The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/259021
student spotlight Reising named to IU dean's list Kelsey Reising has been named to the Exec- utive Dean's List in the In- diana University College of Arts and Sciences for the Fall Semester 2013 in recognition of outstand- ing academic achieve- ment. Eligibility for the Ex- ecutive Dean's List is re- served for those students who complete at least 12 graded credit hours in a single semester, earning at least a 3.70 GPA. While attending Indi- ana University, Kelsey is a member of Delta Zeta So- rority and National Soci- ety of Collegiate Scholars. Kelsey is the daughter of Jeff and Rose Reising, of Winslow. left to right: lori byers (Associate dean of College of Communication, information and Media), tyler Fox and laura o'hara (Associate Professor of Communication). Kelsey reising Fox graduates from Ball State Tyler Fox, 22, son of Pete and Joan Fox, of Peters- burg, graduated from Ball State University on Dec. 14, 2013, with a B.A. in Communication Studies in Interpersonal Communica- tion and a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. Fox was also a Dean's List recipient for the Fall of 2013 and is now em- ployed by Wiley Publish- ing Company in Fishers. Purdue Extension has cre- ated a website to help home- owners and renters con- serve propane gas and use it more efficiently in heating their homes as a shortage of the fuel continues. The objective of the Ex- tension Disaster Education Network website, launched Monday (Feb. 10), is to show how propane users can stretch their supply while at the same time free up more of the fuel for those who need it most. "We want people to know that this crisis isn't just about them; it's also about their neighbors," said Abby Hostetler, an EDEN com- munications specialist who provided the information on the website. "We're encour- aging users that if their tank is at least 30 percent of ca- pacity to let others who might need propane more get it. So conserve what you have rather than rush to get more." The website is at https:// ag.purdue.edu/extension/ eden/Pages/Propane-Con- servation.aspx. Propane users have been dealing with a shortage since early January in much of the U.S., leading to esca- lating prices, rationing of supplies and calls for cus- tomers to conserve what lit- tle gas they could get from suppliers. Bitter-cold weath- er, often well below zero in some regions, has made it especially difficult for them to make do with less gas to heat their homes. Steven Cain of Brookston, Ind., EDEN homeland se- curity project director, us- es propane gas to heat his home. He noted that the price of propane, also known as LP gas, has risen from a fall contract rate of about $1.50 a gallon for 1,000 gal- lons in his area to a pay-as- you-go rate of more than $4 a gallon. Customers can get only partial refills because of the rationing. "At the end of January, we received a letter from our supplier telling us to be prepared to seek alterna- tive heating," he said. "We are watching the LP tank gauge very closely, conserv- ing as much as we can and hoping to make it through February." Among EDEN's conser- vation tips, which also ap- ply to other home-heating systems: • Reduce use of kitch- en fans, bathroom fans and other ventilating fans, which pull air out of rooms. Leav- ing a fan on too long will re- sult in more fuel being used to heat the home. • Bundle up inside and wear multiple layers of cloth- ing. That will help to retain natural body heat, allowing you to lower the thermostat. • Turn down the thermo- stat at night and when you are away. Do not turn off the heating system. That could cause pipes to freeze. Significant energy sav- ings can be achieved with each degree the thermo- stat setting is reduced, said Al Heber, Purdue Universi- ty professor of agricultur- al and biological engineer- ing. In addition to wearing more clothing and using ex- tra blankets, he said people can take several other steps to increase comfort when the thermostat is lowered, including: • Putting rugs on bare floors. • Humidifying the air. * Trying zone heating where possible by turning down or shutting off the heat in unused rooms. "A very cold and windy day is a good time to check for cold drafts due to air leakage around doors, win- dows, electrical fixtures and other openings in the exposed walls and ceilings of the home," Heber said. "Mark the locations where you feel cold air and seal up these drafts, even tem- porarily, until a permanent seal can be installed. Such seals would include caulk- ing, weather stripping, and door and window replace- ments." Heber said inefficient heating and lack of insu- lation—or improperly in- stalled insulation—can re- sult in 50 -100 percent more heat energy use than neces- sary. A thorough energy au- dit by a qualified profes- sional can help homeown- ers determine the benefit of new windows, insulation or equipment compared with the cost, Heber said. "Such a professional would have sophisticated tools to measure and detect air infiltration and leakage of the house, heating duct leakage into unheated spac- es, insulation levels and gas leaks," he said. "They can al- so check the home for water, moisture and safety issues." Writer: Keith Robinson, 765 -494-2722, robins89@ purdue.edu. Sources: Abby Hostetler, 765 -494-4390, alillpop@pur- due.edu. Purdue Extension launches website on propane shortage OES learns about the stars otwell elementary students were given the opportunity to view stars and constellations inside the star lab. they also heard stories from greek Mythology. Pictured are the first grade students from Kim rus- sell and Nicole sutton's class. star lab was instructed by terra Knust. First row (l to r): braden Maxwell, lilyth utterback, gavin Chanley, Kayleigh byrd, Noah Fort, Park- er Knust, ryan Whann, Jacob Pauw, Kylee baker, eli Arnold, Katie burkhart, Karley Morson and ri- ley russell. second row: emma hunt, skyler Poselwait, lainey leighty, daniel turner, ethan Mann, blayten dur- cholz, brett sollman, Jack edrington, Kylie Jenkins, gage Kinman, danika Kiefer, Cade reed, Jolene Fickas, Akiayia scraper and Kyleigh earls. The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, February 12, 2014 A-9