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The city of Barbourville and some of its boards bought products without obtaining bids; paid far more for land than the assessed value; and hired contractors for work that city employees could have done far cheaper, according to an audit released Tuesday.

The audit also found that Mayor David Thompson influenced the hiring of his wife at the city-run water park, and that the water park did not file state sales tax returns on concessions while she was in charge.

State Auditor Adam Edelen's office started the special examination of the city and its boards last summer at the request of five of the city's six city council members.

Council members had expressed concern about activities that could indicate mismanagement, according to the audit.

The audit, released Tuesday, covered July 2007 through August 2013 and identified a number of problems, including lax controls and oversight that led to financial mismanagement and abuses.

Edelen's office referred some findings to Attorney General Jack Conway's office and the state Department of Revenue, and recommended that others be referred to a regional ethics board.

"Small Kentucky communities, which are the lifeblood of our Commonwealth, need to be responsible stewards of extremely limited yet important resources," Edelen said in a statement.

Thompson, who has been in office since January 2007, did not return a call seeking comment.

However, he said in a letter to the auditor's office that he accepted all 28 findings and would implement the document's recommendations to fix problems.

For instance, Thompson said sales tax returns had been filed, and that he would give up his voting slot on the local tourism and recreation boards.

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State audit finds financial mismanagement in Barbourville

Will Satan be celebrated on the lawn of the Oklahoma State Capitol?

A devilish group based in New York believes it should be perfectly OK.

The group, which calls itself "The Satanic Temple," today unveiled its proposal for a monument it intends to erect next to another religious statue: a depiction of the Ten Commandments.

According to The Satanic Temple's application, the proposed monument features a large pentagram and a 7-foot tall goat-headed Baphomet that sits cross-legged flanked by a child on both sides. The lap will serve as a seat for visitors.

It would also include quotes from poets William Blake and Lord Byron.

The monument, said the groups spokesman, was designed to reflect the views of Satanists in Oklahoma City and could doubly serve as a tourist attraction.

The statue will serve as a beacon calling for compassion and empathy among all living creatures, said spokesman Lucian Greaves. The statue will also have a functional purpose as a chair where people of all ages may sit on the lap of Satan for inspiration and contemplation.

Oklahoma state legislators in 2009 approved the installation of a privately-funded Ten Commandments monument. It was installed last year over the protests of the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The Satanic Temple wasnt the only group to apply for a monument; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the satirical Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and a Hindu group have also requested a place near the Capitol steps.

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Satanists unveil proposed statue for OK state capitol

District Judge G. Todd Baugh will retire at the end of the year and not seek re-election.

A district court judge since 1985, Baugh announced his retirement to KTVQ on Monday.

Baugh came under intense fire and garnered national scorn in August when he said a 14-year-old rape victim appeared older than her chronological age and he sentenced her teacher-rapist Stacey Dean Rambold to just a month in prison.

He did not return calls to his office on Monday.

When a Gazette reporter went to the judges office on Monday afternoon, Baugh, sitting behind his desk, simply refused to speak. His secretary said, He has no comment.

Its been a tumultuous six months for Baugh. The statements he made during Rambolds sentencing were picked up by numerous national and international news organizations and sparked outrage among many people, including members of the Montana chapter of the National Organization for Women.

A petition seeking Baughs resignation was circulated, and an Aug. 29 protest drew hundreds of people to the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn. Crews from Good Morning America, CNN and Fox News were there.

Two days after the sentencing, Baugh issued an apology for his comments, calling them just stupid and wrong.

Rambold was a teacher at Senior High when he was charged in October 2008 with three counts of felony sexual intercourse without consent for incidents involving one of his students, a then-14-year-old Cherice Moralez.

In February 2010, Moralez committed suicide, complicating prosecution, and so Rambold entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Yellowstone County Attorneys Office. Under the agreement, the state would dismiss the charges against Rambold if he completed a sex offender treatment program and complied with other conditions.

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Embattled judge won't seek re-election at end of term

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's inspector general will investigate a federal agency whose mission is to exterminate birds, coyotes, mountain lions and other animals that threaten the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers.

The investigation of U.S. Wildlife Services is to determine, among other things, "whether wildlife damage management activities were justified and effective." Biologists have questioned the agency's effectiveness, arguing that indiscriminately killing more than 3 million birds and other wild animals every year is often counterproductive.

Reps. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.) and John Campbell (R-Irvine) requested the review, calling for a complete audit of the culture within Wildlife Services. The agency has been accused of abuses, including animal cruelty and occasional accidental killing of endangered species, family pets and other animals that weren't targeted.

DeFazio says the time has come to revisit the agency's mission and determine whether it makes economic and biological sense for taxpayers to underwrite a service, however necessary, that he argues should be paid for by private businesses.

"Why should taxpayers, particularly in tough times, pay to subsidize private interests?" said DeFazio, ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Natural Resources. "I have come to the conclusion that this is an agency whose time has passed."

Wildlife Services was created in 1931 as part of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. It has wide-ranging responsibilities, including rabies testing and bird control at airport runways. But the bulk of its work is exterminating nuisance wildlife by methods that include poisoning, gassing, trapping and aerial gunning.

The agency acts as a pest management service not only for agribusiness and ranches, but also for other federal agencies, counties and homeowners who might have such problems as raccoons in an attic. Other services include protecting endangered species and maintaining game herds for hunters.

The services are free or substantially subsidized, which many private predator- and pest-control companies say unfairly undercuts their business. States and counties complain that they are responsible for an increasing share of the costs.

DeFazio and Campbell are also calling for congressional oversight hearings. DeFazio says he has spent years asking for but not receiving information from Wildlife Services, which he calls "the least accountable federal agency" he has ever seen.

He said he had to learn from the Los Angeles Times about an internal audit the agency conducted last year. The audit found the agency's accounting practices were "unreconcilable," lacked transparency and violated state and federal laws. Further, the audit revealed that $12 million in a special account could not be found.

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Congressmen question costs, mission of Wildlife Services agency

Visitors to the renovated McClatchy Park later this year could see hints of a roller coaster, carousel and zoo in new playground structures all reminiscent of the sites past as an amusement park.

It will attract parents to bring kids from all over the city, said Dennis Day, associate landscape architect with the Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation. There is so much history in this park.

Sacramento City Council members tonight will consider granting a $2.4 million contract to Goodland Landscape Construction of Tracy to renovate a portion of the 15.2-acre site in Oak Park. If approved this month, work can start as early as April and finish in the fall.

This is the largest investment in McClatchy Parks history, said Day, adding that the park will be 125 years old this year.

The city plans to spend just under $3 million on the park makeover. The proposal calls for a new, greatly expanded playground with a water spray area for hot summer days, a butterfly garden and a picnic pavilion. A new adventure area will have play structures that will resemble a roller coaster, trolley cars and concession stand items, while a new tot area will have concrete animals, a mini train and fun house elements.

A skate park and jogging trail also will be built in response to resident demand. A basketball court will be replaced by a half-size court and a drop shot game court for younger children.

Funding for the project will come mainly from a Proposition 84 state grant and developer fees. Proposition 84, which voters approved in 2006, funds projects related to water quality, natural resource protection and state and local park improvements.

More than a century ago, the site at 3500 Fifth Avenue was an 8-acre amusement park known as Oak Park. In 1913, it was renamed Joyland, which had a three-story wooden roller coaster, a small zoo and a carousel, among other attractions. Fire destroyed most of the rides in 1920, but the park was partially reconstructed.

When Joyland closed in 1927, Valentine McClatchy bought the site. He donated the property to the city for a park on the condition that it be named after his father, James McClatchy, a founding editor of The Sacramento Bee.

The renovation will require that the playground, tennis and basketball courts be relocated, but the other existing facilities the amphitheater, swimming pool and softball field, as well as the farmers market will stay where they are and remain open during the park makeover.

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Sacramento considers McClatchy Park makeover

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) January 07, 2014

A&RJ Landscape answers corporate and private customers demand for expanded services just as harsh winter weather hits central Ohio.

More than two decades specializing in hardscape patios and outdoor living environments means A &RJ Landscape knows what it takes to keep people comfortable and enjoying their front or back yards year round. Now they are working to keep their customers safe and secure in the ice and snow.

Customers may now call A&RJs plows to come to their residence or business for salting or snow removal. A&RJ uses specials salts and materials designed to protect surfaces and plants. The company also ensures that services provided pose no danger to pets delicate paws or for potential ingestion.

A&RJ Landscape will quickly and efficiently whisk away snow and ice whether for residential or for business locations. A&RJ Landscape prides itself on offering the very best in customer service, even in the worst of weather.

Now is the perfect time for us to roll out our new snow services. We want to be there to help our residential customers be secure against the dangers of unplowed sidewalks and driveways while also ensuring our corporate clients are able to provide the best winter experience possible for their own customers, said Karin Jackson, vice-president of A&RJ Landscape. This expansion was a natural fit for our company and really answers a demand from the people we serve - right when its needed most.

A&RJs offers expanded winter service beyond average plowing offerings.

Residential snow removal:

Commercial snow removal:

Other seasonal services include hardscapes, softscapes, landscape design and outdoor staging. Hardscape and landscaping specialties extend to paver patios, retaining walls, seating walls, outdoor kitchens, fire-pits, ornamental ponds, fountains, pergolas, driveways, walkways, putting greens, mailbox holders, light posts, cisterns, drainage, and more. A&RJ Landscape also offers tree and shrub planting, mulching, bed edging, yard clean up, fertilizing, irrigation, sod and grass seed, forest restoration, privacy tree fence rows, and gardens. ###

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Season’s Meetings Made Easier With Delaware and Columbus Ohio A&RJ Landscape Company's Timely Expansion Into Snow ...

Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call File Photo

Falls Navy Yard tragedy led members of Congress to take a closer look at the privately contracted security forces standing guard at about 9,600 facilities across the federal landscape.

Though the Federal Protective Service, which relies on about 13,500 of those guards, was not responsible for the facility where the Sept. 16 shooting took place, Homeland Security committees in both chambers are examining the FPS with renewed scrutiny.

During hearings called in the wake of the Navy Yard shooting, members questioned why the FPS, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, has not yet acted on a number of recommendations from the Government Accountability Office.

Between 2010 and 2012, the GAO made 26 recommendations relating to FPS risk assessment programs and oversight of guards training, certifications and qualifications. The agency accepted half of those recommendations during fiscal 2013, FPS Director Eric Patterson told a Senate panel in December.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., hopes to seize the renewed interest in federal facility security while the Navy Yard tragedy is still fresh in lawmakers minds. She called a September 2013 GAO report highlighting the lack of training on X-ray and magnetometer equipment and active shooter response, the final straw during a recent interview and said she plans to introduce a bill to overhaul the FPS early this year.

Details are still being hashed out, but Norton hopes to clarify how the FPS is monitored, require more transparency in the way each facility organizes its security and define the legal authority of contract guards.

They are your first responders. However, they have no more arrest authority than you or I, she said.

Recent legislative history suggests Norton might face an uphill battle to change the agency. Bills to overhaul the FPS have been proposed in both chambers every year since 2010. Former Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., moved a bill to modernize the FPS through the committee in 2010 and 2012, but the full Senate never voted on the bill.

Former House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., who now serves as ranking member on the committee, reintroduced an FPS overhaul bill in February 2013. He sponsored the nearly identical versions of the legislation in the 111th and 112th Congresses.

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Advocates Still Hope for Federal Protective Service Overhaul

The landscape for Steilacoom High School boys swimming has shifted.

Thats because Ben and James Scott have rattled the foundation and turned the Sentinels from a 2A SPSL afterthought and a program with no swimming pool into a state powerhouse, even if they still lack that home pool (they swim at either Clover Park or Lakes High School).

Upon seeing the team increase participation from 15 to 35 swimmers, James declared boys swimming the best (sports) team at Steilacoom. Its been great to be a part of this teams rise.

Since their arrival, the Sentinels record book has been rewritten. Ben broke six individual records last year, and James set the new mark for the 100-yard breaststroke. Ben, James, Andrew Gonzalez and Andrew Lamb also own the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay records.

Last season, Ben won a state championship in the 100 freestyle

and the 100 backstroke while Steilacoom had its highest team finish (fourth place) in the 2A state meet behind winner Archbishop Murphy. James finished fourth in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke.

They had a solid first season together, to say the least.

This season, Ben (five), a senior, and James (three), a sophomore, have already qualified for state in eight combined individual events. Both also qualified in the 200 medley relay along with Gonzalez and Lamb.

Ben and James have swimming in their blood, Sentinels coach Kathy Casey said. Theyve been swimming all their lives in club swim with their older brother Sammy. It just comes naturally for them.

Sammy Scott, Jr., a 2011 Steilacoom graduate who competes for Arizona State University mens swimming team, has been a driving force for both his younger brothers all their lives.

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Steilacoom brothers have swimming in their blood

By Steve Jacobs

Although it can be hard to tell here in San Diego, with our blue skies and t-shirt weather, it is winter. Most of us associate winter with the holidays, family time, and curling up by the fire, not with spending time in our gardens. Thats what spring and summer are for, right? Well, not necessarily. There are definitely things to do in the garden this time of the year. One is to prepare your garden for the freezing temperatures that have been forecasted to occur in a few weeks time. Also, there are steps you can take in winter to maintain the overall health of your garden. Heres a great list to keep your landscape in top form throughout the year:

If youre not satisfied with the results of your current landscape maintenance company, January is a great time to consult with Nature Designs to discuss improvements in your landscape.

For more information on what we can do for you, log ontohttp://naturedesigns.net/ or call us at(760) 945-4321.

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Winter Tips for Your Rancho Santa Fe Landscape

CVS Caremark confirmed it has launched an agency creative review, which will include current shop Arnold. The Havas company won the account after a review in 2010, taking it over from crosstown Boston competitor Hill Holliday.

"With the changing consumer and health care landscape, we are evaluating advertising partners to encompass our entire suite of enterprise and retail needs, a company rep said in a statement. The incumbent agency, Arnold, will receive an RFP.

Arnold will defend, sources said. The search does not include media handled by GroupMs Mindshare, which won the business around the same time CVS hired Arnold. Boston-based Pile & Co. is handling the current review as it did the one in 2010.

An Arnold rep declined comment, referring calls to CVS and Pile & Co. execs didnt respond to inquiries. Sources said the review has just started.

As for the timing of the search, some observers point to the arrival of a new CVS president, Helena Foulkes, who is took on that role Jan. 1. A 20-year veteran of the company, Foulkes was most recently chief health care strategy and marketing officer, responsible for corporate strategy and enterprise marketing, government relations and communications. Foulkes' track record includes creation of ExtraCare, which CVS said is the industrys largest retail loyalty program with about 70 million active cardholders.

The review follows the loss of Volvo for Arnold last month. However the agency was named the creative lead for the PUR water filtration device in late December and, in October, landed ADT's creative duties.

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CVS Launches Creative Review