For the second time this week, an armed robber took cash and cigarettes from a store in the Yakima area.
The incident was reported late Wednesday at the Shell gas station off Interstate 82 near the main gate to the Yakima Training Center.
Yakima County sheriff's deputies say a man knocked on the store's locked door just before 11:30 p.m. When an employee opened the door for him, he showed a gun and demanded money.
He received an undisclosed amount of cash and also took the cigarettes before he left, deputies said.
Immediately after, callers reported gunfire in the area. Authorities believe the robber may have fired the shots to intimidate the clerk and a witness at the store.
Deputies, state troopers and training center police soon arrived but could not locate the suspect.
He was described as a clean shaven, light complected Hispanic in his 20s, about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. He was wearing a blue stocking cap, black coat and black jeans.
On Monday night, two men armed with machetes robbed the Yakima Walgreens store at 40th and Summitview avenues of cash and cigarettes.
In another robbery in which cash was taken, two men armed with guns held up the Shell station on South First Street in Selah on Tuesday night.
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Showing posts with label cigarette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cigarette. Show all posts
Dec 23, 2009
Armed Robbery at CR Cigarette Outlet
Cedar Rapids police are investigating a second armed robbery in two days.
This time authorities are searching for the two men who robbed the Cigarette Outlet on First Avenue northeast last night. Police say the suspects forced the store's two employees to the ground at gunpoint.
The suspects then fled on foot after taking money, cigarettes and an Iowa Lottery register. No shots were fired and the clerks were unharmed.
This time authorities are searching for the two men who robbed the Cigarette Outlet on First Avenue northeast last night. Police say the suspects forced the store's two employees to the ground at gunpoint.
The suspects then fled on foot after taking money, cigarettes and an Iowa Lottery register. No shots were fired and the clerks were unharmed.
Dec 18, 2009
15 kilos of loose tobacco seized in special operation in Lovech
15 kilos of loose tobacco have been seized in the frames of a special operation conducted in the town of Lovech (North Bulgaria), the District Interior Ministry Directorate _ Lovech announced.
At 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesday, officers with Economic Police and Regional Interior Ministry Directorate – Lovech conducted a special police operation, in cooperation with officers with Customs Bureau – Lovech.
The operation aimed at hampering illegal trade with tobacco products without the required excise label.
Two physical persons, involved in the illegal sale, have been detained. 15 kilos of loose tobacco have been found and confiscated.
At 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesday, officers with Economic Police and Regional Interior Ministry Directorate – Lovech conducted a special police operation, in cooperation with officers with Customs Bureau – Lovech.
The operation aimed at hampering illegal trade with tobacco products without the required excise label.
Two physical persons, involved in the illegal sale, have been detained. 15 kilos of loose tobacco have been found and confiscated.
Dec 14, 2009
Man faces up to 15 years in prison for stealing cigarettes, cash
A Gaston man is in jail today charged in connection with three breakins at a convenience store on U.S. 321 near West Columbia.
Mr. Henry Antonio Burgess, 40, of 213 Oakglenn Drive, was charged Friday with three counts of second-degree burglary, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.
Investigators said someone broke into El Cheapo three separate times in November and December, stealing cigarettes worth a total of $2,800 and an undetermined amount of cash.
Arrest warrants allege that Mr. Burgess broke into the El Cheapo convenience store at 3862 Highway 321 between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Nov. 1, between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Nov. 19 and between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 8.
On Nov. 1, someone broke into the convenience store by using a brick to shatter a glass window at the front of the business and stole $400 worth of cigarettes, Sheriff James R. Metts said.
On Nov. 19, someone broke into the convenience store by creating a hole in a cinderblock wall at the rear of the business, Mr. Metts said. The person stole Newport and Black&Mild cigarettes worth $1,400 and a 22-ounce bottle of Smirnoff Green Apple worth $2.79, the sheriff said.
On Dec. 8, someone broke into the convenience store by cutting a hole in a concrete wall at the rear of the business, Mr. Metts said. the person stole 25 cartons of Newport 100 cigarettes worth $1,000 and an undetermined amount of cash, he said.
At the time of his arrest, Mr. Burgess had clothing and other items that surveillance camera photographs show the burglar possessed during each of the three burglaries at the convenience store, Sheriff Metts said.
Mr. Burgess is in the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing, officials said.
Under South Carolina law, second-degree burglary is a felony that carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison, Mr. Metts said.
Mr. Henry Antonio Burgess, 40, of 213 Oakglenn Drive, was charged Friday with three counts of second-degree burglary, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.
Investigators said someone broke into El Cheapo three separate times in November and December, stealing cigarettes worth a total of $2,800 and an undetermined amount of cash.
Arrest warrants allege that Mr. Burgess broke into the El Cheapo convenience store at 3862 Highway 321 between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Nov. 1, between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Nov. 19 and between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 8.
On Nov. 1, someone broke into the convenience store by using a brick to shatter a glass window at the front of the business and stole $400 worth of cigarettes, Sheriff James R. Metts said.
On Nov. 19, someone broke into the convenience store by creating a hole in a cinderblock wall at the rear of the business, Mr. Metts said. The person stole Newport and Black&Mild cigarettes worth $1,400 and a 22-ounce bottle of Smirnoff Green Apple worth $2.79, the sheriff said.
On Dec. 8, someone broke into the convenience store by cutting a hole in a concrete wall at the rear of the business, Mr. Metts said. the person stole 25 cartons of Newport 100 cigarettes worth $1,000 and an undetermined amount of cash, he said.
At the time of his arrest, Mr. Burgess had clothing and other items that surveillance camera photographs show the burglar possessed during each of the three burglaries at the convenience store, Sheriff Metts said.
Mr. Burgess is in the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing, officials said.
Under South Carolina law, second-degree burglary is a felony that carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison, Mr. Metts said.
Nov 26, 2009
Raft of charges after row
A blue with the boss landed David Kerr in court charged with threatening behaviour, drink driving – and stealing a solitary cigarette.
The problem started when the 56-year-old was called into work to sort out a pay issue on April 2.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Lewis Sutton told the New Plymouth District Court that Kerr got abusive and argumentative when his boss was trying to explain what the problem was.
"The defendant stood up and leant over the desk towards the victim and yelled at her," Mr Sutton said.Kerr then picked up her cigarettes and and took one out of the packet.
Mr Sutton said the victim felt frightened and intimidated by Kerr's actions.
When police arrived Kerr admitted what he had done and said the company had been ripping everyone off and owed him money.
Police suspected Kerr, who had ridden his moped to work, had been drinking and test results showed he had 196 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80mcg.
Defence lawyer Barry Henderson said Kerr had been drinking and had not expected to be called into work."Since this incident he hasn't touched a drop," Mr Henderson said.
Judge Allan Roberts said the charge of theft for taking the cigarette showed how the relationship with his former employer had deteriorated.
Kerr was sentenced to 150 hours community work for drunk driving and convicted and discharged on the charges of theft and threatening.
Judge Roberts warned Kerr if he was caught driving drunk again he would be going to jail.
The problem started when the 56-year-old was called into work to sort out a pay issue on April 2.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Lewis Sutton told the New Plymouth District Court that Kerr got abusive and argumentative when his boss was trying to explain what the problem was.
"The defendant stood up and leant over the desk towards the victim and yelled at her," Mr Sutton said.Kerr then picked up her cigarettes and and took one out of the packet.
Mr Sutton said the victim felt frightened and intimidated by Kerr's actions.
When police arrived Kerr admitted what he had done and said the company had been ripping everyone off and owed him money.
Police suspected Kerr, who had ridden his moped to work, had been drinking and test results showed he had 196 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80mcg.
Defence lawyer Barry Henderson said Kerr had been drinking and had not expected to be called into work."Since this incident he hasn't touched a drop," Mr Henderson said.
Judge Allan Roberts said the charge of theft for taking the cigarette showed how the relationship with his former employer had deteriorated.
Kerr was sentenced to 150 hours community work for drunk driving and convicted and discharged on the charges of theft and threatening.
Judge Roberts warned Kerr if he was caught driving drunk again he would be going to jail.
Nov 23, 2009
Armed men robbed Jersey City gas station of cigarettes, cash
Gunmen got away with $2,160 worth of cigarettes, cash and other merchandise when they held up the convenience store at a Jersey City gas station in the early morning hours today, officials said.
At 1:52 a.m. police responded to the Kennedy Mart gas station on Kennedy Boulevard and Seaview Avenue where an employee said two gunmen entered the store wearing masks while three accomplices waited outside the door.
The victim said the men told him and another employee to lay down on the floor and stuffed merchandise into a laundry bag, reports said. They took $1,500 in cigarettes, $160 in cigars, $200 from the cash register and a cell phone worth $150, reports said.
The robbers left the store and met with the three men waiting outside before all of them left heading east on Seaview Avenue, reports said, adding that police searched the area but came up empty handed. Both men who entered the store were dressed all in black, including gloves and baseball caps, reports said.
At 1:52 a.m. police responded to the Kennedy Mart gas station on Kennedy Boulevard and Seaview Avenue where an employee said two gunmen entered the store wearing masks while three accomplices waited outside the door.
The victim said the men told him and another employee to lay down on the floor and stuffed merchandise into a laundry bag, reports said. They took $1,500 in cigarettes, $160 in cigars, $200 from the cash register and a cell phone worth $150, reports said.
The robbers left the store and met with the three men waiting outside before all of them left heading east on Seaview Avenue, reports said, adding that police searched the area but came up empty handed. Both men who entered the store were dressed all in black, including gloves and baseball caps, reports said.
Nov 18, 2009
UF study finds more teens smoke hookah
Danielle Lee won’t touch a cigarette, but she’ll pass a hookah pipe around a circle of friends any day.
And, according to a recent UF study, an increasing number of middle school- and high school-aged children share Lee’s fondness for the alternative form of tobacco.
The study, presented on Nov. 9 at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting in Philadelphia, found that 11 percent of Florida high school students and 4 percent of Florida middle school students had smoked hookah at least once.
Hookah burns charcoal and tobacco. Air is first drawn through the tobacco and then into the pipe, where it passes through water, which leads many smokers to believe hookah smoking is safer than cigarette or cigar smoking.
Maureen Miller, alcohol and other drug prevention specialist with UF’s GatorWell Health Promotion Services, was quick to point out hookah’s potentially dangerous effects.
“This isn’t harmless,” Miller said of hookah. “There certainly are some serious health concerns here.”
The World Health Organization reported a typical 20- to 80-minute hookah session is the equivalent of smoking about 100 cigarettes and can deliver 11 times more carbon monoxide than a cigarette.
The study shows an increase in hookah usage among members of the same age bracket from a 2005 University of Pittsburgh study that found 10 percent of high school students and 2 percent of middle school students surveyed had smoked hookah at least once.
But the trend doesn’t stop at middle and high school students. In a two-block radius between West 10th Street and West 12th Street on West University Avenue, there are at least five restaurants or lounges that offer the alternative form and often flavored tobacco, presumably for the college-aged audience in proximity to UF.
“I’m totally against smoking cigarettes, but I’ll smoke hookah all day long,” Lee, 20, said as she blew a plume of smoke from the watermelon-flavored tobacco from her hookah pipe inside Farah’s on the Avenue on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. “It’s very acceptable. Smoking hookah is far more acceptable than smoking a cigarette.”
According to Miller, Lee’s view is common.“When people smoke cigarettes, they feel like they have to hide it,” Miller said. “Hookah smoking is not the same.”
Jade Shue, a manager at Farah’s on the Avenue whose favorite flavor of hookah is lemon-mint, has also noticed an increased trend in college-aged students smoking hookah.
“Between [2005] and now, it has just skyrocketed,” she said.
Shue also noted the popularity with hookah smoking might be centered around the fact that hookah smoking is allowed in most restaurants where other forms of tobacco are not.
But not all people have noticed the same trend in hookah smoking.
Lawson Brown, assistant principal of Lincoln Middle School, said he doesn’t think the students at his school fit the profile of the 4 percent of middle school-aged children who had smoked hookah at least once, though he couldn’t be sure.
“Knock on wood, I feel pretty fortunate that [hookah smoking] is not an aspect of our discipline or school culture,” he said.
Anne Shaughnessy, assistant principal for curriculum at Gainesville High School, echoed Brown’s comments.
“I haven’t seen anything that would cause alarm for me,” she said. “I’m not aware of any trend. I hope I’m not wrong.”
Both school administrators mentioned their respective school’s focus on alcohol and tobacco use prevention measures as a reason for the apparent low instance of hookah use.
“We try to inundate our kids with positive messages about health and about positive social interactions,” Lawson said.
Although Miller acknowledged the cultural and social perception of hookah smoking as less harmful than cigarettes, she offered a suggestion to all hookah-smoking students of any age.
“It’s not a harmless activity,” she said. “There are other activities you can do to relax with your friends other than hookah smoking.”
And, according to a recent UF study, an increasing number of middle school- and high school-aged children share Lee’s fondness for the alternative form of tobacco.
The study, presented on Nov. 9 at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting in Philadelphia, found that 11 percent of Florida high school students and 4 percent of Florida middle school students had smoked hookah at least once.
Hookah burns charcoal and tobacco. Air is first drawn through the tobacco and then into the pipe, where it passes through water, which leads many smokers to believe hookah smoking is safer than cigarette or cigar smoking.
Maureen Miller, alcohol and other drug prevention specialist with UF’s GatorWell Health Promotion Services, was quick to point out hookah’s potentially dangerous effects.
“This isn’t harmless,” Miller said of hookah. “There certainly are some serious health concerns here.”
The World Health Organization reported a typical 20- to 80-minute hookah session is the equivalent of smoking about 100 cigarettes and can deliver 11 times more carbon monoxide than a cigarette.
The study shows an increase in hookah usage among members of the same age bracket from a 2005 University of Pittsburgh study that found 10 percent of high school students and 2 percent of middle school students surveyed had smoked hookah at least once.
But the trend doesn’t stop at middle and high school students. In a two-block radius between West 10th Street and West 12th Street on West University Avenue, there are at least five restaurants or lounges that offer the alternative form and often flavored tobacco, presumably for the college-aged audience in proximity to UF.
“I’m totally against smoking cigarettes, but I’ll smoke hookah all day long,” Lee, 20, said as she blew a plume of smoke from the watermelon-flavored tobacco from her hookah pipe inside Farah’s on the Avenue on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. “It’s very acceptable. Smoking hookah is far more acceptable than smoking a cigarette.”
According to Miller, Lee’s view is common.“When people smoke cigarettes, they feel like they have to hide it,” Miller said. “Hookah smoking is not the same.”
Jade Shue, a manager at Farah’s on the Avenue whose favorite flavor of hookah is lemon-mint, has also noticed an increased trend in college-aged students smoking hookah.
“Between [2005] and now, it has just skyrocketed,” she said.
Shue also noted the popularity with hookah smoking might be centered around the fact that hookah smoking is allowed in most restaurants where other forms of tobacco are not.
But not all people have noticed the same trend in hookah smoking.
Lawson Brown, assistant principal of Lincoln Middle School, said he doesn’t think the students at his school fit the profile of the 4 percent of middle school-aged children who had smoked hookah at least once, though he couldn’t be sure.
“Knock on wood, I feel pretty fortunate that [hookah smoking] is not an aspect of our discipline or school culture,” he said.
Anne Shaughnessy, assistant principal for curriculum at Gainesville High School, echoed Brown’s comments.
“I haven’t seen anything that would cause alarm for me,” she said. “I’m not aware of any trend. I hope I’m not wrong.”
Both school administrators mentioned their respective school’s focus on alcohol and tobacco use prevention measures as a reason for the apparent low instance of hookah use.
“We try to inundate our kids with positive messages about health and about positive social interactions,” Lawson said.
Although Miller acknowledged the cultural and social perception of hookah smoking as less harmful than cigarettes, she offered a suggestion to all hookah-smoking students of any age.
“It’s not a harmless activity,” she said. “There are other activities you can do to relax with your friends other than hookah smoking.”
Nov 16, 2009
Smokers Lighting Up Despite High Prices
Study Says Cigarette Smoking On Rise; Average Pack Costs $5
Prices of cigarettes may have gone up, but according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it hasn't stopped people from lighting up.
"I think it indicates some things are recession-proof, unfortunately," said Courtney Weatherby, with the American Lung Association.
In fact, according to a 2008 national survey, cigarette smoking rose slightly for the first time in almost 15 years to just under 21 percent.
"It's very interesting, but I think also in our tough economy right now with the recession it's not something that has to do with people just going out and buying them," Weatherby said. "I think it's still a habit. It's not something they're thinking, 'Oh, I need to quit this because it's expensive.' It's more so what they're doing to de-stress from their job or de-stress from financial trouble at home, things like that."
Longtime smoker Cayla Rawlins said she's tried to quit several times, but she admits one factor keeps getting in the way.
"I have children," Rawlins said. "We have a total of seven children between us. You try not smoking."
With the average pack of cigarettes now selling for $5, if a person buys one pack a day, they'll spend about $140 a month on cigarettes.
That's enough to cover the car insurance on a car plus have money left over for a monthly cell phone bill.
The study indicates those among the hardest hit are people with lower levels of education.
But for those like Rawlins who've seen their paychecks cut in half because of the economy, financial woes have her taking the extra puff.
"Jobs are down, money's short, especially if you have kids to take care of or just yourself," Rawlins said. "You have two people working. I just had a baby, got a granddaughter in the hospital. Between work and everything else, it's 'Get me a cigarette or I'm going to explode.'"
Nov 13, 2009
Coal company to keep headquarters in Southwest Va.
Coal producer Alpha Natural Resources chose to build a new corporate headquarters in Bristol for economic reasons and to stay close to its roots in rural Southwest Virginia, its chief executive officer said.
The company said yesterday that it plans to open a new headquarters building in Bristol's Sugar Hollow Business Complex by 2011, bringing 69 jobs to Virginia.
The decision stems from Alpha's $1.4 billion, all-stock acquisition in August of Linthicum Heights, Md.-based Foundation Coal Holdings. The deal, which created the nation's third-largest coal producer, also led Alpha to consider other locations, including sites in Tennessee and Maryland, for a larger headquarters space.
Alpha settled on the site in Bristol -- about 5 miles from its current home office in Abingdon -- because it could build there faster and at a lower cost than at about a dozen other locations it considered, said Kevin Crutchfield, Alpha Natural Resources' chief executive officer.
Crutchfield said the company resisted pressure to move its headquarters to a larger metropolitan area.
"In the end, we felt like our roots were here in Southwest Virginia, and it allows us to be proximate to our coal miners," he said. "We have a good many operations in Southwest Virginia and eastern Kentucky that we can access easily from here."
Alpha Natural Resources has about 6,200 employees and more than 60 coal mines in five states.
Also, Virginia is providing incentives through a $1 million grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund, while the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission is providing $3.4 million in tobacco settlement money targeted for economic development projects. The money will be used for building costs, Crutchfield said.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's office said the new headquarters would create about 69 jobs. Crutchfield said those jobs will be a combination of new hires and transfers from Foundation Coal's Maryland office. Alpha has about 130 headquarters employees now.
Alpha is investing about $17.5 million in the new headquarters through a lease-buyback agreement. The project is expected to result in an additional $3.5 million in direct outlays. The new building will have about 100,000-square-feet of space versus the company's current 40,000-square-foot office.
The company said yesterday that it plans to open a new headquarters building in Bristol's Sugar Hollow Business Complex by 2011, bringing 69 jobs to Virginia.
The decision stems from Alpha's $1.4 billion, all-stock acquisition in August of Linthicum Heights, Md.-based Foundation Coal Holdings. The deal, which created the nation's third-largest coal producer, also led Alpha to consider other locations, including sites in Tennessee and Maryland, for a larger headquarters space.
Alpha settled on the site in Bristol -- about 5 miles from its current home office in Abingdon -- because it could build there faster and at a lower cost than at about a dozen other locations it considered, said Kevin Crutchfield, Alpha Natural Resources' chief executive officer.
Crutchfield said the company resisted pressure to move its headquarters to a larger metropolitan area.
"In the end, we felt like our roots were here in Southwest Virginia, and it allows us to be proximate to our coal miners," he said. "We have a good many operations in Southwest Virginia and eastern Kentucky that we can access easily from here."
Alpha Natural Resources has about 6,200 employees and more than 60 coal mines in five states.
Also, Virginia is providing incentives through a $1 million grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund, while the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission is providing $3.4 million in tobacco settlement money targeted for economic development projects. The money will be used for building costs, Crutchfield said.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's office said the new headquarters would create about 69 jobs. Crutchfield said those jobs will be a combination of new hires and transfers from Foundation Coal's Maryland office. Alpha has about 130 headquarters employees now.
Alpha is investing about $17.5 million in the new headquarters through a lease-buyback agreement. The project is expected to result in an additional $3.5 million in direct outlays. The new building will have about 100,000-square-feet of space versus the company's current 40,000-square-foot office.
Nov 5, 2009
Man caught travelling with illegal cigarettes
A 24-year-old man from the U. S. side of Akwesasne, caught travelling on Hwy. 401 through Kingston shortly after 3 a. m. with a back seat full of illegal cigarettes, has been fined $11,050.
Matthew James Tarbell pleaded guilty in Kingston's Ontario Court of Justice to violating the Excise Act by possessing cigarettes without stamps to indicate that excise tax had been paid and to obstructing police by identifying himself with his brother's name.
Tarbell spent 13 days in jail before pleading guilty to the two offences and was ultimately sentenced to time served on the obstruction charge.
Federal Crown prosecutor David Crowe told Justice Rommel Masse that some erratic maneuvering on the highway, just west of the Division Street off-ramp on the morning of Oct. 16, initially attracted an officer's attention to the red Buick Tarbell was driving.
Tarbell disputes that claim but whatever first drew his attention to the car, Crowe told the judge the patrol officer subsequently noted its licence validation sticker had expired over a year earlier, on March 31, 2008. That gave him grounds to pull Tarbell over.
Crowe said Tarbell, when asked to identify himself, gave a name and New York State address that was only later learned to belong to his brother. His female passenger also misidentified herself.
While the officer was talking to Tarbell, however, Crowe said his attention was drawn to a pile of blankets and jackets in the back seat covering two large plastic bags. He told Masse that one of the plastic bags was torn and the officer could clearly see through the gap that it contained bags of loose cigarettes. He then arrested Tarbell for violating the Excise Act.
It was only while he was being booked on that charge, according to Crowe, that the lie underpinning his second offence was discovered. Tarbell was asked how old he was and responded to the booking sergeant that he was 23. The officer, however, looking at the birth date he'd provided, pointed out that it would have made him only 22.
Masse was told that when Tarbell's cargo was tallied, he was found to be transporting the equivalent of six cases of cigarettes, or 30 cartons of 200 cigarettes each. Crowe said Tarbell later told the RCMP that he'd anticipated receiving about $50 a case for a total of $300.
Ottawa lawyer Jeff Langevin, who represented Tarbell, told Masse that his client has no record and urged him "to be a bit creative here with your sentence."
Crowe, however, advised that this was not the first time Tarbell had been caught in Canada with a load of illegal smokes.
He was charged with the same thing in May, in Brockville, according to Crowe, and failed to show up for court there.
Crowe told Masse that he wasn't seeking more than the minimum fine under the Act, but argued that Tarbell was flaunting Canadian law, observing that he "lives in another country and chooses to come here and commit crimes."
In imposing the fine, Masse agreed that deterrence had to be a key component of his sentence.
"There's only one reason anyone would have that many cigarettes," he told Tarbell, "and that's the black market."
Matthew James Tarbell pleaded guilty in Kingston's Ontario Court of Justice to violating the Excise Act by possessing cigarettes without stamps to indicate that excise tax had been paid and to obstructing police by identifying himself with his brother's name.
Tarbell spent 13 days in jail before pleading guilty to the two offences and was ultimately sentenced to time served on the obstruction charge.
Federal Crown prosecutor David Crowe told Justice Rommel Masse that some erratic maneuvering on the highway, just west of the Division Street off-ramp on the morning of Oct. 16, initially attracted an officer's attention to the red Buick Tarbell was driving.
Tarbell disputes that claim but whatever first drew his attention to the car, Crowe told the judge the patrol officer subsequently noted its licence validation sticker had expired over a year earlier, on March 31, 2008. That gave him grounds to pull Tarbell over.
Crowe said Tarbell, when asked to identify himself, gave a name and New York State address that was only later learned to belong to his brother. His female passenger also misidentified herself.
While the officer was talking to Tarbell, however, Crowe said his attention was drawn to a pile of blankets and jackets in the back seat covering two large plastic bags. He told Masse that one of the plastic bags was torn and the officer could clearly see through the gap that it contained bags of loose cigarettes. He then arrested Tarbell for violating the Excise Act.
It was only while he was being booked on that charge, according to Crowe, that the lie underpinning his second offence was discovered. Tarbell was asked how old he was and responded to the booking sergeant that he was 23. The officer, however, looking at the birth date he'd provided, pointed out that it would have made him only 22.
Masse was told that when Tarbell's cargo was tallied, he was found to be transporting the equivalent of six cases of cigarettes, or 30 cartons of 200 cigarettes each. Crowe said Tarbell later told the RCMP that he'd anticipated receiving about $50 a case for a total of $300.
Ottawa lawyer Jeff Langevin, who represented Tarbell, told Masse that his client has no record and urged him "to be a bit creative here with your sentence."
Crowe, however, advised that this was not the first time Tarbell had been caught in Canada with a load of illegal smokes.
He was charged with the same thing in May, in Brockville, according to Crowe, and failed to show up for court there.
Crowe told Masse that he wasn't seeking more than the minimum fine under the Act, but argued that Tarbell was flaunting Canadian law, observing that he "lives in another country and chooses to come here and commit crimes."
In imposing the fine, Masse agreed that deterrence had to be a key component of his sentence.
"There's only one reason anyone would have that many cigarettes," he told Tarbell, "and that's the black market."
Nov 2, 2009
Tobacco Cessation Draws Audience to Tamarack
BECKLEY -- A variety of organizations are coming together to "Follow the Signs."
The Southern Coalfields African American Tobacco Prevention Network organized a training program to raise awareness about how tobacco affects the African American community. Groups came together Monday at Tamarack for an informational cessation session.
"The tobacco industry spends millions of dollars, first to target African Americans. They spend $35 million per day on marketing cigarettes in the United State. And a lot of that money is placed into the black community," West Region Director LaTanisha Wright said.
According to the National African American Tobacco Network, each year 47,000 blacks die from tobacco-related illnesses.
Additionally, the group says more African Americans die from lung cancer than any other race in the United States.
The Southern Coalfields African American Tobacco Prevention Network organized a training program to raise awareness about how tobacco affects the African American community. Groups came together Monday at Tamarack for an informational cessation session.
"The tobacco industry spends millions of dollars, first to target African Americans. They spend $35 million per day on marketing cigarettes in the United State. And a lot of that money is placed into the black community," West Region Director LaTanisha Wright said.
According to the National African American Tobacco Network, each year 47,000 blacks die from tobacco-related illnesses.
Additionally, the group says more African Americans die from lung cancer than any other race in the United States.
Oct 16, 2009
Canadian tobacco firm destroyed evidence: researchers
OTTAWA — Researchers said Thursday they uncovered evidence that a Canadian tobacco company destroyed scientific data it had decades ago showing that cigarettes were addictive and caused cancer.
The three Canadian researchers published copies of 60 internal documents, shredded by Imperial Tobacco Canada in 1992 to avoid embarrassment or liability, in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The copies were uncovered in the files of parent firm British American Tobacco subsidiary.
The documents detail evidence from scientific reviews prepared by British American Tobacco's researchers, as well as dozens of original research studies between 1967 and 1984, such as the examination of the biological activity and carcinogenicity of tobacco smoke.
They describe research on cigarette modifications and toxic emissions, including how consumers adapted their smoking behavior to these modifications, and depict a comprehensive research program on the pharmacology of nicotine and its central role in smoking behaviour.
Some studies found second-hand smoke on rats was dangerous. Other research cast doubt on the comparative benefits of low-tar cigarettes, as smokers simply compensated by inhaling more intensely.
All the while, Imperial Tobacco Canada executives had denied that smoking was addictive or a health hazard, even testifying such at a parliamentary committee hearing in 1987.
The records are now likely to be used in lawsuits by three Canadian provinces seeking billions of dollars from tobacco firms for smoking-related health care costs.
The three Canadian researchers published copies of 60 internal documents, shredded by Imperial Tobacco Canada in 1992 to avoid embarrassment or liability, in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The copies were uncovered in the files of parent firm British American Tobacco subsidiary.
The documents detail evidence from scientific reviews prepared by British American Tobacco's researchers, as well as dozens of original research studies between 1967 and 1984, such as the examination of the biological activity and carcinogenicity of tobacco smoke.
They describe research on cigarette modifications and toxic emissions, including how consumers adapted their smoking behavior to these modifications, and depict a comprehensive research program on the pharmacology of nicotine and its central role in smoking behaviour.
Some studies found second-hand smoke on rats was dangerous. Other research cast doubt on the comparative benefits of low-tar cigarettes, as smokers simply compensated by inhaling more intensely.
All the while, Imperial Tobacco Canada executives had denied that smoking was addictive or a health hazard, even testifying such at a parliamentary committee hearing in 1987.
The records are now likely to be used in lawsuits by three Canadian provinces seeking billions of dollars from tobacco firms for smoking-related health care costs.
Oct 9, 2009
Pocono Thursday: Mt. Airy threatens lawsuit, Census jobs, cigarette tax
"Hey, that's not fair and we're going to sue."
Mount Airy and three other casinos who paid $50 million for slots licenses said the legislature is considering changing the rules to allow more machines at neighboring resorts. If that happens, the four casinos said they'll sue to get their money back. We have their letter.
The Census is coming. The Census is coming. Why should we care? It means big bucks for the Poconos. Monroe has had the second-highest growth rate among Pennsylvania counties this decade, but state and federal aid has been based on the 2000 or 1990 head counts. Yes, we're talking millions here.
The Census also means temporary jobs for a lot of people. Here's how to apply.
Today marks the 100th day without a state budget, but legislators are making some progress. Smokers will need to pay another 25-cent tax on cigarettes.
When a PFA needs to be served or gun needs to be confiscated, it won't wait until morning. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office pays overtime. Wouldn't it make sense to add a second shift? County commissioners should consider it.
In Local Sports, we have all the Pocono action and more.
In a late game, the Dodgers beat the Cards. The Yanks and the Phils also won the openers yesterday. We have a treat for Phillies fans who need to work instead of watching the game this afternoon. We're updating it here online so you can be "in the know" and still get your work done.
Speaking of knowing baseball, Mike Sadowski is always about the game so we put him to work. He's an avid Phillies fan, but he acknowledges that New York team and he's talking about all the teams in his new playoffs blog, Stuck in the Middle.
Mount Airy and three other casinos who paid $50 million for slots licenses said the legislature is considering changing the rules to allow more machines at neighboring resorts. If that happens, the four casinos said they'll sue to get their money back. We have their letter.
The Census is coming. The Census is coming. Why should we care? It means big bucks for the Poconos. Monroe has had the second-highest growth rate among Pennsylvania counties this decade, but state and federal aid has been based on the 2000 or 1990 head counts. Yes, we're talking millions here.
The Census also means temporary jobs for a lot of people. Here's how to apply.
Today marks the 100th day without a state budget, but legislators are making some progress. Smokers will need to pay another 25-cent tax on cigarettes.
When a PFA needs to be served or gun needs to be confiscated, it won't wait until morning. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office pays overtime. Wouldn't it make sense to add a second shift? County commissioners should consider it.
In Local Sports, we have all the Pocono action and more.
In a late game, the Dodgers beat the Cards. The Yanks and the Phils also won the openers yesterday. We have a treat for Phillies fans who need to work instead of watching the game this afternoon. We're updating it here online so you can be "in the know" and still get your work done.
Speaking of knowing baseball, Mike Sadowski is always about the game so we put him to work. He's an avid Phillies fan, but he acknowledges that New York team and he's talking about all the teams in his new playoffs blog, Stuck in the Middle.
Sep 21, 2009
Cigarette sales to youngsters 'unacceptably high'
CIGARETTES remain easily available to people under 18 according to Devon Trading Standards. They say undercover operations found retailers selling cigarettes to underage youngsters.
A spokesperson said: “Despite the increase from 16 to 18-years-old for the minimum age for buying cigarettes in 2007, the operations found that youngsters were not asked their age and on occasions were even helped to buy cigarettes from vending machines, even though they were underage. “Operation Reality Check involved a series of test purchases across the South-West, using two female volunteers of a similar age. “One volunteer did not ‘dress-up’, or wear make up or lie about their age. The other dressed in more fashionable clothes and was able to wear make up, but was still not allowed to use any false identification.
“However, in both cases cigarette sales to the youngsters were unacceptably high -- 52 outlets out of 298 (17%) sold cigarettes to the first volunteer and 67 outlets from 298 (22%) to the second volunteer.
“Although there was a slight rise in sales with the more realistic scenario, the overall conclusion was that it appeared to make little difference as to whether a shop sold or not. “Far more important was the general attitude of the business towards underage sales in general.
“Neither of our volunteers were asked their age and on a few occasions where identification was requested a sale still took place even though none was shown.”
A spokesperson said: “Despite the increase from 16 to 18-years-old for the minimum age for buying cigarettes in 2007, the operations found that youngsters were not asked their age and on occasions were even helped to buy cigarettes from vending machines, even though they were underage. “Operation Reality Check involved a series of test purchases across the South-West, using two female volunteers of a similar age. “One volunteer did not ‘dress-up’, or wear make up or lie about their age. The other dressed in more fashionable clothes and was able to wear make up, but was still not allowed to use any false identification.
“However, in both cases cigarette sales to the youngsters were unacceptably high -- 52 outlets out of 298 (17%) sold cigarettes to the first volunteer and 67 outlets from 298 (22%) to the second volunteer.
“Although there was a slight rise in sales with the more realistic scenario, the overall conclusion was that it appeared to make little difference as to whether a shop sold or not. “Far more important was the general attitude of the business towards underage sales in general.
“Neither of our volunteers were asked their age and on a few occasions where identification was requested a sale still took place even though none was shown.”
Sep 17, 2009
Man faces charges after police say contraband found in vehicle
A 37-year-old man is facing several charges after Halifax RCMP say they found 7,400 packages of illegal cigarettes in his vehicle yesterday.
Police say they stopped the driver of a blue Pontiac Vibe on Beaver Bank Road at 2:30 a.m. after he showed signs of impairment. Police say the driver was then arrested for impaired driving.
Police then searched the vehicle and say they found the illegal cigarettes along with two bottles of liquor.
The man has been released with a notice to appear in provincial court Oct. 28 on charges of impaired operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle over 80 mgs and possession of illegal cigarettes.
Two other men in the car, aged 35 and 28, were also arrested and charged with breach of recognizance.
Police say they stopped the driver of a blue Pontiac Vibe on Beaver Bank Road at 2:30 a.m. after he showed signs of impairment. Police say the driver was then arrested for impaired driving.
Police then searched the vehicle and say they found the illegal cigarettes along with two bottles of liquor.
The man has been released with a notice to appear in provincial court Oct. 28 on charges of impaired operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle over 80 mgs and possession of illegal cigarettes.
Two other men in the car, aged 35 and 28, were also arrested and charged with breach of recognizance.
Sep 15, 2009
Fire And Smoke Damages From Cigarettes That You Could Learn To Live Without
It is not wise to smoke in the house. A cigarette can cause a fire at almost anytime. It can burn things, stain things, harm lives, and much more. You can fall asleep smoking and cause a house fire in the bedroom or in the living room. You can knock or drop the burning tip off the cigarette and cause it to land on the carpet. Cigarettes are one of the reasons people have house fires because they are being careless and not watching what they are doing.
Cigarettes are dangerous and people can lose everything they have including their health because of it. Not only can it do damage to yourself and your house, but it can also do damage outside as well by starting a fire there. If you do smoke in the house, you must make sure that the cigarette is put out all the way. Make sure that there is no smoke coming from the ash tray and the cigarette is not still burning. Do not throw away the cigarette butts until you are certain they are out. Placing them in a metal container with nothing else in it is the safest way to dispose of them.
Make sure the containers have metal lids on them and some sand in it just in case there is still an ember burning. Also, if you smoke outside, have a container with sand on the cement path walk or on the porch for the cigarette butts, so if it gets knock over it will not start something on fire. Nothing looks nastier in your yard than to have it covered with discarded cigarette butts. Never throw your cigarette butts out the window when you are driving. Other people certainly do not want them in their yard either and starting a wildfire or burning down the home of someone is always a possibility.
Smoking is not only bad for you, but for your family, and your homes. You really do not want to even smoke in your home because of second hand smoke you subject others to, but also cause it makes your home dingy looking and smell really bad. If you are a smoker and would really like to quit, talk with your family doctor about all of the many quitting options there are available today. You might find one way or a combination of several that will help you kick this habit once and for all.
Cigarettes are dangerous and people can lose everything they have including their health because of it. Not only can it do damage to yourself and your house, but it can also do damage outside as well by starting a fire there. If you do smoke in the house, you must make sure that the cigarette is put out all the way. Make sure that there is no smoke coming from the ash tray and the cigarette is not still burning. Do not throw away the cigarette butts until you are certain they are out. Placing them in a metal container with nothing else in it is the safest way to dispose of them.
Make sure the containers have metal lids on them and some sand in it just in case there is still an ember burning. Also, if you smoke outside, have a container with sand on the cement path walk or on the porch for the cigarette butts, so if it gets knock over it will not start something on fire. Nothing looks nastier in your yard than to have it covered with discarded cigarette butts. Never throw your cigarette butts out the window when you are driving. Other people certainly do not want them in their yard either and starting a wildfire or burning down the home of someone is always a possibility.
Smoking is not only bad for you, but for your family, and your homes. You really do not want to even smoke in your home because of second hand smoke you subject others to, but also cause it makes your home dingy looking and smell really bad. If you are a smoker and would really like to quit, talk with your family doctor about all of the many quitting options there are available today. You might find one way or a combination of several that will help you kick this habit once and for all.
Sep 7, 2009
Ask us: Is a clove cigarette addictive like a regular cigarette?
Q: I read the information on the differences between clove cigarettes and regular cigarettes, but am still wondering if clove cigarettes are addictive. I've heard they do not contain nicotine, therefore are not physically addictive. I've also heard that smoking one clove cigarette (such as the brand Black) is like smoking a pack of regular cigarettes. I've researched this online and found contradicting information. What's the truth?
A: The truth is that most clove cigarettes (kreteks) are made with 2/3 tobacco and 1/3 minced dried clove buds. The blend is flavored with fruit and spice essences, rolled and sprayed with a sweetener. The tobacco in clove cigarettes contains at least as much tar and nicotine as regular cigarettes. Testing reveals just as much nicotine and carbon monoxide in the blood of clove cigarette smokers as in regular cigarette smokers. Djarum Black cigarettes sold in Indonesia and available online actually contain much higher levels of tar and nicotine than the same brand sold in the Americas and in Europe. So the truth is that clove cigarettes are in fact both harmful and addictive.
A: The truth is that most clove cigarettes (kreteks) are made with 2/3 tobacco and 1/3 minced dried clove buds. The blend is flavored with fruit and spice essences, rolled and sprayed with a sweetener. The tobacco in clove cigarettes contains at least as much tar and nicotine as regular cigarettes. Testing reveals just as much nicotine and carbon monoxide in the blood of clove cigarette smokers as in regular cigarette smokers. Djarum Black cigarettes sold in Indonesia and available online actually contain much higher levels of tar and nicotine than the same brand sold in the Americas and in Europe. So the truth is that clove cigarettes are in fact both harmful and addictive.
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