It can happen ..... and did

I realize that this has nothing do with our business, but, there is a message here, for ALL to hear.

I am so saddened by this senseless, needless accident here in our own county. Five young lives, three ended, and two who will never forget the incident, there lives, in a way, were also taken. Five lives, looking forward to a Summer and all the Summer activities ..... probably excessive speed, on a long straight stretch on a county road, the cause. If you have children, show them this photograph, show them that it can happen, and tell them the consequences.

Johnstown is a lovely little central Ohio community, a very close-knit community, one with porches, still lining streets. I have passed through that town, in the evening, and noticed people walking down the sidewalks, sitting on their porches, waving and greeting. It is that kind of a community, and I am sure the entire community is saddened by this tragic accident. Let your kids and your family know that if CAN happen, to anyone, in a split-second ......

LICKING COUNTY, Ohio - Ohio State Highway Patrol says three people are dead and two people are injured after a single car accident in Licking County. According to police, a silver Mitsubishi Diamante carrying five people smashed into a tree and split in two just after 1 PM on Hardscrabble Road, near Alexandria. All three passengers in the back seat of the vehicle - two females and one male - were partially ejected during the crash and killed. 

They were not wearing seatbelts. 

Police say the victims were, 17-year-old Michael Hoskinson, 15-year-old Chyenne Spurgeon and 15-year-old Linzie Bell. Two occupants in the driver's and passenger seat were injured in the crash, but survived. Their condition is unknown. All of the car's occupants were between 15 and 17-years-old.

Investigators say skid marks just before the impact may indicate either the driver applied the brakes or he was traveling so fast he was trying to regain control of the car before it struck the tree. 

Police say speed was a factor in the crash.

That time of year ....

We are nearing that time of year, the Gutter Cleaning Season. Baseball's Spring Training is underway, and means that Spring is not too far behind. 

Gain access to the roof with a ladder. Don't lean the ladder against a downspout or gutter, which can easily bend or break. Remove leaves and twigs from gutters by hand or with a large spoon, a gutter scoop or a small garden trowel.

Wet down caked-on dirt, which can be difficult to remove without damaging the gutter itself, then remove it with the gutter scoop or trowel. Put debris in a bucket or plastic trash bag placed on the roof or ladder. If you use a bag, you can just drop it when it's full.

Check that the downspouts aren't clogged. Use water to unclog your downspouts by placing a garden hose in the opening. But be gentle at first; downspouts aren't designed to withstand the same pressure as a house drain. If a plugged downspout can't be cleared with a hose, use a small plumber's snake or an unbent clothes hanger. Again, be gentle. Gutters are not as strong as house pipes.

Alternatively, use a leaf blower to clean the gutters; however, remember that you'll be high up, often in awkward postures, and carrying a good-sized machine that not only is awkward to use but also can blind you with dust.

Use the hose to flush the gutters with water after cleaning. (This is also the best time to find out if there are any leaks in the system.)