(StatePoint) In a world full of noise -- from everything from city traffic and lawnmowers to hairdryers and earbuds on personal music devices -- hearing problems are a growing issue. Chief among these problems is tinnitus, a medical condition affecting 50 million Americans.

A cooking fire damaged the kitchen of a town home, displacing the resident in the 2500 block of East Prince Road late Saturday night. The resident was heating up oil for cooking purposes when the oil flashed. The resident initially called 9-1-1 and reported that the pan had caught fire but the fire was out. A second call was made to 9-1-1 stating the kitchen was now on fire. The resident was advised to evacuate the apartment. A single engine company was initially dispatched for the fire reported out but they were upgraded to emergency traffic, lights and sirens, and a full alarm dispatch was filled out given the additional information. The first engine company on scene advised heavy black smoke was coming from town home and they would be pulling hose lines inside to perform a search and extinguish the fire. The ladder crew controlled the utilities and then cut a hole in the roof to allow the smoke to escape and cool down the interior. The engine company was able to confine the fire to the kitchen, preventing the fire from spreading to the rest of the town home or neighboring homes. The fire was controlled 15 minutes after the first unit arrived on scene. Eight units and twenty-one firefighters responded to the fire with no personnel suffering any injuries. The town home was not deemed livable and the resident was going to be staying with family for assistance. .

(NAPSI)—Road trips with children can be daunting, but with AAA’s expert advice, your next family car trip can be both safe and fun:

(StatePoint) Buying or selling a home in today’s real estate market? Go about it properly. From home inspections to home improvement, take your advice from leading experts.

(BPT) - Feel the need to renovate? If so, you’re not alone. Fifty-three percent of homeowners believe that now is a good time to remodel, according to a recent survey by Houzz.com. When deciding on where the makeover begins, look no farther than the kitchen. Kitchens are a major selling point for homebuyers, so a kitchen remodel is good for the home-selling price. Even if you have no plans to move, the kitchen gets more traffic than any other area of a home and serves as the family hub, so it deserves the attention. To ensure a successful project, keep in mind these kitchen-remodeling tips:

In the May 1 Explorer Dana Schulte says  “we need to research” who is responsible for mass killings, as in Newtown and Aurora and then have legislation “target them and not the law abiding citizen”.

(BPT) - From figuring out where to open up a new shop so that it gets great foot traffic to choosing the right employees, all a small-business owner’s decisions are important for the health of their business.

(BPT) - The arrival of milder temperatures means dining al fresco, hosting neighborhood cookouts and enjoying intimate cocktail parties under the stars. When creating a backyard oasis to entertain family and friends this summer, it’s important that it be both inviting and able to withstand the wear and tear that goes hand-in-hand with warm weather fun.

(BPT) - Are you using the Internet as if it’s still the year 2000? If you answered yes, you’ve got some catching up to do. Technology has come a long way in the last 13 years; new shortcuts, alternative products and simple tools available today can help you accomplish tasks faster – saving you time and increasing your efficiency online.

(BPT) - The weather’s heating up and that means one thing: road trips.

Allstate “Reality Rides” recently visited Tucson on its tour of more than 20 American cities to demonstrate the dangers of distracted driving. Allstate Insurance Company is building upon its efforts to bring awareness around distraction-free driving with this new national campaign tour.

(BPT) - For baby boomers and beyond, a lot has changed since they first received their drivers’ license, from car technology and traffic rules, to even road conditions. Many older drivers are taking a proactive approach to staying safe on the road. Most wear a seat belt – 77 percent of drivers age 65 and older according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – and most obey the speed limit and avoid the road when conditions are bad. But a few surprising steps can help older drivers stay even safer.

Congressional Way at Lambert Lane will be closed 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates for final paving of the Lambert Lane widening project:

Tired of taking orders? Have a great business idea? May, which is National Small Business Month, is a great time to think about starting your own endeavor.

(StatePoint) Tired of taking orders? Have a great business idea? May, which is National Small Business Month, is a great time to think about starting your own endeavor.

(BPT) - Family vacations are always a great time for family bonding and exploring new places. With some careful planning, the trip can be packed full of fun from the minute you lock the front door to the minute you arrive back home, exhausted and ready to share stories of your adventures with friends and family.

Congress has approved a bill that will end furloughs that have delayed hundreds of flights daily for air traffic controllers.

Driving is a privilege. Anyone who disagrees with that, or believes it is some constitutional right, needs a little more education.

(BPT) - It’s the season of sunshine and enjoying the great outdoors. Celebrate it with a style makeover for your home by tapping lively decorating trends and home decor ideas that will refresh and brighten your living space.

Oro Valley

All around us, life is getting louder. But home should be a place to relax and unwind. Between televisions, cell phones, computers and video games, it’s sometimes hard to find peace and quiet within the walls of your home.

Talking or texting on a cellphone while driving is taboo almost everywhere across the country. Thirty-nine states now ban texting while driving and 10 states prohibit any use of a cellphone without a hands-free device.

(BPT) - Home-based businesses are booming.