ANKARA, Turkey
Two quakes shake southern Turkey, 5 people injured
Associated Press
An earthquake shook southern Turkey yesterday, and five people were injured when they leaped out windows or balconies in panic, reports said.
The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2, struck the southern province of Osmaniye at 2:34 p.m. yesterday, seismologists at the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory said.
At least five people were injured when they tried to flee, throwing themselves from upper stories, the Anatolia news agency said. Ten houses were heavily damaged in the village of Kirmacali by the quake, which was also felt in the nearby city of Adana, the agency added.
A more powerful quake, with a magnitude of 5.6, struck the Mediterranean resort of Kas late last night, seismologists at Kandilli Observatory said. That quake, whose epicenter was in the Mediterranean sea some 37 miles south of Kas, caused no damage or injuries.
A quake of magnitude 5 can cause moderate damage in populated areas.
Most of Turkey lies on the active north Anatolia fault and quakes are frequent. More than 18,000 people were killed in two massive quakes that hit northwestern Turkey in 1999.
ALBANY, N.Y.
New York enforcing ban on hand-held phones while driving
Associated Press
Police will begin enforcing the nation's first statewide law banning hand-held cellular phone use while driving today, though offenders will be let go with a warning and a brochure until Dec. 1.
First-time violators face a $100 fine after that. Until March, courts may dismiss tickets with proof that motorists have purchased a hands-free phone device.
Such accessories, from ear "buds" to headsets, have been big sellers since the law was passed in June. But Paul Adams, a real estate developer who averages 25,000 miles a year on the road, wonders if the attachments will distract drivers.
"They're all fumbly with their headset; they're not sure how to use it. They're panicking," Adams said. "This is a new learning curve."
The ban drew national headlines and scorn from some politicians but similar legislation is pending in 42 other states.
New York State has about 6 million of the country's 123 million cell phone users, industry statistics show.
SIERRA VISTA
Woman seriously injured in accident at haunted mine tour
Associated Press
A 26-year-old volunteer at the Copper Queen Haunted Mine Tour in Bisbee was in critical condition yesterday, a day after she was injured when a beam fell from the ceiling of the mine, knocking her into the path of the tour train.
Amy Armstrong is being treated at University Medical Center.
The four-section train that hit Armstrong Tuesday was carrying 20 to 24 people.
"People began screaming. Some thought it was part of the tour but others realized someone was trapped and called to the engineer to stop the train," volunteer Linda Hoge said. "The engineer ran to the emergency phone and called 911."
Armstrong was caught under the beam and pinned against the wall of the mine by the train until several men freed her. It took about 20 minutes for emergency personnel to arrive.
Yesterday morning, a mine inspector and the Queen Mine Tour manager were scheduled to meet with City Manager Rob Yandow about the accident.
Yandow said all events scheduled for the mine tour, including the haunted tours and a Halloween children's party were canceled.
