Just after noon on Thursday (August 12), Washington State Department of Transportation Maintenance Technician 2 Guy Copeland was busy mowing the grassy median on I-5 near Castle Rock in Cowlitz County when a passing motorist flicked a lit cigarette out of their window. The cigarette butt landed directly in front of the mower and almost instantly the extremely dry grass went up in flames. Guy immediately backed the mower up, but the fire spread quickly and had soon had the machine surrounded. After radioing for help, Guy leapt out of the mower to safety. The Washington State Patrol and two more WSDOT employees soon arrived on the scene and closed one left lane on I-5 northbound to make room for the fire trucks and personnel from Castle Rock Fire and EMS, the Cowlitz County Fire District 3 and the state Department of Natural Resources. After about an hour and a half, the fire was out, and left lane was reopened just before 2:30 p.m.

“What we have here is a careless motorist who needlessly risked the life of a state employee and damaged state equipment,” said WSDOT Southwest Region Maintenance and Operations Manager Rick Sjolander. “All because they couldn’t be bothered to put their cigarette out properly.”

This summer has been extremely dry, which increases the risk for brush and grass fires across the state. As a result, WSDOT, the Washington State Patrol and a host of state agencies and local fire districts have teamed up to send drivers a simple message, “Keep your butt in the car.”

By throwing a lit cigarette out the window, you jeopardize the safety of others, cause potential traffic back-ups while emergency response teams battle the fire, and cost taxpayers up to $100,000 an acre. It’s not cheap for those caught throwing cigarettes out their window either. The Washington State Patrol will fine violators $1,025 if caught.

WSDOT would also like to emphasize the fact that summer is one of the busiest highway maintenance seasons in the state. All motorists are asked to please slow down, pay attention and use caution while driving past a highway work zone, whether it’s in a travel lane or on the shoulder or median.
Give ‘em a Brake!

Work Zone Safety Facts:

It is more likely that a motorist will be killed in a highway work zone accident than a construction or maintenance employee. In Washington, 12 motorists are killed for every WSDOT employee killed and 214 motorists are injured for every WSDOT employee injured.
The most common cause of work zone accidents is speeding and inattentive driving.
All traffic law violation fines are doubled inside a work zone when workers are present (RCW 46.61.527).
All motorists must obey the directions of all flaggers or pilot vehicle drivers within the work zone. If you ignore their directions or in any way endanger their lives with reckless driving, you will be charged with a misdemeanor (RCW 46.61.015).
State law dictates that all motorists must yield the right of way to any highway construction personnel, vehicles with flashing yellow lights or construction equipment inside a highway construction or maintenance work zone (RCW 46.61.215).
Contact our Vermont Accident Lawyers if you have ever experienced a personal injury and think others are at fault for the accident.

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A word from one of our Sponsors.

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

What is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced education program following dental school, to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.
What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?

A more attractive smile
Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years
Better function of the teeth
Increase in self-confidence
Increased ability to clean the teeth
Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
Better long-term health of teeth and gums
Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
Aid in optimizing other dental treatment
What are some signs that braces may be needed?
Upper-front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or are bucked
Upper-front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
Upper-front teeth are behind or inside the lower-front teeth (underbite)
The upper- and lower-front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
Crowded or overlapped teeth
The center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up
Finger- or thumb-sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old
Difficulty chewing
Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
Spaces between the teeth

At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?

Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age seven or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the child’s physician.
What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?
Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment, because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.
Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Twenty to twenty-five percent of orthodontic patients today are adults.
How does orthodontic treatment work?
Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components. When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis, but the average time is from one to two years. Actual treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the correction necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular appointments are important in keeping treatment time on schedule.
Do braces hurt?
The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.
Will braces interfere with playing sports?
No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouthguards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers can be provided to prevent discomfort.
Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?
Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleanings and dental checkups.

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I need to know about Installing new wall light step by step

from dragging wall and ceiling. to finish all ceiling and wall back to its original condition.

Before you start, buy and read Home Depots book on home wiring. It’s pretty basic and easy to understand.

Things you’ll need:
3/0 cut-in or old work box for each fixture (3-oh cut in)
cut in switch box (single gang for one switch, double gang for 2, etc)
14/2 romex (12/2 if you tie in to a 20 amp circuit)
some romex staples
a junction box with cover
Switch cover plate
your fixtures

all this can be found at Home Depot or similar

Locate a constant power source. Try to avoid circuits with motors such as fridge, microwave, a/c, etc. These will dim the lights every time they turn on. Turn off the breaker. Be doubly sure that the power is off in the wire you are about to cut. You can get a little sensor that will light when next to a hot circuit.

Use the 3/0 box to trace an opening where you want your light. Use a keyhole saw to cut the opening. You may have to trim it a little to get the 3/0 box in the hole. DON’T PUT IT IN YET!!

Repeat with the switch box where you want the switch.

Now go to the attic. Locate the top of the wall above your light. Drill a 3/8″ hole there. Repeat in the wall above your switch. Run a 14/2 into the 3/8 hole and out of your light hole. Run the other end down the wall to your switch. Mark it at the switch as “switch leg.”

Now go to your constant power source. Check again to be sure it is off. Cut the wire and run both ends into the junction box. Run a new 14/2 from the junction box to your new switch box. Use wire nuts to tie all the blacks together. Repeat with the whites and bare grounds. Put on the cover of the junction box.

Use Romex staples to secure your romex to rafters. Be sure to staple within 6 inches of the box.

Now you get to go downstairs. Pull all the romex out of their respective holes. At the light, pull the romex thru the opening in the 3/0 box as you insert the box into the hole. Use a drill to tighten the screws that are attached to the wings on the box. You’ll need about 6-8″ of romex at the box.

Do the same at the switch box being sure to pull both your power and switch leg romex into the box.

Strip the sheathing off the Romex so that 1/4″ remains in the box. Cut the wires inside to 6″. You can have a bit more but not less. Strip the ends of the insulated wires. Use wire nuts to tie the white wires together. Tie the bare grounds together along with an additionial piece of bare that is about 6″ long to form a little pigtail. Make small hooks in the blacks and the bare wires. Connect one of the blacks to one of the gold screws on the switch. Doesn’t matter which one. Connect the other black to the other screw. Connect the bare pigtail to the green screw on the switch. Insert the switch into the box and tighten it until it is snug. No need to really crank it. Put on your cover plate and you are done with the switch.

Follow the instructions on your fixture to install it. Just strip the romex and individual wires like you did at the switch.

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