CHECK GOVERNMENT RECALLS
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Some Tax Stimulus Checks Being Seized in Alabama
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From 8 On Your Side -- Back taxes mean no stimulus checks for thousands of Alabamians.
As of Friday, The Alabama Department of Revenue had seized 3,190 checks of Alabamians who owe back state taxes. The checks accounted for more than $518,000. The state is allowed to collect all or part of a federal tax refund check through a federal offset program.
State Revenue officials said Alabama's total is far below the top two states. New York and Georgia collected $4.71 million and $4.66 million respectively through participation in the federal program.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Thieves Stealing Gas from Car Tanks
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From 8 On Your Side -- Thieves who target your car these days may leave the car behind and take the gas. Police are reporting an increase in gas tank-tapping -- the drilling or puncturing of gas tanks or gas lines to drain the petroleum booty that now averages almost $4 a gallon.
For veteran mechanics and law enforcement officers, it's reminiscent of the gas siphoning in the early 1970s during the Middle East oil embargo. Pickup trucks and SUVs are most vulnerable to gas theft because of their height. Plastic tanks are often the target because they're safer to drill into.
It's not just gas and diesel that are being stolen. Restaurants in California and Kansas are reporting thefts of old cooking oil worth thousands of dollars. (05/08)
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Consumer Alert: Ford Recalls 655,000 Pickups
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This is an 8 On Your Side Consumer Alert -- Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 655,000 Ford F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks to fix a hose that could affect the vehicles' braking power.
The automaker is issuing the recall of 2005-2006 versions of the trucks with 5.4 liter 3-valve engines. That's according to a posting on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Ford says there have been 11 minor accidents and no injuries tied to the issue.
Dealers will replace the hose at no charge to consumers. Owners are expected to be notified in late June, and the recall is expected to begin in July. (05/08)
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Consumer Alert: Hyundai Recalling 400,000 Montgomery-Made Sonatas
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This is an 8 On Your Side Consumer Alert -- Hyundai says it's recalling nearly 400,000 Sonata passenger cars to fix a problem with the air bag system.
The recall affects 2006-2008 Sonata vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The system disables the front passenger seat's front air bag when it detects the presence of a child restraint system or a small child in the seat.
The idea is to prevent injuries to a child that could result from the air bag inflating during a crash. But Hyundai says it received complaints that the system can mistake a small adult for a child, preventing the passenger air bag from inflating in a crash.
Hyundai says it's not aware of any injuries, but is conducting the recall to "ensure the safety" of its customers. The recall is expected to begin in late May. (04/08)
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Check Alabama Restaurant Inspection Scores
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CHECK ALABAMA RESTAURANT SCORES
From 8 On Your Side -- The Alabama Department of Public Health has unveiled a new Web site that lists scores for more than 23,000 restaurants and food service establishments thoughout the state. Users may search the site by county, city or establishment name.
State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson said the scores can help the public make informed choices about where they purchase food and the restaurants where they eat.
The department anticipates the initiative may lessen the incident of foodborne illnesses by encouraging establishments to improve their food service sanitation practices.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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How to Apply for a Job at Kia Car Plant in West Point, GA
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HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB AT KIA PLANT
From 8 On Your Side -- Officials at the Kia automotive plant under construction just across the state line in West Point, Georgia are now taking job applications. Thousands of people are expected to apply.
Kia officials say 9,000 people signed up to receive an alert when applications will start being accepted.
Kia is building its plant just off Interstate 85, about 80 miles from Montgomery. More than 2,500 jobs will be created.
The plant will manufacture Kia's Sorento SUV when it opens next year. Kia is a sister company of Hyundai, which operates its only U.S. plant in Montgomery which builds the Sonata and Santa Fe models.
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Dog Food Company to Pay Millions to Pet Owners
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DOG FOOD SETTLEMENT DETAILS
From 8 On Your Side -- A dog food company is going to pay millions of dollars to people whose pets died after eating contaminated food.
Diamond Pet Foods has reached an agreement to pay more than $3 million to the pet owners. Officials say the pet food was contaminated with mold at their manufacturing plant.
The pet food was distributed in Alabama and 22 other states.
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New ThyssenKrupp Plant Looking for Workers
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FIND OUT ABOUT AVAILABLE JOBS
From 8 On Your Side -- The huge new German ThyssenKrupp steel plant under construction in Mobile County is ready to start hiring.
The company is looking across the state to hire employees in several fields, including sales, human resources, finance and more.
ThyssenKrupp broke ground on the steel plant in November. The company is expected to hire 2,700 employees when it opens its Alabama facility in 2010.
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Coupons Available for Digital TV Converter Boxes
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CLICK HERE TO REQUEST COUPON
CLICK HERE FOR ANSWERS ON DIGITAL TV
From 8 On Your Side -- Millions of $40 government coupons are now available to low-tech TV owners to help them buy converter boxes for older sets that might not work after the switch to digital broadcasting.
Starting in February of 2009, anyone who does not own a digital set and still gets programming by way of over- the-air antennas will no longer receive a picture. Viewers with satellite or cable service will not need a box.
To request a coupon, consumers can apply online. The governor also has set up a 24 hour hotline to take requests -- (800) DTV-2009.
(Copyright 2008 The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved.)
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Finding Your Unclaimed Money in Alabama
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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
From 8 On Your Side -- After five years, all the money and other valuables that remain in old utility, bank or other accounts is turned over state and it's accumulated into $145 million worth of unclaimed property.
State Treasurer Kay Ivey has streamlined the process for finding abandoned property or funds that may belong to you. In the past year, $8 million has been returned to 29,000 people. If necessary, you can even lay claim to property that belonged to a relative who has died.
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