By Anonymous Editor's note: the following statement was issued by the Board of Selectmen in response to last week's article in the Arlington Advocate, “Manager to receive $50K for retirement.” the Board of Selectmen would like to make a clarification …
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By Laura Wakely BRIMBANK, Melton and Wyndham have the highest number of students with autism and the least amount of education options for them, a report has revealed. Greens MP Colleen Hartland, said the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Education …
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Emergency responders tend to children who were on a Knoxville school bus after a Monday afternoon crash. The children sat on the hillside to receive preliminary care. Photo by Steve Woodhouse/Knoxville Journal-Express
KNOXVILLE, Ia. – a Knoxville school bus driver was seriously injured Monday afternoon when a car driver ran a stop sign and crashed into the bus in rural Marion County, causing the bus to roll over, officials said.
Ten other people, including eight students on the bus, were treated at hospitals and released.
The bus driver, Annette Pitt, 53, of Knoxville, was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines and remained there late Monday. a hospital spokeswoman said she was in serious condition late Monday.
Knoxville schools Superintendent Randy Flack said Pitt was driving students home from school. The ages of the 14 students on the bus ranged from lower elementary-aged students up to eighth- or ninth graders, he said.
Flack and his wife visited Pitt in the hospital Monday night. Pitt’s family was there, he said, and although he only spoke with her for two or three minutes, her primary concern was the students on the bus.
“She asked about her students three or four times,” he said.
Flack said officials told him that students led the emergency drills to get students off the bus when they realized the bus driver could not.
“They took charge,” he said.
The eight children who were injured were taken to hospitals in Knoxville and Pella before being released. Other students were released to their parents at the accident scene.
Three people were in the other car, a Toyota Prius. two of them — driver Kendra Dorn, 19, of Oskaloosa, and Edwin Smith, 21, of Knoxville — were treated and released at Knoxville Hospital and Clinics.
Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Scott bright said the investigating officer believed Dorn was going east on Oregon Street about 3:30 p.m. before running at stop sign and hitting the southbound bus at 135th place south of Knoxville. Knoxville is about 30 miles southeast of Des Moines.
Marion County Sheriff Ron Goemaat said the bus rolled over but came to rest upright on its wheels. The car also was upright. State troopers said the bus rolled just once.
There was no immediate indication of whether Dorn had been charged or cited for a traffic violation. Her car’s speed at the time of the accident also was not available.
Melissa and Bryan Poffenbarger live about a quarter mile from the crash site. Neither were home when it happened, but their son, Bryce, 17,was home working in the shop.
“He heard a big bang,” Bryan said.
Bryce didn’t think much of it, but then he saw the emergency responders drive by, Bryan said.
Bryan arrived home shortly before 4 p.m. and drove by the crash site.
He said the car had taken the brunt of the collision, but could see damage done to the top of the bus as well as broken windows. The bus was sitting over the ditch, its back end on the slope and its rear wheels were in the air.
“The car looked really bad; the bus didn’t look terrible,” he said.
– Register staff writer James Heggen contributed to this story.
Tags: Knoxville school district, Marion County sheriff’s office
The new entity offers specialty skin care products to physicians and consumers in the US with a direct marketing and sales organization, and internationally with distributors and partners in over 50 countries around the world. enaltus has emerged as a …
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Vicky Boecker remembers that “way back when,” just about any question was fair game in a job interview.
Early in her career, a potential employer who knew she had just gotten married even asked when she planned to have children.
“They can’t do that now,” said Boecker, human resources director for Allied Employer Group, which assists employers with benefits, payroll, and pre-employment interviews.
A lot has changed in the interview process over the years, particularly pertaining to federal law, but some things stay the same. Professionals offer two good bits of advice to both the jobseeker and the potential employer–stay focused and write down the questions beforehand.
Jobseekers, especially those new to the process, tend to either offer too much information about themselves or too little, said James Greer, director of counseling and career services at McMurry University.
“We try to help them find that comfortable middle ground,” he said.
One way to do that is to take written questions to the interview, he said. Those questions should come from researching the company beforehand.
“If you have some questions that are intelligent and very well thought through,” Greer said, “then that really lets them know that you’ve thought about this and that you’re interested.”
On the flip side, the employer can prevent a lot of headache—including a legal headache—by writing down questions to ask in the interview. Federal law prohibits a lot of questions that might seem perfectly innocent or even necessary.
There are so many restrictions, in fact, that the HR World website lists “30 Interview Questions you Can’t Ask,” divided into categories such as nationality, religion, marital status, etc.
The smart employer would do well to follow the lead of Adam Turner, with Milsoft Utility Solutions.
In early January, Turner interviewed a woman for a new customer relations management position at Milsoft. before the interview, he wrote out a job description and conducted a survey of similar companies nationwide to find out particulars such as salary range, job specifics, etc.
From there, he typed a page of questions and asked his human resources manager to look over them to ensure their legality and appropriateness. he even took the extra precaution of having the HR director sit in on the interview.
“It was a good idea for me,” said Turner, who joined Milsoft in the summer of 2010. “I don’t want to take a risk like that.”
Turner also did another smart thing. he read the woman’s resume before the interview so that he could ask her intelligent questions.
“I was looking for triggers in the resume as springboards for conversations,” he said.
Although Turner didn’t actually read from his list of questions during the interview, preparing them ahead of time helped keep the interview focused and productive.
“We came away with a pretty good feel unanimously,” he said.
Professionals like Boecker advise asking open-ended questions that will tell something about the jobseeker’s work ethic and character as well as job skills. Some examples are asking what the person did at a previous job, how he handled frustrations and disappointments, and if he had been part of a team.
Staying focused is another major point emphasized by employment professionals.
Most universities, McMurry included, have a career counseling center that provides guidance to students about to graduate and look for a job. Many universities also offer a capstone course for graduating seniors that includes preparing for a job interview.
McMurry’s Greer said a helpful tool for students is conducting mock interviews so that they can rehearse asking and answering questions.
For those not in college, the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas offers interviewing workshops every other Friday, said Ed Allred, workshop facilitator.
The workshops cover topics such as making a good first impression though demeanor, appearance, and body language.
“There are a lot of things they cannot control in the job search process,” Allred said, “but this is one area they have a lot of control.”
The workshop also covers the types of questions the jobseeker will be asked. almost every interview will begin with the words, “Tell me about yourself,” Allred said, and the jobseeker needs to give answers that are pertinent to the job.
Allred prepared a handout with possible questions and responses to give to workshop participants. And, he does role-playing exercises to help prepare for the job interview.
“I would rather they make a mistake with me than when they’re on the hot seat,” he said.
Allred advises keeping answers job-specific, which requires doing some research on the company and the position before the interview. it also requires paying attention to what the interviewer is saying about the company, he said.
Like Greer tells his McMurry students, Allred also advises jobseekers not to get too far afield in asking or answering questions.
“Keep it job-focused,” he said. “That’s the main thing.” n
——-
Interviewing tips for jobseekers
Research the Company
The most important thing you can do to prepare for your interview is to research the company. Learn as much as possible about the company, the person you are interviewing with, and the key staff of the company well in advance of interview day. when the interviewer asks, “What do you know about our company (or what we do)?” you will have a well-thought-out and well-researched answer. Prepare a list of questions based on your research. The interviewer will almost certainly ask if you have any questions. it is good to have some ready.
Make a Good first Impression
It is also important to make a good first impression. get a good night’s rest in advance of the interview and lay out your clothes the night before. you want to look professional and respectful. it is better to be overdressed than underdressed, so dress your best. Leave the body piercings at home and keep the perfume or cologne to a minimum.
Arrive Early
Arrive 15 – 20 minutes early. If you are on time, you are late. Arriving early allows you time to compose yourself and observe your surroundings.
Your interview starts before you actually meet with your interviewer. Employees (your potential future co-workers) are watching (and judging) you from the moment you arrive. make sure you are putting your best foot forward.
Come Prepared
Have your resume, cover letter, a pen, and a notepad with you. Having to ask someone to borrow a pen is not a good way to start a job interview.
Greet your Interviewer & Stay on Task
Greet your interviewer with a firm (but not too firm) handshake, and look them in the eyes.
When asked the common interview opener “So, tell me about yourself,” provide a brief synopsis of your relevant skills, not a play-by-play of your hobbies. keep it positive and upbeat.
Answer questions honestly, selling your skills. Remember, you are answering the question, “Why should I hire you?”
Follow Up
Follow up the interview with a thank you note.
Avoiding pitfalls
HR World is an online resource for human resources professionals. to read a list of “30 Interview Questions you Can’t Ask,” go to www.hrworld.com.
Source: Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas, www.workforcesystem.org
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DANIA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 24, 2012 — Porthole Cruise Magazine has named Special Needs Group (http://www.specialneedsgroup.com), the leading global provider of special needs equipment for the travel industry, as the winner of its Editor-in-Chief Award 2012 for “Best Travel Assistance For Cruisers With Disabilities.”
2012 marks the first year that Porthole has included the category “Best Travel Assistance For Cruisers With Disabilities” as part of its annual Editor-in-Chief Awards. the awards are determined by Bill Panoff, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, based on his personal travel experiences. they are presented to pay tribute to standouts in the travel industry.
The 2012 awards are announced in the January/February issue of Porthole, as well as at http://www.porthole.com.
“after personally traveling with a family member who required extra assistance, I turned to the experts at Special Needs Group,” said Panoff. “the experience couldn’t have been easier or more convenient. the company truly made the difference in our cruise vacation.”
“we are pleased that Porthole has created this award category and are honored to have been chosen as the best in our field,” said Garnett. “the publication has acknowledged that the accessible travel market is an important segment of the population that should not be ignored.
“Many people, even some travel professionals, think that it’s not possible for individuals with special needs to travel, or that a trip would not be enjoyable for someone with a special need,” he continued. “That could not be further from the truth. at Special Needs Group, our mission of ‘Delivering an Accessible World’ starts with awareness.”
One way Special Needs Group is achieving that mission is with its powerful, unprecedented online Accessible Travel Advocate Certification Program, launched on Nov. 14, 2011. the program educates travel agents about the size and scope of the market, the various types of equipment available, and how to work with anyone who has a special need. As of the beginning of 2012, 325 travel professionals successfully completed the program and achieved their Accessible Travel Advocate Certification.
Twenty percent (62 million) of the U.S. population has some form of disability, and the number of these individuals is increasing daily. Studies show that 24 million disabled Americans would travel/travel more frequently if their special needs were met. the accessible market also includes Baby Boomers and mature adults who may be “slow walkers” and do not consider themselves disabled, but who could benefit from special needs products and services.
For more information about Special Needs Group, visit http://www.specialneedsgroup.com.
For travel professionals interested in learning more about the SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate program and how it can benefit travelers with special needs, contact Special Needs Group at 1-800-513-4515 or http://www.specialneedsgroup.com/certification.
About Special Needs Group, Inc.
Special Needs Group, Inc. is the leading global provider of wheelchair rentals, scooter rentals, oxygen rentals and other special needs equipment rentals. it also offers a broad range of special needs equipment for purchase. Recommended by the world’s major cruise lines for superior service and value, Special Needs Group also services guests visiting hotels, resorts, theme parks and convention centers. Special Needs Group is the only mobility and oxygen equipment supplier that is approved to deliver to all major cruise lines.
Special Needs Group is the industry’s only total special needs travel solution. it is located at 302 NW 1st Street, Dania Beach, FL 33004. For more information, visit http://www.specialneedsgroup.com or call 1-800-513-4515.
About Porthole Cruise Magazine
From cover to cover, Porthole Cruise Magazine features expertly written, sophisticated cruise and travel editorial for savvy consumers worldwide. Seasoned travel writers feature their stories, opinions, tips, and insights into the places they go and adventures they experience. Porthole Cruise Magazine is a one-stop shop for all things cruise related. For more information, visit http://www.porthole.com.
Special Needs Group Media Contact:
Duree RossDuree & Company, Inc.Ph: 954-723-9350
For many travelers, planning the trip is almost as fun as taking it. yet using the Web to plan a vacation can be frustrating because there are still few helpful resources online.
Tech companies — from giants like Google and Microsoft to start-ups like a new one called Peek — are taking on travel. Peek’s angle is that while it’s easy to find flights and hotels online, people need help in finding and booking activities to do once they arrive at their destinations.
Travelers spend more than $27 billion a year on activities, yet these vendors have failed to become an integral part of booking services because they are small and often do not have Web sites, according to PhoCusWright, a research firm that analyzes the travel industry.
Peek is not yet open to the public, but it will be in the next few months, said the company’s co-founder and chief executive, Ruzwana Bashir. The company has raised $1.25 million from high-profile investors including Eric E. Schmidt, Google’s chairman; Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and Square; SV Angel; and Khosla Ventures.
On Peek, travelers will be able to search for activities based on their interests, so someone who likes the outdoors could find the best kayaking, someone who likes the arts could find a museum and someone who likes food could find a winery tour. The company will help vendors without a Web presence reach customers and complete bookings online.
Ms. Bashir said other online travel options were either too general to be helpful, like TripAdvisor, or too focused on one demographic, like Lonely Planet.
“when it’s less about money and more about experiences, that’s not captured well on the Web,” she said.
Meanwhile, many tourism companies do not offer online booking, and these days, nobody wants to call, leave voice mail messages and wait on hold, she said. Peek will provide these businesses with a Web page with photos, a description of the service and availability, and a way to book reservations and pay.
Peek will show only a few options for each type of activity and edit the activities it offers. The company is starting with West Coast travel businesses and plans to expand quickly. Users will also be able to post their ideal itineraries and share them with friends or other travelers.
Ms. Bashir has degrees from Oxford and Harvard and worked in private equity and at two tech start-ups, Gilt and Art.sy. she started Peek with Oskar Bruening, who is its chief technology officer.
NORFOLK — Fire destroyed a home for sale and another forced the evacuation of a downtown condo complex early Tuesday.
The two-story home at 2306 Ruffin Street was for sale, so no one was living there, fire officials said.
Battalion Chief Harry Worley says the four-bedroom, one bath home is a complete loss and investigators are working to determine how it started.
Property records show the home is about 1500 square feet and was built in 1920.
About an hour later, around 2:15 a.m., the fire alarm went off at the Rotunda Building on St. Pauls Blvd. As crews responded, residents started calling to report fire.
Everyone in the eight-story complex was evacuated as a precaution.
Firefighters found thick smoke on the fifth floor and determined it was coming from a hallway closet.
Chief Worley told WVEC.com there is no fire damage to units, but there is water damage from the sprinkler system on the lower floors.
"so, we’re assessing who was going to be able to go in and who wasn’t going to be allowed back in," he said.
The former office building was converted several years ago.