GOP: Stimulus needs ‘kick in pants’ to focus on bridges; AP shows bad bridges often ignored

September 8th, 2009 Iowa fall: Mississippi, bridges of Madison CountyDES MOINES — Whether you're on a river, in the woods or driving by the famed bridges of Madison County, autumn colors are easy to find in Iowa. The foliage is pretty anywhere along the Mississippi River but particularly in Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, about three hours from Des Moines on the state's eastern border.

September 3rd, 2009 FACT CHECK: Biden overlooked stimulus problemsWASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden proclaimed success beyond expectations for the $787 billion economic stimulus, but his glowing assessment overlooks many of the program's problems, including delays in releasing money, questionable spending priorities and project picks that are under investigation. In a speech aimed squarely at Republican criticism and public skepticism over the costly program's effectiveness, Biden said accomplishments over the past 100 days provide proof of promises kept when he and President Barack Obama began rolling out the plan earlier this year.

September 1st, 2009 Man accused of trying to kick feces at policeFARGO, N.D. — A man was accused of trying to kick his own feces at police officers who responded to a party at his home.

August 20th, 2009 Kenyan police: Arrest in Scottish geologist deathNAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan police have arrested the suspected mastermind in the killing of a Scottish-born geologist, who was attacked last week by men armed with arrows, spears and machetes, in an apparent dispute over mining rights. Alfred Makogo Njiruka, the chairman of a small miners association, was arrested Wednesday in Taveta, about 225 miles (360 kilometers) from the capital, Nairobi.

August 20th, 2009 Kenyan police make arrest in Scottish man's deathNAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan police say they have arrested a suspect in the death of a Scottish-born geologist. Assailants armed with arrows, spears and machetes killed 72-year-old Campbell Bridges last week in an apparent dispute over mining rights in southeast Kenya.

August 13th, 2009 Police: Mob kills famous geologist in KenyaNAIROBI, Kenya — Assailants armed with arrows, spears and machetes killed a Scottish-born geologist in an apparent dispute over mining rights in southeastern Kenya, police said Thursday. Campbell Bridges, 72, was attacked by about a dozen people Tuesday after stopping to remove a log on the road as he drove to a camp in a mining area near Tsavo West National Park, said local Deputy Police Chief John Leshindoro.

August 13th, 2009 Kenyan gang kills noted geologist in mine disputeNAIROBI, Kenya — Assailants armed with arrows, spears and machetes killed a Scottish-born geologist in an apparent dispute over mining rights in southeast Kenya, police said Thursday. A lawmaker who knew the geologist said Campbell Bridges, 72, had received death threats and Bridges' attackers were incited to kill him.

August 13th, 2009 Police: Mob kills noted geologist in KenyaNAIROBI, Kenya — Assailants armed with arrows, spears and machetes killed a Scottish-born geologist in an apparent dispute over mining rights in southeastern Kenya, police said Thursday. Campbell Bridges, 72, was attacked by about a dozen people Tuesday after stopping to remove a log on the road as he drove to a camp in a mining area near Tsavo West National Park, said local Deputy Police Chief John Leshindoro.

July 31st, 2009 AP IMPACT: Little help in stimulus for bad bridgesWASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of unsafe or decaying bridges carrying 100 million drivers a day must wait for repairs because states are spending stimulus money on spans that are already in good shape or on easier projects like repaving roads, an Associated Press analysis shows. President Barack Obama urged Congress last winter to pass his $787 billion stimulus package so some of the economic recovery money could be used to rebuild what he called America's "crumbling bridges." Lawmakers said it was a historic chance to chip away at the $65 billion backlog of deficient structures, often neglected until a catastrophe like the Minneapolis bridge that collapsed two years ago this Saturday.

July 14th, 2009 Man arrested with panties hanging from pantsATHENS, Tenn. — A man has been charged with public intoxication after authorities said he was walking along Highway 11 with a pair of panties hanging out from his unzipped pants.

June 20th, 2009 JAMMU - Coming down heavily on the critics of her party, who term Peoples Democratic Party as an anti-national outfit, party president Mehbooba Mufti Saturday said it was during PDPs rule in Jammu and Kashmir when "bridges were built between Kashmir and New Delhi". "It was during PDP rule that ceasefire was effected on borders and people were relieved of tensions on the borders," she told a meeting of party workers here.

June 3rd, 2009 Forest Service: $228M to fix roads, bridgesWASHINGTON — National forest roads and bridges in 31 states will get long-needed repairs under an economic stimulus spending plan announced by the Obama administration. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Tuesday that $228 million in economic stimulus money will be used for road maintenance and decommissioning and watershed restoration in dozens of national forests.

June 2nd, 2009 Biden defends pace of stimulus spendingNEW YORK — Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday defended the pace of federal stimulus funding, warning that hasty spending on wasteful projects could jeopardize the entire program. "There's been some criticism that we've not gotten enough money out so far," Biden said.

April 22nd, 2009 Pittsburgh to homeowners: Flee crumbling bridgePITTSBURGH — Residents of four homes have been urged to seek shelter elsewhere because an overpass above their homes in is in danger of collapsing. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl issued a declaration of emergency on Wednesday so the 110-year-old Davis Avenue Bridge could be removed as soon as possible.

March 16th, 2009 MUMBAI - Mumbai's new icon, the Bandra Worli sea link built by the Hindustan Construction Company, has been selected by an independent jury of bridge engineering experts from the Indian Institution of Bridge Engineers (IIBE) to win the coveted "Most Outstanding Bridge - National Award". Acknowledging the distinction, Vinayak Deshpande, President and COO - HCC (EPC and Construction) said, "We are privileged to receive this honor for the very first cable-stayed bridge built in open sea in India.