Over the last few weeks, mail carriers have swaddled themselves in layers, clutched hand-warmers and donned boots with at least 2 inches of tread.

They have walked flat-footed on the snow and ice, and even strapped on metal cleats.

In spite of extra precautions, local carriers have tumbled on icy sidewalks, and sprained their ankles or banged up their backs.

This winter's ongoing barrage of snow, ice and subzero temperatures has caused a range of delivery woes. Orders of pizza, flowers and subs often take longer than normal. Packages have been delayed or gone undelivered for at least a day after U.S. Postal Service carriers confronted stairways that were slicked with ice or so blanketed with snow they could not see where the first step was.

"Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow," Hammond Postmaster Harriett Sheppard said. "Maintaining a clear path to the mail box including steps, porches, walkways and street approach will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service and help them get letters and packages delivered on time."

Packages can get delayed when ice-slicked highways are shut down and lake-effect snow prompts authorities to issue emergency management orders not to drive, FedEx spokesman Scott Fielder said.

"The safety of our employees is a top priority," he said. "We have engineered processes to deliver on time, but Mother Nature is the wild card. We have 15 meteorologists working around the clock to track weather patterns across the U.S. and use the updates to build contingencies into our operations."

Brutal cold, slick ice and deep blankets of snow have made delivery more difficult this winter. But more people have been huddling inside and placing orders for delivery. Local restaurants have seen a boost in deliveries and have even had to put extra drivers on shift to keep up with demand.

The Original John's Pizzeria in Munster sees a 20 to 40 percent uptick in business whenever it snows, owner Phil Bacino said.

"It's been fantastic for business," he said. "It takes more time to make the delivery, but everyone has been real understanding and nice about it."

The rest is here:
Winter weather hampers delivery

102 YEARS AGO Feb. 6, 1912

- The Union Lumber Company is making a number of improvements in the mill. A new power set has recently been installed on the south side carriage and is giving good satisfaction. Compressed air cylinders have now been put in to raise the trimmer saws. This will be a great labor saver and enable the trimmer man to do more accurate work. The three carriages are also being overhauled.

- At Mitchell Saturday night at about 9 o'clock, Mr. G. C. Lemmon and Miss Ells Fern were united in holy bonds of matrimony by Judge Whipple at the home of the bride's sister, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sallinen. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a bounteous repast followed by dancing in the parlor, which was handsomely decorated for the occasion. A number of useful and ornamental presents were received by the bride and groom. After an evening of much improvement, the guests departed for their homes, wishing the happy couple a long, happy and prosperous life.

- T. De Bernardi is up from San Francisco and is setting out fruit trees on his ranch on the other side of Noyo. Before returning to San Francisco, he intends to put out 500 choice trees and otherwise improve his place. He is the kind of man we like to see locate in our midst.

- Carlton Curtis has returned from a five-months trip abroad. During his travels, he visited London, South America and Panama. Rumor states that he is to take charge of the railroad the first of March.

- Miss Clara Saunders and brother Elmer left for San Francisco Friday afternoon where Elmer will receive medical treatment.

- A son was born to the wife of George Roach at Westport.

72 YEARS AGO Feb. 8, 1942

- Mrs. Edith Ellison received word from her son, Vernon, stating he is now in the Engineers Corps, U. S. Army at Coroval Canal Zone, serving as chief personnel officer and likes the experience very much.

- Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Harrison announce the birth of a son, John Curtis, at the Redwood Coast Hospital February 7th.

Excerpt from:
Glance at the Past

Wycinka drzew na cmentarzu (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) dead tree removal
Wycinka drzew grochodrzewu (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) na terenie cmentarza parafialnego, drzewo umiejscowione bezporednio pomidzy grobami.

By: KarolKryczyk

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Wycinka drzew na cmentarzu (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) dead tree removal - Video

Palm Tree Removal By Tree Trimming Phoenix In Arizona
Tree Trimming Phoenix Removes 2 Palm Trees in Phoenix Arizona.

By: Phoenix Tree Trimming

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Palm Tree Removal By Tree Trimming Phoenix In Arizona - Video

Palm Tree Removal By Tree Trimming Phoenix in Arizona-PART 3
Watch as Tree Trimming Phoenix Removes 2 palm trees in Phoenix Arizona.

By: Phoenix Tree Trimming

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Palm Tree Removal By Tree Trimming Phoenix in Arizona-PART 3 - Video

Related Guides: Stump Removal, Stump Removal Cost Guide, Stump Grinding

Tree Removal Cost Summary

Price range = $150 to $1,500+ Average cost = $500-$1000 Best/cheapest price = $150

In this guide, we will show you how much it costs to have a variety of tree types removed from your property. The first thing you need to know is that theres no cut-and-dry way to determine how much it will cost to remove a tree, so these are meant to serve as guidelines for your needs. For example, the complexity of the job and the height of the tree are just two factors that determine what the total price will be. Tree removal costs may also vary a lot depending on the condition of the tree as well as its exact location. With the following information, you should be able to get a good idea about how much it will cost to have a tree removed from your property.

There are many different levels of service available when removing a tree, but a few basic pieces are usually included. Obviously, the tree will be need to be chopped down. Typically, the contractor will also have to rope down pieces of the tree by climbing the tree and cutting it into more manageable sizes. In many cases, it may also be hauled away at no extra charge (or this is included in the estimate).

Some people want more than a basic tree removal service. For example, if the price doesnt include hauling away tree limbs, you may have to pay extra for limb removal. Tree limb removal costs vary, but it is usually between $50 and $75.

Additional services that may be added on for an extra fee include:

Now that you have a feel for what the little extras are going to cost, you are probably wondering how much youll actually have to pay to have the tree removed. This will largely depend on the size of the tree:

There is no realistic way for an average homeowner to safely remove a large tree from his or her property. You definitely dont want to attempt this type of job yourself. One thing to be aware of right away is that its going to be expensive. The total cost of the job is calculated based on a number of different factors. If the workers have to climb really high and rope down many pieces before actually felling the tree, which is usually the case with extremely tall trees, the total bill is going to be quite high. As noted above, you could pay $1,500 or more for that level of service. It may be worth it to try to have a few small extras thrown in for free, but not all companies are willing to do so.

More:
Guide to Tree Removal Costs & Prices

The Department of Natural Resources will begin managing Belle Isle Park -- soon to be Michigans 102nd state park -- Feb. 10.

Revitalization efforts have been under way for months, including hazardous-tree assessment and removal.

Public safety is priority one

Over the last several months, DNR Forest Resources Division staff trained in hazard-tree assessment has inspected many island trees in high-use areas of the island, using an assessment process followed by the U.S. Forest Service and utilized in other DNR campgrounds. More than 160 trees, marked as unsafe for visitors, were felled.

Planting trees

The DNRs Parks and Recreation Division is exploring options for planting replacement trees, including donations, partnerships and expansion of its existing relationship with the Michigan Department of Corrections horticultural training program.

To learn more about Belle Isle Park and hazardous-tree removal for public safety, visit BelleIslePark.org.

Revitalization efforts have been under way for months, including hazardous-tree assessment and removal.

Public safety is priority one

Over the last several months, DNR Forest Resources Division staff trained in hazard-tree assessment has inspected many island trees in high-use areas of the island, using an assessment process followed by the U.S. Forest Service and utilized in other DNR campgrounds. More than 160 trees, marked as unsafe for visitors, were felled.

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DETROIT: Hazardous-tree removal on Belle Isle a priority for visitor safety (VIDEO)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - "My crews were actually out til 10:30 last night removing trees," Matt Shaw with Capital City Tree Service explains.

Tree removal companies have been busy for the past few days. The most recent ice storm left several Arkansans with uprooted and downed trees.

Terry James of James Tree Service says, "Once root rot has set in the tree becomes unstable and then it'll take a storm like in the spring or an ice storm and then bam you've got a problem-you've got a tree on a house."

That's exactly what happened to this home in Maumelle. Downed trees and some left leaning in a very dangerous position.

Matt Shaw of Capital City Tree says, "Preventative maintenance is always a good thing to do on your trees. It never hurts to have your trees inspected."

Terry James shows THV a piece of fungus. It is called gendarme and it is a sign that your tree may need to go.

He explains, "Right down here at the base you will see gendarme growing all around the roots that have rotted and decayed."

In the case of our unpredictable Arkansas weather, tree experts say it is better to be safe than sorry.

To learn more about your tree, click here.

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Taking preventative measures for trees before the next winter storm

The Garfield Board of Education voted down a resolution that would start a bidding process for the district's landscaping, snow and tree removal.

Business Administrator and Board Secretary Dr. Edward Izbicki said currently the work is being done in house by two custodians. Izbicki said after the meeting that it was a matter of the amount of work and how large the district's facilities are for two people to handle. He said the resolution would have gotten competitive prices and to see what else is out there.

Before the resolution came to a vote, board member Anthony Barckett made a motion to table it so there could be further discussion instead of the resolution failing. The motion to table until the next meeting didn't pass.

The majority of the board either voted no or abstained on the resolution, resulting in it failing.

The resolution recommended by the superintendent of schools and assistant superintendent of finance/board secretary, was to approve Edvocate, a consulting company, services for managing the invitation for bid process of the district's landscape, snow and tree removal. The resolution was for $5,000 for the proposed services.

Board member Elizabeth Gray said she couldn't vote in favor of the resolution because she is against privatization that could take away jobs from residents. Board member Jeffrey Stewart said he wants to talk with the director of facilities, the union and superintendent, who was absent from the meeting, to see if the impact could be positive or negative.

Email: cattafi@northjersey.com

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Garfield Board of Education will not farm out district's landscaping

Photos by L. L. Angell On the Sebastian Art Studio Tour, artist Suza Talbot beside Emergence.

Painter and sculptor Geoffrey Myers in dining room with Gibson Girl.

A member of the Sebastian Art Studio Tour, Marte McMurry creates silver and gold jewelry and tile mosaics.

Rita Bernstein adjacent to a large silk painting is part of Saturdays Art Studio Tour in Sebastian.

Artist Mary Segal holds prize-winning painting Autumn Garden in her Sebastian studio.

SEBASTIAN SEBASTIAN -- The Sebastian Art Studio Tour presents the chance to see first-hand 12 artists creative spaces for a closer look. Happening Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., this tour is free and fun.

The star line up of professionals: Suza Talbot painting and sculpture; Richard Ramirez ceramics and painting; Diane Mieres ceramics; Toni Hill photography and mixed media; Rita Bernstein silk art; mixed media and aromatherapy; Marte McMurry silver and gold jewelry and tile mosaics; Kristen Knudsen jewelry; Mary Segal -- painting, mixed-media and monotypes; Robert Johnson sculpture; Roy Woodall watercolor, wood carving and prints; Geoffrey Myers sculpture and painting and Stouthouse stained glass and oils curated by artistic director Quentin Walter in honor of the late Weldon Stout.

Lifelong artist, Suza Talbot left Gainesville for Sebastian in November 2013 to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren in Melbourne.

I love the house and I love Sebastian, says Talbot.

Filling the two-story cracker farmhouse with her work and converting the porch into a sunny studio, she plans to teach small workshops there.

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Step inside the artist's studio