Washington, DC, USA. An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators who hail from “little towns” should see more of the brave new world. The Illinois Department of Transportation apparently lacks a sense of humor. Parts of the Missouri Governor’s Mansion are fraying and literally falling apart. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in.

 

Citizens in Oregon who called a voter-information hotline recommended by Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury reached a different sort of hotline — the kind that offers “an exciting new way to go live, one-on-one, with hot, horny girls” for just $2.99 a minute (99 cents for voice mails). The glitch came when Bradbury’s office accidentally switched the correct 866 toll-free area code to an 800 area code, The Oregonian reports. Bradbury released an apology statement and emphasized, “Don’t call that wrong number.”

 

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) believes state legislators who hail from “little towns” should see more of the brave new world and its technological marvels, including “an airport,” “a highway that maybe has 10 lanes” or even “a highway on top of another highway.” State Sen. Dean Florez (D), whose hometown has 14,000 residents, told The Sacramento Bee he has indeed seen all those things. “Does the governor think that I just normally fly up on ‘crop dusters’ to Sacramento field by field?” he said.

 

The Illinois Department of Transportation apparently lacks a sense of humor. It ordered Oak Lawn Mayor Dave Heilmann to remove the additional signs he posted beneath 50 red octagonal stop signs, the Chicago Tribune reports. Heilmann hoped the quirky signs would make motorists pay more attention and actually stop. A sampling of the signs: “Stop…and smell the roses.” “Stop…means that you aren’t moving.” “Stop…killing baby seals.” Okay, we made up that last one. Just to see if you were paying attention.

 

Some problems are so significant they require a bipartisan response — and the Missouri Governor’s Mansion is one of them. Current First Lady Melanie Blunt, the wife of Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, and former first ladies Lori Holden and Betty Hearnes, both married to Democrats, announced a plan to raise $3 million to refurbish the home. Melanie Blunt told The Associated Press it has been a privilege to live in the mansion, but she added, “The carpet, window treatments and upholstery that are more than 20 years old are fraying and literally falling apart.”

 

Things you can get from a Pennsylvania vending machine: soda, chips…and booze? Soon. The state is soliciting proposals on a plan to sell wine at 100 kiosks across the state. But before you underage kids get too excited, the vending machines, each holding 500 bottles, will be set up at grocery stores and malls — not street corners and bus stops — and contractors not only have to ensure that the intoxicated and minors are unable to buy from the kiosks, but that minors can’t even see what kind of wine is being offered, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

 

 

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