CLEAR almost made family miss their flight, apology requested

When Russ Higgins and his family try to use CLEAR, a security screening service, to verify their identities at the airport, they find a long line and almost miss their flight. What does CLEAR owe them?

“My family’s long-awaited spring break trip was nearly derailed at Dulles Airport because of an unexpected failure of the premium security service CLEAR.

“We arrived an hour before boarding. My family was shocked to find CLEAR’s security line moving slower than the TSA PreCheck line. The employees displayed a lackadaisical attitude, refusing to expedite the process despite my family’s pleas and my young children’s tears. ...

“We narrowly made our flight, reaching the gate just two min- utes before boarding closed. The employees in Dulles were not interested in helping me, so I contacted CLEAR in writing. Dishearteningly, its response was robotic and dismissive, showing a lack of empathy. ...” — Russ Higgins, Falls Church, Va. you or someone you know in Fulton County has not received their Shopping Guide News by Wednesday evening, please contact the postmaster, Andrea tain, according to the USFS and the state.

CLEAR is a membership service that offers a “quicker” way to verify your identity at the airport.

But this happened during the busy spring break travel period.

CLEAR should have also been prepared for an influx of air travelers during spring break. Adding extra staff might have helped move things along at the check-in area in Washington. ...

None of this should be necessary. There are better ways to screen passengers than the TSA’s outdated methods. ... You contacted CLEAR in writing and asked for a refund for your membership.

You also shared your experience and asked that it be “taken seriously.” In response, a representative refunded you $33, which represents your prorated membership for the year. ...

I contacted the company on your behalf. You received a call from a vice president at CLEAR. ... CLEAR offered you two free years of membership as an apology, which you accepted.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy (elliottadvocacy.org), a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy. org.

The USFS claim the dominant oak-hickory forest types are dying due to age or disease, allowing shade-tolerant beech-maple types like tulip poplars or sugar maples to out-compete oak-hickory saplings who struggle under the dense forest canopy. Oak’s difficulty in the shade is illustrated by the state’s 2005 forest inventory, which showed a much lower amount of oak seedlings and saplings than desired. DNR believes the data suggests a near-certain decline in oak trees if nothing is done to interfere.

The Timber Factor

Critics of the forest management approach by government agencies believe the logging industry is influencing decisionmaking.

Although logging practices have become less popular through the decades, timber harvesting in the Hoosier National Forest has increased since 2006.

That year, the forest sold 57,110 board feet of timber, which is a similar output to the previous few decades. Beginning in 2007 to today, the USFS has sold a range of 2 million to 7 million board feet of timber from the forest per year.

On a state level, Indiana has also been ramping up timber production. From the early 2000s to the early 2010s, the Indiana Division of Forestry went from selling under 4 million in board feet per year to nearly 14 million. In 2013, roughly a third of the Indiana Division of Forestry’s operating budget came from timber sales, according to the same document.

And timber has a strong economic grip on the state overall: wood products have a $10 billion yearly economic impact and provide 70,000 jobs.

An uncertain future for trees in changing climate

A Purdue study found mixed and uncertain results on the resilience of Indiana forests as the globe warms.

Tulip poplars and sugar maples, which are on the rise in Indiana forests, are less tolerant to drought than oaks. When combined with projected warming in the region, the shift in tree type could reduce forest carbon uptake by up to 17%.

At the same time, changes in climate are expected to benefit some trees while harming others, make it difficult to determine how forests may adapt.

Old growth forests may even absorb more carbon as the climate warms and are more resilient to climate stress than young forests in general, according to the study. And while timber is often hailed as sustainable since it’s renewable, 76% of carbon stored in durable wood products ends up being released into the atmosphere.

The study, which lists seven researchers spanning multiple universities and conservation groups, concludes the push for young forests has complicated the path toward resolving climate change by confusing the public and making it difficult for scientists to have an open dialogue.

Fulton County Sheriff’s Office welcomes new merit deputy

Fulton County Sheriff’s Office recently welcomed Merit Deputy Jeryl (Jay) Salientes, its newest merit deputy.

He graduated from Foothill Baptist High School in Moreno Valley, Calif., and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Theology at the Berean Baptist College in Fleming Island, Fla.

Salientes began his law enforcement career as a reserve deputy with the FCSO in 2020.

He is currently completing his field training with FCSO senior members and will attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy at a later date.

Salientes has lived in Rochester with his wife, Beka, for the past 11 years. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children in his spare time and is looking forward to serving the citizens of Fulton County.

“Salientes has been an asset to the FCSO Reserve Program with his dedication, willingness to learn, and his effective communication skills. I have no doubt Deputy Salientes will continue doing great things here at the FCSO, and I’m looking forward to all his accomplishments,” stated Sheriff Travis Heishman.

Families Helping Families Benefit Concert on Aug. 12

The Fourth Annual Families Helping Families Benefit Concert starts at noon Saturday, Aug. 12, at Solid Rock Church, 913 Main St., Rochester. Admission is one package of diapers of any size or one can of baby formula of any kind.

The event kicks off with a semitruck show at noon. Attendees may vote for their favorite semi until 3:30 p.m. before the winner is announced at 4 p.m.

Entertainment commences inside the church at 2 p.m. with a variety of styles and featuring John the Revelator, Jeremy Golden, The Fred and Ginger Band, and Todd Wolford.

Jeremy Golden of geoldenmojoent.com is a longtime supporter of Families Helping Families, who also runs a local podcast out of

Etna Green featuring retro 80s pop culture, local news and more. Golden will perform and oversee a live podcast of the event.

The Red Barn Elephant Ear Truck will also be on hand.

“We have these concerts once a year to get the supplies we need to help our moms,” said Michelle Skiles, Families Helping Families organizer. “We have helped over 200 moms get the supplies they need when it was hard for them to be able to afford it.”

Currently, Families Helping Families has no set hours. Moms may contact Skiles at facebook. com/michelle.skiles.12 or call Solid Rock Church, (574) 224-7654. They may also come to Sunday service before 10 a.m. or set up a time afterward at noon.

Fulton County Leadership Academy enrollment period now open

The Fulton County Leadership Academy Board of Directors, in partnership with Purdue Extension Service and Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that enrollment is now open for its 2023-2024 program. Any individual who resides in, works in, or represents Fulton County is eligible to participate in this program. Classes are a nine-month commitment, beginning in September and ending with graduation in May. Sessions are generally 8 a.m. to noon, twice monthly, and will consist of exploratory tours, leadership training, learning from local community experts, and the Continued on page 11