Traffic Tweets States Send Mixed Message on Texting and Driving by Andrew Demillo Associated Press Writer
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73 / 41 S PREADING New autism chapter builds understanding, Family Life 1 shares resources Windy. HOPE Business 8 VANDALS TOP THE AZTECS >>> Vandals rush to 34-20 win over San Diego State, SPORTS 1 INSIDE SUNDAY September 20, 2009 Your guide to fall and winter recreation in $1.50 south-central Idaho and beyond. MagicValley.com Traffic tweets States send mixed message on texting and driving By Andrew DeMillo Associated Press writer Fiddling with your iPhone behind the wheel can get you fined across much of the nation. But many states are more than happy to tweet you with up-to-the-minute direc- tions on how to steer clear of a traffic jam. It is a mixed signal that some safety experts and politicians say could be dangerous. At least 22 states that ban texting while driving offer some type of service MEGAN OTTO/Times-News MEGAN that allows motorists to get information about traffic tie-ups, road con- ditions or emergencies via Twitter. “You shouldn’t be fid- dling around with any kind of electronic gadget in your car while driving,’’ said Minnesota state Rep. Frank Hornstein, who helped write his state’s no-texting-while-driving law. After the loss of Dell and others, Twin Falls tries to put its Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have economic development picture back together banned all texting while driving, and eight others By Jared S. Hopkins prohibit texting by Times-News writer younger drivers only, according to the Melinda Anderson, the Twin Falls economic development director, begins her presen- And they say the city hasn’t Governors Highway backed away from economic devel- Safety Association. tations around town by joking that her predecessor filled all the city’s large vacant build- opment. Many of these laws ings with businesses — leaving her with nothing to offer companies wanting to relocate “I believe there’s a misconception essentially bar people that because we haven’t found a big from fooling with their or expand in the city. hit like Jayco — which was our last smart phones in any way “This has been a positive thing and a negative thing,”said Anderson,who joined the city one — in the last two or three years, behind the wheel; in some that we’re not trying,” said Twin cases, just reading from a three years ago. “We haven’t had a building like that available since I arrived here.” Falls Mayor Lance Clow. “But the mobile device is against Now she does. fact is that our unemployment rates the law. Last week, Dell Computer Inc. announced plans to close its call center on Pole Line have been extremely low and now Some supporters of the whole country has vacant build- text-messaging bans say Road in January, eliminating about 500 full-time jobs. ings and high unemployment and that states that provide But that’s just the latest hit to the local economy. it’s extremely competitive.” traffic information via Twin Falls companies and the College of Southern Idaho have typ- See TEXTING, Main 2 In addition to unoccupied down- ment rate in Twin Falls is two points neighbors, Jerome and Burley, have ically been the biggest pieces of the town buildings, there’s the former below the state average, in the past racked up success in economic region’s economic puzzle over the home of Jayco on Washington Street few years no mid- or large-size development. past few years. INSIDE South, and a mostly-empty 100- company has relocated to or Officials insist job creation in the But during that span, some of Bills planned to prohibit acre industrial park in southeast expanded in Twin Falls. And many Magic Valley is about regional col- those pieces have fallen away. texting while driving in Idaho. Twin Falls. already here have cut staff. laboration, not competition While the 6.8 percent unemploy- Meanwhile, Twin Falls’ smaller between cities and counties. See PIECES, Main 4 See Business 5 Dave Lohr of Dueling ‘racist’ Filer, presi- Valley tractor dent of Magic Valley Antique Tractor claims drain word Pullers, sits enthusiasts atop his 1954 McCormick take to the road of power, meaning Farmall Super M-TA tractor By Jesse Washington But if everybody’s racist, on Saturday By Ben Botkin Associated Press writer is anyone? Times-News writer morning. The word is being Everybody’s racist, it sprayed in all directions, Tractor enthu- Amid the usual mix of semi-trucks and seems. creating a hall of siasts went on cars parked at a truck stop near Hansen off of Republican Rep. mirrors that is a 27-mile ride Interstate 84, a group of aging green and red Joe Wilson? Racist, draining the scarlet through rural tractors from another era stood on the park- because he shouted R of its meaning and Jerome ing lot. “You lie!’’ at the its power, turning it County on The seven tractors — and their drivers — first black presi- into more of a spit- weren’t there to farm. Instead, they were Saturday in dent. Health care ball than a stigma. there for the Second Magic Valley Antique protesters, affir- “It gets to the vintage trac- Tractor Ride on Saturday. The event, spon- mative action sup- point where we tors during sored by Magic Valley Antique Tractor porters? Racist. Wilson don’t have a word the Magic Pullers, is an annual 27-mile journey through And Barack that we use to call Valley Antique rural Jerome County for those with a love of Obama? He’s the “Racist in people racist who actually Tractor Ride. vintage tractors. Chief,’’wrote a leader of the are,’’said John McWhorter, “I grew up on a farm and like fixing them recent conservative protest BEN BOTKIN/ in Washington. See RACISM, Main 2 Times-News See TRACTORS, Main 2 Bridge ..............Classifieds 7 Kids Only ........Family Life 6 Obituaries........Business 6-7 Crossword ......Classifieds 8 Jumble ............Classifieds 5 Sudoku ............Classifieds 9 WORLD’S MOST VALUABLE BRANDS? COKE AND IBM Dear Abby........Classifieds 4 Movies ..................Opinion 7 Your Business ....Business 2 Consumers losing trust in big names > Business 1 MORNINGMORNINGMain 2 Sunday, September 20, 2009 BRIEFINGBRIEF- Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho Pat’s Picks Tractors Three things to do today Continued from Main 1 path from horse and mule- ing work for Dave Lohr, cession reminded motorists up,” said Ben Pratt of Twin powered farms of the early president of Magic Valley to use caution when passing Pat Marcantonio Falls, who brought a 1950 20th century to modern Antique Tractor Pullers. the tractors. green John Deere R model farms with tractors that use But it’s more than just a Magic Valley Antique • Combine spirituality • There’s free swim- tractor. satellite technology for tractor — it’s history. Tractor Pullers looks to the and film, and you have the ming, fitness and healthy The tractors are planting, fertilizing and “You bring it back to life future as well. The organi- Sun Valley Spiritual Film eating classes during the reminders of the past, when harvesting. so it’s restored,”Lohr said. zation provides scholar- Festival at the Sun Valley YMCA of Twin Falls Open farming was simpler. In past The tractors’ age makes The old, strong machines ships to college students Opera House. Visit svspir- House today through Sept. decades, the tractor was the them easier to fix compared quickly sputtered to life, studying diesel mechanics itualfilmfestival.org for 27.The standard joiner’s workhorse of any farm, a to their new-fangled coun- leaving the Garden of Eden and agriculture. the schedule. Individual fee is waived for all new simple but hardy diesel terparts. — a truck stop — and lum- movie tickets are $8. members during “America machine that was handy for A running red 1954 bered down rural roads Ben Botkin may be • If you want to travel, on the Move” week. a variety of tasks in the field. McCormick Farmall Super through Hazelton and on to reached at bbotkin@magic- head up the road to the Information: 734-9676. These tractors were a M-TA tractor represents Eden. valley.com or 208-735- Sawtooth Mountain stepping stone along the about 300 hours of rebuild- A truck behind the pro- 3238. Mamas Quilt Festival from Have your own pick 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the you want to share? Stanley Community Something that is unique Center. In addition to to the area and that may Texting beautiful quilts, there will take people by surprise? Continued from Main 1 Twitter include: be a drawing and work- E-mail me at patm@mag- Twitter are undermining California, Colorado, /QUVUVCVGUTGIWNCVGEGNNWUGQPTQCF shops. icvalley.com. these laws. Delaware, the District of Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have some “I would guess that the Columbia, Illinois, In- type of restriction on cell phone text messaging while driving. states wouldn’t intend to diana, Kansas, Louisiana, States’ driving laws that ban texting: be sending a mixed mes- Maine, Maryland, Min- Text messaging Young drivers texting sage, but it sounds like it nesota, Mississippi, Mis- TODAY’S HAPPENINGS could be a mixed message,’’ souri, Nebraska, New York, said Judie Stone, president North Carolina, Oregon, ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT of the Washington-based Tennessee, Texas, Utah Advocates for Highway and Virginia. Twin Falls Senior Citizens Center dance, with music by Frank and Auto Safety. The apparent conflict McCracken and the Lost Renegade Band, 6 to 7 p.m. singles refresh- State transportation results from two arms of er and 7 to 11 p.m. dance, at the center, 530 Shoshone St. W., $4 per officials say they are not government with seem- person, 734-5084.