Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has announced a lawsuit against the owner of a Medina-area landscaping service accused of failing to deliver promised services to consumers and performing shoddy work.

The lawsuit accuses John M. Capone, operating as Empire Landscaping & Irrigation, of violating Ohios Consumer Sales Practices Act and Home Solicitation Sales Act.

In the last two years, nine consumers have filed complaints against the business with approximately $60,000 in reported losses.

Despite our efforts to resolve these issues out of court, this individual has failed to cooperate, leaving consumers with shoddy work and no refunds, DeWine said. The purpose of this action is to put an end to the violations and recover money for affected consumers.

Through his business, John M. Capone offered landscaping and light construction services, including concrete driveways, walkways, patios, fire pits, and lawn care. He sometimes solicited Northeast Ohio consumers at their homes. Consumers paid the business thousands of dollars in down payments, but services were not delivered or were performed shoddily.

According to the Attorney Generals lawsuit, Capone also has used other business names, including J.C. & Sons Landscaping, Empire Landscaping, and J.C. & Sons Landscaping & Irrigation, and he has multiple outstanding judgments against him in municipal and common pleas courts related to consumer transactions.

The Attorney Generals lawsuit, filed in the Medina County Common Pleas Court, charges John M. Capone, doing business as Empire Landscaping & Irrigation, with failing to deliver, performing shoddy work, failing to give consumers notice of their right to cancel a door-to-door sale, starting work without obtaining necessary permits, failing to register business names with the Ohio Secretary of State, and soliciting new consumers before paying off past consumer judgments.

In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks a declaration that these acts violate Ohio consumer law, an injunction to stop further violations, consumer restitution, and civil penalties.

Consumers can help protect themselves in a home improvement transaction by taking the following steps:

Check businesses reputations with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau. Get written estimates from several businesses before making a final decision. Get all promises in writing. Make sure the written contract includes the start date and end date and an itemized list of all costs and services. Be wary if the contract requires a large down payment, such as half of the total cost, or requires that you write the check directly to the contractor instead of his or her company. Keep in mind that door-to-door sales contractors are required to give you a three-day right to cancel and cannot begin the work until the three-day period ends.

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Landscaper accused of failing to deliver promised services

February 22, 2015 11:19 AM

Meteorologist Carol Erickson is one of the markets most versa...

By Carol Erickson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Free water ice, everyone. All over the roads, the walkways, parking lots, steps, etc. No flavors except ouch, if you end up slipping on it.

Air temperatures struggle past the freezing mark today, but the ground is very stubborn to give up the chill. Anything done outside walking, driving, even standing needs to be done with a lot of thought to what youre on or about to be on.

VIEW: Latest Forecast

Later in the afternoon, the temperatures keep their valiant battle to rise above freezing to around 40 degrees. That should help melt some of what is down there from our overperforming Saturday snow.

Then, the refreeze begins tonight with temperatures dropping to 19 degrees and staying below freezing on Monday.

So keep doing what youre doing: being smart about travel, paying your heating bill, checking on your friends and neighbors, keeping your pets inside and filling up the bird feeders. That should keep us busy, until spring. Ah, spring and cherry water ice.

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WEATHER: Winter Storm Serves Up Water Ice

Roanoke, VA - Snow and extremely cold weather may keep some inside, but whatever the weather, a Postal worker's job never ends.

The Postal Service is asking customers to clear walkways and areas around mailboxes of snow and ice. Doing so will ensure both safety for postal workers as well as efficient mail delivery service.

The Postal Service is asking customers to help keep their letter carrier safe this winter through the following actions:

Clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver the mail and to drive away from the box without danger of the need for backing.

Walkways should be cleared of snow and ice and allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips or falls.

Steps should also be kept clear of ice and snow and in good repair so as not to cause injury to the letter carriers or others who visit the customer's home.

Overhangs should be clear and free of snow and ice to avoid injury.

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U.S. Postal Service Asks Customers to Clear Walkways for Mail Delivery

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT)-- Winter storms and along with them the cold, snow and icy conditions can make delivery of your mail very challenging for letter carriers and your Post Office.

Support your letter carrier and Post Office in providing safe and timely delivery of your mail.

The Postal Service said they'll do their best to make delivery to all addresses. At the same time, they need to insure the safety of all carriers along their routes. Therefore, the Postal Service is asking that customers take caution themselves as they clear a path for their letter carrier.

Postal residential and business customers are asked to clear your mailbox area of snow, sleet, slush, ice and debris, including clearing nearby sidewalks, steps and porches.

If mailboxes are blocked off and conditions are difficult, letter carriers must always consider safety and accessibility first. Letter carriers are instructed to not deliver to mailboxes and locations which are too hazardous or unsafe to access.

Whether you have a street-side, centralized neighborhood/cluster unit, house, or door mailbox, postal letter carriers need to have clear and safe access to deliver your mail.

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Postal Service asks customers to clear walkways and areas around mailboxes

By Kevin Elliott

Left disabled by a gunshot wound in 2011, Anda Mthulu from Taiwan in Khayelitsha faces much hardship in his township, through both physical and social obstacles.

Mthulu, 28, is an intern who teaches computer skills to wheelchair users at the QuadPara Association of the Western Cape (QAWC) in Durbanville. QAWC "helps [quadriplegics and paraplegics] live their lives to their full potential," says Mthulu.

Mthulu is able to get in and out of his home when he uses crutches. In his wheelchair he is only able to get out.

Getting to work each day is a hard task for Mthulu as he has to travel on three different taxis, using crutches to get between each drop-off point. He says that taxis will not stop for him if he is in his wheelchair as they do not want to waste time helping him get into the taxi. Trying to use busses is not any easier as most busses only have steps to get in, which means Mthulu has to ask someone to help him or pay someone to be his "helper" for the day. Even if he manages to get on the bus, Mthulu has fallen many times as the driver "does not wait for you while you are trying to find a seat."

Mthulu mentions that even given his situation, there are other wheelchair users in his community that are far worse off. Mthulu says that living close to the road and still having one leg allow him to be far more mobile compared to his friend, Babalo, who cannot use either of his legs and must travel long distances, through sand, to get from his home to the road.

Mthulu says he is grateful for his father and a neighbour, Simphiwe, who is "the best" - helping Mthulu whenever he is able to.

Simphiwe helps Mthulu get over a cement obstacle in the sandy corridor outside his home.

Mthulu speaks of the vast number of issues that he and other disabled people frequently experience. People charge him to do simple tasks such as sweeping the floor of his lounge or throwing out a bucket of water. His neighbours do not want him to build a ramp from the pavement to the road near his home. Mthulu says people stare at him, don't greet him, push past him in queues, throw rubbish in his yard, use his clothing line without asking, and rob him of his possessions when he is in his wheelchair. Disheartened by how others treat disabled people, Mthulu remarks, "We are not animals, we are human beings as well."

Anthony Ghillino, project manager at QAWC, says "there really are so many issues that people in disadvantaged areas who use wheelchairs face."

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South Africa: Prejudice Is One of the Biggest Obstacles for Township Wheelchair Users

Published: Monday, February 16, 2015 at 06:29 PM.

With the threat of a quarter of an inch of ice in the forecast, power outages could likely happen in the area.

To keep safe and warm during these outages, people are reminded to have a winter preparedness kit and to also be cautious when using alternative means of light and heat.

Safety First

There is a chance that power in the area could go out, said Jennifer Jabon, spokesperson for Duke Energy.

The weather can be unpredictable, said Jabon. The ice will pose more of a challenge then snow usually does.

While no power is a possibility, people may turn to using a generator or a propane heater to stay warm. There are dangers if these are not used probably, warned Director of Emergency services for Cleveland County, Perry Davis.

If you are using a generator keep them away from doors and windows. Keep them in a well ventilated area, Davis said.

Keeping generators away from doors and windows, as well as outside, will keep carbon monoxide from entering the home, Davis said. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that comes from the use of generators and propane heaters and can be harmful to people.

Also, be mindful of using candles as well. They can become a fire hazard, Davis said.

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Staying safe during a winter storm

Keep sidewalks, steps safe for your carriers

Thursday, February 12, 2015 4:05 AM EST

Titusville Herald

It is well known that postal carriers are adept at dealing with adverse weather conditions.

However, with this winter's build up of snow, the Postal Service is asking for a helping hand, or shovel, from local residents.

While postal carriers will attempt to make deliveries wherever possible, the Western Pennsylvania District is asking customers to help with the safe delivery of mail by keeping walkways and sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

In past winter storm events, postal carriers have suffered serious injuries related to slips, trips and falls due to icy and snow-covered walkways and porch steps.

Letter carriers are instructed to use good judgement, if a potential hazard exists, and to hold mail to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared.

"No one wants to inconvenience the customer," said John Phelan, Western Pennsylvania District manager. "However, we must ensure the safety of our employees."

The United States Postal Service is asking customers to help keep their letter carrier safe this winter through the following actions:

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Keep sidewalks, steps safe for your carriers

LIHUE An increase in islandwide burglaries prompted police to urge citizens to take steps to prevent property crime and to help by reporting suspects.

The Kauai Police Department said information and tips from the community helped officers make several theft-related arrests in a previous burglary spike from November to December.

Unfortunately, burglaries and thefts are still occurring islandwide, and were asking the community to be vigilant, said Michael Contrades, assistant chief of Investigative Services Bureau. Reporting suspicious activity will help us in our goal to identify perpetrators and hold them responsible for their crimes.

Through Jan. 27, KPD reported one arrest for first-degree burglary, one for unauthorized entry into a dwelling, three criminal trespassing, four more for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, and one unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

There were two robbery arrests along with 12 theft arrests, and six credit card related theft arrests.

In December, KPD made 10 criminal trespassing arrests, along with two unauthorized possession of a propelled vehicle and one for second-degree robbery. There were 25 theft arrests, along with 14 credit card related arrests.

In November, KPD made three arrests for unauthorized entry into a dwelling and one for second-degree criminal trespassing. There were 19 arrests for theft, two more for theft of copper, and three credit card related thefts.

The North Shore crime watch group, Community Against Thieves, posts rewards for the arrest and conviction of the burglars. While taking the brunt of the last few crime sprees, the largely Princeville and Anahola network is saying things are calm right now.

After checking with the neighbors, it seems we are in the clear over here as far as we know, said member Leo McCarthy. Things can change in a minute, but right now we are OK.

There has been a little bit of uplift in the January report, although we dont have very many details about it yet, addedRory Enright,general manager ofPrinceville at Hanalei Community Association. Alot of it is motor vehicle entry issues.

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Police: Burglaries rising

Wayfinder signs are being installed in Guildford, Woking and Redhill as part of a programme aimed at cutting carbon, calories and travel costs.

The signage is designed to make it easier for pedestrians to navigate and explore the town centres.

Dozens of signs - which each cost between 2,500-3,000 to manufacture and install - are going up in the first phase of the project, of which 30 will be in Guildford with a smaller number in Woking and Redhill.

Marc Woodall, sustainable transport manager at Surrey County Council, said: It will encourage people to walk more and spend more time in the town centre, seeing sculptures and landmarks."

Mr Woodall said it would be "helpful for tourists who dont know where to go", adding that Guildford in particular was "not that easy to navigate yourself around".

He also said the maps were better than fingerpost signs, as they will highlight the best routes to take to get to places, giving people a choice.

They also highlight paths, steps and walkways along with key buildings and landmarks plus likely walking times to destinations.

To the right-hand side of the maps will be historic and local information about the towns, while people can also promote events on them.

Click here to see the locations for Guildford wayfinder signs , Redhill wayfinder signs and Woking wayfinder signs (in Woking, only the WO_015, WO_014, WO_001, WO_005, WO_004, WO_011, WO_002, WO_009 and WO_010 signs are being installed for now).

You can see whats in the town, where it is and how other places in the town relate, he said.

Excerpt from:
Wayfinder signs to help people explore Surrey's towns

With dangerous winter weather in the forecast, seniors and their families are urged to take several important steps to ensure their safety.

While a storm of this magnitude impacts people of all ages, the harsh conditions can be especially dangerous for seniors, said Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead, Inc. We want to make sure seniors and their loved ones are aware of simple ways they can stay safe and warm throughout the season.

Those over the age of 65 account for nearly half of all hypothermia deaths. As the body ages, the ability to maintain a normal internal body temperature decreases, creating an insensitivity to moderately cold temperatures. Seniors may not realize they are putting themselves at risk until symptoms appear. Symptoms of hypothermia include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. If symptoms are present, immediate medical attention is necessary.

The leading reason for hypothermia in the elderly is due to poorly heated homes, which is entirely preventable. Follow these simple tips to ensure a warm household.

Stay warm

Keep the thermostat at 65 degrees, at least. Consistently check it to make sure your home is sufficiently warm. Even as heating costs rise, your safety should be a priority.

Put a carbon monoxide detector near where you sleep.

Ensure that there is adequate insulation, and check and clean the fireplace and furnace. Furnace filters should be replaced monthly.

Minimize drafts by filling old socks with sand and using them in drafty windowsills and door jams. Weather-strip around windows and doors. Keep doors to unused rooms closed and close curtains at night.

Add an extra blanket to the bed and warm the bed in advance with a hot water bottle. Never use an electric blanket it may be difficult to operate the controls if the temperature needs to be adjusted in the night.

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Three steps for seniors to stay safe during storms