Readers ask about stop light, shredding, Beaver Creek

The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q: My husband and I are in a debate over the stop light at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and the bypass. Is the stop light sensored by car traffic or is it just set by time?
A: York Public Works Director Orville Davidson says the signal is traffic activated.

Q: I’m an elderly person who needs to dispose of some personal information. Is there anyone in the area who provides a shredding service?
A: That question was asked last week in the Wonderline, and since then, we’ve received information that York State Bank will be offering such a service during the upcoming sidewalk sale day in York.
A shredder will be in York State’s back parking lot, on July 19, from 10 a.m. until noon. There will be no fee; however, a freewill donation will be taken with all proceeds going toward the 2009 Firecracker Frenzy event.
Also, Wonderline received a call from a woman named Lillian Few, who said she has a small shredder and would be happy to help.
“I can take the little shredder right to them, and do it for them, if they still need that done,” Few said. “I won’t charge anything, I’m just happy to help.” She can be reached at 362-1639.
Wonderline was also contacted by North Office Supply/York Printing Company, which said their company offers shredding services.

Q: The water from Beaver Creek recedes pretty fast.  Where does all that water go and where is its final destination?
A: York Public Works Director Orville Davidson says that Beaver Creek discharges into the Blue River.

Q: At work, this week, we were talking about a story we heard is circulating that two women got into a fight in Lincoln and one of them bit the ear off the other. Is that true, or is it just something that someone made up? You know how sometimes things like that circulate on the internet.
A: The story, as reported by the Associated Press, is that “authorities say a fight between two women at a Lincoln grocery store escalated to biting, with one women’s lip partially torn off.
“Lincoln police say 36-year-old Nyakouth Beal and 29-year-old Mary Chuol got into a fight at the store on Friday. Beal reportedly bit Chuol’s ear, with Chuol retaliating by biting Beal’s lip.
“Chuol was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault. Beal was cited for assault.”

Q: Were there any arrests for driving under the influence or other charges over the long Fourth of July holiday? I was just curious — there weren’t any last year, and it seems to be quiet over holidays any more. Just wondering.
A: No, there were no arrests in York County, for any alleged crimes, during the entire three-day Fourth of July holiday, between July 4 and July 6. That is according to the reports filed by the York County Sheriff’s Department, which chronicles the arrests regardless of the entity that took individuals into custody.

Q: Were there any injuries, due to fireworks, over the Fourth of July holiday in York?
A: It doesn’t appear that there were — at least, those considered serious in nature. That is based on information from the York Police Department, as reviewed in the daily log of emergency calls.

Q: So far, the newspaper and the department of roads have done a good job telling us what’s going to happen next with the street construction. But we were told that the milling work would start on the north side on Tuesday, but as I look out my office window, it’s going right through the downtown on Lincoln. Why isn’t the information more up-to-date?
A: As with all construction projects . . . well, things change. The News-Times will stay in close contact with the Nebraska Department of Roads, which has been doing an excellent job communicating the plans and answering questions. Time frames, however, do change . . . as equipment issues, weather and many other factors come into play. While a plan is in place, it is subject to change on a daily or hourly basis, in order to get the job done as efficiently and safely as possible.

Q: If someone has hazardous material buried on their land, what department would you report that to?
A: If the burial of hazardous material is suspected, the report could be called into the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Q: How much has the war in Iraq cost the United States, so far? I hear different figures, and was curious about what it was actually up to.
A: According to Charles J. Hanley, a special correspondent for the Associated Press:
“On June 30, President Bush signed legislation that will bring to more than $650 billion the amount Congress has provided for the Iraq war since 2003. The latest appropriations cover anticipated expenses for the rest of fiscal year 2008 and some of the expected costs in fiscal year 2009.
“Economic analysts, however, point out that these appropriations do not cover some costs that have been incurred but haven’t yet come due for payment — particularly the future costs of caring for soldiers already wounded.”

Q: So, Nicole Kidman had her baby. Is it true that she named it “Sunday?” Was it because the baby was born on a Sunday?
A: Yes, Nicole Kidman and her husband, singer Keith Urban, had a baby girl on Monday, July 7. They named her Sunday Rose Kidman Urban.

Q: I have more information regarding how to call the IRS with questions about their stimulus checks. Do you want it?
A: Sure. Wonderline received information that a more helpful phone number is available for people seeking that information. They should call 866-234-2942.