Its not exactly what Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, but campers this season of COVID-19 sheltering would indeed say there is no place like home away from home.

RV and tent campers are hitting the hills of Green Country lakes at campgrounds that are happy to have company after out-of-state travelers canceled their bookings due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Some of the campers are pretty determined, too.

Its just that people want to get out of the house, said Jim Hassel, owner of Stoney Ridge Campground near Skiatook Lake. After the rain Wednesday, my tent camping area was sopping wet. I met some tent campers who really wanted to stay anyway, and we walked around and looked for quite a while. They finally gave up and said theyd come another time.

The campground was busy over the winter with construction crews who were shut down, then he had cancellations from out-of-state travelers, but local bookings materialized to fill the slots, Hassel said.

Now, were getting a lot of people that just want out of the house, and they figure camping is a good way to get social distance, he said.

He has a lot of campers from nearby Tulsa and Claremore both only a 30-minute drive away.

Down the road at Salt Creek Marina on Keystone Lake, owner Tim Adams said Tuesday before storms rolled in the lake finally had dropped to normal and people lined up for camping spots and lined up in rows for the boat ramp, even though they knew the fishing wasnt great yet, he said.

It was almost feeling like a holiday weekend crowd, he said. People are just wanting to get out. We have a good forecast ahead so Im sure its going to get busy again.

He has a waiting list of 25 people for his campground spaces.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds remain closed at Oklahoma lakes, and that means more business for private campgrounds, too, Hassel said.

I guess we lost out in one way and were blessed in another, he said.

Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that it is coordinating park and campground openings with the Southwestern Division Office in Dallas.

Preliminary plans show a phased opening approach in the Tulsa District, said district spokesman Preston Chasteen. The one thing wed like everyone to remember is, our primary goal in reopening our parks will be the safety of our employees, contractors and members of the visiting public.

Once plans are firm and dates are established, the Corps will notify the public through social media and local news outlets, he said.

Oklahomas state parks and campgrounds remain open, and they are busy.

For some campgrounds, the early bump to the camping season is an especially welcome blessing after storms and floods last season.

Jess and Harriet Campbell at Lakewood Village Mobile Home and RV Park on Grand Lake said even their permanent residents have returned early.

After all the storms last year, we had some residents come early this season just to check on their places and then their cities shut them down and they just decided to stay, Jess Campbell said.

With the storms and floods, they lost 120 trees and docks, and they lost infrastructure for mobile homes, as well as RVs.

Weve got the park coming back, and the grass is growing and the trees are green, he said. We have all but three of the permanent homes completely back, we are putting in two more RV spots, we start work on a new dock on Monday, and the crappie are coming in too, so its all exciting, he said. This weekend, were down to where we only have three or four spots left.

People are trying to get out of town, and with our place opening up, it makes us happy to see them coming and makes us excited for a good summer ahead.

FEATURED VIDEO

Altered lives: See how these Tulsans are adjusting their lives and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic

Kerry Page, the mother of a high school senior, got emotional last weekend. It wasnt because of what her son lost. It was because of what he was given a barn prom for two.

Kerrys son, Dakota Page, is a senior at Sequoyah High School in Claremore. Dakota left school March 13 with the intent of enjoying spring break and returning to school a week later to wrap up the final chapter the best chapter of his senior year.

But seniors everywhere were robbed of once-in-a-lifetime moments by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their final sporting events were canceled. Their proms were scrapped. They may not get to wear caps and gowns in front of friends and family members at a commencement ceremony.

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For Dennis England, the human touch is an important part of the work he does.

Im a hugger by nature, and Ive always believe that some kind of physical connection is therapeutic in some way, said England, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist who has been in private practice for the past decade.

Whether its just shaking hands, giving someone a pat on the shoulder, or big old bear hug, depending on the individuals comfort level, that physical touch is a valuable part of the bonding and communication that you need to have with the people youre working with, England said. Its part of the trust that has to develop between a client and a therapist.

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Bill LaFortune still gets up every morning and gets ready for work. But he doesnt dress up quite like he would normally, and, like most people these days, he doesnt leave the house much.

Theres no donning of robes, either.

I am able to do a tremendous amount of work here at the house with my Chromebook (computer), so its been a real life-saver and a game-changer, said Tulsa Countys presiding district judge. And I think for all the judges, as they all get them, it is really going to allow us to keep cases moving as best we can while court is closed.

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Becoming an entrepreneur at age 27 is no small feat.

Opening your first food truck amid shelter-in-place orders for the general public is something exponentially more challenging.

But Megan Brister couldnt be deterred by a global pandemic.

I thought about it but didnt put too much thought into it because Ive been working toward this for so long, said Brister, who opened the Taco Taco truck on March 21 at 8101 S. Harvard Ave.

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The Tulsa Zoo is closed because of the coronavirus, but life goes on for the 3,000 animals and the zookeepers who tend to their daily needs.

Were here 365 or 366 days a year, giving care to the animals, said Joe Barkowksi, zoo vice president for animal conservation and science.

Were kind of a 24/7 operations, so this isnt really a lot different for us," he said, "except that we dont get to enjoy the guests out here."

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For real estate agents Josh Rainwater and Kim Vining, 2020 started out to be a record-breaking year. In the first two and a half months of this year, the duo had sold more than double the number of homes as they at this time in 2019.

Then came the restrictions over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, with government officials urging citizens to practice social distancing and limiting the size of any public gathering to no more than 10 people.

Such restraints might seem a sure way to turn a winning streak into a losing proposition. Yet, for Rainwater and Vining, agents with Coldwell Banker Tulsa, the past few weeks have been almost business as usual.

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Oklahomas kids are going to get back to the business of school on Monday from the confines of home.

But what will distance learning look like for a 4-year-old? How will third-graders stay on track in reading through the end of their milestone year? How will a middle- or high-schooler finish a band credit all alone?

We went right to the sources local teachers to find out how theyre going to make learning possible when it might seem impossible.

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In a pre-coronavirus world, it would be every pastors worst nightmare preaching to an empty auditorium because no one showed up for Easter services.

But thats exactly what the Rev. Bill Scheer, pastor of Guts Church, and many other Tulsa pastors will do Sunday, Easter morning, as Americans shelter in their homes to slow the coronavirus pandemic.

And Scheer is upbeat about the situation.

Theres a lot of negatives about this, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. They really do, he said.

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Jaime Espalin gives his members personalized coaching every time they enter Fenix Strength and Conditioning, which he co-owns with his wife, Maria.

Espalin is continuing to provide them instruction even while gym facilities are shut down due to COVID-19. With the help of PushPress Gym software, Fenixs members can still receive Espalins coaching while they work out at home.

Im invading peoples homes digitally because I cant be there to coach them personally, Espalin said. I have an app. When people pay and get a membership they get access to our workouts, every day, its very interactive.

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There are no two ways around it hauling trash is a tough, dirty job.

And in the age of COVID-19, its potentially dangerous.

Doug Kackowski doesnt worry much about that. This garbage truck driver just does his job.

I think Im a little old school in my thought process, said Kackowski, 54. Im kind of like, your body will get used to it. I wouldnt let it affect me until it happens, you know, cause until then, its a useless worry.

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Jason Montroy was a regular visitor to the gym. Now that its closed, the personal trainer and Oklahoma Union coach created Montroy G & G (garage and gym) at his house. He works daily with his 9-year-old son Chase, a youth wrestler and football player.

During a hot Thursday in Collinsville, the pair did leg work on the driveway and in the garage.

He wants to work out, Montroy said. Its really cool for him to have that desire to want to do it and be shown the right way and the right form.

An added benefit is an unexpected opportunity for father-son bonding time.

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Spring break usually brings popular movies to theaters for families with children out of school, and that can mean a week of catching up for the year financially for an independent theater owner like Mike Mendenhall at Eton Square Cinema.

This years COVID-19 spring break instead saw those hit movies postponed and Mendenhall closing his theater at 8421 E 61st St. for the immediate future, laying off 15 employees to go sign up for unemployment.

Were just shut down. Its not like theres any curbside service we can offer, he said.

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As Oklahoma public schools adopt distance learning models to both continue to educate students and protect against COVID-19, the word distance hits hard.

Teachers like Akela Leach miss their kids fiercely.

One moment you are with these kids every single day and you become like a caretaker away from home, said Leach, a fifth grade teacher at Tulsas Lanier Elementary, and then youre just separated.

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Coronavirus restrictions make this an awkward time for someone in a leadership position to change agencies.

After nearly 13 years as executive director of The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, Lori Long had to order its doors closed for what would have been her last day at work Wednesday.

On Monday, she will start as executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, unable to meet with her new staff, who are in the middle of a growing emergency situation because of the pandemic with so many people out of work and with kids out of school.

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Donnie Rich was among those who helped save, and restore, the Outsiders House.

Now hes trying to save his business.

The Venue Shrine, a live music venue at 112 E. 18th St., is in financial danger due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The music industry artists and venues have been impacted by a stoppage of live music gatherings.

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Adrian King told Guerin Emig early Thursday he will comply with the order to close his barber shop.

"After having some time to think things over I have decided to follow (the) 21-day shutdown order as it is the responsible and safe thing to do," King said in a text message. "In our second talk (Wednesday) I was talking from pure frustration from all that has happened in such a short time."

King closed his text with "Stay safe."

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During stressful times, Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood would share this message: Look for the helpers. Were finding them, and w

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No place like home, away from home: Campgrounds swell with COVID-19 closure escapees this season - Tulsa World

The idea of being able to pack up your house and take it with you whenever you decide to move to another place or even another country is a very appealing one. The same goes for the promise of all creature comforts (and even some luxury), in a space considerably smaller than what were (probably) used to in our current, brick-and-mortar homes and apartments.

Add to this the promise of a more sustainable, more efficient, less costly and more in touch with nature lifestyle, and you can see why a certain segment of the population is drawn to mobile homes. Base Cabin, from Australian maker of the same name, hopes to capitalize on this trend, with a new custom micro home on wheels.

The Base Cabin is the creation of British architect Ben Edwards of Studio Edwards and, while it bears a certain resemblance to the Sandcrawler from Star Wars, its supposedly directly influenced by the exterior of Airstream trailer and the geometry of the iconic A-frame cabin. TheBase Cabin aims to deliver minimalist living with a small footprint, enhanced connection to Mother Nature and some of the comforts of a larger home.

The Base Cabins resemblance to the A-frame cabin is more readily apparent: by using asymmetry, this micro home remains easily transportable but without compromising on interior space. By choosing differently-sized angular shapes, Edwards also ensures a clear avoidance of the boxy design of most trailers and micro / tiny / mobile homes.

The design also makes sense from an efficiency perspective. The A-frame uses less material than conventional portal framed buildings, he says. This was an important consideration in regards to the overall mass of the building it had to be transportable.The Base Cabin is divided into three main living areas, with plenty of space for each. Total interior space is over 160 square feet (14.8 square meters): theres a sleeping area with a large-size bed, a bathroom in the center of the unit next to a cooking area, and a relaxation space.

There are large windows on all sides, including a skylight above the bed and another one in the bathroom. Doors are also made of glass panels, so the space is always bathed in natural light, which enhances the feeling of one with nature that comes with a mobile home. Meanwhile, the sloped walls create a sense of intimacy.

By emphasizing the fact that a micro, mobile home allows you to go off the grid and back into Mother Natures loving arms, and the use of alternative building materials, there is strong indication that the Base Cabin is built with a focus on sustainability. This, if accurate, would be great and add to the appeal of this quirky-shaped house on wheels.

However, there is no mention of energy consumption needed to run this house, towing capacity of the parent vehicle, or any other type of resource needed to live like in an actual home. The availability of so little storage space could also indicate that this is more of a vehicle for short-term adventures than an actual micro home fit for long-term living on or off the grid.

Pricing for the Base Cabin starts at AUD $99,000 (USD $65,000) and the makers say theyre open to all queries. They also emphasize that, Whilst the cabins we build are small in size, we seek out the best finishes to incorporate them into our spaces. We believe in quality over quantity. For what its worth.

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Base Cabin Is the Eco-Friendly Micro Home You Can Take With You Everywhere - autoevolution

Target reached as capacity increases.

A further expansion of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in Scotland has been announced as it was confirmed that the target to reach capacity for 3,500 tests a day across NHS labs has been exceeded.

The normal daily capacity for analysing tests in Scotland has now reached 8,350. This figure is made up of 4,350 NHS tests and 4,000 from the Glasgow Lighthouse Laboratory.

The First Minister confirmed the numbers as she announced testing in Scotland will be expanded to include:

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

At the start of this outbreak, only two laboratories in Scotland carried out tests. Now there are labs at all 14 health boards, we have exceeded our target to test 3,500 samples a day in the NHS and, working with the Lighthouse Lab at Glasgow University, capacity for testing in Scotland has now reached 8,323 and is on track to expand further this month.

Given that our capacity has now expanded significantly, that means we can further extend eligibility for testing.

We now intend to undertake enhanced outbreak investigation in all care homes where there are cases of COVID-19 - this will involve testing, subject to individuals consent, all residents and staff, whether or not they have symptoms. In addition, we are testing symptomatic over 65s as well as those who need to leave their homes to work.

We are also expanding the surveillance testing programme to include antibody testing. This is another tool which will allow us to monitor the proportion of people exposed to COVID-19 and help tackle its spread across the population.

Background

Testing at Regional Testing Centres and mobile units

In addition to key workers currently eligible, all symptomatic over 65s and household and those of any age who are symptomatic who need to leave their homes to work and household will have access to tests. Tests will be booked through the UK Governments on-line system athttps://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/and will be conducted at five regional drive-through test sites in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Perth and at mobile test sites being initially located at a number of locations including Motherwell, Dunoon, Prestwick, Stranraer, Galashiels, Peterhead and Elgin.At times a queuing system may have to be put into operation on the website for those locations where demand is highest. This is monitored regularly.

Serology stream of the enhanced surveillance programme (antibody testing)

The serology stream of Health Protection Scotlands enhanced surveillance programme will run for at least 16 weeks and will initially involve six NHS boards; expansion into other boards is also planned. Approximately 500 residual blood samples from biochemistry laboratories (submitted from primary care)will be tested per week at the Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratory in Inverness. To ensure comparability with other UK data, HPS will be using similar methodology originally developed by Public Health England. To achieve a fair representation of the Scottish population, the initial samples will be distributed across the six participating boards, and by age-group and sex.

Laboratory capacity to process tests in Scotland on 30 April 2020

NHS Scotland Labs: 4,350 tests

Glasgow University Lighthouse Laboratory: 4,000 tests

Total current capacity in Scotland: 8,350 tests.

Target was 3,500 by end April.

Note:

Since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak, NHS lab capacity has been increased from two NHS labs (Glasgow and Edinburgh) with total capacity to do 350 tests a day, to a point today where there is lab testing capacity in all 14 health board areas.

NHS Scotland labs this figure represents maximum capacity. Capacity may fluctuate and exceed testing demand on a daily basis for a number of reasons. We work closely with health boards to improve the efficiency of the testing system and the National Labs Programme (led by NSS) is leading work to optimise the capacity utilisation of the system.

The capacity of NHS Scotland labs is projected to increase to at least 8,000 by the middle of May.

Tests carried out in Scotland on 30 April 2020

Tests done by NHS in hospitals/community/care homes: 2,537 tests *Tests done by drive-throughs/mobile/homes testing: 2,124 tests **Total number of tests done in Scotland on 30 April: 4,661

Note:

The drive through/mobile/homes testing number has not previously been included in daily figures. It will be from now on.

Sources: * Health Protection Scotland and ** Deloitte

Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to get tested

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Testing expansion - Scottish Government News

If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Thor Industries (THO). This company, which is in the Zacks Building Products - Mobile Homes and RV Builders industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.

When looking at the last two reports, this recreational vehicle maker has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 18.41%, on average, in the last two quarters.

For the last reported quarter, Thor Industries came out with earnings of $1.50 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 per share, representing a surprise of 21.95%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $1.48 per share and it actually produced earnings of $1.70 per share, delivering a surprise of 14.86%.

Price and EPS Surprise

For Thor Industries, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thor Industries has an Earnings ESP of +22.69% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner. The company's next earnings report is expected to be released on March 9, 2020.

Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportThor Industries, Inc. (THO) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

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Why Thor Industries (THO) is Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates Again - Yahoo Finance

INDIANAPOLIS A bill aimed at promoting the use of mobile and modular houses passed through the House of Representatives over the concerns of some calling it support of an industry disguised as a solution to affordable housing.

SB 148, authored by Sen. Blake Doriot, allows modular houses to be placed in licensed manufactured housing communities but allows for local regulations and homeowners associations to create their own restrictions. The bill also prohibits placing manufactured housing in designated areas, such as historic districts.

In committee last week, Doriot, R-Syracuse, said that zoning related to manufactured housing has moved slower than other zoning laws, especially as older units aged out. As communities closed, older homes couldnt be moved without adequate notice, so the bill makes park owners give homeowners a 180-day notice.

Lets be honest, they werent as nice, they werent built to the standards that we have today, Doriot said in last weeks committee. If were going to close a park, we need to give notice so people can arrange to get their homes out.

This was the concern of Rep. Justin Moed, D-Indianapolis, on the floor Tuesday.

He said a mobile home park closed in his district containing mostly units from the 1970s and 1980s that couldnt be moved and he witnessed a family tearing down the home for scrap metal.

This will continue to happen as districts age out, Moed said. For some families, this is the best that they can do, the best to keep them from being homeless.

House sponsor Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart, said that 22 million Americans live in manufactured housing.

In last weeks committee hearing, Ronald Breymier, the executive director of the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association, said the companies that built 11,000 manufactured houses in Indiana last year employ 10,000 Hoosiers. He said the construction of manufactured houses cost $50 per square foot compared to $120 per square foot for site-built houses.

You cannot tell the difference with our new mobile homes that are designed just like site-built homes, Breymier boasted. Its going to be very exciting for consumers because theyre going to have something they can afford.

Breymier said Ben Carson, the secretary of Housing and Urban Development, is a fan of manufactured housing as a potential solution to the countrys affordable housing crisis.

Everyone in this room knows about our affordable housing crisis and todays manufactured homes are indeed a solution to affordable housing, Breymier said last week. The 2019 federal appropriations (bill) includes a provision for manufactured housing with local planning commissions (and) says that manufactured housing should be a part of that plan.

On Tuesday, Miller connected the shortage of housing with Indianas workforce, saying manufactured houses would be inspected at construction and comply with federal construction code.

Weve got an affordable home crisis in this state and its difficult to attract workers here if we cant provide affordable housing, Miller said.

Miller received opposition from Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, who questioned if municipalities wanted the legislation.

Did your cities, towns and counties come to you with this or are you carrying this for the mobile home industry? Moseley asked.

Miller said that he hadnt been approached by local government but hadnt received pushback from municipalities in his district either.

The bill now heads to the governors desk.

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Bill easing placement of manufactured houses approved by Indiana General Assembly - Goshen News

NEW YORK (CNN) In recent years, scientists have noticed an increased frequency of tornadoes in the Southeast, carving a deadly path in what's called Dixie Alley.

This region includes portions of eastern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Tornado Alley includes the area from central Texas stretching north to Iowa, and from central Kansas and Nebraska east to western Ohio, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

While Tornado Alley in the Great Plains still leads in the number of tornadoes, more are appearing in the South. And tornadoes shifting to this region can take a devastating toll.

Unlike the Plains, where a tornado can be seen coming from miles away, the South has more rugged terrain and more trees, making it more difficult to spot a tornado. Many tornadoes that occur in this area are "rain-wrapped," so they are less visible to the naked eye, CNN meteorologists say.

More heavily forested areas in the South leads to more trees being toppled by storms or turned into projectiles as well.

Tornadoes in the South tend to stay on the ground longer and move faster. Many storms in Dixie Alley are pushed by a stronger jet stream, which results in faster-moving storms.

It's not uncommon for a tornado in the Southeast to travel faster than 50 mph (80 kph). This puts more pressure on forecasters to get a tornado warning out in enough time for the public to react, CNN meteorologists say. Nashville residents had only minutes of lead time ahead of the deadly tornado that struck there Tuesday just after midnight.

Many of the storms occur overnight, when most people are sleeping and unaware that a tornado is approaching. Many homes in the Southeast lack a basement or underground shelter. In 2008, the US Census Bureau reported that only 10% of new homes included a basement whereas 75% of new homes in the Northeast and Midwest had a basement.

It's not an anomaly that tornadoes appear in the Southeast every year, but they present different vulnerabilities, Victor Gensini, a professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University, told CNN last year.

"As you move east from Kansas to Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, the population density increases rapidly and we also have an issue in the Southeast of more mobile homes," he said. "If you get hit in a mobile home from a tornado, you're much more likely to be killed. You just have a really unique exposure and vulnerability problem."

Gensini was co-author on a study that started tracking tornadoes in 1979 and they observed a shift towards the Southeast around 2008.

Even though there are fewer tornadoes in Dixie Alley than in Tornado Alley, there have been more deaths in the Mid-South/Southeast region. That's because now they're occurring in more populated areas.

The average tornado fatalities were highest in Alabama with 14 deaths per year followed by Missouri, eight, and Tennessee with six deaths per year, according to the National Weather Service data from 1985 to 2014.

Although those states led in the average number of tornado fatalities, they were not the states with the most tornadoes. The highest annual average number of tornadoes were reported in Texas with 140, Kansas with 80, and Florida with 59, according to the weather service. Meanwhile, Alabama averaged about 42 tornadoes per year.

The-CNN-Wire & 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

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Tornadoes in the Southeast are getting worse and they're often the deadliest - KSL.com

A violent and destructive tornado took a path nearly 50 miles long through downtown Nashville and its surrounding suburbs early Tuesday morning. Tornadoes are one of the most unpredictable natural disasters.

There is also a lot of misinformation and wives tales attached to tornadoes, which can put you or your family in harms way.

As we head into spring and summer where severe weather is a huge threat, we compiled a list of safety tips. Below you'll be find safety tips that lay out what to do before, during and after a tornado. WHAS11 News is also listed some facts about tornadoes from the National Weather Center.

What to do based on where you are:

House/Stand-alone building:

Mobile Home:

Apartment:

Car:

Miscellaneous Tips for Keeping Safe in a Tornado:

FICTION:Lakes, rivers, and mountains protect areas from tornadoes.

FACT:No geographic location is safe from tornadoes. A tornado near Yellowstone National Park left a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 foot mountain.

FICTION: A tornado causes buildings to explode as the tornado passes overhead.

FACT: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause the most structural damage.

FICTION: Open windows before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.

FACT: Virtually all buildings leak. Leave the windows closed. Take shelter immediately. An underground shelter, basement or safe room are the safest places. If none of those options are available, go to a windowless interior room or hallway.

FICTION:Highway overpasses provide safe shelter from tornadoes.

FACT:The area under a highway overpass is very dangerous in a tornado. If you are in a vehicle, you should immediately seek shelter in a sturdy building. As a last resort, you can either: stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible, OR if you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstances.

FICTION:It is safe to take shelter in the bathroom, hallway, or closet of a mobile home.

FACT: Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes! Abandon your mobile home to seek shelter in a sturdy building immediately. If you live in a mobile home, ensure you have a plan in place that identifies the closest sturdy buildings.

Continued here:
Tornado Safety | Here's what you should do before, during and after a tornado to keep you and your family safe - WHAS11.com

Delhi, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/04/2020 -- The Robert O. Mable Agency is a popular and prominent New York-based insurance agency. This prestigious full-service insurance agency is especially renowned for offering home, business, and auto insurance in Hobart and Oneonta New York. The Robert O. Mable Agency is staffed with experienced and well-trained agents. These professionals try their best to ensure that their clients can avail of the best risk management solutions available.

The house is where people live with their whole family and create memories of a lifetime. It is also the place where they keep their most cherished and vital items. Hence, people must take the necessary steps to protect this valuable asset from significant risks. Investing in a home insurance plan is an integral aspect of doing so. Through Robert O. Mable Agency, people can typically invest in the most comprehensive plans for home insurance in Hobart and Walton New York. In addition to the typical primary, secondary, and seasonal homeowners' policies, through this company, people can also seek out risk management solutions for rental properties, mobile homes, vacant homes, and even homes under construction.

The experienced and efficient staff members belonging to the Robert O. Mable Agency have the competency needed to design any home insurance policy that fits any house in Delaware County. The professionals belonging to this agency take time to orderly know their clients and understand their requirements to offer the insurance solutions that are perfect for them. These professionals always enjoy meeting the diverse needs of their discerning customers, which includes reviewing their policies and providing them recommendations on where they can save money.

To contact the Robert O. Mable Agency to know more about the insurance plans offered by them, people can easily give a call at 607-746-2354.

About Robert O. Mable AgencyRobert O. Mable Agency offers premium risk management solutions to the people of New York. This company largely caters to the people of Delhi, Margaretville, Oneonta, and many of its nearby regions.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/robert-o-mable-agency-offers-cost-effective-plans-for-home-insurance-in-hobart-and-walton-new-york-1279910.htm

Press ManagerTelephone: 1-607-746-2354Email: Click to Email Press ManagerWeb: https://www.mableagency.com/

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Robert O. Mable Agency Offers Cost-Effective Plans for Home Insurance in Hobart and Walton New York - Insurance News Net

"At ten after one (a.m.) our phones went off, and we responded. I was the officer on call, so I responded [with] all my Red Deer district crew, and we got water and crew from Blackfalds and a crew from Sylvan Lake, and a Red Deer water tanker as well," said Fire Inspector for Red Deer County Scott Tuton.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Tuton said crews were officially underway in their investigation to see if they could determine a cause for the blaze.

"Our crews responded, we set up attack. We focused on the two adjoining structures, to save them but they were fully involved when I arrived on scene. We were able to save one, and the other [structure] we couldn't save, even with aninterior attack," Tuton said.

From the Blackfalds RCMP:

On Feb. 28, 2020, at 2 a.m., Blackfalds RCMP received a 911 call of multiple mobile homes on fire in Less Trailer Park located in Red Deer County, Alta.

Three mobile homes were on fire and Red Deer County Fire Services responded and evacuated neighbouring properties. Emergency medical services transported four personsan adult male, adult female and two male childrento hospital with injuries, including life-threatening injuries.

Red Deer County Fire Services continued to manage the fires until they were completely extinguished.

A search of one of the mobile homes was conducted at approximately 9 a.m., when the fire was completely extinguished.

RCMP were advised by fire personnel that one occupant, believed to be a 7-year-old female child, was located deceased. A search of the structures continues.

Blackfalds RCMP continue to investigate this incident with the assistance of investigators from the Red Deer County Fire Services.

No further information is available at this time.

Continued here:
Fire at mobile homes in Red Deer County claims the life of 7-year-old girl - LacombeOnline.com

One of the most prevalent human characteristics is to fit in, to be a part of something. The realms of fitting in can range from the immediate family life to giving in to peer pressure or societal expectations.

Trends have played a pivotal influence in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, from attire to behavior to lifestyles. There are the rich and famous whose lifestyles we may envy, there are those whose home life may have forced them into alternative lifestyles not always condoned by society.

The evolution of music is testimony to the trends that have shaped and changed our lives. Elvis' lower body movements during his performances were always controversial - so much that his first television appearance showed only his waist up. The Beatles arrived in America and brought a mass evolution to the music world and are still considered the role model for the light-hearted rock and roll to the intellectual messages of a world in revolution and wish for world peace. Then came the heavy metal and acid rock of the 1970s to disco, classic rock, rap, reggae, alternative rock, alternative Christian, a new wave of traditional country music to the lighter rock and roll sounds that often were labeled cross over.

Last week's column addressed many of the fashion trends that have changed or been revised, updated and renamed over the years. Another trend was body decorating - otherwise known as tattoos. Tattoos were once considered taboo for anyone other than a sailor, but now it is rare to meet someone under 55 who hasn't fallen to boasting a permanent ink design on some part of their body. Who needs jewelry to offset their outfit when their entire body has designs to view and question?

Then body piercing came into the forefront of body decorations. Body piercing requires jewelry, of course, to highlight the holes in the eyebrows, nose, tongue, lips, ears and other body parts not needed named. Depending on the site of the particular piercing, the process requires specialized jewelry that certified body piercers are more than willing to offer. While ear piercing has been acceptable for many years, the latest trend is to put a hole in the ear, then insert a large ring that stretches the ear lobe and usually leaves a large hole if the ear adornment is ever removed just seems painful.

Even the transportation world has undergone its trends. The rise of gas prices launched the creation of smaller vehicles, the rise of NASCAR brought the muscle cars, the creation of all wheel drive and four wheel drives gave us the SUVs. Now we have multiple choices of environmentally safe vehicles ranging from electric cars, crossovers, controlled parking and sensors to warn if an object is too close. It's amazing that with all the new technology with the transportation world, automobile insurance continually rises based on the number of accidents in your particular area of the country rather than based on your personal driving record. Then came the popularity of ATVs and sporting areas to accommodate those die-hard adventurists who dared to go off the beaten path and make their own.

Trailers, otherwise referred to as mobile homes, spread to double wides and have now evolved into modular or manufactured homes that feature far more extravagant fixtures than many houses in that price range, and don't have the steep depreciation formerly associated with mobile homes of the past. The latest trend is the little houses that can used for a two-person family or as a separate living unit for single people and dealers that spring up in every vacant lot in the local area.

Reality TV has dominated the home viewers' selections of shows, launched by "Survivor" and copied in many other themed shows that offer an evening of bliss for adventurers and endless nights of monotone narrators and actors whose orchestrated discoveries lay the groundwork for season after season. Talent testing shows have also risen and fallen over the past years, with some lasting and some fading silently into the network's history books.

The world has undergone a multitude of changes since the Baby Boomer generation - some trends that have lasted, some that have made their debut and faded away almost as fast. Some trends have paved the way for future exploration and development, while others have simply marked "the signs of the times."

But regardless of the trend, I will always uphold two things in the fashion world - 1. Jeans, regardless of whether they cost $5 in a thrift store or carry a $500 price tag from a designer, are just that - jeans. Paired with a suit jacket or an expensive top or a $500 pair of boots, they are casual wear and are not dressy in the business world, and 2. Tennis shoes are tennis shoes and will never make the "Best Dressed" list with dresses, suits, and NEVER EVER with a tuxedo!

Nita Johnson is a staff writer at the Sentinel-Echo. She can be contacted njohnson@sentinel-echo.com.

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MY POINT IS... The Trouble with Trends, Part 2 - The Sentinel-Echo