Bridgewater unanimously passes law to regulate cell phone towers News from The Star-Ledger – NJ.com:
A cell phone tower in Fanwood.Record-Press
BRIDGEWATER — The township council has passed a new ordinance to regulate cell phone towers and wireless facilities.
The Bridgewater Township Council Monday voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance introduced on Dec. 3 to regulate future cell sites, such as the one the township rejected from T-Mobile earlier this year that triggered an ongoing lawsuit from the wireless company, according to a representative from the township clerk’s office.
Although the ordinance won’t affect the T-Mobile lawsuit, the township on future applications will be able to regulate “the adverse visual and related impacts of wireless telecommunications facilities,” especially on residential properties, while recognizing the need to balance the technical requirements of the wireless industry.
The ordinance will amend the current township zoning ordinance to include new site plan submission, size and design requirements, and expresses a preference for locations on township property or near existing facilities in nonresidential areas.
It also prohibits facilities in all zones ot…………… continues on The Star-Ledger – NJ.com
Packers, Verizon Wireless host wireless phone drive News from Packers.com:
Prior to the Dec. 23 Green Bay Packers vs. Tennessee Titans game at Lambeau Field, the Packers and Verizon Wireless will team up to host a wireless phone drive in support of domestic violence victims. The drive is a part of Verizon’s HopeLine® program, which collects no-longer-used cell phones and distributes them to survivors of domestic violence.
All fans attending the game are invited to donate their no-longer-used cell phones and accessories from any wireless provider. Volunteers will be accepting donated phones and equipment at each of the six Lambeau Field entrances from 10 a.m. until game time at noon. For each phone collected, Verizon Wireless will contribute $ 10 to House of Hope, an organization in Green Bay that helps victims of domestic violence.
Through the HopeLine® program, wireless phones, batteries and other accessories are collected at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide and in special collections throughout the year. Most of the phones will be refurbished and sold. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon donates phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence, and provides funding to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country. Phones that can’t be refurbished will be recycled in an environmentally sound way.
Since 2001, HopeLine®…………… continues on Packers.com
Taking your cellphone abroad? How to avoid bill shock News from Globe and Mail:
Bill shock is common with travellers who take their cellphones on vacation without a travel plan. Tears, a possible snap, and painful conversations with customer service usually follow.
Even if you assume you won’t use your phone much while away, you should call your provider to ask for special rates on international travel. If you’re a Bell user, for example, you can get a call bundle for talk, text and data usage for $ 100 that would cost you close to $ 500 otherwise.
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Zach Johnson passes Jason Dufner to win at Colonial News from USA TODAY:
FORT WORTH (AP) – Zach Johnson won the Colonial for his first victory since also winning at Hogan’s Alley two years ago, pulling ahead Sunday when Jason Dufner finally faltered.
By LM Otero, AP
Zach Johnson watches his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Johnson earned his eighth PGA Tour title.
Johnson was assessed a two-stroke penalty for failing to replace his ball to its original position after marking it on the 18th hole. That left him with a 2-over 72 and a one-stroke victory.
RESULTS: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
“I’m going to focus on the positives, because I hit a really solid putt and it’s a good thing I made it,” Johnson said……………. continues on USA TODAY
80000 at Opposition Rally as Georgia Nears Crossroads News from New York Times:
George Abdaladze/Associated Press
Tens of thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Tbilisi on Sunday, five months ahead of parliamentary elections.
MOSCOW — Opponents of the president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, staged a sprawling political rally in the capital on Sunday in a stronger-than-expected opening to their campaign for a parliamentary elec…………… continues on New York Times
SPRINGFIELD – A bill banning hand-held cell phone use while driving near an emergency scene barely passed the Illinois House Friday amid questions about its enforcement and viability on the heels of a broader cell phone ban that passed the day before.
The legislation, House Bill 5099, eked through a chamber ripe with no-shows by a 62-38 margin. It now moves to the Senate.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton), would ban drivers from using their phones within 500 feet of an “emergency scene” – described as a location where an emergency vehicle has its lights activated – unless the phone is in hands-free mode or the driver is using the phone to communicate with law enforcement.
The bill also specifically bans the driver from taking a digital photo or video.
IPads, cell phones now welcome at schools in Palm Beach County News from Palm Beach Post:
By Marc Freeman
Sun Sentinel
Schools in Palm Beach County are fast embracing newer technology, by loosening restrictions on student cell phones and teaching more with iPads and iPods.
“Why put it in your backpack when you can use it in a positive way for education?” said Rochelle Swartz, a third-grade teacher at Diamond View Elementary in Greenacres who started a project with 25 iPod Touches that rotate among some classes this year.
The School Board, which in 2007 unsuccessfully lobbied the state for a public school ban on cell phones because of cyberbullying concerns, last month signaled a strong desire to promote the use of smart phones and other handheld devices on all campuses.
“It has huge learning implications for the classroom,” said Assistant Superintendent Keith Oswald. “We have to keep up with that.”
A proposed policy still requires vigilance by principals and administrators to prevent abuses and “disruption in the learning environment.”
Students will have their devices confiscated and face discipline if caught using the devices inappropriately, such as with “profane, indecent, obscene, threatening, discriminatory, bullying or harassing language, pictures or gestures.”
Yet for the first time, the board…………… continues on Palm Beach Post
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Illinois House passes ban on cell phone use while driving through emergency areas News from STLtoday.com:
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. • The Illinois House passed legislation today proposing to ban drivers from using cell phones while passing through emergency areas.
The measure is the second distracted driving bill passed by the House this week. Legislation proposing a complete ban on handheld cell phones behind the wheel narrowly passed through the House Thursday. Both bills proposing a ban on cell phone use while driving are headed to the Senate.
The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, bans the use of cell phones, photography and video while driving within 500 feet of an emergency area.
Violators of this ban will receive a traffic citation and fine of up to $ 70. Emergency scenes, as defined by Costello’s legislation, include any and all areas where an emergency vehicle is parked with its lights turned on.
Opponents of the bill said the legislation is too similar to the cell phone ban which the House passed yesterday and didn’t account for the possibility of both bills passing.
State Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, worries that if both measures pass, a person could be cited for two separate violat…………… continues on STLtoday.com
Lost cellphone study deems Ottawa most honest News from CBC.ca:
Smartphones were strategically placed throughout five different cities to test how many were returned and what information was accessed by total strangers. (CBC)
A new North American study found Ottawa was the most honest city when it came to returning lost cellphones.
U.S.-based security software firm Symantec Corp. organized and funded the study where it placed 10 lost smartphones in five different cities.
Ottawa was the only Canadian city, while Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and New York City were the others.
Security consultant Scott Wright said there’s an art to placing cellphones to ensure they are found by someone.(Twitter)
Ottawa-based security consultant Scott Wright was contracted out to place the cellphones in all cities and track the statistics. He dropped them in office elevators, food courts, transit stops and even phone booths.
Wright said the company put 12 different apps on the phones, including four business, four personal and four “neutral” apps.
The goal was to show the importance of protecting personal information on cellphones with a password.
“We really just wanted to see what people would do with them. We weren’t trying to collect perso…………… continues on CBC.ca
Illinois House passes cellphone ban News from STLtoday.com:
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. • The Illinois House on Thursday narrowly voted to ban hand-held cellphones from behind the wheel.
The measure is on its way to the Senate after passing on a 62-53 vote, with 60 needed for passage. If the Senate passes it and Gov. Pat Quinn signs it into law, Illinois would join nine other states that ban cellphone use while driving.
“The bottom line here is we have to try to save lives,” said state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, sponsor of the bill. He cited data showing cellphone distraction has become a significant cause of highway accidents and deaths nationwide.
“If we want to get serious about trying to stop distracted driving and save lives on the roadway there needs to be severe penalties involved,” D’Amico said in floor debate.
The legislation would make it a moving violation to talk on a handheld cellphone while driving. As with other moving violations, three tickets would result in a license suspension. Drivers could still use hands-free cellphones while driving.
Opponents of the bill say the penalty is too harsh and amounts to overregulation.
“We need to slow down with this regulation in the state of Illinois,” said Rep. Jim Durkin, R-LaGrange. “I supported the ban on texting while driving, but this goes way too far.”
Rep. Richard Morthland, R-Moline, arg…………… continues on STLtoday.com
Pennsylvania texting ban nullifies Harrisburg cellphone ban News from PennLive.com:
JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News
Harrisburg motorists can now talk on cellphones — thanks to the new statewide ban on texting while driving.
The texting ban, which took effect Thursday, specifies that drivers can’t text, but they can talk on cellphones. It therefore nullifies cellphones bans passed by cities including Harrisburg, Lebanon and Philadelphia, said Lauren Bozart, a spokeswoman for the state attorney general’s office.
Harrisburg officials expressed no immediate reaction to the situation, although Solicitor Jason Hess said city police have been directed to enforce the texting ban but not the former cellphone ban.
The texting ban enables police to pull over drivers for typing, sending or reading messages, or using or looking at handheld or pad electronic devices. Police can conclude the driver broke the law based on sight, statements made by the driver or passengers or, if necessary, by obtaining cellphone records. The fine is $ 50.
Prior to passage, the texting ban contained language to also ban use of handheld cellphones while driving…………… continues on PennLive.com
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Teen driver cell phone restrictions passes to final reading in Utah Senate News from Deseret News:
Published: Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 5:54 p.m. MST
SALT LAKE CITY — Parents want the law to reflect what they’re telling their teen drivers about cellphone use while driving — it’s illegal.
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, said he is attempting to offer his help to that end by sponsoring a bill that would expressly prohibit teens under 18 from using a “wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle.” Violators would be subject to a $ 50 fine for the violation but no points would be taken off a driver’s license.
Romero said young drivers have a higher rate of accidents than the general population and that 17.5 percent of the time, distracted driving is a contributing factor.
“This is a significant public safety issue. It has been narrowly crafted to address that,” Romero said of SB128 during debate and preliminary vote on the bill in the Senate Monday.
Some legislators argued against the bill, saying it was too difficult for police to enforce and that distracted driving by drivers of any age was a public safety threat.
Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, said he has, over time, understood the wisdom of graduated driver’s license laws but he opposes SB128.
“I cannot vote for his bill. This bill is vague. It is unenforcea…………… continues on Deseret News
Dropped Cellphone Leads to Suspect in Taxi Fare-Beating News from Patch.com:
A 20-year-old Port Chester, NY woman has been arrested on a sixth-degree larceny charge stemming from a December incident in which a cabbie reported he was beaten out of a $ 30 fare.
According to Greenwich Police, investigators were able to identify the suspect with a cellphone that was dropped and left inside the unidentified taxi on Dec. 13. Police did not identify the taxi company.
Police said they obtained an arrest warrant charging Stephanie R. Zea, who gave an address of 79 Elmont Ave., Port Chester, with sixth-degree larceny. She was charged Feb. 3 and released after posting a $ 100 bond. She is scheduled to appear Feb. 10 in state Superior Court in Stamford.
***
A Greenwich woman was issued a misdemeanor summons by Greenwich Police Feb. 2 on a sixth-degree larceny charge in connection with the attempted return of supplements for a store credit – pills police said she did not purchase.
According to a Greenwich Police report, Nicole Enslein, 39, who gave an address of 380 Lake Ave., Greenwich, was ticketed “after it was determined she took a bag of supplements that had been accidentally left behind by its owner on a table within Starbucks. Enslein then took the supplements, without the owner’s permission … and returned them at Whole Foods for a store credit.”
She was released on a promise to appear Feb. 9 in state Superi…………… continues on Patch.com
San Francisco Passes Cellphone Radiation Law News from The Bay Citizen:
San Francisco supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation aimed at helping consumers reduce their exposure to cellphone radiation, a move that industry groups denounced but that Supervisor John Avalos said could “perhaps save lives.”
The new law revises a measure passed last year that was left in legal limbo after CTIA, the wireless telecommunications association, challenged it in a lawsuit. No other city in the nation has passed similar legislation.
While the original ordinance would have required retailers to display each phone’s radiation level, the new version, sponsored by Avalos, mandates only that store…………… continues on The Bay Citizen … Read the full article
While HTC’s Android cell phones have stolen the show, the company originally made its name here in the United States on deluxe, full-featured Windows Mobile phones. The HTC 7 Pro on U.S. Cellular continues that tradition, albeit with Microsoft’s vastly improved … Read the full article
Bill passes in assembly to ban cell phones while driving News from KTNV Las Vegas:
Carson City, NV (KTNV) Nevada is on the road to being the latest state to ban talking or texting on the cell phone while driving.
A bill passed in the assembly Monday that would require hands free devices so both hands will be on the wheel, as well as make it illegal to text. It passed in the assembly without any debate and now goes back to the senate for some minor amendments. But some argue a law doesn’t always force drivers to act safely.
“Even in California since the law has been passed I still see people driving while on their cell phones. And anytime you go down the road and someone is driving crazy or stupid or slow they’re always on the phone,” Las Vegas resident, Gary Bryant says.
If the bill passes into law, it will go into effect July first. There will be some grace periods where an officer could give warnings until the end of the year to give people time to get hands free devices. But when it goes into full enforcement tickets will be up to 250 doll…………… continues on KTNV Las Vegas … Read the full article
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Cell phones could help you quit smoking News from Providence Journal:
01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
By Felice J. Freyer
Journal Medical Writer
At right is a screen shot of one of the text messages.
Rhode Island Department of Health
Every once in a while, Kotrina Lockard’s cell phone buzzes with a text message — a message of inspiration.
The first time, she read these words on the phone’s screen: “Feeling light-hearted? You’re not a ticking time bomb anymore. 20 mins after you quit smoking, blood pressure returns to normal.”…………… continues on Providence Journal … Read the full article
Samsung Captivate Android Phone (AT&T) This mobile phone features a 5.0MP digital camera with high-definition video recording up to 720p resolution for capturing quality…
