KENTUCKY
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting donations of used, natural Christmas trees for use as fish habitats. By submerging the trees, a type of reef is created, thereby creating over and a nursery area for young fish; the trees also attract baitfish and algae, bringing food for young fish and other aquatic organisms. For more information on Fish and Wildlife’s Christmas tree recycling program, visit: http://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/Xmas_Tree_Recycling.aspx
http://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-Stream.aspx?viewMode=ViewDetailInNewPage&eventID=%7b3B259E22-92B2-498D-A44F-38CBE9E83603%7d&activityType=PressRelease
Six flu-related deaths have occurred across the state this year, according to the Kentucky Department of Public Health–of the six deaths, five were adults, and one was a child; the deaths were reported in Fayette, Spencer, Boyd, Mason, Owen and Boone counties. Health officials report that with the numbers of people having been tested for the flu after the holidays, Kentucky has officially reached the peak levels–the typical period for a peak in flu season occurs between January and March.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150914234208/http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/6-flu-deaths-reported-in-Kentucky-287160071.html
http://www.lex18.com/story/27729646/six-flu-related-deaths-reported-in-kentucky
Governor Steve Beshear released a list of 2014’s accomplishments on Monday, announcing his pride of the Commonwealth’s achievements. āWeāve fought our way through the Great Recession during the past seven years to get to this point ā employment rates back at pre-recession levels, real investment in our schools and health care for hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians. Iām grateful for the outstanding accomplishments in 2014,” Beshear said. Included in Beshear’s list are Kentucky’s reports on business investment, lowered unemployment rates, increase in medical insurance coverage, and increases in educational funding.
http://www.kyforward.com/beshear-says-kentucky-accomplished-much-in-2014-sees-great-momentum-for-2015/
http://migration.kentucky.gov/newsroom/governor/20141229top10.htm
NATIONAL
Fiat Chrysler has recalled approximately 67,000 trucks from their 2006 and 2007 model years. Chrysler said that the issue stems from a problem where a wire in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break in trucks equipped with manual transmissions.; the fault could then allow for the vehicle to move when the ignition key is in the on position, or prevent the engine from being started altogether. The recall comes after an investigation where a child managed to start a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 without depressing the clutch–another child was killed when the vehicle lurched forward and struck the child. Models included in the recall are: Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 and Mitsubishi Raider pickups that were made between July 2005 and June 2006.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150907191627/http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Chrysler-recalls-67000-pickup-trucks-287088751.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/chrysler-recalls-67000-pickup-trucks-27880530
WORLD
Reports of debris from AirAsia 8501 off the coast of Borneo were confirmed yesterday by theĀ Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency. Some of the identifying debris that has been recovered include pieces of the jet’s interior, and luggage. The flight’s “black-boxes” have yet to be recovered. Seven bodies have been retrieved from the area, thus far–one reported to have been a female wearing a flight attendant’s uniform. According to a report by The Washington Post, the attendant has been identified as 20-year oldĀ Khairunisa Haidar Fauzi.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/12/31/airasia-wreckage-recovery/21090565/
WEIRD
Brasstown, North Carolina, population 240, will not be dropping a ‘possum this New Year’s Eve, despite a twenty year tradition, thanks to efforts made by PETA. A law passed earlier this year in result of an ongoing legal battle does allow for the community to continue their tradition, however according to Clay Logan–organizer of the event–the ruling came too late for him to acqurie the proper permits. In years past, community members would collect a live opossum and lower the animal caged in a plexiglass cage in a fashion similar to the “ball-drop” in New York’s Times Square. Hopes are still high that the event will be attended without the traditional lowering of an opossum. The event has drawn as many as 4,000 people in previous years, featuring gospel sings, and an annual “Miss Possum” contest where local men compete in makeup, heels, wigs and ladiesā formal wear. āDonāt call it a drag show, though,ā Mr. Logan said. āItās Southern gentlemen dressed up like Southern ladies.ā
http://www.wsj.com/articles/possum-drop-will-go-on-without-a-live-animal-1419888968
http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/2014/12/29/no-live-opossum-at-nc-possum-drop/21006717/
Photo: http://www.ktul.com/
Hasbro has issued a voluntary recall following complaints of an accessory upsetting parents due to it’s phallic like appearance. The accessory in question is a part of the Cake Mountain set from Hasbro’s Play-Doh Sweet Shop line of toys; the accessory is supposed to function as an “icing extruder” for the imaginary play, however the design of the accessory does seem to resemble a penis to many. Hasbro has said thatĀ customers who bought the toy and would like the replacement part, can call them at 1-800-327-8264.
http://rare.us/story/check-out-the-new-play-doh-toy-thats-pissing-off-parents/
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1862 ā American Civil War: Abraham Lincoln signs an act that admits West Virginia to the Union, thus dividing Virginia in two.
1878 ā Karl Benz, working in Mannheim, Germany, filed for a patent on his first reliable two-stroke gas engine, and he was granted the patent in 1879.
1879 ā Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time, in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
1923 ā The chimes of Big Ben are broadcast on radio for the first time by the BBC.
1944 ā World War II: Hungary declares war on Nazi Germany.
1946 ā President Harry S. Truman officially proclaims the end of hostilities in World War II.
1983 ā The AT&T Bell System is broken up by the United States Government.
1991 ā All official Soviet Union institutions have ceased operations by this date and the Soviet Union is officially dissolved.
1999 ā The United States Government hands control of the Panama Canal (as well all the adjacent land to the canal known as the Panama Canal Zone) to Panama. This act complied with the signing of the 1977 TorrijosāCarter Treaties.
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