Herald-Times, Bloomington, Ind., Rod Spaw column

Jan 28, 2013 (Herald-Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The rain came and the rivers rose Q: Can you update the readers on what the rainfall deficit is after the recent weekend of near biblical precipitation I saw Noah looking for a place to land his ark.

Also, where can we look that information up A.A., Bloomington A: On Jan. 10, precipitation recorded at Bloomington for the month was 1.13 inches below normal, according to daily climate records maintained by the National Weather Service.

By Jan. 14, total precipitation for the month was 2.21 inches above normal, courtesy of rain that fell on the intervening days. More than an inch fell on Jan. 12 and nearly two inches fell on Jan. 13, according to weather records.

For the month, through Jan. 24, a total of 3.85 inches of precipitation was measured at Bloomington, which was 1.15 inches above normal.

Now, to get the information, I go to www.weather.gov and search for the Bloomington forecast. Then, I click the link for "past weather" at the bottom of that page and then click Indiana on the map of the U.S. to reach a screen where I can access the daily climate report.

Lot of places will take old vehicles Q: Can you tell me the name and number of the organization that accepts donated vehicles. I believe they give them to people in need of transportation to get them to their job.

C.D., Bloomington A: The South Central Community Action Program has such a program. It repairs donated cars and sells them at an affordable price to low-income families who need transportation to keep or to land a job.

The agency is taking applications now from people wishing to get a car. To learn how to donate a vehicle or to apply for one, contact Christine Combs at 339-3447, ext. 234, or by emailing christine@ insccap.org.

Middle Way House in Bloomington also can use donated vehicles in good running order to help clients begin a new life. For more information, call 333-7404.

Hotline learned about these groups from the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, which also has information on other organizations that accept donated vehicles as a means of fundraising. For more information, call 349-3472 or email volunteer@bloomington.in.gov.

What's that number Hotline has received a couple of requests to reprint the number to call if you think you have been the target of a telephone scam. To file a complaint with the Indiana Secretary of State, consumer affairs division, call toll-free 888-834-9969. Consumers also may file a complaint online by going to Indianaconsumer.com.

Write to Hotline, c/o The Herald-Times, P.O. Box 909, Bloomington, IN 47402, or email hotline@heraldt.com, using "Hotline Inquiry" as the subject line.

Include your name, city and phone number. We cannot answer all inquiries.

___ (c)2013 the Herald-Times (Bloomington, Ind.) Visit the Herald-Times (Bloomington, Ind.) at www.heraldtimesonline.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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