Monthly Archives: April 2017

Experts warn of 12.6bn scale of UK gambling problem – The Guardian

Posted: April 28, 2017 at 3:38 pm

Experts are warning that the UK must face up to the scale of its gambling problem with a lack of research, and industry influence, preventing proper scrutiny of a growing national habit.

Joey Bartons 18-month suspension from football on betting-related charges, and the players response in which he spoke of an explosion in sports betting, has brought the spotlight back on to a practice that is increasingly ubiquitous within the national game, though its influence hardly ends there.

According to the most recent estimates, Britons lost 12.6bn through gambling last year, almost 300 per person, with 48% of people questioned by the Gambling Commission having admitted to gambling at least once in the previous month. The number of problem or pathological gamblers registered at 0.7%, up from 0.5% in 2015, but as many as 5.5% of those questioned identified as at risk gamblers, more than double the figure recorded the previous year.

This comes at a time when online or remote gambling, particularly betting on football matches and the in play events within them is exploding in popularity. Yet according to academics not nearly enough is known or understood about the effects of gambling on those who do it, while the industry and its associated technologies continue to become more sophisticated.

What we have [with online gambling] is a new platform for providing a whole range of existing gambling services which effectively increases exposure and availability to unprecedented levels, says Dr Sean Cowlishaw of Bristol University. It is a profound change and vulnerable groups such as young people have the ability to gamble 24 hours a day from the comfort of their home. And we have no idea of the extent of the problem.

Technology advances at such a fast pace the structures that are tasked to control it dont keep up, says Professor Gerda Reith of the University of Glasgow, who has been working in the field of gambling harm for more than two decades. Thats a fact of life but I think by not recognising that its such a problem were creating a problem. Were not facing up to the potential for harm, particularly with regards to remote gambling that could lead to problems in the future.

Cowlishaws most recent research interviewed 1,000 men between the ages of 18-24 and found that as many as one in four displayed signs of a gambling problem. He believes effective research is being stymied by a lack of funding and undue influence on the part of the gambling industry.

There needs to be a recognition there are conflicts of interest that need to be actively managed, Cowlishaw says. Most of what we know [about gambling harm] isthrough research and evidence heavily influenced by industry. Industry funds all the research in the country through Gamble Aware. The amount of money put up is incredibly small and the industry has been able to maintain control over the topics addressed.

Gamble Aware is the charity formerly known as the Responsible Gambling Trust, charged by the department for culture, media and sport with commissioning research into, and treatment of, gambling harm. It is funded entirely by contributions from the gambling industry (while a donation is mandated by government, the amount is not).

Cowlishaw believes this structure is problematic. Its implicit in the structure that the gambling industry is an acceptable partner, he says.

If we look at research into tobacco and, increasingly, alcohol we can see the involvement of commercial groups can impede effective policy development. When we look at proposals for dealing with problem gambling, such as self-exclusion schemes or identifying people gambling in harmful ways, they all rely on partnerships with industry.

Self-exclusion is a process by which problem gamblers ask a bookmaker or casino to exclude them from gambling for an agreed period of time.

Professor Jim Orford is a vocal critic of the UK gambling industry. He is part of the School of Psychology at Birmingham University and the founder of the group Gambling Watch UK.

The way I see it is theres a collusion between the industry and government and that pulls in a lot of researchers and treatment providers who become dependent on industry financing to keep their work going, he says. I call this the gambling establishment. People become complicit in it.

Its in the interests of industry [to behave this way]. Im not blaming them entirely, if theyre told their activities are legitimate they are going to do what businesses do.

Its in their interests to say its safe and there are a small number of people who are pathological gamblers. The truth is these things are on a continuum. For every one who is so obvious that they are pathological there are 10 who are gambling in a risky way, some of whom will be able to pull back and some who wont.

Five of Gamble Awares 13 trustees have direct links to the gambling industry. In the financial year 2015-16, it raised 7.6m in contributions from the gambling industry. Of that it spent 919,654 on research. Meanwhile 3,788,698 was given to the gambling harm treatment charity Gamcare. Of Gamcares 11 trustees, six have direct connections to the gambling industry.

Gamble Aware was the subject of a complaint of conflict of interest to the charities commission last year. It was cleared of the charge and found by the commission to have a suitable conflict of interest policy in place. It strongly rejects claims it is too close to the industry and say collaboration is vital.

The government has prescribed a voluntary donation-based system to fund research, education and treatment to deliver a national responsible gambling strategy, says the Gamble Aware chief executive, Marc Etches, in a statement given to the Guardian. Gamble Aware has always been totally transparent about industry funding and relationships. They put us in a stronger position to help people with gambling problems and prevent gambling related harm in the first place.

Our research relies on data and information sharing from the gambling industry and our treatment services rely on staff who work in the industry to make sure those at risk get the support they need. Given those circumstances, we believe its only sensible and pragmatic for us to have trustees from the industry and staff with experience of it.

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Experts warn of 12.6bn scale of UK gambling problem - The Guardian

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Gambling in Mississippi: State in Top 5 for Addiction, First for Related Arrests – Jackson Free Press

Posted: at 3:38 pm

Mississippi ranked fifth in WalletHub's study of most gambling addicted states, due to the widespread legality of daily fantasy sports gaming and gambling-related arrests per capita. Photo courtesy Flickr/Lutmans

Mississippi sees the most gambling-related arrests and is in the top five states in the country for gambling addiction, a recent study from WalletHub found.

A gambling disorder is much like other addictions. The American Psychiatric Association classified it as an impulse-control disorder back in the 1980s, and now labels it an addictive disorder because it is similar to substance-related disorders, the APA's latest manual says.

"Research to date shows that pathological gamblers and drug addicts share many of the same genetic predispositions for impulsivity and reward seeking," an article in the Scientific American says. "Just as substance addicts require increasingly strong hits to get high, compulsive gamblers pursue ever riskier ventures. Likewise, both drug addicts and problem gamblers endure symptoms of withdrawal when separated from the chemical or thrill they desire."

Mississippi ranked No. 1 in widespread legality of daily fantasy sports leagues in WalletHub's study, too. The Legislature addressed the state's lack of regulations and rules, and revised the Fantasy Contest Act this past session to set guidelines for companies operating fantasy contests, such as fantasy sports leagues mainly run online.

The revisions to state law on fantasy contests included limits to the number of submissions a person can make to any certain fantasy league as well as requiring the operator to be transparent with the player about the rules, values of prizes and other rules before the game begins.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission will have direct oversight over fantasy contest operators in the state, and all operators will have to apply to the commission, get a license and be subject to audits.

Despite ranking so high for gambling addictions nationwide, Mississippi does not have a state lottery, an idea that both the governor and some lawmakers have pushed to bring in more revenue for the state. House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, created a committee to study the feasibility of a state lottery this summer to see if it's even a good idea for the state.

"I don't think it's the golden egg everyone thinks that it is," Gunn told reporters in late March after the Legislature adjourned.

Email state reporter Arielle Dreher at arielle@jacksonfreepress.com and follow her on Twitter @arielle_amara.

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Gambling in Mississippi: State in Top 5 for Addiction, First for Related Arrests - Jackson Free Press

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Gambling deal could lead to fewer greyhound races and more slots – WCTV

Posted: at 3:38 pm

By: Mike Vasilinda; Capitol News Service April 27, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) For the first time since 2010, state lawmakers are increasing the odds a new gambling deal will emerge by the time they wrap up the legislative session. It could result in fewer greyhounds being raced and more slots in counties that have approved them.

Lawmakers are moving toward allowing dog tracks to stop racing greyhounds. But it is undecided whether county voters where dog tracks are located must first vote on this change.

Animal rights activists are elated.

Im confident that we'll pass those referendums, but there will be a delay. More dogs will be injured. More dogs will die, says Carey Thiel with Grey2K USA.

Gambling legislation is moving for the first time since 2010 because lawmakers fear a pending court ruling.

Lobbyist Ron Book says, Thats what in part is certainly pushing the House, the court decisions, and not wanting further expansion by judicial edict as opposed to conscious edict by the policy makers.

Lawmakers also want a quick decision because they face pressure from a proposed initiative that would allow citizens to make any future gambling changes.

Still on the table is whether eight counties where voters have already approved slots will get them. The Senate, which proposed the idea, is holding firm, but offered to reduce the number of machines to appease a reluctant House.

The Federal courts, they continue to take positions that expand gaming in Florida. And if we really want to curb gaming, it would make some sense to expand a little, says Rep. Jose Felix Diaz.

Naples-Ft. Myers dog track operator Izzy Havenick is hopeful.

Its the hardest thing to run a business when any day things could change. You dont know tomorrow whats going to be legal, you dont know two days down the road.

The legislation, as proposed, would also remove any legal questions about daily Fantasy sports games.

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Gambling deal could lead to fewer greyhound races and more slots - WCTV

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Richard Short tackles euthanasia in ‘Mary Kills People’ – Fox News

Posted: at 3:38 pm

Watching a series about assisted suicide on a Sunday night may not sound like an ideal way to unwind, but actor Richard Short is daring viewers to tune in.

First and foremost, were not necessarily aiming to change anyones perspective on the topic, the 41-year-old British actor told Fox News of Lifetime's Mary Kills People.

The show chronicles ER doctor Mary Harris (Caroline Dhavernas) who moonlights as an underground angel of death alongside her partner Des (Short) to help terminally ill patients end their lives on their own terms.

I think people will enjoy it because we aim to make a good, entertaining television show that people can come home to and watch, he added. Thats certainly one of the shows strengths. The thriller aspect, the chase its very good at ending and leaving you anticipating for the next episode.

HOLLYWOOD A-LISTERS ARE FLOCKING TO LIFETIME

Short developed his own views on the controversial topic while working on the project.

Im not entirely sure why [its controversial], he explained. Im happy to be an advocate for freedom of choice. But I just dont think its something you would care deeply for unless it landed upon your own door. And its only through doing my research, I discovered actual individuals and their stories. Thats what turned me on to it When you hear their stories, it makes you realize that it should really be up to them, not a decision made by the rest of us Youve got to have a bit of an ear, respect for the other side of the argument and good ol fashioned diplomacy."

While Short emphasize that Mary Kills People doesnt aim to make a political statement, but rather tackle a unique subject for entertainment, he acknowledged that off-camera, many actors are choosing to voice their concerns in highly televised platforms, like awards shows.

Its only become a thing because people are becoming more vocal about actors getting political, said Short. Why arent they entitled to a political opinion? Honestly, youre a human being, you pay taxes, youre allowed an opinionIts just been that some actors, of course, get heard louder than Joe Public because they have a platform But I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion about the way the world is working Thats the foundation of this glorious country. Everyone should be able to speak their minds and not get entirely offended by other ideas. Join in on the conversation instead.

Short is also enjoying keeping busy with after his experience with HBOs 1970s rock n roll drama Vinyl, which was created by Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese. Despite HBO announcing in February 2016 that it would deliver a second season, the cable network unexpectedly pulled the plug in June that same year due to poor ratings.

It was a strange turn of events, he said. But ultimately, youve got to look back and just be really proud of the fact that you were in whats essentially a 10-hour movie produced by Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese. Im happy with that.

Short previously stirred headlines for going completely nude in one scene opposite actress Olivia Wilde.

It was all about trust, said Short on going full frontal. Ive done it on stage before in the theatre and thats far more frightening Olivia and I have grown close enough for me to trust her explicitly. We came to an understanding instantly. And I was totally in her hands and she in mine, and it was all good. We trusted each other. There was no discomfort really. I thought it was appropriate and very 1970s and worked well with what we were trying to achieve.

While audiences should expect his new character Des to go completely bare in Mary Kills People, Short hasnt ruled out making the bold move again in the future.

I was quite happy to do it, he recalled. Ill do it again!

"Mary Kills People" airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on Lifetime.

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Richard Short tackles euthanasia in 'Mary Kills People' - Fox News

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970 People Were Killed Killed in Canada Last Year in Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide – LifeNews.com

Posted: at 3:38 pm

Health Canada released an interim update on medical assistance in dyingon April 26. The report indicates that there were 970 reported assisted deaths. The data was based on a full year in Qubec and 6.5 months (June 17 Dec 31) in the rest of Canada.

There were 463 reported assisted deaths in (Qubec, Yukon and Nunavut) and 507 reported assisted deaths in the rest of Canada. Out of 507 assisted deaths there were 504 euthanasia deaths (lethal injection) and 3 assisted suicide deaths (lethal prescription).

There may be more assisted deaths.According to the report, not every province has a legal requirement to report assisted deaths while Nunavut and the Yukon territories did not submit information based on privacy concerns and the small number of assisted deaths.

The 970 reported assisted deaths represented 0.6% of all deaths in Canada. Other than Qubec, where there were 463 deaths in the full year, these deaths occurred in 6.5 months (June 17 Dec 31). The percentage of assisted deaths is highest in British Columbia, where there were 188 assisted deaths, where they have two euthanasia clinics, as compared to 189 assisted deaths in Ontario.

The number of assisted deaths is high compared to Belgium where there were 235 reported assisted deaths in its first full year (2003), 349 in its second full year and 393 in its third full year after legalization. Currently Belgium is approximately 1/3 of Canadas population.

Keep up with the latest pro-life news and information on Twitter.

Recently CBC news reported that there were more than 1324 assisted deaths up to March 31. The CBC news data did not include all of the assisted deaths in British Columbia and it did not include Qubec assisted deaths since December 31.

TheNetherlands recently reported that there were 6091 reported assisted deaths in 2016 representing 4% of all deaths. Based on the current number of assisted deaths, it is possible that Canada will surpass theNetherlandsandBelgium.

The euthanasia lobby are pressuring to have euthanasia extended topeople with mental illness, people who are under 18 and forpeople who are incompetent, but who stated in their advanced directive that they would want to die by euthanasia.

Ontario is the only jurisdiction that is forcing physicians, who oppose killing their patients, to effectively refer their patients for euthanasia.

Doctors should not be forced to refer their patients for euthanasia.

LifeNews.com Note: Alex Schadenberg is the executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and you can read his blog here.

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970 People Were Killed Killed in Canada Last Year in Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide - LifeNews.com

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County commissioners say wildlife sanctuary euthanasia was surprise – The Coloradoan

Posted: at 3:38 pm

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A statement from Lions Gate Sanctuary says last Thursday it humanely euthanized three lions, three tigers and five bears 9News

Black bears(Photo: Bill Roth, AP)

ELBERT -- The Elbert Co. Board of Commissioners says the Lion's Gate wildlife sanctuary's decision to euthanize 11 animals was a surprise. The sanctuary's owner blames the commissioners for the decision.

The wildlife sanctuary near Agateeuthanized 11 animalsdue to flooding concerns about a week after the Elbert County Board of Commissioners denied a permit request that would have let owners relocate the sanctuary. The sanctuary euthanized three lions, three tigers and five bears.

The owners of the sanctuary tried to move their animals to a 45-acre property near Elizabeth. On April 12, the board of commissioners denied the request. Commissioners said the application had inconsistencies and neighbors had safety concerns. Sanctuary owners said the animals were all elderly and they would have finalized an emergency plan if their application received approval.

The board rejected a similar application in 2006.

Could an oil leak result in dolphins’ euthanasia? – Sutherland Northern Times

Posted: at 3:38 pm

Published: 28/04/2017 12:30 - Updated: 27/04/2017 11:37

John Finnie - results could be 'horrific'.

DOLPHINS and whales may have to be euthanised if an oil spill occurs during ship to ship transfers in the Cromarty Firth.

Critics of the plan to move more than eight million tonnes of crude oil in the Cromarty and Moray firths have slammed the Cromarty Firth Port Authority (CFPA) for saying animals may have to be killed if an accident happens.

The authoritys contingency plan for an oil spill states that euthanasia may be the most humane action but campaigners have branded it appalling and are preparing to ask the Scottish Government for help in blocking the transfers.

Members of Cromarty Rising will make a trip to Edinburgh next week to attend a debate on the controversial plans, to be hosted by Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie.

They hope this will be another opportunity to explain the risks to wildlife, as well as the damage it could to the areas tourism industry.

Duncan Bowers will be among the Cromarty Rising campaigners attending the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.

He said: We are not opposed to development but they already have a licence for a jetty at Nigg.

They should carry out ship to ship transfers there and the Scottish Government can use development funds to help them do what they need to do. That is much more sustainable than making money at the expense of tourism and dolphins.

We all think euthanasia is an appalling statement to make and I dont think they should even be allowed to include that in their contingency plans.

If there are 195 bottlenose dolphins and a spill takes place they wont all be stranded but a lot could be. How do you even begin to try to euthanise all of them? It has been badly researched and poorly planned.

We hope the Scottish Government will make an intervention before it is too late.

It will be for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to decide if the port is allowed to go ahead and there will be no vote in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday but it is hoped it will raise awareness of the issue.

Mr Bowers hopes when a revised application is submitted by CFPA the Scottish Government will refuse to grant a mitigation licence, allowing for the disruption of European protected species.

Green MSP John Finnie said if animals get stranded due to a spill they may need to be euthanised on the beach, which would be horrific for them and those living in the area.

He said: Were any of these marine mammals to become stranded as a result of an oil spill their internal organs would quickly become compromised and there would be a requirement to provide lethal injections to these beautiful animals as they lay on the shoreline.

I believe this is yet another horrific event that local communities could be faced with if ship to ship oil transfers are given the go ahead and once again call on the Scottish and UK governments and their agencies to put a stop to these proposals immediately.

The CFPA contingency plan states that a variety of measures can be taken to protect cetaceans (whales and dolphins) from spilt oil, including administering first aid and releasing stranded animals once the water is safe.

In other cases euthanasia may be the most humane action, it states.

But this sparked concerns with Margaux Dodds, director and co-founder of Marine Connections, a Cawdor-based charity working for the protection and conservation of dolphins and whales.

Ms Dodds pointed out it may be difficult to track down the experienced personnel and medication required if a lot of animals were stranded.

In an area like the Moray Firth, where any oil spill could result in mass stranding, given the high concentration of cetaceans in the area, this would be a very large undertaking indeed, she said.

Any rescue effort will require highly experienced personnel to treat the animals, assist with crowd control, transportation of animals, staffing at stranding and release locations and post mortem examination costs.

It takes a reasonable amount of time and staffing effort to re-float a cetacean. Some may have become compromised due to pressure on their internal organs from being out of the water, lying on the shoreline. As they would already be highly stressed, we question how the animals would be transported to the release site without further anxiety.

We have to consider the serious possibility that some of these protected animals will have to be euthanised after a period of time. Who would be responsible or the secure storage [of drugs] until required, monitoring of storage conditions and tracking of expiry dates?

A reasonable licensed party will be required to bear the cost of purchasing and storing these drugs.

The contingency plan is required by law due to the port authoritys work with oil and fumes. A previous later this year.

A CFPA spokeswoman said: Every power driven vessel entering the Cromarty Firth carries fuel or oil, which most use for propulsion.

As a result, the ports regulators (MCA) demand that we have an oil spill contingency plan in place for managing any release of oil by vessels into the waters of the Cromarty Firth. This document has been completed in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Co-operation Convention) regulations 1998 and forms part of the ports major incident plan.

Friday 28 Apr 2017 8:38 PM

Dog food in Texas contaminated with euthanasia drug, forcing recall – Beaumont Enterprise

Posted: at 3:38 pm

By Fernando Ramirez, Chron.com / Houston Chronicle

It's the last thing people would want to feed their dog.

Pentobarbital, a drug used to euthanize both humans and animals, was found in a Texas retailer's supply of canned dog food.

The supplier,Party Animal Dog Food,recently announced a recall of two products that tested positive for theeuthanasia drug.

THOUGHTFUL: Houston man sends ex-wife heartbreaking birthday card for their dog

"The safety of pets is and always will be our first priority," Party Animal, Inc. said in a recall announcement. "We sincerely regret the reports of the discomfort experienced by the pet who consumed this food."

The two products being recalled are 12 ounce cans of "Cocolicious", with the flavors beef/turkey and chicken/beef.

Business blunders

Click through to see the biggest gaffes, mistakes, blunders companies made in the past year.

Business blunders

Click through to see the biggest gaffes, mistakes, blunders companies made in the past year.

Korean electronics giant Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 7 in New York City on Aug. 2, 2016. Not long after, the company began receiving reports of the phone erupting into

When makeup ads go full racist

Lifestyle and beauty website Total Beauty put its Internet foot firmly in its own mouth when it mistakenly identified Whoopi Goldberg as Oprah Winfrey during the 88th Academy Awards on

Seattle-based technology powerhouse Microsoft created an AI named Tay with the intent it would learn how to communicate with the help of Twitter users. It was

In September 2016, staff from San Antonio-based bedding company Miracle Mattress posted an obscene 9/11-themed advertisement for its "Twin Tower" sale. The YouTube video sparked national outcry and

In January 2016, ALDI Australia published a promotional image on Twitter with the words "I became an ALDI lover when I tasted ___ for the first time." Unfortunately, the brand's

Dog food in Texas contaminated with euthanasia drug, forcing recall

The dog food company believes the tainted product was manufactured in 2015 and has issued a nationwide recall from distributors and retailers.

POLICE PUP:Venomous snake bites Fort Bend police K9

"Party Animal wishes to emphasize that we have submitted many recent lots of our beef flavors for testing and all have tested negative for any pentobarbital," continued the company's statement."We have also had extensive discussions with our manufacturer regarding the potential cause of the reported contamination of the 2015 lots, and we will continue with such discussions even as we await testing results for the 2015 lots. In order to ensure adherence to our commitment to the safety of pets, we are also actively re-examining our manufacturing processes."

Click through above to see the biggest blunders companies made in the past year.

16-year-old sex trafficking victim rescued, two men arrested – KATU

Posted: at 3:37 pm

Tre Quane Jenkins and Antonio Jaray Moore (Courtesy PPB).png

Portland Police and the FBI have reunited a 16-year-old sex trafficking victim with her family, and arrested two men for prostitution.

The investigation started several weeks ago, when officers found the victim inside a house in the 8500 block of SE Steele Street. Thursday, she was removed from the home and reunited with her family. Three other people were found at the house and they refused to come out for some time.

Eventually, 22-year-old Tre Quane Jenkins and 20-year-old Antonio Jaray Moore were arrested for compelling prostitution. The third person was released. Police found a firearm inside the house.

If you have any information, call Portland Police.

From Portland Police:

Sex trafficking and prostitution are not victimless crimes. Victims of sex trafficking and prostitution are forced, coerced, and manipulated into this lifestyle against their will. They are forced to suffer through physical, sexual, and mental abuse. The Portland Police Bureau, in conjunction with other Federal and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to deterring prostitution and sex trafficking activities.

The Bureau also works with community organizations like Lifeworks NW to help sex trafficking victims: https://www.bja.gov/programs/supporting-victims-of-sex-trafficking-in-Portland.html

If you know or think that someone may be involved in trafficking or is being exploited, please contact the Portland Police Bureau's Sex Trafficking Unit at 503-255-0118, the Sexual Assault Resource Center hotline 1-800-640-5311; or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1-800-843-5678 or via the Cyber Tipline: http://www.missingkids.org/CyberTiipline

Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous.

Information about any unsolved homicide is eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500. Information about any other unsolved felony crime is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Information learned from social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube should be shared as these tips may lead to the identification of a suspect or suspects. Links can be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

Submit an anonymous tip:

Text CRIMES (274637) - Type 823HELP, followed by the tip.

Online at http://crimestoppersoforegon.com/submit_online_tip.php

Call 503-823-HELP (4357)

Visit http://www.tipsoft.com to download the TipSubmit app for the iPhone or Droid.

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We Want Protection for Pedestrians – urbanmilwaukee

Posted: at 3:37 pm

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Yield to Pedestrians. Photo by Graham Kilmer.

A coalition of groups staged a demonstration Wednesday raising awareness for pedestrian safety at the intersection where 62-year-old Israel Soto-Colon was killed little more than a week ago.

Members of the MilWALKee Walks coalition and students from the nearby Escuela Verde escorted pedestrians back and forth across the intersection holding signs that read Yield To Pedestrians.

I do think that walking issues are this hidden problem, said Jessica Wineberg, program director with the Wisconsin Bike Fed, who helped organize the demonstration.

Jessica Wineberg. Photo by Graham Kilmer.

Already, seven pedestrians in Milwaukee have been killed this year by motorists. Those deaths account for 40 percent of the deadly pedestrian crashes in the entire state. Along with inattentiveness and speeding, Wineberg and her fellow demonstrators were concerned with drivers failing to yield to pedestrians.

Local attorney Michael Hupy was at the demonstration and said it was symbolic, adding I think some people who drove by here learned something.

Hupy said he became an advocate for pedestrian after years of his firm representing injured bikers. The poor driving that he saw leading to injured bikers was reminiscent of his own experience crossing the streets of downtown Milwaukee, he said.

While spreading awareness with demonstrations like the one Wednesday are important, both Hupy and Wineberg believe the most realistic solution for tackling the problem is through public policy. Specifically, a police initiative ticketing drivers that fail to yield to pedestrians.

As Wineberg noted, any time a sidewalk ends, a crosswalk begins whether its painted or not.

Drivers seem to think they can get away with speeding, running red lights and not yielding to pedestrians, she said. Those things kill people, they arent victimless crimes.

Its difficult to incentivize safer driving, so when the carrot fails Wineberg and others think the stick has a role to play.

Still, the issue, like many in a complex city like Milwaukee, can become complicated quickly.

Wineberg met with Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn, and said, One of my takeaways was that Chief Flynn was generally concerned about the policing of low income and minority communities.

She said loading up poor communities with municipal fines can have a negative effect of leading to increased incarceration, as low-income individuals are more likely to miss a court date and end up with a warrant for something like a traffic ticket.

In Wisconsin, African-American residents are almost twice as likely to be in a pedestrian crash. We hear over and over again from African American community members on the northwest side that theyre terrorized in their neighborhoods by speeding and reckless drivers, Wineberg said.

If Wineberg had her way, she would prescribe the city a day without cars. And have people see how beautiful and wonderful theyre neighborhoods are when you can freely go wherever you want without worrying about getting hit, she said. And theres no pollution from cars or any noise.

As one of the demonstrators attempted to cross the street, sign in hand, a car came close to hitting him. The young man and the driver started talking though the passenger window.

See, Wineberg said, Theyre talking it out, yes! Education, talking it out.

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Monthly Archives: April 2017

Experts warn of 12.6bn scale of UK gambling problem – The Guardian

Gambling in Mississippi: State in Top 5 for Addiction, First for Related Arrests – Jackson Free Press

Gambling deal could lead to fewer greyhound races and more slots – WCTV

Richard Short tackles euthanasia in ‘Mary Kills People’ – Fox News

970 People Were Killed Killed in Canada Last Year in Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide – LifeNews.com

County commissioners say wildlife sanctuary euthanasia was surprise – The Coloradoan

Could an oil leak result in dolphins’ euthanasia? – Sutherland Northern Times

Dog food in Texas contaminated with euthanasia drug, forcing recall – Beaumont Enterprise

16-year-old sex trafficking victim rescued, two men arrested – KATU

We Want Protection for Pedestrians – urbanmilwaukee

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