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A 28-year-old man who targeted elderly victims in carrying out a string of residential and commercial break-ins throughout the Coachella Valley was sentenced to more than 17 years in state prison, prosecutors said today.

Joseph Foster Ramey of Palm Desert pleaded guilty earlier this year to 22 burglary counts, along with identity theft, vehicle theft, and receiving stolen property charges.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Burke Strunsky handed down the 17-year, four-month sentence Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Ramey was arrested July 17, 2018, and was initially accused in a series of residential break-ins in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Thousand Palms, as well as eight storage unit burglaries at Storquest Self Storage in Palm Springs.

He was later charged with several other home burglaries, mostly in Palm Springs, during which he took jewelry, credit cards, checkbooks and other items, including a handgun recovered by police during the arrest of a family member who tossed the weapon onto a roof during an unrelated assault case, according to court papers.

Many of the burglaries targeted elderly victims, often when they were inside their homes and asleep, records show.

One of the burglary counts stemmed from a July 13, 2018 break-in at the Palm Springs Mobile Home Park, where he broke into a residence around 3:30 a.m., barricaded the 86-year-old resident inside her bedroom by blocking the door with furniture and made off with several items. Ramey's fingerprints were discovered inside the mobile home, according to court papers.

Read more from the original source:
Coachella Valley serial burglar sentenced to more than 17 years - KESQ

Jan Tuckwood| Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Alice Moore put both hands on Tim Hullihans face and stared into his eyes.

I am going to serve you breakfast on my porch, the lifelong educator told the architect.

This was in October 2009, when Hullihan had just saved a two-story rooming house, built in 1921 by Moores adoptive father, Haley Mickens, from demolition.

Moores porch was across the street from the rooming house, behind the white picket fence. It wraps around the stately two-story home Mickens built for himself and his wife, Alice Frederick Mickens, in 1917.

That porch has seen a lot of important people and things.

Moore had been crying when she grasped Hullihans face, so desperate was the then-92-year-old to save her familys history and heritage an important heritage that would have been forgotten now if not for Hullihan and a small band of fellow historians.

The look in her eyes and the strength and sincerity of her voice said that she trusted me and that she was counting on me to do what she was no longer able to, Hullihan said in his eulogy for Moore, who died Jan. 13, 2014, at 96. The invitation for a meal in her home was more than a traditional Southern gesture of friendship. It recalled the numerous important moments her front porch had witnessed and evoked her neighborhoods affluent past.

Thats right. Moores neighborhood, the Historic Northwest neighborhood in West Palm Beach, had been affluent once upon a time.

The Mickens family home had been impressive, one of many impressive homes built by upper-middle-class Blacks around 1920.

Moore told Hullihan how the Mickens family and their home at 801 4th St. played host to Count Basie and Louis Armstrong, and how members of their bands stayed across the street, at the Mickens rooming house.

She regaled him with tales from the porch, where Nobel Peace Prize recipient Ralph Bunche had once shared tea, and where Asa Philip Randolph, who had organized the first predominantly Black labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, had chatted with Haley and Alice Mickens in the 1920s.

And where Mary McLeod Bethune, who founded Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach in 1929, worked with Mrs. Mickens to raise money and persuade the state Legislature to build a home for young Black women who would have otherwise been put in prison.

They both worked to get women the vote, though that was particularly tough for Black women.

Florida was still the South in 1920. Although Congress had passed the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote and 36 states had ratified it by 1920 making it the law of the land not every state voted to ratify it at the time, and racial tensions often kept Black women from voting.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited racial discrimination in voting. Florida women had been voting since 1920 but it took the Legislature until 1969 to finally ratify the 19th Amendment.

It takes time to change minds and hearts. Women like Bethune, Mickens and Moore knew that and kept the wheels of womens equality moving.

In her obituary in The Palm Beach Post, Alice Mickens, who died in 1988 at 99, was called an ambassador of interracial good will.

She served as a trustee at Bethune-Cookman for more than three decades and received an honorary doctorate from the university. A science hall there is named for her, and another hall is named for Alice Moore.

Their legacy of education continues, beyond their deaths, because of their friends, who remember.

Dr. Moores front porch was a classroom for those willing to listen, Hullihan said in his eulogy for Moore.Sitting with her, I learned that during the 1920s, 30s and 40s, when at least one of the teams in the Negro Baseball League used Lincoln Park (now Coleman Park) as their spring training site, it was a Mickens family standard to host Sunday afternoon garden parties for the professional baseball players of both the home and visiting teams.As I listened to the prideful and confident voice of a retired educator, I imagined Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson making their way up the front porch steps and being welcomed into her home.

Dr. Moores front porch is part of a home and a neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places largely because of her persistent efforts to keep their rich histories alive.

And of Hullihans persistent efforts.

As she reminisced, I let my eyes look upon the historic neighborhood her adopted father helped establish and she had called home for 80-plus years, Hullihan said. As my eyes wandered, I hoped her 92-year-old eyes could not see it as it was.I hoped in her minds eye it was still a thriving and prosperous neighborhood.It was then that I realized that this front porch deserves to face a better future a future more like its affluent past.It was then that I realized that I was friends with an extraordinary lady who deserved my very best efforts in preserving her familys legacy.

Hullihan drew up plans for Mickens Village, a plan for the 1917 Mickens house, the 1921 boarding house and a 1903 house also built by Haley Mickens.

That plan was a dream it went nowhere for years, and it may never succeed.

But today, the wheels keep moving, slowly.

West Palm Beachs Community Redevelopment Agency has plans to move another historic structure The Edgewater, a two-story hotel built by white pioneer George Potter 100 years ago from 316 Gardenia St., to a spot on the Mickens property where their garage once stood.

The hotel was supposed to be moved in June, and then in August. Perhaps it will be moved this fall, but the coronavirus pandemicis one of many complicating factors.

Whether these projects work or not depends on several factors the most important is filling a need, Hullihan, a West Palm Beach native, said. Too often grand projects are out of step with the community that will surround it. In the case of Mickens Village, it is intended to be in step with the community and be part of it.

The idea is to make the Edgewater a bed-and-breakfast, and the proprietor of the B&B would live in the historic Mickens house.

Creating a bed-and-breakfast creates an opportunity for a local business person to earn and keep local dollars in the community, says Hullihan, who has been involved in preserving many downtown buildings, including the 1917 courthouse, now home to the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum. That's very different from grand projects that often overlook the key element of success: local proprietors keeping local dollars in the community.

Across Division Avenue from the Mickens house, a three-building local history museum is planned, using the two-story Mickens boarding house, a home Haley Mickens built in 1903, and a 1920 house recreation. The three buildings would be linked by a storytelling plaza, a public gathering space.

Telling the story of the Northwest neighborhood and preserving it for future generations was Dr. Moore's dream, Hullihan says. With a B&B across the street, the potential to tie the museum in with heritage tourism makes a lot of sense to me. Keeping the neighborhood's history alive in present and future generations is essential.

Women making history: 100 years of the womens vote

To celebrate a century of suffrage, The Palm Beach Post is featuring a series on influential women.

Next Tuesday: How sororities in historically black colleges and universities have supported local women, personally and professionally

On Sept. 22: Local women who have spent most of their lives volunteering with the League of Women Voters

On Sept. 29: 2020 Election Guide, produced by the League of Women Voters, appears in The Post

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100 YEARS OF THE WOMENS VOTE: On the front porch of history - Palm Beach Post

CLEVELAND, Ohio A gunman fired shots into a group sitting on the front porch of home, killing a 42-year-old man, according to police.

Raymond Lawson of Cleveland died in the drive-by shooting, according to police. Five others sitting on the porch at the time of the shooting were not hit by bullets. No arrests have been made in the case.

The shooting happened about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at a home on East 112th Street and Kinsman Avenue.

All six people were sitting on the front porch when someone in a large SUV drove by the home and fired several shots, according to police.

A bullet hit Lawson in the neck, killing him.

The SUV sped off. Investigators searched city-owned surveillance videos in the area to see if they recorded the shooting or getaway.

Its the 15th homicide in 16 days in Cleveland. There have been 111 homicides in Cleveland so far this year. There were 80 homicides in Cleveland through Sept. 2, 2019, when there were 132 homicides for that year.

Read more from cleveland.com:

Man shot to death in Garfield Heights, police say

Cuyahoga County Jail officer convicted in attack on inmate suspended 15 days

Man charged shooting that killed one, wounded another at Cleveland gas station

Link:
Man killed after gunman shoots into group sitting on porch of Cleveland home, police say - cleveland.com

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Cancer never takes a break, and neither does Memorial Hermanns In the Pink of Health. The annual event, presented by SGL Foundation, is a longstanding tradition in The Woodlands. For 20 years, ladies and gentlemen have donned their pink and teal and enjoyed a full host of activities: a champagne reception, auctions, and a boutique, culminating with the luncheon that featured a celebrity speaker and a testimonial from a local cancer survivor. People gathered to raise money to help reduce the incidence of breast and ovarian cancers and to support cancer survivors and their families.

Like many other events, guests will not be gathering at the Marriott this year, but will be celebrating from the safety of their home and enjoying the program on screen. The medium may have changed, but the mission remains the same.

'During this time of increased unemployment, high stress and uncertainty, the need for In the Pink of Health to continue providing services for our friends and neighbors is greater than ever. We appreciate those who can us help us fulfill our mission by safely celebrating A Porch Affair with guests, whether its on a porch, a back yard, or in the comfort of your home,' remarked Dee Gelsomini, In the Pink of Health co-chair.

In the Pink of Health welcomes back the support of many sponsors, including top sponsors SGL, Tricia and Jack Futcher, Adcetera, Makeup Junkie, and Mary Ann and Marty Young.

'We are so thankful to our community partners for their support of Memorial Hermanns In the Pink of Health. This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary and we are proud to say that we have reinvested over $6.6 million back to our community here in Montgomery County, said Debra Cooper, In the Pink of Health co-chair.

This year, sponsors will receive a Celebration Kit full of surprises to help them celebrate the day of the event. A friendly In the Pink of Health committee member will deliver it to each sponsors home or business the week before the event.

Its a way to show our appreciation and include them in the celebration at noon on Oct. 23, said Ann Wolford, event consultant.

To underscore the Porch Affair theme, In the Pink of Health has partnered with Woodlands Style House who will completely decorate a sponsors porch, patio, lawn or dining room for the event. This auction item will be available at the end of September and awarded the second week of October. As a result of the 2019 luncheon, the In the Pink of Health allocations committee disbursed $500,000 to help cancer survivors in and around the greater Montgomery County area:

$225,000 to Canopy, a cancer survivorship center on the campus of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center; $100,000 to Interfaith Community Clinic to provide 3D mammograms for underserved women and support breast cancer education and outreach; $50,000 for continued investment in state-of-the-art technology at the Memorial Hermann Breast Care Center at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center; $50,000 to The Rose for breast screening, diagnostics, and treatment for women of all ages; $25,000 to Ovarcome to assist in its mission to increase awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms and provide financial support to patients in Montgomery County; $32,000 for wigs and wig care kits through the oncology nurse navigator at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center; and $18,000 was held in reserve for special projects.

To join A Porch Affair on Oct. 23, please visit http://www.inthepinkofhealth.org or contact Ann Wolford at awolford@thewolfordgroup.com. Sponsorships are still available.

Photos: All photos by Nicole Oman, Relics of Rainbows Photo

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Memorial Hermann's In the Pink of Health Celebrates 20 Years with A Porch Affair Virtual Event Oct. 23 - Woodlands Online

BAYVIEW Standing on the front porch of Ruby and Larkin Littles home at Bayview, the breeze from the wide Pamlico River whispering through the screens and the lap of waves against the bulkhead may be the only sounds heard. Theres plenty to see: piers jutting out into the water, a big blue sky and an opposite tree-lined shore nearly two miles away.

The peace of their surroundings, the sunrises and sunsets, were what drew the couple to the land nearly three decades ago. They were living in Greenville and found Bayview to be just their kind of getaway, without going too far away.

For a number of years, we had a trailer here with a big old porch on it, Larkin Little said.

By 1993, they were ready to build, so they built the house right next door to their current one its stucco exterior and wall of windows facing the river modeled on a home theyd seen while in Ft. Myers, Florida. It suited them, until the Littles got a random visit one day.

In 2004, some people walked up to our door and said they wanted to buy it, Larkin Little said.

I looked at Larkin and said, You want to sell this house? Ruby Little laughed.

It turns out, they did.

THREE SEASONS: A three-seasons porch takes advantage of the river breeze in a space that has the comfort of indoors, outdoors.

We were gone six months a year, off and on. I felt I needed something a little more closed in, because we werent here to check on it all the time, Ruby Little said.

The next house was built to last.

Because its so well-engineered, theres a lot of things you dont see that add a lot of value to the property, said Century 21 REALTOR Scott Campbell. Its got an irrigation system, a deep well, three zones for heat and air, 50-year-warranty metal roof, French drains around the property.

We built this house as a forever house. When they said use 2-by-4s, we used 2-by-6s, Ruby Little said.

A PLACE TO RELAX: A daybed on the three-seasons porch makes for an ideal spot to take a nap, with the river breeze and the sound of the waves against the bulkhead.

Ruby Little served as general contractor on the house, and nary a space went unused. Where drywall would have covered a nook, she instead had the space converted into a recessed bookcase; where a closet would have been built a certain size, she requested it be expanded to fit beneath the slope of the roofline. The kitchen is a cooks dream, with all the extras: double ovens, a walk-in pantry, all Thermidor appliances including refrigerator plus two additional refrigerated drawers in an island.

COOKS KITCHEN: With all Thermidor appliances and bonuses such as a bread drawer and additional refrigerated drawer space in the center island, this kitchen is made for someone who loves to cook.

Its maxed out, Ruby Little laughed. Larkin gave me free reign and we used it.

That extends to a three-seasons porch that runs along the front of the house and a master bathroom with a shower in one room and soaking tub with views of the river in another, separated by an enormous walk-through closet.

The Littles designed the house not only for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren upstairs bedrooms with their own sitting room, along with a playroom, provide plenty of space to spread out.

When we built this and moved down here, we had 11 grandchildren. They were down here all the time, running around, Larkin Little said.

Now everybodys grown up and gone to college or moved to other states, Ruby Little said.

Their childrens and grandchildrens moves have precipitated the Littles move to Washington. There, they still have views of the water in their Moss Landing home on Water Street, and the pool that came with the property is Ruby Littles new river.

Ive never lived in town in my life, but we can walk places, and weve enjoyed that when weve been able to do it, Larkin Little said.

The couple said theyve enjoyed their Bayview home for many years.

LOTS OF LIGHT: With hardwood floors and windows and doors opening onto the porch, the living room is bright and airy.

Weve enjoyed the space and being able to spread out and all the entertaining, Larkin Little said.

Sitting on the porch, youre right there on the river, and the breeze feels so good, Ruby Little said. Its a happy place.

For more information about 113 Boada St., Bayview, contact Scott Campbell (252-362-1569) or Alexis Davis (252-702-9697) at Century 21 The Realty Group in Washington.

The rest is here:
Bayview home built for the generations - Washington Daily News - thewashingtondailynews.com

If youre not insane by now, you must be insane.

Everythings open. Most things are closed. Nothing is open. Some things are closed. Some things are open. Nothing is closed. Whats open?

And so on.

Im high risk. One droplet and Im a dead man. And I dont want to die alone in a poorly lit room and limited cable access. I want to go out in a glorious flash of light, surrounded by throngs of dancing people, the night busting open, these two lanes will take us anywhere!

Where was I? Oh, right: For me, everything might as well be closed, because I aint going anywhere either way. I sit on my partners porch out in the country day after day, night after night, trying to remember what I used to do.

Ive become an old man before my very own eyes.

My partner, shes lucky. Shes essential. Im a discard. Everything about what I used to do involved very close human contact, face to face, intimate encounters.

Does that make it sound like I was an escort? I dunno. It just sounds funny.

Then again, maybe in times like these, escorts are considered essential personnel. That is, if people even have sex anymore. Ive been trying to figure out whether there will be a population boom this coming winter or no new babies at all. That all OB/GYNs will be retrained as ventilator operators.

But, back to my partner, Janelle. She had a three-day weekend. Remember those? I would kill for the opportunity to hate Mondays again. Now I dont even know when Monday is. I dont even recall its particular role in the space/time continuum anymore.

Do I sound like Im cracking up? Dont worry: That happened months ago.

Where was I? Oh, Janelle.

She spent the long weekend in a mad purge, making the best of her rare free time. Cleaning out her rooms, closets, cabinets, cupboards, pantries, all in a fixed determination to fix everything thats wrong with the world.

Or, at least, with her house.

And to make room for me. Ive moved in.

In the process, she uncovered and rediscovered the entirety of her past. Photos, letters, relics, folders, binders, mementos, all the crap that sits in shoe boxes in the back of your closets that you find only when you decide to purge.

For the three day weekend, I was nearly assaulted by her past. The family and school photos. The Michael Jackson LPs. The Star Wars stuff, or whatever it was that I missed in the 90s. She called it a walk down memory lane.

Whose memory, whose lane, all a blur to me. So many photos. So many memories, not mine.

But the place, it looks great now. Really nice. But I got a little despondent, watching her accomplish so much when I, technically, dont even have my own home anymore.

She sensed something wrong. She said: Whats wrong?

I said to her: Suppose youre me. You write a weekly blog post. But you dont do anything. You dont meet anybody interesting, you have no new experiences, there are no new revelations, no new insights into the human condition. You just wake up every morning to the horror of a brand new day.

Whats to write about?

(OK, its not that bad. I cut grass. I plant things. I rake. I lift weights. I cut grass. I plant things. I rake. I lift Oh, damn, maybe it is that bad.)

Janelle, she says: Why dont you write about me!

Janelle, she speaks in exclamation points.

Sure, why not, I said. That sounds fun. So I asked her to fetch one of the multitude of photos that she found this weekend. So readers can get a better sense of you than just my words, I told her.

And so youre looking at the one she chose. Welcome to my new life in the country. Welcome to the Breakfast Club.

Meet Janelle, 1990.

Aint she a prize?

But dont you forget about me.

See original here:
Welcome to My New Life in the Country...But Don't You Forget About Me - My New Orleans

The Bureau of Land Managements National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will be hosting a variety of open-air programs in September to connect youth to Americas natural and cultural heritage through public lands.

The Interpretive Center has a variety of programs to take visitors back in time:

Oregon Fever! offers visitors a deeper insight into the pioneer experience Thursdays through Sundays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Sit a spell and talk with a Ranger during Porch Chats Thursdays and Fridays at noon, and Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m.

Learn about the flora and fauna of Flagstaff Hill during a ranger-guided nature walk on Saturdays at 9:15 a.m. and stick around to hear a pioneer describe their experiences on the Oregon Trail during Voices of the Past at noon.

Discover the unique mining history of eastern Oregon at the Going for Gold program Sundays at noon.

There are also special events and exhibits to explore:

Meet formerly wild horse Norm Fridays, Sept. 18 and 25 at 11 a.m. While Norm poses for pictures and smooches visitors, owner Deb Henshaw will be happy to answer questions about working with wild horses and the BLM adoption program.

Dont miss exploring how cutting-edge technological advances of the 1800s made the grueling overland journey easier for later emigrants. A self-guided exhibit entitled Tech on the Trek is open during regular center hours through Oct. 12.

Public health measures encouraged

While visiting, we strongly encourage all visitors to follow Centers for Disease Control and the State of Oregon guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. These measures include:

Practice social distancing by maintaining two wagon wheels (6 feet) between you and others visiting the center.

Wear cloth face coverings, like bandanas, where social distancing is difficult (except for those who are under age 2 or have trouble breathing). Wash your hands often. While youre outdoors, use hand sanitizers. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Most importantly, stop the wagon train and stay at home if you dont feel well.

The rest is here:
Pioneers, porch chats, and gold among September programs at the Interpretive Center - Ontario Argus Observer

Guest blog post by Tim Scarbrough

Simplicity. For many months now, this seems to be a place I must inhabit a place of peaceful simplicity. A definition of the word "simplicity" isa thing that is plain, natural, or easy to understand. It might be pluralized as "simplicities of pastoral living".

Yet, to further the concept, I think the perception of simplicity is as personal as the feelings a sunrise might create in your heart, or perhaps the giggle of a baby or the mew of a kitten. Is it a place of raw basic emotion? Perhaps one of nostalgia or sweet memory?

I believe all these examples are true and much more than many of us might consider. Let me elaborate from a recent discovery as I was recovering from some of the worst effects of radiation and hormone treatments I experienced while fighting prostate cancer.

I recently rediscovered my front porch, a place of simplicity.

I have a small farm in rural southern Illinois and have always had a great view from my porch. Id commonly see bees and trees, dogs and cats, gradual and sometimes rapid growth of plant life, especially mid-summer crabgrass and field corn. Before my divorce some years ago, throughout 22 years married, our porch was seldom used and not at all for meetings, quiet time with God, calm reflections, or meditation.

Last year, a former girlfriend of mine gave me a nice cigar. We sat together and laughed, smoked it, and drank a little just spending quality time together, on the porch.

I newly saw, even in the beginning of 2020, my porch was a place that gave me comfort. In this place, I found a peace that Id not known since my marriage was sound, and all of my children were smaller, living inside.

How utterly simple and profoundly peaceful!

In my deep pain from treatments, work stresses, and old terrible memories that bubble up from time to time I was able to sit comfortably on my porch, just me and the Lord. Sometimes with a glass of tea or coffee, maybe a pipe of aromatic tobacco and a brandy: There I found a deeper place of simplicity and peace. Afresh I saw trees and grass. With new insight I saw my small herds of goats and sheep grazing. Hummingbirds, honeybees and wasps buzzed by, And goldfinches flew across the yard.

I could see the faint expression of a breeze through a leaf on a low branch or through only the top of the boughs of very tall trees. A thunder storm might cause the rain to fall and the trees to bend but there I sat, enjoying the sight and feel of it all. A dog or cat at my feet and I was not suffering but just basically at rest. I might have been utterly exhausted or feeling terrible but I could find peace sitting there and letting the wind blow and simply just be.

View from the porch.

For some months since this rediscovery, my porch remains a place of simple peace. An escape for me from a world of pestilence and uncertainty, in all seasons a location to quietly commune with God and the world he created a basic place of simple joy.

I encourage you to search your home for this special secret place. I guarantee it exists. You just need to search it out. When you find it, make it your own and use it often if not daily. Each of us needs this to live life in order to decompress or be quiet amidst worldly noise. Your body, mind and especially your soul will be thankful of the decision and the time spent in this peaceful place of simplicity.

Seek it out.right now!

Tim Scarbrough is a retired Army veteran, singledad of four awesome kids and owner of a small farm. He serves others through his local church, mentorship and public speaking in Toastmasters, and building missions with Habitat for Humanity.

Aur Beck has lived completely off-grid for over 35 years. He has traveled with his family through 24 states and 14,000 recorded miles by horse-drawn wagon. Aur is a presenter at The Climate Reality Project, a fellow addict at Oil Addicts Anonymous International and a talk show co-host at WDBX Community Radio for Southern Illinois 91.1 FM. Find him on the Living Off Grid, Really!?!? Facebook page, and read all of Aur's MOTHER EARTH NEWS posts here.

All MOTHER EARTH NEWS community bloggers have agreed to follow our Blogging Guidelines, and they are responsible for the accuracy of their posts.

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Off-Grid Simplicity: Discovering Peace on the Porch | MOTHER EARTH NEWS - Mother Earth News

Council members Dave Schrupp and John Andrews remained opposed, saying the city should tear down that building and construct a new fire hall that would cost more but was projected to last twice as long.

Mayor Dave Nevin has consistently said renovation should continue. Council member Aaron Herzog wanted more information, and after getting that information he voted to continue the renovation project. Council member Marcia Seibert-Volz, who was appointed to the council Aug. 13, also voted for the renovation.

Thus, the 3-2 vote means renovation work on the building on County Highway 66 will resume. Andy Pickar, of Hy-Tec Construction, said his company should be able to resume work in a couple of weeks.

Estimated cost to remodel the building at first totaled $1.7 million; however, the council acknowledged that cost will rise because of the mold issue. When asked several times to project new costs, Pickar said its not possible to determine those costs until workers continue the project and see what they find in the walls.

Its hard to put a price on something you dont exactly know what you have to do to fix it, he said.

The council unanimously agreed that Nevin, City Administrator Mike Lyonais and Fire Chief Chip Lohmiller could work together to approve new costs depending on what Hy-Tec encounters.

Schrupp was dumbfounded that the council wouldnt put a cap on those costs.

Estimated cost to build a completely new facility totaled $3.6 million, though Schrupp has said a new buildings life is expected to be 50 years rather than an estimated 25 years for a remodeled building.

The city has invested about $125,000 in the remodel so far.

Greg Olson, with Braun Intertec, shared results of an air quality test his company conducted recently in the former city hall/fire hall building.

Fungal spores - or mold - were found in the building, with higher concentrations in the south half that formerly housed the citys administration and police department. He said mold could be idle in the walls and not show up in air samplings with no disturbance by people or ventilation.

Before addressing the fungal spores, the source - likely a moisture problem - has to be found and fixed, he said. Remediation techniques can then be used to deal with the moisture, damage and fungal spores. Olson encouraged the council to have an experienced fungal firm do that work.

Pickar assured the council Hy-Tec could do the work.

It helps that were renovating the entire space, he said, noting they would address each area and make sure to clear the mold out of the whole area of the building.

We need a new fire house, Andrews said, noting the calls hes received all favored a new building.

Nevin said citizens on a building committee spent four months or more to develop a plan for the city hall/fire hall building and agreed renovation was the right choice.

I think this whole thing - the mold, everything about it - has been blown out of proportion trying to build a new fire hall, he said, noting hes upset about the lost construction time.

I think we should just get going. Get the thing done and know we're going to have some unforeseens, he said.

Lohmiller said Nevins comments upset him.

That mold is true. That fungus is true. It wasnt airborne because no one was in there, he said.

I dont want you to put a Band-Aid on the mold or we wont have firefighters. Think about the future and not today, Lohmiller said.

Schrupp said it was irresponsible to go forward without having a not-to-exceed number for unforeseen costs related to mold, and that money being spent to remodel the building is foolish.

When things change like this, its OK to change your plans. You dont have to plow ahead, he said, noting firefighters and others are leery about the building and situation.

Schrupp didnt want a decision based on a construction schedule.

I think we want to do this thing right. And I do think we want to do something thats going to be around for years, he said.

Herzog said he was not in favor of a new fire hall and had been pushed to the point where he was frustrated because the renovation should be well underway.

The council also gave Lohmiller approval to find a location to store fire trucks during construction.

In other business Thursday, Aug. 27, the council held its second budget workshop. The next budget meeting will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, with a goal to set the preliminary budget at the Monday, Sept. 14, regular council meeting.

The preliminary budget and general revenue tax levy must be set no later than Sept. 30, after which time the levy can be decreased but not increased.

The council plans a truth in taxation meeting and final levy certification during the regular meeting Monday, Dec. 14.

The council also met in closed session to discuss pending litigation. No action was taken.

Nancy Vogt may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.

Originally posted here:
Crosslake: Council votes 3-2 to proceed with fire hall remodeling project - Brainerd Dispatch

Completed Kitchen Remodel by Kitchen Infinity

RAMSEY, N.J. (PRWEB) September 08, 2020

According to a 2019 Trulia survey of over 1300 US homeowners, 90% of those who own a home plan on remodeling it at some point. When it comes to remodeling, a study by the National Kitchen and Bath Association revealed that kitchens rank among the most popular rooms in the home to remodel. In fact, more than 10 million households spend more than $67 billion on kitchens and kitchen remodels every year.

Yet, the industry has had its fair share of challenges, with many contractors and renovation companies following antiquated business practices and failing to take advantage of modern-day technology and systems.

As a forward-thinking kitchen remodeling company, Kitchen Infinity has made it their mission to leverage the power of technology, systems, and communication platforms to improve the customer experience while improving efficiency and producing superior results.

Founded with Passion and Purpose

Founded by Dean Scaduto, a Harvard University grad (2011) and George Kocher, a Cornell alum (2011), Kitchen Infinity was founded out of both passion and purpose. Both Scaduto and Kocher have a true passion for design, innovation and bringing transformational kitchen remodels from concept into reality.

According to the founders, although new and exciting products and materials have made their way to market over the last decade, the kitchen remodeling industry has lacked significant innovation when it comes to the contractors role and process. Kitchen Infinity aims to bridge this gap, leveraging the power of technology, people and processes to help their customers bring their dream kitchen to life.

Both founders have a long and documented track record of success in former careers, including that served as a former United Nations International Consultant (Scaduto) and former Barclay Investment Banker (Kocher).

Transforming the Heart of Homes and Bringing Dream Kitchens to Life

As a full-service kitchen remodeling company, Kitchen Infinity is both capable and experienced in transformative designs, unique styling, customization and beatification from floor to ceiling.

From traditional and timeless designs, to contemporary and abstract, their team of seasoned professionals brings an element of creativity, passion and dedication to results that stands shoulders above the competition.

Kitchen Infinity isnt just a kitchen remodeling company. They believe in the positive impact the right kitchen can have on the lives of their customers. The kitchen is the heart of a home. It is where memories are shared, and where meals are prepared with love and care. The right kitchen remodel can improve the value of a home while increasing its utility, complementing architecture, and establishing a warm and inviting or energetic space to enjoy time with loved ones.

Streamlined Process: Improved efficiency, better experience, and superior results

Kitchen Infinity has placed a premium on not just superior craftsmanship and results that exceed expectations, but also the customer experience from start to finish.

In an industry where contractors are often hard to reach, dont return phone calls, or only want to deal with the demo and rebuild, Kitchen Infinity stands out as a company dedicated to streamlining processes, providing unbeatable support, and going above and beyond the call of duty.

Leveraging technology, the company has streamlined every stage of the process, from initial inquiry and consultations, to digital design demos and project progress from first hammer swing to cleanup and inspection.

About Kitchen Infinity

Headquartered out of the tri-state area, the companys service area has expanded to cover New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and South Carolina.

Kitchen Infinity is a full-service kitchen remodeling company, providing affordable, custom kitchen solutions aimed at helping discerning homeowners bring their vision to life.

Those interested in learning more about the company or in obtaining a free no-obligation price quote are encouraged to reach out via their official website or by way of the media contact information below.

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Harvard and Cornell Grad Duo Shake Up The Kitchen Remodeling Industry - PR Web