Category: Featured

String of Miami Burglaries Target Laser Hair Removal Machines, Worrying Clinic Owners

Remember the classic viral video from 2010 featuring Antoine Dodson? After a would-be rapist broke into his sister’s bedroom and tried to assault her, Dodson warned his fellow Alabama neighbors to “hide your kids, hide your wives and hide your husbands” in order to protect them from similar attacks.

Now, instead of hiding spouses and children, certain establishments in Florida have steps taken to hide their laser hair removal machines. That’s because a series of break-ins in Miami-area cosmetic skin centers and spas have led proprietors to tighten up their facility’s security measures.

In January, burglars hit the Spyros Laser Medspa and smashed the clinic’s front windows before making off with the large piece of machinery, estimated to be worth between $70,000 and $100,000. That set off a string of 12 similar robberies throughout the state, with criminals targeting either laser hair removal machines or other valuable technological appliances like laptops. The owner of Spyros Laser Medspa said the machine was insured, but the incident led to a week’s worth of lost business.

So far, police have identified a list of individuals they believe to be involved with the burglaries and attempts. Those who lifted the hair removal machine from Spyros Laser Medspa attached it to a dark-colored Ford F-150 pickup with the license plate 190XBD, according to police. That bit of information has helped investigators slowly piece together who may be responsible. One of the suspects, Kelsey Williams, was booked by police last week in Miami Beach and charged with burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief.

As for why police didn’t arrive to stop any of the burglaries, the owner of Spyros Laser Medspa says his clinic has an alarm system, but the criminals were in and out in less than three minutes.

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic medical procedure that’s been gaining popularity since its initial commercial introduction in the 1990s. Instead of trimming the hair with blades, the laser removal process uses a pulsating beam of light to remove unwanted hair from arms, legs, armpits and parts of the face. When the light beam reaches the hair follicle at its growing point, the heat destroys the follicle instantly.

CBS’ Miami affiliate was granted an inside look at the property and evidence room of the South Miami Police Department, where two recovered laser hair removal machines currently reside. That’s a good sign, police chief Rene Landa says, but there’s more work to be done to right what’s been wronged with the other break-in sites.

Going Brown? Drought-Resistant Lawns Becoming Popular During Dry Spell

California is firmly entrenched in a harsh drought, and lush green lawns might fall victim to the lack of rainfall, especially in Sacramento. Despite the fact that the city does not get much rain regularly, many yards are modeled after those that would be seen in England, where rain is the norm. But concerns over water shortages might be leading to changes in residents’ priorities.

With influence from local governments who are concerned about the water shortage, homeowners are showing a willingness to install drought-tolerant landscapes despite the fact that, as Hudson Sangree notes, “The capital’s turf tradition is deeply rooted and is even enshrined in the bylaws of various homeowners associations.”

“We’re on the cusp of change. It’s definitely here,” said, northern California president for The New Home Company Kevin Carson.

Thomas J. Mickey, author of America’s Romance with the English Garden, also adds that “In America, the lawn was linked to social class. It really took off when people had the money to move to the suburbs. Real estate agents would say, ‘Now you can have a lawn.'”

Interestingly enough, a nice lawn can add up to 15% to a home’s value, according to Gallup studies, so the idea of having a beautiful landscape comes from more than just wanting a place to relax. But since lawns are so desirable, it can be a challenge to convince homeowners to switch to designs that are more sustainable in a dry climate.

A major unknown for the future is whether or not homeowners will be willing to buy places that don’t have lawns. Carson says that the challenge lies in convincing potential buyers of the advantages to new types of landscaping and hoping that public preferences change as water conservation becomes paramount.

“Consumers’ tastes do have to change, but we have to give them some different opportunities,” he said.

Interestingly enough, some companies are actually seeing a boost in business during the drought. Paul C. Woltze has run his own landscaping business for more than 40 years, and expressed that the drought has helped his company.

“A lot of people are taking out their lawns and putting in drought-tolerant landscape. Water rates are going up, and people want to save money,” he said. “Seventy-eight percent of the water in California goes to feed the outdoor environment, and the use inside is a pittance,” he said.

Whether or not consumers will keep those priorities when the drought finally subsides is hard to say. But those who are willing to break away from traditional lawns might find themselves better able to cope with the extensive drought.

New Legislation May Help Kansas Residents Avoid Fraudulent Roofing Contractors

Fraudulent contractors who don’t deliver the results that they initially promised are a thorn in the sides of homeowners from all over the country. The problem has gotten so bad in some areas, like Topeka, that new legislation has been enacted to help protect homeowners who hire contractors. Last year, legislators approved the Roofing Contractor Registration Act that requires every contractor that charges for a roof to obtain a registration certificate from the attorney general’s office.

The law originally took effect on the first day of July last summer. Since then, some 700 roofers had registered, according to Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Shmidt hopes to encourage homeowners to use the law as a resource when they need to renovate or install a new roof, especially with the spring storm season arriving. Homeowners should ask for a copy of their contractor’s registration certificate and see if they can find it in the online directory maintained by Schmidt’s office.

It is particularly important for homeowners to protect themselves from uninsured roofers to make sure that they get what they pay for. Contractors might promise fast and cheap installation of additions like slate roofing, which requires little to no maintenance, only to take weeks to finish, if they do at all. By using the registry, Kansas residents will be better able to protect their investment and make sure the roof they install will withstand the stormy weather.

In Frankfort, Kentucky, similar problems have resulted in a contractor has pleaded guilty to theft by deception, a class D felony. That prompted Attorney General Jack Conway to give homeowners in the state notice to be careful about the contractors they hire in a news release.

“Never pay in advance for labor,” the statement says. “Scam artists often take advance payments from consumers and never return to complete the work. If an advance is needed to purchase materials, offer to purchase the materials yourself.”

It also says, “Use local, reputable contractors for repairs, if possible. If local contractors bring in out-of-town workers, ask who will be responsible for their work if it is not satisfactory.” And, like Schmidt, he says homeowners should ask if the contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured.

Unfortunately, there are lots of contractors in the U.S. who commit fraud and fail to deliver what they originally agreed to and rip off thousands from homeowners. Hopefully, new legislations and careful homeowners can put an end to that troubling trend.

Despite Certain Setbacks, US Economy Shows Signs of Growth

The United States regained 8.8 million private sector jobs, previously lost in the recession, suggesting the economy is finally on the mend. “The participation rate is rising again — which is a sign that Americans are feeling more confident about the economy and are coming back into the market to look for work,” ABC News reported Monday. American industries also created 192,000 jobs in March — a slight, but notable record.

“Despite less-than-encouraging news from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ recent jobs report, Gallup’s Job Creation Index shows Americans’ perceptions of the job market have improved,” Gallup adds. Perhaps as a result of this confidence, a growing number of young Americans are braving the job marketing and actively pursuing jobs, financial experts add. The introduction of 8.8 million private sectors jobs was no small feat. The regrowth took “a painfully slow six years,” according to ABC. Lower debts, climbing prices and values on the housing market, and rising stocks are stabilizing American household funds. This stabilization will lead to increased spending and a job growth rate of an estimated 225,000 new positions per month, economists project.

The promising news comes with several caveats. The U.S. population also experienced considerable growth. For that reason, the unemployment rate remains solidly at 6.7% — despite economic gains and the creation of nearly 9 million new jobs. Public sector jobs are still considerably behind — with 400,000 jobs still lost to the recession. Staples, for example, announced that it will be closing 225 stores in March, thereby eliminating thousands of jobs. Shares have already dropped by as much as 10%.

Experts add that lower-paying industries also added the most jobs, while higher-paying ones added an insignificant amount or — in some cases — even cut jobs in the recent fiscal year. Even so, economists remain confident. “Steady hiring, greater business and consumer confidence, and fewer government spending cuts should accelerate growth to about 3 percent for the rest of this year,” ABC News predicts.

Actress Claims Collagen Drink the Secret to Healthy Skin

Actress Millie Mackintosh recently debuted a brand new look on Twitter. The former Made in Chelsea star credits collagen drinks for her new, glowing complexion. Mackintosh, 24, admits “an intense workout regime and super lean and green diet” are also largely responsible for recent changes in her physical appearance. Mackintosh’s chosen drink contains collagen as well as “omega 3 and 6, vitamin C, the amino acid l-lysine, and B complex vitamins,” The Daily Mail reports. A monthly supply costs 90 pounds — roughly $170!

“I have seen friends who swear by collagen drinks and supplements and have amazing glowing skin,” beauty expert, Elsa McAlonan, tells The Daily Mail. “But it could be down to a number of factors — for healthy skin you need plenty of sleep, exercise, a good diet, regular facials — plus drink plenty of water — and follow a good skincare regime, of course.” Studies published in journals Skin Pharmacology and Physiology showed daily collagen supplements improved skin elasticity and reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 20%.

How does it work? Collagen is a protein that naturally occurs in the human body. In fact, it accounts for 30% of the protein in our systems. As we age, we lose the ability to naturally produce collagen — and this ultimately results in the formation of loose skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Peptides in collagen drinks and supplements start production back up again, and — as a result — skin looks firmer and, according to some, shinier and livelier.

Fox News admits doctors’ opinions on collagen drinks and supplements, like the one preferred by Mackintosh, are divided. “Collagen supplements are a point of debate among dermatologists and doctors because collagen is a protein that, when it enters your stomach, is largely broken down before ever making it to your skin,” Fox News says. New products contain peptides that are more easily digested, however. This allows them to penetrate deeper into the skin and have a more direct impact on skin’s elasticity and firmness.

Spiders prompt second Mazda recall

The Mazda company has brought into the notice of federal officials that it is recalling almost 42,000 Mazda6 sedans from Monday. The company has said that there is an issue of fire and we have intimated to all vehicle owners to send their vehicles back to the company. The spokesman of the company said that “we are recalling models from 2010 to 2012 and this issue has occurred second time in the last three years”.

Jeremy Barnes the spokesman of Mazda said that “there may be air blockage issue in the tank which results in cracks and possible fire”. He further said that we are not aware of any dues pertaining to this issue and we have not received any claim so far.

It goes without saying that Mazda had designed its cars with regard to preventing the spiders but sometimes they find their way to get into the tank. Barnes said that “Mazda has started installing springs in the cars but software is yet to be installed”.  He said that we made the decision of recalling after receiving 9 complains about tank cracks and we have assured our customers that their all grievances shall be addressed.

Last but not the least, he said in his press conference that customers are requested to bring their vehicles to the dealers after beginning of this month and we would try our best to resolve their issue at short notice.

 

Department of Veterans Affairs Drops Benefits Backlog by 44%, Too Late for Some

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Tuesday that they’ve reduced their backlog of unfulfilled claims by 44%. In order to be considered part of the backlog, a claim has to be stuck in the processing stage of Veterans Affairs’ systems for more than 125 days. Backlogged cases are now down to around 344,000, a significant shift from the 611,000 ignored cases at the same time in 2013.

The Reduced Backlog Comes Too Late for Many Americans

Unfortunately, while the news from Veterans Affairs is undoubtedly welcome, for over 900,000 Americans, the news comes too late. As New York Daily News reported in February 2013, that’s the number of American veterans who had died up until that point while waiting for their guaranteed benefits to come through the incompetent government entity. At that time, it was estimated that unless the VA made significant changes to their methods, 53 Americans would continue dying per day, thanks almost entirely to the failings of Washington’s bureaucratic failures.

It would be unfair to characterize the body as completely useless. As the backlog reduction shows, the department has started pushing veterans’ claims through the pipes faster. In December 2013, the VA began expanding benefits to more American soldiers with a greater range of battlefield injuries, particularly those suffering from traumatic brain injury. While the Department of Veterans Affairs can be said to be moving in the right direction, some of Washington’s most influential players have run out of patience.

Out of the Frying Pan…

After Army Spc. Ivan Lopez murdered three people and wounded 16 more in a shooting in Fort Hood, Texas yesterday, John Boehner (R-OH), House Speaker, said of the issue, “We need to continue to look at [how] to find a way to keep weapons out of the hands of people who should not have them.” The first step, ostensibly, is to take a hard look at the speed of benefit delivery and the type of benefits being offered to help improve the health of America’s returning men and women in uniform.

Currently, a $1.1 billion package aimed at addressing mental health issues in the armed forces and general public is awaiting President Obama’s signature. Now, the Department of Veteran Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014 is being brought to Capitol Hill. If passed, the bill would improve VA transparency, strip it of much of its autonomy, and make it vulnerable to oversight of hiring and firing practices from outside regulatory forces. While debate continues over the best way to bring the department in line with its duties to the American people, there is little debate that change is a necessity.

Parents of rescued baby defend their choices

Lyra the one year old girl who was rescued from the deep waters has recovered herself from the fever. She was sailing through the water to travel the whole world. On Sunday, the parents of Lyra said in a statement that “we are highly thankful to rescuers for helping us in the crisis and we would like to tell critics that we departed for this journey about a year ago and that is how our family has lived”.

Lyra’s parents said that “after the passage of 2 weeks, Lyra was arrested with fever and rash problems and she was not responding to medications. They further said that when we reached at 900 miles off to Mexico, we lost communication and steering abilities of our boat. Later on, we thought to make a satellite call to U.S Coast Guards to help us and they did their best to save our lives.

Besides, Kaufmans said in a statement issued by USS Vandegrift that “Thanks to everyone for praying for us and Lyra is stable now and she continues to improve her health”. Upon hearing this news, most of the people on social media blatantly criticized the parents for bringing their infant daughters into deep waters.

LyraActually, they were blogging their sailing experience on the internet and it was a kind of adventure for them. The sister of Charlotte Kaufman said that “when the couple told me about the sailing, I thought they had gone nuts”. But, it was in my mind that they are very careful and would try their best to fight with any emerging challenge.

Last but the not least, English the sister of Charlotte said that “They are not new at sailing and they had been practicing it since years. Besides, I am really happy because Lyra is improving her health and everything is normal now.

 

 

 

Tragic Fort Hood Shooting Leaves Three Victims & the Gunman Dead Just Five Years after Fatal 2009 Shooting

The Texas Army Post was under attack when a shooter besieged Fort Hood on Thursday. Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley said in a press conference that a shooter had fired a volley of bullets which resulted in four deaths. He said that the shooter took off his 45-caliber semi-automatic pistol when he was approaching the buildings.

It is said that when he entered in the Hood, he got a vehicle and rushed towards other buildings and fired a big number of bullets there which resulted in 16 injuries of other people.  Later, when he was intercepted in the parking by the Military Police, he killed himself.

It is assumed that the shooter was suffering from serious mental breakdown and was on medication when he returned back from Iraq. Name of shooter has not been disclosed.  Mark A said that it was the second attack in the history of Fort Hood. In 2009, a man had besieged the fort and killed 13 people apart from injuring 32 others.

Upon hearing this news, President of United States Barack Obama Said:

They serve with valor, they serve with distinction and when they’re at their home base, they need to feel safe. We don’t yet know what happened tonight, but obviously that sense of safety has been broken once again.

The president said that our thoughts are with those people who lost their near and dear ones in this tragedy and with those who are having serious injuries.

 

Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Diagnosis Could Reduce Number of Misdiagnoses

On Sunday, March 30, physicians and engineers at Dartmouth College released new findings for a technique that combines MRI with optical scanning to more accurately locate breast cancer tumors, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Physicians at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center and engineers from Dartmouth College’s Thayer School of Engineering worked to develop a new, simpler method of breast-conserving surgery for women whose breast cancer is too small to be felt, the Union Leader reported.

Breast cancer continues to be a major health concern. It has been on the rise since the 1970s — and since 2000, rates have increased at an increasing rate every year.

This new method of breast cancer tumor detection is “similar to a car’s GPS,” the Norris Cotton Cancer Center said in a release. “The uploaded maps would be the MRI, and the optical scan provides the ‘you are here’ arrow for the surgeon. This more accurate picture of the tumor location and its edges allows for a more precise surgical excision.”

Ideally, this method could also be used in a diagnostic manner to prevent the misdiagnosis of breast cancer. Misdiagnoses are a major problem — according to a National Institutes of Health study, women who begin having regular mammograms at age 40 have a higher than 61% chance of being falsely diagnosed with breast cancer.

Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to prevent breast cancer. However, with regular screenings and proper diagnoses, breast cancer can be detected in its earliest stages and lives can be saved. A March 26 Reuters article also says that one’s risk for breast cancer decreases significantly when a healthy lifestyle is adopted early in life.