Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

BEAVER -- FirstEnergy Corp. has donated $10,000 to a local charity that provides food and home-repair services for military veterans and needy families.

Faith Restorations Inc., a Beaver-based charity, consists of volunteers who engage in home restoration and repair on homes owned by active-duty military members or veterans. The agency also provides a food pantry for needy families, as well as spiritual support for community members.

FirstEnergy officials said in a news release that the company recently donated $10,000 unsolicited to the company as part of its Christmas in July campaign. As part of that giving campaign, FirstEnergy distributed 12 monetary gifts to agencies within its service areas.

The company, which owns and operates the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station and the Bruce Mansfield Power Plant, usually donates to a local agency around Christmas, as well.

In a news release, FirstEnergy Foundation President Dee Lowery said the decision was made to make monetary donations in the summertime, to better support the good work these organizations do year round in our service areas.

Those chosen were selected by FirstEnergy employees, who identified organizations in their geographic location that do extraordinary work to make our communities a better place to live and work, Lowery said. Were very pleased to provide these surprise grants to support ongoing investment in the quality of life in our service areas.

The FirstEnergy Foundation annually provides support to nonprofit, tax-exempt health and human service agencies, educational organizations, arts and cultural programs, and civic groups.

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FirstEnergy donates $10000 to Beaver charity - Timesonline.com

MONESSEN A nonprofit organization is building a new house in Monessen to help to stabilize a nice neighborhood in a city that is overwhelmed with blight.

The Homestead-based Mon Valley Initiative had crews assembling a modular house in the 900 block of Graham Avenue last month in an area where residents take pride in their properties, said Jason Togyer, spokesman for the group.

We want to preserve that, Togyer said. Thats a decent neighborhood. Its one of the reasons why were in there.

Crews from Structural Modulars Inc. of Strattanville, Clarion County, and Disaster Restoration Services of Trafford, Allegheny County, began assembling the house July 24.

The three-bedroom, two-story house was constructed on a lot where a frame house was demolished because of underground coal mine subsidence. The void was stabilized by the state Department of Environmental Protection before a heavy crane was brought to the site to help assemble the house.

The final construction will be completed by local crews by the end of this month, weather permitting, said Rick Dunn, senior construction manager for the initiative.

Its going to blend with the other houses in the neighborhood, Togyer said.

The house was constructed with money from the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act of 1992, with the specific goal to help stabilize communities and keep people in their homes, he said.

Its going to be a very nice house, Togyer said. We expect the house to sell for about $80,000 to $90,000.

The new owner will be expected to occupy the house.

For more information about this house or any home available for sale by the initiative, call Patrick Shattuck, real estate development and community outreach director, at 724-565-8040 or 412-464-4000.

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Mon Valley Initiative constructs new house in Monessen - Observer-Reporter

The former home of Miamis first black millionaire is falling apart but a local group is pushing for the restoration of the damaged building, which holds nearly 100 years of history.

The D.A. Dorsey House, located in Overtown, was owned by Dana Albert Dorsey, the son of former slaves who moved from South Georgia to Miami. Dorsey amassed a real estate empire, first owning Fisher Island then helping organize South Floridas first black bank and black-owned hotel.

"This is during a time that blacks weren't even allowed to share the same facilities- not just water fountains not just restaurants, hotels, but blacks were not even allowed to go to beaches," said Timothy A. Barber, executive director of the Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida, the group seeking to restore the historical landmark.

Although Dorseys former home now has a damaged roof and beat-up walls, it was considered a mansion in the early 1900s, Barber said. The Black Archives believe Dorseys story could inspire future generations, which is why the organization is seeking to turn the historical landmark into a museum.

The group received a $150,000 grant from the City of Miami to restore the home, but need more funds in order to transform the structure.

"I see this as a personal mission to see this rebuilt," said Patricia Jennings-Braynon, chairperson of Black Archives and the Historic Lyric Theatre Board. "Because of the Black Archives the lyric theater has put Overtown back on the map."

If you would like to help by donating to the Black Archives, you can visit them at the Historic Lyric Theatre or make a donation on the organizations GoFundMe page.

Published at 7:05 AM EDT on Aug 3, 2017 | Updated at 9:00 AM EDT on Aug 3, 2017

The rest is here:
Local Group Wants To Restore Former Home Of First African American Millionaire - NBC 6 South Florida

WENATCHEE-The city of Wenatchees first off-leash dog park is set to open later this month. Wenatchee Parks Director Dave Erickson said contractors are on site getting Hale Park ready for its grand opening on August 15.

Hale Park is getting close to completion, contractors are down there and they are spreading top soil for the grass area and picnic area on the north end of the park, Erickson said. Were getting very close, theyre hoping to have all the fence and top soil and grass seeding done by the end of this week and well have the final walk-through with the contractor early next week, and then put the finishing touches on everything.

The grand opening will start at 6 p.m. on August 15, and Erickson added that residents should carpool if possible as parking is limited.

We are limited to only 17 parking spots which will accommodate regular bulk park uses, but for an event like this it will be really full, Erickson said. We ask please just be mindful of people driveways, dont block those. Dont park on the loop trail, maybe park at Pybus and walk down. Please plan accordingly.

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First city-owned off-leash dog park to open August 15 - NCWLIFE Channel (press release)

The city of Oregon has decided not to tear down and reinstall new baseball practice fields on city property adjacent to the Coontz Recreation Center, despite concerns they were not put in properly.

P.J. Kapfhammer, owner of Maumee Bay Turf Center, said at a city council meeting in June that the practice fields were substandard and not playable.

You can call them practice fields, call them whatever you want, Kapfhammer said to council. You should probably just bulldoze it. Start over. I watched it progress, and I bit my tongue, and I watched it and bit my tongue. And I cant bite my tongue anymore. I understand theyre practice fields. But if youre going to do them, make them playable.

Among his complaints: The backstops should not have been installed first.

The fencing never goes in first. Its not even an option, because you have to work around where that fence is. So youre going to either hit it an awful lot of times, or youre not going to do much work around that fence. And I got my answer when all of a sudden, the stone just got dropped. They didnt even dig it out. You dropped 900 tons of stone on top of the dirt. Theres no base to hold it now. So you have an eight to 10 inch lip that goes right from stone down to the ground. Thats unplayable, he said.

Kapfhammer also questioned the timing of scattering grass seed on the fields, and that there was no irrigation to deal with flooding after rainfall. The seed was thrown in June, without any cover or irrigation to deal with the warmer temperatures of July and August, he said.

Ive done plenty of jobs for the city. Its unheard of in this industry, he said. He asked Recreation Director Joe Wasserman, who was at the meeting, how much it cost the city to buy the seed. Wasserman said it cost $10,000. The total cost of the backstops, stone and seed was $40,000.

From that point, they were put in as practice diamonds, but strategically located so that down the road, when funds and resources avail themselves, we will turn them into game diamonds, said Wasserman. So basically, they were put in with just the stone, the seed and backstops for practice purposes. If they were going in as game diamonds, we would have looked at irrigation, drainage, additional fencing material, cutting out the dirt, bringing the soil, doing the subgrade and all of that. And obviously we would have gone to much more cost, and a lot more consultation from experts such as yourself. But at this point, they went in as practice diamonds.

Wasserman said the work has been completed. Backstops were installed, 900 tons of stone were dropped on the infields, and 7,000 lbs. of seed were scattered on 15 acres of fields.

I promise you, theres no chance it can ever grow, Kapfhammer said of the seed. Its not feasible. Even if there were some green nubs, that heat is going to hit with no root zone, no way to keep it cool, no water and its done.

In addition, the infields were flooded after a hard rain.

It pooled around all the infields. When you play softball and baseball in the spring, when everything is melting, its going to pool. The water table wont allow it to leave, he said.

He made phone calls to city officials to express concerns, he said.

In our own backyard, and nobody had anything to do with this. You have $40,000 in fields sitting out there now that are absolutely useless. I like Joe [Wasserman]. I get along great with Joe. I dont even blame him. Youre all here. You guys represent the city. The fields are 200 yards away from here, and it doesnt take much to see how badly its being done. You guys approved it. You could have done it right. It wouldnt have cost that much more. I would have come in here for free and showed you how to do it right. Its a shame.

Im thankful that you came and addressed this, said Walendzak. I think other council members have raised concerns also. Obviously coming from a professional perspective its what you do for a living - holds a lot of weight in what youre saying.

City Administrator Mike Beazley said the administration had asked the Recreation Department to develop the fields.

We were going to do some stone and plant some grass seed, said Beazley. In terms of the timing of it and the process, we asked the department to do it. We certainly will be following up very quickly after this meeting.

Councilman Steve Hornyak said he had repeatedly asked for updates on the fields.

The new fields were something we certainly approved. Then one day fences showed up. Then a couple weeks later dirt showed up, then stone. Im a little concerned that it does appear that we dumped some stone on the ground. So I think we need to revisit that.

Walendzak said he hoped the city can address it in a manner that makes it appropriate.

Reeves agreed.

I respect your opinion and what youre talking about. What can be done to salvage what we have? Reeves asked Kapfhammer.

Start over. You really have no choice, said Kapfhammer. The grass seed will not grow. The stone is sitting above. You have to give it something to hold it. Its not an attack on Joe personally. But this is how its been done. You have to excavate that all out. If you do it right the first time, its so much easier to maintain, and a lot less money going out. Bulldoze it. Knock it down and redo it. Its going to be a safety factor for kids.

Days after the meeting, Beazley and Seferian said the fields will not be redone.

At some point, they will be developed into baseball diamonds, which will require irrigation.

Theyre designed to be practice fields. They wont be ripped apart, said Beazley. The staff was asked to do them without drainage and irrigation, something you do with regular playing diamonds. We had a lot of rain, the grass is doing well. We might have to do some over-seeding, and some irrigation. Time will tell.

Could we have done it better? Of course we could have, said Seferian. Are we out $40,000? No. P.J. was right about a lot of things right about planting grass in June was nuts. But weve had a lot of rain and the grass is growing. We have a lot going on in this city. And we were letting recreation take care of itself. We have to pay more attention to that.

Read this article:
Concerns raised over new practice fields in Oregon - Press Publications Inc.

This past spring may have messed up your grass and alfalfa seeding plans.

The wet weather prevented some folks from getting their new seedings established in May. Some growers took the risk and planted them in mid- to late June while others have decided to wait to establish a late-summer seeding.

I would like to take this opportunity to review some of the management and details necessary for a successful summer seeding.

A late-summer seeding can be a very good way to establish alfalfa, grasses or mixed legume/grass stands.

There are both advantages and risks associated with a summer seeding. Weeds and insect pressures are generally much less than when compared to spring seeding. Your workload may not be as heavy this time of year.

Dry weather poses the greatest risk for a late-summer seeding failure. Early frost and poorer establishment techniques can also affect the success of the seeding.

In northern New York, summer seedings should be established by early to mid-August. Reed canarygrass and birdsfoot trefoil are two exceptions. They are slower to establish and should be seeded in late July. Later establishments could be damaged by an early frost.

According to Jerry Cherney, Cornell University, a late-summer seeding of reed canarygrass may be better than a spring seeding.

Weeds are usually less of a problem in summer seedings. Chemical weed control is not needed because the first frost will kill any of the annual weeds that come in. Perennial weeds, such as quackgrass, must be controlled before you plant the seeding. Any of the glyphosate products will take care of the quackgrass prior to establishment.

Do not use any companion crop to try to choke out the weeds. A companion crop will compete for moisture with your forage seeding.

Lack of rainfall and inadequate soil moisture are some of the greatest risks associated with summer seedings. The decision to establish a summer seeding should be based on current soil moisture and the extended short-term weather forecast. Dont take the gamble and plant in a bone-dry seedbed. If it is too dry and it does not look like Mother Nature is going to cooperate, keep the seed in the bag.

Summer seeding establishment principles are the same as spring seedings. Proper soil pH and adjusting starter fertilizer rates according to soil tests are necessary.

A good seedbed and correct seed placement also contribute to a successful summer seeding. There is no need to adjust seeding rates at this time of year.

Soil tests take the guesswork out of your lime and fertilizer applications. If your soil needs a boost in pH, hopefully the lime was applied last fall.

Alfalfa or alfalfa/grass mixes do not need any nitrogen in the starter fertilizer. Refer to the Cornell Guide for Integrated Crop Management or your current soil test for suggested phosphorus or potassium rates needed for establishment.

The next step in establishing a successful summer seeding is proper seedbed preparation. A very firm seedbed will not dry out as fast as a loose or lumpy seedbed. Test your seedbed by walking across the field. Pack the seedbed firm enough so that your footprints are hardly visible. You should sink in no more than half an inch. A cultimulcher or cultipacker is a good tool to use just before planting. Depending on your seeding equipment, packing the soil after seeding may be needed.

The seed planting depth should be about one-quarter inch and no more than half an inch deep.

Dont assume that the seed is being planted properly. Get off the tractor and look to see how deep you are planting those many little seeds. If you are not seeing a few seeds on the surface, chances are you are planting too deep.

Harvesting the seeding this fall is not a recommended practice.

Those tender, young plants do not have a strong root system yet. Dont harvest until next spring.

Late summer can be a good time to establish alfalfa, grasses and legume/grass mixtures. If you are interested in trying a summer seeding and have any further questions or comments, feel free to contact Mike Hunter at 315-788-8450 or Kitty ONeil at 315-854-1218.

Michael Hunter is a field crops and soils educator with the North Country Regional Ag Team.

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Late-Summer Seedings in Northern New York - Lancaster Farming

Grasses that once covered Nebraska have now spent another 50 years growing and flourishing in farmers pasture.

WINNETOON, Neb. (AP) James Wagner has lived on the family farm in rural Winnetoon for most of his life.

He was born here and went to grade school right across the road. Hes seen things change, but hes also seen much that has stayed the same.

One constant for the past 50 years is a pasture that Wagner planted in 1967 as part of a government program. To commemorate Nebraskas 100th anniversary that year, Wagner said he could participate in a centennial seeding program. The program required planting a mix of native grasses.

Wagner originally participated in the program mainly because of the conservation benefits.

The ground was washing, Wagner said.

Grasses that once covered Nebraska have now spent another 50 years growing and flourishing in Wagners pasture, the Norfolk Daily News reported . But it wasnt easy to get them started.

The first year, I got so disgusted. The ground was just like now: dry, dry, dry. Of course, grass, when it comes out, its just a little string. You can barely see it, he said.

Even planting the grass was challenging.

It was very hard to get big blue to seed through the seeder. Its so hairy, feathery, he said.

With patience, Wagner said, the grass eventually began to grow and would produce its own seeds to help the pasture expand and thicken.

Eventually then when they drop their own seed, it seems like they spread out, Wagner said.

Despite the program ending, he kept the native grasses and managed them through grazing. He has never had to reseed it, and he doesnt mow it.

I just leave it alone, he said.

The native grasses include a mixture of warm- and cool-season grasses.

Big blue and little blue, thats bluestem. Indiangrass. Now it doesnt seem like theres any of the grama grasses. Ive never seen any there. Generally, you get them, too. And then wheatgrass, probably western wheat. Its a cool-season grass. Presumably, thats for early grazing. ... Warm-season are just starting to come on real good now, Wagner said of what he sees growing in the mixture now.

At 88 years old, Wagner still grazes cattle on the native grasses and rotates them through his other pastures as well. This year the cows grazed the centennial grass from about May to July before being moved to another pasture.

The grass is allowed to recover and grow before Wagner will bring the cows back to graze it one more time.

Generally, you get enough moisture that it really comes back good in the fall, he said.

So theyll be in the next pasture about three months and then theyll come back over here toward fall, and then Ill sell the calves and the cows go out to the cornstalks.

Raising livestock is something that Wagners have done at their farmstead since James grandfather farmed here.

My grandfather bought it in, well, itd be about 110 years ago. My dad got it, and then I got it. He almost settled west of Creighton in 1871. But he bought a piece of ground and got out in this country here, he said.

The farm has seen cows and calves, horses, fattened cattle that were marketed in Sioux City, and even crops like corn and oats. Wagner stopped crop farming 10 years ago, and the horses and feedyard are long gone. He even has reduced his cow herd.

Im gonna have to quit. I cant outrun the cows, he said.

But with all that has changed in agriculture, in Nebraska and in the world over the years, Wagner still has his resilient native grasses from the centennial seeding.

Im starting to feel proud of it now, Wagner said of his native grass.

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Link:
Nebraska native grasses grow strong after 50 years - Capital Press

James Wagner has lived on the family farm in rural Winnetoon for most of his life.

He was born here and went to grade school right across the road. He's seen things change, but he's also seen much that has stayed the same.

One constant for the past 50 years is a pasture that Wagner planted in 1967 as part of a government program. To commemorate Nebraska's 100th anniversary that year, Wagner said he could participate in a centennial seeding program. The program required planting a mix of native grasses.

Wagner originally participated in the program mainly because of the conservation benefits.

"The ground was washing," Wagner said.

Grasses that once covered Nebraska have now spent another 50 years growing and flourishing in Wagner's pasture. But it wasn't easy to get them started.

"The first year, I got so disgusted. The ground was just like now: dry, dry, dry. Of course, grass, when it comes out, it's just a little string. You can barely see it," he said.

Even planting the grass was challenging.

"It was very hard to get big blue to seed through the seeder. It's so hairy, feathery," he said.

With patience, Wagner said, the grass eventually began to grow and would produce its own seeds to help the pasture expand and thicken.

"Eventually then when they drop their own seed, it seems like they spread out," Wagner said.

Despite the program ending, he kept the native grasses and managed them through grazing. He has never had to reseed it, and he doesn't mow it.

"I just leave it alone," he said.

The native grasses include a mixture of warm- and cool-season grasses.

"Big blue and little blue, that's bluestem. Indiangrass. Now it doesn't seem like there's any of the grama grasses. I've never seen any there. Generally, you get them, too. And then wheatgrass, probably western wheat. It's a cool-season grass. Presumably, that's for early grazing. ... Warm-season are just starting to come on real good now," Wagner said of what he sees growing in the mixture now.

At 88 years old, Wagner still grazes cattle on the native grasses and rotates them through his other pastures as well. This year the cows grazed the centennial grass from about May to July before being moved to another pasture.

The grass is allowed to recover and grow before Wagner will bring the cows back to graze it one more time.

"Generally, you get enough moisture that it really comes back good in the fall," he said.

"So they'll be in the next pasture about three months and then they'll come back over here toward fall, and then I'll sell the calves and the cows go out to the cornstalks."

Raising livestock is something that Wagners have done at their farmstead since James' grandfather farmed here.

"My grandfather bought it in, well, it'd be about 110 years ago. My dad got it, and then I got it. He almost settled west of Creighton in 1871. But he bought a piece of ground and got out in this country here," he said.

The farm has seen cows and calves, horses, fattened cattle that were marketed in Sioux City, and even crops like corn and oats. Wagner stopped crop farming 10 years ago, and the horses and feedyard are long gone. He even has reduced his cow herd.

"I'm gonna have to quit. I can't outrun the cows!" he said.

But with all that has changed in agriculture, in Nebraska and in the world over the years, Wagner still has his resilient native grasses from the centennial seeding.

"I'm starting to feel proud of it now," Wagner said of his native grass.

Visit link:
Native grasses going strong after getting re-introduced - Norfolk Daily News

CONNELLY SPRINGS The North Carolina Department of Transportation will begin a project to replace two bridges that date to the Dwight D. Eisenhower presidential administration by Monday.

On Thursday, NCDOT announced the start date for the project that will replace a pair of 60-year-old bridges on Interstate 40 that cross over Berea Church Road in Connelly Springs. The department says tens of millions of cars have passed over the bridges, which were constructed in 1956 (eastbound) and 1958 (westbound).

The $8.56 million contract for work on the bridges was awarded to NHM Constructors of Asheville. By Monday, NHM will close Berea Church Road to begin what is expected to be a two-year process to replace the bridges. The department previously announced that aside from planting, reforestation and permanent vegetation establishment, all work on the project will be completed by Sept. 1, 2019.

According to information from NCDOT, NHM will construct an onsite detour to allow I-40 traffic to flow in all four lanes. A local detour has been established for Berea Church Road to help accelerate construction, the department said. The Berea Church Road detour will direct westbound traffic to Burke Boulevard, then to U.S. Highway 70, then to Knobs Landing Road, then back to Berea Church Road. The opposite applies to eastbound vehicles on Berea Church Road, according to a release.

NCDOT requests that motorists follow detour signs, obey all posted speed limits and slow down in construction zones.

The project to replace the bridges is part of a 10-year plan for Burke County. Many of the projects slated for the first five years of the plan already are funded, according to information from NCDOT.

Other NCDOT projects that are part of its 10-year plan include:

I-40 paving Pave 23.8 miles of road from mile marker 95.2 to mile marker 119 at a cost of $23.5 million. Construction will start in 2018.

Exit 100 (Jamestown Road) Upgrade the interchange at a cost of $2.42 million, plus an additional $250,000 for preliminary engineering. Right-of-ways will be secured in 2018 and construction will start in 2020.

Exit 107 (Drexel Road) Upgrade the interchange at a cost of $16.1 million, plus another $400,000 that already has been spent on preliminary engineering. Right-of-ways will be secured in 2019 and construction will start in 2020.

U.S. Highway 64/Burkemont Road Improve the interchange at a cost of $1.41 million, plus another $250,000 that already has been spent to do preliminary engineering. Right-of-ways will be secured in 2019 and construction should start in 2021.

Exit 111 (Carolina Street, Valdese) Revise the interchange at a cost of $3.61 million, plus an additional $250,000 for preliminary engineering. Right-of-ways will be secured in 2019 and construction will start in 2021.

N.C. Highway 181 road widening Widen less than a mile from St. Marys Church Road to Clay Street at a cost of $10.9 million. Right-of-ways will be secured in 2020 and construction will start in 2022.

Exit 116 (Old N.C. Highway 10) Upgrade the interchange and remove two-way traffic at a cost of $14.8 million. Right-of-ways will be secured in 2022 and construction will start in 2024.

Exit 112 (Mineral Springs Mountain Road, Eldred Street) Construct interchange improvements at a cost of $16 million. Right-of-ways will be secured in 2022 and construction will start in 2024.

N.C. Highway 181/Bost Road widening Widen 2.8 miles to three lanes at a cost of $18.4 million. Planning and design is in progress and the right-of-ways will be secured in 2023 and construction will start in 2025.

Excerpt from:
Road construction project on I-40, Berea Church Road to begin Monday - Morganton News Herald

McDONOUGH Turner Church Road is just one many dirt roads in Henry County that will soon be transformed to asphalt.

On Tuesday, the Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a $987,278 bid to pave the road. McLeRoy Inc., of Zebulon submitted the lowest bid for the project, which was approved by commissioners unanimously.

SPLOST Transportation Project Director Roque Romero expects a notice to proceed for construction to be issued by the end of August. The project is expected to be complete within 300 days, he said.

The project, which consists of paving east of the bridge to Ga. Highway 20, will be funded using District 3 SPLOST IV funds. Turner Church Road is the last of District 3 dirt roads to be paved under SPLOST IV collections.

During the Tuesday meeting, the BOC received an update on SPLOST IV projects, which included other dirt road projects that are remaining:

Two of five roads have been completed. Construction for Lester Mill Road is in progress, while the design for Peeksville Road from the bridge to Old Jackson Road is in progress. Right of way acquisition is in progress for Peeksville Road from New Hope Road to the bridge.

Six of 10 dirt roads have been paved under SPLOST IV. Right of way acquisition is underway for Amah Lee Road, from Old Highway 3, and Thoroughbred Drive, from Greenwood Road.

Preliminary design is in progress for Selfridge Road, from Speedway Boulevard to the Atlanta Speedway Airports entrance, and South Cleveland Church Road, from New Morn Drive to Stone Road.

One of two dirt road projects is in progress. Commissioners are expected to approve a construction bid for Elliott Road, from East Lake Road to Crumbley Road, in the coming months.

There were no SPLOST IV dirt road updates listed for District 5.

Continue reading here:
Turner Church Road approved for paving construction, others on list - Henry Herald