Spokane street crews hope to have the hundreds of trees and debris that fell into city streets during Wednesdays windstorm completely cleared by Sunday, working 20 hours a day with employees from several different departments.

As of Friday morning, there were more than 100 trees left to clear throughout the city, many of which are on the South Hill. Clint Harris, director of Spokanes street department, said the city had pulled employees from other departments and work, such as bridge repair and water, and assigned them to tree removal to clear streets as soon as possible.

Its all hands on deck for this clean up, he said.

He said many of the city employees who have been deployed around town to clean up fallen trees have only had one day off, if any, between large weather events after the city had to quickly transition both workers and equipment from handling snow and ice to cleaning up after the massive windstorm that disrupted power and internet and knocked down hundreds of trees throughout the city and county.

He said smaller trees and debris can usually be cleared in an hour or two, but there have been several old and very large trees that have taken six or seven hours for street crews to remove from the right-of-way. The largest tree street crews have cleared had a diameter that was close to 4 feet.

Sean Barley, the lead foreperson for city street crews that were working on the South Hill, said more trees fell in the 2015 windstorm, but the trees that fell in this windstorm were much larger, with some causing significant damage. Many of the trees that fell were Ponderosa pines or Douglas fir.

These are the trees that somebodys grandfather planted, he said.

He said in some neighborhoods, it took a full day to clear a single block, because of the concentration of old trees and the damage to natural gas and sewage lines after they were ripped from the ground.

Harris said safety has also been a concern for workers as they try to keep traffic and pedestrians away from work sites, and wait for Avista and other departments to address downed power lines or natural gas leaks caused by the storm.

Barley said street teams had stopped counting trees and were now just keeping track of debris by how many trucks they loaded. He said he counted 16 truckloads of debris in the first three hours of work Friday morning. Once the trees and debris are loaded, theyre transported to an empty lot to eventually be put through a wood chipper.

Marlene Feist, director of strategic development and public works for the city, said about 150 trees have fallen into the right-of-way and about 130 trees had fallen in parks.

Spokane County has also seen hundreds of trees or debris fall into the road, but workers have pushed most of the debris to the sides for now, making it safe to drive. Spokane County Public Works and Information Outreach Manager Martha Lou Wheatley-Billeter said it would take county employees three to four weeks to clear debris from the road, and workers have found debris or trees on 140 roads across the countys road system, ranging from very rural areas to suburban neighborhoods.

Its going to take a while for us to get everything cleared up, she said.

Excerpt from:
Spokane puts 'all hands on deck' in hopes of clearing remaining trees by Sunday - The Spokesman-Review

Companions are special creatures in Magic: The Gathering that require you to build your decks around them to summon them.

While they were released without a cost and appeared in your hand with no issues, they were deemed too strong and were eventually nerfed to have a three-mana cost to appear in your hand. While their dominant reign came to an end, Companions are still a good pick to build your deck around if you want to have a great win rate.

Here are the best Companion cards in MTG.

Umori is a Companion who restricts you to only one card type for nonland creatures. While not as strong as other companions, Umori does provide you a one-mana cost reduction for spells which you choose.

Zirda, the Dawnwaker is a Companion who excels in decks that rely on activated abilities. One of these types of decks could be cycling where creatures have this effect and allow you to fit Zirda in as well. This legendary creature will reduce the cost of abilities by two, allowing you to cycle through your deck easily.

Kaheera, the Orphanguard is a great Companion for tribal decks, allowing you to buff up all creatures with the named keywords while also granting them vigilance. While these tribes might be currently underperforming, the additional buff can help them withstand against other strong decks you might meet on the ladder.

With plenty of creature options from the five-named tribes, you can easily build a deck accommodating for Kaheera.

Yorion is one the most unique Companions, requiring your deck to have at least 20 more cards than minimum. Its effect allows you to exile any number of permanents and return them to the battlefield next turn. You can reset enchantments and other effects easily with this card, allowing you to buff up your board with ease.

Lurrus of the Dream-Den is a great Companion aimed to help aggressive decks. With a huge restriction of having cards cost two or less, you can spam spells every turn from your graveyard and stop your opponent from developing a board while you smash your units into their health bar.

Read more:
The 5 best Companions cards in Magic: The Gathering - Dot Esports

The Below Deck Galley Talk crew offered a few additional insights into some of the best and worst aspects of being on the show and on charter.

The group viewed the latest episode of Below Deck and commented from their couches and homes throughout the world. Below Deck crew members were paired off into two teams and they dished about the drama unfolding during the episode, but also reflected on their own experiences.

So what were some of the highlights and lowlights of yachting? From meals to docking, the crew breaks it down.

Big themes threaded throughout the franchise is docking the massive superyacht and dropping the anchor. Former chief stew Kate Chastain watched the latest episode with pal, former deckhand Connie Arias and commented about the whole anchor drop drama.

You guys make dropping the anchor so dramatic, Chastain said to Arias during the episode. Like gravity does most of the work. But Arias pointed out it isnt as easy as pushing a button and letting the anchor go.

RELATED: Below Deck: Kate Chastain Reveals How She and Rhylee Gerber Got Busted Behind the Scenes

It tangles, Arias exclaimed. Chastain related anchor tangles to the annoyance of necklace chain tangles. Below Deck viewers saw an epic anchor tangle during Below Deck Mediterranean season 2. The anchor chain became so tangled it took the crew countless hours to straighten it back out. Captain Sandy Yawn shared that cutting the chain could be the end of the charter season because you cant dock the boat without an anchor chain.

When it came to docking the boat, Kelley Johnson felt the deck teams stress. Med docking is a nightmare, he said as bosun Eddie Lucas looked anxiety ridden.

Deckhand Bobby Giancola, who was involved in the Below Deck Med anchor tangle mess during season 2 said docking during extreme circumstances gives him an adrenaline rush.

The guests packed up and got ready to depart. Drop off day is the best day of charter, Colin Macy-O-Toole said. Stew Julia d Albert Pusey noted how the guests always talk about how sad they are to leave. So sad, its like see ya later, she joked.

The Below Deck Galley Talk crew seemed to really like the guests. Chastain joked about being ready to lowkey stalk them to become their best friend. Plus, Amy Johnson observed how grateful and sweet they were during their departure. When a guest is super thankful and grateful, Kelley Johnson started to say. Amy Johnson added, It makes it so worth your effort.

RELATED: Below Deck: Colin Macy-OToole Says He and Bobby Giancola Had a Blast Filming Below Deck Galley Talk (Exclusive)

One reason the guests were overjoyed was because of chef Rachel Hargroves incredible culinary performance. Season 8 viewers may have seen Hargrove only really break a sweat during breakfast for the first group of charter guests.

Breakfast was always the worst, Amy Johnson said. Too many options. Dinner youre just told what youre eating. Hargrove quickly shifted to doing a breakfast special, which is when viewers were introduced to her epic French toast. Rosbach recently tweeted the dish was probably the best thing hes had from a yacht chef.

More:
'Below Deck Galley Talk' Crew Reveals Some of the Best and Worst Parts of Charter - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

The silent treatment. Below DecksKate Chastain revealed that she is not on speaking terms with her former pal and costar Hannah Ferrier.

I have not spoken to her since she had a baby, but she looks so happy, Chastain, 37, told Us Weekly exclusively on Tuesday, December 29, while promoting Below Deck Galley Talk. Im so happy for her.

Ferrier, 34, welcomed daughter Ava Grace in October with her fianc, John Roberts. Sharing the news via Instagram on November 2, the reality star posted several photos of the little one alongside a sweet message that read: Josh and I are so happy to welcome to the world our little girl Ava Grace Roberts. Born on the 26th of October. She is already a little menace that has captured our hearts forever.

The following month, the Below Deck Mediterranean star got engaged to her beau of two years.

Chastain stunned Below Deck fans in November 2019 when she revealed that she was no longer friends with Ferrier. Over the years, watching Hannah, I could just always tell we had very different styles of being a chief stew, but I just wanted to be supportive, she said at the Below Deck: OGs Ready or Yacht panel at BravoCon. But now, were not really friends because I heard she was talking poorly about me behind my back.

In addition to detailing her broken friendship with Ferrier, the chief stew told Us that she has not spoken to former costar Ashton Pienaar since they appeared on season 7 together. The pair clashed during an explosive argument, and Pienaar later bashed her during the reunion episode.

Ive not heard from Ashton either, she said. I never got that Christmas card from him, but it might be lost in the mail, Im sure.

Chastain is gearing up for the series premiere of Below Deck Galley Talk. On the eight-episode show, past stars from the Bravo franchise will return to weigh in on the drama unraveling on Below Decks current season.

Its very hard for me to watch Below Deckseason 8 without having opinions, she explained to Us. So Im just very excited that I got to hang out with my good friend Connie [Arias] and share those opinions but with viewers.

The Bravolebrity also dished on what she believed to be the most surprising moment to occur in season 8 so far, adding, I think everyone will agree that when Rachel [Hargrove] told Captain Lee [Rosbach] to go F himself that was shocking, but I kind of loved it. It was like, Oh, no she did not. Yes, she did. And also, his response was so calm. The Id rather not was brilliant.

Below Deck Galley Talk premieres on Bravo Friday, January 1, at 7 p.m. ET. Bravos Chat Room on Sundays and Mondays at 10:30 p.m ET.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi

Read more here:
Below Decks Kate Chastain Says She Hasnt Talked to Hannah Ferrier Since She Gave Birth - Us Weekly

Ben Robinson is officially 40! To celebrate his milestone birthday, the Below Deck alum stayed true to form, ringing in his special day in the most luxurious way.

On December 30, Ben took to Instagram to share a peek inside his birthday festivities and lets just say, hes definitely living his best life. In the hilarious clip, the chef can be seen lounging around in a cozy Versace robe while enjoying a Monte Cristo cigar and a glass of expensive red wine from Harlan Estate. Turning 40 is not that bad, ol sport, he saysin the clip.

Ben is clearly feeling confident as he kicks off the next decade of his life, as he hinted at in the caption. My 40th... After a long day, I have finally adjusted, he wrote alongside the video.

Several of Bens fellow Below Deck alums couldnt help but chime in on the clip. Youre hilarious, former chief stew Kate Chastain wrote in the comments, while returning Season 8 crew member Eddie Lucas added, You legend!

Want moreBelow Deck? New episodes air every Monday at 9/8c or catch up on every episode ever through theBravo app.

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Rachel Hargrove and the Below Deck Stews Gear Up for a Charter Guest's Great Gatsby Themed Party

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Ben Robinson Celebrates Turning 40 in the Most Ben Way Possible - Bravo

Sayville's Colin Macy-O'Toole will be among the stars of Bravo's "Below Deck" reality-TV franchise giving their thoughts, reminiscences, wit and wisdom about the flagship show's current eighth season on the new "Below Deck Galley Talk," premiering Friday at 7 p.m.

"We're just hanging out, drinking, having some snacks and watching new episodes of 'Below Deck,' " Bravo's series about rambunctious and romantic charter-yacht crew members, "and just kind of giving some inside thoughts or behind-the-scenes things that happened to us, just to give the viewers perspective on things," says the 33-year-old son of music educators Robin Macy and Robert O'Toole. Macy-O'Toole worked as a deckhand in "Below Deck Mediterranean" seasons 3 and 4 (2018-2019).

The eight-episode "Galley Talk" stars five buddy pairs from the franchise: Kate Chastain and Connie Arias, siblings Kelley and Amy Johnson; Julia d'Albert Pusey and Josiah Carter, Anastasia Surmava and Alex Radcliffe, and Macy-O'Toole and Bobby Giancola. While Giancola, who worked as a deckhand on the first two seasons of "Below Deck Mediterranean," did not cross paths with Macy-O'Toole on-camera, the two became friends at offseason Bravo events.

The cable network, says Macy-O'Toole, "reached out to me a few months back and asked me to do this 'Galley Talk' show and I was very honored that they thought about me. And so I flew down to Florida," where Giancola lives, "hung out with Bobby for a couple of days and watched some 'Below Deck' episodes. It's been a lot of fun."

Under non-pandemic circumstances, he says he might have been paired with "my best buddy Joo [Franco], from my first two seasons, but he was stuck overseas in Africa," where Franco had grown up in Zimbabwe.

Macy-O'Toole started as a deckhand at age 15 for Sayville Ferry Service, and years ago earned his 100-ton master's license, allowing him to captain for the company, which shuttles to Fire Island and Water Island and back. The 2005 Sayville High School graduate, who went on to receive a bachelor's degree in music education from Virginia's Shenandoah University, returned to Sayville Ferry after his first "Below Deck Mediterranean" season, but later left the company and is now "focusing more on the entertainment industry."

Quarantining during the pandemic he lives down the street from his folks "has gotten me thinking a lot about what's going on right now and things I want to do," he says. He and Giancola have "started working on some projects. Can't get too specific, but we're working together on some things."

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Will we see Macy-O'Toole again on "Below Deck Mediterranean," where his upbeat personality made him a favorite of yacht captain Sandy Yawn? "Maybe not 'Mediterranean,' " he says, unable to give details, "but you know, maybe something else."

By Frank Lovece Special to Newsday

Read more from the original source:
LIer to appear on 'Below Deck' spinoff - Newsday

More changes are in store to the agreement to build a city parking deck and Westin Hotel in downtown Greensboro at the Tuesday, Jan. 4 City Council meeting.

On Dec. 19, 2017, the City of Greensboro entered into an agreement with Elm Street Hotel LLC to build a parking deck that will stretch from East Market Street over February One Place adjacent to Davie Street. Elm Street Hotel LLC, according to the agreement, will build the parking deck and, over the southwest portion of that deck, build a Westin Hotel. The original projection was that the project would be complete and the hotel open by March 2020, in time for the Atlantic Coast Conference Mens Basketball Tournament.

The city originally agreed to spend not more than $30 million on the parking deck. At the Dec. 15 meeting the city raised that limit to not more than $37 million.

The resolution on the agenda for the Jan. 4 meeting authorizes City Manager David Parrish to enter into an agreement to change the ownership structure of the public-private partnership between the City of Greensboro and Elm Street Hotel LLC.

The resolution states, Whereas, originally, Elm Street Hotel, LLC, and the City planned to own each of their parcels independently of each other and own the common elements of the property jointly; however, due to changing economic conditions, both parties decided that placing their parcels in a Condominium structure would be more advantageous.

The resolution states that each partys parcels will constitute 50 percent of the condominium and each party will have an equal number of representatives on the condominium owners association. Having an equal number of representatives on the condominium association board would mean an action could not be taken unless both parties agree.

The resolution states, This resolution will allow the parties to begin construction of the February One Downtown Development Project pursuant to the Amended Construction Management and Development Agreement once the Phase Two Deliverables are produced by Elm Street Hotel, LLC.

Parrish has said that he expects the parking deck to be coming out of the ground in February 2021.However, in the fall of 2019, Parrish said the parking deck would be coming out of the ground early in 2020.

Read the original:
Downtown Parking Deck And Hotel Back On Agenda - The Rhino Times of Greensboro - The Rhino TImes

PORTAGE, Mich. In south Michigan, drivers are experiencing icy and wet road conditions as sleet continues throughout the area.

Law enforcement have been busy in Kalamazoo County after many multi-vehicle accidents and road slide-offs because of the icy conditions.

READ MORE: Multiple crashes close I-94

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said they have all hands on deck.

"It really is just another winter day for us," said an MDOT spokesman Nick Shirripa.

On Friday, MDOT said they have up to 80 salt trucks out on the roadways in southwest Michigan.

"Our operators have been out all morning certainly doing everything they can. Right now, its a little more salt maybe, but it is salting, putting the blades down to scrape everything we can off. Unfortunately we dont have much control other than that so the operators have been out, and theyll stay out for as long as they need to," said Shirripa.

They're asking Michigan drivers to keep an eye out and to be patient while they do their jobs.

"Those men and women are out working their hind ends off for hours on end trying to make the roads safer for everybody. Give them lots of room to do what they need to do," said Shirripa.

A Kalamazoo County tow truck company was also out assisting with many of the accidents off of I-94, US-131 and even on city roads.

"Conditions are real slick. Right now they are a little wet, but as the night goes on temperatures start to drop and the roads become a sheet of ice. If you dont have to leave, dont leave," said Trent's Towing Tow Manager Garret Boyer.

If you do end up needing a tow truck, you could have a long wait time, so it's important to have a full tank of gas, coats, mittens and even blankets to stay warm while you wait.

"It could be within 30 minutes or 2 hours, sometimes longer than that, just depending on where you're located as opposed to the next call. We try to get to you as fast as we can, but as you can see, these roads are real treacherous right now. So take your time, and we will take our time so we can make sure to get you out safely," said Boyer.

Law enforcement are encouraging those people who don't have to drive to stay home.

If you must leave, ensure to give yourself plenty of time, limit distractions and keep space between the vehicles in front of you.

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MDOT has 'all hands on deck' to help with icy road conditions in southwest Michigan - Fox17

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson said the Little Rock hospital is adding new emergency department space in an adjacent parking deck and may double up patients in single rooms in response to the growing number of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Pattersons note on the systems status and COVID prep work came as hospitalizations set a new record for the third day in a row. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reported Wednesday (Dec. 30) that hospitalizations rose by 13 to 1,174. The ADH also reported that available ICU beds statewide fell from 55 on Tuesday to 50 on Wednesday.

Total known confirmed and probable cases rose by 3,184 to 222,430, confirmed and probable active cases rose by 672 to 21,853 and confirmed and probable deaths rose by 34 to 3,637.

There is also growing concern nationwide that a more easily transmissible COVID variant first identified in the United Kingdom will begin spreading in the United States, which would place even more pressure on hospitals and healthcare workers. Despite efforts to block travel from the UK, the variant has appeared in California and Colorado. The ability to detect the new variant in Arkansas is limited.

Only a few labs in our state use the testing platform which will allow us to detect the new variant. If any cases are detected, then those samples need to be confirmed by sequencing, ADH spokeswoman Danyelle McNeill told Talk Business & Politics. We are currently coordinating with various reference labs around and outside the state which use the Taqpath testing platform to look for suspected cases from Arkansas samples. In looking back, if any suspected cases are discovered, these will need to be confirmed by sequencing by (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

UAMS ACTIONSIn a series of tweets posted Wednesday, Patterson, the head of the largest medical system in the state, outlined how he and other UAMS officials are working to deal with the existing rise in cases and the expected surge from Christmas and New Year gatherings.

UAMS, despite limiting the number of elective surgeries, has had difficulty keeping pace with the needs of patients with & without COVID-19 due to the impact of the pandemic on our community, Patterson wrote. Our next steps here at UAMS include asking our healthcare providers to take on more patients than usual, to reassign some of them to new duties that they are capable of, & potentially to start doubling up patients in single rooms.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson also noted the strain on hospitals.

We continue to see high numbers of new cases and capacity pressures on our hospitals. I urge everyone to be careful as we enter another holiday to reduce the virus spread, and we need to support each other as Arkansans while we work to distribute the vaccine, he said in a a statement with Wednesdays ADH report.

Patterson also praised the effort of healthcare workers to deal with the pandemic.

Unless circumstances change drastically, this will get worse before it gets better. This virus is trying to break us here in the state of Arkansas, but while we are bending we are not about to break. Thats not because of the number of beds we have or the facilities we have built. Its because of the healthcare providers at the front line who are going above & beyond to adapt to incredibly difficult circumstances.

COVID REPORT Dec. 30New known COVID-19 cases, active cases, tests 184,947 known cumulative PCR cases, with 2,289 new community cases and 31 reported cases in correctional facilities 37,483 probable cases, up from 36,619 on Tuesday There are 15,658 active cases, up from 15,158 on Tuesday There were 8,843 test results provided in the previous 24 hours. There were 4,398 antigen tests in the previous 24 hours.

Deaths 3,068, up 26 569 probable COVID-related deaths, up 8

Hospitalizations1,174, up 13

Ventilators205, up 7

Recovered cases166,198

The top five counties with new known cases reported Wednesday were: Pulaski (355), Washington (290), Benton (278), Faulkner (150), and Sebastian (134). The counties accounted for 38% of the 3,184 new confirmed and probable cases.

As of Wednesday at 1 p.m., there were 19,575,927 U.S. cases and 340,004 deaths. Globally, there were 82,330,554 cases and 1,797,732 deaths

The rest is here:
UAMS to add medical space in parking deck; hospitalizations set record for third consecutive day - talkbusiness.net

Chief stew Francesca Rubi from Below Deck is more than aware that some crew members arent her biggest fans.

Shes seen in tears in an upcoming episode, crying about how the crew becomes your family, but this crew views her as being abrasive. The revelation comes when My Seanna is about to dock and she sees another chief stew she knows on another yacht. She excitedly waves at the other crew member from afar, but then has to excuse herself.

A big part of yachting is the crew end up being your family, she said in a confessional. Rubi becomes emotional and she cries alone in her bunk. This crew doesnt see me like a person. They see me as this b*tchy, mean chief stew. Rubi tears up in her confessional as cameras capture her crying while trying to compose herself for docking.

The season was filmed nearly a year ago and Rubi seems to have gotten over the disappointment that she didnt bond with some of the crew. She hosted a Ask Me Anything onInstagram and was asked how she dealt with Elizabeth Frankini ignoring her direction. Frankini thought Rubi was passive-aggressive, but Rubi didnt see it that way.

Theres also no time when on charter to train, she said. So you kind of have to find a balance between training on the job and also instructing in a nice way.

RELATED: Below Deck: Francesca Rubi Shades Charter Guest Charley Walters and Some of the Crew

But yes, it was definitely frustrating for me when Elizabeth wasnt listening to my directions, she continued. I feel that I was communicating in a very nice and clear manner. Especially about the cutlery drawer.

She was also asked if she would work with Frankini and Ashling Lorger in the future. Rubi only talked about Lorger. I would pick lovely Ash because she just thinks on her feet, she said. And I always know its going to be sorted and I dont need to micromanage. I dont need to check up on her like you saw with the detox shots in the recent episode.

Every chief stew in the franchise has dealt with crew members viewing them as being cruel or too stern. Chief stew Jenna MacGillivray from Below Deck Sailing Yacht was often told she was too hard on her stews. Fans also bashed MacGillivray for her no-nonsense manner and tone-deaf jokes.

Chief stew Kate Chastain from Below Deck also had several stews say she was an unpleasant boss. Stew Emily Warburton-Adams recent comments about Chastain came as a surprise. She and Chastain seemed to work well together, but she said that wasnt necessarily the case.

RELATED: Below Deck: Izzy Wouters Reveals the Shocking Reason Why Crew Have To Sign an NDA

It mainly came after the season, she recalled about post-season tension. On the show, there were a few things obviously at the end when she started flagging things Id done wrong. Which caused a little bit of a rift.

Chief stew Hannah Ferrier from Below Deck Mediterranean also had issues with stews, especially Christine Bugsy Drake. Drake told Ferrier she thought shed been a lousy chief stew during season 2. Drake returned for season 5, but she and Ferrier seemed to have grown and worked through their differences.

Below Deck is on Monday at 9/8c on Bravo.

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'Below Deck': Francesca Rubi Breaks Down in Tears Revealing the Crew Thinks She's 'B*tchy' and 'Mean' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet