Carbon Dioxide

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A press fire early Friday at Quad/Graphics near Martinsburg forced employees to evacuate the plant, fire and company officials said. No one was injured, and the fire was contained to the press and extinguished by the building's water and carbon dioxide suppression systems, company spokeswoman Claire Ho said. The cause of the fire, which happened shortly before 1 a.m., remains under investigation, Ho said. Printing operations had resumed Friday, and deadlines for customers continued to be met as the cleanup of water, smoke and soot was ongoing, Ho said.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Democrats are giving up on plans to pass an energy bill that caps emissions of carbon dioxide, saying Republicans refuse to support the measure. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said no Republican was willing to back a comprehensive energy bill, a development he called "terribly disappointing. " Democrats have been trying for more than a year to pass a plan that charges utilities and other major polluters for their carbon emissions. A compromise plan to limit emissions only from utilities also failed to attract the 60 votes needed to advance it in the 100-member chamber.

Washington County Health System Inc. is a star. At least, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency thinks so. Recently, the hospital and a number of companies in the mid-Atlantic region qualified as EPA outstanding Energy Star partners. WCHS, which includes Washington County Hospital, Antietam Health Services and Robinwood Medical Center, was recognized as meeting the EPA's Earth Day Challenge. Ray Grahe, hospital vice president, said the hospital staff has been working six or seven months to save energy according to EPA recommendations.

In last Sunday's Herald-Mail, I saw the article by Robert Gary. He says that we need to protect ourselves from fake or "junk" science. However, there are a few points on which I disagree. First, Gary says that fake science arises "from two broad categories: 1. Revealed religion and 2. Corporate profit-seeking. " Actually, the biggest source for false ideas in science is science itself. For those who question this, I point to a marvelous book entitled "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas S. Kuhn.

Water does more than just quench thirst Water is second only to oxygen as life's most essential element. We need six to eight glasses of water daily to help ensure good health. Water must be replaced frequently because we lose about two and a half quarts daily. In fact, it is necessary for almost every process of the human body. For example, water aids in digestion and circulation, and it helps maintain normal body temperature and healthy skin. Your body's need for water increases in hot and dry climates and with physical activity.

Q. Does beer lose its flavor when it gets warm? Seems like cold beer allowed to warm, even if it's cooled again, tastes funny. This seems especially true of better quality beers. Is there an explanation? A. "Beer flavor is very much a temperature thing," says Tim Keck, head brewer at Frederick Brewing Company in Frederick, Md. When beer is very cold, the bitterness of the hops is accentuated, but as it gets closer to room temperature, the sweetness of the malt is more dominant, Keck says.

Doleman museum president expresses appreciation for funding To the editor: The Doleman Black Heritage Museum would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to our congressional delegation, especially U.S. Sens. Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, for the hard work and effort that it took to secure the funding that has just been announced for our museum. We would also like to thank the City of Hagerstown and its staff, as well as its previous administration, for the tireless support that they have given to the museum's endeavors.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- The Chambersburg Area School District received an award Wednesday for energy stewardship because of initiatives involving students, faculty and staff. The award from Energy Education Inc. recognizes the district for saving nearly 5,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to a news release. The district owns 1.3 million square feet of building space. Documents prepared by Energy Manager Connie Kelley estimate the district saved $750,000 in two years.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - In this bust, police didn't have to go searching. The operator came to them. Police said they found 12 garbage bags stuffed with suspected marijuana at a home in the Shannondale area of Jefferson County on Sunday afternoon after a woman decided to "come clean" about growing the drug. "We don't get this often," said Detective Victor Lupis of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. The woman, who is not being identified, has not been arrested, Lupis said.

HAGERSTOWN -- Hagerstown officials will apply for a $35,000 state grant to buy about 250 trees in an effort to make the city more green. City Planning Director Kathleen Maher on Tuesday told the City Council that the trees would be part of a plan to increase the city's "urban tree canopy cover" from 21 percent to 30 percent by 2050. Maher said the canopy cover percentage is determined by satellite imagery. At 21 percent, Hagerstown ranks well below the state average of 35 percent, Maher said.