Odds and ends, 7/9/07

One of the big underreported stories of our time is consumer debt. A New York Times article on the rising number of mortgage foreclosures in Atlanta indicates that some parts of the country have a big problem in the making. Inflated property values probably aren't that much of a problem in the Tri-State, but if national banks sneeze, we catch cold (to borrow an old saying).

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What do you do with a guy like this, assuming he's guilty?

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — A repeat drunken driver was in jail Monday, charged in connection with a head-on collision that killed five people, including three children, and injured seven others on Interstate 68 east of Morgantown.

Brian John Stone, 32, of Gans, Pa., was jailed on five counts of driving under the influence causing death and one count of third or subsequent offense DUI, a spokeswoman for Monongalia County Magistrate Court said Monday. His bond was set at $1.35 million.Seven other people were taken to local hospitals after the 10:20 p.m. Sunday three-car accident near the Pierpont Road exit, sheriff’s deputies said.

Chief Deputy Al Kisner said Stone’s eastbound 2007 Ford F-150 rear-ended a 2001 Ford Taurus, knocking it across the median, where it collided head on with a westbound 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. The posted speed limit is 70 mph, he said.

The names of both the injured and the dead were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Kisner said one adult and two children inside the Trailblazer died. Four others were hospitalized.

One adult and one child inside the Taurus died; two others were hospitalized.

Three of the injured were listed in critical condition Monday afternoon, Kisner said. He was uncertain about the conditions of the other four.Stone “was the only one who was totally uninjured,” he said.

Kisner said police found Stone outside his truck in the woods after the accident.

“Nobody said he was trying to hide,” he said.Stone, who was being held at the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County, faces a July 18 hearing in magistrate court on the six felony charges.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported Monday that Stone was awaiting trial for DUI in Fayette County, Pa., where he maintains a mailing address, following a March arrest. Smith lived for about three years in Allegheny County, Pa.

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Big news from Tehran: Cartoonists around the world can submit their work to a contest in Iran that takes place every two years. The entry deadline is Oct. 22.

That's all I know. The e-mail from the group that advised me from this does not have any more information in English, Spanish or Portugese.

I seriously doubt any of the cartoonists whose work appear in The Herald-Dispatch will enter.

UPDATE: The link has been fixed. Following are details of this exciting contest:

Cartoonists around the world can submit their work to a contest in Iran that takes place every two years. Entry deadline: October 22.

The themes for the 8th Tehran International Cartoon Biennial are “money” and “bad luck.” The contest will only accept original artwork on those themes. They should be black and white or color and without any kind of frame. Works should accompany a short biography and photo of the author, plus the entry form with full name, address, phone number and the e-mail of the participant.

The grand prize is worth US$8,000. First prize is US$2,000, second is $1,500, and third is $1,000. All prizes also include trophies and honorable mention.

For more information, including entry details, contact info@irancartoon.com or visit http://www.irancartoon.com/contests/Entry8.htm.

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