Energy News Digest for March 4, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 4, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/prsth4k

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Top U-S Senate Republican Tells States: Ignore EPA Carbon Rules (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Top-Senate-Republican-tells-states-ignore-EPA-6114420.php

SolarCity sues Salt River Project over Increased Charges for Solar Customers (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/solarcity-sues-salt-river-project-over-increased-charges-for-solar-customer/370846/

British Columbia: Peace River Dam Unions Won’t Be Blocked by BC Hydro, Says Christy Clark - Union has accused Crown corporation of trying to bar unions from organizing at project worksites (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/site-c-dam-unions-won-t-be-blocked-by-bc-hydro-says-christy-clark-1.2980277?cmp=rss

Yakima River Oil Spill Threatens Wildlife; Cleanup Could Take Weeks (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Yakima-River-oil-spill-cleanup-could-take-weeks-294858981.html

Shelton Operations Remain Simpson (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/March-2015/Shelton-operations-remain-Simpson/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. British Columbia: Peace River Dam Unions Won’t Be Blocked by BC Hydro, Says Christy Clark
2. California: Emails Reveal CPUC’s Florio Had Questionable Relations with SoCal Edison Officials
3. Power Failure Darkens Wide Swath around Walla Walla Monday Night
4. Montana: Glencore Permanently Closes Columbia Falls Aluminum Site
5. Pass or Prune? Council Judges R&D Projects at Technology Innovation Summit
6. Kentucky: Couple Build Their Own Power Line
7. Hundreds of Dead Fish Wash Ashore in N Portland
8. Yakima River Oil Spill Threatens Wildlife; Cleanup Could Take Weeks
9. Snowpack in Washington State & North Cascades Well Below Normal
10. California’s Terrifying Climate Forecast: It Could Face Droughts Nearly Every Year
11. SolarCity sues Salt River Project over Increased Charges for Solar
12. Five Things You Need to Know about the Hype & Reality of Oregon’s Largest Solar Project
13. New Reports Show How Hot North Carolina’s Solar-Power Industry Has Gotten
14. Japan’s Growth in Solar Power Falters as Utilities Balk
15. America is Getting Its First Offshore Wind Farm
16. Energy Storage Paves Way for Electricity Independence
17. Washington State Pot Growers Convicted on One Fed Count, Acquitted on Others
18. Connell Bans Production, Processing & Sales of Marijuana
19. Columbia County Readies for Pot Hearing
20. Washington State Senate Passes Marijuana Research Bill
21. Editorial: Washington State Should Partner with Tribes on Legalized Marijuana
22. Top U-S Senate Republican Tells States: Ignore EPA Carbon Rules
23. Portland’s Next Climate Plan Puts Equity Front & Center
24. EPA’s Woodstove Whisperer
25. Nepal Official Says Human Waste on Everest a Major Problem
26. U-S Supreme Court Allows Challenge to Colorado Internet Tax Law
27. Growth of Google Fiber’s Business Service in Kansas City, Provo, Bodes Well for Nashville
28. FCC Head Defends ‘Net Neutrality’ Decision amid Criticism from Industry, Politicians
29. Why Comcast, AT&T & Other Internet Providers Might Not Sue the FCC after All
30. Hey, State Reps: Every Tech Company in Washington State Wants You to Pass This Bill
31. Editorial: Idaho Broadband Mess Yields Old Lesson – Local Is Best
32. In Ongoing War with Islamic State, Twitter Suspends 2,000 Accounts
33. Smithsonian Museums Ban Use of Selfie Sticks, Still Encourage Selfies
34. Vince Vaughn & Co-stars Pose for Idiotic Stock Photos You Can Have for Free
35. ACLU Seeks $2.8 Million in Legal Costs from Yakima in Ethnic Representation Voting Rights Case
36. There Are Good Reasons Not to Save Every E-Mail Sent by Public Officials. The Reasons to Do So Are Better Still
37. Washington State Suffers Most Regressive Tax System in U-S
38. Audit: Improvement Needed for Mason County
39. Adele Ferguson Dies: Longtime Kitsap Sun Reporter, Pioneer of Journalism
40. Shelton Operations Remain Simpson
41. Shelton’s Bikini Barista Trumps Car License Fee
42. Daylight Saving Time Arriving
43. Daylight Saving Time: Five Quick Facts
44. Belfair Bypass in Senate Transportation Package
45. Nearly One in Three 911 Calls Are Accidental

WORD OF THE DAY

Brickbat • \BRICK-bat\ • noun – 1: a fragment of a hard material (as a brick); especially: one used as a missile 2: an uncomplimentary remark

Angus’ first experience as a standup comic was not a good one. Hoping to be the new “Carrot Top” apparently was not a good choice, as brickbats (both material and verbal) were flung at him during the performance. “Why would anyone want to emulate ‘Carrot Top’?” reported the local paper’s entertainment critic the next morning. “An unfortunate career move…”

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

British Columbia: Peace River Dam Unions Won’t Be Blocked by BC Hydro, Says Christy Clark - Union has accused Crown corporation of trying to bar unions from organizing at project worksites (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/site-c-dam-unions-won-t-be-blocked-by-bc-hydro-says-christy-clark-1.2980277?cmp=rss

California: Emails Reveal CPUC’s Florio Had Questionable Relations with SoCal Edison Officials (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/emails-reveal-cpucs-florio-had-questionable-relations-with-socal-edison-of/370845/

Power Failure Darkens Wide Swath around Walla Walla Monday Night (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2015/mar/03/power-failure-darkens-wide-swath-monday-night/

Montana: Glencore Permanently Closes Columbia Falls Aluminum Site (Hungry Horse News, MT)

http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/glencore-permanently-closes-cfac-site/article_63e31b30-c1c5-11e4-b4a3-43a2aec3a719.html

Pass or Prune? Council Judges R&D Projects at Technology Innovation Summit (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Pass-or-prune-Council-judges-R-D-projects-at-Technology-Innovation-Summit.aspx

Kentucky: Couple Build Their Own Power Line (Bowling Green Daily News, KY)

http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/couple-build-their-own-power-line/article_f43f4fff-e318-5931-bc77-6058a012835b.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Hundreds of Dead Fish Wash Ashore in N Portland (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/green/2015/03/03/hundreds-of-dead-fish-wash-ashore-in-n-portland/24327799/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Yakima River Oil Spill Threatens Wildlife; Cleanup Could Take Weeks (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Yakima-River-oil-spill-cleanup-could-take-weeks-294858981.html

Snowpack in Washington State & North Cascades Well Below Normal (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2015/03/03/4163503_snowpack-in-state-and-north-cascades.html?rh=1

California’s Terrifying Climate Forecast: It Could Face Droughts Nearly Every Year (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/03/02/californias-terrifying-forecast-in-the-future-it-could-face-droughts-nearly-every-year/?wprss=rss_national

RENEWABLE ENERGY

SolarCity sues Salt River Project over Increased Charges for Solar Customers (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/solarcity-sues-salt-river-project-over-increased-charges-for-solar-customer/370846/

Five Things You Need to Know about the Hype & Reality of Oregon’s Largest Solar Project (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/03/post_168.html

New Reports Show How Hot North Carolina’s Solar-Power Industry Has Gotten (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/energy/2015/03/new-reports-show-how-hot-n-c-s-solar-power.html

Japan’s Growth in Solar Power Falters as Utilities Balk (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/04/business/international/japans-solar-power-growth-falters-as-utilities-balk.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

America is Getting Its First Offshore Wind Farm (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/america-is-getting-its-first-offshore-wind-farm-1689348804

Energy Storage Paves Way for Electricity Independence (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-31040723

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Washington State Pot Growers Convicted on One Fed Count, Acquitted on Others (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Wash-pot-growers-convicted-of-1-fed-count-acquitted-on-others-294996531.html

Connell Bans Production, Processing & Sales of Marijuana (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/28251667/connell-bans-production-processing-and-sales-of-marijuana

Columbia County Readies for Pot Hearing (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA)

http://union-bulletin.com/news/2015/mar/03/columbia-county-readies-pot-hearing/

Washington State Senate Passes Marijuana Research Bill (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/state-senate-passes-marijuana-research-bill/article_f8fa4dc0-c1e2-11e4-8345-a7e504bd8515.html

Editorial: Washington State Should Partner with Tribes on Legalized Marijuana (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://old.seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2025820371_markhigginscolumntribesmarijuana04xml.html?syndication=rss

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Top U-S Senate Republican Tells States: Ignore EPA Carbon Rules (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Top-Senate-Republican-tells-states-ignore-EPA-6114420.php

Portland’s Next Climate Plan Puts Equity Front & Center (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/portlands-next-climate-plan-puts-equity-front-and.html

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

EPA’s Woodstove Whisperer (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/epa-s-woodstove-whisperer-20150227

Nepal Official Says Human Waste on Everest a Major Problem (Associated Press)

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ff9b67b0340946cb9d2a44e24aafc191/nepal-official-says-human-waste-everest-major-problem

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

U-S Supreme Court Allows Challenge to Colorado Internet Tax Law (Associated Press)

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/supreme-court-challenge-colorado-internet-tax-29353021

Growth of Google Fiber’s Business Service in Kansas City, Provo, Bodes Well for Nashville (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2015/03/growth-of-google-fibers-business-service-in-kansas.html

FCC Head Defends ‘Net Neutrality’ Decision amid Criticism from Industry, Politicians (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/technology/articles/2015/03/03/fcc-head-defends-internet-neutrality-rules-on-the-road

Why Comcast, AT&T & Other Internet Providers Might Not Sue the FCC after All (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/03/03/why-comcast-att-and-other-internet-providers-might-not-sue-the-fcc-after-all/?wprss=rss_technology

Hey, State Reps: Every Tech Company in Washington State Wants You to Pass This Bill (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/03/hey-state-reps-every-tech-company-in-washington.html

Editorial: Idaho Broadband Mess Yields Old Lesson – Local Is Best (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/04/editorial-idaho-broadband-mess-yields-old-lesson/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

In Ongoing War with Islamic State, Twitter Suspends 2,000 Accounts (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0303/In-ongoing-war-with-Islamic-State-Twitter-suspends-2-000-accounts

Smithsonian Museums Ban Use of Selfie Sticks, Still Encourage Selfies (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/04/smithsonian-museums-ban-use-of-selfie-sticks-still-encourage-selfies/

Vince Vaughn & Co-stars Pose for Idiotic Stock Photos You Can Have for Free (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/vince-vaughn-and-costars-pose-idiotic-stock-photos-you-can-have-free-163239

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

ACLU Seeks $2.8 Million in Legal Costs from Yakima in Ethnic Representation Voting Rights Case (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/2961432-8/aclu-seeks-28-million-in-legal-costs-from

There Are Good Reasons Not to Save Every E-Mail Sent by Public Officials. The Reasons to Do So Are Better Still (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/03/03/there-are-good-reasons-not-to-save-every-e-mail-sent-by-public-officials-the-reasons-to-do-so-are-better-still/?wprss=rss_national

Washington State Suffers Most Regressive Tax System in U-S (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/washington-suffers-most-regressive-tax-system-in-u-s/

Audit: Improvement Needed for Mason County (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21664-audit-improvement-needed-for-mason-county

Adele Ferguson Dies: Longtime Kitsap Sun Reporter, Pioneer of Journalism (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/longtime-sun-reporter-journalistic-pioneer-adele-ferguson-dies_85844894

GENERAL NEWS

Shelton Operations Remain Simpson (South Sound Business Examiner)

http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/March-2015/Shelton-operations-remain-Simpson/

Shelton’s Bikini Barista Trumps Car License Fee (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21657-bikini-barista-trumps-car-license-fee

Daylight Saving Time Arriving (National Weather Service, Seattle)

https://nwschat.weather.gov/p.php?pid=201503041725-KSEW-NOUS46-PNSSEW

Daylight Saving Time: Five Quick Facts (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/daylight-saving-time-5-quick-facts/nkNcW/

Belfair Bypass in Senate Transportation Package (Mason Web Tv, Shelton, Wa)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14621

Nearly One in Three 911 Calls Are Accidental (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/nearly-one-three-911-calls-are-accidental

DIVERSIONS

What’s the Best Bookstore in the Country?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/03/03/whats-the-best-bookstore-in-the-country/

Paul Allen Announces Japan’s WW2 ‘Musashi Battleship Wreck Found’

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31724995

500 Snakes Surprise Construction Workers in Canada

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/500-snakes-surprise-construction-workers-canada/nkMqN/

Burial Pods Could Turn Cemeteries into Forests

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/one-day-green-cemeteries-will-use-corpses-help-trees-grow

SONG OF THE DAY

Blue Oyster Cult – Don't Fear the Reaper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClQcUyhoxTg

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for March 3, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 3, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/l3qupa3

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Ex-Puget Sound Energy Employee Charged in Theft of $32,000 in Copper Wire (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/02/3665442/employee-charged-with-stealing.html

Labour Group Objects to BC Hydro’s Plan for Non-Union Peace River Dam Workforce (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/labour-group-objects-to-bc-hydros-plan-for-non-union-site-c-workforce/article23251133/?cmpid=rss1

What Happens When a Solar Eclipse Takes 30GW of Solar Off-Line? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/solarbusiness/2198781/what-happens-when-solar-eclipse-takes-30gw-solar-line

Strong Runs of Columbia River Chinook Projected (KVEW-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2015/mar/02/strong-runs-columbia-river-chinook-projected/

Sale of Longview Simpson Mill to Interfor Corporation Finalized (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/sale-of-longview-simpson-mill-to-interfor-corp-finalized/article_bc45d2aa-c156-11e4-b952-8b9a882f92de.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Ex-Puget Sound Energy Employee Charged in Theft of $32,000 in Copper Wire
2. Labour Group Objects to BC Hydro’s Plan for Non-Union Peace River Dam Workforce
3. Greens Fight Giant Pacific Northwest Oil Terminal on Columbia River
4. Mason PUD 3 Engineer – From Shelton, CT to Shelton, WA, Mark is Saving Lives
5. Grays Harbor Power Outages Down in 2014
6. Past Tense Oregon: Oregon’s Post-War Economy Directly Tied to Columbia River Dams
7. Utility Says Latest Delays to Georgia Nuclear Plant to Cost Additional $1 Billion
8. Outage Safety – A Wilsonville Company’s Quest to Keep the (Traffic) Lights On
9. Strong Runs of Columbia River Chinook Projected
10. California Drought: State to Boost Water Deliveries after Feds Pull Back
11. What Happens When a Solar Eclipse Takes 30GW of Solar Off-Line?
12. Editorial: Wind Farm Tax System Seems to be Flawed
13. Commentary: Ericksen’s Bill Would Gut Energy Act under the Guise of Climate Action
14. Rollback of renewable-energy standards dies in Colorado Legislature
15. Oregon House Republicans Float Clean Fuels Alternative that Would Gut Energy Trust Budget
16. Day-Tripping Pot-Tour Startups See Wine-Industry Future
17. Two Headlines Perfectly Sum Up Everything Wrong with American Drug Policy
18. Oregon’s Legal Pot May Mean Drug Dog No Longer with the Force
19. February Was One of the Most Bipolar Months in U-S Weather History
20. Seeds of War – Global Warming Helped Trigger Syria’s Bloody Civil War
21. How an Oregon Forest is Helping Chevy Meet Its Carbon Goals
22. Seattle is Third – How Portland Compares to Detroit for Electric Vehicles
23. Tax Breaks for Google Fiber, Comcast & Data Centers Sail through Oregon Senate
24. After Net Neutrality Vote, Wheeler Turns to Salesmanship
25. N Carolina: U-S Senator Moves to Overturn FCC Ruling on Local Broadband
26. Telemedicine Making Sense for More Doctors & Patients
27. Google, Facebook Give Updates on Contrasting Plans to Connect Rest of World
28. Wi-Fi Everywhere May Let You Roam Free from Your Mobile Carrier
29. ‘Puzzling’ Stickers Found at School Revealed to be Marketing Stunt
30. Sixteen Ways to Use Social Media to Promote Your Event
31. Washington Lt. Governor Tosses Two-Thirds Rule for ‘New’ Taxes
32. Washington State Senate Passes $15 Billion Transportation Package, Gas Tax Hike
33. Sale of Longview Simpson Mill to Interfor Corporation Finalized
34. Environmental Groups Sue Port of Seattle over Shell Oil Fleet
35. North Mason’s Faith in Action is Taking Action on New Senior Center
36. Police: Thieves Preyed on Seahawks Fans during Playoff Game
37. Homeless Man Caught Stealing $10,000 in Radio Broadcasting Equipment

WORD OF THE DAY

Tu Quoque • \TOO-KWOH-kwee\ • Noun - A retort charging an adversary with being or doing what he or she criticizes in others

“Golly,” exclaimed the fresh-faced liberal arts college student, “writing these environmentalist pamphlets to educate our brethren about the dangers of wood-fired power plants almost Thoreauesque!” The subtle tu quoque of the wool-clad group was lost them as they huddled close to the crackling, open-hearth wood fire for warmth in their off-grid house.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Ex-Puget Sound Energy Employee Charged in Theft of $32,000 in Copper Wire (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/02/3665442/employee-charged-with-stealing.html

Labour Group Objects to BC Hydro’s Plan for Non-Union Peace River Dam Workforce (Globe & Mail, Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/labour-group-objects-to-bc-hydros-plan-for-non-union-site-c-workforce/article23251133/?cmpid=rss1

Greens Fight Giant Pacific Northwest Oil Terminal on Columbia River (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/03/03/greens-fight-giant-nw-oil-terminal.htm

From Shelton, CT to Shelton, WA, Mark is Saving Lives (BloodWorks NW – One of Mason PUD 3’s engineers gets kudos!)

http://psbcblog.com/2015/03/from-shelton-ct-to-shelton-wa-mark-is-saving-lives.html

Grays Harbor Power Outages Down in 2014 (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/power-outages-down-in-2014/

Past Tense Oregon: Oregon’s Post-War Economy Directly Tied to Columbia River Dams (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/history/2015/03/past_tense_oregon_oregons_post.html

Utility Says Latest Delays to Georgia Nuclear Plant to Cost Additional $1 Billion (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/energy/2015/03/utility-says-latest-delays-to-georgia-nuclear.html

Outage Safety – A Wilsonville Company’s Quest to Keep the (Traffic) Lights On (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/a-wilsonville-companys-quest-to-keep-the-traffic.html

FISH & WILDLIFE

Strong Runs of Columbia River Chinook Projected (KVEW-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2015/mar/02/strong-runs-columbia-river-chinook-projected/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

California Drought: State to Boost Water Deliveries after Feds Pull Back (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/California-drought-State-to-boost-water-6110418.php

RENEWABLE ENERGY

What Happens When a Solar Eclipse Takes 30GW of Solar Off-Line? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/solarbusiness/2198781/what-happens-when-solar-eclipse-takes-30gw-solar-line

Editorial: Wind Farm Tax System Seems to be Flawed (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-wind-farm-tax-system-seems-to-be-flawed/article_71433720-bedb-11e4-92b5-eb6915314593.html

Commentary: Ericksen’s Bill Would Gut Energy Act under the Guise of Climate Action (The Political Junkie)

http://sweeneypolitics.com/2015/03/01/ericksens-bill-would-gut-energy-act-under-the-guise-of-climate-action/

Rollback of renewable-energy standards dies in Colorado Legislature (Denver Business Journal)

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2015/03/02/rollback-of-renewable-energy-standards-dies-in.html

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Oregon House Republicans Float Clean Fuels Alternative that Would Gut Energy Trust Budget (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/house-republicans-float-clean-fuels-alternative.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Day-Tripping Pot-Tour Startups See Wine-Industry Future (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/day-tripping-pot-tour-startups-see-wine-industry-future/

Two Headlines Perfectly Sum Up Everything Wrong with American Drug Policy (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/03/02/two-headlines-perfectly-sum-up-everything-wrong-with-american-drug-policy/?wprss=rss_business

Oregon’s Legal Pot May Mean Drug Dog No Longer with the Force (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Legal-pot-may-mean-drug-dog-no-longer-with-the-force-294779591.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

February Was One of the Most Bipolar Months in U-S Weather History (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/03/02/record-cold-and-heat-bipolar-february/

Seeds of War – Global Warming Helped Trigger Syria’s Bloody Civil War (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/03/02/global-warming-syria-civil-war/

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

How an Oregon Forest is Helping Chevy Meet Its Carbon Goals (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/how-an-oregon-forest-is-helping-chevy-meet-its.html

Seattle is Third – How Portland Compares to Detroit for Electric Vehicles (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/how-portland-compares-to-detroit-for-electric.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Tax Breaks for Google Fiber, Comcast & Data Centers Sail through Oregon Senate (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/03/tax_breaks_for_google_fiber_co.html

After Net Neutrality Vote, Wheeler Turns to Salesmanship (NY Times)

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/02/after-net-neutrality-vote-wheeler-turns-to-salesmanship/?partner=rss&emc=rss

N Carolina: U-S Senator Moves to Overturn FCC Ruling on Local Broadband (Charlotte News & Observer, NC)

http://www.newsobserver.com/2015/02/26/4585810_tillis-moves-to-overturn-fcc-ruling.html?rh=1

Telemedicine Making Sense for More Doctors & Patients (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/telemedicine-making-sense-for-more-doctors-and-patients/

Google, Facebook Give Updates on Contrasting Plans to Connect Rest of World (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/03/02/google-facebook-update-contrasting-plans-to-connect-world

Wi-Fi Everywhere May Let You Roam Free from Your Mobile Carrier (National Public Radio)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2015/03/02/390244986/wi-fi-everywhere-may-let-you-roam-free-from-your-mobile-carrier

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

‘Puzzling’ Stickers Found at School Revealed to be Marketing Stunt (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/investigators/Puzzling-school-stickers-revealed-to-be-marketing-stunt--294768241.html

Sixteen Ways to Use Social Media to Promote Your Event (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/use-social-media-to-promote-your-event/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington Lt. Governor Tosses Two-Thirds Rule for ‘New’ Taxes (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/washington-lt-governor-tosses-two-thirds-rule-new-taxes

Washington State Senate Passes $15 Billion Transportation Package, Gas Tax Hike (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Senate-passes-15-billion-transportation-package-gas-tax-hike-294730751.html

GENERAL NEWS

Sale of Longview Simpson Mill to Interfor Corporation Finalized (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/sale-of-longview-simpson-mill-to-interfor-corp-finalized/article_bc45d2aa-c156-11e4-b952-8b9a882f92de.html

Environmental Groups Sue Port of Seattle over Shell Oil Fleet (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/03/us-usa-washington-ports-idUSKBN0LZ0KT20150303

North Mason’s Faith in Action is Taking Action on New Senior Center (Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, WA – Paywall Advisory)

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/north-mason/faith-in-action-is-taking-action-on-new-senior-center

Police: Thieves Preyed on Seahawks Fans during Playoff Game (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Police-Thieves-preyed-on-Seahawks-fans-during-6111353.php

Homeless Man Caught Stealing $10,000 in Radio Broadcasting Equipment (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

http://www.khq.com/story/28243325/homeless-man-caught-stealing-10000-in-radio-equipment

DIVERSIONS

Here’s a Photo of a Weasel Riding a Woodpecker

http://mashable.com/2015/03/03/photo-weasel-riding-woodpecker/

Canadians Paying Tribute to Leonard Nimoy by “Spocking” Their Currency

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/02/canadians-paying-tribute-to-leonard-nimoy-by-spocking-their-currency/

DEA Agent Says Legalizing Medical Marijuana in Utah Will Lead to Stoned Rabbits

http://consumerist.com/2015/03/03/dea-agent-says-legalizing-medical-marijuana-in-utah-will-lead-to-stoned-rabbits/

Sequim Radio Station’s “Classy” Bob Massey – Possibly Oldest Active Announcer – To Have 90th Birthday Celebrated Monday

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150303/news/303039997/sequim-radio-station-8217-s-8220-classy-8221-bob-massey-8212

SONG OF THE DAY

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR8LFNUr3vw

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for March 2, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 2, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/kprqoj9

A Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal is in effect through midnight.

The advisory is for wind & waves...north wind 15 to 30 MPH. Wind waves 2 to 4 feet.

A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 25 to 40 MPH are expected to produce hazardous wave conditions to small craft.

Lions, Lambs & March Weather (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/02/lions-lambs-and-march-weather.html

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

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

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Updated Water Supply Forecast: 87 Percent of Normal at Dalles Dam, 84 Percent at Lower Granite (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433286.aspx

Oregon’s Signature Solar Energy Project Built on Foundation of False Hopes & Falsehoods (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/oregon_signature_solar_project.html

New FCC Rules Could Spur City of Seattle to Finally Make Use of That Dark Fiber (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/02/new-fcc-rules-could-spur-city-of-seattle-to.html

Notice of Power Shutoffs No Longer a Job for Utility Staff in Idaho (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/notice-of-power-shutoffs-no-longer-a-job-for/

Marine Mammals Are Threat to Chinook Salmon on Lower Columbia River (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/marine-mammals-are-threat-to-chinook-salmon-on/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Notice of Power Shutoffs No Longer a Job for Utility Staff in Idaho
2. Can Oregon Go Coal Free By 2025?
3. Northwest Power Pool Ends Market Operator Search
4. Avista Chairman Earned Nearly $5.5 Million Last Year
5. Skeptics Pan Haven Energy’s Claim of Ecologically Friendly Gas Project
6. Grays Harbor PUD Warns: Scammers Are Posing as the PUD in Emails
7. Washington State Utilities & Transportation Commissioner Philip Jones Pays Off Super Bowl Debt to FERC Commissioner LaFleur
8. FERC Taken to Task on Potential Nuclear Plant Closings
9. Pacific Gas & Electric Can’t Duck Pollution Lawsuit
10. Can Public Power Get the G(irls) into EngGineering?
11. Marine Mammals Are Threat to Chinook Salmon on Lower Columbia River
12. Scientists Suspect Unusually Warm Water along California Coast Cause of Sea Lion Pup Stranding
13. Updated Water Supply Forecast: 87 Percent of Normal at Dalles Dam, 84 Percent at Lower Granite
14. British Columbia: Low Snowpack No Reason to Worry about Water This Summer
15. Washington State Congressman, Olympic Peninsula Tribe Upset about Delayed Dredging at La Push
16. Corps Dredging of Federal Navigation Channel Completed for Snake, Clearwater Rivers, Two Ports
17. California: Feds Say Many Central Valley Farmers Will Get No Water Deliveries
18. Oregon’s Signature Solar Energy Project Built on Foundation of False Hopes & Falsehoods
19. United Kingdom: Plans Unveiled for World’s First Tidal-Power Lagoons in the UK
20. Portland Group Leads $18.3M Natural Gas Savings Effort
21. King County Copies Microsoft in Bid to Cut Energy Consumption
22. Geothermal Homes Come to Richland
23. Light Bulb Recycling Program Aims to Protect Environment
24. 2008 Flashback: PUD 3 to Provide for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling
25. Beyond The Substation: How Five Proactive States Are Transforming the Grid Edge
26. Marijuana Bill Advancing through Legislature Would Clamp Down on Medical Side
27. Washington State Senator: Share Marijuana Money to Fight Crime
28. Washington State Medical Marijuana Trial Pits State vs. Federal Laws
29. Tribes Discuss Legal Marijuana – Representatives Attend Washington State Forum on Regulatory, Social Issues
30. A Harbinger for Oregon? ‘Green Rush’ Hits Washington, DC as Pot Entrepreneurs Flood Marijuana Business Expo
31. Clean Fuels Bill Heads to Oregon House Vote despite Kitzhaber Questions
32. New FCC Rules Could Spur City of Seattle to Finally Make Use of That Dark Fiber
33. Google to Offer Own Cellular Network Plan
34. Wi-Fi in the Sky – Google Will Soon Send Solar-Powered Drones into the Sky
35. Midco Critical Of FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules
36. How Superfish’s Security-Compromising Adware Came to Inhabit Lenovo’s PCs
37. At Home with the Internet of Annoying Things
38. When a Bad Facebook Comment is a Good Thing
39. So long, Google+. Hello, Streams, Photos & Hangouts
40. On the Eve of Turning 30, AOL Dials Up Mobile & Video
41. Islamic State Threatens ‘War’ on Twitter Co-Founder
42. Digital Life: What Happened to Voice Mail?
43. No Clark County GOP Censure of Herrera Beutler
44. Lawmakers Seek Support for Letter Backing Municipal Bond Tax Exemption
45. Flu Taking Bigger Toll this Season
46. Seattle Sets Twin Records for Warmest February, Winter on Record
47. Seattle Real Estate Developer Ted Schroth Charged in Poisoning of 123 Lake Chelan Poplar Trees
48. Girls’ Basketball: Mary M Knight Draws Neah Bay at State Tournament
49. Shelton Girls’ Wrestling Academic State Champions

WORD OF THE DAY

Esoteric • \ess-uh-TARE-ick\ • Adjective - 1a: designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone b: requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group; broadly: difficult to understand 2a: limited to a small circle b: private, confidential 3: of special, rare, or unusual interest

Although not entirely unusual, the sopranino ukulele is among the esoteric members of the uke family. A smaller ukulele than normal; who would want one of those? (ME!)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Notice of Power Shutoffs No Longer a Job for Utility Staff in Idaho (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/notice-of-power-shutoffs-no-longer-a-job-for/

Can Oregon Go Coal Free By 2025? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/silviomarcacci/2199921/can-oregon-go-coal-free-2025

Northwest Power Pool Ends Market Operator Search (Argus Media)

http://www.argusmedia.com/News/Article?id=1000162

Avista Chairman Earned Nearly $5.5 Million Last Year (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/27/avista-chairman-earned-nearly-55-million-last-year/

Skeptics Pan Haven Energy’s Claim of Ecologically Friendly Gas Project (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/skeptics-pan-haven-energy-s-claim-of-ecologically-friendly-gas/article_076b0d9a-bfc2-11e4-b569-e74f92b81cf7.html

Grays Harbor PUD Warns: Scammers Are Posing as the PUD in Emails (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/local-news/350344

Washington State Utilities & Transportation Commissioner Philip Jones Pays Off Super Bowl Debt to FERC Commissioner LaFleur (Politico)

https://twitter.com/CLaFleurFERC/status/571859697189425153/photo/1

FERC Taken to Task on Potential Nuclear Plant Closings (Fierce Energy)

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/ferc-taken-task-potential-nuclear-plant-closings/2015-02-27

Pacific Gas & Electric Can’t Duck Pollution Lawsuit (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/03/02/pg-e-cant-duck-pollution-lawsuit.htm

Can Public Power Get the G(irls) into EngGineering? (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/?p=285

FISH & WILDLIFE

Marine Mammals Are Threat to Chinook Salmon on Lower Columbia River (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/marine-mammals-are-threat-to-chinook-salmon-on/

Scientists Suspect Unusually Warm Water along California Coast Cause of Sea Lion Pup Stranding (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433276.aspx

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Updated Water Supply Forecast: 87 Percent of Normal at Dalles Dam, 84 Percent at Lower Granite (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433286.aspx

British Columbia: Low Snowpack No Reason to Worry about Water This Summer (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/low-snowpack-no-reason-to-worry-about-water-this-summer-experts-1.1778799

Washington State Congressman, Olympic Peninsula Tribe Upset about Delayed Dredging at La Push (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Washington-congressman-tribe-upset-about-delayed-dredging-294584661.html

Corps Dredging of Federal Navigation Channel Completed for Snake, Clearwater Rivers, Two Ports (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433281.aspx

California: Feds Say Many Central Valley Farmers Will Get No Water Deliveries (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article11355200.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon’s Signature Solar Energy Project Built on Foundation of False Hopes & Falsehoods (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/oregon_signature_solar_project.html

United Kingdom: Plans Unveiled for World’s First Tidal-Power Lagoons in the UK (The Week, UK)

http://www.theweek.co.uk/56243/plans-unveiled-for-worlds-first-tidal-power-lagoons-in-the-uk

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Portland Group Leads $18.3M Natural Gas Savings Effort (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/portland-group-leads-18-3m-natural-gas-savings.html

King County Copies Microsoft in Bid to Cut Energy Consumption (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/02/king-county-copies-microsoft-in-bid-to-cut-energy.html

Geothermal Homes Come to Richland (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/28224830/geothermal-homes-come-to-richland

Light Bulb Recycling Program Aims to Protect Environment (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/mar/01/light-bulb-recycling-lightrecycle-washington/

2008 Flashback: PUD 3 to Provide for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=425

Beyond The Substation: How Five Proactive States Are Transforming the Grid Edge (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/beyond-the-substation-how-5-proactive-states-are-transforming-the-grid-edg/369810/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Bill Advancing through Legislature Would Clamp Down on Medical Side (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/marijuana-bill-advancing-through-legislature-would-clamp-down-on-medical/article_9ccc719a-bfc1-11e4-af1b-63d677a423a1.html

Washington State Senator: Share Marijuana Money to Fight Crime (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/mar/01/sharing-marijuana-money-fight-crime-ann-rivers/

Washington State Medical Marijuana Trial Pits State vs. Federal Laws (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/01/medical-marijuana-legalization-grow-trial/24223155/

Tribes Discuss Legal Marijuana – Representatives Attend Washington State Forum on Regulatory, Social Issues (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/tribes-discuss-legal-marijuana/

A Harbinger for Oregon? ‘Green Rush’ Hits Washington, DC as Pot Entrepreneurs Flood Marijuana Business Expo (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2015/03/a-harbinger-for-oregon-green-rush-hits-d-c-as-pot.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Clean Fuels Bill Heads to Oregon House Vote despite Kitzhaber Questions (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/clean-fuels-bill-heads-to-house-vote-despite.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

New FCC Rules Could Spur City of Seattle to Finally Make Use of That Dark Fiber (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/02/new-fcc-rules-could-spur-city-of-seattle-to.html

Google to Offer Own Cellular Network Plan (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Google-to-offer-own-cellular-network-plan-6109906.php

Wi-Fi in the Sky – Google Will Soon Send Solar-Powered Drones into the Sky (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/03/02/google-titan-solar-powered-drones-to-launch/

Midco Critical Of FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules (KELO-TV, Sioux Falls SD)

http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/midco-critical-of-fccs-net-neutrality-rules/?id=176690

How Superfish’s Security-Compromising Adware Came to Inhabit Lenovo’s PCs (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/02/technology/how-superfishs-security-compromising-adware-came-to-inhabit-lenovos-pcs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

At Home with the Internet of Annoying Things (Home Energy)

http://www.homeenergy.org/show/article/nav/editorials/id/2026

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

When a Bad Facebook Comment is a Good Thing (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/when-a-bad-facebook-comment-is-a-good-thing/78713

So long, Google+. Hello, Streams, Photos & Hangouts (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2015/03/02/so-long-google-hello-streams-photos-and-hangouts/

On the Eve of Turning 30, AOL Dials Up Mobile & Video (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/eve-turning-30-aol-dials-mobile-and-video-163184

Islamic State Threatens ‘War’ on Twitter Co-Founder (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/02/twitter-co-founder-threatened-islamic-state/24248509/

Digital Life: What Happened to Voice Mail? (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2015/02/28/digital-life-voicemail/24115015/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

No Clark County GOP Censure of Herrera Beutler (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/28/no-gop-censure-of-herrera-beutler/

Lawmakers Seek Support for Letter Backing Municipal Bond Tax Exemption (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43253

GENERAL NEWS

Flu Taking Bigger Toll this Season (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/flu-taking-bigger-toll-this-season/

Seattle Sets Twin Records for Warmest February, Winter on Record (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Seattle-sets-twin-records-for-warmest-February-6108808.php

Seattle Real Estate Developer Ted Schroth Charged in Poisoning of 123 Lake Chelan Poplar Trees (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2015/02/seattle-real-estate-developer-ted-schroth-charged.html

Girls’ Basketball: Mary M Knight Draws Neah Bay at State Tournament (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14593

Shelton Girls’ Wrestling Academic State Champions (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14530

DIVERSIONS

The Truth about the Sound of Music Family

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31658799

Recreational Excavating? Man Abandoned Backhoe in Big Hole He Dug in Rural Road

http://news.yahoo.com/cops-man-abandoned-backhoe-big-hole-dug-rural-125852239.html

Nebraska Police Find Marijuana inside Container Labeled ‘Not Weed’

http://news.yahoo.com/nebraska-police-pot-inside-container-labeled-not-weed-163805415.html

Toronto Police: Two Men Built Mystery Tunnel Just for Fun

http://news.yahoo.com/toronto-police-no-criminal-intent-tunnel-135729270.html

SONG OF THE DAY

James Taylor - Country Road

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGK0xWddnNk

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

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.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.