Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe DEBATE CONTINUES ABOUT HANDICAPPED AT PARKS Over this past weekend two people died in separate accidents at two different Six Flags parks, one in Georgia, the other in Colorado. In both cases the people who died were "ablebodied." But, according to Denver Post Legal Affairs Writer Howard Pankratz, there is an ongoing debate about how much access handicapped people should have to some parts of parks. Advertisement Although statistics prove that rides at parks are safe, just as are planes, when someone is killed -- either at a park or on a plane -- it makes news. In recent years parks have been required by the federal government to make what are termed "reasonable modifications" to accommodate handicapped people, under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The question remains, though, as to just how much access people who have mental disabilities should have. In the fall of 1999 a mentally retarded 12-year-old died when she fell from a ride in Santa Clara, Calif. Inspection showed that the ride was operating properly and the harnesses worked. Why she fell remains a mystery. Advertisement CLASSIC DINNER TRAIN DAMAGED At several locations around the country tourists can enjoy great scenery and a good meal while riding in grand style in a refurbished dining car from an old railroad train. A great example is the Napa Valley Wine Train in California. It runs through Napa County's vineyards at suppertime, affording a great sunset view of the county and its many wineries while "dinner is served." Another is the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train in Renton, Wash. That train's engine has been damaged in an incident in a trainyard. The Post-Intelligencer says the unit was "spoiled" when a nearby freight train derailed, spilling fuel and caustic chemicals all over the place. A backup engine will be used this week until the normally used power unit can be cleaned and become worthy of again pulling diners. COURTNEY LOVE CLOSES DOOR ON GROUP For a decade the surviving wife of the late rocker Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, has proved that -- controversial as she is -- she's still quite a performer ... and not a bad actress either. Now she tells billboard.com that she's disbanding the group that she formed many years ago. Advertisement The group was organized in Los Angeles in 1989, but has been off the concert circuit for nearly three years. One reason the group broke up is that Love has been spending most of her time pursuing an acting career. CAMINITI SAYS HE SUCCEEDED ON DRUGS Troubled baseball star Ken Caminiti admits that one reason he was able to excel in his sport was the use of steroids. The former Houston Astro tells Sports Illustrated that the year he won the MVP honor he was using steroids heavily. During that season he batted .326, had 130 runs batted in and hit 40 homers. Ironically, even though several major sports leagues have strong rules against drugs -- the late Howard Cosell's assertion that the NFL was the "National Drug League" notwithstanding -- MLB has no formal policy on the matter. By the way, former player Jose Canseco once told reporters that steroid use among MLB players is as high as 85 percent.
