Energy News Digest for March 7, 2012

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Bonneville Power Administration Files Plan to Deal with Wind Farm Shutdowns (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/03/bpa_files_plan_to_deal_with_wi.html

Ex-Seattle Public Utilities Project Engineer Charged in $1.1 Million Embezzlement Case (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017681979_phan07m.html

Two Powerful ‘X-Class’ Flares Erupt on Sun (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0307/Two-powerful-X-class-flares-erupt-on-sun

Washington State Patrol Says It Will Pay for Federally Required Radio Upgrade (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/06/2055928/state-patrol-says-it-will-pay.html

Grant PUD Transmission Line Progresses (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_6260c2a4-67b3-11e1-b1b9-0019bb2963f4.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Ex-Seattle Public Utilities Project Engineer Charged in $1.1 Million Embezzlement Case
• Man steals $1 Million from Seattle, Bank of America Sits Idly By
• Grant PUD Transmission Line Progresses
• Two New Candidates Join Race for Clark Public Utilities’ Position
• New Location for the Mason PUD 3 Payment Drop box in Downtown Shelton
• The Spirit of Cooperation – 75 Years for Flathead Electric Cooperative
• Focus on Community Sets Electricity Co-ops Apart
• Pacific Gas & Electric Worker Socks Would-Be Robber in South San Francisco
• Navajos Look to Invest in Grid Connection Project
• Xcel Energy Working on Six Percent Electric Rate Hike Request
• Florida – Study Claims Ratepayers Would Save Millions if ‘Municipal Utilities’ Sell Out to Florida Power & Light
• Transmission Line Deal with Illinois Cable Plant to Bring 1,450 Jobs
• Two Powerful ‘X-Class’ Flares Erupt on Sun
• Chelan County PUD Approves Higher Water, Sewer Rates
• Bonneville Power Administration Files Plan to Deal with Wind Farm Shutdowns
• Receiver Hoping for Resolution on Hoquiam Paper Mill Soon
• San Jose’s SunPower to Provide Solar Panels for Apple’s New North Carolina Data Center
• Pepco to Build Washington, DC Biomass Plant
• Wind Power is Just Too Expensive to Actually Use
• Enhanced Safety & Energy Efficiency the Focus of NEEA & Seattle LED Streetlight Test
• Streetlight Test Shuts Down Busy Seattle Road
• Secrets of a Tribal Energy Auditor
• Did Climate Change Create Texas’ Hellacious 2011 Summer, Or Just Make It Worse?
• Electric Cars Seem to be Falling Out Of Favor after Volt’s Slow Sales
• Nissan Not Worried by Pace of Leaf Sales
• Hybrid Cars 101: How Long Should Batteries Last?
• This Lamp Absorbs 150 Times More Carbon Dioxide than a Tree
• Washington State Patrol Says It Will Pay for Federally Required Radio Upgrade
• Minnesota Wants to be a Broadband Backwater - Thanks, CenturyLink!
• Low Power is the New Black for Data Centers
• Democratic Washington State Rep. Deb Eddy to Retire
• Thurston County Auditor ‘Kicking Off’ Campaign for Secretary of State
• Congressional Shenanigans - Kucinich Move to Washington State Will be Hot Topic Again
• Jackie Miles Strickland, Former Port Commissioner, Sentenced for DUI
• Boy Receives Deferral in Bremerton School Shooting
• Pacific NW Timber Exports after Japan Quake Slower than Expected
• Thurston County Sheriff Warns; Gas Theft Might Rise
• Harstine Island Residents against Fudge Point Transaction
• Head of Sound Learning Steps Down
• Shelton Race Track - Economic Shot In The Arm?
• TransCanada Executive: New Keystone Route for Petroleum Pipeline in Weeks

WORD OF THE DAY

Truncated • \TRUNK-ayt-ted\ • Adjective - 1: having the apex replaced by a plane section and especially by one parallel to the base 2a: cut short: curtailed b: lacking an expected or normal element at the beginning or end; catalectic

James Dean’s bright career

Truncated by a car crash

Lived hard, died young, sad

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Ex-Seattle Public Utilities Project Engineer Charged in $1.1 Million Embezzlement Case (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017681979_phan07m.html

Man steals $1 Million from Seattle, Bank of America Sits Idly By (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=640247

Grant PUD Transmission Line Progresses (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA)

http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_6260c2a4-67b3-11e1-b1b9-0019bb2963f4.html

Two New Candidates Join Race for Clark Public Utilities’ Position (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/mar/07/two-new-candidates-join-race-clark-public-utilitie/

New Location for the Mason PUD 3 Payment Drop box in Downtown Shelton (Mason County PUD No. 3)

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=990

The Spirit of Cooperation – 75 Years for Flathead Electric Cooperative (Hungry Horse News, MT)

http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/article_fd359b34-6866-11e1-98f0-001871e3ce6c.html

Focus on Community Sets Electricity Co-ops Apart (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/newsmakers/co-op-voices/focus-on-community-sets-co-ops-apart/40654

Pacific Gas & Electric Worker Socks Would-Be Robber in South San Francisco (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_20113662

Navajos Look to Invest in Grid Connection Project (CBS News)

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57392257/navajos-look-to-invest-in-grid-connection-project/

Xcel Energy Working on Six Percent Electric Rate Hike Request (Associated Press)

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/06/4315428/xcel-energy-working-on-electric.html

Florida – Study Claims Ratepayers Would Save Millions if ‘Municipal Utilities’ Sell Out to Florida Power & Light (Sunshine State News, Tallahassee, FL)

http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/ratepayers-would-save-millions-if-munis-sell-out-fpl-study

Transmission Line Deal with Illinois Cable Plant to Bring 1,450 Jobs (Associated Press)

http://www.wctrib.com/event/apArticle/id/D9TB7H980/

Two Powerful ‘X-Class’ Flares Erupt on Sun (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0307/Two-powerful-X-class-flares-erupt-on-sun

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Chelan County PUD Approves Higher Water, Sewer Rates (Wenatchee World, WA)

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/mar/06/pud-approves-higher-water-sewer-rates/

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration Files Plan to Deal with Wind Farm Shutdowns (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/03/bpa_files_plan_to_deal_with_wi.html

Receiver Hoping for Resolution on Hoquiam Paper Mill Soon – Grays Harbor PUD Keeping Tabs (The Daily World, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/sections/news/local/receiver-hoping-resolution-paper-mill-soon.html

San Jose’s SunPower to Provide Solar Panels for Apple’s New North Carolina Data Center (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_20113644/exclusive-san-joses-sunpower-provide-solar-panels-apples

Pepco to Build Washington, DC Biomass Plant (Washington Business Journal, DC – Beware of that first, single exposure!)

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2012/03/06/pepco-to-build-dc-biomass-plant.html

Wind Power is Just Too Expensive to Actually Use (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2012/03/06/wind-powers-just-too-expensive-to-actually-use/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Enhanced Safety & Energy Efficiency the Focus of NEEA & Seattle LED Streetlight Test - Northwest utilities lead effort to demonstrate improved visibility & safer streets (MarketWatch)

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/enhanced-safety-and-energy-efficiency-the-focus-of-neea-and-seattle-led-streetlight-test-2012-03-06

Streetlight Test Shuts Down Busy Seattle Road (KING-TV, Seattle)

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Streetlight-test-shuts-down-busy-Seattle-road-141711143.html

Secrets of a Tribal Energy Auditor (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/corporate/BPANews/ArticleTemplate.cfm?ArticleId=article-20120306-01

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Did Climate Change Create Texas’ Hellacious 2011 Summer, Or Just Make It Worse? (Dallas Observer)

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2012/03/did_climate_change_make_create.php

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Electric Cars Seem to be Falling Out Of Favor after Volt’s Slow Sales (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_20115128

Nissan Not Worried by Pace of Leaf Sales (Nashville Business Journal, TN)

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/03/06/nissan-not-worried-by-leaf-sales.html

Hybrid Cars 101: How Long Should Batteries Last? (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2012/0306/Hybrid-cars-101-How-long-should-batteries-last

This Lamp Absorbs 150 Times More Carbon Dioxide than a Tree (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/list/this-lamp-absorbs-more-co2-than-a-tree/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington State Patrol Says It Will Pay for Federally Required Radio Upgrade (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/06/2055928/state-patrol-says-it-will-pay.html

Minnesota Wants to be a Broadband Backwater - Thanks, CenturyLink! (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Minnesota-Wants-to-be-a-Broadband-Backwater-118728

Low Power is the New Black for Data Centers (GigaOM)

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/low-power-is-the-new-black-for-data-centers/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Democratic Washington State Rep. Deb Eddy to Retire (Associated Press)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/03/07/2020228/democratic-state-rep-deb-eddy.html

Thurston County Auditor ‘Kicking Off’ Campaign for Secretary of State (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/03/06/2019116/wyman-kicking-off-campaign-for.html

Congressional Shenanigans - Kucinich Move to Washington State Will be Hot Topic Again (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120306/BLOG13/120309852

GENERAL NEWS

Jackie Miles Strickland, Former Port Commissioner, Sentenced for DUI (Mason Web TV)

http://masonwebtv.com/?p=3153

Boy Receives Deferral in Bremerton School Shooting (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Prosecutors-amend-charge-against-boy-in-school-shooting--141646463.html

Pacific NW Timber Exports after Japan Quake Slower than Expected (Oregonian Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/nw_timber_exports_after_japan_quake_slower_than_expected/

Thurston County Sheriff Warns; Gas Theft Might Rise (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3880

Harstine Island Residents against Fudge Point Transaction (Mason Web TV)

http://masonwebtv.com/?p=3173

Head of Sound Learning Steps Down (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/25522-head-of-sound-learning-steps-down

Shelton Race Track - Economic Shot In The Arm? (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/news-page/25607-economic-shot-in-the-arm

TransCanada Executive: New Keystone Route for Petroleum Pipeline in Weeks (Associated Press)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/03/06/national/a080142S49.DTL

DIVERSIONS

Ralph McQuarrie, Designer of ‘Star Wars’ Look, Dies in Berkeley At 82

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_20115755

Scientists Say Moon May Have Crashed Titanic

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Scientists+moon+have+crashed+Titanic/6259577/story.html

Chicken McNugget Resembling George Washington Sells for $8,100 on EBay

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_20112621

Photographers Mistake 66-Year-Old Debbie Harry for Lindsay Lohan

http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/photographers_mistake_year_old_debbie_WAxXYeLPXI222ti9ruzgiM

SONG OF THE DAY

Blue Moon - Chris Isaak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuCZDanw3aE

Energy News Digest for March 6, 2012

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST ON TWITTER

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

State Declared Federal Disaster Area from January Storms “…counties eligible are Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, & Wahkiakum…” (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-declared-federal-disaster-area-from-January-storms-141479123.html

Gov. Chris Gregoire Approves Whistling Ridge Wind Farm outside Columbia River Gorge in Washington, But Project on Hold (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/03/gregoire_approves_whistling_ri.html

US Senator Wyden: Prineville to Get Power for Data Centers (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

http://www.ktvz.com/news/30603235/detail.html

With Condit Dam Gone, New Growth Threatens White Salmon River (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/condit-dam-gone-new-growth-threatens-white-salmon-river/

Johns Prairie Operations Center Open for Business April 2 (Mason Web TV)

http://masonwebtv.com/?p=3126

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Johns Prairie Operations Center Open for Business April 2
• Open for Business April 2, 2012 - PUD 3’s Johns Prairie Operations Center: Cost Effective – Coordinated – Future Focused
• Montana - Loss of $1.4 Million Deposit Puts Great Falls Electric City Power Deeper in the Hole
• Montana Electric Co-Ops Replace Two of Southern’s Trustees for Annual Meeting
• Too Late for These Trees in Bonneville Power Administration Right of Way
• Students Today, Lineworkers Tomorrow
• Smart Meters Can’t Trip Up Wi-Fi
• Ghana - ‘Cable Thief’ Electrocuted
• With Condit Dam Gone, New Growth Threatens White Salmon River
• Editorial – Elwha River Fish Debate Needs Time
• Examining the Financial Impacts of Endangered Species Act Lawsuits & Settlements
• Alien Plant Forms Invading Antarctica
• Northeast Oregon - Snowpack Surprise?
• Editorial – River Temperatures: A Matter of Degree
• Gov. Chris Gregoire Approves Whistling Ridge Wind Farm outside Columbia River Gorge in Washington, But Project on Hold
• Columbia Gorge Wind Farm Opponents May Go to Court
• California – Editorial: Give Hydro Power the Renewable Label
• Renewable Electricity Standards Have No Statistically Significant Impact on Rates – Yet
• After Filing Delay, Hoku Materials Reports Big Losses
• Beacon Power Sale to Private-Equity Firm Approved; US Loans to be Repaid
• Concerns over Cost of Energy Efficiency
• Regulators Approve Duke Energy LED Pilot Program
• Environmentalists Push Climate Change Suits on Behalf of Kids
• More Americans Now Believe in Global Warming
• Boulder’s Plug-In Hybrid Test Project Expands
• US Senator Wyden: Prineville to Get Power for Data Centers
• Verizon Launches Faster-Than-Wired Wireless Broadband for Homes
• Summary Box: Verizon Wireless Broadband for Homes
• Our National Broadband Map Remains Largely Useless
• United Kingdom Broadband Map About as Awful as US Version
• The World’s Worst ******* Password
• Special Washington State Legislative Session if No Budget Deal is Reached by Thursday
• Congress: Dicks’ Retirement Causes Stir in Ohio
• Can Social Media Predict Election Outcomes?
• State Declared Federal Disaster Area from January Storms
• Shelton Wal-Mart - Good Samaritan Knocked Out Trying to Stop Shoplifters
• American Indian Tribes’ Casinos See Turnaround
• Warm Winter May Bring Pest-Filled Spring
• After Ratings Drop, Ford Reworks Microsoft Touch Screens
• Cellphone Ban Cuts Traffic Deaths in California

WORD OF THE DAY

Putsch • \POOTCH - sounds like “butch”\ • noun - A secretly plotted & suddenly executed attempt to overthrow a government.

Hitler’s 1923 “Beer Hall Putsch” in Germany is probably one of the more famous revolts, which ended in his arrest and conviction…and gave him the free time in prison to write “Men Kampf.” The rest, as one would say, is history.

Beer Hall Putsch, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Hall_Putsch

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/mapclick.php?textfield1=47.213805&textfield2=-123.113412&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=shelton%2c%20wa%2c%20usa

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Johns Prairie Operations Center Open for Business April 2 (Mason Web TV)

http://masonwebtv.com/?p=3126

Open for Business April 2, 2012 - PUD 3’s Johns Prairie Operations Center: Cost Effective – Coordinated – Future Focused (Mason County PUD No. 3

http://www.masonpud3.org/Newsdisplay.aspx?NewsID=989

Montana - Loss of $1.4 Million Deposit Puts Great Falls Electric City Power Deeper in the Hole (Great Falls Tribune, MT)

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120306/NEWS01/203060303/Loss-1-4-million-deposit-puts-Electric-City-Power-deeper-hole

Montana Electric Co-Ops Replace Two of Southern’s Trustees for Annual Meeting (Billings Gazette, MT)
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/co-ops-replace-of-southern-s-trustees-for-annual-meeting/article_0d5c8579-d23e-5530-a2c1-ac286cff748a.html

Too Late for These Trees in Bonneville Power Administration Right of Way (Keizer Times, OR)

http://keizertimes.com/?p=12309

Students Today, Lineworkers Tomorrow (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/trends-reports-analyses/electric-co-op-linemen-training-for-future/40685

Smart Meters Can’t Trip Up Wi-Fi (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/05/BU061NDUTC.DTL

Ghana - ‘Cable Thief’ Electrocuted (Ghana Daily Graphic)

http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/crime/201203/82613.php

FISH & WILDLIFE

With Condit Dam Gone, New Growth Threatens White Salmon River (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/condit-dam-gone-new-growth-threatens-white-salmon-river/

Editorial – Elwha River Fish Debate Needs Time (Olympian, WA)

http://www.theolympian.com/2012/03/06/2017978/fish-debate-needs-time.html

Examining the Financial Impacts of Endangered Species Act Lawsuits & Settlements (US House of Representatives, Natural Resources Committee)

http://naturalresources.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=283337

Alien Plant Forms Invading Antarctica (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0306/Alien-plant-forms-invading-Antarctica

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Northeast Oregon - Snowpack Surprise? (Baker City Herald, OR)

http://www.bakercityherald.com/Local-News/Snowpack-surprise

Editorial – River Temperatures: A Matter of Degree (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/03/a_matter_of_degree.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Gov. Chris Gregoire Approves Whistling Ridge Wind Farm outside Columbia River Gorge in Washington, But Project on Hold (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/03/gregoire_approves_whistling_ri.html

Columbia Gorge Wind Farm Opponents May Go to Court (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017674146_apwagorgewindfarm3rdldwritethru.html

California – Editorial: Give Hydro Power the Renewable Label (Modesto Bee, CA)

http://www.modbee.com/2012/03/05/2099164/give-hydro-power-the-renewable.html

Renewable Electricity Standards Have No Statistically Significant Impact on Rates - Yet (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/03/renewable-electricity-standards-have-no-statistically-significant-impact-on-rates?cmpid=rss

After Filing Delay, Hoku Materials Reports Big Losses (Pacific Business News, HI)

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2012/03/05/after-filing-delay-hoku-materials.html

Beacon Power Sale to Private-Equity Firm Approved; US Loans to be Repaid (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/beacon-power-sale-to-private-equity-firm-approved-us-loans-to-be-repaid/2012/03/02/gIQA31TgnR_story.html?wprss=rss_business

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Concerns over Cost of Energy Efficiency (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/saratoga/ci_20108693/concerns-over-cost-energy-efficiency

Regulators Approve Duke Energy LED Pilot Program (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2012/03/regulators-approve-duke-energy-led.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Environmentalists Push Climate Change Suits on Behalf of Kids (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://news.opb.org/article/environmentalists_push_climate_change_suits_on_behalf_of_kids/

More Americans Now Believe in Global Warming (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/03/05/2422354/more-americans-now-believe-in.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Boulder’s Plug-In Hybrid Test Project Expands (Boulder Daily Camera, CO)
http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_20090261

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

US Senator Wyden: Prineville to Get Power for Data Centers (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

http://www.ktvz.com/news/30603235/detail.html

Verizon Launches Faster-Than-Wired Wireless Broadband for Homes; Starts at $60a Month (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/verizon-launches-faster-than-wired-wireless-broadband-for-homes-starts-at-60mo/2012/03/06/gIQADvYvtR_story.html

Summary Box: Verizon Wireless Broadband for Homes (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Summary-Box-Verizon-wireless-broadband-for-homes-3385378.php

Our National Broadband Map Remains Largely Useless - More Data Collected, But the Data’s Still Wrong (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Our-National-Broadband-Map-Remains-Largely-Useless-118702

United Kingdom Broadband Map About as Awful as US Version (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/UK-Broadband-Map-About-As-Awful-as-US-Version-118682

The World’s Worst ******* Password (San Francisco Business Times, CA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2012/03/the-worlds-worst-password.html

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Special Washington State Legislative Session if No Budget Deal is Reached by Thursday (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017674660_legislature06m.html

Congress: Dicks’ Retirement Causes Stir in Ohio (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/05/1852160/congress-dicks-retirement-causes.html

Can Social Media Predict Election Outcomes? (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-03-05/social-super-tuesday-prediction/53374536/1?csp=34money

GENERAL NEWS

State Declared Federal Disaster Area from January Storms “…counties eligible are Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, & Wahkiakum…” (KOMO-TV, Seattle)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-declared-federal-disaster-area-from-January-storms-141479123.html

Shelton Wal-Mart - Good Samaritan Knocked Out Trying to Stop Shoplifters (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/crime-law/good-samaritan-knocked-out-trying-stop-shoplifters/nLMGs/

American Indian Tribes’ Casinos See Turnaround (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017675197_apusindiancasinosrevenue1stldwritethru.html

Warm Winter May Bring Pest-Filled Spring (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Warm-winter-may-bring-pest-filled-spring-3384298.php

After Ratings Drop, Ford Reworks Microsoft Touch Screens (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/business/after-ratings-drop-ford-reworks-touch-screens.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Cellphone Ban Cuts Traffic Deaths in California (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017674540_cellphones06.html

DIVERSIONS

If Microsoft Made Cars (Jokes Unlimited)

http://www.jokesunlimited.com/jokes/if_microsoft_made_cars.html

Oops! Miss Seattle Gets Caught Dissing the City

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-oops-miss-seattle-gets-caught-dissing-the-city-20120305,0,1384260.story

Detroit-Area Woman Stalked by Aggressive Turkey

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/03/05/national/a070926S85.DTL

Rescued shelter dog now a top New York canine crime fighter

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/rescued-shelter-dog-now-top-york-canine-crime-224132098.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Mason Williams - Classical Gas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhMuCiAe6vA

Glen Campbell - Classical Gas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0F2sMcr_4

Chet Atkins - Classical Gas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRtvALWlKK4