DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I can’t believe it — it’s only March, and my cat Flicker is already scratching himself silly with fleas! He has terrible skin reactions to flea bites. How can I get rid of them? — Jesse B., Oak Ridge, Tennessee

DEAR JESSE: Flea infestations are awful, aren’t they? As the seasons change and the weather warms up, flea activity rises, and pet owners start seeing more evidence of fleas on their pets and around their homes.

Fleas aren’t just annoying. They can carry diseases that are transmissible to pets and humans. Tapeworms and cat scratch disease are just two of the potential ills that a flea infestation can bring into your home.

Tackle a flea problem...

Zollinger Library at The University of New Mexico-Gallup is now offering free access to an online language learning software for the campus community and their loved ones.

The library recently subscribed to Mango Languages, a service that offers lessons in over 70 world languages. The service is now available to use on a computer or mobile device to all UNM-Gallup students, staff and faculty with UNM credentials. It can also be used by up to five family members.

“The library is always about providing new experiences and ways for people to expand their learning on their own terms,” Zollinger Library Director Markos Chavez said. “This is definitely something people can use to...

Each month, the Sun recognizes a local teacher for his or her determination to help students go above and beyond. Anyone can nominate a teacher by emailing the Sun at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and providing the teacher’s name, where they teach, and why they should be selected as that month’s winner.

This month’s award went to Seth Weidenaar, or “Mr. Dub” as his students call him. Seth teaches high school English at Rehoboth Christian High School but has been teaching at Rehoboth at different grade levels for over 20 years.

 

PATH TO TEACHING

Part of this longevity is all thanks to a Chicago traffic jam.

Seth grew up in Chicago and did his student teaching there as...

GMCS counselors HELP students face substance abuse problems

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a study on Feb. 8 that stated teenagers with suspected substance use problems say they turn to drugs because of a need to relax and escape worries.

Nearly three-quarters of students surveyed —73%— said they used drugs or alcohol “to feel mellow, calm, or relaxed.” Forty-four percent used drugs, such as marijuana, as sleep aids.

The same percentage cited drug use as a way to “stop worrying about a problem or forget bad memories.” And 40% said they used substances to cope with depression or anxiety.

 



CLOSE TO HOME

In an interview with the Sun...