you don’t have to have any special title to learn more about agriculture. Cornell Cooperative Extension is holding Visit the Farm Day on Saturday, October 1, at Brehm Farms at 3456 Dry Book Road, Falconer. This event is family friendly and free. It will feature guided walking tours of the farm from 11am-3pm and will include interactive stations where guests can learn about caring for calves, feeding, and housing dairy cows, farm equipment, crops, and more. You can learn more about this event at www.facebook.com/CCEChautauqua. If you’re a home gardener, Cornell Cooperative Extension also has resources for you through the Master Gardener’s program and through its LEAF Workshop series featuring a variety of classes from Basics of Home Food Preservation to Yeast Breads. Learn more at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. REGISTER NOW FOR THE CHAMBER AWARDS BANQUET OCTOBER 6 The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce will proudly recognize the service to our communities of a number of individuals and organizations during its Annual Awards Banquet, Thursday, October 6. Being honored as Person of the Year is Steven Cobb, the executive director of the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County. In his role he has not only grown the organization but has played a key roll in providing vital service to those in need by working collaboratively with a broad variety of people and organizations. The Economic Development Award will be presented to the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College, which has dramatically increased the number of businesses it serves annually from 350 to 800. The SBDC provides help for small businesses looking to draft business plans, navigate permitting processes, seek financing, and more. Each of our six Community Chambers of Commerce has named a Community Service Award recipient as well. In Dunkirk the award will go to Dan Palmer of WDOE radio; in Fredonia to Ian and Kyle Muldowney of Muldowney Brothers; in Hanover to Bill Merritt of Merritt Estate Winery, in Jamestown to Tom Benson primarily for his work with the National Comedy Center and the YMCA; in Mayville-Chautauqua to Fairlee Fischer for her efforts with the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Thrift Store; and in Westfield-Barcelona to former Chamber Coordinator Sue Poster for her countless efforts with community organizations over the years. The annual Awards Banquet will be held at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia and is sponsored by Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric, Brooks-TLC-Kaleida Hospital System, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Community Bank, DFT Communications, Forecon, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Mattress, LaBella Associates, Lake Shore Savings, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, Media One Radio Group, and National Grid. Advance reservations are required, and registration is available at www.chamberrsvp.org. BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT BEMUS POINT GOLF CLUB & TAP HOUSE SEPTEMBER 27 Join your fellow Chamber of Commerce members for a Business After Hours networking event and visit this charming spot in Bemus Point! The Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House is at 72 Main Street in Bemus Point. Enjoy appetizers and a cash bar while you network with other businesspeople. Chamber member businesses can send two people at no cost. The price is $10 for non-member businesspeople or for additional member attendees above the two free. Be sure to bring business cards for our door prize drawings and come prepared to give a quick (30 second) overview about your business so other attendees can get to know you. Sponsors for this event are Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House, DFT Communications, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Register now through the Chamber’s web event calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org. Walk-ins are also welcome. Save the Date: Business After Hours at 21 Brix is October 27 The Chamber of Commerce is proud to hold a series of Business After Hours networking events this fall throughout the county. 21 Brix Winery on West Main Road in Portland will host the Chamber from 5-6:30pm on Thursday, October 27. Chamber member businesses can send two people at no charge, and non-members or anyone above the first two pay just $10 per person. Admission includes appetizers, a cash bar, a chance for door prizes when you submit your business card, and great opportunities for networking with other local businesspeople. This event is sponsored by 21 Brix Winery, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, DFT Communications, Media One Radio Group, National Grid, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Learn more or register online through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Nova Diamond Foundation Kicks Off The Pink Health Fair In Lagos – Pulse Nigeria https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/nova-diamond-foundation-kicks-off-the-pink-health-fair-in-lagos-pulse-nigeria/ Nova Diamond Foundation is a community-focused NGO with a vision to build self-sufficient families within low-income stratas in Nigeria. The NGO implements it’s benevolent and charitable programmes within this vulnerable demographic group through Food Bank Initiatives, Entrepreneurships, and ILERA4ALL (Good health for Under the ILERA4ALL (Good health for all) initiative, Nova Diamond Foundation has impacted on over five low-income communities through medical outreaches, particularly in the area of Malaria sensitization and treatment, Hepatitis B, Endometriosis awareness, Breast cancer awareness and Part of the medical outreach recently carried out include malaria campaign, launched to protect the most vulnerable people- pregnant mothers and children aged 0-5 against the morbid malaria infection. During this year’s WORLD MALARIA DAY, the Foundation collaborated with Primary Health Centres within the identified low-income communities in Lagos state, on an intensified mission to eradicate the health hazard. They distributed free copies of Insecticide-treated Nets (ITN) and mosquito repellent creams to over 300 pregnant mothers and infants. In retrospect, in 2021, the Foundation also reached out to over 1000 people during the breast cancer awareness campaign, in which over 100 women were screened for free, and up to 5 women got free mammograms. To commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month this year October, Nova Diamond Foundation is hosting medical outreach in amazing style as all-encompassing of other health challenges like Endometriosis, Hepatitis B&C, Malaria, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Optical, Breast and Cervical cancer. THE PINK HEALTH FAIR (https://nova-diamond.com/our-programs/pinkhealthfair/ healthy people, wealthy community. Members of the community are advised to optimize this opportunity to get free health test and advisory. At Nova Diamond, we believe that healthy living and promoting well-being is essential to building prosperous and wealthy communities. THE WALK AND CYCLE AWARENESS is going to be a lifestyle experience. Date: [1st October, 2022] FAIR: [8th October, 2022]. VENUE: Emmanuel Primary School, Emmanuel Street, off Ogudu road, Kosofe This event will bring varieties of free HEALTH CARE services to the the doorstep of low-income earners within the community. The Fair will also feature awareness campaigns (Walk and Cycling), FREE screening, FREE medical consultations, and prescriptions, FREE medications (T&C applies), FREE vaccinations, FREE medical incentives, a fund raising for the treatment of breast cancer patients, and other fun and health rewarding activities. It is projected to impact about 2000 persons. The Pink Health Fair event aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages through increased health awareness, free screening and preventive health measures among people of this To achieve the UN SDG by 2030, we are starting by promoting and protecting our health and the health of those around us by making well-informed choices. We are raising awareness in our community about the importance of good health, healthy lifestyles, and people’s right to quality health care services, especially for the most vulnerable such This project is not intended to be a one-off intervention. With your support, this event will be held periodically as it aims to build sustainable behavioral change within the community, which will afford them the power to make conscious and informed decisions about their health, and ultimately move us closer to achieving SDG 2030. #FeaturedPost #FeatureByNovaDiamondFoundation JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY! Our newsletter gives you access to a curated selection of the most important stories daily. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels – we love to be connected! Unblock notifications in browser settings.

Archery And Crossbow Hunting Season Opens Today In W.Va. – The Inter-Mountain https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/archery-and-crossbow-hunting-season-opens-today-in-w-va-the-inter-mountain/ Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Archery and crossbow season, which is opening today, will remain open in West Virginia through Dec. 31. ELKINS — Bow hunters will be scouring the West Virginia woods today as the 2022 deer archery and crossbow season gets underway in the Mountain State. “With the start of fall and the opening of deer seasons and all of the goodness that’s coming just around the corner, there isn’t a better time to be in West Virginia than right now,” Gov. Jim Justice said in a release this week. “I want to encourage everyone to find an excuse to participate in this incredible season and enjoy our forests and public hunting lands as fall color begins to set in around the state in the coming weeks. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a million times again, hunting is a time-honored West Virginia tradition and I’m so honored to highlight all of the opportunities we have here in our beautiful state.” Residents and non-resident hunters must have purchased their license and deer stamps before today if they want a chance to take additional deer during the archery and crossbow season, which will remain open until Dec. 31. Matt Higgins, owner of Middle Mountain Sporting Goods, said the hot items leading up to the season have been crossbows, cameras and mechanical broadheads. He said business has really picked up this past week as hunters prepare for opening day. “We have had a lot of people coming in getting ready for the season this week,” Higgins said. “It’s been mostly the younger guys who are all gung ho for the opening day. The older guys won’t start hitting it hard until the middle of October — that’s just the way it is.” Higgins said most of the older hunters are used to the earlier hunting seasons, including deer archery, coming in during the month of October. Several years ago the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources moved the dates up to September. Officials feel the earlier date allows archers opportunities to pattern wildlife as they use both soft and hard mast food sources, making wildlife movement more predictable this time of year. “The younger guys are used to this September season and a lot of these guys are patterning the bucks on the grass and stuff right now,” Higgins said. “Overall, I think it will be a good year. There is a lot of mast down low — up high there’s not as much, but down low a lot of white oak and hickory. And from what I’ve heard people are seeing a lot of bucks.” Hunters who purchase a license and RB/RRB stamps before the archery and crossbow seasons start can take up to two additional deer. West Virginia residents and senior hunters must buy a Class RB stamp to take additional archery or crossbow deer, but West Virginia resident landowners hunting on their own property and Class DT license holders are not required to purchase additional archery stamps. The Class RRB stamp is required for nonresident hunters who want to take additional deer. West Virginia’s antlerless deer split seasons will open in select counties starting Oct. 20, the two-week buck firearms season is scheduled to open Nov. 21 and a deer muzzleloader season will be open Dec. 12-18. A split season for youth, Class Q/QQ and Class XS hunters also will be open Oct. 15-16 and Dec. 26-27. For more information about deer hunting and other hunting seasons in West Virginia, visit WVdnr.gov. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

What’s Hot In The Metaverse For Consumers – MarTech https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/whats-hot-in-the-metaverse-for-consumers-martech/ Consumers engaging with metaverse-style virtual environments are interested in a number of industries and activities. Topping the list of interests is music, according to a new study by Reach 3 Insights, which polled 401 consumers over the summer. The findings explain some of the live events and tie-ins that brands are launching in the metaverse, on platforms like Decentraland and Roblox. For marketers still in the wait-and-see or planning phases of their metaverse debut, this might help focus the effort based on where the interest is. Earlier this year, our own MarTech survey found that over half of marketers are planning a metaverse activation either in the upcoming year (25.8%) or in the next five years (25.4%). Dig deeper: How brands are joining the metaverse Get MarTech! Daily. Free. In your inbox. Hot metaverse topics. Consumers were asked what topics they would be interested in related to virtual experiences or products. Here are the topics, in descending order: Music, 68% Travel/ tourism, 58% Shopping/virtual stores, 53% Live events, 53% Gaming, 52% Training/learning, 52% Social/virtual get-togethers, 51% Food, 42% Health, 41% Tech, 35% Fashion, 29% Beauty, 27% Beverages, 20% Something else, 3% The high interest in music explains why iHeartMedia recently launched a hub in the popular 3D game Fortnite. And the interest in gaming shows some crossover appeal with game audiences who are early adopters of metaverse experiences. Dig Deeper: How the gaming universe is preparing marketers for the metaverse Age demographics. The survey was distributed relatively evenly across Gen Z (88 participants), Millennials (101), Gen X (136) and Boomers (76). Older participants raised the average for interest in travel, with only 48% of Gen Z, and 50% of Millennials, interested in that topic. Younger participants were more interested in beauty and fashion, with Gen Z at 43% and 44% interested in those topics, respectively. Clearly, younger consumers are interested in metaverse activations related to fashion and beauty. Under Armour’s ongoing Curry Brand activations demonstrate deep engagement and sales potential on the metaverse. (They sold thousands of $333 NFT virtual wearables in minutes.) Why we care. If your brand is lower on the list of hot topics, think of how you can tie your brand to an interest higher up. Take beverages (20%), for instance. PepsiCo has spent over a decade carving out a space in the gaming community, so they’re poised to attract users in the metaverse. And from the Under Armour playbook, star power can also draw their audience to your brand in the metaverse. Just as in the real world, all kinds of categories sponsor live music events, we expect a similar force at play with virtual concerts celebrity meet-and-greets. About The Author Chris Wood draws on over 15 years of reporting experience as a B2B editor and journalist. At DMN, he served as associate editor, offering original analysis on the evolving marketing tech landscape. He has interviewed leaders in tech and policy, from Canva CEO Melanie Perkins, to former Cisco CEO John Chambers, and Vivek Kundra, appointed by Barack Obama as the country’s first federal CIO. He is especially interested in how new technologies, including voice and blockchain, are disrupting the marketing world as we know it. In 2019, he moderated a panel on “innovation theater” at Fintech Inn, in Vilnius. In addition to his marketing-focused reporting in industry trades like Robotics Trends, Modern Brewery Age and AdNation News, Wood has also written for KIRKUS, and contributes fiction, criticism and poetry to several leading book blogs. He studied English at Fairfield University, and was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He lives in New York.

Engraved Design On Your AirPods Pro 2 Case Will Be Reflected On Your Screen During Setup – ITech Post https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/engraved-design-on-your-airpods-pro-2-case-will-be-reflected-on-your-screen-during-setup-itech-post/ (Photo : Stephen Lam/Getty Images) When you buy specific products directly from Apple’s online store, they will offer you engraving service without charge. In other words, you can currently get an iPad, AirPods, AirTag, or Apple Pencil (2nd generation), and have them engraved with emojis, names, initials, numbers, and dates. But there’s a pleasant surprise for customers who engrave their second-generation AirPods Pro charging case. Apple said that users will be able to see the engraving design while pairing and connecting their second-generation AirPods Pro to their iOS device. You Can See the Engravings on Your AirPods Pro Charging Case on Your Screen The second-generation AirPods Pro will soon arrive at the homes of those who pre-ordered them. When pairing this device with your iOS device, you will encounter a pleasant surprise if you decide to have them engraved, according to MacRumors. As previously mentioned, when you pair your second-generation AirPods Pro with your iOS device, the engraving you made on the charging case will be displayed on the screen. Although it doesn’t add any key features, it is still a pleasant touch to see your custom design on the display. Read More: Apple’s Online Store Is Down as it Prepares Pre-Orders for iPhone 14 Models What Can You Expect With the Second-Generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ Of course, the new AirPods Pro offers more than just the engraving functionality. Better Active Noise Cancellation and the new H2 chip that brings improved battery life, and enhanced controls with touch-sensitive stems are some features of this high-end device. The new AirPods Pro case adds a lanyard hole on the side and a small speaker on the bottom. However, this speaker does not intend to play music. Per XDA, when the case is lost or placed on a charger, the speaker on it makes a sound, which will alert the user. Pros and Cons of Having Engravings on Your Apple Products Having engravings on your Apple products may sound cool for some people. However, there are things you should consider if such a feature is for you. According to Apple Magazine, these are the advantages of having engravings on your Apple products: You can personalize your devices using these engravings. If you have memorable phrases or dates, having them engraved on your devices can make it feel more personal to you and help you get the most out of your Apple products. It will be more difficult for thieves to sell your belongings if your Apple products have personalized messages on them. It will also make it easier for you to trace your device. You can easily distinguish your device from other similar products. This is especially helpful if you live in a house with other people with the same gadgets. If you want to gift an Apple product to your loved ones, having a personalized message engraved onto them will be extra memorable.  Here are the cons of having engravings on your Apple products: Unfortunately, even your Apple devices with engravings on them weren’t stolen, they would be harder to resell than those without any engravings. Having them engraved can prolong delivery time. You can only engrave limited amounts of characters. Related Article: Apple’s New AirPods Pro Gets Improved Noise Cancellation – But Do They Support Lossless Music? Sign Up for the iTechPost Newsletter Get the Most Popular iTechPost Stories in a Weekly Newsletter

Crypto Exchange Coinbase Sued Over Patent Infringement – CoinDesk https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/crypto-exchange-coinbase-sued-over-patent-infringement-coindesk/ Michael Bellusci is CoinDesk’s crypto payments reporter. Coinbase Global (COIN) is being sued by Veritaseum Capital LLC, which alleges that the crypto exchange has infringed on a patent awarded to Veritaseum founder Reggie Middleton. According to Veritaseum, Coinbase has used the patent for some of its blockchain infrastructure, and the company is seeking at least $350 million in damages. Coinbase didn’t immediately respond to CoinDesk’s request for comment Friday. Middleton and Veritaseum in 2019 settled a case with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), paying nearly $9.5 million over charges surrounding the initial coin offering (ICO) for the company’s VERI token. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Delaware. Reuters first reported the news on Friday afternoon. Sign up for The Node, our daily newsletter bringing you the biggest crypto news and ideas. By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG . Michael Bellusci is CoinDesk’s crypto payments reporter. Michael Bellusci is CoinDesk’s crypto payments reporter.

China May Now Have Air Superiority Over US In Pacific – Asia Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/china-may-now-have-air-superiority-over-us-in-pacific-asia-times/ China’s jet fighter force may have already caught up with the quality and quantity of the US, prompting new urgent calls in Washington to build up and modernize the US fighter fleet. US Air Combat Command Chief General Mark Kelley said that America’s combat air forces are 12 squadrons short of multiple aircraft types at the US Air Force Association’s annual Air, Space, and Cyber Conference this month, as reported by the Air and Space Forces Magazine. He cautioned that the US had departed the era of conventional overmatch, with US combat air forces less than half of what they were during the 1991 Gulf War. However, exact aircraft numbers are highly classified; fighter squadrons generally consist of between 18 and 24 jets. “When you have conventional overmatch, strategic risk is low. But that’s not where we’ve arrived in terms of conventional deterrence,” Kelly said. He noted that while the US Air Force needs 60 fighter squadrons, it has only 48 of those to carry out its missions for homeland defense, overseas contingencies, overseas presence and crisis response. He added that while the US Air Force has nine A-10 ground-attack aircraft squadrons, they lack air-to-air and multirole combat capability. Kelly said these fighter shortages are most acutely felt in the Pacific, noting that the US needs 13 fighter squadrons in the region but now has only 11. In terms of crisis response forces, he mentions that the US is five squadrons short. Apart from squadron shortages, Kelly mentions that only three out of eight squadrons are transitioning to new aircraft, resulting in a fighter force that is smaller, older and less capable. He pointed out that the US fighter fleet is, on average, 28.8 years old compared to 9.7 years in 1991, with readiness levels plummeting as pilots get only 9.7 flight hours a month, compared to 22.3 just before the 1991 Gulf War. A US Air Force captain performs preflight checks on an F-16 Falcon fighter jet before takeoff at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada., April 15, 2021. Photo: Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus Flying is a skill that atrophies without practice, notes Kate Odell in a February 2022 article for the Wall Street Journal. She notes that a fighter pilot needs 200 flight hours a year to stay sharp, with four or three practice sorties a week to maintain proficiency. At one or two sorties, Odell mentions that a pilot will deteriorate in ability and comfort in the cockpit.  Kelly makes a case for a fighter force that will dissuade any opponent from contemplating war with the US, making the case that no country in its proper frame of mind would pick a fight with a country with 134 modernized, well-trained and well-equipped fighter squadrons. To achieve these force numbers, Kelly states that the US must maintain a production target of 72 fighters per year and keep its allies at a comparable level of capability, as the latter will be critical force multipliers. He proposes a 4+1 fighter force mix for the 2030s, consisting of F-22s, F-35s, F-15EXs, F-16s, and A-10s. The F-22 will be the primary air superiority platform to be supplanted by the upcoming Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter. The F-35 would be the workhorse for operations in contested airspace, supported by the F-15EX carrying long-range air-to-air weapons and 5th-generation sensor capabilities. F-16s would be a general-purpose model, while the A-10 will remain in its ground attack aircraft role. In contrast to the US, Xiaobing Li, in the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, notes that China has 1,800 fighters divided into each of its five theater commands and organized into seven to 10 fighter brigades having three to six fighter groups, with each group having 30 to 50 aircraft. Regarding training, the defense website Global Security notes that in 2017 China’s fighter pilots managed 100 to 110 flight hours per year. Given the flight hours mentioned by Global Security, there may not be much difference between the flying hours of US and Chinese fighter pilots. However, Lyle Morris notes in a 2016 RAND article that China’s fighter pilot training scenarios are highly scripted and tied to ground control, potentially making them less responsive and adaptable to rapidly-changing combat scenarios. Morris notes that China has tried to simulate unscripted scenarios with systemic reforms to train its pilots to fight and win against militarily superior opponents such as the US. The J-20 is China’s most advanced stealth fighter jet in service. Photo: Twitter He says China has given its pilots the responsibility to make their flight plans and complete autonomy over their sorties. Still, Morris notes that it will take time to reform the rigid operational practices institutionalized in China’s air force. Apart from reforming rigid training practices, China has fast-tracked its pilot training program, notes Liu Xuanzun in a July 2022 article for Global Times. Liu notes that under the old training program pilot cadets required four to six years of flight training to operate a fourth-generation fighter, but the new program trims the period to three years. This accelerated training program aims to match the record production rates of China’s fighter jets. In a December 2021 article for Global Times, Liu Xuanzun notes that China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), achieved record production of its J-15 carrier-based fighter and J-16 multirole fighter jet and even finished its production quotas in advance, despite difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the article did not divulge any precise production numbers. Against America’s 4+1 fighter force mix, China can field a combination of J-20 and FC-31 fifth-generation fighters; J-11, J-15 and J-16 heavyweight fighters in various configurations; and J-10 lightweight fighters. Moreover, in terms of qualitative improvements to its fighter jets, China has been steadily improving the quality of its jet engines, which were a significant handicap for its fighters, and substantially improving its air-to-air missiles to the point of exceeding Western models in some cases. Kelly’s proposal to bulk up US fighter strength is reminiscent of the Reagan administration’s 600-ship navy plan, which aimed to overmatch the Soviet Navy. US F-35, F-16, F-18, F-22, and F-15 jets flying in formation. Photo: Facebook / Popular Mechanics The US accomplished this massive naval shipbuilding program by investing in proven platforms and, at the same time, making critical investments in emerging technologies, notes Joseph Sims in an August 2022 article for the US Naval Institute. While Kelly’s mention of tested platforms such as the F-15EX, F-16 and A-10 balanced with newer models such as the F-22 and F-35 may follow this logic, Sims cautions that the US cannot trade quality for quantity, which may give a false sense of actual capability and hence security. He also says that quantity is essential and that there should be an absolute minimum number of combatant units that force levels are not permitted to go below.

Revamped Detroit Auto Show Now Also Features New Flying Tech – Daily Mining Gazette https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/revamped-detroit-auto-show-now-also-features-new-flying-tech-daily-mining-gazette/ Suzanne Clavette, ICON Aircraft’s marketing manager and a pilot, sits in an ICON A5 aircraft on the floor of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. ICON Aircraft is one of the companies displaying their flying vehicles at NAIAS as part of the show’s Air Mobility Experience segment. (AP Photo/Mike Householder) DETROIT — The Detroit auto show has returned after a three-year absence with a roar. And a soar. Visitors to the prestigious North American International Auto Show, which kicked off last week, can lay eyes on the latest offerings from some of the world’s biggest automakers, as they’ve been able to in years past. But this time around, they also can check out what organizers are calling “the show above the show.” The Air Mobility Experience features displays and demonstrations from six air mobility innovators — representing five countries — that include electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, a hoverbike, a hoverboard and a jet suit. “Feels like the future,” said John George, chief creative officer of the Air Mobility Experience. “We’ve all asked this question — I know I have, since I was a kid: ‘When was that future going to arrive?’” “And the answer is: ‘Now,’” he said. Show-goers can see some air mobility conveyances on display on the show floor, while others have been visible in the skies above the city. That includes the ICON A5, a two-seat, amphibious, light-sport aircraft with retractable wings that enable owners to haul it in a trailer behind a truck, SUV or other vehicle. Pilots from Vacaville, California-based ICON Aircraft provided demonstration flights along the Detroit River that featured landings on the waterway that separates Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. “The reaction (of passengers) landing on the water is always my favorite,” said Suzanne Clavette, ICON’s marketing manager and a pilot who flew some of the A5 demo flights that passed by the downtown Huntington Place convention center that hosts the auto show. NAIAS last was held in January 2019. It returned last week on a smaller scale with fewer new model debuts and journalists, and less-glitzy displays. But hosting the show in September has allowed carmakers — including Ford Motor Co., which debuted the new Mustang at downtown’s Hart Plaza — and the air mobility companies to make use of the great outdoors. “Honestly, I think this is the future of shows. It’s no longer just an auto show. It’s a mobility show, which gives you a glimpse of all of those vehicle types, including the ones that fly,” George said. The show runs through Sunday. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Friday Scoreboard- September 23 – KELOLAND.com https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/friday-scoreboard-september-23-keloland-com/ SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — It was a busy night in local sports. You can view scores from around the area here: MLB Angels 4, Twins 2 SOUTH DAKOTA PREP FOOTBALL Aberdeen Central 24, Huron 7 Alcester-Hudson 46, Gayville-Volin 0 Bon Homme 42, Platte-Geddes 6 Brandon Valley 33, Rapid City Stevens 20 Beresford 54, Lennox 35 Britton-Hecla 43, Arlington 12 Brookings 40, Douglas 6 Clark-Willow Lake 31, Mobridge-Pollock 22 Corsica/Stickney 36, Avon 28 Dakota Valley 14, Madison 7 Dell Rapids 37, Milbank 6 Dell Rapids St. Mary 48, Oldham-Ramona/Rutland 16 Deuel 55, Dakota Hills 0 Elk Point-Jefferson 61, Flandreau 7 Elkton-Lake Benton 50, Iroquois/Lake Preston 0 Estelline/Hendricks 42, Centerville 16 Faith 20, Timber Lake 14 Florence/Henry 27, Deubrook 6 Freeman/ Marion/ Freeman Academy Co-op 44, Colome 22 Gregory 26, Kimball/White Lake 0 Groton Area 28, Sisseton 0 Hamlin 61, Castlewood 20 Hanson 26, Canistota 6 Harding County/Bison Co-op 52, Dupree 0 Harrisburg 35, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 0 Herreid/Selby Area 46, Sully Buttes 6 Hitchcock-Tulare 76, Sunshine Bible Academy 22 Howard 56, Irene-Wakonda 22 Hot Springs 44, Lead-Deadwood 0 Jim River 19, Wagner 0 Kadoka Area 44, Jones County 0 Lemmon-McIntosh 44, Newell 8 Lower Brule 34, Standing Rock, N.D. 0 McCook Central/Montrose 18, Sioux Valley 14 Miller/Highmore-Harrold 41, Hill City 6 Mt. Vernon/Plankinton 32, Tri-Valley 6 Northwestern 36, Langford 14 Parker 21, Baltic 6 Philip 54, New Underwood 20 Pierre 47, Watertown 13 Parkston 52, Garretson 0 Rapid City Christian 50, Lakota Tech 8 Redfield 26, Webster 0 Sioux Falls Christian 42, Chamberlain 0 Sioux Falls Jefferson 49, Mitchell 7 Sioux Falls O’Gorman 35, Sioux Falls Lincoln 28 Spearfish 40, Belle Fourche 12 Stanley County 43, White River 16 St. Thomas More 20, Sturgis 10 Tea Area 38, Yankton 28 Todd County def. Omaha Nation, Neb., forfeit Vermillion 28, Custer 0 Viborg-Hurley 50, Chester 0 Wall 48, Lyman 6 Warner 45, Faulkton Area 32 West Central 34, Canton 12 Wolsey-Wessington 50, Colman-Egan 12 Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central 25, Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian 0 IOWA PREP FOOTBALL A-H-S-T-W, Avoca 39, Riverside, Oakland 19 AC/GC 51, Nodaway Valley 0 Alburnett 55, Highland, Riverside 14 Aplington-Parkersburg 28, South Hardin 12 Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City 7, MOC-Floyd Valley 6 CAM, Anita 42, Audubon 8 Carroll 35, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 0 Cedar Falls 35, Muscatine 0 Central Lyon 43, Cherokee, Washington 8 Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 17, PAC-LM 8 Clarke, Osceola 94, Shenandoah 0 Creston-Orient-Macksburg 39, Knoxville 0 Denver 56, Central Springs 0 Des Moines Christian 19, Red Oak 13 Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines 52, Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 0 Earlham 38, St. Albert, Council Bluffs 0 East Buchanan, Winthrop 48, Maquoketa Valley, Delhi 12 Easton Valley 49, Central City 6 Emmetsburg 42, Sibley-Ocheyedan 0 Estherville Lincoln Central 7, Southeast Valley 0 Fremont Mills, Tabor 44, East Mills 25 Glenwood 49, Des Moines, Hoover 7 Grundy Center 35, AGWSR, Ackley 0 Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 51, Alta-Aurelia 16 Hinton 32, Westwood, Sloan 6 Iowa City High 49, Iowa City West 0 Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 57, West Monona 6 Lewis Central 63, Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 0 Linn-Mar, Marion 55, Cedar Rapids, Jefferson 6 Melcher-Dallas 44, Twin Cedars, Bussey 6 Moravia 84, Seymour 6 Mormon Trail, Garden Grove 48, Lamoni 0 Mount Ayr 56, Sidney 6 Nashua-Plainfield 20, BCLUW, Conrad 6 Nevada 25, Gilbert 22 Newman Catholic, Mason City 49, North Butler, Greene 15 Regina, Iowa City 37, Wilton 13 Sergeant Bluff-Luton 28, Sioux Center 6 Sigourney-Keota 15, Pella Christian 13 South Hamilton, Jewell 38, Woodward-Granger 14 Southeast Polk 56, Waterloo, West 0 Spirit Lake 28, OA-BCIG 13 St. Mary’s, Remsen 63, St. Edmond, Fort Dodge 0 Treynor 55, East Sac County 0 Tri-Center, Neola 44, IKM-Manning 0 Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction 61, Janesville 8 Underwood 68, MVAOCOU 12 Unity Christian 42, Okoboji, Milford 6 Valley, West Des Moines 35, Marshalltown 14 Van Meter 48, West Central Valley, Stuart 0 WACO, Wayland 43, New London 14 Wapsie Valley, Fairbank 33, Hudson 0 Waukon 49, Oelwein 0 West Branch 35, Mediapolis 13 West Hancock, Britt 60, North Union 27 West Harrison, Mondamin 35, Coon Rapids-Bayard 18 West Lyon, Inwood 29, Sheldon 3 West Sioux 49, Western Christian 22 Winfield-Mount Union 54, Lone Tree 14 Woodbury Central, Moville 42, Lawton-Bronson 0 MINNESOTA PREP FOOTBALL A-H-S-T-W, Avoca 39, Riverside, Oakland 19 AC/GC 51, Nodaway Valley 0 Alburnett 55, Highland, Riverside 14 Aplington-Parkersburg 28, South Hardin 12 Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City 7, MOC-Floyd Valley 6 CAM, Anita 42, Audubon 8 Carroll 35, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 0 Cedar Falls 35, Muscatine 0 Central Lyon 43, Cherokee, Washington 8 Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 17, PAC-LM 8 Clarke, Osceola 94, Shenandoah 0 Creston-Orient-Macksburg 39, Knoxville 0 Denver 56, Central Springs 0 Des Moines Christian 19, Red Oak 13 Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines 52, Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 0 Earlham 38, St. Albert, Council Bluffs 0 East Buchanan, Winthrop 48, Maquoketa Valley, Delhi 12 Easton Valley 49, Central City 6 Emmetsburg 42, Sibley-Ocheyedan 0 Estherville Lincoln Central 7, Southeast Valley 0 Fremont Mills, Tabor 44, East Mills 25 Glenwood 49, Des Moines, Hoover 7 Grundy Center 35, AGWSR, Ackley 0 Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 51, Alta-Aurelia 16 Hinton 32, Westwood, Sloan 6 Iowa City High 49, Iowa City West 0 Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 57, West Monona 6 Lewis Central 63, Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 0 Linn-Mar, Marion 55, Cedar Rapids, Jefferson 6 Melcher-Dallas 44, Twin Cedars, Bussey 6 Moravia 84, Seymour 6 Mormon Trail, Garden Grove 48, Lamoni 0 Mount Ayr 56, Sidney 6 Nashua-Plainfield 20, BCLUW, Conrad 6 Nevada 25, Gilbert 22 Newman Catholic, Mason City 49, North Butler, Greene 15 Regina, Iowa City 37, Wilton 13 Sergeant Bluff-Luton 28, Sioux Center 6 Sigourney-Keota 15, Pella Christian 13 South Hamilton, Jewell 38, Woodward-Granger 14 Southeast Polk 56, Waterloo, West 0 Spirit Lake 28, OA-BCIG 13 St. Mary’s, Remsen 63, St. Edmond, Fort Dodge 0 Treynor 55, East Sac County 0 Tri-Center, Neola 44, IKM-Manning 0 Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction 61, Janesville 8 Underwood 68, MVAOCOU 12 Unity Christian 42, Okoboji, Milford 6 Valley, West Des Moines 35, Marshalltown 14 Van Meter 48, West Central Valley, Stuart 0 WACO, Wayland 43, New London 14 Wapsie Valley, Fairbank 33, Hudson 0 Waukon 49, Oelwein 0 West Branch 35, Mediapolis 13 West Hancock, Britt 60, North Union 27 West Harrison, Mondamin 35, Coon Rapids-Bayard 18 West Lyon, Inwood 29, Sheldon 3 West Sioux 49, Western Christian 22 Winfield-Mount Union 54, Lone Tree 14 Woodbury Central, Moville 42, Lawton-Bronson 0