NEWPRODUCTONDISPLAY Crews with Green Acres Contracting of Scottdale, Pa., on Wednesday installed along Marquette Avenue in Follansbee about 1,800 feet of guardrail, including several sections coated with ZAM, a new coating produced by Wheeling-Nisshin Steel said to be at least three times more resistant to corrosion. Officials said sections of ZAM coated guardrail were alternated with galvanized steel sections to show the difference between the durability. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE When crews installed about 1,800 feet of guardrail along Marquette Avenue Wednesday, they were not only helping to protect drivers traveling to and from the citys Parkview section.

They also were helping to showcase a relatively new product produced by a local industry.

The crews with Green Acres Contracting of Scottdale, Pa., installed alternating sections of guardrail, some comprised of standard galvanized steel and some coated with ZAM, a zinc, aluminum and magnesium alloy produced and applied by Wheeling-Nisshin Steel.

Developed by Nisshin Steel, the steel firms parent company, ZAM is super resistant to corrosion and scratching because it is nearly three times harder than commonly used galvanized coatings, said Art Bertol, Wheeling-Nisshin general manager for ZAM marketing, who was on hand to observe the guardrails installation.

City Manager John DeStefano said all of the guardrail was donated by Wheeling-Nisshin in hopes of showing the West Virginia Division of Highways and others the durability of the coating, which is offered in the U.S. only by Wheeling-Nisshin, compared to that of standard guardrail.

Bertol said the steel firm hopes the state will include ZAM as a specification in guardrail and other projects and that ultimately, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials will be persuaded to use the product.

Bertol said the coating also may be applied to signs and other steel structures. He added since Wheeling-Nisshin began offering it in 2013, ZAM has been used on roofs and siding for many barns, silos and other agricultural structures and has many other applications, including the walls for in-ground swimming pools, cooling towers and sound/wind and snow barriers.

DeStefano said the city benefits from the donated guardrail, which would have cost almost $10,000, while possibly helping to increase the customer base for a major local industry.

The city manager said the cost for the city was about $400 to have steel coils slit for the guardrail and about $9,800 to have it installed.

He was asked if there are any concerns about the stability of the hillside, which overlooks an area of Follansbee Park where a slip caused major damage to a shelter.

DeStefano said staff with Garvin Boward and Beitko, a geotechnical engineering firm in Pittsburgh, has monitored 86 survey points in the area and not found any significant movement.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)

STEUBENVILLE The Jefferson County Drug Task Force took three people into custody during two drug raids on ...

WEIRTON Indivisible Weirton is launching its Indivisible Weirton Give Back initiative with a meeting to be held ...

WEIRTON Sponsors and vendors are needed for the sixth-annual Top of West Virginia Resource Fair to be held from ...

WHEELING West Virginias residents wished the state a happy 154th birthday Tuesday, offering hope that the ...

See the article here:
Guardrail used to showcase product of local industry - The Daily Times

(MENAFN Editorial) Lessburg, VA Ashburn Pro Roofing's website is providing roofing expertise to homeowners in the national capital region. Consumers in Ashburn and surrounding cities who are in need roof replacement, roof repair, or siding work done to their house will find Ashburn's website refreshing. With over ten years of experience in roofing services, Ashburn Pro Roofing has seen firsthand what the elements of Northern Virginia can do to siding and roofs. Furthermore, with over a decade of service to Northern Virginia, Ashburn is heavily vested in their community.

AshburnProRoofing.com provides a wide range of services. Customers can quickly get a free quote or read one of several informative articles on roof care and other preventative maintenance tips. The website also includes helpful videos which show details of Ashburn's roof repair process as well as a video prominently featuring the innovative GAF roofing system installation process. Other articles include vital information on how to hire a roofing contractor.

In addition to traditional asphalt roofing shingles, Ashburn Pro Roofing offers natural and synthetic slate roofing, standing seam metal roofing fitting, siding installation, as well as gutter and downspout work. Ashburn's online quote system is streamlined for easy use. Users simply enter their name, email address, and phone number, then click 'get you free quote to be connected to an Ashburn representative.

While Ashburn is offering their services for Northern Virginia's roofing needs, their website provides comprehensive information that allows consumers to be well informed regarding the upkeep of their own roofs. The information on Ashburn's site will be especially beneficial to potential homebuyers.A good roof is a crucial factor in buying a house and individuals searching for a new home will want to properly scrutinize roofs for damage. Ashburn Pro Roofing provides comprehensive articles with step-by-step processes for determining roof damage from a storm or just normal wear and tear.

The AshburnProRoofing.com website is a unique service among roofing contractors in the Northern Virginia area. Some contractors have been known to take advantage of their clients' trust very often overplaying the repairs required and few would make this same effort to be up front regarding their business and processes. Ashburn's website provides transparency regarding the roofing industry and the company works to instill confidence and trust among those in its community.

Contact : John Keene Ashburn Pro Roofing 673 Potomac Station Drive, #631 Leesburg, VA. 20176 #UnitedStates of America Phone: (703) 345-0601

More:
Roofing Article Series for Consumers - MENAFN.COM

UPPER SANDUSKY A Columbus company will refurbish two wooden covered bridges in Wyandot County for more than $1.2 million, with a majority of the funds provided by federal grants, according to The Progressor-Times newspaper in Carey. The Parker Covered Bridge, built in 1873, is a Howe truss design which spans 172 feet over the Sandusky River. It is located on Crane Township Highway 40, northeast of Upper Sandusky. Fire destroyed the original Parker Covered Bridge in May 1991. It was rebuilt and dedicated in October 1992. A committee, which was formed after the fire to raise money to restore the bridge, raised $150,000. The Swartz Covered Bridge, built in 1879, is a Howe truss design which spans 96 feet over the Sandusky River. It is located on Wyandot County Highway 130 in Antrim Township. The Swartz Covered Bridge was restored in the early 1990s. Righter Co., Columbus, with experience in restoration of wooden covered bridges, bid $607,988 for the Parker bridge restoration and $597,672 for the Swartz bridge restoration. The county will pay $60,283 as its share of the work on both bridges. A majority of the funds will be provided by the Federal Transportation Alternative Program. The rehabilitation of each bridge will include work on the wood trusses, replacement of damaged pieces, installation of new siding, new roofs and new floors. The Swartz bridge will have a new foundation, too. Each will be made more secure, too. Each bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s.

comments

Read more:
Federal funds to pay for repair of covered bridges - The Courier

Permits issued in East Baton Rouge Parish from June 9-15.

Airline Highway 14126: $275,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage not listed. Proposed: New service road, 300-foot self-support tower, fence not included. Issued June 14.

Lobdell Ave. 566: $25,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage not listed. Foundation for future cellular phone equipment installation requiring slab rough-in, grounding, foundation and electrical final, building final. Existing cell tower 250 feet high with new antennas. New 12-foot by 10-foot slab of 8-inch thickness, proposed ice bridge. Separate permit for fence. Issued June 13.

Renoir Ave. 7137: $200,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,520. Addition to existing 32,800-square-foot building for factory industrial-2 use, and renovation to 3,150 square feet of same. Building to total 34,320 square feet. Issued June 12.

Highland Road 10555: $800,000, Owner: Mohit Vif. Total square footage: 11,737. Complete interior to partially build out parts of first and second floor, for business use in existing shell permit. Issued June 12.

Lobdell Ave. 1660: Owner not listed. Total square footage: 2,390. Complete interior to create suite space 101 in existing shell of 3,600 square feet for mercantile use. Issued June 15.

Lobdell Ave. 1660: Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,208. Complete interior to create suite space 100 in existing shell of 3,600 square feet for mercantile use. Issued June 15.

Perkins Road E. 18143: $100,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,520. Complete interior to resolve suite for dry-cleaning use business with drop-off/pickup. Cleaning and washing to be done off-premises. Issued June 9.

Village Market St. 14650: $480,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 3,276. Complete interior to finish out suite 103 in Building 1 for fitness center, assembly-3 use. Issued June 9.

Village Market St. 14650: $374,000, Owner: Russell Mosely. Total square footage: 4,015. Complete interior to finish out Suite 101. Issued June 9.

Lobdell Ave. 1660: $425,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 3,600. New shell construction of building intended for two leased retail spaces. Issued June 15.

Boulevard de Province 1855: $60,120, Owner: Tammy Shields. Total square footage: 4,120. Flood damage renovation to apartment building 12, units 81-84. Received average of 60 inches of water. Scope of work includes replacing electrical, drywall up to ceiling and new hot water heaters. First floor only. Issued June 13.

Boulevard de Province 1855: $60,160, Owner: Tammy Shields. Total square footage: 3,960. Flood-damage renovation to apartment building 13, units 85-88. Received average of 60 inches of water. Scope of work includes replacing siding under lower-level windows, replacing electrical, drywall up to ceiling and new hot water heaters. First floor only. Issued June 13.

Boulevard de Province 1855: $150,400, Owner: Tammy Shields. Total square footage: 13,200. Flood damage renovation to apartment building 14, units 89-108. Received average of 60 inches of water. Scope of work includes replacing siding under lower-level windows, replacing electrical, drywall up to ceiling and new hot-water heaters. First floor only. Issued June 13.

Boulevard de Province 1855: $120,320, Owner: Tammy Shields. Total square footage: 7,920. Flood-damage renovation to apartment building 11, units 73-80. Received average of 60 inches of water. Scope of work includes replacing siding under lower-level windows, replacing electrical, drywall up to ceiling and new hot-water heaters. First floor only. Issued June 13.

East Petroleum Drive 18135: $30,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 2,000. Interior renovation to existing suite space D for use as a small food preparation and sales/carry-out mercantile. 18 occupants. Issued June 15.

Perkins Road 7434: $500,000, Owner: Brian LeBlanc. Total square footage: 4,568. Interior renovation of 4,568-square-foot portion on first floor of existing 19,220-square-foot two-story office building for business use. Issued June 15.

Plank Road 5785: $50,000, Owner: Samer Saymeh. Total square footage: 1,500. Adding kitchen hood to existing business to convert to a new retail deli. 35 maximum occupant load. Issued June 13.

Plank Road 6969: $60,000, Owner: James Faucheaux. Total square footage: 1,248. Interior renovation to add new office and lounge rooms to be constructed in existing sprinklered Type II-B storage/warehouse building. With new single restroom in office and lounge rooms, and new fenced storage mezzanine above new rooms. Issued June 12.

Reco Ave. 7836: $90,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,251. Interior renovation in an existing fully sprinkled Group B/F-2 fabrication, testing and refurb shop for steel and aluminum cylinders. Scope of work consists of expanding office to total 2,552 square feet. Includes the installation of a new paint spray booth in shop, new storefront, new striped parking spaces. Issued June 15.

Hill Drive 8934: Owner: Michael Malek. Total square footage not listed. Demolish single-family residence. Issued June 12.

South 10th St. 1226: Owner: Milton Kleinpeter. Total square footage not listed. Demolish single-family residence. Issued June 13.

Caesar Ave. 16443: $6,000, Owner: Aaron Varmall. Total square footage not listed. Residential fence permit. Adding new sections to existing fence. Issued June 9.

North St. 4064: $500, Owner: Vernell Lockett. Total square footage not listed. 8-foot wood fence. Issued June 15.

Commercial Ave. 16313: Owner not listed. Total square footage not listed. Land clearing permit in anticipation of parking lot: 64510, and new construction: 77070 (55,073-square-foot building for wholesale market sales), permits. Issued June 9.

Club Place 1127: $25,000, Owner: Brianne Hemmans. Total square footage not listed. Gunite pool. Issued June 9.

Laurel Plantation Ave. 2909: $25,000, Owner: Phyllis Eyre. Total square footage not listed. Gunite in-ground pool. Issued June 13.

Mourning Dove Drive 5935: $30,000, Owner: Jachob LaSavia. Total square footage not listed. 15-foot by 30-foot fiberglass pool. Issued June 14.

Tallyho Ave. 9040: Owner: Rhett Roy. Total square footage not listed. Vinyl pool. Issued June 12.

Whitehaven St. 4724: Owner: Bluementritt. Total square footage not listed. Gunite pool. Issued June 12.

Woodshire Place 12914: $50,000, Owner: Jim Linford. Total square footage not listed. Gunite pool. Issued June 12.

East Lakeshore Drive 1707: $5,000, Owner: Steve Broyles. Total square footage: 168. Addition to expand existing garage. Issued June 14.

Oakley Drive 1352: $30,000, Owner: Steven Loeb. Total square footage not listed. Addition of 228-square-foot new living area. Issued June 9.

Rhodes Ave. 1945: $26,000, Owner: Reco Kent. Total square footage: 96. Master bathroom and closet addition. Issued June 14.

Washington Ave. 2945: $18,500, Owner: Leanna Hills. Total square footage: 312. Addition to extend existing kitchen and laundry area of residence. Issued June 12.

Cresthaven Ave. 2618: $185,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 2,363. New single-family residence. Zero lot. Issued June 12.

Knollwood Drive 1265: $440,076, Owner: Tom and Maia Butler. Total square footage: 5,642. New single-family residence. Issued June 13.

North Bluebonnet Road 3730: $409,110, Owner: Brandon and Melissa LaCroix. Total square footage: 5,245. New single-family residence. Issued June 15.

South Cottages Ave. 3653: $139,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,779. New single-family residence. (Five-unit town house; Building 7B). Issued June 14.

South Cottages Ave. 3661: $127,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,628. New single-family residence. (Five-unit town house; Building 7B). Issued June 14.

South Cottages Ave. 3669: $128,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,638. New single-family residence. (Five-unit town house; Building 7B). Issued June 14.

South Cottages Ave. 3677: $128,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,635. New single-family residence. (Five-unit town house; Building 7B). Issued June 14.

South Cottages Ave. 3683: $140,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 1,785. New single-family residence. (Five-unit town house; Building 7B). Issued June 14.

Silver Oak Drive 6505: $188,000, Owner: Jeffrey F. Willie. Total square footage: 2,404. New single-family residence. Lot 54 is not a zero lot. Issued June 12.

Tradition Ave. 3108: $679,999, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 6,681. New single-family residence. Issued June 15.

Turning Leaf Drive 10723: $264,810, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 3,395. New construction residential. Issued June 15.

Hearthstone Drive 331: $70,000, Owner: Kristen and Milee Caccavo. Total square footage not listed. Addition and remodeling of an existing residence involving new H/VAC, new hot water heater, new wiring, new appliances, new windows, new insulation. Issued June 9.

Azalea Lakes Ave. 17632: $4,000, Owner: Pat LeBlanc. Total square footage not listed. Replace all stucco and repair framing and sheathing as required termite damage undetermined. Issued June 9.

Beech St. 3842: $35,000, Owner: Gloria Sipplin. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 13.

Camellia Ave. 628: $14,800, Owner: Kellie George. Total square footage not listed. Remodeling to install new H/VAC units in existing residence. Issued June 9.

D'juanna Drive 5697: $11,000, Owner: Betty Kiper. Total square footage not listed. Vehicle damage to bedroom wall. Estimated damage 9 percent. Issued June 14.

Duchess Drive 1620: $10,000, Owner: Anayeli Ojendis. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 13.

Eleanor Drive 3467: $23,166.32, Owner: Beverly Pugh. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 15.

Glen Manor Ave. 10226: $4,200, Owner: George Sterling. Total square footage not listed. Termite damage. Issued June 15.

Green Heron Drive 19223: $8,654, Owner: Steven Raymond. Total square footage not listed. Termite damage. Issued June 15.

Greencrest Drive 10793: $58,000, Owner: Georgia Rice. Total square footage not listed. Flood repair. Flood zone X. Issued June 14.

Hamilton Ave. 16935: $10,000, Owner: Jeova Sanchez. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 13.

Hartford Ave. 5929: $20,000, Owner: Arthur Stallworth. Total square footage not listed. Water damage, replaced 4 feet of drywall. Issued June 9.

L'reece Ave. 7422: $15,000, Owner: Brezee Ochoa. Total square footage not listed. Fire damage. Need all permits. Issued June 12.

Mockingbird Lane 16410: $41,930, Owner: Domingo Gonzales. Total square footage not listed. Remodeling to repair flood-damaged residence. Issued June 9.

Montreal Drive 3104: $60,000, Owner: David and Cynthia Amos. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 12.

North 36th St. 716: $30,000, Owner: Ben LaBranche. Total square footage not listed. Remodeling to existing residence electrical, H/VAC, plumbing. Issued June 14.

Profit Ave. 15852: $40,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 14.

Saint Mary Ave. 6958: $30,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage not listed. Remodeling to expand existing bedroom and bathroom. Issued June 9.

Shadeland Drive 4604: $29,000, Owner: Jennifer Derbes. Total square footage not listed. Remodel existing carport to repair damaged exterior walls and enclosed to create bedroom. Issued June 14.

Shrewsbury Ave. 7522: $15,000, Owner not listed. Total square footage: 360. Remodeling to enclose existing carport capping slab. Issued June 12.

Sterling Drive 3454: $25,000, Owner: Milton Akins. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 14.

Tracy Ave. 9441: $16,500, Owner: Tony Do. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 14.

Tracy Ave. 9445: $16,450, Owner: Tony Do. Total square footage not listed. Flood damage. Issued June 14.

Woodwick Ave. 15825: $67,830, Owner: Michael Brohen. Total square footage not listed. Remodeling to repair flood-damaged residence. 39 percent. Replace drywall, insulation, doors, windows, electrical. Issued June 15.

Airline Highway 15324: $2,800, Owner not listed. Total square footage not listed. Off-premise sign new billboard sign 12 feet by 6 feet (72 square feet). 16-foot height. Nearest off-premise sign more than 1,000 feet. More than 10 feet from the right of way. Minimum setback 110 feet. Shall not contain more than two faces. Shall be perpendicular or at an angle no less than 45 degrees to the road. In no case shall any portion of the billboard extend into or over any right of way or utility servitude. No stacking is allowed. Issued June 15.

Old Perkins Road 16255: $84,000, Owner: Scott Snyder. Total square footage not listed. Zoning M1. Off-premise sign new billboard sign 48 feet by 14 feet (672 square feet). 50-foot height. Nearest off-premise sign more than 1,000 feet. More than 10 feet from the right of way. Minimum setback 250 feet. Shall not contain more than two faces. Shall be perpendicular or at an angle no less than 45 degrees to the road. In no case shall any portion of the billboard extend into or over any right of way or utility servitude. No stacking is allowed. Issued June 15.

Siegen Lane 8180: $55,000, Owner: Scott Snyder. Total square footage not listed. Zoning C2. Off-premise sign new billboard sign 36 feet by 10 feet (378 square feet). 48-foot height. Nearest off-premise sign more than 1,000 feet. More than 10 feet from the right of way. Minimum setback 165 feet. Shall not contain more than two faces. Shall be perpendicular or at an angle no less than 45 degrees to the road. In no case shall any portion of the billboard extend into or over any right of way or utility servitude. No stacking is allowed. Issued June 15.

Confederate Ave. 15540: $27,334, Owner: Ronald Berthelot. Total square footage not listed. Install 28 solar panels on a residential roof. 7.98 KW. Model Trina 285 W. Inverters M250. Issued June 14.

Dickens Drive 4780: $26,000, Owner: Walter Brock. Total square footage not listed. Zoning A1. Install 26 solar panels on existing residential roof. 7.41 KW. Model Trina 285 W. Inverters M250. Issued June 15.

Reames Road 23748, Zachary: $27,000, Owner: Myrna Parrish (Stewart). Total square footage: 300. Install 6.27 KW solar panel system on existing home no structural changes. Install 36 solar panels on residential roof. 285 W. Issued June 14.

Thurman Drive 8266: $13,000, Owner: Chris Frink. Total square footage not listed. Zoning A1. Install 12 solar panels on existing residential roof. 3.42 KW. Model Trina 285 W. Inverters M250. Issued June 15.

Continued here:
East Baton Rouge Parish building permits for June 9-15, 2017 - The Advocate

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire

King of Prussia, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/19/2017 -- Summer is here, which means the weather is getting warmer. The warmer weather presents the perfect opportunity for any homeowner to get to home improvement projects that were put off during the winter. Anyone looking for reliable roofers in West Chester, PA should look no further than the experienced team at G. Cannon Roofing and Siding.

First impressions are important, and G. Cannon Roofing and Siding can help homeowners' roofs appeal to guests and neighbors. For every project they work on, they use attention to detail, and quality products and craftsmanship.

Protecting a home from Mother Nature is key, and that is why installing a new roof is a stellar option this summer. G. Cannon Roofing and Siding can help make a home look beautiful, as well as make sure it can stand up to elements. There are many different choices for homeowners to pick from, such as asphalt, wood, tile, metal, composite and much more.

Whether someone is looking for a brand new roof or wants to rehab their current one, G. Cannon Roofing and Siding has a full-service crew that can handle anything thrown their way. They go beyond the basics, which is why they are replacing other companies roofs in a few years, not the other way around. On top of giving homeowners a new quality roof with quick installation, G. Cannon Roofing and Siding also provides extended warranties and great customer service.

The clear choice for roofers in Springfield, PA is G. Cannon Roofing and Siding. Anyone interested in their services should call 484-653-5800 or visit http://cannonroofingandsiding.com/.

About G. Cannon Roofing and Siding G. Cannon Roofing and Siding performs roofing installations, maintenance and repairs throughout Southeastern, PA. The company won the 2012 GAF Training Excellence Award for their intensive training process for all employees. By continuously upgrading their materials and industry knowledge, G. Cannon Roofing and Siding provides the most reliable service in the area.

For more information, visit http://www.cannonroofingandsiding.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/g-cannon-roofing-and-siding-can-install-new-roofs-this-summer-822463.htm

Original post:
G. Cannon Roofing and Siding Can Install New Roofs This Summer - Digital Journal

DAVENPORT, Ia. (KWQC) - Kathleen and Rick Thomas have lived in their Davenport home for 20 years and try to keep up with ongoing maintenance projects and improvements. The couple said they choose one project to complete each year and this year decided to replace old and broken windows.

"We had broken glass so we had to put plastic and tape over it," Kathleen said. "We have another window in the basement that has come loose for whatever reason, it's just kind of sitting in the frame."

Over the last year bubble wrap has protected the broken window, but Kathleen said hot and cold air still draft through depending on the season. In February the couple said they signed a $1,400 contract with Tri-State Siding and Windows to replace the old ones. At that time, the they paid 50 percent. According to the contract, it takes 6-8 weeks for materials to arrive and another five days for installation. After that time period had passed, Kathleen said she tried to contact the company multiple times with little or no response.

"[I was] frustrated that I couldn't get any response from anyone and I called the office at one point and nobody was ever at the office," Kathleen said. "I left messages and finally I left a message with the office and the cell phone of the owner."

Kathleen said she called the company 25 times and received one phone call and a text message saying installation would be delayed. After multiple phone calls the couple reached out to TV6 for assistance. TV6 was able to make contact with Tri-State Windows and Siding. Owner, Andrew Sallee blames lack of communication, weather and a backlog of orders for the delay.

"We apologize this is not our normal way of business and I understand as a homeowner that their home is their largest investment," Sallee said. "That customer is our reputation and we dropped the ball on communication and we are going to fix that."

When TV6 approached Sallee he pledged to install the Thomas' windows by Wednesday free of charge. Sallee said he is on the customer's side and is in the process of making changes to internal operations to avoid having another order neglected. Meantime, the Thomas' said they are both weary and anxious for installation.

"Let's just get it done I am not going to complain to them, just get it done that's all we want."

Here is the original post:
Davenport homeowners waiting on windows ordered four months ago - KWQC-TV6

Chris Green Staff writer @chrisfgreen

STILLMAN VALLEY Tornado, straight-line winds, microburst.

Toby Behmer, 35,doesn't know how meteorologists will classify the fast-moving wind and rain-pounding storm that leveled buildings, uprooted trees and brought down a string of electrical linesSaturday afternoon in northern Ogle County. He just knows thestormwas frightening and the damage leftin its wake wasdevastating.

"We had three buildings significantly damaged and one ripped off the foundation," he said of the farm structures.

Sunday, more than 100 friends, neighbors and family members stopped by throughout the day to operate several pieces of earthmoving equipment on the North StillmanRoad corn and soybean farm. Theyused the tractorsto pick up and pilelarge pieces of twisted metalsiding,roofing and installation.

Behmer, afifth-generation farmer,was at a lost forhow to go about finishing what Mother Nature started demolishinga heavily damaged140- by 80-foot machine shedwithout damaging the machineryinside of it.

"I don't know where to start," he said. "We have claims going with insurance. The federal crop insurance should kick in. ... Other than that, I guess we'll find out more tomorrow."

Pointing to what used to be a greenhouse, Behmer saidabout 250 tomatoand200 pepper plantshad beengrowing there sinceMarch."They were really close to having produce on them," he said. "That's all leveled now."

Like in most farming communities, thestorm's worstbrought out the bestin Behmer'sfamily, friends and neighbors.

"I put on Facebook this morning that I was extremely proud to live in Stillman Valley," he said. "This is really heartwarming. I get pretty emotional about things like this. When you get outpouring of support like this you never want to leave. You want to be around people like this for the rest of your life. It's awesome."

National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Ratzer said weather officials have been in contact with area storm chasers and do not believe Saturday's storm was a tornado.

"We're pretty sure it was straight-linewinds or a microburst," he said. "The core of the stormcollapsed, andwe're not aware of any wind rotation."

Chris Green:815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

Read more:
A storm's worst brings out the best in Stillman Valley residents - Rockford Register Star

Civic Center Presents Interesting Opportunities

by Reed Anfinson Publisher, Swift County Monitor-News

With CNH moving out of the north end of the Civic Center in October, Benson Public Schools have an opportunity to provide its sports programs with new facilities that serve not only students, but also the community at large.

Over the past several years, the school board has looked at multiple options to expand the gymnasium space it has with little success. Voters have rejected plans that would have seen new facilities constructed and show little appetite at this time for approving the construction of new buildings.

Further, its space for student gym classes and sports programs has been shrinking lately. Even though the City of Benson has put on hold indefinitely plans to renovate the city-owned Amory for new city office space, that plan is still on the table and could be brought back in the relatively near future.

The school board is right to be anxious about where it will find space for the gymnastics program if it doesnt have the Amory. An earlier search found no viable solutions. It also has concerns about the safety of the cramped space it already uses in the Armory gymnasium. Once a public body expresses publically its concern about the safety of a facility it is using, it had better make sure it addresses those safety concerns or it has a poor case should it find itself in court. The school district also finds itself short of space today because the Junior High School auditorium is now shut down. A small section of the ceiling fell onto a seating area in April. The school board is conducting a thorough study of the ceiling, roof and buildings overall structural integrity. Monday night it approved bringing in a company to do infrared scans that can give architects a better idea of just how solid, or degraded, the building is. It wants that report to help it decide how to move forward.

Whatever the decision, it is highly likely the auditorium will be out of commission for at least the 2017-2018 school year.

Bensons Civic Center already houses the high school hockey program and is open for general public use as well. It has locker rooms, public bathrooms and a concession stand. School Board Member Bill McGeary, who also works with the hockey program, said it is willing to share all its facilities with school if the north end of the Civic Center is renovated for high school sports.

There will be costs to renovating the north end of the Civic Center taking if from industrial use to a public space for sports and spectators. The concrete floor is uneven and has raised concrete slabs that once were used to anchor industrial equipment. The lighting system is geared to warehouse use not a gymnasium. Overhead doors will have to be removed with siding installed. The heating system needs a thermostat system to better regulate the heat in the building. The sprinkler system may need upgrading.

Already the City of Benson is investing $130,000 in a new roof for the north end of the Civic Center. It also has about $90,000 left to pay on work to improvements to the south side that saw the installation of an air handler system and insulation. In the past, it has used the $39,500 annual payment it receives from CNH to pay for improvements to the building. CNH has also paid property taxes on the space it uses. With the company now leaving, the city, hockey program and school will have to figure out how the payments are going to be made. Still, the opening of the north end of the Civic Center represents some real opportunities for the community that should be pursued.

Some readers of the Monitor-News will notice that we bylined all the major stories were wrote this week. The bylines were in response to several people asking us exactly what we did at the Monitor-News, not knowing that we cover the Swift County Board of Commissioners, Benson City Council, District 777 Board of Education and the Swift County-Benson Health Services meetings. We write features stories, court stories, weather stories and take many news photos. We also pick the weeds out of the front sidewalk, try fix the roof when it is leaking, pay the bills and do the payroll.

Here is the original post:
Civic Center Presents Interesting Opportunities - Swift County Monitor

HAZLETON The citys zoning board granted a special exception to a developer who wants to build 24 apartment units in a wooded area near East Street and Berner Avenue on the Hazleton Heights.

John Caputo cleared the first hurdle of the approval process for his plan to construct four buildings that will house six garden apartments each on a parcel bound by Berner Avenue, Carleton Avenue, East Street and property that houses a former naval reserve building.

Zoning board Chairman Michael Pozzessere teamed with board members John Paletski and Bob Hoegg when voting unanimously on Thursday for approving the special exception sought by Caputo.

Caputo must next secure approval from the city planning commission, which Pozzessere said will address concerns raised by four people who attended the hearing and raised concerns about storm water drainage and displacement of wildlife.

In his original application filed with code enforcement, Caputo sought approval for a height variance for the three-story apartment buildings but Zoning Officer Charles Pedri said Thursday that setbacks are adequate enough to render the height variance unnecessary.

The zoning board was subsequently tasked with acting only on the special exception.

Caputo testified that the apartment buildings will be built in phases, with the first constructed at East Street and Berner Avenue.

That three-story building will house six apartment units, with two on each floor, he said.

Each unit will have two bedrooms, as well as a kitchen and living and dining rooms, he said.

Caputo said he plans to cater to the same type of tenants who live in apartments that he owns near Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School who are generally retirees and widows.

The apartments proposed for East Street and Berner Avenue are not affiliated with government-subsidized housing, though Caputo said he had no problems with a 70-year-old tenant who qualified for assistance at a different apartment building that he owns.

The buildings will be built in phases, depending on the availability of tenants, Caputo said.

They will likely be built with a brick on the front and siding installed on the sides, with the buildings fronting Berner and Carleton avenues, he said.

Caputo said he will comply with the zoning ordinance and offer two parking spaces for each apartment unit. He plans to offer 12, 9-foot wide spaces for the first building that will give tenants the ability to park head inat the front of each building, he said.

Four people addressed the proposal Thursday. They include Vincent Fayock, Maria Jacketti, Susan Notaro and William Letcher.

Jacketti said that she didnt necessarily attend in protest of Caputos plans, but sought clarification from Caputo about the potential for the apartments providing a haven for crime and drug activity, and displacement of wildlife. Letcher also raised questions for the potential for increased crime.

Caputo said the terms of his lease simply wont lead to an increase in criminal activity. He referenced his track record at other apartment complexes he owns when making his point.

Displacement of animals, meanwhile, is an issue for the planning commission to consider, Pedri noted.

Fayock, meanwhile, asked why the apartment buildings couldnt be designed with a two-story plan and how construction will impact an endangered species of wildflowers that grow on the land.

Caputo said that the rent that he would charge wouldnt justify costs of accommodating 24 units in two-story buildings.

Concerns for wildflowers, Pedri said, would be for the planning commission to consider.

Fayock also questioned the impact utility installation will have on street conditions and believes storm water runoff will be a disaster for the neighborhood.

Caputo said he plans to install utilities at the back of the property and run them through the center of the land.

Notaro, meanwhile, questioned impact the project will have on traffic and asked why the apartments couldnt be built in place of the former naval reserve building.

Caputo said that some of the tenants at his other properties dont own cars and that the complexes, in his opinion, havent drastically impacted traffic conditions.

The apartments cant be built in place of the former reserve building because demolition costs would be too expensive, Caputo added.

Caputo said after the hearing that he has no intention of harming anyone with his plans for developing the property.

Contact the writer:

sgalski@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3586

See the article here:
City's zoning board grants special exception - Standard Speaker

Jared DuBach, Voice EditorMACOMB A grant announced at the Tuesday Macomb City Council committee of the whole meeting by Mayor Michael Inman sh

MACOMB A grant announced at the Tuesday Macomb City Council committee of the whole meeting by Mayor Michael Inman should have indicated the grant was for rehabilitations projects of low-to-moderate income homes and not in relation to the northwest water main project. The story written by Patrick Stout that was published in Wednesdays Voice was based upon information revealed by Inman at the meeting. City Administrator Dean Torreson said he had given incorrect information to the mayor prior to Tuesdays meeting and apologized for the oversight. Information on the water main grant may be presented at a later date. According to information from Community Development Coordinator Ray Heitner, the city received $421,200 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as part of the departments Community Development Block Grant initiative. Heitner said the renovations will bring homes into compliance with city building and maintenance codes. Work may include plumbing, electrical, roofing, siding, windows and energy efficient measures such as insulation and installation of high efficient heating systems. Heitner said the city worked with Western Illinois Regional Council to narrow down the homes that would receive the grants based on block grants income guidelines. Chosen homes will be in the citys fourth and fifth wards, covering the 300 block of South Albert Street, the 100-300 blocks of Barsi Boulevard (north side of street only), the 300-400 block of South Clay Street, the 400 block of South Johnson Street (west side only), the 300 block of West Piper Street (south side only) and the 400-900 block of West Piper Street. The city and WIRC will work with the DCEO to coordinate environmental review procedures and finalize the projects grant agreement before contacting property owners about the projects application process.

Read the original:
City announces grant for home rehabilitation project - McDonough Voice