If you are looking for a loved one:

• The Moore Tornado Facebook page offers people a chance to post about people lost or found, and reconnect with loved ones.
• You can also register or search the Safe and Well listings on The Red Cross.

If you are looking for shelter:

The Red Cross has a search tool to locate the closest American Red Cross shelter. The information is updated every 30 minutes. KFOR-TV also has a list of facilities open to tornado victims, available shelters include:

• University of Oklahoma – student housing (Norman)
• Oklahoma Baptist University – student housing (Shawnee)
• Graceway Baptist Church, located 1100 S.W. 104th in Oklahoma City
• Oakcrest Church of Christ, located at 1111 S.W. 89th Street in Moore
• Victory Church, located 4300 North MacArthur in Oklahoma City
• Journey Church in Norman I-35 and Tecumseh Road
• Fifth Street Missionary Baptist Church, located at 801 N.E. Fifth St. Oklahoma City
• St. Andrews Church, located at S.W. 119th and May
• Trinity Church of the Nazarene, located at 7301 S. Walker, north side of I-240

If you are looking for a lost pet:

Lost and displaced animals are currently being taken in by the Animal Resource Center at 7949 S. I-35 Service Road (405) 604-2982. The Pet Food Pantry of OKC is offering pet supplies to those in need.

If you are looking to help:

• The Oklahoma Red Cross is asking people to donate by texting Red Cross to 90999. This will automatically donate $10 towards the purchase of needed supplies to help families. You can also visit www.redcross.org/okc to donate. Checks can be made out to the American Red Cross (with specification that the money go toward the Central and Western Oklahoma Region), and mailed to McIntyre Law, P.C. at 8601 South Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73139.
• The Salvation Army is also accepting donations by text (“storm” to 80888 will donate $10), or you can donate to the Salvation Army online.
• Feed The Children is accepting donations of relief supplies from the public today from 8:30- 4:30 p.m. at McCormick Distriubtion Center, 29 N McCormick. Items being accepted: diapers, canned goods, nonperishable food and snack items, water and drinks. You can also make donations online.
• The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is accepting text donations as well, text FOOD to 32333 (will donate $10 to relief efforts), or you can donate relief funds online.
• The Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund is also accepting secure donations online.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.

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The report points to the unique combination of conditions: cheap gas prices, rapid expansion of the workforce during past generations, etc. no longer exist. The report shows that Americans drive no more miles today than in 2004, despite previous estimates that drivers and time on the road would consistently increase.

While report author, Phineas Baxandall noted that people tend to drive less during recessions, he also suggested that this shift in driving trends preceded the recent recession, and appears to have more to do with a shift of generational demographics. Baxandall pointed to the rise of the millennial generation, and the shift in that generation away from settings that require a lot of driving, towards cities that have more public transportation. “Millennials aren’t driving cars,” he urged.

Millennials, or people born between 1983 and 2000) are the largest generation in the United States. Data shows that by 2030, Millennials will be the largest population in the peak driving demographic (ages 35-54). The shift that has occurred away from such a heavy reliance on driving in this generation, is in part a symptom of the recent recession, but is also a shift in generational values.

PIRG urges that millennials are more likely to live in urban walkable neighborhoods than previous generations, and are generally more open to other forms of transportation. Likewise, “They are also the first generation to fully embrace mobile internet-connected technologies, which are rapidly spawning new transportation options and shifting the way young Americans relate to one another, creating new avenues for living connected, vibrant lives that are less reliant on driving.”

The data suggests several different predicted outcomes over the next few decades, but regardless of which way the numbers go, it seems likely that driving in the U.S. will see a slower increase than in the past. With that trend, there will hopefully be a natural decrease in the number of accidents nationwide.

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The gravel road they were walking on is near Laine’s father’s home, in an area the Henrys have walked Kandy many times. The couple states that the 50-pound Labrador retriever mix, Buddy, bounded out of a yard as they passed, and initiated a grizzly attack.

During the episode, Laine sustained multiple bite wounds to his arm from fighting off the dog, while Caren sustained puncture wounds to her abdomen and right thigh, as well as a much more serious injury to her face. When the dog went for her face, it bit and scratched at her eyes, before clamping down on her nose and tearing it off.

Once Laine bit the dog, causing it to let up and run off, he immediately drove his wife to the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, where she is currently beginning a series of reconstructive surgeries to restore her nose.

The dog is currently confined and quarantined for 14 days at a residence in Des Moines. Dallas County does not have a vicious dog ordinance that would apply criminal penalties to the dog’s owners and possibly lead to the euthanization of the animal. Instead, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office referred the matter to the county’s environmental health office. Director of the environmental health office, Ted Trewin, ordered the quarantine. As is customary in the Iowa Department of Public Health Rabies Resource Manual, if the dog clears veterinary health tests after the 14 day quarantine, it will be released to its owner.

In 2012 the dog was impounded by Des Moines police for attacking another dog. At that time, the animal was certified current on his rabies shots. It is unclear who currently owns the animal. While the attack happened near Marcus Johnson’s residence, and Johnson admits to feeding and sheltering the dog at times, he also told officials that he is not a permanent owner of the animal, and that the dog belongs to a homeless man in the Des Moines area.

This is a tragic and terrifying story, and a reminder that dog bites are serious, and at times deadly.

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By following a few key safety tips, and treating cyclists on the roads as you would any other vehicle, you’ll help avoid an accident.

Be Patient: It can be frustrating to feel like you are stuck behind a slow moving bicycle when you are in a rush, but it’s essential to make sure that you can see far enough down the road to safely pass a cyclist. Likewise, don’t attempt to pass a cyclist when the road conditions along the shoulder may be hazardous for him or her. A few seconds saved is not worth putting someone else in danger.

Be Aware: Pay attention to the road and be especially aware of any cyclists nearby when you are approaching an intersection. If you plan on making a turn make sure that you won’t be either cutting a cyclist off, if you are taking a right hand turn, or putting yourself in the path of a cyclist, if you are taking a left hand turn.

Be Considerate:The difference between an automobile and a bicycle is huge, if you have the opportunity to make it a little easier for cyclists to navigate the roadways, do. This may mean keeping your eye out for road hazards that will keep a cyclist from riding to the right. If you see something, allow the cyclist to ride closer to the center of the lane. When passing a cyclist, make sure you give them ample room. Drag from a passing car can pull a cyclist off course and possibly cause them to lose control of his bicycle.

Be Careful: When you are backing up out of a space or into the road, make sure you check not just for other cars, but for bicycles too. Similarly, when you are exiting a car parked parallel to the road, make sure you check your mirrors for any approaching cyclists. A suddenly opened door can be dangerous to a fast moving cyclist.

Over the summer months, more and more bicyclists will be on the roads. Make sure you’re aware of your surroundings, and the many ways you can keep cyclists safe.
For more motorist tips, check out Yield to Life.

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Not only has the NHTSA created this SaferCar app, that allows users instant access to a generous amount of data, but they have also given developers access to the data that powers the app through an Application Programming Interface (API). With this information, developers will be able to integrate the data into other applications also aimed at making the roads safer, and drivers more educated on safety issues pertaining to their vehicles.

The new SaferCar safety app will feature:

• 5-Star Safety Ratings: Consumers shopping for a new car will be able to quickly access safety ratings and compare vehicles, and make an informed decision.
• Recall Notification: Users will be able to register their vehicle to receive notifications if a recall has been announced for any parts.
• Complaint Filing: Drivers will have access to the NHTSA system for submitting safety complaints or other possible problems.
• Child Seat Installation: Parents can quickly access directions to the nearest child seat inspection station, where they will be able to get assistance with installation of car and booster seats.
• General Safety Headlines and Alerts: App users will be notified of NHTSA announcements, safety news, and any important information regarding their vehicles.

The NHTSA has additional plans for the SaferCar app. A version compatible for Android devices is in development, and the release of the API coincides with efforts to make information about important safety concerns widely available.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland commented, “Timely, accurate, and accessible safety data is the lifeblood of our agency’s work. The new SaferCar app literally puts the latest in vehicle safety information directly in the hands of consumers so they can make the appropriate purchasing and other decisions for themselves and their families.”

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In an article from April 10, 2012, Consumer Reports urges parents and caretakers to keep children in booster seats or other car seat restraints for as long as possible. Their research showed that minimum weight limits often didn’t meet up with best practices for booster seat use.

Of the 34 booster seat models they tested, 28 suggest a minimum allowable weight of between 30 and 33 pounds. While this may seem like a reasonable amount, growth charts show that the average 30 pound child is less than three years old, and much closer to two-and-a-half years old. In some cases a child as young as 15 months could meet that minimum weight requirement, if they were in the 95th percentile.

While a child of that size would meet the minimum requirement for weight, at that age few children are mature enough for the freedom of movement a booster seat allows and could easily pose a distraction to the driver. Likewise, developmentally a child under the age of three will be much safer in a five point harness than a booster seat. A seat belt designed for an adult is not going to protect a two-and-a-half year old.

While many of the reviewed booster seats had a low minimum weight requirement, some did have a more reasonable amount of 40 pounds listed. Additionally, some listed minimum age requirements that would keep toddlers out of booster seats and firmly secured in five-point harnesses.

It can be difficult to convince a child that balks at staying in a harnessed car seat that it’s necessary. As kids grow they look forward to those touchstone moments where they can identify themselves as “a big kid.” Many harnessed car seats can accommodate children as heavy as 65 pounds and some can accommodate a child as heavy as 90 pounds. In the event of a car accident, these five-point safety harnesses are the safest option.

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Distracted driving statistics show that drivers across the country are putting themselves, and others at risk of a crash when they take their eyes of the road. For the NHTSA’s recent survey, they pulled data from the 2012 Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors Survey, and the 2011 National Occupant Protection Use Survey on Driver Electronics Use, as well as the 2011 Distraction Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

More than 6,000 people age 16 and older were interviewed by phone for the survey. The survey found that 74% of drivers support bans on hand-held cell phone us, and 94% support bans on texting while driving. Nationwide, 39 states ban text messaging for all drivers, and 10 states ban drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. Of those interviewed, over half said they answer incoming calls when driving, and one in four admitted to placing calls.

NHTSA data shows that more than 3,300 people were killed in 2011, and 387,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.The NHTSA’s National Occupant Protection Use Survey supplied the supporting information regarding widespread use. The number of people across the country using electronic devices while driving has held steady since 2010.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated, “Distracted driving is a serious and deadly epidemic on America’s roadways. There is no way to text and drive safely. Powering down your cell phone when you’re behind the wheel can save lives-maybe your own.”

This latest survey only confirms what has been common thought for years, distracted driving kills. When your eyes, ears, and attention are not dedicated to the road, it’s easier to make a deadly error.

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While the multi-agency investigation is still conducting interviews to get a better sense of what happened in his offices, Dr. Harrington faces a complaint with 17 counts from the state Board of Dentistry accusing him of violations of both state and federal laws, as well as the state Dental Act.
Dr. Harrington has voluntarily surrendered his state dental license as of March 20, 2013, pending an emergency hearing at the state dentistry board April 19.

The 7,000 patients being notified by the state and federal agencies were potentially exposed to blood-borne viruses including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, while under the care of Dr. Harrington.

Susan Rogers, executive director of the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, stated that had Dr. Harrington’s practice been a dentist office, and not an oral surgery office, the number of patients possibly exposed would have likely been much smaller.

At the center of the dentistry board’s complaint were issues of sanitization and sterilization. The dentistry board’s complaint referred to Harrington as “a menace to public health” for his office’s failure to comply with universal safety precautions.

In addition to the issue of lack of sterilization—the office kept two sets of instruments, one for patients who weren’t believed to have infectious diseases, and another for patients that they knew did—the complaint also took issue with dental assistants administering IV sedation to patients.
Rogers stated that it’s illegal for a dental assistant to administer anesthesia.

Under law, the state Board of Dentistry cannot investigate a dentist until a complaint has been filed. The Oklahoman has information available on how to file a complaint with the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.

McIntyre Law is staffed with experienced medical malpractice lawyers.

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Loren Kransky underwent hip replacement surgery in 2007, and was fitted with a DePuy ASR XL implant. Johnson and Johnson stopped making that product in 2009, and recalled it in 2010. Jurors found that the implant had caused Kransky metal poisoning and other health problems after his surgery. Kransky’s lawyers explained that black pieces of metal flaked off the implant and caused a kind of poisoning that could have been fatal, had the implant not been removed.

This particular hip joint was sold for eight years to more than 90,000 people worldwide before it was recalled. There are now around 11,000 similar cases involving these all-metal ball-and-socket hip joints awaiting trial in the United States. The cases are based on claims that the implants have left individuals with crippling injuries or in need of expensive and painful replacement surgeries. Johnson & Johnson has set aside around $1 billion to cover the costs of these lawsuits.

While the jury found Johnson & Johnson guilty of knowingly marketing a faulty hip implant before the DePuy hip replacement recall, they did not find that the company acted with malice. As a result, Kransky was not able to collect any punitive damages.

The plaintiff’s attorney, Doug Saeltzer stated, “The message is that these cases are valid, that the injuries are real and severe, and Johnson & Johnson and DePuy have to pay significant money for their mistakes.” He went on to state the verdict in Kransky’s case bodes well for other similar cases.

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While this is the first year that McIntyre Law has done a charity event around the Easter season, giving back is fundamental to the firm’s identity. Over the past three years, McIntyre Law’s turkey giveaways have grown larger and larger, with McIntyre Law and Lawyers against hunger giving away over 5,000 turkeys this past November.

Next Wednesday, in addition to hams, McIntyre Law will also be offering, burgers, and soda free to participants. Registration will occur at 8601 South Western Avenue, Oklahoma City starting at 11 a.m. Distribution of the hams will begin at noon. The event is expected to be very popular.

Noble McIntyre talked about the need for these programs in Oklahoma, “Hunger is such a prevalent problem in our state. At McIntyre Law we are lucky enough to not have to worry about where our next meal is going to come from, and I feel very fortunate about that. For many of our neighbors though, that’s a real and terrifying worry. If we can help ease their minds even a couple of times a year, then we want to do everything in our power to do so. Events like this and the 3rd Annual Day of Kindness are really important to the work we do. ”

Over the last month or so McIntyre Law has raised over $10,000 towards the event. With so many Oklahoma families in need, the firm hopes to continue to find new ways to give back.

Read more about the McIntyre Law 3rd Annual Day of Kindness

Read more about McIntyre Law’s Air Conditioner Drive

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