It Figures

160
The number of demolition permits issued in Lake Charles, La., this year, almost twice the number issued in all of 2005. Officials believe that number will go even higher as hurricane-related insurance claims are resolved. The city traditionally averages around 80 to 85 demolitions per year; in 2005 it issued 90 demolition permits. Of the 160 permits issued this year, 151 were for structures damaged by Hurricane Rita. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, whose debris-cleanup efforts include razing storm-damaged structures, is filing for a number of demolition permits in Lake Charles. FEMA reimburses 90 percent of the demolition and debris-removal costs. (AP)

110
Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee’s official race number for the New York City marathon; also the number of pounds Huckabee has lost since 2003 when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. After his diagnosis, the governor began exercising and has served as an example to others about healthy living. As chairman of the National Governors Association, he promoted the importance of eating right, exercising and quitting smoking. Huckabee will join nearly 35,000 other runners — including former University of Arkansas Lady Razorback, Olympic Marathon Bronze Medalist Deena Kastor and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong — in the 26.2-mile event on Nov 5, 2006. Race organizers presented the governor with number 110 on Aug. 2. This will be the governor’s fourth marathon.

84
The number of job-related deaths recorded in Oklahoma in 2005, down 2 percent from 2004 and 9 percent from 2003. A report released by the Oklahoma Department of Labor showed that transportation-related deaths accounted for 60 percent of all workplace fatalities in the state last year. Falls and contact with objects or equipment each accounted for 10.5 percent of work-related deaths. Assaults and violent acts were responsible for 9 percent of on-the-job fatalities.

60%
The percentage by which Arkansas has reduced the number of children in that state without health care coverage. According to a study, “The State of Kids’ Coverage,” by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, from 1997 to 2004 Arkansas lowered the number of uninsured children more than any other state and the District of Columbia. Maine came in second with a 50 percent reduction; Alabama lowered its number by 47 percent; South Carolina ranked fourth with a 46 percent drop; and North Dakota reduced its number of uninsured children by 44 percent. The study found that overall the percentage of uninsured kids in America has decreased by 20 percent since the government-funded State Children’s Health Insurance Program was approved by Congress in 1997.

16
Number of counties in North Texas at high risk for fire danger as of early August 2006. Hot, dry, windy weather prompted the National Weather Service to issue Red Flag Warnings for Montague, Cooke, Young, Jack, Wise, Stephens, Palo Pinto, Eastland, Hardeman, Foard, Wilbarger, Wichita, Knox, Baylor, Archer and Clay counties on Aug. 8. In the days before the warning was issued, nearly 10,000 acres burned in North and Central Texas as a result of 16 separate fires. The Texas Forest Service reported that dry conditions continued to plague much of the state with no end in sight. North Texas is suffering a more than 20-inch deficit of rainfall over the past 19 months, which puts it at 60 percent of normal. Denton and Collin counties have an even greater deficit. As if that wasn’t enough to stress vegetation, DFW has already hit the triple digits 17 times this year. The 30-year average is 16 100-degree days for the entire year.