At the recent Miller Research Potato Pest Management Meeting, new information was presented for battling the persistent pests and diseases plaguing potato crops. This annual event, hosted by Miller Research, featured four key presentations that each brought forward new ideas and solutions critically needed by the agricultural community.

The first presentation, titled Bacterial Bad Guys, led by Dr. Jeff Miller, focused on the growing concerns around bacterial diseases in potatoes, such as blackleg and soft rot. He provided a summary of field research aimed at evaluating foliar pesticide applications for reducing aerial stem rot in the field and bacterial soft rot in storage.

Research done with Drs. Nora Olsen and Mike Thornton at the University of Idaho evaluated the risk of soft rot development at different locations in fresh pack potato sheds. Once potatoes are washed, the risk of soft rot development increases exponentially.

In the second session, Fighting Foliar Foes with Fungicides, agronomist Trent Taysom presented recent successes in the development and application of fungicides to combat foliar diseases such as early blight and white mold. His presentation covered the efficacy of new fungicidal compounds and the importance of application timing and techniques to maximize crop protection.

Taysom stressed the significance of resistance management, advocating for a balanced approach that includes crop rotation and alternative fungicides. Its not just about killing the pathogen; its about sustaining our crop production without compromising future yields through resistance buildup, he explained.

Name that Disease! presented by pathologist Dr. Jeff Miller introduced an innovative, interactive approach to educating farmers and agronomists on identifying potato diseases more effectively. Using a quiz format, Dr. Miller engaged the audience with real-life scenarios to diagnose various potato diseases, emphasizing the importance of accurate identification in effective disease management.

The presentation was particularly well-received, with attendees appreciating the hands-on learning experience.

The final presentation, Can I Chemigate? by chemical engineer Trent Taysom tackled the topic of chemigation the practice of applying pesticides and other chemicals through irrigation systems. Taysom outlined the benefits and potential risks associated with this method, as well as best practices for implementation.

Highlighting recent technological advancements, Taysom discussed how precision application can reduce environmental impact and improve efficacy. Chemigation can be done effectively, reducing the cost of fungicide application and providing similar efficacy to aerial or ground application, he summarized.

The 2024 Miller Research Potato Pest Management Meeting not only highlighted the persistent challenges facing potato cultivation but also showcased a vibrant array of solutions and innovations. As the industry continues to face pressures from pests and diseases, the insights from this meeting underscore the importance of continued research and collaboration in overcoming these hurdles.

This event promises to have a lasting impact on how growers and agronomists approach pest and disease management, driving forward the potato industrys sustainability and productivity goals.

Source: Dr. Jeff Miller. Online news story here Contact: Please get in touch with Jeff Miller at jeff@millerresearch.com Cover image: Credit Dr. Jeff Miller, Miller Research

View post:
Cutting-edge strategies in potato pest and disease defense: Insights from the 2024 Miller Research Potato Pest ... - Potato News Today

Become a homeowner they said.

You'll LOVE it they said.

But why didn't they ever talk about all the weird, expensive, and gross things you have to deal with when you have a home...like these horrific, giant antenna toting, really disgusting bugs.

A Camel Cricket foraging in a Cave

It's time to talk cave crickets.

They're special enough to go by several names aside from cave cricket - spider cricket, camel cricket, even heard them go as greenhouse cricket. If you're lucky enough to have never come face to face with one of these monsters, consider yourself lucky.

Me...not so lucky.

Unfortunately these disgusting creatures are attracted to my unfinished basement, and have made their triumphant return to Wappingers Falls for the 2024 season.

You may remember my first encounter with the cave cricket back in 2021, when I went to check for water in my basement and instead found an infestation of these horrific bugs. I had the basement professionally treated, eventually rented a dumpster and got rid of 75% of the stuff down there, installed not one, but two dehumidifiers, and we've been golden for nearly two years....until now.

This particular bug tends to thrive off dark, damp areas, and apparently like cardboard, so at one time my very own basement was a breeding ground for the cave cricket population.

But wait, there's more, this particular type of bug doesn't see very well, so they jump AT you as a defense mechanism to avoid predators - perfect!

Last week I ran downstairs to turn on my outdoor water supply, and when I looked up into a corner of the basement, was met with a small cluster of small (ish) cave crickets. Naturally, I freaked out, ran up the stairs, out of the house, and immediately called the exterminator that treated the basement the last time to get them out here to spray.

From my distant inspection safely at the top of the stairs, I was able to see a few more of these disgusting things, long gross antennas and all, and so it's been more than a week since I have even opened the basement door, never mind gone downstairs or emptied the dehumidifiers.Though without the dehumidifiers running, all i'mdoing is creating the perfect climate to attract more of these things to join the cricket-clan in my basement.

My new best friends at Waverly Pest Control came this morning to treat the basement and said that they only saw like five of them, but sprayed and also put down sticky traps...i'm pretty sure the rest of the gang heard me on the phone confirming the pest control appointment and decided to take cover.

attachment-5

Now that the treatment is done though, my next question is who wants to volunteer to go check those sticky traps and empty the dehumidifiers for me? I promise I pay well...

Am I dramatic? Yes. Do I want to have any further encounters with cave (spider, camel, greenhouse) crickets? Big no.

Here is a list of 9 bugs that even scientists agree should be killed if you see them around your property.

Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins

Every year the pest control gurus at Orkin put together a list of the Top 50 Bed Bug Destinations in the United States. Which areas do you travel to that you should take extra care to watch out for these blood-sucking insects? Let's countdown to the most bed-bug-riddled city in the United States.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Read the rest here:
Cave Crickets Return to Hudson Valley Basements - wpdh.com

UPDATE The day after this article was published, Ocean Club at Halii Kai was issued a green pass placard and allowed to reopen, following an inspection from the health department.

(BIVN) The Ocean Club at Halii Kai in the Waikoloa resort area has been shut down due to an active rodent infestation, contaminated food products and unsanitary conditions within the facility, state health officials say.

On April 19th, the Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch issued a red Closed placard to the Ocean Club, closing down the establishment located at 69-1029 Nawahine Place in Waikoloa. The DOH says the Ocean Club at Halii Kai is operated by Castle Resorts & Hotels Inc.

A public complaint made on April 18 prompted the state health inspection. The DOH says the following was noted:

A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, to re-assess the establishments progress. The following corrective actions were required:

From the Hawaii DOH:

The Department of Health Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawaii residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed, or sold.

The branch also investigates sources of food-borne illnesses and potential adulteration. It is also responsible for mitigating the effects of these incidents to prevent any future occurrences. The Department of Healths food safety specialists strive to work with business owners, food service workers, and the food industry to ensure safe food preparation practices and sanitary conditions.

More here:
Health Department Closes Waikoloa Club Due To Rodent Infestation - Big Island Video News

It's that time of year when area residents should make a call to Con's Weed Control Service, Sidney, in order to guarantee having a top-notch lawn.

Con Donvan, owner, has run the business since 1990. He said his crews cover about a 70-mile radius including all of Richland County, some of McKenzie County and the eastern side of Roosevelt County.

It's a family business with Con's wife, Lynn, and their grown children Michael, Matthew and Kerri all playing roles in the company's success. Valuable employees include John Reynolds, Kylee Lambert, Jerry Wznick, Bill Nankivel and Ben Wenzel.

"We need two or three more seasonal helpers," Con said.

The company's lawn service includes fertilization and weed control with each spray application. Timely applications are available to keep your lawn thick, green and healthy.

The business is licensed in ornamental and turf, special utility, right of way, school integrated pest management and structural pest control.

Donvan noted that core aeration has many benefits including reducing soil compaction, improving fertilizer and water uptake, enhancing seeding results, reducing water runoff and standing water, improving air exchange between soil and atmosphere and encouraging stronger turf grass root development.

He said that germination blankets for new lawns are the less expensive alternative to sod. The blankets increase seed germination, increase rate of growth by keeping seedlings moist, reduce run off and work great on hilly terrain.

Tree care provided by Con's includes tree and shrub sprayings, disease control, tree and shrub fertilization, tree consultation and deep root treatment.

To arrange an appointment or for more information, call 406-488-7422.

Read the original here:
Con's Weed Control Provides Quality Services In Area - The Roundup

Thomas Nicolson is the General Manager of of Modern PURAIR in Victoria

VICTORIA Cleaning the air is what Modern PURAIR does best, and because of that, General Manager Thomas Nicolson says the Victoria franchise works closely with restoration and post-construction companies throughout south Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

We are brought into homes and buildings that have had fire/water damage or mold contamination by our clients to bring improvements and provide solutions for the building owners, says Nicolson. We clean and improve the air quality of air ventilation systems. Thats a big passion of ours, and it is an area of work that gets easily overlooked.

When someone has experienced fire damage, they need to go through all the systems and make sure theyre clean. People dont think about that, and dont tend to realize why they may have respiratory problems going forward. Its a huge issue.

Modern PURAIRis a full-service Indoor Air Quality company offering furnace and air duct cleaning, indoor air quality testing, coil cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, air purification equipment including HEPA filters and UVC/UVV germicidal technology,and filter maintenance programs for homes or business including offices, retail locations, property management companies, restoration companies, schools, hospitals, and more.

Modern PURAIR is Canadas fastest growing indoor air quality company, cleaning the duct work in thousands of commercial buildings, residential homes, high-rise apartments, hospitals, and schools with their trademarked PURAIRcleaning systems.

Commercial services include air duct cleaning, where all four sides of the ductwork are thoroughly scrubbed clean using their PUR CURx Contact Cleaning Scrub System. Their HEPA Filters and Germicidal UVC/UVV light technology provides air purification, and they also offer dryer vent and coil cleaning, as well as a filter maintenance program, to ensure that filters are regularly maintained and function properly.

Modern Purair staff heads out on the road to serve customers

Nicolson owned and operated a landscaping company while attending the University of Victoria while studying biochemistry, and decided to join Modern PURAIR last August.

The reason why I came to Modern PURAIR was I saw their exceptional systems, processes and the workmanship that the company holds everyone to, he states. We provide informative reports to all our clients, educating them on their different systems and their needs while ensuring our work provides them with fresh clean air.

My own family has a history of breathing and respiratory problems, so the company speaks directly to a core principle of mine, he says. Health begins at home.

Modern PURAIR donates one percent of its system sales to local charities through the PURKIDS foundation, which provides support to children and families who are low-income, experience crisis, facing short-term or long-term medical challenges, or otherwise in need. They do this by providing nutritious food, caregiving items, equipment, clothing, education, medical equipment, and other financial and emotional support, including assisting such children and families with access to medical facilities and services or other community programs.

Modern PURAIR has been growing steadily and recently doubled the size of their Victoria team, adding another Sprinter van to their fleet of vehicles.

Were on track towards having one of the strongest years the company has ever had, by a long shot, he notes. We attribute this to the fact we have great relationships with our clients, as 80 percent of our work year over year is from repeat customers.

They like working with us because we do what we say were going to do, and show up when we say were going to show up.

http://www.modernpurair.com

Business Examiner Staff

Read the original here:
MODERN PURAIR CLEANS THE AIR FOR CLIENTS - Business Examiner

The new one-bed and two-bed apartment complex and retail space will be renovated over the summer. The owners are targeting a move-in date for new tenants of December 2024 or early 2025.

Plans for the revamped building, which will be called The Nest, were approved by the City of Yellowknife in summer 2022. The Nest is owned by Borealis Development, which reportedly bought the building for $1.4 million.

Borealis Development said it needed to get permitting and financing in place before construction could begin a process that was delayed in part by last summers wildfire evacuation.

Were very excited, said Afzal Suri, one of the owners of Borealis Development.

Advertisement.

Advertisement.

Hopefully this will revitalize the downtown core. I think it meets all the criteria that the city has set for the revitalization of the downtown core, and were hoping well encourage other developers to do the same.

It was an existing building that was being under-utilized, and I think it can now finally live to its full potential.

Suri said the building has been gutted on the inside, so Borealis can start afresh with new electrical, plumbing and windows.

He noted the building unfortunately had an issue with the facade part of the siding fell off the 10-storey building in 2018 so that will also be redone.

Advertisement.

Advertisement.

Once complete, there will be 36 one-bedroom units and 36 two-bedroom apartments. The layouts on each floor will be the same.

All the units are going to be rentals. There will be some put aside for affordable units, said Suri.

Applications to rent the units wont become available until an opening date for the building is in sight, but Suri said Borealis is already looking for commercial tenants to fill two rental units on the ground floor so Borealis can develop those spaces to meet their needs.

When shoppers enter the building, theyll be able to turn left or right to enter a store. Residents can continue on to their apartments.

The tenants wouldnt be disturbed with the retail activity thats going on, and itll be beneficial for the retail units because theres non-stop foot traffic thats walking right in front of their front door, Suri said.

View original post here:
Construction begins on apartments, retail space in Bellanca building - Cabin Radio

UPDATE: The article was updated to reflect that the proposed financing was not approved after a last-minute deferral by the Committee on Finance.

$25 million in multi-family housing revenue bond financing has been proposed for The Ave. Chosen as the winner of the Chicago Ave Invest South/West RFP site back at the end of 2021, The Ave will occupy the property at 3601 W. Chicago between N. Central Park Ave and N. Monticello Ave, where it will replace the current Neighborhood Housing Services office and a one-story commercial building currently owned by the city.

The Ave at 3601 W. ChicagoGensler and Nia Architects

Planned by KMW Communities, POAH and CEC, the four-story project will include 52 affordable apartments, 2,900 square feet of space for Neighborhood Housing Services, an innovation center measuring 2,900 square feet, and 1,800 square feet of available retail space. Parking for 32 cars will be included on the ground floor.

The Ave at 3601 W. ChicagoGensler and Nia Architects

With Gensler and Nia Architects working on the project, the design began with the intent to avoid a simple bar building. The current scheme looks to create a longer building with multiple components. The massing holds the corners at each intersection, carves the middle of the street frontage, and draws the eye into the center plaza space.

The Ave at 3601 W. ChicagoGensler and Nia Architects

The portion along N. Central Park Ave is the tallest portion, creating a stronger presence on one corner. The longer portion of the building is shorter and stretches towards N. Monticello Ave. Dubbed The Stoop, the public space at the center will be the feature space of the project. With Site Design Group on the project, the plaza will be designed as a multi-use space that will be overlooked by a large screen wall that will house local artwork.

The Ave at 3601 W. ChicagoGensler and Nia Architects

Since being selected as the winner of the RFP, the design has changed due to program changes and affordability measures. The top floor of the taller volume was removed, and the NHS office space was moved from two floors of space in the taller volume over to the ground floor of the shorter volume. New residential units were added to the second floor of the taller volume. Rising 54 feet, removing the fifth floor will allow for a less expensive construction method that will make the project more affordable.

The Ave at 3601 W. ChicagoGensler and Nia Architects

The building will be clad in a gridded brick facade with wood veneer accent panels and aluminum windows. At the ground floor, angled walls will also be clad in brick. Second floor residential units will have balconies that overlook the street and plaza.

With the funding proposal submitted to the City, the Committee on Finance and City Council will look to vote on it next month. The developers are also awaiting apending zoning change that was filed back in February.

Go here to read the rest:
City financing proposed for The Ave - Urbanize LA

Construction can now begin on a project to transform the former First Congregational Church on North Main Street into housing after new plans, updated to reflect an agreement between developers and the neighboring Greater Islamic Society of Concord, got their final city sign-off last week.

Were looking forward to getting underway after a bumpy start, developer Ben Kelley said.

The Islamic Society sued the City of Concord last fall, arguing that its concerns about parking availability it had long used parking spaces on the church property had been unfairly sidelined during the approval process by the Zoning Board. Kelley and developing partner Jonathan Chorlian made an agreement with the Islamic Society and its president Ali Sekou, also a city councilor, to give it some land between their two properties that includes a driveway where parking spaces will be added.

As part of the agreement, the Islamic Society agreed to drop its lawsuit against the city.

The new arrangement got a green light from the Zoning Board in February and another from the Planning Board last week. Kelley and Chorlian can now start construction in earnest on their plans to put 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments in the 1937 church, adding a boost of new housing downtown. Some demolition work began last week, with substantial construction work set to begin within a month and wrap up by spring of next year, Kelley said.

City council has approved seven years of property tax relief for the development, totaling an estimated $393,000, under a state law incentivizing the rehabilitation of historic buildings towards the public benefit. It must be substantially complete by the end of March 2025 to receive it, under terms extended by the council this month.

See the original post:
Construction of housing project in former Church to begin with parking dispute in the rearview - Concord Monitor

Snow was in the air and an Arctic breeze swirled over Belushya Guba as Bishop Iakov blessed the plate that will serve as foundation stone for a new local church. On site was an assembly of military men in uniform and local civilians. A video shared by the 12th Directorate shows the bishop leading a ceremony and spraying so-calledsacred water over the attendees.

The square in the center of the small military town will be site for a new churchwith space for at least 150 people. Construction will soon start and progress quickly a local military representative saysin a video. Photos show piles of timber ready for shipment from the mainland to the remote archipelago.

Bishop Iakov was brought to the archipelago with a special flight organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The prelate, known as the Russian Orthodox Church special envoy on Arctic affairs, had with him an icon of Serfim Sarovsky, the 18th Century saint that is considered the official protector of the 12th Main Directorate.

The new church will carry the saints name, and the icon will decorate its walls.

Iakov is reportedly himself the initiator of the construction projects at Novaya Zemlya.

Ahead of Patriach Kirills visit to the archipelago in 2018, Bishop Iakov presented the idea to the church leader, state news agency TASS reported. During the visit, the Patriarch announced the plans.

A new and bigger church building is to be erected on the site of an existing chapel, which in turn is to be dismantled and moved to the nearby settlement of Rogachevo. In addition, a new chapel is to be built in Severny, the military town located in the Matochin Strait.

Judging from statements made by the Patriarch, many young clergymen might soon be sent to Novaya Zemlya for training and education. It is a place well suited for testing of their spiritual strength, Kirilltold TASS.

It is especially for those that want to make a church career, for candidates and archbishops, he explained.

He also proposed the development of a special program on church service in the Arctic.

Photos from the visit show Patriarch Kirill being guided around in Belushya Guba by military leaders, among them Aleksandr Tsinitsyn, head of the local military base.

Novaya Zemlya is strictly closed military area and test site for nuclear weapons. In the period between the mid-1950s and 1990, a total of 132 nuclear weapon tests were carried out at the archipelago, among them the 50 Mt Tsar Bomba.

The nuclear testing was organized by the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. Subcritical experiments continue until this day.

Bishop Iakov is instrumental in many of the Russian Orthodox Church initiatives currently unfolding across the Arctic. The prelate was present when a large Orthodox cross in 2023 was erected in Franz Josef Land.

He was also a key person behind the disputed erection of a cross in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. Together with representatives of Russian state company Trust Arktikugol, Iakov placed the 7-meter high religious monument on the hillside of Pyramiden, the abandoned coal mining town.

The Governor of Svalbard knew nothing about the new cross ahead of its erection. In an interview with the Barents Observer, Governor Lars Fause says the illegitimate action will have a consequence.

The Environmental Protection Department will follow up, Fause said in acomment.

The efforts to erect Orthodox crosses across the Arctic is part of a church project supported by Patriarch Kirill.

Since 2012, the Russian Orthodox has in cooperation with the Russian Armed Forces and the Geographical Society built churches, erected crosses and sanctified sites across major parts of the Arctic.

Read more:
Moscow Patriarchy launches church building mission at Novaya Zemlya - The Independent Barents Observer

Christian homes on fire in Al-Fawakher village on 23 April 2024. Image: CSW

Source: CSW

Extremists attacked the Christian community in Al-Fawakher village in Minya Province, Upper Egypt, following rumours that they were planning to build a church.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) sources report that several homes and properties belonging to Christians in the village were destroyed on 23 April, and that local police and firefighters, led by the deputy governor and the head of the police department in Minya, acted quickly to contain the situation.

The police have launched an operation seeking to arrest the instigators of the violence, including those who spread rumours online about plans to construct a church.

CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: "CSW condemns the latest sectarian attack in Upper Egypt that comes as the Coptic Orthodox community prepares to celebrate Easter. An unacceptable culture of intimidation and discrimination is still far too prevalent in this region despite positive steps taken by the Egyptian authorities in recent years, and the personal commitment of President Sisi to fight sectarian extremism and promote equality of citizenship. Egyptian citizens should all be free to practice any religion or belief of their choosing without fear of threats or physical violence. We commend the swift intervention by the local authorities, and urge the government of Egypt to continue to tackle extremism, sectarian hatred and incitement, ensuring an end to policies and practices which create division between communities."

In a separate development, the Egyptian government issued a memorandum designating Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May as bank holidays to celebrate Labour Day, which falls on 1 May. The memorandum has sparked outrage amongst the Coptic Orthodox community for ignoring Orthodox Easter Sunday, which falls on 5 May.

Coptic activists suggested to CSW that the move may be intended to appease Egypt's Salafi Muslim community, who consider recognising Easter to be sinful, as it defies the mainstream Islamic doctrine which denies Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is a human rights organisation specialising in freedom of religion or belief. We work in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. See: http://www.csw.org.uk

Visit link:
Egypt: Christian homes attacked following rumours of planned church construction | ICN - Independent Catholic News