As a worker climbed the ladder onto WarrenDake's roof, Dake stood in his yard andeyed the cloudy sky.

"I hope it don't rain," the Air Force veteran said.

If it rains, Dake would have to go inside andput bowls around his house to catch the water.

But the rain held off, and LoveOurRoof replaced Dake's roof Monday morning.

Dake is also getting new siding, gutters and windows installed on his home in west central Springfield. Volunteers were also there to do some yard work.

A number of organizations and companies worked to make improvements to Air Force veteran Warren Dake's home.(Photo: Andrew Jansen/News-Leader)

"It's awesome. It really is," Dake said, watching workers move around his property. "I didn't ever think this would happen."

The repairs stem from a partnership ofHabitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri (HFHS), Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, and LoveOurRoof.

"Mr. Dake first came to us asking about home repairs," explained Nancy Williams with Habitat for Humanity. "I suggested that he contact the City about the HELP program, the Homeowner Emergency Loan Program. I knew they were actively soliciting applications where we have a backlog."

K9s For Warriors: Local veteran with PTSD matched with service dog

The HELP program targets low to moderate-income owner-occupied residential dwellings, located within the CDBG-eligible boundaries of the City of Springfield. After applying for the program, Dake was accepted.

The repair was assigned to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri. After evaluation, it was clear that the repairs needed on Dakes home would exceed the amount funded through HELP if the roof was included in the repairs, a news release said.

Air Force veteran Warren Dake smiles as he talks about the improvements that will be made to his home on Monday, May 11, 2020.(Photo: Andrew Jansen/News-Leader)

Williams knew of another program that she believed would assist with the roof. She reached out to Habitat for Humanity International, which has a Veteran Build program. They have a national partnership with Owens Corning Roofing, who will repair or replace roofs for veterans. These repairs are completed through their Roof Deployment Project at no cost to the homeowner.

Dake was approved for this program as well, the release said. Owens Corning suppliedmaterials to repair the roof, and one of their Independent Platinum Preferred partners, LoveOurRoof, is the local partner who will be completing the repair on the roof.

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The rest of the home repairs including new windows, replacing siding, installing gutters and downspouts, adding new insulated doors, smoke detectors, and rebuilding the back porch will be completed by Akers Home Improvement through the HELP program.

Dake has worked in home renovation and construction. Once the roof is fixed and the leaks stop, he said he'llbe able to repair the interior damage.

Workers with Love Or Roof remove shingles from Air Force veteran Warren Dake's roof while making improvements to his home on Monday, May 11, 2020.(Photo: Andrew Jansen/News-Leader)

The Homeowner Emergency Loan Program (HELP) targets low to moderate income owner-occupied residential dwellings, located within the CDBG-eligible boundaries of the City of Springfield, with consultation and funding assistance towards making critical home repairs.

Critical home repairs include those which pose an imminent threat to the home and inhabitants. These repairs are intended to stabilize, preserve and promote home ownership by reducing or preventing damage from weather or infestation, and where possible, increase energy efficiency. Additionally, these repairs are intended to target and reduce individual property blight, improve the immediate neighborhood surrounding the home and increase the quality of the Citys overall housing stock.

The HELP may provide direct funding for improvements in the form of forgivable loans or referrals to partner agencies for alternative assistance opportunities.

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The HELP is a partnership program between the City of Springfield, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, Council of Churches of the Ozarks Connections Handyman Service, Habitat for Humanity and Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC). Funding is made possible by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).

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Veteran gets new roof and home repairs, thanks to multiple organizations - News-Leader

Forests around West Kelowna's high school, municipal hall, and water treatment equipment will be thinned to lessen the risk of wildfire.

Those three facilities get the focus of fire mitigation efforts again this year, as in 2019, fire chief Jason Brolund says.

"(We are) adding protection for one of our drinking water sources and also our only high school and City Hall, which houses critical records and electronics," Brolund writes in a report going to city councillors on Tuesday.

Although COVID-19 is the prevailing public concern currently, the city must still be prepared to deal with the possibility of flooding this spring and the upcoming fire season, Brolund says.

Rules around physical distancing must also apply to firefighters when dealing with floods or fires, Brolund says.

"In all cases, tasks will take longer to maintain the health and safety of all involved. However, plans have been adapted and staff feels we are adequately prepared for conditions we face," he says.

Firefighters have been advised by provincial health officials, as well as WorkSafeBC, on how to best comply with physical distancing regulations while still doing their jobs effectively, Brolund says.

In the last two years, the City of West Kelowna has been given forest fire mitigation grants totalling more than $160,000.

Much of the work has been on the east and north slopes of Mount Boucherie, closest to the high school and municipal offices, as well as water treatment infrastructure at Powers Creek and Rose Valley.

This year, the city will provide grants of up to $500 for owners of property owners to help them reduce the risk of fire sweeping toward their buildings.

The grants can be used for such things as replacing combustible roofs and siding, removing cedar hedges, and installing sprinklers.

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Forest thinning on Mount Boucherie to reduce fire threat - The Daily Courier

The British-born, Stanford-trained software engineer doesnt just want to stop those infuriating calls; he wants the callers to suffer as we have suffered, and maybe a little more. Browder wants revenge, and he has written some software thats designed to get it.

Called Robo Revenge, its included in the iPhone-only app DoNotPay. Robo Revenge helps users file lawsuits against robocallers by tricking them into revealing the source of the unwanted calls. Instead of them scamming you," Browder said, youre scamming them.

Its not a completely nutty idea, and it comes from a man whod probably be a crackerjack attorney if he wasnt so busy writing code.

Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, consumers have a right to sure marketers who phone without permission. Win your case, and the offending company must pay you $500 per call, an amount that triples to $1,500 if you show that the caller should have known not to dial you up. If youve listed your phone on the federal Do Not Call list and a robocaller dials your number anyway, you can demand payment, and sue in small claims court if the robocaller doesnt mail you a check.

But how do you find the source of the robocalls? These people use computer-generated spoof numbers with no connection to an actual address.

Robo Revenge solves the mystery by giving you a temporary credit card number that you provide to the robocaller when he tries to sell you something. When the robocaller tries to collect the money, the card is rejected. Even so, the attempted transaction is sent through the credit card network.

To collect the payment, the scammer has to provide a name, address, and phone number to the credit card processing company. Even though the card is worthless, the information is relayed to DoNotPay, which shares it with you. So now you know whom to sue.

The app generates a letter demanding that the robocall company pay the legally mandated penalty, or face a showdown in court. You print out the letter, mail it to the phone spammer, and wait. Browder says that early adopters of his app havent had to sue; settlement checks just show up in the mail, some in as little as one week.

Robo Revenge is just one feature of DoNotPay, an app born of Browders terrible parking habits. Back in the United Kingdom, he ran up about two dozen parking tickets. He couldnt find the cash to pay them, but he learned that many tickets could easily be beaten through some legal technicality. So Browder wrote a software program to generate automatic appeals, with no need for court appearances. Browders program worked about 50 percent of the time, saving him a few hundred British pounds.

When Browder arrived at Stanford in 2015, he turned his idea into DoNotPay the worlds first robot lawyer, as he calls it. It started out helping people get out of parking tickets," Browder said, "and its expanded into 100 different functions.

Yes, it will appeal US parking tickets. But DoNotPay can also rebook your airline flight if a cheaper fare comes along. It can get you an appointment with the Registry of Motor Vehicles to take a driving test. And you know those online subscriptions that offer the first month for free, but ask for your credit card number? DoNotPay can generate a temporary credit card number for you. When the month is up, and the company tries to start charging you, too bad. The DoNotPay credit card wont accept charges, so youre off the hook.

Yet another feature, called Digital Health, will automatically contact Equifax and dozens of similar data brokers that collect sensitive information about you. Digital Health will help you see what data these companies have collected and can automatically issue a demand that they erase it all.

The full suite of DoNotPay services costs $3 a month. The app has attracted about 100,000 users, as well as $5.7 million in venture funding. Browder has dropped out of Stanford to focus on turning DoNotPay into a paying business. But given our hatred of unwanted calls, the apps new Robo Revenge feature could make Browder a rich man all by itself, if only it worked.

Robo Revenge wont help against robocallers based outside of the United States, beyond the reach of our laws. Next, what if the caller doesnt ask for a credit card? For instance, I was recently pitched by a New Hampshire home improvement company offering free estimates on siding. They just wanted my address. Other scammers want only your Social Security number for use in identity theft. In these cases, Robo Revenge is useless.

Besides, if you go to court, you might not win. Aaron Foss, creator of the robocall-blocking program Nomorobo, says that even if you took a robocaller to court, it would deny making the calls. It would be hard and costly to prove the lie.

In addition, Robo Revenge supplies the robocaller your name and address, to go along with the phone number. If you won a large enough judgment against the company, the money would be taxable, and youd have to provide your Social Security number. Now these guys know everything about you. And theyre criminals.

These guys can very easily retaliate," Foss said. Its a dangerous, dangerous game to play.

Browder replies that you can set up Robo Revenge to use a post office box number instead of your actual address. He also argues that companies would face even stiffer penalties if they attempted to retaliate. But then youd have to prove that theyre victimizing you, and they wont make it easy.

And if you win a judgment, how do you get paid? Even the federal government hasnt managed that trick. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that the Federal Communications Commission has fined robocallers more than $208 million since 2015. The agency has collected just under $6,800. And no, thats not a typo.

Maybe theyd have better luck simply by shutting the robocallers down even the foreign ones, which rely on US companies to reach us. In February, the Justice Department sued two US companies that deliver these foreign calls, and the FCC sent warning letters to seven more US firms.

Meanwhile, a federal law enacted last year requires the nations major phone companies to install technology that does a better job of identifying phone spam, and blocking it before your phone even rings.

It took years to solve the spam e-mail problem. Wiping out robocalls will prove just as challenging. And despite Joshua Browders best efforts, there isnt an app for that.

Hiawatha Bray can be reached at hiawatha.bray@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeTechLab.

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This app promises to wreak revenge on robocallers. But be careful it doesnt backfire - The Boston Globe

First Cobalt Corp. announced positive results from an independent feasibility study conducted on its permitted cobalt refinery in Ontario, Canada. The study contemplates expanding the existing facility and adapting it to be North Americas first producer of cobalt sulfate, an essential component in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles.

The feasibility study demonstrates that the First Cobalt Refinery project can become a viable, globally competitive player in the North American and European electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. The study reinforces the strength of First Cobalts business strategy for a rapidly evolving EV market that is heavily dependent on supply from China.

This is an important milestone in our efforts to disrupt the existing cobalt supply chain. The study shows strong asset-level economics that position the refinery to be competitive globally and provide attractive investment returns. The outlook for electric vehicles and the push by automakers to develop shorter supply chains creates an excellent opportunity. With most of the worlds cobalt refining capacity located in China, there is strong demand for a North American alternative. Our focus will now turn to working with Glencore, our strategic partner, on implementing a new, ethical and transparent supply chain.

Trent Mell, First Cobalt President & CEO

Highlights of the study results include:

Annual production of 25,000 tonnes of battery-grade cobalt sulfate from third party feed, representing 5% of the total global refined cobalt market and 100% of North American cobalt sulfate supply.

Initial capital estimate of $56 million and an operating cost estimate of $2.72/lb of cobalt produced, which is competitive with global markets.

$37 million in undiscounted pre-tax free cashflow to the project forecasted during the first full year of production.

$139 million after-tax net present value (NPV) using an 8% discount and 53% after-tax internal rate of return (IRR), representing a payback period of only 1.8 years.

Discussions underway with Glencore on commercial arrangements, financing and allocation of project economics; third party and government funding opportunities also under review.

Several EV manufacturers have expressed an interest in purchasing a North American cobalt sulfate.

Several opportunities will be evaluated over the coming months that could enhance project economics further, including alternative approaches to managing elevated sodium concentrations prior to returning process water to the environment.

Prefeasibility-level study also completed on an early ramp-up scenario using existing permits and equipment to conduct trial runs processing a different type of feedstock.

Cobalt market. According to a report commissioned from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, there are currently no plans to commission new cobalt refineries outside of China other than First Cobalts. They also note that most automotive companies outside of China are interested in sourcing cobalt sulfate closer to their manufacturing facilities or from suppliers located outside of China.

Other key findings in the Benchmark Mineral Intelligence report are as follows:

China now accounts for approximately 79% of the worlds refined cobalt sulfate production and this is projected to increase further.

Cobalt demand from nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries used in EVs will increase from approximately 20,000 tonnes in 2019 to over 730,000 tonnes in 2040.

Average payability over the last two years for cobalt hydroxide feed material has been at 68% of the average of the low of the monthly Metal Bulletin Low Grade Cobalt price.

Long term cobalt price forecast is approximately $59,100 per tonne or $26.81 per pound.

Benchmark notes that demand for cobalt in lithium-ion batteries will dominate all other demand categories and forecasts a structural deficit within the next five years.

Project overview. The First Cobalt Refinery is a hydrometallurgical cobalt refinery located north of Toronto, Canada. The facility was permitted in 1996 with a nominal throughput of 12 tonnes per day (tpd) and operated intermittently until 2015, producing a cobalt carbonate product along with nickel carbonate and silver precipitate. The facility is located on 120 acres, with two settling ponds and an autoclave pond. The current footprint also includes a large warehouse building that once housed a conventional mill.

Testing of third-party cobalt hydroxide in 2019 using the refinery flow sheet confirmed suitability of cobalt hydroxide as a source of feed to produce a high purity, battery-grade cobalt sulfate.

In July 2019, First Cobalt and Glencore AG agreed to a partnership framework providing for a non-dilutive, fully funded, phased approach to recommission the refinery. Subject to certain conditions, including the completion of a positive feasibility study and agreement upon commercial terms, the framework agreement contemplates that First Cobalt will treat cobalt feed material supplied from Glencores DRC operations for an initial term of up to 4 years on a tolling basis, with Glencore providing up to 100% of the capital required to recommission and expand the facility. The objective is to produce approximately 25,000 tonnes of cobalt sulfate per annum for the electric vehicle market.

Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. completed two studies in support of this strategic partnership:

A prefeasibility study on an interim recommissioning of the Refinery by late 2020 or early 2021 using exiting permits and equipment to qualify a cobalt sulfate product with end-users; and

A feasibility study on an expansion scenario to 55 tpd nameplate capacity, targeted for commissioning in Q4 2021.

The strategic objective of the partners is to achieve 5,000 tonnes per annum of cobalt production (55 tpd nameplate, 50 tpd average), which would account for approximately 5% of the current global refined cobalt market and an even larger share of the cobalt sulfate chemical market.

In conjunction with the feasibility study, discussions have been ongoing with potential automotive offtake partners as well as several lenders interested in providing a portion of the capital cost along with Glencore.

The feasibility study assessed the project economics of the refinery on a stand-alone basis, assuming a 70% payability factor on the cobalt content of a cobalt hydroxide feed source based on expert forecasts for future payability levels (todays spot payability is 62-65%).

In order to secure the capital required and a reliable feed source, First Cobalt and Glencore will use the results of this study to negotiate terms of a two- to five-year tolling agreement and financing arrangement. As such, the cash flow generated from the refinery will be shared between the parties and remains subject to ongoing discussions.

Refinery design. The First Cobalt Refinery sits on a 40-acre land package and includes the refinery building complex, one tailings pond (the Autoclave Pond) and two water treatment ponds (the Upper and Lower ponds). The main refinery gallery in the building complex houses the pressure oxidation circuit, solvent extraction circuit (SX), product filtration and a control room. The main building also includes a laboratory, administrative offices and changerooms. Other structures attached to the main gallery include a warehouse which previously housed a conventional milling circuit, a Merrill-Crowe building, a mechanical shop and a High-Density Sludge (HDS) building. There is also an external tank farm located along the north side of the complex. The feasibility study criteria were to make the best use of existing infrastructure while keeping as much as possible within the current footprint.

The proposed new layout adds two new simple engineered structures to the main complex; one for tailings belt filters and the other for crystallization and product bagging. A new external building is also contemplated to house an expanded SX circuit and sodium management infrastructure. Other changes to the site layout include additional tankage for reagent storage in the tank farm area and improvements to the ring-road around the refinery to accommodate transport trucks.

An 80-acre property located to the north is owned by First Cobalt and it will be the location of a new dry stacked tailings management facility. Tailings from the process are a gypsum that can be readily dewatered and stacked for permanent dry storage. First Cobalt has the advantage that the field to the north is underlain by more than 6 metres of clay, some of which will be excavated to increase storage capacity, with the excavated clay being reused to construct the new tailings storage facility and permanently rehabilitate the Autoclave pond and the new tailings facility at end of Project. Only half of the field to the north is planned for the new tailings management facility, which will have approximately 17 years of storage capacity. The other half of the field remains available to be developed as additional storage for an additional 17 years of operation. The existing Upper Pond will be expanded to collect surface water from freshet and summer storm events for safe return to the environment.

Retrofitting of the existing buildings and equipment, new construction and installation of new equipment is expected to take approximately 12 months.

Cobalt hydroxide feed is expected to arrive at the Port of Montreal via ocean freight where it will be transferred onto rail cars to be delivered to a siding on the Ontario Northland railway in Cobalt, Ontario. The Ontario Northland rail line passes 2 km west of the Refinery Road. Hydroxide feed will be trucked from the rail siding to the Refinery and refined cobalt sulfate product will be backhauled to the siding for reloading onto rail cars for shipment to end markets.

Process and metallurgy. Cobalt hydroxide feed material will arrive in bulk bags and be unloaded into the refinery warehouse. The bulk bags will be lifted with the refinerys overhead crane, where the bags will be emptied into a re-pulping system. The slurry is then pumped to a leach circuit where it is leached with sulfuric acid under atmospheric conditions.

Slurry exiting the leach tanks is pumped to the neutralization circuit where limestone is added in order to raise the pH and precipitate impurities such as iron. To minimize downstream scaling, the slurry is cooled to 30-35C in a cooling tower which reduces soluble gypsum content. The precipitated solids are removed through thickening and filtration.

Prior to solvent extraction (SX), the solution is re-heated to raise gypsum solubility and prevent subsequent precipitation in the mixer settlers. The first SX circuit is Impurity SX (ISX), targeting the removal of impurities such as manganese, copper, zinc, calcium, and iron. The extraction raffinate after this step primarily contains cobalt, with nickel and magnesium present as impurities. The strip liquor reports to effluent treatment, where the impurities are precipitated and removed from solution prior to discharge.

The second SX circuit is Cobalt SX (CoSX) which loads cobalt onto the organic solvent while any residual impurities remain in the aqueous phase. The cobalt-loaded organic then proceeds to the scrubbing mixer-settlers where the pH is adjusted to remove impurities such as magnesium and nickel that were loaded in the extraction stage. The scrubbed organic goes to a final stripping stage where the pH is lowered to bring the cobalt out of the organic phase and into the aqueous strip liquor stream. Once filtered to remove entrained organic, the strip liquor enters the crystallization step.

The filtered strip liquor is pumped to a mechanical vapor re-compression forced circulation crystallizer. The crystallizer functions by evaporating water using steam in a heat exchanger, supersaturating the cobalt-rich strip liquor and causing crystallization to occur. The bleed stream of cobalt sulfate crystals reports to a thickener and centrifuge for dewatering. Together they separate the solid and liquid components of the slurry, producing a dewatered product at

Water management. Process water from the refinery will be treated to a level that meets or exceeds regulatory requirements before being returned to the environment. Environmental testing and design by First Cobalts consultants have devised a treatment process to ensure that the return of process water to the environment is done in a compliant and environmentally friendly manner. Broadly speaking, there are two main criteria that must be met before water can be discharged. First, metals and other elements as prescribed cannot exceed predetermined thresholds. Second, the water being discharged should not be acutely toxic to aquatic life.

Owing to the use of sodium hydroxide in the process flowsheet that has been designed, effluent from the refining process would have an elevated concentration of sodium. There are no federal or provincial discharge limits nor surface water quality objectives or guidelines for sodium. However, it was determined that the amount of sodium in the effluent could be toxic to aquatic life. In order to satisfy the requirements of a feasibility level study, the study contemplates installing an established technological solution of evaporation and crystallization to remove sodium content.

The evaporation and crystallization technology is proven to be effective for removing sodium from the effluent but it is more expensive than other alternatives. In this process, the effluent stream is first concentrated by evaporation to reduce the volume reporting to the crystallizer. The resulting brine is then fed to a sodium crystallizer in which a crystalline sodium sulfate product is formed. This crystalline product is sent for offsite disposal.

First Cobalt identified a number of other solutions for managing the sodium that could significantly reduce capital and operating costs, including substituting sodium-based reagents for alternatives not containing sodium, making process changes or implementing other management solutions to reduce the sodium concentration in the effluent. Due to time constraints, Ausenco recommended that the study incorporate a well-established treatment process and that alternatives be more fully assessed over the next few months.

The capital cost for the selected method is $9.4 million representing almost 17% of the total capital cost. The operating cost associated with the selected method is $0.85/lb Co produced representing 31% of the total operating cost. First Cobalt and its consultants believe that there is significant opportunity in other sodium management methods that were reviewed but not in sufficient detail to be incorporated into this feasibility study.

Next steps. First Cobalt expects to continue to advance and de-risk the project in 2020 by pursuing the following activities:

Completing the three scoping studies to help identify the best path forward to recommission the refinery using existing permits.

Assess other sodium management technologies and options that could significantly reduce capital and operating costs.

Advance discussion with Glencore on commercial terms for a toll-treatment arrangement and financing alternatives.

Advance funding discussions with third parties and government agencies.

Continue to work with Glencore to advance long term offtake discussions.

Advance environmental approval activities to shorten timeline for regulatory approvals.

Target completion of a development plan within the next 90 days.

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First Cobalt announces positive feasibility results for Canadian cobalt refinery expansion; first NA producer of battery-grade cobalt sulfate - Green...

When Eric and Michele Starkloff asked architect Chris Sanders of Sanders Architecture to transform the dingy apartment space on the edge of their North University property into a fully functioning poolside entertainment area, he was able to deliver the ultimate hangout spot in less than 400 square feet.

The backyard already featured a large pool that the homeowners had built just a few years before, as well as a garage with two deteriorating accessory dwelling units above it, which faced the couples driveway instead of the pool. We had a tough time even envisioning if [what we wanted] was possible, Eric says. The Starkloffs desired a cabana that walked the line of modernism but still respected the Colonial Revival style of the main house, which was built in the mid-1920s.

From the start, the architect and his team were met with design difficulties. Although the ADUs were built in the 1990s, they were made to match the homes 20s-style architecture, so it took peeling back layers of construction to realize the units were as new as they were, Sanders says. And while he had built cabanas before, this one was unique because its located on a historic piece of property and utilized an existing building. With that in mind, Sanders began drafting a plan to revitalize the structure that would optimize verticality and provide plenty of functionality within a small footprint.

To maximize space, he created a tall ceiling for the loft (a prime spot for Eric and Micheles teenage daughters to host sleepovers) and installed plenty of windows for natural light.The Starkloff family did all of the interiors themselves, resulting in a minimalist look with a navy-painted kitchenette, a dining nook, a powder bath, brown-and-white tile, bohemian pillows, and plenty of greenery.

For builders Christian Bingham and David Wilkes of David Wilkes Builders, challenges came in the way of running new electrical wiring and also waterproofing, as the original pine-clad building had started to decay. They used HardiePlank, a low-maintenance siding, to give the cabana a shiplap look. Fitting everything into such a small space and making it work takes really great design, which Sanders brought to the table, and an extremely high level of detail, Wilkes says.

Since its completion, the cabana has become a place that the Starkloff family can escape to for any occasion. We just had a 50th birthday for a friend out there, Eric says. The large-screen TV in the cabana is angled, so you can watch it from inside or from the pool. Sanders adds: Its a tiny spaceonly about 350 square feetso we designed everything to be able to co-exist. It can go from being a kids space to somewhere for parties and family get-togethers,so everything had to be buttoned up and serve a variety of functions.

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This Garage Apartment Was Converted Into a Backyard Cabana - Austin Monthly

KEARNEY Kearney High School teacher Jeff Shield no longer is able to go into work at his office every day.

But he doesnt spend his workday at home. Instead, you will find him working on a house in northwest Kearney from 8 to 4 every day.

KHS students started working on the structure at 4706 16th Ave. Place at the beginning of the school year, as they do every year for the construction technology class that Shield teaches.

The class covers building a house from the ground up, according to Shield. They start erecting walls in the basement once the foundation is set, they set the roof trusses, and they do nearly everything else in between, aside from the plumbing, electrical and HVAC work.

However, this year, the students arent able to put the finishing touches on the house with in-person classes canceled due to the pandemic. So, Shield is doing the rest of that work himself, which is a first in his 28 years of teaching the class. He estimates that the students had finished about 75 percent of the work.

I can only think of one year in the past that I had to go in and spend any amount of extra time doing it, he said. And it wasnt weeks like Im doing now; it was just a weeks time. We were working and I just knew we were behind, so I just hopped in so I knew we would be able to complete on time.

Of course, he still is keeping the students in the loop as to what is happening at the house. Even though the hands-on portion of the course is impossible, the students still are learning.

Shield will video himself doing a project, like installing kitchen backsplash, and then send it out to his class. Typically, hell accompany the video with a worksheet to fill out or an article to read.

Most of what is left to teach, and to do, is the finishing work.

The students got to learn the majority of the curriculum, what I want them to know, Shield said. Theyre just missing out on some of the final things, a little bit of tiling, setting countertops, going through, getting all those little dings and touch-ups that really finish up the house.

This week, bricklayers were working on the stone accents on the front of the house. Next week, Shield will be working on the deck in the backyard.

In addition to the professional contractors, Shield has gotten help from his father and 23-year-old son, Spencer.

Shield and his father, Tom, a now-retired KHS math teacher, were working Wednesday on the basement window wells. Though the construction tech houses dont have finished basements, all the framework is done. The downstairs, according to Shield, is where the students get to learn how to hang drywall and use mud and tape on the walls, and then upstairs professionals handle the mudding and taping.

While professionals do step in for some work, Shield said he lets the students take ownership of the project.

I tell the kids at the beginning of the year that this is their project, not mine. Its not for me to build, its for them to build and learn, said Shield.

At the end of the year, the class hosts an open house. Shield says its an opportunity for the students to celebrate their year of hard work and show off the house to their parents, siblings, grandparents and friends.

This year, its likely the open house wont happen.

Thats one of the disappointing things with the whole coronavirus thing: The students arent going to be able to see the finished product, Shield said.

Just like every year, though, the work the students have done has been remarkable.

KHS has a long history of building high-quality houses, as the program is now in its 45th year. Shield estimated there only may be about half a dozen other schools in the state that have a class like it.

While some schools tend to take on smaller projects, the 22-30 students in the class each year tackle a three-bedroom, ranch-style house with a full basement.

Shield picks out the floor plan every year, usually sticking with a house plan that has about 1,800 square feet upstairs.

This years house is 1,695 square feet, and its listed for $294,000.

Once the house is sold, the money goes into an activity fund, which pays for the materials and land for future houses.

Outside, dark gray siding is accented by professionally laid stone for eye-catching curb appeal. The inside has plenty of upscale touches, as well.

The bright white kitchen has wood flooring and a blue-gray tile backsplash. From the dining area beside it, the future owners will be able to look out to where the deck will be, once Shield finishes it next week.

Touches in the living room include a fireplace and a sliding barn door that leads to the laundry room. White balusters contrast the dark, natural top rail that sections off the stairs to the basement.

The contrast continues throughout the upstairs as dark hardware, like door handles and drawer pulls, accent the white doors for a slightly modern-farmhouse vibe.

This years craftsmanship is typical. For the past 28 years, Shield said, people always have been impressed with the high school students work.

Ive always had good reactions to our houses and the quality of product that we put out, and the fit and finish that the students can do, he said. They cant believe that high school kids can do something like this.

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Students won't be able to finish the KHS construction tech house this year, but their teacher is making sure the work gets done - Kearney Hub

Manchester, New Hampshire: As spring arises, many homeowners are looking to improve the look and security of their roof. Manchester NH Roofing and Siding is currently taking on the task of providing affordable roof repair, roof installation, and siding services throughout Manchester and the surrounding area, to keep homeowners safe and satisfied with their property. Located by Laurel Street, Manchester NH Roofing and Siding has earned trust with the local community providing not only residential roofing services, but also commercial service as well.

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They also service neighboring regions such as Auburn, Bedford, Hooksett, and Derry. This allows them to reach a large and growing market, given that 93% of Auburn residents are homeowners, 88% in Bedford, 73% in Hooksett, and 53% in Derry.

Manchester NH Roofing and Siding was started in 2020 with a mission to provide the best roofing and siding service at an affordable rate for homeowners and commercial property owners. Each contractor is experienced in both roofing, and customer service. A major concern for property owners is that they will receive a contractor who does not respect them or their property. Which is why Manchester NH Roofing and Siding prides themselves in their ability to send out friendly and ready-to-work roofing experts.

If youre looking to get in touch with a professional roofer in the Manchester or surrounding area, you can reach them at the following contact:

Manchester NH Roofing and Siding info@manchesternhroofingandsiding (603) 259-4570

61 Laurel St #1, Manchester, NH 03103 https://manchesternhroofingandsiding.com

Originally posted here:
Manchester NH Roofing and Siding a New Key Player in the Home Service Industry - News Anyway

Design-build construction firm Ramtech Building Systems has announced that the company has initiated the process of installing the nine modular sections which will make up a 7,168 square foot expansion of the passenger terminal at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach, Florida. The Type II all steel modular building will be connected to the existing terminal with a site-built corridor and will provide two additional gates that will be completed during the summer.

MANSFIELD, Texas (PRWEB) April 22, 2020

Design-build construction firm Ramtech Building Systems has announced that the company has initiated the process of installing the nine modular sections which will make up a 7,168 square foot expansion of the passenger terminal at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach, Florida. The permanent modular building will be connected to the existing terminal with a site-built corridor and will provide two additional gates that will be completed during the summer.

Ramtech is working as a subcontractor to Allstate Construction of Tallahassee, Florida, the general contractor on the project. Ramtech's scope of work comprises core and shell manufacturing of the Type II-b all steel modular sections, the installation of the building, and the finish-out of the exterior. Using permanent modular construction, the modular sections will include the exterior walls with 24-gauge steel high-rib R-Panel siding, all door and window assemblies, interior walls with un-finished gypsum board and required shear walls, perimeter steel frame floor, and the EPDM roof assembly. Ramtech will also provide for the exterior wall and floor penetrations that are required for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The nine modular sections, manufactured in three sizes for the building configuration, will be installed and welded to a poured-in-place concrete pier foundation system.

The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, located 18 miles northwest of Panama City, opened for commercial flights in May 2010. The airport, located in Bay County on 4,000 acres, is owned by the Panama City-Bay County Airport & Industrial District and is serviced with daily flights by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. The expansion of the terminal is part of a $10.5 million grant from the FAA to improve and expand their facilities. The airport's 105,000 square foot terminal currently has five gates with jet bridges, and two gates with ramp level access for regional aircraft. The new modular building will incorporate gates 6 and 7 to increase passenger capacity while adding additional seating space. Ramtech expects to have the building installed and weathered-in in under one week, while completing their additional scopes of work prior to the end of May.

About Ramtech and Modular Construction

Since 1982 Ramtech Building Systems has been providing innovative relocatable modular buildings and two types of permanent modular construction for commercial companies, educational institutions, government agencies, and healthcare providers throughout the Southern United States. As a vertically integrated design-build construction company, Ramtech provides full in-house design, a manufacturer direct product, and complete site construction services all within a single-source solution. Ramtech can offer facilities built using permanent modular construction on both a pier and beam or concrete slab foundation. Both options combine the best of off-site manufacturing and on-site construction techniques to produce a building faster and with less cost, but identical in the look, functionality, and life expectancy of a completely site-built structure. By emphasizing a value engineering approach, Ramtech has successfully completed over 4,000 diverse projects of all sizes. For more information, visit the company's website at RamtechModular.com.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/ramtech_begins_modular_building_installation_for_the_terminal_expansion_at_northwest_florida_beaches_international_airport/prweb17071480.htm

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Ramtech Begins Modular Building Installation for the Terminal Expansion at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport - Benzinga

The Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary Azar, continues to lead on a number of the Presidents priorities. Any speculation about personnel is irresponsible and a distraction from our whole-of-government response to COVID-19, said deputy press Secretary Judd Deere in a statement Saturday.

An HHS spokesperson said that "Secretary Azar is busy responding to a global, public health crisis and doesn't have time for palace intrigue," and that he had not had any recent discussions about the possibility of his departure.

Nonetheless, White House aides have been frustrated with Azars management style since late last year when a feud with Verma broke into the open, a feeling that has only increased during the coronavirus crisis. But they have been worried about replacing the HHS secretary in the middle of a global pandemic.

Such a move, some officials said, could fuel the perception of President Donald Trumps response as chaotic and give ammunition to Trumps critics, who have said that the Azar-led response to Covid-19 fell short during January and February. Trump and Azar have insisted that the administration took all necessary steps to prepare for the outbreak, disputing criticism as fake news.

However, the HHS secretary has few allies in the West Wing, and his role has diminished after Trump abruptly removed Azar as the head of the coronavirus response and replaced him with Pence at the end of February. White House officials have had previous conversations about replacing Azar in recent months, although the current discussions are more serious in the wake of increasing frustrations with Azars handling of internal matters, including the circumstances surrounding Brights removal, said two people familiar with those conversations.

White House coronavirus coordinator Deborah Birx. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo

Meanwhile, Azars potential replacements are on much stronger footing. Birx has won over Trump and secured allies in the White House for her blend of scientific acumen and soft-touch diplomacy. Verma whose own job status was shaky as recently as December amid her feud with Azar has seen her star rise during the pandemic, with a series of swift actions to boost telemedicine and loosen regulations, along with other moves that have earned bipartisan applause.

Hargan, who led HHS as acting secretary between October 2017 and January 2018 after Trumps first HHS chief, Tom Price, resigned after a controversy over his use of private aircraft, has had a much less visible role. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows spoke with Hargan this week, though their conversation did not involve any discussion of a potential job change, said one administration official.

Three officials pointed to Azars handling of Bright, the ousted vaccine expert, as an example of his tumultuous leadership of HHS. Those officials said Azar assured the White House that Bright had been promoted to a new job at NIH when, in fact, Bright had been demoted from his position leading the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

Pence and other aides left the coronavirus task force meeting only to later learn Bright did not view his job change in the same way and would be filing a whistleblower complaint to outline the retaliatory treatment to which [Bright] was subjected by HHS political leadership after raising appropriate science-based concerns about White House pressure on treatment and vaccines related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Brights lawyers.

Get the latest on the health care fight, every weekday morning in your inbox.

It was a different story than the one Azar had just presented in the meeting, and the latest blow to Azar's standing in the White House.

In a statement, HHS characterized Bright's move as a transferring of "the skills he has applied" at BARDA to the NIH, "as part of a bold plan to accelerate the development and employment of novel point-of-care testing platforms."

Since being replaced as head of the coronavirus response on Feb. 26, Azar has made few appearances at daily press briefings on the coronavirus fight even as deputies like top infectious disease doctor Anthony Fauci routinely accompany Trump and provide public updates.

The past few weeks, meanwhile, have arguably marked the most difficult stretch of Azar's tenure in the Trump administration. A series of reports critical of Trump's leadership of the coronavirus response angered White House aides over their portrayal of Azar in a more positive light, and prompted a public public rebuttal from the president. Days later, the White House installed former Trump campaign aide Michael Caputo as HHS' top spokesperson in a move widely seen as an effort to exert more control over the health department's activities.

Azar's chief of staff and trusted aide, Brian Harrison, came under renewed fire this week over his role in steering the day-to-day coronavirus response early on. Administration officials have also recently discussed firing Harrison, who has long been hampered by detractors within the White House and across parts of HHS, two people familiar with the discussions said.

See the article here:
White House weighing plan to replace Azar - POLITICO

Todays miter saws are a big improvement over the manual miter boxes of the 1960s.

Mitering is the process of fitting two boards together at an angle, so miter saws are commonly thought of as trim saws. If you do any type of trim work, the miter saw will be your most-used power tool.

That said, miter saws are invaluable for making other types of cross cuts as wellend cuts on hardwood flooring strips, for instance, or angle cuts on roof rafters.

Keep reading to learn more about this popular tool and to find out why weve chosen the following five as the best miter saw options for DIYers and pros.

All miter saws feature a circular blade encased in a swing arm that pivots from side to side to make cross cuts on narrow strips of wood (5- to 18-inches wide, depending on the saw). One size doesnt fit all, however, so your individual woodworking needs will determine which saw is right for you.

Your woodworking projects will determine the features youll need in a miter saw. Someone who only wants a miter saw to make crosscuts on wood flooring strips wont need the extra features a professional trim carpenter needs to install elaborate crown molding.

A 10-inch miter sawso-called because it has a 10-inch bladeis sufficient for cutting most types of trim boards and siding strips, which are typically less than 3/4-inches thick and 6-inches wide. If you want to cut thicker boards, such as 1.5-inch thick framing boards, consider getting the larger, 12-inch miter saw because the larger blade will cut through thicker boards more easily.

Until just a few years ago, all miter saws were corded, and most still are, featuring 10-, 12-, and 15-amp motors. The higher the amps, the more power the motor will have, but a 10-amp miter saw is sufficient for cutting most types of trim boards. The higher-amp motors are better at slicing through larger boards and they wont overheat as quickly with constant use. Cordless miter saws are the new kids on the block, and they typically operate on rechargeable 20-volt, lithium-ion batteries. Battery runtime depends on how often youre making cuts and how thick the wood is, but expect an average of 150 to 275 cuts on a single battery charge.

Some miter saws have laser guides that mark a red or green line across your wood where the blade will cut. This is a great feature for DIYers and beginners to ensure they have their board correctly positioned before cutting.

You can work up a sweat on a hot summer day, which can result in a slippery grip on a miter saw handle. Some manufacturers now offer padded non-slip grips to reduce hand fatigue and allow for a better grasp. Many miter saws still dont have them, but its a bonus when you can find one that does.

Miter saws tend to kick up sawdust, particularly when operated inside a workshop. To remedy this, two types of dust collection are available for miter saws. The first is a small bag designed to collect some of the dust that blows into it naturally as it comes off the blade. The second (and better) option is a dust collection port that connects to the hose of a shop-type vacuum.

If youre looking for a miter saw that does everythingand does it wellcheck out the DEWALT 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Miter Saw. The saw comes with a powerful 15-amp motor, and its sliding rails allow the user to cut a board up to 16-inches wide. With dual compound action, theres no need to turn a board over to cut an opposing angle, just tilt the spring arm in the other direction. The DEWALT miter saw also features a bright LED light that illuminates the cutting field so you can see exactly where youre cutting, and comes with a collection dust bag designed to catch up to 75percent of the dust it generates.

You can save money on a miter saw without giving up functionality. The affordable Metabo 12-Inch Dual Compound Miter Saw cuts bevels in both directions and comes with a powerful 15-amp motor to boot. Thanks to the laser feature, youll see the cutline on the board before you cut, which will reduce errors. The saw comes with an elastomer-coated handle designed to reduce vibration, hand fatigue, and hand slippage. This is a nice and unexpected feature on a more affordably priced saw.

If youre just starting in woodworking and wont be making particularly complex cuts, check out the Hitachi 10-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw. It features a single compound tilt for cutting bevels in one direction, and its 15-amp motor will supply plenty of cutting power. The Hitachi will cut boards up to 5.5-inches wide, and it comes with a padded ergonomic handle for reduced vibration. Beginners will appreciate the laser guidance for added accuracy.

For professional trim carpenters or picture-frame fabricators, the DEWALT FLEXVOLT Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw has it all. You can plug it into a standard electrical outlet or operate the saw on a FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX battery (sold separately), which means you can make the cuts you need even when an electrical outlet is not available. DEWALT claims this miter saw will make up to 310 cross cuts in base molding on a single battery charge. The saw features precision dual bevel cutting and sliding rails that allow the user to cut boards up to 16-inches wide.

For around-the-home trimming and crosscutting, youll get all the power and precision you need with the DEWALT 12-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw. It cuts boards up to 8-inches wide and cuts bevels in one direction. The DEWALT saw also comes with a vertical clamp to hold the board still as you cut, and it features a dust collection bag to help reduce the dust in the air. For safety, the saw also features a mechanism that automatically locks the spring arm in the down position unless its manually unlocked with a button on the back.

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5 Best Miter Saw Options for the Workshop - BobVila.com