By Tom Gilchrist Staff Writer

CARO Tuscola County Road Commission leaders plan to use about $582,000 in grant money to remove trees in the road right-of-way along 40.6 miles of roads in nine townships.

Some but not all of the trees targeted for removal are ash trees killed by the emerald ash borer, an exotic beetle native to Asia that has killed millions of ash trees in southeastern Michigan since the beetle was discovered near Detroit in 2002.

The intent of the tree-removal program is to reduce accidents in the county.

About 17 county residents attended a public hearing Thursday morning regarding trees that have been marked for removal in selected spots in Arbela, Millington, Watertown, Tuscola, Vassar, Fremont, Ellington, Elkland and Columbia townships.

We have, potentially, 800 properties involved, said County Highway Engineer Michele L. Zawerucha, who said she received confirmation by telephone that the county Road Commission has received the grant.

Workers have marked some of the trees targeted for removal and the Road Commission has mailed postcards to property owners in the affected areas.

The trees are in the road right-of-way controlled by the Road Commission, an area that by law extends 33 feet in each direction from the centerline of a road.

Watertown Township resident Mark E. Valentine, who lives along Edward Road, said he supports the Road Commissions project.

My feeling is, if its in the road right-of-way, cut the tree, Edwards said at Thursdays public hearing before the board overseeing the Road Commission.

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Road Commission will clear ash trees

Mary Esther, Florida (PRWEB) February 27, 2015

On Monday, Feb. 9, certified arborists from Backridge Tree Service traveled to Daphne, Alabama to teach a one-day class on aerial rescue to a tree service there. Aerial rescue is the term used to describe the actions and processes used to rescue a tree climber who has become injured high in a tree. It is incredibly dangerous and requires recurring training and an understanding of complex climbing systems.

Certified Arborists Rob Calley and Travis Morales put together a hands-on program that offered all students, climbers and ground workers an opportunity to engage in valuable training. The day started with gear check to make sure all ropes, saddles, lanyards and attachment hardware were safe and up to specs. Phase two had instructors demonstrating the setting of climbing systems in trees that are very functional in an aerial rescue, and then each student had an opportunity to set systems. Climbers then used the systems to ascend and practice the new techniques. From there, students learned basic aerial rescue picks both in a tree and on a spar, and then practiced it. Procedures for calling emergency responders were covered as well because very specific terminology is required. Finally, students were introduced to advanced single rope climbing and rescue techniques.

Overall, the training went great and Backridge Tree Service sincerely appreciates that this tree company cared enough to seek this valuable training.

About the company: Backridge Tree Service, Inc. is a specialty tree company serving residential, commercial and municipal customers in the Florida panhandle. The company was founded in 1998. Backridge Tree Service concentrates on tree pruning and trimming, tree preservation and tree removal, but they also provide stump grinding, tree installation, tree health care, and any other tree-related needs. All of their tree pruning and tree removal jobs are supervised by their professional arborists. They currently have three full-time ISA Certified Arborists on staff, Rob Calley, Travis Morales, and David Whitley. For more information about Backridge Tree Service, contact the company today by calling 850-939-8533 or visit their website at http://www.backridgetreeservice.com/.

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Backridge Tree Service Makes Training Top Priority in 2015

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

By: Lee Reich, The Associated Press

Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2015 at 8:29 AM | Comments: 0

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This undated photo composite shows an old apple tree before and after pruning in New Paltz, New York. With some of its larger limbs cut back and smaller branches thinned out to let light and air in among remaining branches, this old apple tree is on its way to bearing tasty apples again. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)

A neglected, overgrown, old apple tree does have charm, its gnarled, elbowed branches seemingly reaching out for a hug. The fruits, unfortunately, are more often than not too small, too high and too pest-ridden.

But don't despair: Such a tree can be returned to its former glory by "renovation," as corrective pruning of an old tree is called.

Before picking up a pruning tool, ask yourself whether the effort involved in renovating a tree will be justified.

Is the tree of a particularly good variety? (Take into account that renovation would bring some improvements in fruit size and flavour.)

Do you really want a tree where that tree stands?

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'Renovating' can bring your old apple tree back to its former glory

Cases heard at Coventry Magistrates Court on Tuesday, February 24, included:

Connor Galvin, 22, of Berners Close, Tile Hill, admitted stealing five bottles of wine worth 35 from One Stop. 73 fine, 20 victim surcharge, 80 costs.

Dean Groves, 23, of Dymond Road, Holbrooks, admitted causing a breach of the peace. 100 bind over for 12 months.

Ashley Ferrie, 26, of Heath Road, Stoke Heath, admitted breaching a suspended sentence by failing to attend an appointment. 50 fine, 50 costs.

Lorraine Griffiths, 33, of Harnall Lane West, Foleshill, admitted stealing toy figures worth 220 from Merlins World. 220 compensation.

Simran Somal, 24, of Kenpas Highway, Styvechale, admitted being unable to hand over a ticket for inspection. 100 fine, 4.30 compesation, 20 victim surcharge, 120 costs.

Elizabeth White, 37, of Clarendon Street, Earlsdon, was found guilty of assaulting a police officer. 100 fine, 40 compensation, 20 victim surcharge, 200 costs.

Cases heard at Coventry Magistrates Court on Wednesday, February 25, included:

Nikara Beech, 29, of Wexford Road, Wood End, admitted stealing meat worth 153 from M&S, 18 cans of Lynx deodorant worth 55 from B&M and cheese worth 10 from Farm Foods, possessing the class A drug diamorphine and breaching a suspended sentence. Eight weeks jail, 80 victim surcharge.

Lee Hill, 30, of Jenner Street, Hillfields, admitted stealing meat worth 153 from M&S. 90 fine, 76.50 compensation, 20 victim surcharge, 85 costs.

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Coventry Magistrates Court: Assaulting a police officer and stealing 18 cans of Lynx deodorant from B&M among cases ...

Published: Monday, March 2, 2015 at 12:33 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, March 2, 2015 at 11:54 p.m.

Incumbent Mayor Marlene Wagner is hoping to add three years to the nine she has already served. She will face former Town Council Chairman Ralph Harris in the April 7 election.

Wagner wants to bring in new business and expand the town's visible presence on U.S. 27.

A large part of that, she said, is bringing in sewer lines where there are only septic tanks right now. Lake Hamilton has fewer businesses and jobs than there could be because the town did not have sewers.

"Businesses don't want to come in if you only have septic tanks," she said. "New buildings need an advanced sewer system to handle a lot of people."

The mayor's hope is that her town can team up with Dundee to connect to its southern neighbor's sewage lines to allow businesses to open up shop in Lake Hamilton. On Feb. 27, she said the town had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Dundee.

"We have a memorandum with Dundee to use their sewers," Wagner said. "If it interconnects we'll be working together the sewer will go to their sewage treatment plant. They have capacity."

Dundee Town Manager Ryan Taylor said he had worked closely with town planner Doug Leonard and with Wagner as well. He said Dundee tries to maintain close relationships with neighboring towns.

In addition, Wagner also wants to continue working on the roads and water lines all over Lake Hamilton. New roads and water lines have been installed in the northeast section of town and Marye Jayne Heights. Next, the town plans to work on Crump Road and other areas, including the streets around Town Hall.

"We do the best we can with what we have," Wagner said.

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Lake Hamilton Incumbent Mayor Marlene Wagner Wants to Increase Town's Visibility

March 2, 2015 4:38 PM

Jeffrey Schaub is a Bay Area broadcast news veteran. From 1990 to ...

OAKLAND (KCBS) Its a good problem to have: theres a shortage of hotel rooms in Oakland, but that could change if developers get approval for a number of construction projects.

Visit Oakland CEO Alison Best says Oakland draws visitors for business, pleasure and major sports events. Oakland currently has about 5,000 hotel rooms but could use 1,000 more.

Right now Oakland officials are considering two proposals that would include rehabilitation of the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center at Lake Merritt. The revamp could include the addition of a high-rise hotel on the site.

Best says Oaklands Uptown neighborhood is becoming one of the most prosperous, and crowded. The turnaround in Uptown over the last few years with the re-opening of the Fox Theatre and new housing and new businesses there has definitely changed the landscape, she said.

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Oakland Hotel Room Shortage Could Lead To Construction Boom

CANYON, TEXAS -- For the first time in 68 years something newin the field of constructionis happening in Canyon.

Construction for an existing business that will soon open at an adjacent location to where it has been for over 8 years.

With the help of a $100,000 land grant from the Canyon Economic Development Corporation the restaurant Sayakomarn's is expanding its operation.

The new project loaded with incentives is making history and is expected to help boost the economy in Canyon.

Loyal customers of the old restaurant are counting down the days to March 14th when the new restaurant opens.

It will become the first business to be constructed on the square since 1947.

"We're looking forward to that that," said Roger Batenhorst, frequent customer. "It's going to be larger, improved and more room for everybody now."

Current business owners on the square in Canyon say the new restaurant opening in a new building is the boost the square has been needing for quite some time.

"It is nice to see people walking around at the square," said Curt Johnston, business owner. "People are coming in from out of town and then they are coming through. By having a new building on the square it is pretty exciting also."

More changes to the square are part of the future plans to add a new business once renovations to the Bellah Grocery company building are completed.

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New construction for restaurant near completion

Awnings, Milanese Remodeling TV Show
Mark Milanese talks about the benefits of Retractable Awnings in 1997. See the 1st episode of the original Milanese Remodeling TV Show - Season 1 Episode 1.

By: Milanese Remodeling

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Awnings, Milanese Remodeling TV Show - Video

Avoid Putting Extra Weight on Garage Header Design and Remodeling
http://video.gregvan.com/house_framing.htm Click on this link for more videos on house framing, design and construction. You should always check with a struc...

By: gregvancom

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Avoid Putting Extra Weight on Garage Header Design and Remodeling - Video

Tiny Apalachicola is often overlooked by Florida visitors lured by the state's bigger tourist draws such as Disney World, South Beach and Key West.

Getting here isn't as easy as getting to the tourist hotspots. The closest commercial airports are a two-hour drive north to Tallahassee or a two-hour drive west to Panama City Beach. But the extra travel is worth the effort for anyone wanting to experience Florida as it was before all the highways, high-rises and high-end development.

The sparsely developed coastal stretch east from Panama City through Florida's Big Bend is also known as The Forgotten Coast.

The area is dotted with old Southern homes featuring wide front porches and yards filled with Spanish moss and magnolia trees.

Apalachicola is home to generations of oyster workers who still pull oysters from the shallow bay with shovel-length tongs and break the oysters apart with hammers. These oysters are known throughout the Gulf Coast for their unique blend of salt and sweetness.

The quaint downtown sits at the confluence of the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay. Several blocks of old brick buildings feature a few gift and antique shops, restaurants and bars. The eateries all tout dishes made with fresh Apalachicola oysters.

A sunset walk through the downtown gives a sense of a Florida that is fast fading. Abandoned oyster processing houses, beat-up old boats, palm trees, pelicans and small pastel-painted houses dot the shoreline. Quirky old signs, surfboards and junk-yard art adorn front yards.

The town has a few bed- and-breakfasts and small hotels. Nearby St. George island and Cape San Blas have vacation cottage rentals.

The region isn't for anyone seeking a busy nightlife or amusement parks, but it is ideal for a quiet, out-of-the-way retreat.

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Serenity Now: Apalachicola Offers Flavors of Florida's Past