March 10, 2014 Updated Mar 10, 2014 at 9:30 PM CDT

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- Neither Rain Nor Sleet nor Snow , the U.S. Post Service will get your mail to you, but to make the job a little less dangerous, they're asking for a better path to your mailbox.

Significant snow and ice means slippery surfaces and blocked streets and walkways, which can be dangerous for postal carriers. Carriers are not allowed to make curb deliveries when the approach to the mailbox is blocked or hazardous because of snow or ice. March is the worst month for slips, trips, and falls with over 100 injuries in the Duluth area last year.

"This is the time of year when we get freezes and thaws and the snow gets heavy and it's a dangerous time of year out there for carriers for slip trips and falls and slip trips and fall injuries can be pretty serious." Said Duluth Postmaster, Arby Humphrey.

Customers are asked to clear snow from curbside mailboxes. Walkways need to be cleared to allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips and falls. Steps - especially painted wood - must be kept clear of ice and snow and in good repair.

Bryce Henry bhenry@kbjr.com

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Postal Service asks for clear paths to mailboxes

Photo by Laura Roosevelt

Lily ritually tosses her Mr. Furry in the loo.

My cat, Lily, has a couple of out-of-the-ordinary habits. The first is her extreme preference for drinking water from a running faucet. Sometimes, to the amusement of visitors who might be rinsing a plate in the kitchen sink, shell race over, leap to the counter, crawl beneath their arms, and start lapping away at the running stream. When shes thirsty and no one is at the sink, shell plant herself at its edge and get mouthy at you until you come over and turn on the tap. Either that or just stare you down until you do same.

Cats drinking from running taps is not unheard of. (There is, for example, a popular YouTube video of a cat that sticks its entire head under the stream of water and drinks the droplets that run off its fur and into its mouth.) I figure its some kind of throwback to cats ancestors lives in the wild, where moving water in creeks and brooks was a likely thirst-quencher.

But Lily does something else that Ive never heard of. It involves Mr. Furry her stuffed mouse. (Actually, there have been multiple Mr. Furrys over the years). Covered in real fur, Mr. Furry is as close as Lily a West Tisbury indoor cat can get to genuine prey. Whenever I break out a new Mr. Furry, Lily goes wild, tearing around the house with it for a good 10 minutes. But inevitably, and usually within a half an hour, I find it in the same place: the downstairs bathroom john. Her motives are a mystery. Perhaps shes trying to drown it? Or wash it? Or perhaps shes decided shes killed it and wants to dispose of it neatly. Or maybe shes figured out that this Mr. Furry, like all his predecessors, is a fake piece of crap, so shes putting him in the crapper. Who knows?

I polled some other Islanders to see whether they had pets with quirky habits, and in most cases the answer was yes. Here is a sampling of what I learned.

April

Photo by Tom Rogers

April takes TV a little too seriously.

April is a six-year-old toy poodle owned by long-time seasonal Vineyard Haven residents Tom and Melissa Rogers. Whenever a doorbell rings on the television, April races to the front door and barks like crazy, positioning herself on the staircase landing opposite the door so shes at eye level with the handle. While this on its own is somewhat quirky but not unknown in the dog world, what makes Aprils case exceptional is that April does not live, nor has she ever lived, in a house with a doorbell. The only doorbell April has ever heard has been on the television. What gives? Has knowing what the doorbell means become a genetic trait in dogs? Or has April learned what it means from paying close attention to TV shows?

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Vineyard pets and their quirks

Houses on Topsail Road faced erosion created by the high winds and surf Friday.

Gusty winds and heavy surf conditions Friday contributed to reports of erosion along some area beaches.

The newly nourished beach near New River Inlet appeared to fare well, but at the south end of North Topsail Beach and into Surf City there were signs of erosion, with escarpment to dunes and some ocean over wash.

At North Topsail Beach, a primary area impacted was along Topsail Road between 10th Avenue and 6th Street.

Water had come up over the dune in one area and washed sand and apparent debris from steps or walkways into the road. Water could be seen under some beachfront homes. Town Clerk Carin Faulkner said there are homes in that area that stand nearly over top of the dune line and its not surprising they were impacted by over wash.

The string of winter storms isnt helping the situation.

There has been erosion from the storm. Its been back to back and the beach hasnt had a chance to recover, Faulkner said.

A strong coastal low pressure system moved northeast along the coast Friday and coastal areas from the Outer Banks and south into Onslow County saw strong winds, with gusts at times of up to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service office in Newport.

A wind advisory was in effect for Onslow County into mid-afternoon Friday and continues for Carteret County and the Outer Banks until 1 a.m. Saturday.

A coastal flood advisory and high surf advisory was also in effect Friday for coastal areas.

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Topsail Island beaches eroded from storm

By Campus Times Published on March 06, 2014 4:57 PM Editorial Boards, Opinions

Its 6 a.m. and a thick serving of snow has covered the UR campus, rendering a variety of surfaces around campus a soft, pure white. Yet, as happens often on our campus, that layer of snow is subsequently and efficiently swept away. Rarely is a thought ever spared for those members of the UR staff who faithfully and frequently push away this potential hazard, salt the walkways and roads on campus, and finally melt away until the next snow hits. There are many such members of our campus community, but we must be careful not to forget their contributions, or take them for granted.

One exceedingly common sight in a dorm building is bathrooms littered with a variety of refuse, whether paper towels strewn around on the floor, in the sink and atop other surfaces; toilet paper littering the inside of the stalls; or even empty shampoo containers left to collect dust once their purpose has been fufilled. Yet, the students of the campus community seem to ignore the fact that this trash have to be cleaned up by someone, if not fellow students then the workers who come to the bathrooms as a part of their work routine. Toilets, showers, and sinks all offer examples of how students may ignore those that have to deal with their actions (and trash).

Food service offers another example of how students can work to be more respectful to those members of the campus community who dont attend its classes. When ordering a Meliora Burger or grabbing a Pesto Chicken Sandwitch, students should be as respectful as they can to these fellow members of our community. Please and thank yous, or even a glance up from ones cell phone are steps in the right direction for on-campus respect. It is imperative that we work to make all who come to our campus, day in and day out, feel like part of the community. All too often, when we are caught up in our own work and lives, we find it easy to ignore the often unaknowledged workers that make our campus ever better.

But the disrespect we may sometimes show, unintentionally or otherwise, is not confined to these few examples. The Stacks can be found littered with trash, food, and even books that students have failed to return to their proper place on the shelves, or even to a library cart. Even the lounges can be a casualty of disrespect when students end their late-night escapades and decide to leave the lounges in a worse condition than they found them. Kitchens, too, can offer the same display of casual indifference to the workers that maintain our fine campus. So next time, when ordering at Danforth, cooking in the kitchen, or just hanging out in the lounge; think for a moment about whether youre actions contribute to respect on campus, or detract from it.

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Respect both students and staff at UR

RACINE The Postal Service reminds customers to keep snow and ice clear from sidewalks, stairs and mailboxes to ensure timely and safe delivery of their mail.

The weather may be improving, but conditions outside still are not ideal for delivering the mail, said Racine Postmaster Al Krysiak. Maintaining a clear path to the mailbox will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service during winter months.

Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear. Customers receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers.

Delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes. The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort, says Krysiak. Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.

Residents and businesses with blue collection boxes near their property are asked to keep them clear of snow and ice.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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Postal customers reminded to clear away snow, ice for mail delivery

by Susan L. Serbin DCNN Correspondent

Upper Providence Council merged the business and committees meeting into one session, due to weather issues. Those weather conditions came up several times during the meeting.

This is the first real winter weve had for awhile, and its been rough, said Council Chair Joseph Solomon.

He commended the township highway department led by David Pysher, and police and emergency responders for the countless hours and hard work addressing difficulties over the last several weeks. Solomon also thanked PECO for bringing power back to the area and Delaware County in a timely manner.

Later in the meeting, Township Manager Greg Lebold said it had come to the attention of the administration that the township did not have an ordinance regarding snow clearing. He consulted other neighboring municipalities in preparation for crafting such a code. Lebold said he will draft an ordinance which will require property owners to clear sidewalks, and other walkways such as driveway aprons, within 24 hours of a snow storms end. This, he said, seemed to be a generally adopted standard. Once drafted, reviewed by the solicitor and advertised, council will hold a public hearing as required. The process might not be completed before the last storm of this winter, but it will be in place for the future.

Although not seemingly related, Lebold said the township will also address bamboo which is extremely invasive, spreads though a hearty root system and is resistant to herbicides. The problems with bamboo became apparent recently as the vegetation, which can grow to be 25 feet high, came down in storms. Lebold said it added to the difficulty of clearing roadways.

Its nasty to deal with. Several municipalities have regulations on how to contain growth on properties, Lebold said, indicating the township would move forward on the matter.

Solomon asked about other invasive or destructive species. Lebold said many are regulated by property maintenance ordinances.

Lastly in issues concerning weather, the township is bracing for the financial impact of the winter. Solomon said budget lines, such as plowing and supplies, have not been exhausted in the last few years, but that we may have a fiscal shock this year.

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Upper Providence Council mulls weather problems

Batten down the hatches as storm moves north, says AA Insurance

Auckland 5 March 2014 AA Insurance is advising Canterbury customers affected by yesterdays severe storm weather to contact them as soon as possible to make a claim, especially if they need emergency repairs.

AA Insurance has already received around 20 claims for flood and storm damage to homes and contents, and half a dozen for vehicles, and is expecting this to more than double by the end of the day, says Suzanne Wolton, AA Insurance Head of Customer Relations.

However, at this stage its too early to estimate the cost of damage. The bad weather isnt over yet for the rest of the country, so any estimate is sure to rise.

The most common types of damage have been water related. Weve had garages and ground level rooms flooded, flashings have lifted off conservatories, and roof tiles have lifted or completely gone, leaving holes that have allowed water damage to ceilings and the rooms below. Weve also had vehicles damaged after getting stuck in water.

"There is no deadline to make a claim, but the sooner you let us know, the sooner we can help you. Although if you need emergency repairs in order to keep your home watertight and warm, such as mending a hole in your roof, then ring us as soon as you can, continued Suzanne. Our team is experienced in handling these weather-related claims and can give our customers the help they need to get things sorted quickly.

As the bad weather moves north, AA Insurance expects the number of claims to rise over the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, those expecting the storms to hit should make preparations for their home.

Nows a good time to check your property and repair anything that may be damaged, or could cause damage to another part of your, or your neighbours, property, says Suzanne.

During a storm we generally have a number of claims related to trampolines and other outdoor equipment flying over to the neighbours and damaging their property, or creating havoc on your own property. To avoid these types of incidents be sure to store away or secure items that may be move during a storm, such as garden equipment, outdoor furniture and sports gear such as trampolines.

Customers should also be careful driving in flooded areas, not only for their own safety and the safety of their car, but to also prevent the additional flooding of properties from the bow-wave of their vehicle.

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Batten down the hatches as storm moves north

KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI), in responding to the call by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), has submitted a wide range of suggestions to transform KK City into an outstanding tourism destination.

Its president, Datuk Michael Lui, said yesterday that with careful and proper planning, the KK City could become a world class clean and safe city.

He said a KKCCCI working committee headed by Chin Shu Yin had suggested to the City Hall to incorporate three major plans for implementation under the 11th Malaysia Plam.

Firstly, to attract famous and outstanding universities to open their branch campuses in Kota Kinabalu and this would lure foreign students and create employment opportunities for the local people; secondly, to connect Gaya Island and KK City by cable cars as well as to turn Gaya Island into a renowned environmental friendly and pollution-free tourism destination and, thirdly, to open up walk-through streets in KK, (trading hours till midnight) to make certain streets haven for tourists for food and refreshments, night-shopping and entertainment outlets, said Lui in a statement yesterday.

He added that the DBKK also need to upgrade safety and security services for the tourists, upgrade the seafront facilities, providing walkways and cycling tracks.

Apart from upgrading the uneven walkways in the shop fronts, the broken slabs and the steps must be repaired, making the city friendly to the handicapped people and tourists alike, preventing accidental fall while pulling their luggage.

Likewise, the shop front sun shade must be installed at safe level height, and more notices with details showing position, distances, maps must be erected at scenic spots, including activated GPS to show exact location.

Owing to the increasing arrival of tourists from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Lui said the KKCCCI reckoned that Chinese language must also be included in the notices for the convenience of the tourists.

Immigration officers at the airport terminals ideally must be conversant in Chinese, and likewise personnel at the strategic points manning the enquiry counters must also be conversant in Chinese.

Owing to the shortage of hotels, he noted that inbound tour companies are unable to accept booking for large group of inbound tourists. In view of this, more three-star and better hotels must be built to cope with the demand. Hence, a one-stop center for investment and development of hotels must be envisaged.

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Chamber proposes KK-Gaya Island cable car link

Bob Reeves: The Calm in the Storm Bob Reeves: The Calm in the Storm

Updated: Thursday, February 27 2014 11:54 AM EST2014-02-27 16:54:35 GMT

Bob Reeves retired from KFVS-TV after 42 years. Watch the special "Bob Reeves: The Calm in the Storm" that aired on Feb. 26, 2014.

Bob Reeves retired from KFVS-TV after 42 years. Watch the special "Bob Reeves: The Calm in the Storm" that aired on Feb. 26, 2014.

Updated: Sunday, February 23 2014 2:41 PM EST2014-02-23 19:41:10 GMT

A 21-year-old cancer survivor Saturday met with his famous surgeon who gave him a chance to reach adulthood.

A 21-year-old cancer survivor Saturday met with his famous surgeon who gave him a chance to reach adulthood.

Updated: Thursday, February 27 2014 9:25 AM EST2014-02-27 14:25:01 GMT

Authorities have released the names of four people who died in an apparent murder-suicide in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn.

Authorities have released the names of four people who died in an apparent murder-suicide in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn.

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"Prepare Now." American Red Cross on potential severe weather

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

Southern Missouri, February 27, 2014 As we know, the Ozarks are prone to winter storms, and the American Red Cross in southern Missouri urges residents to take steps now to stay safer when severe weather threatens.

By preparing together for winter storms, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger, said Chris Harmon, Regional Disaster Program Officer. We want to help your family create a disaster preparedness plan now, before our community is threatened by dangerously low temperatures, and the potential for heavy ice in this coming storm.

One way to begin your preparedness planning is by downloading the free tornado app. Yes, I said tornado. There are two things that are part of this app that are good for all weather situations. The app includes a step by step section to help you prepare your family in order to shelter in place. In the case it gets too bad, and you cant stay in place, the app also includes a Red Cross shelter locator.

From your mobile phone, call "**REDCROSS" (**73327677) and we will send you a link to download the app to your phone or you can download them directly from the iTunes or Google Play app stores.

As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for winter storms by:

For more information on winter storm preparedness, contact the American Red Cross at 1-866-206-0256, visit http://www.redcross.org or http://www.cruzrojaamericana.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS. We urge you to share these Red Cross winter storm preparedness tips with every member of your household, because the best protection is to be prepared ahead of time.

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American Red Cross urges southern Missouri to prepare now for potential severe weather