The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a security breach at Atlanta-based Home Depots corporate headquarters. According to a criminal complaint, three human resources employees were arrested after accessing employees confidential information and opening fraudulent credit cards. Our corporate security, IT security and legal teams quickly investigated the matter and notified law enforcement, and the three associates were subsequently arrested, said Stephen Holmes, the Director of Corporate Communications at Home Depot. No customer information was compromised. Employees Claudette Grimes, her daughter, also an employee, Lakisha Grimes, and Paulette Shorter were all arrested on fraud charges and released on bond. That is everything you need right there: Social Security number, date of birth, youve got it, said Brent Brown, the CEO of Chesley Brown Companies. His company does corporate security, and he says this type of crime is on the uptick They are doing it in such a way that sometimes the breach goes unnoticed for days, months, maybe even longer, that is the scary part, said Brown. According to the criminal complaint, Home Depot Corporate Security alerted the U.S. Secret Service to the crime after discovering that Claudette Grimes sent an email from her Home Depot account containing an attachment which contained more than 300 Home Depot employees identifying information, including Social Security numbers and birthdates. Home Depot has notified the affected employees and is offering free credit monitoring. Out of an abundance of caution and looking at the universe of those whose information might have been exposed which we believe is between 10 and 20 thousand well notify others as needed, said Holmes, the spokesperson for Home Depot. Home Depots Full statement: This was an isolated incident involving three rogue HR associates who had authorized access to personal information to perform their jobs. They were in a position of trust, which they abused and they are no longer with the company. They did not have access to customer information. Our corporate security, IT security and legal teams quickly investigated the matter and notified law enforcement, and the three associates were subsequently arrested. We have notified and provided free credit monitoring to the approximately 300 current and former associates and a few hiring candidates referenced in the complaint. Out of an abundance of caution and looking at the universe of those whose information might have been exposed which we believe is between 10 and 20 thousand well notify others as needed. The security of anyones personal information is something we take extremely seriously, and we move aggressively to investigate and act on any questionable activity, no matter how large or small an incident might be. Thats what we did in this case, and will continue to do moving forward. You can read the entire criminal complaint here.

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Home Depot employees charged with stealing co-workers' personal info

By KEITH HEUMILLER

Staff Writer

Middletown voters will be able to weigh in next month on a proposed $32.9 million facilities project that would replace roofs and repair heating and cooling systems at 15 of the public school districts 17 schools.

Board of Education members unanimously agreed to schedule a March 11 public referendum for the projects, saying they want to take advantage of $19 million in available state grants by lumping all of the projects together and beginning work this summer.

They are critical projects that have been researched, and a lot of work has been done in scoping them out, district Business Administrator Amy Gallagher said during the boards Jan. 28 meeting.

This isnt a bells-and-whistles type of referendum. Its basic needs. These are things that are going to have to be done whether the referendum passes or not.

Board professionals gave public presentations on the proposed work Jan. 27 and 28, explaining that state Regular Operating District (ROD) grants would cover 40 percent of all project costs.

Superintendent of Schools William George III said more than 2,400 applications were submitted for the grants, and the state determined that all of Middletowns 39 proposed projects are critical.

Were very humbled, very proud of the fact that we are the leader in Monmouth County with the number of grants awarded, he said.

If approved by voters, the project would bring new roofs to Bayview, Fairview, Leonardo, Lincroft, New Monmouth, River Plaza and Navesink elementary schools, and partially replace the roofs at Middletown Village, Nut Swamp and Ocean Avenue elementary schools.

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Middletown board OKs vote on $32.9M for roofs, repairs

Prince William News

Gainesville Times

"We have no access to natural gas in our neighborhood, so we had oil heat," says Nadig. "The price of oil has gotten extremely high and we found ourselves keeping the thermostat fairly low."

Nadig started to investigate geothermal (or ground-source) heat pump systems to help them stay warm in the winter - without paying a lot of money on their oil bill.

Quickly realizing the energy saving benefits, as well as the environmentally friendly aspects, he opted to install a system from ClimateMaster (www.climatemaster.com/residential).

"The geothermal saves us money and we can keep the house at a nearly constant temperature," says Nadig, whose system went live about a year ago.

Nadig is just one of the many Americans who are replacing conventional oil, natural gas and electricity-based heating and cooling with geothermal heat pump systems, and the demand for these systems is only expected to grow, on a global scale, over the next decade.

"There are more than 1 million of these units in U.S. homes today, which means an increasing number of homeowners are recognizing the benefits of this system in controlling their energy bills for life, and essentially declaring their energy independence," says Raj Hiremath, marketing director at ClimateMaster.

Geothermal, or "geoexchange," systems work on the simple principle of regulating indoor heating or cooling by using the consistently moderate temperatures just below the earth's surface. While outside air temperatures may vary wildly depending on where you live, the ground temperature just a few feet down stays relatively stable.

Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of this by moving heat through water in underground pipes to make it either warmer (in the winter) or cooler (in the summer) inside the home. The result is comfortable year-round indoor temperatures.

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Geothermal systems provide energy independence for more homeowners

Best Handyman Services | Call (858) 405-4428
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Artists Sought For Storm Drain Art Posted by Alex Nochez on Feb 4, 2014 - 10:05:09 PM

MALIBUThe city is looking for art to place on storm drains for a new public art campaign that began on January 31.

The design will be placed on these inlets.

An artist will be chosen by the city to design and paint a piece that emphasizes the Keep It Clean campaign, as well as environmental consciousness with an approach that will broaden viewer's understanding of the connection between gutters, storm drains, and the ocean while also spotlighting local art, according to announcement on the city's website.

To apply for the project, hopeful artists will need to submit a project approach that includes the design's concept, the estimated timing of the project and the choice of materials, as well as visual representations of what the project will be. A plan for spills and the disposal of dirty water will also need to be included with the project proposal. The actual designs will be painted on the storm drain inlets at Cross Creek Road, Heathcliff Road at Point Dume Shopping Center, on the corner of Morning View Drive and Pacific Coast Highway and at Trancas Park.

The city states in the instructions that the project will be chosen based on the quality of the design and must have a two-year life expectancy. These designs must emphasize the Keep It Clean campaign by including the website for it in the piece. The artist can sign his or her name on the artwork, if they so choose.

While the size of the piece is up to the artist, the city stresses that it must not be placed on the asphalt roadway. Instead, it can be placed on the sidewalk, the inlet lid or gutter. Once the piece is done, a clear sealant that will act as a protector will be placed over the design, and the artist must remain on-site until the protector coat dries.

The chosen design will receive $3,200 that will cover the cost of the project, including supplies, installation and touch-ups, if needed. To apply, submissions must be turned by February 27 at 11:59 p.m. To fill out and submit an application, artists can visit http://malibucity.org/FormCenter/Environmental-Sustainability-Forms-9/Call-to-Artists-72.

For more information, Coastal Preservation Specialist Casey Zweig can be contacted at czweig@malibucity.orgor at 310-456-2489 ext. 236.

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Canyon News - Artists Sought For Storm Drain Art

Gutter Cleaning - Polished Plastics

By: yell

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Gutter Cleaning - Polished Plastics - Video

At 10th and Ferry streets in Easton, Greg Joseph chipped and scraped at stubborn patches of ice on a sidewalk with a long-handled shovel. He dislodged a chunk of gray-brown ice along the mouth of his driveway and pitched it into a puddle of slush along the gutter.

Nearby, a Cadillac sat buried behind a heap of plowed snow along 10th Street, and beneath a thick blanket of snow that fell Monday. Joseph, in an unzipped jacket, Jerry Garcia T-shirt, rubber boots and mustard-color knit hat, lamented this winter's frequent frozen precipitation, but figured he'd carry on.

"What are you going to do?" Joseph said. "You do the best you can."

That was the overriding theme Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley's three cities.

Ol' Man Winter has tossed about 40 inches of snow at the Valley so far this season, about 9 inches more than the average winter and there is a lot more winter to come. In fact, winter's next pass was expected Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with at least several more inches of snow, then freezing rain to join the legion of snow mucking up side roads and back alleys.

Though compacted snow frozen to roads makes the plowing difficult and travel spotty, the main byways in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton were mostly clear Tuesday. That isn't to say the roads couldn't be better. A good bit of Chew Street, for example, in the area of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, was still snow-covered late Tuesday afternoon.

The avenues in West Bethlehem are a snow-covered mess; parts of downtown Allentown remained ice-bound; and a lack of room to throw the snow made Lehigh Street in Easton into a series of snow bunkers with sawhorses guarding hard-fought parking spots.

Joseph said Easton's plows are doing what they can.

"They do good," Joseph said. "It's a tough, thankless job."

In Bethlehem, Public Works Director Michael Alkhal said this week's short turnaround between storms stresses the city's resources.

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Cities deal with a plowing nightmare

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, 12:01a.m. Updated 16 hours ago

Quaker Valley athletes and community groups who use Chuck Knox Stadium next fall will be greeted with a new artificial turf district leaders say will be safer.

Board members last week approved, 8-1, spending about $439,500 to replace turf at the stadium in Leetsdale.

Board member Marianne Wagner voted no, citing unknown costs of any drainage work beneath the surface.

The cost that doesn't include whatever it's going to cost for cleaning out the drains if they need to be cleaned out, she said. So I think it's going to be more than this.

Administrative services Director Joe Marrone said crews will inspect the drains. He was unsure of what conditions might be like in the drains.

If we find we have a bad sewer or something under there an unforeseen condition that might be an additional cost, we'll come back to (the board), Marrone said.

The field's current surface was installed in 2004, district leaders said.

Several Quaker Valley High School sports teams use the field, including girls soccer, boys soccer, football, girls lacrosse and boys lacrosse. In addition, the marching band, cheerleaders and middle school sports use the field.

Outside of Quaker Valley-sanctioned events, community groups and sports teams use the surface.

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Quaker Valley scores $439K deal for new field turf

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is now accepting reservations for the gazebos and shelter facilities at the five parks near Black Canyon Dam in advance of its summer season from May 19 to Sept. 1.

We are thinking ahead to warm summer days and getting ready to assist people who want to reserve the park facilities, supervisory park ranger Doug Goff said. Anyone who would like to reserve the gazebos in advance is invited to contact us for help.

Instructions for reserving a gazebo can be accessed online by visiting the parks website at usbr. gov/pn/blackcanyon. The website has a calendar that displays dates when each gazebo is available.

The parks are located near the Payette River, off of State Highway 52, about five miles northeast of Emmett. These parks include:

Black Canyon Park with two gazebos which can be reserved. There is a day-use fee per vehicle to enter the park. The park features two boat ramps accessible to people with disabilities. It is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Wild Rose Park offers one gazebo that can be reserved.

Cobblestone Park has one shelter that can be reserved.

Triangle Park offers both day-use and overnight camping; however, water and electricity are not available at this site. There is a fee for group overnight camping.

Regulations prohibit renting out the entire park at any of these sites; also, a Gem County ordinance prohibits alcohol and pets at Black Canyon Park. Special event alcohol permits may be obtained for Wild Rose, Cobblestone and Triangle parks.

Montour Park, located in the Montour Wildlife Management Area, has overnight camping and tent camping on the lawn. Dogs are allowed only on a leash in this park. The 18 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Potable water, a dump station and bathrooms are available.

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Black Canyon Dam park facilities open for reservations

Umagang kay ganda chinese new year feng shui part 3
Umagang kay ganda ukg chinese new year feng shui part 3 by Jean Chua.

By: JXN line

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