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The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken the Forest Department to task for its alleged negligence in connection with the death of an eight-year-old girl after she fell into an elephant-proof trench (EPT) on the periphery of Nagarahole National Park.

On October 2, 2019, a holiday on account of Gandhi Jayanti, Sinchana slipped out of her house at Haladakatte tribal settlement to play. While playing on the mound of debris lying alongside the EPT, she lost her balance and slipped into the water-filled trench and drowned.

Compensation paid

Though the Forest Department gave Sinchanas parents compensation of 40,000, the commission, after conducting a spot inspection last month, found fault with the Forest Department for its failure to take necessary precautions after digging the elephant trench, which is more than 10 ft. deep.

Commissions member for Mysuru circle M.L. Parashuram, who visited the spot, said the department had not erected any retaining wall or signboard near the EPT cautioning people residing nearby about the presence of a deep trench. This led to the unfortunate death of the girl, he contended.

In a letter to the Deputy Conservator of Forests and Director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve D. Mahesh Kumar, dated February 18, 2020, the commission said the EPT was situated adjacent to an anganwadi at Haladakatte settlement and yet there was no signboard or retaining wall. Hence, he sought action against officials responsible for the lapse.

Mr. Parashuram contended that the department had not only ignored the safety of the children, but also violated the rights of people under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006.

Also, he said digging up of the EPT was unscientific. For, it prevents rainwater from flowing through its natural course to fill lakes and ponds. Instead, the rainwater gathers in the trenches, leading to such calamities, he said.

Department denies charge

The Forest Department, in reply to the commission, pointed out that the EPT had been dug up near 45 villages and 12 tribal settlements of Hunsur, Periyapatna, and H.D. Kote taluks on the periphery of Nagarhole National Park to minimise man-animal conflict.

The department said the death of the child was accidental. The EPT was filled with water owing to rain in the preceding days, the department said, and contended that there was no negligence on the part of officials or personnel of the department.

The department, however, has promised to take up necessary steps to erect solar-powered fencing or rail track fencing during the financial year 202021.

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Child rights commission takes Forest Department to task over girls drowning in elephant-proof trench - The Hindu

District 47 - West TN - NorthernCARROLL COUNTY, SR-22A: Bridge repair over Brier Creek at LM 0.34 and over CSX Railroad at LM 3.10.

Restrictions: Monday, March 9, 2020: SR 22A will be reduced to one lane traffic with a traffic signal system.

DYER COUNTY, SR-20 (US-412): The resurfacing on SR 20 from US 51 (SR 3) to the Crockett County Line will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

HENRY COUNTY, SR-54: The grading, drainage, construction of bridges, retaining wall and paving on SR 54 from near Rison Street to near Smith Road. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway. *Speed limit has been reduced to 35MPH.

Restrictions: Beginning on Monday, November 25, 2019: Bridge work on SR 54 at LM 12.02 (Bridge nearest Guthrie) will cause a 10 lane restriction. *Traffic has been shifted to Phase 3 of traffic control.

OBION COUNTY, Future I-69 (Phase 2): Grading, drainage, construction of eight bridges on future I-69 from south of US 51 (SR 3) to south of US 45W (SR 5) will cause possible lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit is reduced to 45 MPH through the US 51 (SR 3) portion of the project. The southbound traffic has been switched to the northbound side on SR 3 throughout the work zone, for phase 2 construction.

Restrictions: Wednesday, November 6, 2019: SR 3 will have traffic in the outside lanes in both directions. Inside lanes will be closed for construction. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction with an 11 6 lane restriction.

OBION COUNTY, Future I-69 (Phase 3): Grading, drainage, construction of bridges and paving on future I-69 from west of SR 21 to US 51 (SR 3) will cause possible lane closures throughout the project.

Beginning on Monday, July 29, 2019: SR 21 North will from Clifford Rives Road to Lindenwood Road. The closure is expected for approximately 1 year to allow the construction of the overhead Bridge on the new portion of SR 21 along with the Road & Drainage of the I-69 mainline. Northbound traffic will detour from SR 21 East onto Clifford Rives Road, then North on Bethlehem Road, West onto Lindenwood Road before proceeding North on SR 21. Southbound traffic will be in reverse order. Detour routes are posted.

OBION COUNTY, SR-43 (US 45E): Repair of the bridges (right & left) on SR 43 over overflow will cause possible lane closures throughout the project.

Restrictions: Beginning on Friday, January 24, 2020: SR 43 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction at the bridges over overflow with a 12 lane restriction and a 5 6 shoulder restriction.

WEAKLEY COUNTY, SR-43 and SR-372 (45E Business) interchange (Region 4 Concrete Repair):

Wednesday, March 4 through Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.: There will be a full and partial closures to seal concrete pavement repairs for the on and off ramp at SR 43 to Business 45E (SR 372) and SR 22 and US 45E in Weakley County. Only one ramp or lane will be closed at a time.

District 48 - West TN Middle/Southern

HAYWOOD COUNTY, SR-19 (Brownsville Bypass): The construction of an I-Beam bridge along with grading, drainage, and paving may cause temporary lane closures on SR 19 (Brownsville Bypass) from east of SR 87 LM 11.12 to west of Windrow Rd. LM 14.73. One lane will remain. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway. Speed limit is reduced to 45 MPH within the project limits. Beginning February 17 Shaw Chapel Rd will be closed, and a detour put in place.

MADISON COUNTY, I-40: Thursday, March 5, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be a temporary lane closures on I-40 east and westbound in Madison County at MM 67.0-95.0 for pothole repair.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-186 (US 45 Bypass) and I-40: Interchange improvements on SR 186 (US 45) north and southbound from the I-40 ramps to Old Hickory Blvd for paving and construction of retaining walls. Widening of I-40 from just east of Exit 79 to just east of Exit 82.

Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, March 7, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Monday, March 9 through Wednesday, March 11, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

LOOK AHEAD:

Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, March 14, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, March 14, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: I-40 east and westbound will have intermittent left and right lane closures at MM 82.0-83.0 for pothole repairs. Backup date Sunday, March 15, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Monday, March 16 through Wednesday, March 18, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-198: The construction of a concrete box bridge on SR 198 over Bear Creek (LM 8.65) along with grading, drainage, and paving will cause temporary lane closures.

Restrictions: Beginning April 29, 2019 there will be an 11 width restriction and a temporary signal will be put in place. Motorists should watch for crews and equipment in the roadways.

WEATHER PERMITTING

TDOT District 48 MAINTENANCE:

Wednesday, March 4 through Wednesday, March 11, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures at various locations in Region IV in order to repair pavement on an as needed basis.

TDOT District 47 and 48 On-Call Guardrail/Concrete Barrier Rail Repair:

Wednesday, March 4 through Wednesday, March 11: There are no scheduled closures.

District 49 - West TN Southwest

SHELBY COUNTY, I-40: Resurfacing on I-40 from the Hernando Desoto Bridge to near the Wolf River Bridge (Chelsea Avenue)

Wednesday, March 4 through Tuesday, March 10, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be INTERMITTENT MOBILE closures with one lane to remain open on I-40 east and westbound

(MM 1.10 to MM 4.95) to allow for punch list items and clean up. Weather Permitting.

SHELBY COUNTY, I-40: ITS Maintenance

Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: CLOSE outside lane on I-40 eastbound from MM 1.4 to MM 1.6 to perform ITS Maintenance. Weather Permitting.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: The grading, drainage, construction of concrete Bulb-Tee and I-beam bridges, signals and paving on SR 14 from east of Old Covington Pike to SR 385 will cause possible lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: Construction on SR 14 for a widening project from SR 385 to east of Kerrville Rosemark Rd. There will be possible temporary lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-175: Bridge approach testing

Friday, March 6, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: Testing of bridge approach slab at Weaver Rd over Hornlake Creek (MM 0.0) will cause possible lane closures.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-205: Bridge repair at Big Creek drainage ditch (MM 1.0)

Beginning Monday, March 2, 6:00 a.m. through Wednesday, April 22, 2020: There will be a full closure of SR-205 at Big Creek drainage ditch (MM 1.0) to replace the bridge. Detours will be provided.

TIPTON COUNTY, SR-3 (US-51): Resurfacing on SR-3 (US-51) from Winn Avenue to Hope Street

Wednesday, March 4 through Friday, March 6 and Sunday, March 8 through Tuesday, March 10, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will intermittent lane closures on north and southbound SR-3 (US-51) from Winn Avenue to Hope Street (MM 15 MM 19) for curb ramp installation. Weather Permitting.

TDOT District 49 MAINTENANCE:

Thursday, March 5 through Wednesday, March 11, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures on all interstates and state routes in District 49 for routine maintenance activities on an as needed basis.

TDOT District 49 On-Call Guardrail/Concrete Barrier Rail Repair:

Wednesday, March 4 through Tuesday, March 10, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be night time lane closures at various locations on SR 3 (Shelby, Tipton, and Lauderdale Counties), SR 385 (Shelby County), SR 15 (Shelby County), SR 175, SR 14 (Shelby and Tipton County), I-40 (Fayette and Shelby Counties), I-269 (Shelby and Fayette Counties), I-55 and I-240. One lane will be CLOSED to repair damaged guardrail.

Wednesday, March 4 through Tuesday, March 10, 8:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.: The following ramps will be closed to repair damaged guardrail.

I-40

Westbound EXIT 2 to Smith/Chelsea

Westbound EXIT 12 on ramp from Sycamore View

Westbound EXIT 18 on ramp from SR-15 (US 64)

Eastbound EXIT 8 on ramp from SR-14

I-55

Northbound EXIT 7 to Third Street

Northbound EXIT 12 on ramp from Metal Museum Dr

I-240

Westbound EXIT 15A to Poplar Ave eastbound

Westbound EXIT 21 to Lamar Ave southbound

Westbound EXIT 25A to I-55 southbound

Eastbound EXIT 12B to Sam Cooper Blvd

SR-14

Northbound EXIT to Raleigh-Millington Rd

THP will assist with traffic control. Weather Permitting. If weather does not permit, the closure will be on the next available night.

Thursday, March 5 through Wednesday, March 11, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be day time lane closures at various locations in Tipton County on SR 14, SR 206, and SR 178; Fayette County on SR 86; and Shelby County on SR 204 and SR 388 to repair damaged guardrail. One lane will be CLOSED in each direction to repair damaged guardrail. If weather prohibits, the repairs will be performed on the next available day. Flagmen will be used where necessary. Weather Permitting.

LOOK AHEAD

Wednesday, March 11 through Tuesday, March 17, 8:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.: The following ramps will be closed to repair damaged guardrail.

I-40

Westbound EXIT 2 to Smith/Chelsea

Westbound EXIT 12 on ramp from Sycamore View

Westbound EXIT 18 on ramp from SR-15 (US 64)

Eastbound EXIT 8 on ramp from SR-14

I-55

Northbound EXIT 7 to Third Street

Northbound EXIT 12 on ramp from Metal Museum Dr

I-240

Westbound EXIT 15A to Poplar Ave eastbound

Westbound EXIT 21 to Lamar Ave southbound

Westbound EXIT 25A to I-55 southbound

Eastbound EXIT 12B to Sam Cooper Blvd

SR-14

Northbound EXIT to Raleigh-Millington Rd

THP will assist with traffic control. Weather Permitting. If weather does not permit, the closure will be on the next available night.

TDOT District 49 On-Call Drain Cleaning:

Thursday, March 5 and Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be INTERMITTENT MOBILE closures with one lane to be closed on I-40 east and westbound (MM 0.0 to MM 27.0), I-55 north and southbound (MM 0.0 to12.0), I-240 between Walnut Grove and Madison Ave (MM 0.0 to 18.0), SR 385 (MM 0.00 to 13.0), SR 57 east and westbound

(MM 0.0 to 12.0), and SR 14 north and southbound (MM 12.0 to 18.0) to allow for drain cleaning operations. Weather Permitting.

NON-TDOT/City of Memphis work

SHELBY COUNTY, I-40: Memphis Cook Convention Center

Beginning Monday, October 7, 6:00 a.m. through Monday, March 30, 2020: The exit ramp from I-40 eastbound (EXIT 1 Front Street) will be CLOSED for upgrades to the Memphis Cook Convention Center. This closure will be a permanent closure for approx. 6 months. The ramp split to Riverside Dr. will remain open. Traffic will be controlled by signage and traffic barrels. Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through work zones.

SHELBY COUNTY, I-240 Northbound near Hernando Road

Monday, March 2 through Saturday, March 14, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be a temporary lane closure on I-240 Northbound near Hernando Road MM 4.495, for sewer work. One lane will be CLOSED. Two lanes will remain open.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at http://www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel or for West Tennessee follow https://twitter.com/NicLawrenceTDOT.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

In 2016, the Tennessee Department of Transportation lost three workers in the line of duty. All three were struck by passing motorists. Those tragedies bring the total number of TDOT lives lost to 112. We dont want to lose another member of our TDOT family. Were asking you to WORK WITH US. Click on the WORK WITH US logo to learn more.

See the original post:
West Tennessee Weekly Construction March 4-11, 2020 - tn.gov

Written by David C. Lester, Managing Editor

Norfolk Southern reports the Hoosac Tunnel will continue to be out of service until at least the end of March

Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southerns short line partner, Pan Am Southern, suffered a partial tunnel wall collapse in mid-February. NS is now reporting that the line which passes through the tunnel will be out of service until at least the end of March. NS released the following service alert yesterday:

Following is an update on the Hoosac Tunnel service disruption on Norfolk Southerns partner line, Pan Am Southern, which affects all trains operating between Mechanicville, New York, and Ayer, Massachusetts.

Pan Am Railway continues to work on repairs but the line is expected to remain out of service until at least the end of March. NS continues to work with our interline rail partners on detouring over alternate routes:

Customers with traffic moving through this area should expect delays of 48-72 hours.

More RT&S Class 1 stories

For the latest railroad news, please visit rtands.com.

Read more here:
Norfolk Southern reports Hoosac tunnel will be out of service at least through the end of March - Railway Track & Structures

Gurugram: The public works department (PWD) has roped in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhis civil engineering department to assess reason of the damage to the six-month-old rail overbridge (ROB) on Gurugram-Pataudi Road.

On Saturday morning, a large chunk of concrete fell off the two-lane Pataudi ROB on the Delhi-Jaipur railway line, leaving a six-foot wide hole on the flyover. The PWDs flyover was inaugurated in September last year, making traffic movement easy between Rewari and Pataudi.

A team of engineers from IIT Delhi will be visiting over the next couple of days. The team will assess reason of fault in earth retaining wall that is basically a wall consisting of interlocking tiles and it contains earth below the approach road. It is a sound technology used in every flyover. Few of the tiles slipped and earth subsequently also subsided with it as well as a bit bituminous portion of flyover in the Rewari side of the approach road, said Rajeev Yadav, PWD superintending engineer.

Yadav said that the restoration of the flyover comes under defective liability of the contractor who built it.

In Indian Railways terms, the ROB came at Level 48 crossing. The central portion of the flyover was built by the railway.

The damage has happened in the Rewari-side approach road, and it has nothing to do with the central portion nor does it has affected railway track, said a senior railway official.

The damage created panic among the local residents, and many demanded FIR against the contractor and erring PWD officials.

Sudhir Chaudhary, a Pataudi resident, said, This is a classic case of negligence that the flyover developed such a major fault within six months of operation. The hole could have caused accidents. Now, the flyover will remain closed for many days, and people will continue to suffer crossing the railway track.

A group of residents have lodged a complaint with the police, demanding an FIR in the case.

Meanwhile, the PWD on Sunday cleaned the underpass located about 100-metre from the existing flyover for locals to cross the railway track on Sunday.

Underpass was built by Indian Railways. But it was flooded and dirty, and people did not use. Now, we have got it cleaned to make it usable. Flyover opening depends on report and restoration timing that I cannot say anything about currently, said Yadav of PWD.

Follow this link:
IIT Delhi team to assess reason of Pataudi flyover damage - Hindustan Times

On a Tuesday morning in October, Los Angeles deputy probation officer Booker Waugh made his way down a nearly sheer hillside, just a few feet from the entrance to the 10 freeway heading east.

Waugh, 48, was conducting a field visit to one of his probationers, a man named Joshua Bey. Bey lives in the affluent neighborhood of Cheviot Hills not in a stately colonial house but in an orange tent, pitched between the freeway and a retaining wall, buffeted by old window blinds and a blanket decorated with kittens.

Hidden from the cars racing by below and the $2m homes above, Beys world is invisible unless you know where to look.

Booker Waugh does. Waugh is an officer with the Los Angeles county probation department, the largest agency of its kind in the nation. It oversees more than 35,000 adults under community supervision, meaning probation or parole.

Twenty of Waughs 38 clients are homeless. We do this every day, Waugh says about the challenges of his work. You cant let hopelessness get the best of you.

More than 4.5 million people in the US were under community supervision in 2016, the last year for which the justice department has released data. Thats twice as many people as the number of people incarcerated, and a 239% increase since 1980, according to a study from the Pew Charitable Trusts.

There isnt enough data on probation to determine the cause of this explosive growth with certainty, but we do know that the increase in probation has far outpaced any increase in crime. That suggests that departments have become more liberal with their use of probation. In the past few years, those liberal policies have been challenged by activists, scholars, and a remarkable number of top brass probation officials who aim to revamp what they view as a bloated, ineffective system.

But within individual departments, there are many probation officers like Waugh: drawn to the work because they want to help people who are struggling, and who see the job as equal parts social work and law enforcement.

Waugh, who has lived in south-central Los Angeles his entire life except for a stint attending the University of Hawaii, is a 15-year veteran of the probation department. Like most officers, he started his career in the county juvenile facilities.

I dont get an extra check for locking your ass up, Waugh says he tells new clients. Im here to work with you, Im here to help you. The less work I have to do the better.

On days when he goes into the field, Waugh sets out in the white Ford Taurus provided by the department, the radio tuned to a 90s hip hop station. He visits clients in their home, shelter, tent or place of work, if they have one, and tries to get a sense of how the client is navigating re-entry from lockup. Are they employed? Sober? Lucid? He asks them if they need anything he can help provide, from facilitating a ride to mental health services to providing train fare.

At a shelter in Santa Monica, Waugh meets a client of three months, Earl Love.

Loves hands tremble from Parkinsons disease and, like a significant amount of probationers in Los Angeles county, he has been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Waugh visits him once a month, and has connected Love to a telecare medical team so he doesnt have to travel to get support.

Love was incarcerated for most of his 46 years, he says. Ive been in the struggle all my life.

Waugh visits Earl Love, 46, a client at a Santa Monica homeless shelter who has been diagnosed with a mental health condition.

Later in the day, Waughs off to the jungle, the south-central Los Angeles neighborhood named after both its foliage and what Waugh calls its antics.

Hes visiting 55-year-old Derek Williams. Williams joined a gang in the late 1970s, but says hes done with that lifestyle. I dont carry guns anymore. I hear a car backfire, he mimics being startled. Im shell-shocked.

Williams says his probation has gone smoothly because he is unencumbered by mental health struggles and has been able to comply with probation rules, which are strict. Requirements vary. All probationers have to call in to a special phone line daily, report to their officers regularly, submit to drug tests when instructed and not carry weapons. Many must attend mental health or substance abuse classes. Some cant be around gang members if they have an injunction, others cant open a checking account if they were charged with fraud, still others cant access the internet unsupervised if they were charged with sexually assaulting a minor.

Those rules are there to help probationers, Waugh says, a safeguard to keep them from doing the same things again and again. Probationers can choose whether to follow them or not, he says. Still, he concedes, the rules stringency can be a setup for failure; if work hours coincide with required mental health treatment, for example, a probationer who skips the appointment to keep a job may end up back in jail.

The rules also make finding work challenging for those in re-entry under the best of circumstances even more difficult. Probationers may be told to come in to the office for a pop-up urine test with next to no notice, and given a narrow window of time within which to complete the test, though Waugh says they try to accommodate clients schedules.

Even for a probationer who truly wants to play by the rules and finish probation, its not easy. There are lots of barriers to being successful, Brian Lovins, the former assistant director of Harris county community supervision and corrections department and an advocate for probation reform, points out. People dont operate individually, theres a host of family and social systems that keep them pressured into where they are in the world.

Top left: Derek Williams peers out of the window in his apartment building. Top right: Jeffrey Chenevert, a truck driver and entrepreneur, visits the west LA office. Bottom left: Jarrad Durke, a homeless US Navy veteran, is at the west LA office for his monthly check-in. Bottom right: Earl Love shows off his photography.

Like most other probation officers in what Waugh calls inner-city Los Angeles, he currently has close to twice the number of clients he is supposed to manage. This means he gets less time than hed like with clients, and he has to make some choices about where to direct his energy.

You tend to drift toward the guys who want to help themselves versus the guys who keep getting arrested over and over, Waugh says. You have to decipher who wants my help and who is just here because they got put on probation out of jail.

Today, however, he passes the time in his cubicle, surrounded by Lakers paraphernalia and a Colin Kaepernick action figure.

Waughs client Jeffrey Chenevert, 46, comes by for an office visit. Hes been working with Waugh for two and a half months and has failed two drug tests. Chenevert says his medications are affecting the test results.

Waugh tells him to bring in the medications at his next visit so he can determine whether thats the case. But if you mess up again, he warns, Ill send the results in and youll be locked up again.

Because this is Los Angeles, Waugh spends a lot of time in his car. He drives from his west Los Angeles office to the central arraignment court downtown, where his client Keion Anderson is appearing before a judge on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon.

Arrested 20 days earlier, Anderson stands silently in a plexiglass enclosure, craning his head downward to speak through a small opening in the wall when called upon to answer a question. Waugh is there to speak on Andersons behalf, telling the judge that prior to the arrest Anderson had been reporting consistently. The judge rules that Anderson should be released soon and must report to Waughs office within 48 hours.

Waugh makes his way back to the west side, passing through the vast Skid Row area. The day is bright, sunny and warm. Men and women sitting in lawn chairs line the sidewalks, the Twice as Nice ice cream truck has carnival music blasting through its speakers.

Waugh parks and strolls down the middle of Crocker Street, as tents, carts and stacks of possessions dont leave enough room on the sidewalk for pedestrians. A former client, Donald Smith, 64, spots Waugh and shouts gleefully. Smith, a veteran originally from Alabama, was Waughs client for two years, through last spring. He soon begs off, confessing that hes high on meth and doesnt want Waugh to see him like this.

Imma call you when Im sober, he tells Waugh. I love you with all my heart.

He walks away. Waugh stands still for a moment, moved by the encounter. Hes glad that seeing him gave Smith a moment of reckoning. Just from that, being embarrassed, that might straighten him out.

Whether or not Waughs actions can really affect the course of Smiths life is debatable. Still, Waugh is on the front lines of the system, and its up to him to keep faith enough to carry on with the work.

This is cool, he says. This is why I do it.

This article was supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project

Original post:
'I don't get an extra check for locking you up': a week with an LA probation officer - The Guardian

Braden Fastier

Contractors work to restore a section of SH60 on Takaka Hill after part of the road sunk this morning. Work had been ongoing since the road was wiped out by ex-tropical cyclone Gita in February last 2018.

Drivers face longer waits of up to 14 minutes at traffic lightsand night-time closuresas work to rebuild the cyclone-damaged Takaka Hill road begins onfive new complex sites.

NZ Transport Agency'sprincipal project manager for the rebuild,Chris Robertson, said people using thehill road wouldnotice a change in how the single lane traffic wasmanaged from thisweek.

There would be a new position for the top traffic light which controls vehicle movements, he said.

Thework signals the second stage of the repairs needed to SH60, the only road access to Golden Bay, after ex-tropical-cyclone Gita caused extensive damage in February 2018.

Work will continue for the rest of theyear, aiming to re-open to two lanes by the end of this year.

READ MORE:* Work to start on major Takaka Hill road repair sites * Sinkhole delays Takaka Hill traffic as more heavy rain forecast* Golden Bay has busy summer as Takaka Hill repairs progress

For safety reasons, Robertson asked cyclists to avoid the hill if possible while construction wasunderway between mid-March and October 2020.

"There willbe heavy construction plant operating nearby and the road width will be significantly reduced," Robertson said.

Supplied

Map showing the shift in traffic signal location near the top of Takaka Hill, which will be in place in coming weeks.

Since 2018, road access between Riwaka and the top of the Takaka Hill has been controlled over the one-lane sections with traffic signals. A timer shows people how long they have to wait.

Robertson said for thecrews to get to the slip site at the top of the hill, the road must be reduced to one lane, and it needed to shift the traffic lights by 700 metres to include this area.

This wouldadd two minutes to wait times at the lights, increasing the total wait time to up to 14 minutes at each end of the stop points.

He said they planned tostart moving the lights on Mondayor Tuesday, weather permitting.

"This shift will take about two weeks to complete so during this time manual stop/go traffic management wouldbe used.

Retaining wall designs hadnow been completed at the five significantly damaged sites on Takaka Hill with construction underway from mid-March.

The remaining five sites wereall significant pieces of work with geotechnical risks, and there had been a huge amount of planning work needed before this work could safely get underway, Robertson said.

NZTA

Work on the new sections of the damaged Takaka Hill road are set to start in March

Repairs to the 10less complex sites were completed in 2019.

Before on-site works get underway this month the safety barriers around the five major sites needed to be replaced, taking around 10nights.

The road wouldbe closed to do this work, with an opening for essential travel. The times and schedules wereyet to be confirmed.

"The night closures will increase safety for maintenance crews, significantly reduce the number of day-time disruptions on Takaka Hill road and enable better quality maintenance and slip prevention work," Robertson said.

Access will be available for emergency services throughout the night closures.

Link:
Longer waits and night-time closures at Takaka Hill road rebuild - Stuff.co.nz

Everything is awesomeagain.

The artist behindLower Hutt's Legoretaining wall put paint to concrete for the first time in months following a holiday and some "sick leave".

A rainbow stripe over the face of one of the Lego characters on the wall at the foot of the Wainuiomata hillwas added on Sunday eveningsignalling the return of the artist known as Block Vandal.

The artist, who does not want his identity revealed,had not added to the wall since December having gone on holiday and then brokenhis collarbone in a cycling accident.

READ MORE:*Lego Batman and Wyld Style among victims of Lower Hutt vandalism attack*Artist on a mission to transform concrete slabs into cheerful Lego art*Boon Street Art Festival enhances Hamilton's arts credentials one wall at a time

"It feels good to be contributing to the community again."

He'dreceiveda few messagesover summerfrompeople asking about his absenceandsaid everyonehad been very supportive.

MATTHEW TSO/STUFF

Street artist Block Vandal made his latest addition to the Wanuiomata Lego wall on Sunday evening after three months of holidays and 'sick leave'.

The latest addition was a nod to the rainbow community during pride month.

"The projecthas always been about our people. It's just to acknowledgediversityin ourcommunity - everyone deserves love."

Over a dozencharacters feature on the wall includingLego Batman, Deadpool andWyldstyle.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Block Vandal has been transforming the blocks in a retaining wall at the foot of Wainuiomata Hill into Lego heads since last year. The wall now features about a dozen characters.

Block Vandal said he had plenty of time on hisfurlough to develop some new ideas for the wall and would continue to scan social media for suggestions.

Havingmissedall the prime painting weather over summer hewas keen to make up for lost time.

He was unsure if his ambitionto paint one concrete blockeachweek wasoverlyambitious with a nigglycollarbone but would be doing his best to bring colour back into people's lives.

* Block Vandal's work can be seen onhis instagram accountblock_vandal_.

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Lego head street artist back in action after falling of his bike - Stuff.co.nz

EZ Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating is now offering financing options for all customers seeking AC repair in The Woodlands, TX, and the surrounding areas.

The Woodlands, TX, March 05, 2020 --(PR.com)-- No two customers are the same, and they shouldnt be. Because of this, EZ Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating makes an effort to accommodate all different types of customers. For this reason, they are now offering financing opportunities for customers interested in AC repair in The Woodlands, TX, and the surrounding areas. They have partnered with Wells Fargo Financial National Bank in order to make this initiative possible, and they believe that it will help many customers get the help that they need. The goal is to provide options that allow for low monthly payments, good interest rates, and flexibility that can cater to many different customers. The goal is to provide vital services to customers who need them and to provide affordable ways to obtain them.

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EZ Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating understands that repairs are things that no one truly plans for. In a perfect world, there would be no need for AC repair in The Woodlands, TX, and the surrounding areas because systems would never break down. But accidents happen, and customers need ways to cope when they do. Working with Wells Fargo Financial National Bank is a great way to keep services affordable and open to everyone looking for them. The team at EZ Comfort can work with any customer looking for financing to find the best short or long term payment plan for their specific needs.

EZ Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating is a certified HVAC organization that has been working with customers in greater Houston for over 12 years. They provide HVAC services such as installations, replacements, repairs, service, maintenance, and tune-ups for all heating and cooling systems, and they are known to be one of the best companies in the local area. Their technicians are all trained and certified to diagnose and solve issues, and they have a reputation for being punctual and thorough with all of their work. For any questions about this announcement or their services, EZ Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating can be reached at (832) 777-0136.

Contact Information:EZ Comfort Air Conditioning & HeatingCarlos Sandoval(832) 210-1476Contact via Emailhttps://www.ezcomfortac.com/

Read the full story here: https://www.pr.com/press-release/807143

Press Release Distributed by PR.com

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EZ Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating Announces Financing Options for AC Repair in The Woodlands, TX - Benzinga

Cardwell provides preventative maintenance, service, and installation of heating and cooling systems as well as indoor air quality needs. Their trained, licensed and fully vetted HVAC technicians will recommend the best options for the home or office.

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During a recent interview, a Cardwell spokesperson made these comments, We make sure to cover our customers repairs when the manufactures warrantee stops. Most HVAC Contractors will provide a 30-day warranty on labor and the manufactures 30-day warranty on parts with a repair.

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NJ HVAC Services by Cardwell Reports That Neighbors Are Switching To Cardwell At An Incredible Rate More Than Any Other Heating and Air Conditioning...

EVERETT The city of Everett compiled a list of building repairs that could cost more than $150 million to finish. The work includes improvements and upkeep to be conducted in the next 20 years, The Everett Herald reported.

Everett is responsible for cleaning, managing and repairing 143 buildings containing more than 1 million square feet of space used for general government, golf and transit operations.

The city paid more than $197,000 to Seattle-based firm MENG Analysis for the 1,800-page study. The study listed problems including cracked concrete, failing cooling and heating units and the need for a backup generator at a fire station.

The analysis ranked whether the repairs should be addressed as a priority, within six years or over the next two decades.

The majority of the repair costs, more than $130 million, would go toward general government buildings including city hall, the Everett Municipal Building and police precincts.

Buildings are not forever, Everett facility manager Jeff Harris said at a city council meeting last week. Its not a mountain or a rock structure. They are semi-permanent structures that need to be maintained over time.

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Everett compiles $150 million list of repair over 20 years - The Columbian