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KEY WEST

Possibility of power outage

Keys Energy Services will be performing scheduled maintenance from 2 to 7 a.m. Thursday at its U.S. 1 Substation. There is the possibility that the power could go out.

The city of Key West and the southeast side of Stock Island will be disconnected from the main tieline to Miami as the work takes place, but will be connected to the local power generators. All other Keys Energy Services customers will remain on the tieline.

The work will energize and bring on line recently replaced equipment at the U.S. 1 Substation, which is near the entrance to the Key Haven neighborhood. Further work requiring tieline disconnections is planned over the winter months for other upgrades, the power company said.

FLORIDA KEYS

Free disaster training offered

The American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to be trained to respond the next time a disaster strikes. This free disaster volunteer training will qualify participants to be a member of the local Disaster Action Team or the National Red Cross Disaster Response system. The Disaster Action Team responds to all local residential fires -- more frequent in winter -- and offers help to those affected.

Several of the courses are offered online, or as self-study. The next training classes are set for Saturday and Jan. 17, for the Upper Keys.

The American Red Cross is a nonprofit humanitarian organization, which helps people prevent and prepare for disaster as well as victims of disasters. For more information, call 305-852-9612 in the Upper Keys, and 305-296-4033 in the Lower Keys.

UNITED STATES

Shipping prices to increase

The U.S. Postal Service has announced that pricing for shipping services will increase Jan. 18. for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service and some international shipping products.

Overall, prices will increase an average of 5 percent. The new prices are available at www.usps.com/prices (click "New Shipping Prices" box).

This is the first time the Postal Service is adjusting prices for its shipping services on a different schedule from its mailing service price adjustments. Price changes for mailing services, including stamp prices, will be announced in February, and will be effective in May 2009.