Daily Archives: January 27, 2012

Photo of the day January 26

“In the early morning hours of January 25th, this shot of the Northern Lights was captured near Rainbow Mountain.” Photo Courtesy Sebastian Saarloos

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Pesticide Safety Certification Classes ~ Feb 7 & 8

From the Cooperative Extension Service

Certification is required by Alaska State Regulation 18 AAC90.300 for individuals engaged in the following practices:
1. Use or supervise the use of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricted-use pesticides (RUP);
2. Use or supervise the use of an EPA general or RUP for commercial purpose (for hire);
3. Satisfy the requirements of a pesticide permit;
4. Act as a pesticide consultant;
5. Purchase or sell EPA Restricted-Use Pesticides. You must be 18 years old to apply for certification.
6. Use or supervise the use of pesticides at a school unless an antimicrobial
7. Use or supervise the use of pesticides at a public place unless an antimicrobial

You must be 18 years old to apply for certification: Classes listed below will be offered to provide information on safe handling, correct application and toxicity. An exam is included and required for those seeking certification.

Initial certification and Re-certification workshop for
Category # 1 – Regulatory Pest Control
Category # 2 – Demonstration and Research Pest Control
Category # 3 – Private Agriculture Pest Control
Category # 4 – Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
Category # 5 – Antifouling Paint
Category # 6 – Aquatic Pest Control
Category # 7 – Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health-Related Pest Control Category # 8 – Public Health Pest Control
Category # 9 – Right of Way Control
Category # 10 – Mosquito and Biting Fly Pest Control
Category #11 – Aerial Pest Control
Category #12 – Forest Pest Control
Category #13 – Wood Preservatives
Category #14 – Restricted-Use Pesticide Dealers

Initial and Re-certification workshops require a two-day training for all categories. DATE:   Tuesday, February 7th and Wednesday, February 8th
TIME:    9:00 – 5:00 PLACE:   Delta Career Advancement Training Center INSTRUCTOR:  Phil Kaspari, Pesticide Program Coordinator
REGISTRATION:  Call the CES office at 895-4215 to confirm
Registration deadline is Friday, February 3, 2011

If you do not have training materials (core manual and category specific training materials) you will need to pick them up in advance and study prior to the class. There is a new core exam and supplemental exams per each category that have proven to be challenging. Students are encouraged to self-study to become familiar with the material.

You can download most of the study materials at the DEC website -  or contact the CES in Delta at 907-895-4215, cmroden@alaska.edu or stop by room 114/115 in the Jarvis Office Center to pick up for additional information or training materials.

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Press Pause on Faulty Video Rental Debt Collections

Anchorage, Alaska – Jan. 26, 2012 – Former customers of Hollywood Video allege that they are now receiving collection calls and notices from Universal Fidelity LP regarding past-due movie rentals and fees associated with unreturned movies. Most complainants say that fees are excessive and debts are unfounded; some fear that false information may be submitted to credit reporting bureaus.

In a 2011 settlement, similar allegations were brought against National Credit Solutions (NCS) and Credit Control Services, collection agencies which were initially contracted by Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery after the companies filed bankruptcy in 2010.

While collection companies are within their legal rights to collect legitimate debts, Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington urges consumers to pause before paying:

Rewind: Get proof of balances due to unreturned movies or unpaid late fees.

Request written proof of debts: By law, collection agencies must provide validation notices within five days of contacting consumers about debts. If calls inaccurately claim unreturned rentals: Video stores often do not provide return receipts, so write down all of the details: movie names, video store locations and return dates. If old late fees were already paid: Try to locate documentation—such as receipts, old check records, and credit card or bank statements.

Eject: Contest invalid debts. Contact any involved parties to clear up discrepancies.

Contact the location: If it is a closed branch or franchise, try contacting the corporate headquarters to find out if they can address account problems. Be prepared to provide all relevant information. Consumers with complaints on Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery can email customerrequests@hlyw.com. Communicate with debt collectors: Write letters to collection agencies; dispute charges, state your case and include supporting documentation. Send letters via certified mail with return receipts. Check credit reports: Visit annualcreditreport.com to review credit reports on a yearly basis. Dispute false debts with the three major credit bureaus.

Stop: If issues are not resolved, file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov, Better Business Bureau at bbb.org, and the state Attorney General’s office. Visit BBB’s site for more tips on debt collectors.

Adam Harkness, Alaska Public Relations Manager: 907.644.5202 | pr@thebbb.org
Niki Horace, V.P. of Marketing and Public Relations: 206.676.4187

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