GEORGETOWN -- It wouldn't be the Fourth of July in Sussex County if the thermometer wasn't rising as fast as a streaking firecracker.
With the big summer holiday nearly upon us, forecasters are predicting extreme heat and high humidity to bake the region the next several days. To help the public cope with the extreme weather, Sussex County has designated four facilities as "cooling stations."
Sussex County paramedics will make routine stops at these locations, as time permits, to answer any heat-related questions and/or concerns. Also, free, individual servings of bottled water will be available at the County Administration Building to help the public cool off from the heat.
When visiting a relief station, bring any medications and/or specialty items that you need.
Residents and visitors are urged to limit exposure outside, particularly during the hottest part of the day -- roughly from 1-6 p.m. Those who must be outside should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.
"This extreme heat can make many medical conditions such as heart and lung disease much worse," said Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Director Robert Stuart. "Staying cool and hydrating with water is essential for everyone when the heat index reaches the levels that have been forecasted."
Emergency service officials suggest wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing when the weather is hot. Residents should stay in properly ventilated areas; avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day; have plenty of water available and avoid alcoholic beverages; be aware of the signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and seek medical attention if necessary.
Signs of heat cramps can include muscular pains and spasms from heavy exertion. Resting in a cooler area, taking occasional sips of water and stretching the muscle mildly can counter the effects of heat cramps.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are much more serious and may require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include a pale or flushed appearance, as well as headache and nausea. Heat stroke symptoms include rapidly increased body temperature, loss of consciousness, rapid or weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing.
Be sure to check on friends, relatives and neighbors -- particularly the elderly and young children -- who may be at risk for exposure to the heat. Remember to give pets extra water, provide shade or bring them into a residence where temperatures are cooler.
It is also important to keep in mind that due to the higher temperatures and humidity expected in the area over the coming days, demand for electricity will increase. In an effort to reduce costs and avoid power shortages, the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center asks all residents and business operators in Sussex to help conserve power to avoid outages.
Source: www.delmarvanow.com
Sussex challenges sheriff's lawsuit - Delaware Wave
GEORGETOWN -- Facing a stinging lawsuit filed by Sheriff Jeff Christopher, Sussex County government has responded with a challenge to the suit's legitimacy, saying Christopher has to get state and federal government on his side to win.
In a four-page filing, the county states Christopher has failed to line up "necessary and indispensable parties" behind him in a lawsuit that asks a judge to declare the sheriff the supreme law enforcement authority in Sussex County.
Christopher's suit, filed in May, commits to paper what the sheriff often says in speeches: An accusation that county officials are wrongly preventing the sheriff and his deputies from exercising law-enforcement powers, such as making arrests. The state constitution makes the sheriff the "conservator of the peace," a phrase Christopher says carries with it broad power to enforce laws.
In memos, personnel moves and budget choices, Christopher says in the complaint, the County Council and County Administrator Todd Lawson have undermined his office. In a typical day's work, sheriff's deputies deliver official court papers for both civil and criminal matters and conduct auctions of foreclosed property, and county officials say they have no need for them to branch out into law enforcement.
The county's response to the sheriff's lawsuit tries to cut it off at the pass. Since Christopher asserts authority to act "without direction, restriction or interference of any kind from any other kind of government official or entity within the State of Delaware," he needs to have state government, all of Sussex County's towns and cities, and the federal government join his cause or persuade the court that's not necessary, the county's attorney, David N. Rutt, argued in a filing.
"Sussex County submits Sheriff will be unable to do so," Rutt wrote, and he asked the judge to throw out the lawsuit. Several levels of state government, including judges and the Attorney General's Office, have already asserted Christopher is mistaken about the sheriff's powers, and an association of Delaware police chiefs has written to him making the same point.
A hearing on the lawsuit is set for July 20 in Superior Court. Christopher referred questions about the county's response motion to his attorney, Christos T. Adampoulos, who could not be reached for comment. Rutt did not return a call for comment.
From the sheriff's point of view, indignities have only piled up after he filed the lawsuit. On Tuesday, Gov. Jack Markell signed a law passed by the legislature that explicitly tells sheriffs in each county they don't have arrest powers. And on Wednesday, a Sussex personnel board upheld the firing of one of his deputies, which Christopher contended was part of a campaign to cripple him.
Source: www.delmarvanow.com
Frankel confirmed for Sussex Stakes - Yahoo! Eurosport
The four-year-old Galileo colt, unbeaten in 10 races and six at Group One level, is the world’s leading racehorse and won the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot by 11 lengths.
Owned by Khalid Abdulla, Frankel is trained by Sir Henry Cecil and has been ridden by Tom Queally on all his starts.
He will go up against four entries from trainer Richard Hannon in the mile-long race: Dubawi Gold, Harbour Watch, Strong Suit and Trumpet Major.
Hannon won the 2010 Sussex Stakes with Canford Cliffs, who has since been retired to stud, and has claimed the Dick Hern Trophy for the leading trainer at Goodwood in each of the past four years.
Strong Suit won the Group Two bet365 Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs last year – and he is being aimed at the main event this year.
“Strong Suit is definitely being aimed at the QIPCO Sussex Stakes - it’s his big target if everything goes right for him,” said David Redvers, racing manager for the horse’s owners Qatar Racing Limited.
“We know he enjoys the track at Goodwood and we think the race will be perfect for him.
“The plan at the moment is for him to make his reappearance at Royal Ascot next month in the Queen Anne Stakes, which should hopefully bring him on nicely for the QIPCO Sussex Stakes.”
Adam Waterworth, managing director of Goodwood Racecourse, said: “This year’s entry is two higher than in 2011 and it is refreshing that so many trainers and owners are willing take on Frankel.
“The strong representation of three-year-olds is very pleasing and the QIPCO Sussex Stakes is the first opportunity for milers of that age to meet the established stars at Group One level.”
On Friday Cecil said: "He [Frankel] seems fine, he went out yesterday for a trot and a walk and we'll feel our way. I'd say at the moment it's more likely he'll go to Goodwood and to York."
There are a total of 37 entries for the Sussex Stakes.
Source: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Tom and Katie's Divorce Shaping Into Battle Over Suri - ABC News
Whatever is behind Katie Holmes' decision to divorce husband Tom Cruise and seek full custody of their daughter, Suri, the 6-year-old girl will likely be the one most affected by the proceedings in the weeks to come.
"I think it will be absolutely traumatic," clinical psychologist Judy Kuriansky, also known as Dr. Judy from her radio show, told ABCNews.com. "She's been doted on, absolutely indulged, by both her parents. But they come as a packaged team to her, and splitting them will be very traumatic. I suspect she will go through a lot of acting out."
Reps for Holmes and Cruise did not immediately respond to ABCNews.com's requests for comment. In previous statements, however, both stars have emphasized they were keeping the children's interests -- including those of Suri's half-siblings, Connor and Isabella -- at heart.
In a statement released to People magazine, New Jersey divorce attorney Jonathan W. Wolfe, who is representing Holmes in the divorce, said, "This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family. Katie's primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter's best interest."
A spokeswoman for Cruise said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times: "Kate has filed for divorce, and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children. Please allow them their privacy to work this out."
Photos: Tom and Katie Before Split
Privacy may be the reason Holmes filed for divorce in New York, where divorce files are sealed from the public. Nonetheless, it will be difficult for Holmes to shield Suri completely from the white-hot glare of the media, which has already documented Suri's every development, from holding on to her bottle and pacifier well past toddlerhood to her expensive designer wardrobe. Moreover, it will be nearly impossible for Suri to avoid seeing her parents' divorce splashed across magazines and newspapers.
"This isn't going to end any time soon," Us Weekly reporter Jennifer Peros told ABCNews.com. "Things can get really messy."
Little Suri isn't the only one likely to suffer the fallout of her parents' divorce, though. Cruise's two other children, Connor Cruise, 17, and Isabella Cruise, 19, with second wife Nicole Kidman, moved in with Cruise and Holmes, as part of a shared custody arrangement, after the two married five years ago, following a year-long whirlwind courtship.
"This is obviously the second time they have to deal with this," Peros said.
A close confidant of Connor told the magazine that Connor is "devastated." "Connor got really close to Katie and Suri. He's been in Iceland with Tom. Connor is definitely taking it hard," Peros said.
Peros said Isabella appears to be less affected, according to the magazine's source. "Bella has somewhat distanced herself from Katie and Tom," Peros said. "She's kind of rebelling in some ways. Any teenage girl with a stepmother is going to have differences."
As for the differences between Cruise and Holmes that have led to their divorce, much of the speculation centers on Cruise's religion, Scientology. Holmes seemed to embrace Scientology early on in their relationship, and even had a Scientology ceremony at their wedding. Now, she has petitioned for full custody of their daughter.
Source: abcnews.go.com
Katie Holmes 'filed for divorce to stop Suri forced aboard Scientology cult ship' - Daily Telegraph
Cruise, who is said to be a big fan of the sect, reportedly has many close associates within the high-level Scientology group including prominent Scientologist Jessica Feshbach. Feshbach was appointed as Miss Holmes’s chaperone in 2005 when the couple first met.
The Dawson’s Creek star, who was raised a Catholic, was pictured smiling at photographers in New York on Monday as she emerged for the first time since news of the split surfaced in the media last week. Her Cartier diamond-studded wedding ring was notably absent.
The actress is also said to have returned to her pre-marriage publicist Leslie Sloane as well as firing her husband’s security team who have been guarding her.
The Church of Scientology denied that Sea Org was part of the reason for the couple’s split saying nobody under the age of 16 is allowed to join.
A statement released to TMZ said: "[Minors must have] consent of both parents and/or all legal guardians".
A lawyer for the Church added: "There are no exceptions to that policy".
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Police advice to motorists ahead of torch relay - essexcountystandard.co.uk
Police advice to motorists ahead of torch relay
11:30am Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in News
POLICE have asked motorists to be patient as the Olympic Torch Relay arrives from Suffolk into Essex later this week.
Motorists are advised to check their normal route will not be affected and if it does, to expect some delays in order to ensure the event passes off smoothly.
Short delays can be expected on Friday, July 6 as the Torch arrives in Essex from Ipswich.
It will be visiting Colchester, just before 8am, then on to Hatfield Peverel on to Heybridge and Maldon then to Rayleigh before a lunchtime event in Southend.
From here it visits the Olympic Mountain Bike venue in Hadleigh at 2pm, travelling on to Basildon, through Grays, then Herongate and Brentwood at 6pm and up to Hylands Park, Chelmsford. Roads along some sections of the route may be closed for some time before the torch arrives and until it has passed.
There will also be a rolling road closure moving with the torch.
Traffic marshals and stewards will be positioned along the route to offer help, advice and directions.
Spectators are also advised to plan their journey; allow themselves plenty of time to get to their chosen viewing point and listen to the advice given by traffic marshals and stewards. Police ask spectators to look after their belongings especially bags, purses and phones. In addition, parents are reminded to keep their children close so they are not in danger within the crowds or near to the road. Assistant Chief Constable Sue Harrison said: "The Olympic Torch Relay celebrates local heroes, recognising their contribution to society and their achievements. For our local communities and every torchbearer, the relay represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is our job to ensure they, and the spectators, enjoy their moment safely and securely.”
Information and advice will be on the Essex Police website www.essex.police.uk via the Olympic page; via Facebook.com/essexpoliceuk and via Twitter.com/essexpoliceuk#olympictorch
Source: www.essexcountystandard.co.uk
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