A Western Massachusetts tile and carpet company has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations that they knowingly provided false information to obtain contracts with the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Dimauro Carpet & Tile, an East Longmeadow company, will pay the state $950,000 over the next five years and pay a further $50,000 toward a three-year monitoring program conducted by an independent ethics and compliance review organization.

Founded by Vincent Dimauro in 1996, Dimauro Carpet and Tile has been providing residential and commercial customers with services. The website states that Dimauro Carpet & Tile, Inc. is an authorized provider to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, an approved supplier to the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium and a certified contractor to local, state and federal government.

From bedrooms and bathrooms to businesses and schools, no job is too big or too small for the Dimauro team, states the companys website.

The complaint that was filed with a proposed consent judgment at the Suffolk Superior Court alleges that Dimauro Carpet & Tile, Inc. violated the Massachusetts False Claims Act when the company submitted knowingly false applications to the states Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to obtain certification.

Past and present owners Vincent Dimauro, Patricia Dimauro, and Paul Beturne then allegedly relied on those certifications and other false statements in bids for contracts it submitted to UMass.

The attorney generals False Claims Division alleges that from Sept. 2016 and Oct. 2019, Dimauro Carpet & Tile, Inc. submitted two bids for flooring installation contracts at UMass that listed the names of five alleged employees who would be performing the work. According to the complaint, none of the individuals listed in the bid were employees of Dimauro.

The company did not use its employees to install flooring but, instead, hired subcontractors for this work. Dimauro Carpet & Tile, Inc. then allegedly filed more than 100 false weekly payroll reports with UMass claiming to have paid the states prevailing wage rate and fabricating the number of hours worked on each job.

Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook orTwitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364.

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Dimauro Carpet & Tile to pay $1 million to settle claims of using false information to obtain state contracts - MassLive.com

Posted: Jul 2, 2020 11:42 AM CDT

by Alabama News Network Staff

There are 366 days in 2020. And of all those days, the 4th day of July is the most dangerous for smartphones.

According to a study by Asurion, there is always a surge in reports of damaged and lost phones on Independence Day.

It stands to reason. More people are out celebrating at the pool, a lake or the beach, not to mention all the folks watching firework shows. In the dark, where a phone can easily disappear.

According to the study, reports of lost or stolen phones jumps 75% on the 4th. Water damaged phones skyrockets 250-percent compared to other days. Cracked screens? up about 40%.

So with this knowledge, take a few steps to protect your device before leaving the house.

If youre going to the beach or pool, use a waterproof case that floats, or put it in aziplock bag. If the phone gets wet, act quickly. Shake out any water. Shake the phone hard. Thatisnt going to hurt it. Blow into the charging port and earphone jack (if you have one) to remove any excesswater. If the phone gets soaked and doesnt turn on, dont try to turn it back on right away. let itsit to dry out a bit. Covering in rice doesnt work well. If you have any of the silica gel packs you get in newpackaging, empty them and cover the phone with those.

To prevent a phone from getting lost, take a look at Tile trackers. These devices clip on your keychain or bag or anything else you dont want to lose. Using the Tile app you can find your keys, but it works the other way around too. Hold down the Tile button and your phone will ring.

The Tile Slim is a credit card sized finder that fits easily in a wallet or purse. Press the button and your phone will ring even if youve got it silenced.

If you lose your wallet or keys with a Tile attached to it, you can find it using the Tile app. If youre far away, the app will ping other Tile devices owned by other people to find yours.

It does this anonymously so the person whos Tile device is being pinged does not know it has located a device. The location will show up on your phone in the Tile app.

Its also a good idea before venturing out to back up your phone and photos. And turn on Find My iPhone to locate the device from a computer or another connected phone.

For Android devices you can go to Google.com/search to locate your lost device.

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What the Tech? Why the Fourth of July Is a Dangerous Time for Your Cell Phone - Alabama News Network

(Adds analyst comment, details from statement, shares)

July 1 (Reuters) - British tile retailer Topps Tiles Plc said on Wednesday its weekly sales towards the end of June were ahead of its revised expectations, as it sped up the pace of store reopenings following the coronavirus lockdowns.

While third-quarter sales were down 53% year-on-year, average sales per week improved to 3.9 million pounds ($4.83 million) in the final week of June when all stores reopened from 0.8 million pounds in April at the peak of the lockdowns.

Analysts at Liberum said the recovery was better than they had expected, helped by well-planned store re-openings, strong customer demand and a robust online performance.

Shares in the company climbed 4% by 0729 GMT in a low-volume session.

All of the companys UK stores were shut in mid-March when the country went into a nationwide lockdown, leaving Topps Tiles solely reliant on its online business, which saw a 139% spike in sales during the quarter.

Activity levels across June have increased steadily as the construction industry has returned to work, said the company, which sells bathroom, wall and floor tiles from its more than 350 stores globally.

Topps Tiles said the social distancing measures at it stores had not significantly hampered trade due to relatively low customer footfall and availability of space. ($1 = 0.8077 pounds) (Reporting by Aniruddha Ghosh and Tanishaa Nadkar in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernard Orr and Rashmi Aich)

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UPDATE 1-Topps Tiles sales pick up as stores reopen in the midst of lockdowns - Reuters

Yesterday, Microsoft released a new build of Windows 10 that includes an updated Start menu design with translucent Live Tiles, improvements to Notifications, and behavior changes to things like Tablet Mode and the Taskbar. It's been a while since Microsoft released a build with any surface-level changes, but now it's finally happened, we're back showcasing all the changes on video.

The new Start menu is just the beginning of some of the UI changes Microsoft is planning to make to Windows 10. It's not a huge change, but it makes all the difference. In the past, the Start menu was a messy looking UI, but with these changes, the Start menu Live Tile interface looks uniform and minimalist.

Now, not every app abides by these new translucent designs, but most of Microsoft's in-box apps do. Over time, this will improve. It's pre-release right now, and honestly a great first look at the work Microsoft is doing to Start. Notifications are also receiving a minor UI update, with an X for dismissing notifications instead of an arrow.

Microsoft is also experimenting with different Taskbar layouts when settings up a PC for the first time, depending on whether your Microsoft Account has an Android phone or Xbox LIVE account linked to it. If it does, you might see the Your Phone or Xbox app pinned to the taskbar by default.

Make sure you check the video out for all the biggest changes and let us know in the comments what you think!

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Hands-on with Windows 10 build 20161 showcasing the new Start menu - Windows Central

The tours are two hours long and are wheelchair accessible. The starting and ending points vary.

Im very excited to be back talking to people about St. Louis and doing what I do, Clark says. Ive been practicing on friends. I make them stand far away. Im figuring out what jokes are funny from far away with a mask on. Theres definitely going to be an interesting challenge to that, that we will figure out as we go along.

Several themes and subjects are available, including a Whole Lotta (STL) History tour, which helps visitors travel through more than 250 years of local history; Made in the STL, a tour of beer, shoes and other things made in St. Louis; and tours of neighborhoods, architecture and Forest Park.

The tours are meant to be conversational and interactive, with visitors sharing their own memories and stories. Clark keeps notes but not a script.

Just beyond the back door of the museum in Forest Park, Clark offers glimpses into history that go beyond landmarks and vistas. It once took a 40-minute carriage ride to get from downtown to Forest Park, she points out.

On a sample tour given in March, Clark takes a walk to Art Hill, where she tells the story of Charlotte Rumbold, who staged a massive public pageant there in 1914 to honor the citys 150th anniversary. Rumbold, as park commissioner for the city, already had practice with having children at playgrounds put on pageants. If the children will play together, they will work together, she said.

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New Missouri Historical Society tours will have St. Louisans seeing the city a bit differently - STLtoday.com

Bright colors paint the streets and sides of buildings across America, as murals are created as a symbol of solidarity for the black community.

But many of the murals already have scars, vandalized with tar, tire marks, and words of hate.

"No, not surprised. Racism is still prevalent in Santa Barbara, as it is in the entire land, unfortunately," said Roy Paris Green, a musician who lives in Santa Barbara, California.

When a mural paying tribute to George Floyd went up in the downtown area, Green jokes that he thought he was in a different city. Santa Barbara has strict rules on what signs are allowed on buildings. The town has a uniform architecture of red tile roofs and white stucco walls.

"To have a Black man on the side of a wall, which is supposed to be white, is not something a lot of people want to see, especially in Santa Barbara," said Bix Kaufman, owner of EOS Lounge.

After the death of Floyd, Kaufman broke the city's longstanding tradition, inviting an artist to transform the white wall outside his club. The overwhelming white community has a Black population of less than 2 percent.

"This is, I think, one of the strongest statements in Santa Barbara right now, and it feels really good. And there's been so much positive feedback," said Kaufman.

Green visits the mural twice a day now, "I'm very optimistic, yes, because of the young people stepping for the cause."

But the racism the mural was designed to combat resurfaced with a can of yellow paint. The words "All Lives Matter" sprayed over the words "I can't breathe."

Vandalism of the Santa Barbara mural is far from an isolated incident. Similar headlines can be found across the country, from Vermont to Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Oregon.

"It should be a big wake up call for all of America, that there's a lot of problems that need to be fixed and it's not going to happen overnight. But we can start with having justice served," said Kaufman.

But in the face of hate, artists and activists have grown more resilient.

In Santa Barbara, the mural was not only repaired within hours but also granted permission by the city to stay up indefinitely, according to Kaufman.

"We heard the word revolution during the 60s. this is a cultural revolution," said Stan Holder, a poet and activist.

Holder has helped cover the Santa Barbara mural with stories of pain endured by generations.

"How many more innocent Black lives must be sacrificed for us to all realize we are all in this human race together?" Holder reads off the wall.

"People go back to their regular lives and sometimes forget this is still a problem," said Kaufman.

He hopes the mural serves as a constant reminder of the years of work ahead needed to fight systematic racism and achieve equality for all.

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BLM supporters resilient in the face of hate, as murals across the country are vandalized - KATC Lafayette News

Tile debonding or kapak may be one of the most common and frustrating problems in construction, but it is also one of the easiest to avoid and solve by simply choosing the right adhesive product for your tiles. Smartbond Lightweight Tile Adhesive is an innovative new product invented by Filipino company Buildrite Construction Chemicals, which aims to provide customers with quality products and, at the same time, educate about new technologies and techniques to help improve construction work.Not only does Smartbond improve tiling results, it also helps contractors reduce their costs for better efficiency. It matters a lot that our product is lightweight as it is more portable and convenient for end-users. By being lighter compared to similar products, we can load twice as many units in one truck or container, which cuts clients freight costs by almost half. Also, on-site workers can finish tiling tasks faster because they dont have to strain themselves carrying the products from one place to another, says Buildrite CEO Derrick Tan.The formal introduction of Smartbond Lightweight Tile Adhesive to the market today could not have come at a better time. Given the products benefits and the companys passion to serve, it could greatly aid the nation in fast-building infrastructure, particularly those related to improving our healthcare systems.We developed Smartbond with the idea of delivering more than just a high-quality product. At the core of our company is customer service and offering solutions for their concerns, hence we thought of making a product that not only serves its purpose but also allows customers to save on costs and time. I think we can be of great help for the country during this time as we can guarantee quick deliveries of our quality products, as well as provide hands-on after sales services, says Tan. Smartbond Lightweight Tile Adhesive was thoroughly researched and developed using sustainable and eco-friendly materials to have superior adhesion properties. It meets the European standards of quality for water retention and flexibility and is also lightweight to address other logistics and productivity concerns of building contractors. This unique innovation earned the product the Second Best Invention - Utility Model Category Award at the annual National Inventors Week 2019, organized by the Filipino Inventors Society (FIS) Inc., in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI). I hope Filipinos will be proud of this invention and support gawang lokal, adds Tan.As part of Buildrite Construction Chemicals Magtanong Para Sigurado campaign, which offers free consultation services, Smartbond has deployed product experts in their retail spaces to assist customers who are new to using tile adhesives. From recommending the right adhesive and application for your tiles--including a computation for the right amount of adhesive you need for your space--a team of experts can also conduct site visits to guide workers through the proper tile application process.Smartbond Tile Adhesive is currently available in select hardware stores and online via the BuildritePhils Facebook Page and the Buildrite Construction Chemicals official Lazada and Shopee store.

COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.

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Filipino invention Smartbond Lightweight Tile Adhesive promotes iwas kapak - manilastandard.net

North Third Street in Downtown Easton was once home to the citys wealthiest families.

In the middle of Millionaires Row once stood the Seville Theater, and later the Boyd.

Now all thats left is a parking lot.

But after a groundbreaking Wednesday, a new apartment building will attempt to bring back the grandeur lost when the former theater was razed.

Called, The Seville, it will have 68 apartments, according to Peron Director of Development John Callahan. The $16 million project at 56 N. Third St. will stand five stories high, although youll only be able to see four stories from the front. There will be retail on the first floor, hopefully a restaurant, Callahan said.

Its faade will hearken back to the days when millionaires lived on Third Street in brownstone and brick mansions.

My goal has been to return Easton to the grandeur before urban renewal, said Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. Hes referring to the development style in the 1970s and 80s of tearing down historic buildings and replacing them with ones youd find in the suburbs.

We destroyed thousands of buildings. We displaced thousands of people. We need to bring them back, Panto said.

To that end, the city demolished the Days Inn at 185 S. Third St. A committee of stakeholders recommended The Confluence, a mixed-use project also being handled by Peron Development of Bethlehem.

Callahan hopes to get started soon on The Confluence. Work will start next week on the Seville and hopefully wrap up in 14 months.

Peron President Michael Perrucci said he is investing in Easton because residents from New York and New Jersey are heading west on Interstate 78 looking to stretch their dollars by moving to Pennsylvania.

This is going to be a great place to live, to work, to play, to eat. We want to be a part of that, Perrucci said.

The Lopatcong Township native once saw movies at the Boyd Theater that stood at the site of the Seville. Panto said hed also been to the theater.

The Boyd Theatre, North Third Street seen on May 14, 1972, which was the last day of its existence. It was previously the Seville Theatre.File photo

The Seville apartments will have Spanish tile and Spanish flair akin to the former theater, Callahan said.

Callahan considered canceling the groundbreaking due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The shovels were placed six feet apart. Attendees were checked for fevers and had to sign off on COVID-19 forms.

We thought a bit about whether it was appropriate to have a groundbreaking given the circumstances, but the reality is life moves on. This project moves on, Callahan said. I think having a groundbreaking is a good sign and a good message to send that Peron is moving forward.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.

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Construction to start on $16M addition to Easton Millionaires Row - lehighvalleylive.com

We have always loved Instagram as a source of kitchen makeover inspiration. While we love flicking through a magazine or scrolling through Pinterest, we always find that Instagram is where the real stuff is. The budget makeovers, the quick revamps, the easy hacks, and that is was we are all about: simple and stylish ideas.

As you can imagine over the last few months our combined screen time has shot right up (and we mean to an embarrassingly high number), so we are justifying our endless scrolling by sharing with you some of the fab accounts we have found. Here, we are going to focus on fab accounts to follow if you are into kitchen makeovers (who isn't really?). So keep scrolling for 10 Instagram accounts that will get you inspired.

Oh, and for loads more kitchen ideas, make sure you check out our gallery you will find plenty more advice and tips for your own project over there.

What a transformation @nest_twenty_eight! Make sure you swipe to see the before but this gorgeous new look was achieved using basically just paint! Lucinda replaced the splashback too for a much more modern, stylish look. Oh and both these jobs are things you could DIY, just check out our guide to how to paint kitchen cabinets and how to tile a splashback.

If you love following renovation projects, you have to go and check out @mytinyestate. Dean and Borja are restoring the most stunning Georgian property and their style is so enviable. We love the colours of this kitchen, the olive green is so perfect for the space, giving the simple, quite contemporary kitchen a more traditional feel. Oh you should also have a look through their Instagram highlights called 'DIY hacks' it shows you how the kitchen came together (and how to make a hedgehog house...).

That tile work alone is worth a follow, but if you are looking for kitchen extension inspiration, Amy over on @thisstyle_rocks has so much gorgeous inspiration. She has a whole kitchen renovations highlight too so you can see how the project went from scratch. There are also some quick updates in here too that you can do even if you aren't totally renovating your kitchen like wallpapering and tiling.

If you want loads more practical advice on how to start your kitchen extension project head to our guide.

Make sure you swipe to see the before of @Homeatvictoriaroad's amazing kitchen transformation! You wouldn't believe it's the same kitchen and all that was used was paint! Natalie replaced the handles too with some gorgeous gold ones and panelled the island with wooden planks.

A fab account to follow, especially if you are a renter is @grillodesigns. She has totally transformed her rented home, making it her own with DIYs and hacks, so loads of inspiration over there. Medina's kitchen was a standard rented kitchen prior to her makeover and now it's a lovely, light, modern space complete with budget-friendly open shelves!

Love minimal, Scandi, neutral interiors? Go and check out @edwardian_love. Esin's kitchen makeover is amazing too, she turned a very dated old kitchen into a practical space that fits the rest of her home perfectly. It's all done with just paint, Esin painted the cabinets, the tiles, and even the window to give it a Crittall effect. The worktops were covered in a marble effect adhesive and the breakfast bar with panelled with cheap timber from Wickes. Amazing!

Oh you just have to see the before of this now gorgeous kitchen. @mishkashoe had such a vision to see beyond those red cabinets! Tile paint and sticky back vinyl sheets are behind this kitchen transformation, plus a load of fab styling with houseplants and open shelving.

More red cabinets! Steve over on @ten_sea_view has totally transformed his... bold dated kitchen into something so beautiful. The kitchen has been extended to add more of an open plan feel and to bring in loads of light, the results are stunning. Dark grey and pale blush pink? Our fave combination.

Ellie of @lifeatstaustell is a kitchen makeover we have been following throughout lockdown and we are just obsessed with how it looks now. Olive green and pink is such an unusual combination but it works so well, and the stars add a nice whimsical touch too. Yet another fab makeover using just paint, even the tiles have been stencilled with paint see how it was all done on Ellie's kitchen highlight.

If you are after tips on how to paint tiles head to our guide.

We love @our_home_in_kingstone style and if you like textured, layered, boho interiors you will too. This kitchen was a beige nightmare before it had its glow up, and it was all done using just paint and a whole load of creativity. For all the details, including the hideous job of removing woodchip wallpaper (WHO INVENTED THIS VILE THING?) check out Vic's kitchen renovation highlights.

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The 10 best Instagram accounts to follow for kitchen makeovers - Real Homes

Developer CEDARst Companies has completed a historic renovation at The Duncan, which served as the YMCA/YWCA regional headquarters from 1907 to 1976. Stretching across two city blocks, the complex now market rate residential units, which began move-ins on July 1st.

The Chicago landmark, located at 1515 W. Monroe Street, will be managed by FLATS, joining the family of properties renowned for robust amenities and community focus. Once complete, the residence will feature 260 units with studios and one-bedroom layouts, ranging from $1,146 to $1,430.

Amenities include a grand lobby with coffee shop and bar, four unique roof decks, basketball court and running track, gym facility with boxing ring and group fitness classes, indoor pool and a lawn with firepits.

The Duncan represents some of our finest work yet, said Mark Heffron, chief development officer and managing partner of CEDARst. The projects scale is deceiving from the outside, nobody can envision all of the unique amenities layered throughout the buildings until they take a tour. The amenity package stands out in comparison to the other high-end building in the West Loop, yet comes with great apartments offered at approachable rents.

Because the YMCA/YWCA placed an emphasis on recreation, there were multiple basketball courts throughout the building, one of which was preserved, another of which had flooring restored and used as a unique feature in the apartments. With so many distinctive details to incorporate, The Duncan features more than 120 unique floor plans. All units include in-unit washer/dryers, brand-new kitchens with subway tile backsplash and custom cabinets and select apartments have dishwashers.

The building will be opened in two phases. Phase One will debut studio and one-bedroom units, along with an exquisite lobby. This grand entrance dazzles with 18-foot ceilings, a sweeping staircase, chandeliers and cozy seating. Desks and a communal table make for a work-friendly daytime space. Other building amenities include a restored basketball court with an elevated running track and a vintage scoreboard; a full fitness center with boxing ring, cardio and strength training equipment, and wet-and-dry sauna. The indoor pools original mosaic-tiling was restored, and now the aquatic motif has been revitalized.

A benefit to the buildings expanse is four separate roof decks so residents can access the one closest to their apartment. Each one features sun loungers and outdoor games, and some with gas grills. During Phase Two, slated for completion later this year, a sprawling open lawn will open for residents and the public to enjoy outdoor movies, fire pits and snacks from a hot-dog cart, called Best in Show.

As do other FLATS buildings, The Duncan will be home to three food and beverage concepts, led by the Heritage Bikes and Coffee Group. Froth will offer breakfast and lunch for patrons in the lobby and in the adjacent patio courtyard. Serving pizzas for dinner service, the buildings bar, Bunker, will be visible from the lobby though set half a floor below. Food and beverage concepts are set for a staggered opening this summer.

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CEDARst Companies wraps up adaptive reuse of YMCA/YWCA building - REjournals.com