News Bits for Thursday, September 3, 2009

School age children are most susceptible to dying from the swine flu virus according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study. Of the first 36 children to die of swine flu, approximately 29 were older than age 5. A majority of those children had underlying neurological health issues. At this time, more than 40 children have died. A total of 550 people have died from swine flu.

Los Angeles wildfire forces evacuation; 38 percent contained

The record breaking Los Angeles wildfire has forced 11 homes to be evacuated. As of Thursday, firefighters have made gains on the fire which is 38 percent contained. Winds in the area have made fighting the huge blaze difficult and dangerous as it continues to threaten thousands of homes.

Florida bank refuses to serve man without an arm

A Florida Bank of America refused to serve an armless patron. The bank refused to cash Steve Valdez's check through his wife's bank account. Valdez provided multiple forms of identification, but the bank continued to insist that the transaction could not be processed without his wife present or without a thumb print. His wife was not near the bank and the bank refused to accommodate Valdez's special needs. Bank of America acknowledges that acquiring a thumbprint from non-members is required, but also acknowledges that the branch could have made special adjustments for Valdez.

Former Dallas Cowboy arrested for mortgage fraud

Thursday, Eugene Lockhart, former Dallas Cowboys player will appear in court after being arrested for mortgage fraud and other crimes. According to the FBI, Lockhart and eight other persons were involved in over 50 fraudulent loan deals.

Oakland U professors strike after wage freeze and health benefits cuts

Talks between a Michigan university's professors and its administrators are set to begin on Thursday. Oakland University professors went on strike after their wages were frozen for a three year period and their health insurance benefits were cut. Classes have been postponed for an indefinite period.

Susan Atkins denied parole

Susan Atkins has been denied parole. Atkins followed Charles Manson, the infamous murderer, and confessed to murdering Sharon Tate who was pregnant at the time. She has brain cancer and is terminally ill. She will most likely die in prison.

Georgia student killed by stray bullet

Thursday morning, a Georgia college student was killed by a stray bullet. Jasmine Lynn was shot in the chest after gunfire erupted from a fight taking place nearby. At the time, Lynn was with a friend who was also hit in the wrist by a stray bullet. The tragedy occurred at Clark Atlanta University. Jasmine Lynn was a student at Spelman College.

Idaho courthouse will not remove swastika tiles

Bonneville County Courthouse in Idaho refuses to remove tiles containing swastikas. The tiles are over 80 years old and were selected prior to the 1930s rise of the German Nazis. A local historian, Julie Braun, insists that if taken "out of context" the swastikas are bad symbols. She believes that, when taken in its historical context, the symbols are not bad.

Motorcyclists to ride across country in honor of United 93 passengers

In memory of passengers of United Airlines flight 93, which crashed in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, a group of motorcyclists are traveling across the country beginning Thursday. The plane was brought down in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to bring down the plane's hijackers.

Sigg deceives consumers; BPA present in bottles made before Aug. 2008

Many health conscious and eco-conscious consumers trying to avoid products containing toxic potentially toxic BPA made the switch from plastic beverage bottles to aluminum bottles. Sigg Switzerland Bottles are now saying that bottles made prior to August 2008 had trace amounts of BPA. Sigg sat on this information for some time and knew of BPA in their aluminum bottles since 2006.

References

CDC study: Swine flu deaths higher in older kids

Fire prompts evacuations, but crews make progress

No thumbprint, no money, bank tells armless man

Ex-Cowboy linebacker arrested in mortgage scam

Professors in Mich. Strike, school cancels classes

Ill Manson follower Susan Atkins denied parole

Stray bullet kills college student on Ga. campus

Idaho court won't remove pre-Nazi swastika tiles

Cross-country motorcycle ride honors Flight 93

Anger uncorked at bottle maker Sigg over BPA