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Thursday, January 31, 2008

wbadvertising has PAID ME!!!!!!!

Amount: $11.27 USD

Transaction ID: 1FN92664RH2797721

Subject: Pay out for WBAdvertising

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WBAdvertising.com

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

REALIZE........

To realize
The value of a sister
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.


To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.


To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.


To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.


To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.


To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
who has given birth to
A premature baby.


To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.


To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.


Time waits for no one.


Treasure every moment you have.


You will treasure it even more when
you can share it with someone special.


To realize the value of a friend or family member:

LOSE ONE.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Payday not soon enough?

Cash Advances,payday loans,payday advances, what do all of these have in common fast cash! You can apply at this website and be approved very fast. It explains everything that you need to know about getting a loan and how to proceed in paying it back, it also gives you tips on how to take out loans without going overboard, so when you are short on cash or have an unexpecteded bill turn up don't sweat it come to the website and apply and if you have already applied and then paid it back and need another loan you are in the DOUGH!payday loans This website let's you rate the company you have decided to go with and you can review the other sites that are listed also.
I have tried a few of these sites and I have gotten the loan and paid it back, the loan came in handy when I was short on cash and needed gas or food money until payday.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Dneero Has paid me

DNEERO HAS PAID ME..................
to join just go and click on a survey that isposted and take the survey and then register....




Dear WEWEARIT,


dNeero just sent you money with PayPal.

dNeero is a Verified buyer.


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Payment Details


Amount: $20.01 USD

Transaction ID: 6W9650119M883491L

Friday, January 25, 2008

When you lose a friend............




Losing a friend is not any easier then losing a family member. Yesterday we lost a friend and a coworker. He was taken in a flash, making a simple mistake however he was a good guy, great smile the world ahead of him and so much potential and now we will only have him in our hearts and minds..
So at around 11:15 AM on Madison Ave in Citrus HEights Ca we Lost Zachary Shane Curtice he was only 24 years old and he had such a BIG HEART!
I am making a tshirt and all proceeds will go to the family of Zachary Curtice.

Heath ledger

Ok, Please tell me what the fixation is over this young man and his death? I do not know him so to me it is a shame he died so young however there are more important things to worry about and to report on the evening news then this mans death.
Like always the MEDIA goes out and above what is needed for celebrities.

A young man was killed last night here and is he getting as much media attention and this Legder man? NO and that is sad...very sad.

So I ask all of you this question????

Do you think there will be this much attention when you die? NO I REALLY DOUBT IT. so why can't everyone let his family grieve for him and for all of us who never knew him and never would have known him wake up and smell the coffee, he was not your average guy, he had money and fame and he really never thought about you now did he?

To me, it gets very tiresome to see the MEDIA run wit hthese stories like it is a GOOD thing to be famous and to be found DEAD.............

I would rather see real stories about us helping the hungry children in the USA...

University

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

free to join NOW!!!!!

this was a paid to get in program , now they just launched a free membership and you earn points by referring other people...

WHY NOT? JOIN TODAY FOR FREE

All 4 One World

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Is a Medical Career for You?

The medical field is a very good path to take if you want a challenge and to help people every day, it is never boring and you can honestly say you are learning new things on a daily basis.
This website medical trainingbreaks down in detail the careers that are out there in the medical field, from ultrasound tech to Massage therpaist you name it, it is there for you to explore. it also gives you a list of schools online and offline in your state.
I have looked over this site and read the articles and found them to be informative and useful.
I am considering taking a online class to refresh my Medical transcribing career have not done it in a long time however I was certified over 5 years ago and they love you to work at home in that field. I have bookmarked this website so I can go back and review it and check the prices on the courses at the schools offline and online.The pay is very good for staying at home and meeting deadlines for transcribing tapes. so you could actually have you whole day ahead of you if you have all of your work done before noon

Monday, January 21, 2008

Postpartum Depression & Postpartum Psychosis

What is depression?

Depression can be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. But true clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended time. Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. The degree of depression, which your doctor can determine, influences how you are treated.

How common is depression during and after pregnancy?

Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called perinatal depression. The exact number of women with depression during this time is unknown. But researchers believe that depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy. Often, the depression is not recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are happening at the same time. Tiredness, problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight may occur during pregnancy and after pregnancy. But these symptoms may also be signs of depression.

What causes depression?

There may be a number of reasons why a woman gets depressed. Hormone changes or a stressful life event, such as a death in the family, can cause chemical changes in the brain that lead to depression. Depression is also an illness that runs in some families. Other times, it’s not clear what causes depression.

During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, these factors may increase a woman’s chance of depression:


History of depression or substance abuse


Family history of mental illness



Little support from family and friends


Anxiety about the fetus


Problems with previous pregnancy or birth


Marital or financial problems


Young age (of mother)

After Pregnancy

Depression after pregnancy is called postpartum depression or peripartum depression. After pregnancy, hormonal changes in a woman's body may trigger symptoms of depression. During pregnancy, the amount of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in a woman's body increases greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of these hormones rapidly drops back down to their normal non-pregnant levels. Researchers think the fast change in hormone levels may lead to depression, just as smaller changes in hormones can affect a woman's moods before she gets her menstrual period.

Occasionally, levels of thyroid hormones may also drop after giving birth. The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that helps to regulate your metabolism (how your body uses and stores energy from food). Low thyroid levels can cause symptoms of depression including depressed mood, decreased interest in things, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, and weight gain. A simple blood test can tell if this condition is causing a woman's depression. If so, thyroid medicine can be prescribed by a doctor.

Other factors that may contribute to postpartum depression include:


Feeling tired after delivery, broken sleep patterns, and not enough rest often keeps a new mother from regaining her full strength for weeks.


Feeling overwhelmed with a new, or another, baby to take care of and doubting your ability to be a good mother.


Feeling stress from changes in work and home routines. Sometimes, women think they have to be "super mom" or perfect, which is not realistic and can add stress.


Having feelings of loss — loss of identity of who you are, or were, before having the baby, loss of control, loss of your pre-pregnancy figure, and feeling less attractive.


Having less free time and less control over time. Having to stay home indoors for longer periods of time and having less time to spend with the your partner and loved ones.

What are symptoms of depression?

Any of these symptoms during and after pregnancy that last longer than two weeks are signs of depression:


Feeling restless or irritable


Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed


Crying a lot


Having no energy or motivation


Eating too little or too much


Sleeping too little or too much


Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions


Feeling worthless and guilty


Loss of interest or pleasure in activities


Withdrawal from friends and family


Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart beating fast and feeling like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing)

After pregnancy, signs of depression may also include being afraid of hurting the baby or oneself and not having any interest in the baby.

What is the difference between "baby blues," postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis?

The baby blues can happen in the days right after childbirth and normally go away within a few days to a week. A new mother can have sudden mood swings, sadness, crying spells, loss of appetite, sleeping problems, and feel irritable, restless, anxious, and lonely. Symptoms are not severe and treatment isn’t needed. But there are things you can do to feel better. Nap when the baby does. Ask for help from your spouse, family members, and friends. Join a support group of new moms or talk with other moms.

Postpartum depression can happen anytime within the first year after childbirth. A woman may have a number of symptoms such as sadness, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, anxiety, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness. The difference between postpartum depression and the baby blues is that postpartum depression often affects a woman’s well-being and keeps her from functioning well for a longer period of time. Postpartum depression needs to be treated by a doctor. Counseling, support groups, and medicines are things that can help.

Postpartum psychosis is rare. It occurs in 1 or 2 out of every 1000 births and usually begins in the first 6 weeks postpartum. Women who have bipolar disorder or another psychiatric problem called schizoaffective disorder have a higher risk for developing postpartum psychosis. Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and obsessive thoughts about the baby. A woman may have rapid mood swings, from depression to irritability to euphoria.

What steps can I take if I have symptoms of depression during pregnancy or after childbirth?

Some women don’t tell anyone about their symptoms because they feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty about feeling depressed when they are supposed to be happy. They worry that they will be viewed as unfit parents. Perinatal depression can happen to any woman. It does not mean you are a bad or “not together” mom. You and your baby don’t have to suffer. There is help.

There are different types of individual and group "talk therapies" that can help a woman with perinatal depression feel better and do better as a mom and as a person. Limited research suggests that many women with perinatal depression improve when treated with anti-depressant medicine. Your doctor can help you learn more about these options and decide which approach is best for you and your baby. The next section contains more detailed information about available treatments.

Speak to your doctor or midwife if you are having symptoms of depression while you are pregnant or after you deliver your baby. Your doctor or midwife can give you a questionnaire to test for depression and can also refer you to a mental health professional who specializes in treating depression.

Here are some other helpful tips:


Try to get as much rest as you can. Try to nap when the baby naps.


Stop putting pressure on yourself to do everything. Do as much as you can and leave the rest!


Ask for help with household chores and nighttime feedings. Ask your husband or partner to bring the baby to you so you can breastfeed. If you can, have a friend, family member, or professional support person help you in the home for part of the day.


Talk to your husband, partner, family, and friends about how you are feeling.


Do not spend a lot of time alone. Get dressed and leave the house. Run an errand or take a short walk.


Spend time alone with your husband or partner.


Talk with other mothers so you can learn from their experiences.


Join a support group for women with depression. Call a local hotline or look in your telephone book for information and services.


Don’t make any major life changes during pregnancy. Major changes can cause unneeded stress. Sometimes big changes cannot be avoided. When that happens, try to arrange support and help in your new situation ahead of time.

How is depression treated?

There are two common types of treatment for depression.


Talk therapy. This involves talking to a therapist, psychologist, or social worker to learn to change how depression makes you think, feel, and act.


Medicine. Your doctor can give you an antidepressant medicine to help you. These medicines can help relieve the symptoms of depression.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with their doctors about the advantages and risks of taking antidepressant medicines. Some women are concerned that taking these medicines may harm the baby. A mother’s depression can affect her baby’s development, so getting treatment is important for both mother and baby. The risks of taking medicine have to be weighed against the risks of depression. It is a decision that women need to discuss carefully with their doctors. Women who decide to take antidepressant medicines should talk to their doctors about which antidepressant medicines are safer to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.

What effects can untreated depression have?

Depression not only hurts the mother, but also affects her family. Some researchers have found that depression during pregnancy can raise the risk of delivering an underweight baby or a premature infant. Some women with depression have difficulty caring for themselves during pregnancy. They may have trouble eating and won’t gain enough weight during the pregnancy; have trouble sleeping; may miss prenatal visits; may not follow medical instructions; have a poor diet; or may use harmful substances, like tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs.

Postpartum depression can affect a mother’s ability to parent. She may lack energy, have trouble concentrating, be irritable, and not be able to meet her child’s needs for love and affection. As a result, she may feel guilty and lose confidence in herself as a mother, which can worsen the depression. Researchers believe that postpartum depression can affect the infant by causing delays in language development, problems with emotional bonding to others, behavioral problems, lower activity levels, sleep problems, and distress. It helps if the father or another caregiver can assist in meeting the needs of the baby and other children in the family while mom is depressed.

All children deserve the chance to have a healthy mom. All moms deserve the chance to enjoy their life and their children. Don’t suffer alone. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression during pregnancy or after having a baby, please tell a loved one and call you doctor or midwife right away.

More Information

You can find out more about depression during and after pregnancy by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 or the following organizations.

National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
Phone: (301) 496-9576
Internet Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

National Mental Health Information Center, SAMHSA, HHS
Phone: (800) 789-2647
Internet Address: http://www.mentalhealth.org

American Psychological Association
Phone: (800) 374-2721
Internet Address: http://www.apa.org

National Mental Health Association
Phone: (800) 969-NMHA
Internet Address: http://www.nmha.org

Postpartum Education for Parents
Phone: (805) 564-3888
Internet Address: http://www.sbpep.org

Postpartum Support International
Phone: (805) 967-7636
Internet Address: http://www.postpartum.net

Martin Luther King Jr

40 years today marks the anniversary of his death. It is ever so needed to day as it was back then,
We need to show compassion and tolerance for all, Violence is not the answer to any conflict.

Our children need to learn about the Civil Rights Movement and what it meant to All of US growing up and witnessing the tragic things that happened.

If you have a story you would like to share with our readers please do so in the comment box.

College?

New Traffic Exchange







This is new and seems like it is getting the attention of all the top hitters on the NET.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

ashop-US

This ecommerce shopping cart software is made for the US based websites and the businesses that need to be able to get up and running fast, once you place your order you will get all of your log in details along with the control information so you can go in and start uploading and setting up the way you want your shopping cart to look so you can attract customers and make that money! shopping cartTo know I can select a domain name and register it with adshop or use a redirector really means alot to me, this looks like a very good site to have my shopping cart hosted on, dedicated servers and 247 customer service so we are never alone if we get a hiccup we can email a support ticket and wait for a response to tell us the next step, I can also let them design my website for me if I wish just pay the additional price and BAM it is being designed and I have nothing to worry about.

aShop

If you are looking for a shopping cart for your website you should check out Ashop.com
shopping cart software this software is great for ecommerce.
This is a safe and trusted website and the top shopping cart companies for your website around. if you want to start selling on your website then you can be up and running in as little as 24 hours all of the shopping carts are hosted on a trusted server so they are up the majority of the time. great prices along with 24/7 customer support you are never alone with ashop so look it over and try it out today you will not regret it, your website will look very professional and you will be selling your products before you know it! WOW! your in business online and your customers are loving your checkout process fast and safe. Your shopping cart will also be search engine friendly meaning it will picked up by the search engines with no problems, there are several packages you can choose from to get your shopping cart seen.
Domain registration or you can redirect your own for your shopping cart.

Casino Reviews

This website online casino offers many things as far as information on gambling online and betting venues. It also tells you what countries are allowed to play at each casino. I found that the Online Gambling Tips page was very helpful with tips and other ways to see if you are in need of help for gambling to much online.
I really enjoyed reading this site on best voted, best bonuses, best USA casinos, it is so much fun reading about these casinos.
I really like the casinos with bonuses, it is good to know I will get a match for putting money into that casino.
If you have never gambled online before it would be good to read the page The beginners guide to online gambling.
It is always very improtant not to spend more then you can afford when you gamble online, some people forget that it is still gamlbing it is just ro mthe comfort of their own homes and so we need to set limits and make sure we do not go into debt.
If you feel you are online gambling to much please make sure to get help, please remember to gamble at your own risk, do not enter a site unless you can afford to spend the money.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Text Messages?

Do you play online slots?

I have been looking over this site and I must say it does go into deep detail on each one of the casinos they have.
I enjoy playing twenty five cents slots and I also enjoy playing from home, so being able to read the reviews before going into the casinos.
The website has good content and you are able to go and visit the casino before playing for real money.
Progressive pots I have played before and have won a few hundred dollars online and the thrill was so much fun, my whole family was around the computer.
What about table games? Do you play roulette and craps? I have tried and it was fun however it is not as much fun as the slots for me. It would be interesting to know how many people really like the slots better then the table games.
slots
So please if you have a few minutes go and visit the website and read in detail about online slots and see if it is for you.

Leadleaps

Investing and Retirement

Smorty Paid Me.......................

Payment Details


Amount: $24.00 USD

Transaction ID: 69K401644D073793A

Subject: Your money has been sent by Smorty to your nominated paypal account.

Custom Note: Smorty

Just wanted everyone to see they do pay and it is worth joining...

Blog Advertising - Get Paid to Blog

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Has your PTR/PTC stopped or lowed down in paying you?

invest,spend,save

Still PAying , solid Program

Rainyldaysptr.com is still paying after almost 4 years in the business. If your PTR/PTC program is not paying you then please come on over and join us!

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Morgellons

This is a good website to visit about Morgellons.

http://www.morgellons.org/

Friday, January 11, 2008

Stop and review

xBanners.biz - Let your site www earn money for you!

I joined this program about 4 hours ago and already had to remove it from my blog, it freezes the page and will not let you move on unti lyou agree to let some plug in play also if you notice your toolbar will reload every 3 seconds while your page is frozen.

I will only use this as a referall program for people who allow stuff like this on their websites, however for me I DO NOT think it isvery cool to force a person to accept a plug in and then it takes them off the webpage to another website all together.

that is my review on this site join and use their code at your own RISK

Rugby Anyone?

Rugby has been around for years and it is well known all over the world and is now becoming popular in the USA, I have a friend that is in high school and they are rugby players and they went to Ireland to play in a tournament last year and place very well.Rugby is a very physical sport and you have to be in shape to play this sport.
This site give details on the rugby world, all time stats and picture and times and dates.
Up and coming events and other rugby news for the fans, podcast,ezines,rss feeds,multimedia so there is away for you to get all of the information you want about rugby
Looking over the site I see they took their time in designing it and it is very well laid out and informative for the non rugby player, 6 nations has been collecting stats since 1992 so that is telling me they know what they are doingonline rugby games

Sector skills council for construction

Construction workers and other laborers will find this website very useful it gives awesome information on what is needed to be certified in cskills by 2010.
I have found the site very user friendly and in laymans english which is a good thing since most of us like to be able to enjoy reading a website and not wondering what the heck a word means.
This is really a good site for the young men and women who would like to get into the career field, it tells you about Apprenticeships
and all of the courses you need to take to get certified. Construction jobs are good money earners and a lot of the people in the construction arena usually become their own boss.
OSAT is also mentioned here and that is a major plus for many people who cannot afford to lose hours due to having to go to school to get the certification that is needed ot keep their jobs, I am really amazed at this website and how it goes int ogreat detail about the aspects of Construction work and what is needed to get certified.career development

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Blogcharm paid me in less then 24 hours

Dear WEWEARIT,


LiveUniverse, Inc. just sent you money with PayPal.

LiveUniverse, Inc. is a Verified buyer.

Ok we all know blogcharm is closing down,, that is so sad.

However it is very nice of them to PAY all of their members that have pending payments.

Thank you
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Payment Details


Amount: $59.74 USD

Transaction ID: 8AE83575TK6970917

Subject: BlogCharm

Note: Payment of BlogCharm Claim

Sunday, January 06, 2008

The Smart way to get paid for blogging

I just came across this website and I am loving it, I get paid to blog and discuss how I feel about the topics at hand. Blogs have always been a good source for advertisers to get there websites and businesses seen by others and to also let the other readers decide for themselves if they want to purchase or join a program.
I enjoy blogging for money to tell you the truth it is one of the fastest growing trends on the internet.
I have been reading over the site and I must say that it is very well put together, I have told many people to check the website out and join.
I find the companies that they have that would like articles written are very well standing companies in the online world and offline world.
I am very impressed so far with the content and the watchful eyes the admins have at this site it is well worth the time to review
SO if you would like to get paid for blogging then come on and join me.

Cashadvance1500.com

With this site you can get approved to up to 1500.00 without a credit check, this is great for fast cash needed to pay for an unexpected bill or other emergencies in between paydays.
It explains in detail on what a payday loan is and why you should not abuse the system, It goes into detail of all of the sites that are in its network that you can apply for a payday loan through.
The fees and the repayment scruture is given to you when you apply and they also have bonuses for patying the loan back before the due date. The website is really good at explaining many things about these kinds of loans.

I applied for a loan and was approved it was in my bank account in 48 hours, I was able to pay the bill that was overdue and could have created a problem for me if I did not get it paid. So I can say it does work and you can get a payday loan without a hassle.

It is secure and safe, just visit the website and select the lender.
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Biz4you




Biz4You.net Home Business Matchup



The Interrogation of Michael Crowe

This happens so many times and to see it on TV played out is AMAZING.

Since when is it ok to take a 14 year old and interrogate him until he confesses?

The police do not even thing about looking for anyone esle. This happens to many times and way to often, Does not make a difference how old this movie is.

The police have not changed in many ways and they will Frame a person if they see they can in a Heartbeat. Now do not get me wrong there are alot of good Police Officers out there however there are more corrrupt ones then good ones and it goes all the way up the system...

Just look back ant several cases//// in your local area////



The Interrogation of Michael Crowe
01/06/2008 1:00 PM, 2 hrs
After his sister is murdered, a 14-year-old boy (Mark Rendall) becomes a prime suspect---and admits his guilt after two days of rigorous questioning from a determined detective (John Bourgeois). Ally Sheedy and Michael Riley costar as the devastated parents, who refuse to believe the worst about their son. Dorothy Sorenson: Rosemary Dunsmore.
Cast & Credits: Ally Sheedy, Mark Rendall, Michael Riley, John Bourgeois, Rosemary Dunsmore
Drama/Documentary/Other
TVPG, English, 2002

Saturday, January 05, 2008

A family loses 5 Of their loved ones

rticle published Tuesday, January 1, 2008
I-280 FATAL CRASH
Wrong-way driver jailed; man's blood-alcohol was 3 times legal limit



Pickup driver Michael Gagnon, 24, of Adrian was charged with five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.





By MEGHAN GILBERT and JOE VARDON
BLADE STAFF WRITERS

So many people tried to stop him.

The young man at Taco Bell knew he was drunk, and called 911, but couldn't make him stay.

The panicked drivers along southbound I-280 swerved out of the way and used their cell phones to dial 911, amazed that a hulking pickup truck could be going the wrong way on the highway.

But they couldn't stop him.

Within eight minutes, he had killed five members of a family from Maryland, including four children — one of whom was just 8 weeks old.

"The guy might as well have had a loaded gun and shot those people," said Keith Allain, of Oakland Township, Michigan, one of the 911 callers.

Yesterday, the 24-year-old Adrian man — who records show had a blood alcohol level of 0.254 percent, more than three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent — was charged with five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.

Michael Gagnon was being held last night at the Lucas County jail pending an arraignment tomorrow in Toledo Municipal Court.

The fatal accident occurred just before 11 p.m. Sunday on southbound I-280 near the Manhattan Boulevard overpass.

Police said Mr. Gagnon's northbound Ford F-350 collided nearly head-on with a Chevy Astro van being driven south by Danny Griffin, Jr., 36, of Parkville, Md.

Bethany Griffin, 36, Jordan Griffin, 10, Lacie Burkman, 7, and Haley Burkman, 10, were pronounced dead at the scene. Vadie Griffin, 8 weeks old, was taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Mr. Griffin was in serious condition yesterday at St. Vincent. Sidney Griffin, 8, was listed in critical condition, and Beau Burkman, 8, was discharged about 4:45 p.m., a hospital spokesman said.

Mr. Gagnon was treated for a jaw injury at St. Vincent. He was taken into custody after being discharged at 4:20 p.m.

The suspect, drunk after a night at an Oregon bar, swung through a Taco Bell on Navarre Avenue, then headed for I-280. But he drove past the ramp to northbound I-280. He drove above the highway on an overpass, then turned right onto the ramp used by southbound traffic exiting I-280 at Navarre.

The fatal crash took place about four miles away on the highway, just south of I-75 in Toledo.

'At 60 miles an hour, you can drive that in about three minutes, and that's all it took for him to kill five people,' Toledo police Deputy Chief Ron Spann said.



Family regret

Chief Spann said Mr. Gagnon was aware the accident caused the deaths, and was uncooperative and belligerent when he spoke with investigators.

He has no previous drunk-driving convictions in Ohio or Michigan.

Samuel Gagnon, 21, Mr. Gagnon's brother, told The Blade last night from his home that "my prayers go out to the family," and declined further comment. The Gagnon brothers work construction together in the Adrian area.

Earlier yesterday Samuel Gagnon told the Baltimore Sun that his brother, wasn't supposed to be driving, but left the Oregon bar they were partying at without warning. He was driving Samuel Gagnon's truck.

"I don't know why he decided to leave," he told the Sun. "Everyone's in shock. We're supposed to be celebrating the New Year, but now I got to look forward to my brother in jail the rest of his life."

Where it started

Mr. Gagnon was believed to have been partying at the Rodeo Bar and Grill, a country music bar that shares a parking lot with the Holiday Inn Express at 3154 Navarre Ave.

Christine Shallal, general manager at the Holiday Inn, said three rooms were registered to Mr. Gagnon and his family for Sunday night. A manager and waitress at Rodeo Bar declined comment.

There were multiple reports that Mr. Gagnon smelled of alcohol, and a search warrant filed in Toledo Municipal Court noted that police observed Mr. Gagnon's speech was slurred, his eyes were glassy, and that he was acting agitated.

Mr. Gagnon also admitted to consuming intoxicants, and one or more liquor containers were found in his vehicle, according to the warrant.








"He's really drunk"

A restaurant employee at the Taco Bell at 2950 Navarre Ave. who identified himself as Jacob called Oregon police at 10:47 p.m.

"Hey, I work at Taco Bell and there's this guy he's driving like a black Ford F 250, it's like a diesel, and he's really drunk," the employee told dispatchers. "We've got him stopped in our parking lot, in our drive-through right now, and I was just wondering if you could send someone over here to either stop him or pick him up."

Oregon police went to the restaurant but just missed Mr. Gagnon.

Toledo police received its first call about Mr. Gagnon driving the wrong way on I-280 at 10:52 p.m. The accident occurred at 10:55 p.m.

The van carrying eight people — including the five who died — was driven by Mr. Griffin, who was returning to Maryland after visiting his father in the Livonia, Mich., area, authorities said. Before that they had been visiting family in the Redford, Mich., area for the holidays.

"Such great people"

Sabrina Hauf, who lives in Parkville — a Baltimore suburb — and has children who attended school with the Burkman children, said in an e-mail to The Blade that "our community is absolutely distraught by this tragedy and losing such great people."

"It is so hard to believe that we will never see them walking through the halls of Carney Elementary again," Ms. Hauf said.

Ms. Hauf described the family as a blended family, in which the Burkman children were from Mrs. Griffin's previous marriage and the older Griffin children belonged to Mr. Griffin.

Bethany and Danny Griffin are "absolutely fantastic parents," said Jason Starin, a family friend from Raleigh, N.C.

Mr. Griffin enjoys playing ice hockey and is a devout Detroit Lions fan, and Ms. Griffin loved the Baltimore Ravens, Mr. Starin said.

"It's just an amazing family and it's going to have to recover," he said.



VIEW: Complete transcripts of 911 calls
HEAR: 911 audio

ALSO ONLINE: Read related story on rare, but deadly, freeway crashes



A horrific scene

It appears that Mr. Griffin and Mr. Gagnon tried to swerve to avoid the collision, but the heavier pickup sheared off the passenger side of the minivan, causing several passengers to be thrown from the vehicle.

Remnants of Christmas wrapping were strewn about the scene, as were toys, stuffed animals, luggage, and baby effects, including a damaged infant seat surrounded by pink blankets.

Lucas County coroner's investigator Walt Biegala, who responded to the accident scene, said it was horrific.

"They were just kids, and it tore me apart," he said.

Most of the victims had head and body injuries and some also suffered broken bones. Autopsies are planned for tomorrow.

"I've been doing this for 40 some years with the police department and with the coroners office and this is one of the worst I've seen," he said. "It looked like a bomb blast you see in Iraq on the news."

Police said I-280 south was closed until 3:20 a.m. as they cleaned up the wreckage.

Dr. Allain was one of several motorists on southbound I-280 who called 911 after seeing Mr. Gagnon's pickup truck headed north in the wrong lane.

"The guy was straddling the left two lanes — the fast lane and the middle — and I was in the right lane," Dr. Allain recalled yesterday.

Local support

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner released a statement yesterday extending his thoughts and prayers to the family of Danny Griffin and reminding people to be safe this holiday season.

"The tragic accident late last night on I-280 should serve as a stark reminder to all citizens to not drink and drive as we wrap up the 2007 holiday season," he said. "The deaths of five people, including four children, need not have happened had one individual had the common sense to not get behind the wheel after he'd been drinking."

An Oregon mother, Connie Koch, 40, and her 6-year-old son Noah were moved by the tragedy that affected the out-of-town family and brought gifts to the hospitalized children yesterday — a remote-control car for Beau and a paint set for Sidney, and coloring books and crayons for both.

Ms. Koch said she talked to a family member who drove to Toledo from Maryland who accepted the care packages from Noah and thanked them for their thoughtfulness.

"Here they are in a city where they don't live with limited family around," Ms. Koch said. "And for them to know they're not going home a whole family. As a mother, I couldn't imagine. And that father, I couldn't imagine being him right now."

Staff writers Laren Weber, Janet Romaker, David Patch, and Ignazio Messina contributed to this report.

Contact Meghan Gilbert at: mgilbert@theblade.com or 419-724-6134.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Good Reading and Good TO know

Your Legal "To Do" List - By Rita Risser, attorney at law
Looking back over the past year, we've seen a few trends in employment law. What action steps can you take now to prevent costly lawsuits?

Mandate (good) training for all your reports

The courts are clear: employers who fail to train employees are negligent and can be sued for harassment. But the courts don't uphold just any training - it has to be good and effective training.

In one case, the U.S. government ordered a company to stop computer-based training (CBT) because it didn't give real-life skills. The board found that CBT effectively provided factual information, but did not give employees an understanding of processes or the ability to ask questions about abnormal situations. What was lacking was "training that goes beyond fact memorization and answers the question 'Why?'"

The board told the company to replace computer tutorials with "face-to-face training conducted by personnel with process-specific knowledge and experience who can assess trainee competency."

Of course, when you do live training, make sure it is supported by everyone in the company from the top down. One company lost a case in 2007, in part because the Chairman walked into a harassment prevention training and made an inappropriate "joke."
Follow proper procedure in harassment claims

One good trend for employers - the courts will protect you from suit if you have a proper procedure and follow it. In one 2007 case, a federal Court of Appeals ruled against a victim of harassment who was fired for refusing to work with the accused harasser. The court found the company promptly and fairly investigated her claim, properly warned the accused, and offered the victim reasonable options which she refused.

In contrast, if you don't follow procedure, you lose. In another 2007 case, the harasser properly was given a final written warning, and then after harassing again, given a second written warning instead of being terminated. When he harassed a third time, the victim quit and sued. The court said because he was not terminated the company emboldened him to continue harassing. The victim was allowed to take her case to jury trial.

What you should do: If you are in a position to require people to attend training, make it one of their objectives for the coming year. All employees need harassment prevention and all managers should take Managing within the Law to learn about following proper procedure. Remember that cheaper and easier training is not better. Not only will it make you look bad when you get sued, it makes you more likely to get sued in the first place, because people don't learn in cheap and easy training.

Training - good training - is the only way to prevent mistakes and stop costly lawsuits.
Check out our engaging, interactive, and plain-spoken training programs here.
Big Money

A claim that Knicks coach Isiah Thomas sexually harassed and wrongfully terminated Anuch Sanders has been settled for $11.5 million. In October, 2007 a federal jury in New York had awarded Ms. Sanders $11.6 million in punitive damages, plus compensatory damages and legal fees. The settlement avoids an appeal of the jury verdict.

A San Diego Children's Hospital agreed to pay $2.7 million to 150 former employees denied meal breaks.

Lowell (MA) High School settled a gender bias suit for over $1 million.
3000 home health care workers are to receive $2.2 million for unpaid time traveling between clients and working more than 40 hours in a week.

Fair Measures reports only settlements and final judgments - never jury verdicts.
How much does training cost? A lot less than a lawsuit! Call us at 800-458-2778 now.

Ask the Lawyers #1
Our company has facilities in many states - what laws should we follow?
If a hotel management company has properties all over the United States are they expected to have the same policies in effect at each location or can they go by the state law which presides? (for lunch breaks, OT regulations etc..)
Thank you.

Rita Risser and Ann Kiernan reply:
Federal law provides the minimum standards for all locations, but if the state law for a particular site provides more for employees, the company must follow the law which is most beneficial to the employees. You can have the same polices for all locations as long as the policies follow the most generous state law on the subject.
Every state requires employers to prevent discrimination and harassment. Find out how we can help you do that through our program, Managing Within the Law.

Ask the Lawyers #2
Manager is out sick a lot - can we fire him?
Our workshop manager is increasingly taking time off when he is sick. We suspect a chronic illness, but do not have any official notification. My boss wants me to find out how to deal with this situation legally. A manager's presence is necessary for the shop to run properly and our products to get done. We feel his illness is impacting his job performance and our business is suffering because of it. We don't know if we can let him go and replace him or if we need to work with him through whatever is going on.

Rita Risser replies:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that employers enter into an interactive process with disabled employees. In other words, talk to him. I would say something like this: "We notice you are taking sick time, and we are concerned about your health. We don't want to invade your privacy but if you have a chronic or disabling condition, you do have rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Family Medical Leave Act. And of course you are entitled to use all your accrued sick leave. We also have the right to have someone here to do the work. What can we do to resolve this situation?" Then begin your discussion.
Ultimately, once he exceeds his FMLA and sick leave, even if he is disabled he can be terminated (or released on disability) if he can't perform the essential functions of the job, one of which is to be there. However, it is best if you work closely with a local attorney if you decide to go this route.
Good luck.
Learn how to comply with ADA, FMLA and more in our program, Managing Within the Law Part II.

Ask the Lawyers #3
Spanish speaking employees are making negative comments - can we make them speak English?
Inside of our company, there is a handful of employees, all men, who are bi-lingual. They speak English fairly well and are fluent in Spanish. When they get together they all immediately speak Spanish leaving everyone else in the room in the dark with regard to their discussion. However; many of us know a little Spanish here and there and can fairly guess that they are making negative comments, or just plain talking about non work related topics. Can we enforce an English-only work place?? Your advice on this topic will be appreciated.

Rita Risser replies:
Wow - people who speak only English at your workplace never make negative comments and never talk about non-work related topics??? Although there are a few limited circumstances when employers can enforce English-only in the workplace, the general rule is that people should ignore the conversations of others, and if any reprimands are to be made for making negative comments or non-work-related conversation, everyone must be reprimanded, no matter what language they speak.
How do you prevent misunderstandings like this? Our Respectful Workplace program facilitates good relationships at work.

Go here for an archive of eNews questions and articles.
We encourage you to pass this announcement on to your colleagues and friends, as long as the following credit line is used: © Copyright 2008, Fair Measures Inc., http://www.FairMeasures.com

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Challenge Day..Oprah's Show

Ok I am glad that this helped Monroe High School and the whole hour they all got along.
Now lets get down to the real nitty gritty, if those children did not know the Cameras were on them would they have done this? Honestly... I do not think so.

It is wonderful to say they helped this school however I would like to see this school in 6 months and see where these 65 students are without them knowing where the cameras are.

Schools are not the homes of students and the HOME life is what needs to be focused on, we all have problems and we all face them differently.

being GAY, pregnant, black, white,asian,mexican,

Do we really care when we leave to go home? Once again the majority of problems begin at HOME.

Racism is very well ALIVE and always will be, we will never be in a country without it, so hold you heads up and say You will not bother me, I will be who I am and I will never be less then you. SAY IT

We need to stop blaming others and start looking in the HOMES, PArents need to STEP up to the plate and teach and educate your children about everyday life.
Stop letting other people RAISE your CHILDREN.
Stop letting your children think it is ok to make excuses for what they are doing or what they are not doing..
This is a good show however it is not gonna change anything until the home life of each child is changed.

Have you Heard of Crazy 88?

ok so I could not sleep one night and I turn the tv on and this car saleman is on saying 88 down and 88 a month no one is turned away..

so I called the phone number and did the automated system and waited for the phonecall that was to come within 24 hours..

The call never came however I have had phone calls from everyone else trying to sale me a car and they do not know a thing about the 88 down and 88 per month deal.

So please let me know if you have called or filled out the website apllication and lets see what we can do about this SCAM company.