INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. City officials do not plan on calling in private contractors to deal with snow this week.

Indianapolis Department of Public Works spokesperson, Ben Easley, says the department discussed the matter. They decided the conditions didnt call for private plow and salt truck drivers.

Our priority with DPW is taking care of those major thoroughfares, secondary streets, especially for emergency services and making sure that city services can continue, Easley said.

The department based the decision on a longstanding city policy that says DPW will call in private contractors if Indianapolis receives six inches of snow in a single weather event. The National Weather Service says Indianapolis received 7.4 inches of snow from Sunday night to Tuesday morning. However, the snow didnt fall all at once.

With this event, weve had two different waves of snow over the past couple days, Easley said. Theyre two different events. And the other thing to remember is pavement temperatures. So if the pavement is really warm, you may see the first couple inches that fall on the streets just melt immediately.

Easley said DPW also considers the conditions in the weather forecast after a snowfall when making the decision.

Because were seeing the sun come through, Easley said. Were seeing an area of dry weather throughout the rest of the week, that we hope that will take care of some of those residential areas and they can look forward to clearer streets in the next couple days here.

The last time Indianapolis called in private contractors for residential streets; about five years ago, it came at a cost of roughly $500,000.

Some neighborhoods hire their own private contractors to salt and plow their residential streets.

In the Irvington area, snow packed down and frozen into a solid layer of ice on the road. Jan Deferbrache, owner of The Magic Candle at the corner of Audubon and Bonner, said the icy streets were hurting her bottom line.

We lose business if they cant get here, Deferbrache said. Especially with senior citizens, and they cant get down through here.

Deferbrache said she wishes DPW would send salt trucks down her street. She and her neighbors understand theyre on their own to handle the slick conditions.

The neighborhood people who shovel, throw salt out and ride our cars back and forth in order to get it down enough so that customers and other people can get through, she said.

Down the street from the shop, Taylor Thornell was struggling to get his car from the icy street onto his driveway. He said he would love to see a city truck or contractor dropping salt near his house.

Makes it pretty tough, Thornell said. I mean the main streets right there, but it takes forever to get out to them.

Easley said they have discussed altering city policy about treating residential streets. For now, hes not able to give specifics.

As of Tuesday, DPW has a full callout of 80 drivers working on primary and secondary streets. Those routes will continue until 11:00 p.m.

After Tuesday, Easley said 24 trucks will continue to watch for trouble spots into Wednesday morning.

Go here to see the original:
Indy DPW: No plans to call in contractors to treat residential streets this week - FOX 59 Indianapolis

TROY The city of Troy wishes to provide the following guidelines on the citys winter weather treatment policies.

General overview

This information is intended to help residents and drivers understand the citys approach to dealing with typical winter storms. It is a general guideline only because each winter event is unique and must be attacked individually. Pre-treatment, plowing, and salting operations will be evaluated on an event-by-event basis, based on the type, temperature, severity, longevity, and timing of the winter event.

Every road in Troy is classified as either a primary, secondary, or tertiary (local) street. Primaries include main arteries, state routes, hills, bridges, and the streets immediately surrounding schools. Secondary roads connect primary roads to local residential streets. Local streets include residential roads, dead-end streets, and cul-de-sacs.

A map showing the roadway classifications can be found at http://www.troyohio.gov/DocumentCenter/View/737.

When possible, the city will pre-treat the streets with a liquid brine mix. It can only be applied on dry pavement or when the weather forecast does not anticipate rain before snowfall. Brine pre-treatment is only effective before a snow event and only for small storms forecast for one inch or less of accumulation. This treatment will also help alleviate larger snows from bonding to the road making it easier to plow. When the forecast allows, city crews may pre-treat local streets one or two days in advance of the forecasted event. Primaries will be pre-treated as close to the forecasted event as possible, to minimize the elimination of brine by heavy vehicular traffic.

Salting operations

Primary roads are the first priority for salting, which will occur any time the roads become icy and slick and when snow accumulation is less than three inches. Depending upon the road conditions and other factors, secondary and local streets will also be salted, either at the same time or directly after salting of primary roads is completed.

Plowing operations

Plowing may begin once primary roads are generally covered by three or more inches of snow, regardless of the time of day or night of the event. Often, the city plows when there is less than three inches of accumulation due to the weight of the snow, severity of the event, speed at which snow is falling, etc. Please note that in the case of a major event (four or more inches of snow), plowing of local streets may be restricted to providing a single path, in order to provide two-way traffic on these streets.

Troy residents and business owners are reminded that City Codified Ordinances will require all property owners to not blow, shovel, or plow snow into city streets. Violators may receive a ticket and fine.

Property owners are also required to keep their sidewalks free and clear of ice and snow. In doing so, please be sure to do the following:

Shovel snow from driveways and place it to the right side (looking out the driveway to the street) of your driveway. This places the snow past the driveway, so snow plows will not plow the snow back into your driveway. The city cannot come back to plow out driveways.

Push the snow away from any fire hydrants and storm sewercatch basins. Keeping hydrants clear will greatly assist the Fire Department in the case of a fire, and the open catch basins allow melting snow to drain and not flood the streets.

Remove vehicles parked on the streets, so that plow trucks can plow to the curb and vehicles are not plowed in with snow.

For questions or comments regarding snow and ice removal, please contact the city of Troy Central Service and Maintenance Facility at 937-335-1914.

Read the original post:
Troy releases winter weather treatment info - Troy Daily News

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

It's crunch time for Indian Canyon Drive's conversion project in downtown Palm Springs and city staff said last month major road closures were expected this week.

But justa few days ago, they announced plans changedand traffic will now be able to flow through the project site, albeit at a slower pace.

This week's work involves paving and the city originally expected full closures that would change each day and require zero vehicles in areas under construction. Instead, workers will be working lane-by-lane and leave two open for traffic.

The lane closures will likely cover "several blocks at a time," Senior Civil Engineer Donn Uyeno said. The nearest alternate routes to the east are Avenida Caballeros and Sunrise Way.

Access will be available to businesses on Indian Canyon, but driveways will essentially be cut in half and "slightly larger than the width of a car," Uyeno added.

Business owners and their customers should plan ahead and look for other places to park.City staff has been referring everyone to the downtown parking structure or underground garage.

Traffic backs up on northbound Indian Canyon Drive at Alejo Road in Palm Springs on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 as part of a conversation project. The road is being converted to a two-way street and paving is scheduled to last all week on Indian Canyon between Alejo and Camino Parocela.(Photo: Colin Atagi/The Desert Sun)

Traffic news: Ironman La Quinta traffic not as bad as last year

Traffic news: Thanksgiving traffic congests Interstate 10 through San Gorgonio Pass

Paving may be scheduled to last only this week, but Indian Canyon willstill be a one-way road and the final conversion won't happen until the week of Jan. 5.

Twonorthbound lanes are being removed and one will be used for southbound traffic and the other will be converted into a center turnlane. Roadside parking will remain. Sidewalks will be adjusted, and traffic signals will be renovated or replaced as far north as Tachevah Drive so traffic flow can remain steady.

Work is scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Jan. 5, and a new section of the road will have two-way traffic by each morning, according to the city. Unless weather causes problems, adjustments are as scheduled:

Holiday travel begins later this week

Travel experts say Friday may be the day everyone begins hittingthe road for the holidays.

The busiest travel days by air are Dec. 21-23, but the entire travel period lasts through Jan. 1, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

With unemployment at record lows and household net worth at record highs, more Americans and Southern Californians are feeling able to afford holiday vacations, said Filomena Andre, the Auto Clubs vice president for travel products and services.

Anaheim is a top destination on a national level, so roads in or near Orange County will likely be congested. Top destinations for Southern Californians include Las Vegas, San Diego, the Central Coast, Grand Canyon and Mexico.

Use that information when deciding where to travel for the rest of the month. You may just want to avoid those areas.

Desert Sun reporter Colin Atagi covers crime, public safetyandroadand highway safety. He can be reached at Colin.Atagi@desertsun.com or follow him at @tdscolinatagi.

Read or Share this story: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/traffic/2019/12/15/major-works-happening-week-indian-canyons-conversion/4410075002/

The rest is here:
There's major work for Indian Canyon's conversion, but traffic has more room than expected - Desert Sun

"I truly believe the best things in life are a result of being bold and being real. Megan Rapinoe endorsing 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren.by Zinhle Essamuah

Published on 12/14/2019 at 7:00 PM

The House took ahistoric step forwardtoward the impeachment of President Donald Trump today, withthe Judiciary Committee approving the articles of impeachment and sending them to the House floor for a full vote next week. The committee vote took place this morning aftera ridiculous number of hours of debateover the past two days, wherein Republicans introduced a slew of amendments to try and slow the process and kill the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.All of them failed. We know theres been a lot of procedural updates on impeachment that have been a little hard to follow, but this isthe final step before Trump is formally impeached, so its a major one.

The two articles were approved in a 23-17 vote, with Democrats voting for it and Republicans voting against it. Read the articles of impeachment against Trumphere.

Know This:Donald J. Trump is now only the fourth president in U.S. history to face impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested and charged in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Tessa Majors, a student at Barnard College in New York City,according to local news reports. Law enforcement officials sayMajors was walking through a park near campus when a group of boys (four or five, according to witnesses) tried to rob her. She was stabbed at some point during the struggle and died in the hospital. The 13-year-old arrested was charged with second-degree felony murder, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon, but will not be tried as an adult. His statement to investigators led them totwo other 14-year-old suspects potentially involved in the incident.Majors death has shocked and shaken the community at Barnard, a small, all-womens school in NYCs Morningside Heights neighborhood that is affiliated with Columbia University.The city is offering counseling to students and increasing law enforcement presence near the park.

Know This:Tessa Majors was originally from Virginia and was attending her first year at Barnard College. Students say she was interested in journalism and music.We are devastated by the senseless loss of our beautiful and talented Tess,her family said in a statement. We are thankful for the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from across the country.

Major League Baseball and the Players Association announced big changes to the leagues drug abuse program.Minor league players will now be tested for addictive drugs like opioids and no longer tested for weed. Major league players on a 40-man roster are not tested for weed, but non-40 man roster players in the minor leagues were. The consequences for a positive weed test on a players first offense has been a suspension of 50 games and13 players were suspended in 2019. Now the league istreating cannabis use the same as alcohol use, where players could be disciplined for related misconduct.Opioids and cocaine were among a list of drugs added to the list of banned substances. If a player tests positive for one of these so-called drugs of abuse, they will be referred to a board of experts who will deliver a personalized drug treatment plan a significant shift in drug-testing policy from punishment and isolation to treatment and prevention.Players will also be required to undergo aneducation program on the dangers of opioid pain medications, as well as practical approaches to cannabis use. The new rules will be in effect during 2020 Spring Training."The opioid epidemic in our country is an issue of significant concern to Major League Baseball,"said MLB Deputy Commissioner & Chief Legal Officer Dan Halem. "It is our hope that this agreement which is based on principles of prevention, treatment, awareness and education will help protect the health and safety of our Players."

KnowThis:The change in drug policy comes afterAngels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died in July and was found to have fentanyl and opioids in his system. Fentanyl was not explicitly listed on the MLBs banned substances list at the time.

The Federal Communications Commission hasunanimously approved a planfor a 3-digit suicide prevention number: 988. The number will link callers to a network of already-operating crisis centers around the country. This network isnt new (you can access 100+ call centers by calling 1-800-273-TALK orchatting online), but the FCC says the number will"make it easier for Americans in crisis to access potentially life-saving resources."Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) applauded the FCCs moveon Twitterand urged Congress to move forward on thebipartisan billhe proposed in October, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act. The bill (with the same aim of setting up the 988 hotline) was co-sponsored by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The 988 number is not yet operational andwon't be available by text, but Lines for Life offers a text service you can access by texting 273TALK to 839863. All major phone providers have been asked to accommodate the 988 number within 18 months.

Know This:The U.S. suicide rate is up 33% since 1999,according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.It is the 10th leading cause of death in the country. If you or someone you know is in crisis, there are resources for you: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visitSpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.

Tomorrow marks seven years since the heartbreaking shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, in which 26victims were killed: 20 children (all ages 6 or 7) and six educators. The shooter (who also killed his mother before going to the school) carried30-round, high-capacity magazines and shot 154 bullets in less than 5 minutes that day.The tragedy shook the nation. President Barack Obama gave emotional remarks in anational addressfollowing the tragedy."The holidays have never been the same,Mark Barden, the father of one of the young victims, saidin remembrance of his son Daniel. I remember he used to run out onto the driveway, sometimes barefoot on the cold pavement, to give his cousins a big hug when they would arrive for the celebration. He loved his family more than anything. Barden is the founder ofSandy Hook Promise,which trains students and adults to know the signs of gun violence.Though this tragedy happened seven years ago,mass shootings involving high-capacity magazines have continued to plague the country, with gun reform advocates even releasinga 2018 yearbookhighlighting all the students lost to school shootings last year. Since then, survivors and advocates have published powerful PSAs (including a chillingback-to-school essentialsvideo, where kids highlight their bulletproof school items) and have pushed fornew legislation imploring Congress to move gun reform legislation forward. Years later, many parents of the victims remainovercome with palpable grief, andthe community continues to mournthe loss of these young lives. If the Sandy Hook children were alive, theyd be in junior high today.

Know This:Shockingly, thistragedy has been shadowed by far-right conspiracy theories and online trolls. Lenny Pozners 6-year-old son was killed in the shooting, and ever since,hes been the target of death threats fueled by far-right commentator Alex Jones conspiracy theorythat his son's murder was a hoax and that the event was fueled by crisis actors.Pozner and his family have relocated at least seven times as a result of the targeting. Heres what thegrieving father has to say.One last thing:The official UK election results are in,confirmingthat Prime Minister Boris Johnson has won a large majority.The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said late last night that he will resign his position early next year.Thanks for reading. Be kind to yourself this weekend, and well see you next week!

Zinhle Essamuah,KnowThis Host and Correspondent; Sari Soffer, Supervising Producer, NowThis; andVersha Sharma, Senior Correspondent, NowThis

Read this article:
KnowThis: Why This Sport Won't Test Players For Weed Anymore - NowThis

Vehicles pass through the intersection at Interstate 10 and Baseline Road in Tempe on Dec. 10, 2019.(Photo: Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic)

Over the past few months, The Arizona Republic has revieweddata from numerous Valley cities to assess which intersections have had the most vehicle crashes.

From the West Valley to East Valley, The Republic pinpointedintersections with the highest number of collisions from 2016 through 2018, which for most cities was themost recent complete year of data available. Using those numbers, The Republic identified what could be considered the most dangerous intersections in those cities.

The data shows more than half of the intersection-related collisions across the Valley occurred at or within about a mile of major freeways, where traffic tends to back up.

In several cities, the same major road is tied to multiple intersections that are among the most crash prone among them McDowell and Indian School roads in Phoenix,Bell Road in Surprise, Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale and Rural Road in Tempe.

The Republic's review of Phoenix found intersections where the greatest number of accidents occurred during the period reviewed were on the west side of the city, between Camelback and McDowell roads, and 27th and 75th Avenues in areas not far from major freeways.

"Many of Phoenixs roads carry a high volume of traffic; in fact, it is not uncommon to have 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles per day travel through our major intersections. Additionally, several of our major roads have over five or up to seven lanes of traffic," said Ashley Patton, a city spokeswoman.

Overall, the city has 65,857 intersection-related crashes over the three-year period.

The Republic used the crash data to determine which intersections have been the most dangerous over the three-year period reviewed in major Valley cities. The review relied on overall crashes rather than just fatalities because in most cities, traffic deaths are spread among numerous intersections and locations, whereas numerous crashes can occur at or near a single location.

Here is what the review found, followed by some further explanation and possible solutions:

Between 2016 and 2018, these intersections in the city of Phoenix had the most collisions, according toPatton.

Among those west Phoenixintersections, 51st, 67th and 75th avenues which run in a north-south direction connect to Interstate 10.McDowell Road is less than a quarter-mile north of the freeway, while Indian School is about 2.2 miles north of I-10.In addition,27th Avenue is about a quarter mile west of Interstate 17.

Overall, there were 465 fatal intersection-related collisions in Phoenix during the period, Patton said.

The intersections at27th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, Seventh Street and McDowell Road, 43rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road, Baseline Road andJesse Owens Parkway, 43rdandMissouri avenues, 43rd Avenue andHubbell Street and 83rdandVirginia avenues had the most fatal intersection-related collisions during that time, each totaling three, said Patton.

PEDESTRIAN DEATHS: Phoenix's deadly streets became even deadlier in 2018

From 2016-18, the following intersections in Scottsdale had the most traffic collisions, according toSam Taylor, a traffic engineeringanalystfor the city:

The city had more than 9,300 intersection-related collisions between 2016 and 2018, which includes minor and local intersections, said Taylor. Heexplainedthat Scottsdale classifies all collisions within 100 feet of an intersection as intersection-related.

Among the top 5, the two on Shea Boulevard were close tothe Loop 101 freeway, along with the No. 1 intersection at Frank Lloyd Wright. The other two were in south Scottsdale.

Scottsdale had a total of 21 fatal intersection-related collisions during those three years, according to Taylor. He added thatnone of those collisions occurred at the same intersection during that time.

AAA REPORT:Arizona ranks highest in nation for deadly red-light crashes

InGilbert, Val Vista Drive, a major north-south road that extends northward into Mesa, comes up multiple times among the intersections with the most collisions from2016 to 2018, according to dataprovided to The Republic by Sgt. Mark Marino of the Gilbert Police Department:

Of the 4,870 intersection-related collisions investigated by the city, 21 were fatal collisions that occurred at various locations across the town, according to Marino.He added that Gilbert classifies all collisions within 150 feet of an intersection as intersection-related.

During that same three-year period,the followingintersections in Tempe hadthe most collisions, according to data analyzed by The Republic:

Of approximately6,540 intersection-related collisions between 2016 and 2018, 15 were fatal, the data showed. While two of the fatal collisions occurred at the same intersection ofRural Road and Southern Avenue in 2016 and 2017, the others occurred at various intersections throughout the city.

Tempe has three major freeways that touch the landlocked community: Interstate 10, Loop 101 and Loop 202.

In Mesa, there were approximately8,600intersection-related collisions between 2015 and 2017, according todata analyzed by The Republic. Crash data reports for all of 2018 was not yet available, said Jason Flamofthe Mesa Police Department.

The data showed that the following intersections had the most collisions during the two-year period for which data was available:

In thoseyears, there was a total of 36fatal intersection-related collisions, according to the data.The data provided to The Republic did not specify ifanyintersections experiencedmorefatal collisions than others but Flam said amajority of the city's fatal collisions do not occur at intersections.

In Chandler, the following intersections had the most collisions from 2016 though 2018, according to data provided to The Republic:

The city had a total of 11,329 traffic collisions from 2016 through2018, 32 of which were fatal collisions, according to Seth Tyler, a spokesman for the Chandler Police Department. It's unclear how many of those total collisions and fatalitieswere intersection-related.

According toDebbie Albert, a traffic engineer for Glendale, these intersections had the mostcollisions between 2015 and 2017:

The city had a total of8,348 intersection-related collisions during those three years,29 of which were fatal, said Albert.Two of those fatal collisions occurred at Glendale and 83rd avenues while the rest occurred at various intersections throughout the city, she added.

In Glendale, collisionswithin 300 feet of an intersection are typically classified asintersection-related, according to Albert.

Peoria had approximately 6,400intersection-related collisions,according to 2016-2018data analyzed by The Republic. The data showed the following intersections had the most collisions:

There were 19 fatal intersection-related collisions during that time, none of which occurred at the same intersection, according to the data.

The following intersections in Surprise hadthe most collisions between 2016 and 2018, according to data provided to The Republic:

The data showed that the city had approximately 2,800 traffic collisions during that time, however, it's unclear how many of those were intersection-related.

Additionally, in those three years, Surprisehad a total offour fatal traffic collisions, all of which occurred at separate intersections, according to the data.

AZ DATA CENTRAL: These are the deadliest areas for pedestrians

For some of the cities, failure to yield, speed and disregarding the traffic signal were some of the major factors inmany of theintersection-related collisions.

"Speed too fast" was the highest-ranked violation committed by drivers in allintersection-related collisions in Mesa over the past three years,according to Flam, who added that "speed too fast" does not automatically mean the driver was exceeding the speed limit.

Failure to yield and disregarding thetraffic signal were the highest-rankedviolationsin the city's fatal intersection-related collisions, he added.

The violations were among the top factors in fatal and non-fatal intersection-related collisions in Phoenix, as well, according to Patton.

To improve safety, Phoenix's Street Transportation Departmentupgraded15 traffic signals with left-turn arrows last fiscal year upgrading left-turn arrows to flashing yellow arrows and addingleft-turn arrows orflashing yellow arrows tosignals that didn't have them, according to Patton. Several other Valley cities have adopted that system as well.

Research and studiesshowthat the upgrades could help reduce collisions, with flashing yellow arrows alone reducing collisions by 25%, she said, citingCrash Modification FactorsClearinghouse study published four years ago.

Phoenix also rebuilt 14traffic signals to meet current standards and improve visibility, installed 11 new traffic signals at unsignaled intersections and added advanced detectionto six traffic signals, said Patton.

She explained that advanced detection is atraffic signal technology that waits for a gap in traffic before turning yellow to minimize the number of timesa driver decides between drivingthrough a yellow light or stopping.

In the next three years, the department plans to upgrade more than 100 traffic signals, according to Patton, who also cited a more fundamental solution to reducing crashes.

"The city also encourages the public to obey traffic laws at all times and to stay alert on our roadways," said Patton, adding that the city'ssafety campaign, Heads Up, offers a list of safety tips for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Marino said many of the collisions in Gilbert weredue to "some sort of documented inattention."

"Traffic concentration around a high school, as an example of the intersection of Germann Road and Val Vista Drive, coupled with newer drivers, cellphone usage while driving and other distractions are recipes for collisions on all streets in the Valley," he said.

According to Marino, the townis examining data to determine if any crash trends existnearLoop 202and South Val Vista Drive, which he said is the town's worst intersection, averaging one collision every two weeks or26 collisions per year.

In the meantime, the Gilbert police areoperating an unmarked aggressive driving vehicle throughouttown that aims to enforce traffic laws and correct driving behaviors that have the tendency to cause collisions, said Marino.

An ArizonaGovernor's Office of Highway Safetygrant covered the vehicle's more than $47,000 price tag, according to a Sept. 23 Facebook post from the Gilbert Police Department.

"Drivers tend to drive differently when a fully marked police car or motorcycle is traveling with them in traffic.The (aggressive driving) car is built to blend in with traffic and is targeting drivers that are dangerous to the community and are driving with no regard to your safety," explained Marino.

Similar to Phoenix,the town utilizes "smart intersections" that evaluate traffic volume and lane occupancy and cycles the intersection accordingly to ensure efficiency and safety, according to Marino.

The town has also implemented asafe-driving campaign, "Speed Down. Eyes Up. Drive Safely,"that emphasizes safe driving.

Among the intersections in Glendale with the highest number of collisions over the past three years, 1/3 were rear-end collisions and another 1/3 were left-turn collisions while the remainder were other crash types, Albert said.

In addition to education and enforcementbyGlendale's traffic education team and police, Albert said the city is"working aggressively" to install flashing yellow arrows at all majorintersections because national studies have shown that they are better understood intelling drivers they need to yield.

The flashing yellow arrows will be installed at a total of 45 intersections, with a focus on major intersections such as59th and Glendale avenuesand 51stand Peoria avenues, she added.

She added that median islands are also being installed to limit turning movements at driveways closeto signalized intersections.

"The transportation team will continue to identify locations that need additional improvements and secure funding to implement the enhancements," said Albert. "We also encourage drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to be vigilant around traffic. Please put down your phone and obey the traffic signals, signs and pavement markings."

Reach the reporter at chelsea.curtis@arizonarepublic.comor follow her on Twitter@curtis_chels.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-traffic/2019/12/17/most-dangerous-intersections-phoenix-area-over-past-3-years/3857239002/

View original post here:
Which intersections are the most dangerous in Valley cities? Here's what we found - AZCentral

The Japanese have a wordkuchisabishiithat describes the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition well. It's best understood as the term for when you eat something not because youre hungry but because your mouth is bored. The Heritage Edition doesnt need to exist, same as Toyota doesnt really need to sell Land Cruisers in America anymore given our paltry share of the international sales pie. Yet it does, and its damn tasty either way.

Thats not to directly compare one of the worlds legendary SUVs with empty calories. As equipped in the American market, the 200 Series Land Cruiser is a fairly brilliant truck, melding its rugged heritage and superlative capability with a sensible approach to modern comfort. Even if an $86,710 sticker price might shock when you step back and see a gussied-up UN vehicle, consider that Mercedes-Benz has been pulling the same thing at twice the price with the G-Wagen and making out like a bandit for decades. Toyotas low-volume Cruiser business here in the States still generates around $279 million in revenue annually, and that's without counting the Lexus LX. If you do count the LX, the revenue total for Toyota was $710 million in 2018. Not exactly peanuts.

Toyota

But given its formulaic, three-squares approach since the 200 Series launched in 2007one trim, one option, no marketingit's easy to see why Toyota whipped up the 2020 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition. It's nominally a minimalist adventurer appearance package accented by bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima MegaWarrior roof basket. More than a decade into the current series (Land Cruiser generations move on geologic time scales), it's also the closest the world's largest automaker has come to a bored-mouth snack involving its most iconic vehicle.

Again, this isn't a bad thing at all. The opposite, in fact. The Heritage Edition looks great, drives great, and is great. It just doesn't feel like it's meeting a vital need the way the regular Land Cruiser does, nor does it scan as a gluttonous blowout truly celebrating its six decades of production ahead of an uncertain future. Kuchisabishii.

Toyota

The Toyota Land Cruiser has changed as much as anyone would over sixty-odd years, and the four-door, roofed 200 Series stands worlds apart from the pokey 1958 FJ25 that Toyota shipped over back then as the first Land Cruiser sold on these shores. (By the way, that two-door convertible model survives in unrestored condition at the excellent Land Cruiser Heritage Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah.) The "base" 2020 truck will look familiar to everyoneits design has gone unchanged since a 2015 facelift, and its profile has been with us since 2007. Good thing it's a handsome, blocky fella, with a drawn-out grille to accentuate its 78-inch width and a noticeably upright greenhouse.

An untrained observer could mistake it for a Toyota Sequoia, that other three-row, V-8, body-on-frame SUV in the American lineup, except the Sequoia is more than ten inches longer, bigger in every dimension, and also it's not a Land Cruiser and never will be. We digress. As mentioned up top, the $2,330 upcharge for the Heritage Edition nets the following exterior tweaks: 18-inch bronze BBS wheels, darkened chrome trim on the grille, deleted running boards, a Yakima roof basket, a sweet retro badge, and a paint choice of Midnight Black Metallic or Blizzard Pearl.

Toyota

Adding the roof rack, removing the running boards, and swapping in smaller wheels make the biggest visual impacts. It's a conservative upfit, no doubt. But the simplicity is still compelling. $87,000 compelling? Different discussion.

Fitting for a truck that's more common in war zones than American driveways, the interior is laid out with dutiful practicality, all straight lines and big buttons and analog gauges. Cabin comfort is one place where we're glad to leave the old Land Cruisers behind, and Toyota relies on materials like wood and semi-aniline leather to soften the UN Peacekeeper experience for domestic buyers, plus extras like heated and ventilated seats and a center console refrigeratorsorry, "cool box."

Toyota

The Heritage Edition comes with black leather, bronze contrast stitching, all-weather floor mats, no third row, and no cool box for maximum storage. (Toyota reasons that you'll bring a real cooler along anyway, what with the 53.5 cubic feet of space back there without the far back seats.) Don't look for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in that nine-inch touchscreen, however.

Toyota

There are typically two complaints lobbed at the Toyota Land Cruiser interior: it's boring, and it's too fancy for what the truck actually is. To the first camp, we'll just point out that the Land Cruiser was not built to impress you. It doesn't have an art degree because its utilitarian buyers around the world still don't care. And to the second critique, the truck as it exists in America 2019 isn't marketed to you. Toyota knows you and a few other ragamuffins want a downmarket Land Cruiser. But that's not what it's trying to do here.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition is less about going further off-road than looking better in the process. That's not a problem when the base truck is as otherworldly durable as a 200 Series. When you write a check for $87 grand, what you're paying for is the million-mile engineering needed to take the Land Cruiser safely to the globe's toughest and roughest edges. We're not exaggerating; much of the vehicle is designed for a 25-year service life. Everything from suspension components to window glass is thicker and stronger and utterly overbuilt compared to flimsy modern crossovers or even the full-size pickups we hold dear as Americans.

Toyota

Sheer toughness and a solid rear axle will only get you so farpretty damn far, but there are limitsso the Land Cruiser also has a low-range transfer case with a center differential lock, multi-terrain AWD settings, off-road cruise control, and a system that brakes the inner wheels for an off-road pivot-turn. It runs in a permanent 4HI mode with a 40/60 front-to-back torque split that can vary as needed. Lastly, Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System automatically adjusts the sway bars to provide excellent wheel articulation without ruining on-road handling. You can feel the KDSS loosening things up as you bounce off the pavement, shift into low range, and start climbing your first rocky hill.

Toyota

With 8.9 inches of ground clearance and off road angles of 32 approach/21 breakover/24 departure, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser isn't the most out-and-out capable crawler in the lineup. That honor belongs to the 2020 4Runner TRD Pro, as does woeful technology and a dated five-speed transmission. True to its name, what the Land Cruiser represents is the cushiest, safest way to conquer mountains. It made quick work of both the demonstration off-road course Toyota set up in the hills outside Eagle Mountain, Utah and an extracurricular detour over a challenging rock pile.

Toyota

As the most expensive vehicle Toyota sells in America, though, it had better drive well on the road. The trucky Land Cruiser does what it can. Its 5.7-liter, 381-horsepower V-8 (shared with the Tundra pickup) pulls strong with a decent grumble, though peak torque doesn't hit until 3,600 RPM and you'll notice the delay in higher gears. It doesn't help that the eight-speed transmission sometimes feels like it's taking a wild guess when you put your foot down, dropping too far for having over 400 lb-ft of torque on tap or pausing before slamming into the correct gear with an audible thud.

So, not all roses. But apart from that the 2020 Land Cruiser rides like any other large SUVheavy, tall, and reassuringly softdespite its antediluvian construction. KDSS also works on pavement as a hydraulic stabilizer system to limit body roll, so it's composed in turns and a peaceful long-distance rig overall. The only thing to really warn about for daily driving is the abysmal fuel economy: 14 miles per gallon combined. Even a 24.6 gallon tank feels small.

Even in cases like this, where the historic connection is clear and unbroken, automakers often try to keep a least a little daylight between present-day models and their older counterparts. It makes sense: Old cars are cool, and generally new cars are not. Put them in the lineup, and what should be a proud evolutionary timeline often ends up looking like a March of Progress parody ending in a fat man.

Toyota

That's why it was a surprise when Toyota arranged to borrow five historic Land Cruisers from the Salt Lake City museum collection for us to drive alongside the 2020 Heritage Edition. Sprung for the day was a 1977 FJ40, a 1977 FJ55, a 1984 FJ60, a 1991 FJ80, and a 2004 UJZ100. All stand as key stages in the Land Cruiser's growth from a military runabout to a globe-stomping status symbol.

Toyota

1977 FJ40 Land Cruiser (Production: 1960 - 1983)

Toyota

1977 FJ55 Land Cruiser (Production: 1968 - 1979)

That humble FJ40, even with its unlined interior, barn doors, and scepter of a four-speed shifter, has leather bucket seats and soft springs to deliver a surprisingly comfortable ride. (If you can get past the racket from the 4.2-liter straight six engine at speed, that is.) The "Iron Pig" FJ55 debuted as one of the few four-door family SUVs in 1967, and even if it shared its platform and powertrain with the FJ40, it was still designed to advance the Land Cruiser's mission. Its successor, the FJ60, brought the first fully-insulated and modernized interior, though the SUV market was starting to simmer in the 1980s. So Toyota took a radical leap forward with the 1991 FJ80, adding more luxurious appointments, coil springs, a full-time 4WD system, airbags and ABS, and the streamlined design that signaled the end of sharp corners for the Land Cruiser. Still had a straight-six engine, though.

Toyota

1984 FJ60 Land Cruiser (Production: 1980 - 1990)

Toyota

1991 FJ80 Land Cruiser (Production: 1990 - 1997)

Apart from varying levels of comfort and sound deadening, they also all drove remarkably similar on and off the pavement. Extremely slowof the four, only the FJ80 could muscle past 35 mph on an uphill grade at 7,000 feet in the mountainsand very noisy, but endearingly blunt like only an old truck on solid axles can be. We weren't pushing any limits in these museum pieces, but the simple fact that all they needed to drive was a fresh battery and a fluid check speaks to the insane longevity of Land Cruisers.

Toyota

2004 UJZ100 Land Cruiser (Production: 1998 - 2007)

The one truck we haven't touched upon is the 1998-2007 UJZ100, representing the largest leap forward yet. It was the first Land Cruiser with a V-8 engine and independent front suspension, two key departures that make the 100 much closer in feel to the 200 Series than to any of its predecessors. It just drives like a contemporary Toyota, even if the lack of KDSS means body roll can be excessive.

And what did the 200 Series Land Cruiser contribute to its kind? Incremental improvements in power, frame strength, and comfort, all undeniable. But whenever Toyota decides to sunset the current generation, we have a feeling it will be remembered for the off-road tech it introduced to the name. (Unless the rumors of it leaving the North American market in 2022 are true, in which case, yeah, that will be its epitaph.) KDSS is probably the biggest highlight, the way it's produced the most comfortable Land Cruiser while giving up little in capability. Even if we're eons past the FJ40's agricultural-tool approach, the 200 Series is still building on the same reputation, one advancement (or two) at a time.

Toyota

What it won't be remembered for is the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition. Not because it's a silly idea, but because the normal truck is its own heritage edition. Adding a roof rack or a smaller wheel doesn't make it any more connected to its past or give it a sense of vitality. There was room to go all out here in a celebration of spirit, with a lift and a rear locker and real off-road tires, but absent that we're more than happy to enjoy the sustenance of the regular Land Cruiser.

See the rest here:
2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Review: This Aging Star Still Matters - The Drive

Tonight's Public Affairs show with Gary Rabine, CEO [Rabine Group] airs in Chicago, 25 Chicago Metro N & NW suburbs and Evanston, See detailed airing schedule, below

Gary Rabine: If I were born with a few billion dollars, I might be the same way as JB Pritzker, I might be trading businesses. Heck, it's a lot cheaper. All my businesses that I have, these little and mid-sized businesses, I am paying income tax for all profit because I am S corp. and LLCs. JB, he's trading businesses, so he's paying capital gains tax, half of what I am.

Jeff Berkowitz: JB [and many of the Dems], they want to raise your income tax with the progressive income tax. Property taxes, are they high in IL? Workers' comp. insurance, is that high in IL? Are those the kind of things that might drive you out of IL?

Gary Rabine: You mention are they high? High would be to me, higher than the average... but when you are the highest, that's ridiculous, that's crazy high, that's where we're at in IL, we're off our rockers high!

*********

Gary Rabine [CEO, Rabine Group]: Gov. Pritzker said to me, "Gary, you built all your businesses here, your family is all here, you're never gonna go anywhere, I mean, that's exactly how he said it... and God Bless him, if he really believes that that's the case, but that can't be the case, I can't risk...

*********

Jeff Berkowitz: ...[W]hat's your elevator pitch?

Gary Rabine[CEO, Rabine Group]: One of the most important things ... is how I differentiate myself... So first ... we give away ... the best engineering we can find in the world when it comes to pavement, stormwater and structural engineering for roofing, we... say "Here's our engineers, use them how you like to help you plan your properties"...we did that originally through boots on the ground, but today we do that using drones, satellite imagery and artificial intelligence.

*******

Tonight's Chicago Metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features Gary Rabine, ditchdigger CEO of the Rabine Group and advocate for Free Enterprise. [Airing schedule, below]

The program also airs

--in a special airing tonight in Chicago proper, 10:28 pm, Cable Ch. 21 (CAN TV)

-- in Evanston tonight and every night the rest of the week, 8:30 pm, Cable Ch. 6

Gary Rabine discusses with show host Jeff Berkowitz how capitalism satisfies consumer demand and creates jobs and opportunities- when innovation and competition are allowed to operate in a free market environment.

Rabine discusses with host Jeff Berkowitz how he began, after graduating from high school, a driveway paving business that was transformed, eventually, into a group of major companies that have been a source of quality jobs, growth, opportunity and wealth for his employees and himself, and improved choices for his customers, both in and out of Illinois.

Rabine and Berkowitz discuss and debate, among other issues, the pluses and minuses of Governors Rauner & Pritzker, IL pension reform-- amending the IL Constitution to allow reduction of government pension benefits and giving IL cities and villages the power to file for bankruptcy, Gov. Pritzker's proposed IL progressive income tax (on the Nov. 2020 ballot) and Democratic Party Presidential Primary candidates and President Trump.

Rabine also discusses what is necessary for IL to become more competitive in business and a better environment for its residents to work, grow and enjoy their lives and families.

The half hour program airs:

--Tonight in 25 Chicago Metro North & Northwest suburbs at 8:30 pm

-on Cable Ch. 19in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield,Palatine, Rolling Meadows andWilmetteand

-on Comcast Cable Ch. 35in Arlington Heights,Bartlett,Glenview,Golf,Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg,Skokie, Streamwood andWheeling

You can also watch 24/7 the program featuring Ditch Digger CEO Gary Rabine by clicking here

**************************

Gary Rabine [CEO, Rabine Group]: Gov. Pritzker said to me, "Gary, you built all your businesses here, your family is all here, you're never gonna go anywhere, I mean, that's exactly how he said it... and God Bless him, if he really believes that that's the case, but that can't be the case, I can't risk the lives & jobs we are talking about, I can't risk all these jobs just because I want to be here- right?

Berkowitz: If you could persuade [those in control of] the IL State Government to change and start going in the other direction: [LEGISLATE] lower property taxes, lower income taxes, [Don't support] a progressive income tax, [ADOPT THE NEEDED REFORMS TO] lower workers compensation rates, would that be Nirvana for you?

From Public Affairs, taped on November 18, 2019 in the Chicago Loop offices of Residco

Filed under: Uncategorized

Tags: Amending IL constitution to allow for a progressive income taxes. Amending IL constitution to allow for pension reform, building a business, capitalsim, Gary Rabine, Governor Pritzker, Governor Rauner, IL business environment, IL business reforms, IL high property taxes, IL pension reform, IL progressive income tax, IL property taxes, IL workers comp. insurance, impact of unions, JCN, Jeanne Ives, Jeff Berkowitz, job creators network, making IL a competitive business environment, paving parking lots, Public Affairs, Rabine Group, reducing IL property taxes. Entrepreneurship, right to work, socialism, union shop, young presidents organization, YPO

Read the original post:
Better than Bears v.Packers,Berkowitz w/Ditchdigger CEO Rabine in Chicago, Suburbs & Evanston on business & life: Cable&Web - ChicagoNow

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --When it comes to the perfect outdoor space, it is important to pay attention to every last detail from the choice of outdoor furniture right down to the paving. Creating that perfect zen is something that everyone strives towards achieving and it is far too easy to overlook the importance of making sure they have the best-quality paving installed. That's where Eminent Pavers comes in. One of L.A's top-rated interlocking paverinstallers, Eminent is the go-to company for all paving requirements.

What does Eminent Pavers offer?

They offer an exceptional service that specializes in designing and installing high-quality paving including driveways, pool decks, planters and steps, patios, fire pits, walkways and BBQs using proven, sturdy materials to an outstanding standard. Eminent Pavers combines years of experience with a wealth of knowledge to offer the client a service that goes above and beyond. So, just what do they offer?

Why use Eminent Pavers?

While the above gives an insight into what Eminent can offer that makes them a top choice for paving installation, it needs to be reinforced why they are the company to choose.

For more details, contact:

Mark Ovitch323-842-9464

Related Images

image1.jpg

Related Links

Eminent Construction

Eminent Pavers

SOURCE Eminent Construction

See the original post:
Eminent Construction Offers an Exceptional Service That Specializes in Designing and Installing High-Quality Pavers - PRNewswire

Scottsdale, AZ - With over 10+ years of experience in the asphalt industry providing unrivaled asphalt solutions in New Hampshire, Northern Massachusetts, and the New England area, Curb Appeal Asphalt Services, LLC is excited to be serving Scottsdale, AZ and The Phoenix Valley. They continue to be the #1 choice for many homeowners and business owners thanks to the quality of their services. They are not only known for utilizing high-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology, but are also known for executing commercial and residential asphalt projects on time and on budget. Curb Appeal is fully licensed with a team of experienced and honest staff, as described by many of their past clients.

Curb Appeal Asphalt Services, LLC is owned and operated by Henry Cook, a local entrepreneur and experienced contractor with many years in business working closely with his staff to provide services that exceed their clients' expectations, in terms of quality and availability. Growing up in New Hampshire as the second of five children, Henry developed a sense of responsibility and a strong work ethic from an early age. As a teenager, he started working for his uncles paving business and later, as an adult, he worked in a regional paving firm, where he learned all he knows about the paving industry, experiencing first-hand what a company needs to offer to fulfill both residential and commercial paving needs. Therefore, in 2008 Henry founded his successful business, which has done nothing but grown ever since.

Henry is known for having great involvement on each project performed by his staff, as he personally supervises each project, no matter how big or small, and even works side-by-side with his team wearing the same Curb Appeal uniform shirt that everyone else wears. Im there because I care about quality and relationships, explains Henry. Clients entrust my team and me with their property, and we value their trust and want to earn their referrals. Its the right thing to do and its how we maintain happy repeat customers one parking lot or driveway at a time.

Curb Appeal Asphalt Services, LLC is known for offering a comprehensive variety of services for both residential and commercial needs including parking lot paving, driveway paving, parking lot seal coating, parking lot striping, parking lot patching, parking lot curbing, and more. All of their services, from commercial parking lots to residential driveways, are performed with state-of-the-art equipment and world-class products to guarantee long-lasting results. High-traffic, mission-critical firms including Dunkin Donuts, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Applebees (to name a few) have entrusted Curb Appeal Asphalt Services, LLC with their parking lot sealcoating and other asphalt maintenance needs for a reason.

In contrast to many of their competitors, Curb Appeal Asphalt Services, LLC offers services performed by skilled and well-established technicians, with at least 5 years of hands-on experience performing all types of small and large projects for homes and business owners in the Phoenix area. To this day, owner, Henry Cook, oversees every project their company performs, no matter how big or how small. He takes great pride in his work and in supporting his team in order to deliver residential and commercial paving projects that satisfy the expectations of each and every client.

Curb Appeal Asphalt Services, LLC is located at 17470 N Pacesetter Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Their business hours are from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For high-quality driveway paving and additional commercial and residential paving projects, contact their team via phone at 602-620-9324 or send online inquiries via email to Curbappealsealcoating@gmail.com. For additional information regarding their services or to request a Free Quote, visit their website at: https://curbappealasphaltservicesllc.business.site

Media ContactCompany Name: Curb Appeal Asphalt Services, LLCContact Person: Henry CookEmail: Send EmailPhone: 602-620-9324Address:17470 N Pacesetter Way City: ScottsdaleState: AZCountry: United StatesWebsite: http://www.nhcurbappeal.com

Here is the original post:
Curb Appeal Asphalt Services, LLC is Paving the Way for Commercial Parking Lots and Residential Driveways in Scottsdale, AZ - Press Release - Digital...

Vandals left a bloodlike substance on the front porch, and in the mail box of the Bloomingtonian journalist Jeremy Hogan overnight, which was discovered in the morning, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

In a seemingly coordinated attack overnight, vandals smashed windows, placed nails on driveways, and left a bloodlike substance at the entrances to homes and in mailboxes, including that of the Bloomingtonians sole employee, Jeremy Hogan.

Hogans spouse, Toni Arcuri, discovered a bloodlike substance poured on their homes wooden porch on the way to work just after 8 a.m., in the Waterman neighborhood. Hogan called the police to make a report.

The police said that a similar bloodlike substance was also left at the home of controversial Indiana University professor Eric Rasmusen, and a balloon containing a similar substance was thrown at the entrance to the Womens Care Center of Bloomington in the 400 block of South College Avenue.

Joshua Graham, who also lives in the Waterman neighborhood, said the back window of his car was shattered overnight with a brick. He spoke to Hogan after he stopped by to speak to police investigating the incident at Hogans. Graham has been a vocal supporter online, and as a customer, of the Schooner Creek Farm. Hogan reached out to Sarah Dye, suspecting the attack on his home might be related to his coverage in The Bloomingtonian, and Dye said she found nails in her driveway and had filed a police report. Schooner Creek Farm has been the subject of protests for several months at the Bloomington Farmers Market, and The Bloomington has covered the issue. Several activist groups, including B Town Antifa, No Space for Hate and the Purple Shirt Brigade, want the city to ban Schooner Creek from the market, but the city has declined to do so, citing the First Amendment rights of the businesss owners, including Dye.

Dye said in similar incidents, her carwas covered in asimilar bloodlike substance after she had spoken to the GrassrootsConservatives at the Monroe County Library in Ellettsville in September, andshe found a similar bloodlike substance and broken balloon in her mailbox inOctober 2018. She said in that incident,fascist was spray-paintedon the pavement on her property, and an American flag was broken. She filed apolice report with the Brown County Sheriffs Department.

Hogan suspects the attack on his home might be related to his coverage of the Bloomington Farmers Market, because at least two activists have been following Hogan at various times over the past several months, and have told people not to allow him to photograph them. One of the activists, who has pink hair and a large hunting knife, has cursed at Hogan on more than one occasion at close range. Another one of the activists called Hogan a Nazi while he was covering the market. In another instance, the same activists followed Hogan at Bloomington PRIDE, and told people that he photographs people in public without their permission, and walked toward Hogan as if they were going to run into him, but just missed him by a foot or two. Hogan spoke to the police about the intimidation, and was told the police couldnt do anything about it unless someone made a threat.

Its a common practice for journalists to photograph people in public without their permission while covering news events. Hogan often, as a courtesy, attempts to get the permission of people hes photographing, but in a news situation, its not always possible. The First Amendment, and cases decided by the Supreme Court, protect the rights of journalists to do their work in public places.

Around 11:45 a.m., Hogan discovered what appeared to be blood dripping from his closed mailbox. He then saw a postal worker driving a postal vehicle coming to deliver the mail and flagged him down before the worker could open the mailbox. The postal worker called a supervisor, who then called the police, and the police soon arrived at Hogans home again.

Police assessed the threat, and decided the mailbox was likely safe to open, and did so. Inside was a burst balloon, which they said was similar to the one filled with the bloodlike substance used against the Womens Care Center.

Police are currently investigating the series of vandalism incidents. Tampering with a mailbox is a federal crime.

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.6 / 5. Vote count: 49

Liked it? Take a second to support The Bloomingtonian on Patreon!

See the original post here:
String of vandalism incidents continue overnight - The Bloomingtonian