Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Gayle Plessner and her husband love their dogs, but the sound of the rain on the roof of their home in Westlake Village, a planned community on the border of Los Angeles, made them lament winter, the season of muddied paws, in 2012.

"I remember thinking that it would be great if we had a mud room for the dogs," Plessner said.

So when the couple decided to remodel their six-bedroom contemporary home in April 2013, Plessner turned a 10-by-12-foot room off the laundry room into a pet zone, adding a water-resistant polka-dot floor and a separate dog door with access to the backyard for Lucy, a 2-year-old golden retriever; Hermione, a 5-year-old pug; and Snoop, a 6-year-old Chihuahua mix.

Plessner was going to eliminate the bathtub in the bathroom adjoining the dogs' room but instead removed the glass shower doors and made the tub accessible to the dogs.

Designers say more dog owners are considering their pets' needs when building or remodeling their homes: asking for pooch-friendly spaces, ordering specialized cabinets for pet bowls and food, and adding canine-only showers and tubs.

"Pets and children are very important to our homeowners. So whether it's dogs or cats or gerbils or fish, we need to include them in the design process," Los Angeles architect Tim Barber said.

Marc Bekoff, author of "Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed," said pets want to feel at peace and safe. "Animals are smart and emotional, and people are now factoring that into a lot of things. And a place in the house where a dog can get away from it all is really important."

Whether with people or their environment, dogs also crave contact.

Pacific Palisades, Calif., resident Pam Fillo considered the need for contact when designing a breakfast nook in 2008. Taking her cue from a magazine article that featured a window-bench-style seat with a single carved opening for a pet, Fillo hired Barber's firm to design a built-in dining bench with three arched openings for her dogs. Each nook provides room for a dog bed.

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Pet projects pricey

Window & door project nearly done at local school

WILMINGTONDriving by the North Intermediate School these days may make a parent nervous, with windows and entries covered and under construction. The North Intermediate School window and door replacement project will be finished by the end of the month.

George Hooper, the Superintendent of Public Buildings, said that most of the window project will be complete by August 27, and theyll start installing the doors on the 29th.

Everything seems to be progressing really nicely, he said.

Theyve also replaced the Norths septic tank. In addition, they switched the heating system over from oil to gas. The boilers at the North Intermediate were original to the building.

They did roofing work, toothe replacement of 9,170 square feet of roof, approved at Town Meeting.

The North was built in 1962, and it is 54,569 square feet.

Hooper said that this is his third windows project. An example of a previous one: the replacement of the Shawsheen Schools windows. This, as the Crier reported previously, revitalized the faade of the building and greatly increased energy efficiency.

Its no different from the North.

Hooper said that the new windows are a big improvement for the buildingand you can tell when you look through them.

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Just in time

Butler Countys 10 public school districts have spent a combined $24.4 million in construction, renovations and capital improvements this summer.

For many schools districts the repairs were as routine as re-paving parking lots, but many were also upgrading classrooms to accommodate STEM classes and updating buildings with more security features and energy-efficient systems.

Students in the Hamilton, Middletown, Madison and New Miami districts were the first to file back into the classroom last week. Students in those districts were welcomed with more than $1.2 million in repairs and upgrades, including STEM classrooms at Middletown Middle School, new roofs and re-paved parking lots.

The 2014-15 school year begins this week for Edgewood, Fairfield, Lakota, Monroe and Talawanda.

The Ross school district is the latest to start back this year Aug. 26 for Elda Elementary and the middle and high schools; Sept. 2 for Morgan Elementary.

Greg Young, Ross superintendent, said the late start at Morgan is to accommodate finishing construction on a $10.5 million renovation and addition to the 32-year-old building. The district has renovated 46,440 square feet and added 7,165 square feet to the school.

With the completion of Morgan, all our kids will be in 21st century learning environments, Young said.

Renovations to Morgan include secure entrances; a new energy efficient geothermal heating and cooling system; an enlarged cafeteria and kitchen; new music and art classrooms; new life/safety systems including sprinklers, fire alarms and security cameras; all doors and windows replaced; new furniture; and all new ceilings, floors and paint.

We gutted the buildings, Young said, including new electrical, plumbing and sewage systems. The inside of the buildings completely transformed. Theres a fresh, new appearance to the building.

Sharon Estridge, of Hanover Twp., said she has two daughters a first grader and fourth grader that attend Morgan Elementary. Both Estridge and her children are excited to get a look inside the renovated building.

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Butler County schools pour $24M into building improvements

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that 39 rail freight improvement projects that will help sustain nearly 34,000 jobs across Pennsylvania were approved for funding from two PennDOT-managed programs.

"Transportation is a proven economic driver and these investments will help these companies maintain and create more jobs,'' Corbett said. "Ensuring that these facilities and assets are ready to meet consumer demands is vital to keeping our state competitive."

The State Transportation Commission (STC) voted Thursday to approve nearly $35.9 million for 13 projects through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and 26 projects through the Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP). RTAP is a capital budget grant program funded with bonds and RFAP is underwritten through the new Multimodal Fund, created by Act 89.

"We have continued investments in Pennsylvania's rail network because it helps keep our transportation assets strong as a whole," Corbett said. "Since January 2011 we've invested over $167 million in rail and Act 89 will help us continue those efforts."

Last November, Corbett signed Act 89, a far-reaching transportation program that clears the way for significant investments in all transportation modes.

For more information, visit http://www.dot.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Rich Kirkpatrick or Erin Waters-Trasatt, PennDOT 717-783-8800 Steve Chizmar, Governor's Office 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: Following is a by-county list of approved rail freight projects under the programs with the state share:

RTAP Projects:

Allegheny County

Link:
Thirty-Nine Rail Freight Projects Approved For State Funding; Action Sustains Nearly 34,000 Jobs

ENID, Okla. Since before statehood and the opening of the Cherokee Outlet with the Land Run in 1893, an American elm has stood watch over the land that became Enid.

But Friday, after more than 130 years, a landmark in the Kenwood Historic District was removed from the lawn of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.

It was a bittersweet day for family matriarch Becky Cummings, as men from Rockys (Family) Tree Service worked to remove older trees from the property, including the iconic American elm that has stood at the intersection of Maple, Kenwood and Adams for more than a century.

Children and grandchildren visited before Jose Quinonez began to carefully dissect the tree for further use in furniture making. Cummings recalled family memories that included the tree, recalling one of her daughters sitting before it on her wedding day for pictures.

Were going to use everything we can, Cummings said. It will not be forgotten.

She said her grandmother told stories of the tree being fully grown when she was girl, walking to junior high, which then was north of the building that now houses Lincoln Academy.

Cummings and her husband, Joe, believe the tree was at least 130 years old.

We knew it was dying for about three years, Becky said. That last freeze was so hard.

She said the elm will live on, with seedlings taken from it over the years being re-planted on the property in several locations.

Quinonez and Joe Lamerton, of Jos. Lamerton Woodworking LLC., spoke before planning cuts to the tree, ensuring the greatest amount for use in a library table or other piece.

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Landmark tree at funeral home comes down

Nelson Hydro is going to remove a Norway maple tree on Chatham Street.

image credit: Tamara Hynd

The life of an old maple tree is about to end but its wood may find a new life at the hands of an artisan.

The tree, which was scheduled to be removed this week from 230 Chatham Street, straddles land owned by the City of Nelson and the private property of Francise Collier.

Parks supervisor Karen MacDonald said an arborist assessed the tree as high risk as there are large dead limbs above a primary powerline, sidewalk and road.

MacDonald contacted Doug Pickard of Nelson Hydro to request that the tree be cut in larger portions.

Im very happy to hear that Karen MacDonald is trying to get the wood into the hands of an artisan rather than into a wood pile, said Collier.

The City of Nelson does have a tree management plan. MacDonald said the main reason for removal typically is interference with power lines, rot or when part of the tree dies.

What happens to all the debris? Trees six inches in diameter or smaller are chipped. Surplus chips the city does not need are given to the community.

Trees greater than six inches in diameter are given to woodworkers or cut into firewood and left on boulevards for the neighbourhood.

Excerpt from:
Old Nelson maple set to be chopped

Cases heard at Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday, July 14, included:

Daniel Biggerstaff, 27, of Pembrook Road, Holbrooks, admitted breaching a community order by failing to attend unpaid work. Fined 80 with 85 costs.

Anita Walsh, 41, of Kitchener Road, Foleshill, admitted being drunk and disorderly and failing to surrender to bail. Fined 183 and a 20 victim surcharge.

Jake Cook, 18, of Brazil Street, Tile Hill North, admitted stealing various items worth 146.74 from Spar. Detained for four weeks and must pay 146.74 compensation.

Daljinder Dhillon, 46, of Tresillian Road, Exhall, admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath and failing to answer bail, and was found guilty of driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance. Jailed for 16 weeks and banned from driving for four years.

Kane Gavin, 21, of Potton Close, Willenhall, admitted taking a vehicle without consent, and driving with the wrong licence and no insurance. 12-month community order, 80 hours unpaid work, 60 victim surcharge and 85 costs.

Matthew McCann, 34, of Jardine Crescent, Tile Hill, admitted stealing a steam iron worth 80 from TJ Hughes and failing to answer bail. Fined 73 and must pay 88 compensation, a 20 victim surcharge and 85 costs.

Travis Clare, 20, of Hedgefield Way, Tile Hill, admitted possessing cannabis. Fined 73 and must pay a 20 victim surcharge and 85 costs.

Slawomir Dziedzic, 30, of Richmond Street, Stoke, admitted drink-driving (100mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. Legal limit is 35mcg). 12-month community order, 180 hours unpaid work, banned from driving for 28 months, and must pay a 60 victim surcharge and 85 costs.

Stephen Long, 32, of no fixed address, admitted begging. Fined 70 and must pay a 20 victim surcharge.

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Sending threatening text messages and begging among cases heard by Coventry magistrates

When the Billings Family YMCA unveils its new mens locker room next week, the first major step in a massive, monthslong $2.5 million renovation of its locker rooms will be complete.

Literally, all the way down to the floorboards and tile, everything is new in the locker rooms, said Mistie Mims, development director at the Y.

On Friday, work crews scampered to finish up in the mens locker room on the second floor, painting, tiling and making a few last-minute installations for a planned public unveiling, complete with tours, on Tuesday before opening for use the next day.

The nonprofit health and fitness center serves about 10 percent of the population of Yellowstone County, or about 15,000 people, through membership and other programs.

Construction began on April 21 and when completed, the Y will have 1,000 new lockers, a larger whirlpool, a big-screen TV, new plumbing, improved HVAC, rewired electrical, fresh paint, new showers and new tile, among other improvements.

The mens room is just the first of a complete overhaul of the three major locker rooms at the Y, 402 N. 32nd St.

Our locker rooms have been run-down for so long, so its exciting to see this happening, Mims said. These renovations will be here for generations.

Work is just starting on a new, larger womens locker room on the first floor that will feature more space and the same improvements as the mens counterpart upstairs.

The total cost to rebuild the two is about $1.9 million.

Were just finishing up phase one and going into phase two, Mims said. We hope to finish (the womens lockers) by the end of November.

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YMCA overhaul continues; Scheels commits $333K matching donation

The suspect spent time in the school district's agriculture barn before the fires broke out in the sheds outside.

WACO (August 15, 2014) An arrest has been made after a vandal set the fire that destroyed one storage shed and heavily damaged a second shed outside of the Midway ISDs $600,000 agriculture barn last month, Hewitt police Chief Jim Devin said.

Trenton Andrew Ortner, 26, was arrested Friday on arson charges, a second degree felony.

Ortner was identified after the Hewitt police department received an anonymous tip Tuesday.

The incident occurred on July 21st at Midway High School.

A fan in the barn was vandalized and the surveillance images show him hugging and petting, but not harming some of the animals inside.

The vandal set fire to the two storage sheds, which were built by students at a cost of $5,000 to $6,000 each, Midway ISD Superintendent Dr. George Kazanas said.

Police described the suspect as a tall white male with tattoos who was wearing a sleeveless black T-shirt known as a wife beater, and a ball cap.

The fire was reported at around 4:40 a.m. Thursday July 31 at the Midway ISD FFA Agricultural Science Instructional Facility at 10401 Panther Way.

Flames engulfed the sheds when the first crew arrived, Assistant Waco Fire Chief Patrick Kerwin said.

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Arrest Made After Fire Destroyed School Storage Sheds

On the shores of Lake Erie, the immediate sense of crisis has passed. Following the toxic algae that bloomed in the lake earlier this month, forcing residents of Toledo, Ohio to rely on bottled water for their drinking supply, authorities now offer assurances that the tap water is safe.

But a gnawing fear remains in communities along the lake. The algal bloom has intensified concerns about its apparent source -- pollution washing off surrounding fields in the form of fertilizer and manure. Not without reason, people worry that more outbreaks could emerge at any time.

Im still drinking bottled water, said Jessica Morelli, a nursing mother who skipped showers the weekend of the tap water shutdown, worrying shed get a skin infection that she could potentially pass on to her 8-month-old daughter. People are still kind of leery. If it could make you so sick one day, how could it be normal so quickly again?

Volunteers unload drinking water from a truck outside Waite High School in Toledo, Ohio on Aug. 3, 2014. Reuters

Around the nation, similar worries have become a part of everyday life as communities grapple with growing volumes of pollution spilling into waterways from livestock and farming operations. Though talk of industrial pollution may summon images of belching smokestacks, the agricultural expanses producing meat, dairy, grains and vegetables are today so enormous that they can generate quantities of water pollution rivaling cities. Yet the rules governing this pollution still generally treat farming as something other than an industry.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate agricultural runoff, leaving such effluent to be governed by local agencies whose philosophies and standards vary from state to state. State rules and enforcement are often lax, environmental policy experts assert, in part because pushback from agricultural lobbying interests, but also because of limited funding and staffing at regulatory agencies.

"The states to date have had a very ineffective response on what to do about this, Brad Klein, a senior attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago, told International Business Times. Were hoping that situations like Toledo provide a wake-up call that this could happen anywhere, and that its happening with increasing frequency.

Last year alone, 20 states reported nearly 150 separate toxic algal blooms in lakes rivers and ponds, including 10 in Ohio and 50 in New York, according to National Wildlife Federation data. While industrial waste, sewage from septic tanks and lawn fertilizer also contribute to the problem, agriculture is the biggest source of the phosphorous and nitrogen that nurture harmful blooms. If ingested, certain types of algae-born toxins can cause fevers, vomiting and diarrhea. Direct skin contact can cause hives, blisters and rashes.

Scientists peg the increasing incidence of algae blooms to a mix of factors that seems set to intensify in coming years, ratcheting up the risk of more. Farmers are relying more on so-called dissolved phosphorous fertilizers, which they apply directly to the soil rather than till into the ground. Left on the surface, these fertilizers are more prone to being washed into surrounding waterways. Climate change threatens to bring more severe rainstorms, which would carry larger volumes of runoff into streams and overflowing sewer systems.

All of this is happening just as agriculture is growing in some states. In Ohio, sales of corn, soybeans, wheat, poultry, hogs and milk collectively soared to $10 billion in 2012, up 42 percent compared to five years earlier, according to the latest federal Census of Agriculture.

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Lake Erie Algae Bloom Crisis Is Putting Pressure On Ohio, Farm States To Tackle Agricultural Pollution Problems