UPDATED: THE collapse of Ri-Con Contractors this week a financial hole at least $540,000 deep in the region, a liquidator's report revealed.

Thirty businesses and individuals around the region were owed money when the Sunshine Coast-based builders moved into liquidation on Monday.

Brisbane Electrical Contractors and Engineering was the hardest hit, with the liquidator estimating the business was owed $236,000.

O'Brien Plumbing Gympie was also due $116,000, and owner Tim Bothams said this week the actual figure is actually $41,000 higher.

Tim Bothams says Ri-Cons debt to his business was almost $160,000.

Cooroy Engineering was due $36,000, Evans Painting Contractors was owed $33,000, CPM Engineering was owed $25,000 and Cardale Concrete Pumping was owed more than $25,000, the report revealed.

RELATED

* Gympie council says it was told subbies paid

* Gympie subbies in lurch as another builder goes bust

Campbells Truck and Bobcat and Landscaping, Nicks Readymix and Quarry Boys Gympie were owed between $5000-$17,000 each.

All Areas Rendering, CavSheds, CBD Corporation, Cooroy Sheet Metal and Tank Work, Evan's Painting, Fishy's Earthmoving, Gympie Blinds, Gympie Garage Doors, Gympie Landscape Supplies, Suncoast Roadmarking, Superior Skip Bins, The Water Man and Tim Spring Transport were also owed money.

Ri-Con worked on the Kilkivan Equestrian Centre.

The amount owed to 10 of the 30 businesses and individuals was still to be confirmed.

Liquidator Paul Nogueira said Ri-Con's director "has advised the company and its business began to experience financial difficulty about December 2019, following a failure to secure new projects for an extensive period of time".

"The reduction in projects severely affected the company's cash flow, resulting in its current insolvent position.

Inadequate working capital, continued trading losses and a downturn in the industry and economy were the given reasons for Ri-Con's insolvency, Mr Noguiera said.

Along with its Sunshine Coast office, Ri-Con had offices in Darwin and Broome.

More than 400 creditors were owed money by Ri-Con when it shut.

* The story has been updated to reflect an additional Gympie business on the list.

See the article here:
Hundreds of thousands, 30 businesses hit by company collapse - Noosa News

By Michelle Wagner | Outer Banks Voice on January 26, 2020

As Southern Shores continues to grapple with whether to move forward with a town-wide beach nourishment effort in 2022, Town Council has agreed to begin investigating how it might fund such a project which could carry a price tag of between $14 to $16 million.

While Southern Shores piggybacked on the north end of Kitty Hawks nourishment project in 2017 in order to pump sand onto about 1,500 feet of eroded beach to the east of Pelican Watch, such a town-wide project would be a first for the municipality.

During a Jan. 21 work session, the council directed town staff to coordinate with the Charlotte-based financial consultants DEC Associates to begin exploring options for creating Municipal Service Districts (MSDs) that would ultimately help the municipality foot the bill for widening town beaches.

Properties in the MSDs, likely those on and near the oceanfront, would be assessed a separate levy to help pay for the cost of the project. Town funds would not have to be raised until the 2021-22 fiscal year.

If we are contemplating [beach nourishment] options or no options, that funding source is as important as anything elsewhat we are going to ask people in the audience here to potentially pay, said Council Member Matthew Neal during the Jan. 21 session on beach nourishment options. I am a newly elected individual and raising taxes is not my key thing.

Newly elected Council Member Elizabeth Morey echoed Neals comment. In order for us to make an informed decision, we need to have the people who pay the property taxes know what amount of payment they are looking at, she said.

The town, if it moves forward with sand pumping efforts, is banking on Dare County to kick in at least $7.6 million from its Beach Nourishment Fund. That would leave Southern Shores needing to come up with $1,073,928 annually over the five years of the Special Obligation Bonds. That translates to 7.82 cents of the property tax equivalent, DECs Andrew Carter told the council.

This is your skin in the game, he said, adding that neighboring towns have made the same contribution. Carter also noted that all the towns have raised the funds for their projects differently. Some have multiple MSDs, some have taxed town wide or theyve had a hybrid of those two methods.

While Dare County Manager Bobby Outten acknowledged that the county does have between $7.5 and $8 million to contribute to a beach nourishment project somewhere in the county, he told the Voice that county commissioners havent yet to determine where that money will be earmarked.

Through its Beach Nourishment Fund, Dare County has helped to fund Southern Shores beach nourishment study. It also recently embarked on a similar study in Avon. The board [of commissioners] hasnt chosen where to spend the money yet, Outten said, adding that once the study is completed in Avon, the board would have to prioritize. We havent gotten that far yet.

At the Jan. 21 meeting, DECs Doug Carter explained that such a project involves a commitment to re-nourish every five years. Once you start it, it never ends, he added. You make your beach better, and in five years you replenish it again. Once you are in the business of beach nourishment, you are in the business of beach nourishment.

The Jan. 21 session also included a presentation by APTIM Coastal Planning and Engineerings Ken Wilson, whose firm has conducted the beach nourishment study for Southern Shores and assisted in the development of its Beach Management Plan.

In addition to two nourishment options it had previously presented that included pumping sand onto the beach from 3rd Street south to the town line, Wilson outlined two additional options that would include nourishing the entire stretch of towns shoreline.

If the town decides to proceed with one of those options, DECs Doug Carter encouraged council members to sell the county on the project, and that it provides the greatest benefit to the community from an economic perspective.

For his part, Outten noted that there are a few factors that could create urgency when it comes to a county commitment. One is how quickly do they need it and how quickly are beaches eroding.

Another possible factor involves consolidating projects. The towns of Duck and Kitty Hawk are also expected to do re-nourishment projects, possibly in 2022, and conducting neighboring projects at the same time can save millions of dollars on the mobilization process, he said.

Still, as the county manager noted, there wont be any decisions on where the countys nourishment money will go until the Avon study is complete, which will likely be sometime this spring. That means Southern Shores may have a little wiggle room before it decides whether it wants to move forward with beach nourishment and make its pitch to the county.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSDare County Animal Shelter

Sealed bids for completion of the Dare County Animal Shelter will be received on February 11, 2020, in the Dare County Administration Building, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo, NC, for 01-Fencing, 03- Concrete, 04-Masonry, 05-Metals/ Steel, 06-Casework, 07-Roofing, 07-Caulking, 08-Glass and Glazing, 08-Doors, Frames and Hardware, 08-Overhead Doors, 09-Drywall, 09-Flooring, 09-Painting, 10- Specialties, 12-Furnishings, 21-Fire Protection, 23-Mechanical & Plumbing, 26-Electrical, 31-Sitework and 32-Landscaping.

This project will be bid and awarded in accordance with North Carolina law. Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received until 1:00 p.m. All bidders must submit for prequalification by 2:00pm on 2/3/2020. Bids submitted by non-prequalified bidders will not be considered. All bids will be opened and read aloud starting at 2:00 p.m. of the bid day. Bids must be delivered in person and on the supplied Bid Form and include a bid deposit worth 5% of the total bid value. Electronic and faxed bids will NOT be accepted or reviewed. All times are local prevailing times.

Information requests concerning the project shall be submitted in writing to: Alex Palagyi of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company via email (alex.palagyi@whiting-turner.com)

Bidding material, prequalification material, and complete plans and specifications may be obtained from the Whiting-Turner Building Connected site and will be available until the bid due date. All subcontractors are responsible for emailing Alex Palagyi (alex.palagyi@whiting-turner.com) for access to the Building Connected site.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and Dare County reserve the right to reject any and all bids, waive informalities and irregularities in bidding, and to accept bids which are considered to be in the best interest of the County. The Whiting Turner Contracting Company and Dare County also reserve the right to require any bidder to submit information needed to determine if said bidder is responsible within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-129.

See the original post here:
Southern Shores ponders town-wide beach project - The Outer Banks Voice

Thank you all for the overwhelming show of love and support for this event! The 35th Annual Stumpy Point Oyster Feast will be held from noon until 5 on Saturday, February 8 at the Stumpy Point Community Center. The menu includes all-you-can-eat oysters both in the shell to be shucked and fried. Fried fish,coleslaw, baked beans, potatoes, and hush puppies round out the menu.

Stumpy Point Civic Club met Friday and voted to continue the annual Oyster Feast which had been announced earlier as being cancelled. Money from the event will benefit the Civic Club and the Stumpy Point Volunteer Fire Department which is this years major sponsor.

Calls and emails flooded into the village after the earlier cancellation was announced. Callers said that they planned their trips to the Outer Banks based on the date of the feast. It had become a tradition with many families from both near and far.

Civic Club members decided the annual event not only served to bring people to the village tucked into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, but also was a way to bring the village together by offering a way that both newcomers and generational residents could work together providing a peek at a unique commercial fishing village.

The cost of the feast is $30 for adults; $12 for children 12 and under. Bring plenty of cash! In addition to a fantastic meal there will be a bake sale, raffle, and sweatshirts for sale. Join us on February 8 and help us continue the tradition!

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSDare County Animal Shelter

Sealed bids for completion of the Dare County Animal Shelter will be received on February 11, 2020, in the Dare County Administration Building, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo, NC, for 01-Fencing, 03- Concrete, 04-Masonry, 05-Metals/ Steel, 06-Casework, 07-Roofing, 07-Caulking, 08-Glass and Glazing, 08-Doors, Frames and Hardware, 08-Overhead Doors, 09-Drywall, 09-Flooring, 09-Painting, 10- Specialties, 12-Furnishings, 21-Fire Protection, 23-Mechanical & Plumbing, 26-Electrical, 31-Sitework and 32-Landscaping.

This project will be bid and awarded in accordance with North Carolina law. Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received until 1:00 p.m. All bidders must submit for prequalification by 2:00pm on 2/3/2020. Bids submitted by non-prequalified bidders will not be considered. All bids will be opened and read aloud starting at 2:00 p.m. of the bid day. Bids must be delivered in person and on the supplied Bid Form and include a bid deposit worth 5% of the total bid value. Electronic and faxed bids will NOT be accepted or reviewed. All times are local prevailing times.

Information requests concerning the project shall be submitted in writing to: Alex Palagyi of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company via email (alex.palagyi@whiting-turner.com)

Bidding material, prequalification material, and complete plans and specifications may be obtained from the Whiting-Turner Building Connected site and will be available until the bid due date. All subcontractors are responsible for emailing Alex Palagyi (alex.palagyi@whiting-turner.com) for access to the Building Connected site.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and Dare County reserve the right to reject any and all bids, waive informalities and irregularities in bidding, and to accept bids which are considered to be in the best interest of the County. The Whiting Turner Contracting Company and Dare County also reserve the right to require any bidder to submit information needed to determine if said bidder is responsible within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-129.

Continue reading here:
Feb. 8: The 35th Annual Stumpy Point Oyster Feast is back on! - The Outer Banks Voice

By Michelle Wagner | Outer Banks Voice on January 25, 2020

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, North Carolina ranked eighth in the nation in the number of human trafficking cases in 2019, with 92 of the 132 cases reported involving sex trafficking. This year, perhaps in response to growing concern over its prevalence, the N.C. General Assembly mandated that all employees in North Carolina schools be trained in reporting and preventing child sex trafficking.

And while local experts say they dont have definitive numbers when it comes to trafficking in Dare and Currituck counties, one thing is certain. It is happening. Tina Pennington has seen this firsthand since opening the doors of the Currituck-based anti-trafficking organization, Beloved Haven, five years ago.

The majority of the girls we have worked with in the last five years have been out of either Dare County, Currituck County, or Elizabeth City, so its really close to home, she said during a Jan. 18 Trafficking in my Backyard training session sponsored by her organization, Outer Banks Hotline and the Currituck County Sheriffs Office.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Pennington and other experts at the Jan. 18 training said predators often use social media as a tool for grooming individuals, often middle-school and high school-aged children, as victims.

The Jan. 18 training session came a few weeks after a 13-year-old Currituck County girl went missing, triggering extensive law enforcement efforts that located her several days later in Georgia. That proved not to be a trafficking case, but the local girl had been lured away from home by another teen girl she met online.

The age of the missing girl in that case should not come as a surprise, experts say. Pennington noted that when it comes to online exchanges between a child and predator, the average age for victims both girls and boys being lured into such a situation is 13.

Pennington, whose organization recently opened a drop-in center for sex trafficking victims in Elizabeth City, said that the crime in Dare and Currituck counties looks different than in Elizabeth City, where street prostitution isnt uncommon.

Here, we find that it is all done online and runs under an escort on sites such as Skip the Games, she told the group of about 30 participants. Every day, you will go on and see about ten or fifteen listings and you will see where that girl is located, and you will be floored when you find out it is here.

Dont take my word for it, asserted Pennington. You can actually research it and find out it is happening here in our communities.

Pennington said that traffickers connect with young people online and pretend to be the one who understands them, who is going to make it alright during a volatile time of childhood. She said the men, or their recruiters who are sometimes other girls, often groom victims online to build a relationship and make them believe they care about them.

She added that Beloved Haven is often contacted by parents who have discovered concerning content on their daughters phones.

Weve had to go to the sheriffs department on several [occasions] on just textingyoung girls texting with guys they think are sixteen-years old and we find out its a forty-five-year-old man in Missouri whos just about go her to agree to meet him. Its just really important to know what your kids are doing on social media, and who theyre talking to. Its hard, I know, to monitor and to also allow that privacy.

She added: We dont want to scare kids to death or make them afraid to even go outside because a white van might drive by and throw them in the back. Please dont think thats what trafficking looks like, because it doesnt.

For his part, Currituck Sheriff Matthew Beickert asserted that there is always the possibility of a trafficking situation. A lot of times, these things are similarly going on and they dont turn out bad someone will meet someone who they believe is their own age and they turn out they are. But its just a matter of time before someone is fooled.

Beickert noted that his department has a task force assigned to internet crimes against children and officers are trained annually on trafficking, adding that his staff works closely with the SBI and FBI on potential trafficking cases. He also said that he hopes to incorporate education regarding healthy relationships into the high school freshman orientation.

Outer Banks Hotline Executive Director Michael Lewis said that while the N.C. General Assembly mandated training in schools, it didnt say how that training should look. Lewis said his group, along with Beloved Haven and Albemarle Hopeline, are going to partner to develop a program on what human trafficking looks like not only for staff, but also for students and parents.

Lewis said that while the General Assembly didnt indicate how much training the employees had to have, he hoped Outer Banks Hotline would be in the schools on a monthly or quarterly basis.

In response to a question about the vulnerability of foreign students coming to work on the Outer Banks, Lewis said: Weve had some information that some of your foreign students have been victims of trafficking. We havent had any come forward to say that theyre victims.

Pennington said that Beloved Havens drop-in center in Elizabeth City, which opened in July, provides victims with a safe place to go. Its mission is to make connections with trafficking victims to help them begin to take the next steps to leave that situation.

The drop-in center allows us to prepare them to be ready to leave, and hopefully have a plan, she said. We knew there was this huge gap between rescue and success.

Recalling a victim in Ocracoke who reached out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline for help, was transported to the Outer Banks Hospital and then to a medical center in Greenville only to leave again, Lewis said the task of helping these victims is complex and involves many agencies.

There are some successes and some failures, explained Lewis. You are going to have more failures, but if we can just save one, thats what we are here for.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSDare County Animal Shelter

Sealed bids for completion of the Dare County Animal Shelter will be received on February 11, 2020, in the Dare County Administration Building, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo, NC, for 01-Fencing, 03- Concrete, 04-Masonry, 05-Metals/ Steel, 06-Casework, 07-Roofing, 07-Caulking, 08-Glass and Glazing, 08-Doors, Frames and Hardware, 08-Overhead Doors, 09-Drywall, 09-Flooring, 09-Painting, 10- Specialties, 12-Furnishings, 21-Fire Protection, 23-Mechanical & Plumbing, 26-Electrical, 31-Sitework and 32-Landscaping.

This project will be bid and awarded in accordance with North Carolina law. Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received until 1:00 p.m. All bidders must submit for prequalification by 2:00pm on 2/3/2020. Bids submitted by non-prequalified bidders will not be considered. All bids will be opened and read aloud starting at 2:00 p.m. of the bid day. Bids must be delivered in person and on the supplied Bid Form and include a bid deposit worth 5% of the total bid value. Electronic and faxed bids will NOT be accepted or reviewed. All times are local prevailing times.

Information requests concerning the project shall be submitted in writing to: Alex Palagyi of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company via email (alex.palagyi@whiting-turner.com)

Bidding material, prequalification material, and complete plans and specifications may be obtained from the Whiting-Turner Building Connected site and will be available until the bid due date. All subcontractors are responsible for emailing Alex Palagyi (alex.palagyi@whiting-turner.com) for access to the Building Connected site.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and Dare County reserve the right to reject any and all bids, waive informalities and irregularities in bidding, and to accept bids which are considered to be in the best interest of the County. The Whiting Turner Contracting Company and Dare County also reserve the right to require any bidder to submit information needed to determine if said bidder is responsible within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-129.

See the article here:
'It's really close to home' - The Outer Banks Voice

Central Oregon Pave and Seal aims to focus on residential work and bring 'old-school values' back to the business.

If you are looking for someone to patch a driveway, pave a new one or do some gravel work, there's a Madras business that can certainly help.

Central Oregon Pave and Seal, owned by Brad Watson, opened its doors in August and after Watson decided he wanted to be his own boss.

"We moved to the Madras area when my wife started working at Culver High School from the Bend area," he said. But Watson's experience with paving and sealing goes far beyond the time he has spent in Jefferson County.

"After 43 years of working in the paving industry, we decided that it would be a good idea to work for ourselves for a change," he said.

So that's what he did, opening up shop and procuring some contracts with the city to do patching work. "I want to bring some old-school values back to the paving and sealing coat industry, where customers and quality came first," he said.

"As I said I have been paving, sealing and grading since 1974," he said. "I am trying to stay in the residential and small community market by preparing and restoring driveways and small lots where root heaves cracks have literally ruined your asphalt," Watson said.

"I saw, cut and remove distressed asphalt, patch it back with new, fill cracks and seal coat the area after pressure washing the project," he said. "I also place gravel and roll base rock for those who are still driving on rock. I fix potholes and do ADA repairs."

For more information about the business, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 541-301-6990. Watson offers a free evaluation and estimate for projects.

You count on us to stay informed and we depend on you to fund our efforts.Quality local journalism takes time and money. Please support us to protect the future of community journalism.

More:
Paving and patching business up and running - Beaverton Valley Times News

As a landscaper specializing in makeovers (rebuilding existing landscapes) I often find myself looking at landscape disasters, trying to pick up the pieces and figure out how to make it right. You might call me a landscape forensic pathologist, examining a crime scene of poorly designed, carelessly installed, mis-managed landscaping with major problems. More often than not the solution is a deep-down, scorched-earth, gut-level restoration, because so little of whats there is salvageable. Does this seem harsh? How did we get to this point?

Good landscaping gets better with time. Well-designed, professionally installed landscapes dont need to be replaced every ten or twenty years, like out-of-style interior dcor. Thats because landscape design isnt just about decoration. Good landscape designs start with solving practical problems and providing functional benefits. The beauty happens automatically once you balance all the other functions that should be designed in. It starts by asking practical questions.

Where do we want to walk? Can we fit all our cars in the driveway? Can we turn them around easily in the dark, in the snow, without going off-road? What happens to all the runoff during hard rains? Can we sit on the porch or patio comfortably on a hot, sunny summer afternoon? Do we have to draw the blinds on all our windows, for privacy? Do wild birds and butterflies have food and shelter? Is the view from the kitchen sink workstation pretty, or are we looking at the neighbors old travel trailer?

We need to select plants that wont outgrow the space, or block the sidewalks and windows, or need constant shearing. Trees should be strategically placed for shade, windbreak, privacy, and to block sight lines we dont want to see from where we sit. Growing conditions like shade or sun, drainage, soil fertility and winter hardiness need to be considered.

Theres a right way and a wrong way to install landscape plantings and hardscaping. Often the difference between professional and amateur installation isnt obvious at first. Over time we have overgrown shrubs, uncontrollable weeds, sinking pavers, sagging walls, and plants that have been butchered into shapes their Creator never intended. Theres no way to band-aid over this situation. Drastic (and sometimes expensive) solutions are called for.

Theres no such thing as maintenance-free landscaping, but if the designer has spent any time working in grounds care he could reduce the number of maintenance man-hours dramatically. Any commercial landscape maintenance contractor will readily agree that proper design and installation has a huge impact on the maintenance cost of landscaping, over years of time.

Most of our work is in landscapes that were installed years ago, when the home was just built, and there wasnt enough left in the budget to do a professional job. We understand this and weve been there personally. Now that the kids are through college, and perhaps the mortgage paid off, its time to revisit the outdoor living spaces and make them beautiful, salvaging whats good. Time to realize our long-postponed dreams. Rather than repeat the mistakes of the past, time to really think through what we can do to flatter the house and make outdoor living a pleasure.

The first step is an honest examination of the landscape in its present state. This is where the forensic pathology comes in. Why did these plants fail to thrive? Why is it so much work to keep the yard from turning into a jungle? Cant we have beautiful surroundings without being a slave to them? As we turn the page into a new season, these might be the right questions to ask.

Steve Boehme is a landscape designer/installer specializing in landscape makeovers. Lets Grow is published weekly; column archives are on the Garden Advice page at http://www.goodseedfarm.com. For more information is available at http://www.goodseedfarm.com or call GoodSeed Farm Landscapes at (937) 587-7021.

Follow this link:
How did this landscape disaster happen? - Record Herald

My driveway recently: A chic, full-size, four-door sedan beckons, its stance confident, its massive tires festooned with intricate, multifaceted wheels. Elegant and expensive, just by the look of it. I open the drivers door, hefty in the way that speaks to craftsmanship. On the ground at my feet, a beam of light casts the makers logo on the pavement. I slide inside the cocoa-colored, quilted leather cockpit and look around with delight at the expansive touchscreen, the beautiful knobs and switches, and intuitive systems and interfaces. Its already memorably different, and I havent even started the engine yet.

The G90s clean-lined interior is loaded with state-of-the-art amenities.

(James Lipman)

What is it BMW 7 Series? Mercedes S-Class? Audi A8? Lexus LS?

Nope. Its the 2020 Genesis G90, the latest flagship from Hyundais newish (established in 2015) luxury arm. Its pretty hard to launch a brand these days, let alone achieve actual luxury. Spoiler alert: Genesis seems to be doing just that.

For example, in the last two years, Genesis has scored more than two dozen awards from the likes of Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, Motor Trend and Cars.com. Thats tough enough for the European dominators, let alone an upstart with only three sedans. (Genesis first SUV, the visually promising GV80, will debut later this year, and the company says its first full electric vehicle will hit the market in 2021.)

Elegant inside: quilted Napa leather, open-pore wood and plenty of room for passengers.

(James Lipman)

Another, more under-the-radar sign of success: Genesis has hired several world-class car designers. That list is topped by Luc Donckerwolke, former design exec at Volkswagen Group, as well as Bentleys SangYup Lee. (Ex-Bugatti designer Sasha Selipanov also spent a moment at Genesis and whipped up the clever Genesis Mint EV concept before moving on to Swedish super-car maker Koenigsegg.)

Genesis is muscling its way to a new definition of greatness.

Think back to the 1980s when Honda launched Acura, Toyota birthed Lexus and Nissan created Infiniti. Those companies audaciously set out to steal market share from the mostly German incumbents Mercedes, BMW, Audi. Which meant they had to offer more content at a slightly lower price and hope U.S. consumers would bite.

The 2020 G90s $72,200 base price includes full valet service owners never need to visit the dealer.

(James Lipman)

They did, although of the three, only Lexus has achieved a real seat at the table in terms of sales. And those brands, brave as they were at the time, didnt have to compete with the likes of Tesla, Porsche, Land Rover and so on. And then theres the powertrain angle; other big brands have EVs, hybrids, even hydrogen offerings. Today, for instance, BMW offers 17 model lines, with nearly countless variants. Genesis has three.

Genesis isnt the only one trying to reinvent luxury. Many have tried and continue to fail: Cadillac, Maserati and Lincoln are just a few. Why? Because its really hard to steal attention from such formidable competition. And its really expensive to actually make the leap from near-luxury to true luxury.

One of the few exceptions that has bravely broken the mold is Volvo. If you havent sat in a new Volvo lately, you have a treat awaiting you. From natural wood accents and an ear-blowing Bowers & Wilkins sound system (which you can set to mimic the acoustics of the Gothenburg Opera House) to impressive ride quality, Volvos today stand up to Germanys best. Sad for the Swedes, though, and good for you: You get way more content for your dollar, while Volvo spends lots of marketing dollars to get consumers to even consider purchasing one.

Thats exactly where Genesis stands too cars rich on details and sophisticated systems and discounted on price. The G90 is the poster child of this an enviable interpretation of what a grande dame of sedans should be at a base price of $72,200. Thats below the Lexus LS, Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series.

Genesis has another hurdle: dealer network. There are 350 Genesis dealers in the U.S. versus 800 Hyundai/Kia stores. I dont know about you but I derive no joy from visiting a dealership, any dealership, let alone one that might be a good 40-minute drive away. One solution: Genesis has committed to offering every buyer 100% concierge service, from a $37,000 G70 up to the G90. For three years or 36,000 miles, a Genesis rep will bring a loaner vehicle to you, pick up your Genesis for service, and return it to you when its done.

Many other brands have experimented with similar programs, but none has stuck by it. I think its genius. Suddenly the dealerships distance just doesnt matter.

So, back to the G90 in my driveway.

I start the engine and hear the powerful purr of its naturally aspirated V8 (the only one in the category). I set off, secure in its poshness. Immediately, I can feel that its fast really fast for such a big car, effortlessly helping me to taunt my speeding-ticket fate. And its smooth, elegantly buffering me from speed bumps and the grit and grime of the real world just outside its soundproof windows.

Last summer, Genesis lent me the older version, the 2019 G90, to drive home from Pebble Beach car week. That car, even without wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and the bells and whistles the 2020 version has, was delightful. I arrived home after a five-hour-plus drive relaxed and refreshed. The next day, a Maserati Ghibli, fully loaded, was delivered to me for testing. I got out of the G90 and into a car nearly double in price and was crestfallen at how inferior it was.

You may not be in the market for a big sedan or a smaller one, for that matter but take my advice and pay attention to Genesis. Its on a tear and doing all the right things. The world meaning residual value and brand recognition hasnt caught up yet, but it will. In the meantime, appreciate the value of a tremendous sleeper and the crazy-big investment Hyundai is making to win long term.

2020 Genesis G90

Price: $72,200

Mileage: 17 city / 25 highway

Engine: 3.3-liter V-6, 5.0-liter V-8

0 to 60: 5.4 seconds

Read more:
2020 Genesis G90 review: How it competes with BMWs - Los Angeles Times

NEW YORK, NYA rivalry game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets was the last thing on anyones mind in Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. First and foremost, the NBA community was mourning the loss of an all-time great.

Kobe Bryants inexplicable death took center stage while the Knicks and the Nets battled it out on the floor. Following the Knicks 110-97 win, the players were still trying to make sense of the situation.

Thank you for being the G.O.A.T. Thank you for being the true definition of a superstar, for paving the way for guys like myself, and guys in the future to come in, Taj Gibson apostrophized. You left such a great mark. No matter who you were, he would give you the same love. It feels like we just lost a superhero.

Gibsons reverence for Kobe is par for the course among NBA players. For a generation of players, he was the cold-blooded killer kids pretended to be in their driveways. Even after retirement, Bryant continued to influence the league by taking young guys under his wing and offering guidance.

One of the last true G.O.A.T.s that was really around the game a lot, Gibson said of Bryants legacy. You see him with his daughter a lot. You see him around the game constantly. If you ask him a question, hell spend some time with you and make sure you understand what you needed to do to get better and be a better player.

Much like Gibson, Marcus Morris Sr. grew up idolizing Kobe, but also had the opportunity to play against the Black Mamba. Morris will always remember Bryant for his insatiable need to improve himself on and off the court.

The way he approached the game. The way he approached life. His mentality. Ive never watched anybody just impose their will on the game like that, impose his will on life, an emotional Morris said after the game. Even after he retired, to have so much impact on the outside world and the players in the league. Its a tough loss for everybody.

Following the initial news of Kobes untimely passing, there were legitimate concerns about whether or not the league should cancel Sundays slate of games. Despite some concerns, the NBA forged ahead without canceling any games.

Our locker room had some heavy hearts in there, but they went out and played. I would say that it was a tribute to Kobe to go out there and play the game like he would play the game, Knicks interim head coach Mike Miller said.

A few Knicks mentioned that they were surprised that the game went on as scheduled. Playing with that kind of emotional baggage cannot be easy for anyone, but there was also a feeling among many players that Kobe would have ultimately wanted the games to continue.

Understanding that he would want you to go out there and play hard. Go out there and lay it on the line. Thats the one thing about him all through the years when I was playing against him, he always loved to compete, Gibson recalled.

Kobes legacy on the league, and more importantly, an entire generation of players will live on forever. His drive to outwork his opponents in every facet of the game is the stuff of legends and the Knicks honored his memory by playing their hearts out under difficult circumstances.

New York will travel south for a game against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night (7 p.m. ET). Just like Bryant did when he shot free throws after tearing his Achilles tendon, the Knicks and the rest of the NBA will forge ahead.

More:
New York Knicks react to Kobe Bryants death: Thank you for being the G.O.A.T. - Elite Sports NY

Undergoing home renovations, and looking to install new or add to your existing paving?

You are not alone. Australias love affair with outdoor living is solidified into our culture, with homeowners across the nation often looking to add lasting value, style, personality and functionality to their own spaces.

When you select a reputable installer, the process can be quite simple and enjoyable. In fact, with the right expertise on hand, the most work you will probably need to do is give your tick of approval on the finished product.

According to Brikmakers Installation Manager Andy Miller, choosing the correct paving to create the desired effect should not be the only consideration when you are in the planning stage of your driveway, alfresco or landscaping project. What lies beneath is just as important, if not more, than the finished layer.

If this isnt done properly, the pavers might look good for a while but the job can deteriorate over time, he said.

This is why it is so important to get someone who knows what needs to be done for a professional finish.

Brikmakers comprehensive installation services are managed by experienced Installation Managers, who oversee carefully selected, insured contractors.

Mr Miller said many people opted for larger format pavers, a trend extending from the popularity of large ceramic tiling inside homes.

We have just released a new product called Trentapave 40, which is a lighter weight and easier to handle product for the contractors, he said.

This allows us to keep the installation price competitive with standard paving.

Paving is also a great way to link your home with your garden, with many shapes, textures and colours available to choose from.

For example, rectangular bricks can be laid in a Herringbone pattern, with washed or exposed aggregate paving ideal for trafficable areas and smoother paver surfaces for pedestrian areas.

If the house is a light colour, a darker contrast in paving can really make the home pop. It could also blend into a window frame or gutters darker colours, Mr Miller said.

Some people prefer the paving to blend with the homes colours to make other features on the house or the landscaping stand out.

All Brikmakers paving installations are backed with a 12-month guarantee on all workmanship and Brikmakers products.

CONTACT

Brikmakers, 1300 360 344

install@brikmakers.com

http://www.brikmakers.com

Read more:
Paving the way from drab to fab - The West Australian

With more winter storms expected across Illinois, local and state authorities are working to clear the roads and respond to traffic accidents.

Heavy snowfall can lead to labor like shoveling on driveways and sidewalks. For roads, local government steps in. The City of Rockford has a fleet of more than 20 trucks for snow and ice removal. Staff are unionized, so they bid on routes. Public Works Director Kyle Saunders explained.

"They get the opportunity to pick which route they like. We have both arterial and residential routes. So they kind of get that opportunity. Its something theyre going to live with all season," he said.

The trucks start by plowing and salting the busiest roads, then move on to more residential roads, sometimes with the help of contractors. Saunders said the citys odd-even parking ordinance helps with this process.

"For instance, if its an odd day, starting at 8 a.m., if we declare that snow emergency, we need cars to be parked on the odd side of the street. That way, it gives us that opportunity to get one clear pass through so our drivers can get in without having to slalom between parked cars."

Trucks also spread salt on the roads to prevent ice. Its made from calcium carbonate but Saunders said its made more effective by mixing in juice from sugar beets.

"Sugar actually lowers the freezing point lower than salt, so its something that that beet juice element certainly helps us coat that rock salt," he said.

If theres leftover salt from a previous year, Rockford will use the excess in this years clearing efforts. But outside of city roads, the responsibility for cleaning up falls on the Illinois Department of Transportation. Engineer of Operations Amy Eller explained.

"We have the interstate system, we have the state highways, like an Illinois route," she said."Some of those do run through various cities, which are what we maintain. Others, we have agreements with some local municipalities to help us with maintenance of those."

IDOT gets weather forecasts from several sources, such as the National Weather Service. Based on current conditions, it then deploys its plows as soon as it can.

"There are certain conditions where we cant do that, but most generally, if we can get out, we will be pre-treating, pre-wetting. We put down a salt brine to keep any precipitation from freezing to the pavement."

On larger roads, the plows often work in groups.

"Youll have one truck out ahead of the next one, but theyre all travelling in tandem to clear all the lanes at the same time," she said.

Though a state agency, IDOT localizes its plans by working through nine distinct districts.

"Even though were responsible for the whole state, we have our units broken down so that its very manageable. They all know their areas very well. Theyve all become very familiar with them," Eller said.

But plowing is only part of the job. The Illinois State Police work with IDOT on a regular basis, starting with social media campaigns regarding safety. Lieutenant Colonel David Byrd is an assistant deputy director. He says one of the most important messages ISP tries to get out is for drivers to take their time.

"Wed rather you guys try to be there early than try to crunch it and get there on time because thats when you might increase your speeds in areas where you probably shouldnt be doing it," he said. "The road surfaces might be icy, slippery, it might be snow covered."

This also includes taking ones time around slow cars and plows.

"Hes probably going slow because of the road conditions. So at that point, we might need to take heed and follow his lead," Byrd said.

When accidents do occur, ISP first responds to those that involve direct injuries. Then, they address those that block lanes.

"We want to prevent that secondary crash, or a third crash," Byrd said. "Thats where you can get a pileup. And believe me, thats the last thing we want, is a pileup on the Interstate."

Fender benders that dont block traffic are the lowest priority, but whatever the accident, Byrd said drivers need to heed Scotts Law which is "...where you slow your speed and move to the left of the unit or the emergency vehicles that are stopped."

Byrd said the number one message during snow and ice: Stay off the roads if possible.

"If we can reduce the number of motorists on the interstate, its going to assist us, going to assist law enforcement in general, do their job on a day with severe weather like we had last year with the polar vortex."

Follow this link:
Sugar Beets Are One Way To Fight Snow And Ice Hazards - WNIJ and WNIU