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Planning a safe trip



Andrew Cutler | Argus Observer Jerry Harris (left) Meridian, picks up his grandson Anthony Harrison (right), from Becky Brown, Emmett, at the Hammer Store outside of Fruitland. Harris was returning Harrison to Moscow, home for the holidays.
Andrew Cutler Argus Observer

ONTARIO

It's time for the holiday traveling rush to begin in the western Treasure Valley but advance planning can help motorists avoid problems during any trip.

The Oregon State Police advises holiday travelers to prepare for winter driving conditions and cold weather. Motorists should alert friends and family about travel plans and carry a cell phone in case of a breakdown. Travelers are also advised to pack a winter driving kit that includes water, a flashlight, jumper cables, traction devices, gloves and blankets.

“Taking an extra half an hour to an hour of preparation can help save a life,” OSP Sgt. Mark Duncan of the Ontario Oregon State Police Area Command office said. “Let people know when you are leaving, what route you are taking and what your anticipated time of arrival is going to be. That way if we have an overdue motorist situation, then it gives us, as law enforcement, a place to start looking.”

Duncan said OSP will utilize a Oregon Department of Transportation grant to put extra patrols on all major highways through the county, with highly visible patrols on Interstate 84 and on U.S. Highway 95.

Duncan said OSP will be looking for aggressive drivers, or drivers who are following too close to other vehicles, and signs of fatigued drivers. Motorists should utilize rest stops, or make plenty of stops to help combat fatigue.

“We would encourage people if they are feeling a little tired to stop,” Duncan said.

According to the American Automobile Association this holiday season air travel will be up and auto travel will hold steady - despite higher fuel costs - compared with last year.

“We estimate that 37.29 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, which is a 0.8 percent increase from last year's 37 million travelers,” Beth Van Horn, AAA Oregon Travel Services vice president, said. “Higher prices and sagging consumer confidence will make Thanksgiving travel growth a bit less robust this holiday, although airports and highways will be as busy as ever. Prices for gasoline, hotel rooms and rental cars have increased, but people will travel. You'd be hard-pressed to tell Grandma that you're not coming for Thanksgiving dinner because it will cost an extra $10 to fill up your gas tank.”

Approximately 30.84 million travelers - 83 percent of all holiday travelers - expect to go by motor vehicle, a 0.7 percent increase from the 30.61 million who drove a year ago.

Holiday auto travelers will find gas prices nationwide currently averaging $2.29 for a gallon of regular gasoline - falling a whopping 50 cents during the last month, but still about 32 cents higher than a year ago. In Oregon, the average price is $2.44, about 25 cents ahead of last year, but 47 cents lower than the record high price set in early September, following the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Idaho's gasoline prices are 12 cents higher than the national average price of $2.29 and 33 cents more than Idahoans were paying a year ago.

“Americans will find ways to cover the higher gas prices,” Van Horn said. “They might drive a more fuel-efficient car, stay with relatives close to home, or eat lunch on the road, but they'll be driving.”

Another 4.64 million - or 12 percent of holiday travelers - plan to travel by air, up 1.3 percent from the 4.59 million that flew last Thanksgiving holiday. Air travelers should leave extra time for check-in and security. Those missing flights are unlikely to find an empty seat on the next flight. A projected 1.81 million travelers will go by train, bus, or other modes of transportation, up slightly from 1.80 million a year ago.




Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:

" Islam is a woman-hating, human-enslaving ideology that should NOT be taught in our public schools. It's obvious the Saudis and the rest of the Muslim fanatics who are trying to take over the world have bought off the State of Oregon. Expect lawsuits.

And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.

Disgusting. "

anonymous wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 AM:

" The girl was Latasha Rodriguez "

Cody W. Ables wrote on May 16, 2008 11:04 PM:

" May 16, 2008

Here is something that we should all read. This is a letter from an angry woman in New Jersey regarding the War in Iraq and all of the war’s negative publicity. Pay attention.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three-thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means quit reading. Should you choose to do so, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
Important for us all!!!!
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!’


I hope you take this woman’s viewpoint into consideration. It closely parallels my own. As I begin my journey in becoming a soldier of the greatest country in the world, hearing this woman’s words sets my heart at ease. It is warming to know that there are people in this great country who still care about those men and women who have no choice.


Cody W. Ables
U.S. Air Force Academy 2012
"


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