REDMOND — Microsoft has changed course on a Web browsing feature that was the subject of a heated Internet privacy debate.
As Internet users became aware of the amount of data advertisers were able to collect based on their browsing, privacy advocates and regulators in recent years pushed for a “do not track” feature in Web browsers that would ask sites not to monitor their behavior for advertising purposes.
Microsoft took a firm stance on the issue, enabling do not track by default beginning with the 2012 release of Internet Explorer 10.
Now, the company is reversing that decision for its new browsers, citing a move from a Web standards group to recommend giving individual users choice as to whether to enable tracking features.
In a blog post Friday, Microsoft chief privacy officer Brendon Lynch said the company had made its decision after draft guidelines from the World Wide Web Consortium recommended that “in the absence of user choice, there is no tracking preference expressed” by Web browsers.
Cutest-pet contest
PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society and Toga’s Soup House are teaming for a cutest-pet contest.
The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate from Toga’s.
From now through April 30, customers can bring their pet with them when they visit Toga’s drive-thru behind the business at 122 W. Lauridsen Blvd.
To participate, customers pay $1, and a photo will be taken of their pet.
All proceeds will be donated to the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society.
Toga’s drive-thru opens at 7 a.m. Mondays-Fridays and features hot coffee drinks created by barista Robin Tweter.
Voting for the cutest pet will take place the week of May 4-8 based on photos displayed inside the restaurant.
Votes are $1 each, with proceeds also going to the Humane Society.
Agent of the Month
PORT ANGELES — Dan Gase, a broker with Coldwell Banker Uptown Realty, was Agent of the Month for March.
The Agent of the Month award is earned by producing the highest amount of business transactions in one month’s time.
Gase can be reached at Dan@DangGase.com or 360-417-2804.
Grand opening
SEQUIM — Ryan Iskenderian and Kat Parks, owners of Via Vita Chiropractic & Wellness, 128 W. Bell St., a wellness center and yoga studio, are hosting a grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration at 5:15 p.m. Friday.
For more information, visit www.ViaVitaWellness.com or email info@ViaVitaWellness.com.
Pick up dahlias
PORT ANGELES — Jan’s Country Garden, 344 O’Brien Road, will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday for customers to pick up their dahlia tuber orders.
The business will be closed for two weeks and then reopens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 and May 1-2
To schedule an appointment or to pick up tubers at other times, phone 360-452-8287.
For more information, visit www.ViaVitaWellness.com or email info@ViaVitaWellness.com.
Recognition for diversity
PORT ANGELES — Jack in the Box in Port Angeles recently was presented the Clallam County Health and Human Services Business Leadership Advisory Committee’s Employer of the Month Award by Kim Barron, manager of the Port Angeles Goodwill store and committee member.
This award recognizes employers who demonstrate diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices by having one or more employees with developmental disabilities.
Nicolettea Hudson, general manager of the Jack in the Box, said she believes having “Grandpa” on staff is good for morale and teaches her younger employees how to be part of the team.
Grandpa is one of her longtime employees who has a developmental disability.
He doesn’t allow his disability to stand in the way of his desire to be a hardworking employee and a Special Olympics athlete, Hudson said.
She said he is a dependable employee who enjoys his job and his community activities.
For more information about this award, phone Mary Cliffton, developmental disability case manager for Health and Human Services, at 360-417-2407.
KONP talk guests
PORT ANGELES — Here is this week’s schedule for the 1:05 p.m. to 2 p.m. local talk show segment on KONP radio, at 1450 AM, 101.7 FM and www.konp.com on the Internet outside the Port Angeles area.
Station General Manager Todd Ortloff hosts the Monday through Thursday segments.
This week’s scheduled lineup:
■ Monday: Pre-empted by Seattle Mariners game.
■ Tuesday: Clallam County Health and Human Services celebrates National Public Health Week.
The first segment will be about communicable diseases with Ann Johnson, R.N., communicable disease nurse; Jeanette Stehr-Green, M.D., interim Clallam County health officer; and Iva Burks, health director.
Second segment: Food safety program with Jessica Pankey, environmental health specialist, and Andy Brastad, environmental health director.
Third segment: Water quality program with Carol Creasey, county hydrogeologist; Pankey; and Brastad.
■ Wednesday: Penny Sanders, Janet Drysdale and Michelle McFall discuss the Kiwanis Garage Sale, how to donate and what the donations are used for.
In the second segment, the Clallam County Health and Human Services program continues with a discussion about the syringe exchange program with David Doran, R.N., communicable disease nurse; Burks; and Stehr-Green.
■ Thursday: Danetta Rutten and Sgt. Tristan Vance, U.S. Army, discuss an upcoming workshop for women ages 14-25 who are interested in military careers and opportunities, such as paid education, travel, careers in nursing, paralegal, pilot, mechanic, communications, etc.
In the second segment, Mike Howe, Clallam County Public Utility District executive director of communications.
