Credit: Rebecca Ryan

Togerson Avenue in North Charleston, just one of the locations seeing storm damage from Tropical Depression Beryl.Two cars outside home damaged from storm debris.

A tree fell on a North Charleston home damaging the home and two cars parked in front of it.

Debris also blew into roads around the Lowcountry leaving crews to clean up the mess in the early morning hours Wednesday.

Tropical Depression Beryl barreled through the Lowcountry overnight causing power ourages, as well. According to SCE&G, several locations in the Tri-County area are experiencing power outages at this time:

Reevesville near Bryant Rd 20-200 affected Est. Restoration Time: 7:30 AM on Wednesday, May 30

Near Town of Dorchester on School House Rd (2 locations) 20-200 affected Est. Restoration Time: 9:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30

Summerville near Hazeltine Bend 20-200 affected Est. Restoration Time: 7:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30

Summerville near Tulip St. Less than 20 affected Est. Restoration Time: 7:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30

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Tropical Depression Beryl and power outages

Credit: Rebecca Ryan

Togerson Avenue in North Charleston, just one of the locations seeing storm damage from Tropical Depression Beryl.Two cars outside home damaged from storm debris.

A tree fell on a North Charleston home damaging the home and two cars parked in front of it.

Debris also blew into roads around the Lowcountry leaving crews to clean up the mess in the early morning hours Wednesday.

Tropical Depression Beryl barreled through the Lowcountry overnight causing power ourages, as well. According to SCE&G, several locations in the Tri-County area are experiencing power outages at this time:

Reevesville near Bryant Rd 20-200 affected Est. Restoration Time: 7:30 AM on Wednesday, May 30

Near Town of Dorchester on School House Rd (2 locations) 20-200 affected Est. Restoration Time: 9:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30

Summerville near Hazeltine Bend 20-200 affected Est. Restoration Time: 7:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30

Summerville near Tulip St. Less than 20 affected Est. Restoration Time: 7:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30

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Tropical Depression Beryl and power outages, damage

A second former executive for a disaster-recovery firm that landed numerous public contracts in and around New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina has been indicted on securities-fraud charges. Brian Marshall, 48, of Tampa, Fla., a former vice president of Home Solutions of America, on Tuesday morning pleaded not guilty to the charges in a Dallas courtroom, according to the office of Sarah Saldana, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Saldana's office has already charged Frank Fradella, 56, of Covington, Home Solutions' former chief executive, with similar crimes. Fradella has been linked to the grand jury investigation of former Mayor Ray Nagin that is being overseen by U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's office, although the Fradella and Marshall indictments do not appear to be directly connected to the Nagin probe.

Fradella is due to stand trial in Dallas in September.

Both Fradella and Marshall are accused of artificially inflating Home Solutions' stock by trumpeting new contracts and revenue that they knew to be phony.

Marshall was president of Fireline Restoration, a Tampa-based subsidiary of Home Solutions. On several occasions, according to the indictment, Fireline issued press releases announcing new contracts it had landed, when the contracts were actually with other entities he controlled. The bogus releases were intended to goose Home Solutions' stock price, according to prosecutors.

Marshall is also accused of ordering employees to create and backdate phony contracts and invoices as part of the scheme.

Fradella is charged with making millions in profits from selling shares of Home Solutions stock after it jumped in the wake of similar bogus announcements. Home Solutions was eventually delisted from the NASDAQ exchange.

Businessman Aaron Bennett, who recently pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges, sold one of his companies to Home Solutions in 2006, and he has said he introduced Nagin to Fradella in January 2007. The introduction came during a trip the three made to Chicago to see the NFC championship game between the Saints and the Bears.

At the time, Home Solutions had deals with Home Depot stores to install granite countertops at customers' homes, and Bennett has said he introduced Nagin to Fradella specifically to help the Nagin family firm get a similar deal with the retailing giant. The Nagins' company, Stone Age, inked a contract with Home Depot a few months later. Among other items, the federal probe into Nagin is examining whether Fradella helped the Nagin family land that deal.

The feds are also investigating the claims of a Florida businessman who says Fradella raided his granite yard and sent some of the assets to Stone Age.

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2nd exec from firm that landed millions in restoration work is indicted on fraud charge

27-05-2012 11:53 is where you can find out more information on this gorgeous Buckhead Restoration Hardware Replica!!! IMAGINE the opportunity to own this LAVISH ENTERTAINER'S ESTATE perfectly situated Near EVERYTHING ATLANTA in the heart of Buckhead!! Capatalize on your opportunity to get in on this lavish estate and enjoy the ULTIMATE in amenities including WIDE OPEN Entertainer's Floor Plan, LAVISH Master Suite on Main with direct access to party deck, SPA-LIKE Master Bath Retreat with Dual Vanities and Whirlpool Tub, EXQUISITE details masterminded of the years and all at a fraction of what you might expect to pay! You're eyes won't belive the top-notch appointments and stunning details. With TWO LEVELS OF FULLY FINISHED PERFECTION, this home is SURE TO PLEASE!!! This gem boasts so many well-appointed features it's hard to cover them all. What I can say for sure is that this home is NOT the home for you if..... *You DON'T need an abundance of space. *You ONLY entertain two times a year. *You want a "FIXER UPPER". *You DON'T want to impress your friends and family. *You're NOT looking for a GREAT value! *You just DON'T enjoy the finer things in life. For more information or to schedule your own private tour, visit or call Winter Baserva directly at 678.463.3173!

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Buckhead Homes for Sale, Restoration Hardware Replica, 1039 Lenox Crest, Atlanta, GA - Video

CROWN POINT | The local CRDN, Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network, won several awards at the convention in Florida in April. The Northern Indiana division received five awards.

CRDN of Northern Indiana won the 2011 Century Club Silver Level and the Sales Per Household by Territory. Sales executive Annette Bowen received awards for Sales Professional of the Year for both the Territory and MidMarket categories. Also receiving an award was President Steve Grashoff, who received the Million Dollar Partner Award.

When disaster hits home, basic needs become a priority: food, shelter and clothing. CRDN focuses on one of these important components garments and other fabric items that also are very valuable. In fact, Americans spend more than $350 billion on clothing and shoes in 2011. When disaster strikes, CRDN is immediately ready to recover these items and restore them at a fraction of the cost to replace them. Importantly, CRDN salvages precious memories in the process.

CRDN restores clothing and other fabric items affected by smoke, fire, water, mold and other contaminants. For more information, visit http://www.CRDN.com, and its Facebook page can be found at ww.facebook.com/CRDNTextileRestoration.

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Local restoration business earns industry honor

HOLLY HILL, FL--(Marketwire -05/29/12)- A recent report from the Wall Street Journal highlights the results of the latest Aon Benfield Global Catastrophe Recap report published by Impact Forecasting. While the types of extreme weather vary in different areas of the world, and even in different regions of the United States, every instance can cause damage that is potentially expensive to repair. In the central and southwestern regions of the U.S. alone, it is already reported that damages are approaching one billion dollars worth of insured losses. While experiencing extreme weather is discouraging in and of itself, United Water Restoration Group adds that the associated costs can make it difficult to cope with the results of a severe weather event.

The report cites recent significant tornado damage in Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa. Not only did the outbreak claim six lives, but total insured losses from the events are expected to reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars. More than 1,100 Texas homeowners have also experienced severe damage caused by tornado outbreaks and hail storms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The article states, "Total economic losses were estimated at approximately USD 1 billion, while various insurers received at least 105,000 claims with payouts in excess of USD 650 million."

While these incidents have already occurred, it is also important to prepare for further incidents. United Water Restoration Group points to the upcoming hurricane season that is expected to occur in Florida beginning in June. The company has served the Florida area for many years, and its professionals are experts in repairing flood and water damage that result from hurricanes. In addition to personal safety tips, it is important to consider the safety of your property.

The article stresses the impact extreme weather has on home insurance providers, and these facts may have several homeowners reconsidering their policies. United Water Restoration says that many homeowners believe that their policies are adequate, when in fact they may not cover all the required repairs. As a company that works closely with customers through the insurance claim process, they urge all Americans to look into supplemental coverage if it is necessary in their area.

ABOUT:

United Water Restoration Group is a reconstruction and structural damage repair company with offices located throughout the state of Florida. The company is dedicated to superior customer service and supplies 24/7 emergency response for customers facing immediate damage. United Water Restoration offers comprehensive services to address storm, flood and water damage in addition to mold remediation and fire damage repair. The company also works with insurance providers and provides step-by-step assistance to walk customers through their claims process.

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United Water Restoration Group Offers Vital Services for Coping With Extreme Weather

In 1980, John Mendenhall found three 1880 J. R. Scott campaign posters in a home he was restoring. The Commercial-News did a full-page article on Mendenhalls restoration project on the historic house Enoch Newkirk built, but little was written about the politicians competing in the election mentioned on the posters. The posters had been carefully folded. Two were placed in a newel post and the third behind the trim on a kitchen door. They had been there 100 years when John found them.

I have always wondered who J. R. Scott was, and how he did in the election, John told me as he showed me one of the posters in his Danville home. He lives in the Renaissance District and the rooms of his home are furnished with heirlooms from the past. He has a deep appreciation for fine woodcraft of the past, and the expertise to restore it.

The candidates in 1880 were James R. Scott and Joseph Gurney Cannon (Uncle Joe) and they were competing for a seat in Congress. Scott was a wealthy farmer and was representing the Democrats. Cannon was the incumbent Republican and he was running for his fifth term as a U. S. representative.

Scott was campaigning on the issue the Greenback Party backed. That was the printing of paper money by the government rather than a monetary system based on gold and silver. The party believed flooding the market with new greenbacks would allow farmers to pay off their debts with cheaper dollars. Farmers were attempting to recover from a severe recession that followed the Civil War.

Cannons supporters referred to Scott as a democratic greenback puttyhead and noted the incumbent by all means should be sent back to Washington. But Scott also had his supporters and one of them was Danville Medal of Honor recipient John Charles Black. When Black spoke at the Lincoln Opera House on Danvilles Main Street, he backed Scott and the Democratic ticket with a fiery speech that his party cheered. The Republicans cited the address as being as bitter as wormwood and gall.

Campaign events in 1880 werent only speeches by the candidates; there was also entertainment. Nearly every village had a band and they played at these events. Uncle Joe Cannon also was assisted at his engagements by the Rough and Ready Glee Club of Danville.

Scott was a worthy candidate; he was credited with assisting in establishing the University of Illinois and was very active in various agricultural organizations. But Cannon did not take him seriously enough to include him in his memoirs; the election of 1880 was not mentioned. Cannon felt the contest of 1874 was his greatest contest to date, when he was opposed by James H. Pickerel of Harristown. Like Scott, Pickerel was supported by the Democrats and Greenbackers. Cannon recalled they gave him a lot of trouble in that contest.

Pickerel, like Scott, was a wealthy farmer and he had a prize bull, which he took with him to fairs where farmers showed their livestock. Fairs were fine venues for political speakers during the era, and Cannon noted Pickerel used his bull to draw a crowd, and would then deliver a speech.

On one occasion Cannon was speaking and noticed his listeners were drifting away. He then discovered Pickerel had moved his bull near enough for the people to see him and they were going over for a look. He told the crowd, I see there are three candidates here Mr. Pickerel, the bull and me and I would like to know whether you are going to vote to send Pickerel or the bull to Congress in my place. Cannon observed that statement was soon being told all over the district and it ran Pickerel and the bull out of the campaign.

Scott didnt have a bull to draw a crowd, but he did speak often and effectively to large audiences in the county. What has he (Cannon) done? was a question posed by the Democrats. Evidently the voters thought he had done enough, for they sent Uncle Joe back to Congress. But Scott did give him a run in Vermilion County, defeating him in four townships; Blount, Carroll, Newell, and Sidell.

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Posters recall Cannon’s 1880 opponent

Staff Writer

Rob Mauldin is no playwright, but he is hoping to write a third act for a building that has already seen 130 years of Augusta history.

JACKIE RICCIARDI/STAFF

Rob Mauldin, the vice president and principal architect at 2KM Architects, gives a tour of the Phinizy House. The firm is working to restore the downtown complex, built about 1882.

JACKIE RICCIARDI/STAFF

Rob Mauldin shows the detail on an old doorknob. Former mayor Jacob Phinizy built the home.

JACKIE RICCIARDI/STAFF

2KM project manager Michael Grenz, who is trained in art restoration, is studying several murals that were discovered.

It began as the fine home of a wealthy man during Americas Gilded Age. Its second act lasted more than 60 years as the last place thousands of Augustans passed through on their way to a final resting place.

Now workers are restoring the rambling complex on the corner of Monument and Greene streets after it sat empty and crumbling for almost a decade. Mauldin said when he and his partner, Dan King, bought the property in 2010, roof leaks and general neglect had taken a heavy toll.

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Augusta firm is restoring 130-year-old Phinizy home

Compared with some of the projects receiving awards from the Rock Island Preservation Society, Robert Frinks rebuilding of a front porch along 30th Street may seem small.

It is not.

Porches are one of the most vulnerable parts of a homes exterior, and if extensive repairs are needed, owners often simply remove the porch, said Diane Oestreich, a member of the society. When that happens, a home is diminished, as is the entire block on which it sits.

At 2401 30th St., not only did Frink replace the porch, but he also did it right, Oestreich said.

The railings, deck and ventilated skirting under the porch were completely restored with new wood and then stained, and all of the parts are in keeping with the look and scale of the 1920s home, she explained.

Frink said that, for several reasons, he never would have considered removing the porch.

To a lot of people, (the neighborhood) is not that interesting, but to me it is very interesting, he said. Workmens cottages and period homes give the street a nice feel and he wanted to retain that.

Second, regardless of whether one sits on the porch, the structure benefits the homeowner by serving as a sound barrier. There is enough mass in the front that the sound is deadened, Frink explained.

Third, the character of the house needed it (the porch) to stay there, he said.

The porch columns were salvaged with rebuilding, but virtually everything else was replaced with new wood, including the custom-made skirting.

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Historic Preservation Awards: Frink cited for restoration

26-05-2012 08:39 Clackmannanshire's collection of tower houses (dating from the 14th and 15th century) were built by Scotland 's aristocrats to be near the royal court at Stirling Castle . Each tower, has it's own fascinating history, and formed part of a wider complex of buildings, including great halls, courtyards and living quarters. Being so close to the royal court, these tower houses played host to royalty including Mary Queen of Scots, witnessed the plotting of the ill fated Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 led by the 6th Earl of Mar, and came under attack and were damaged by fire as a result of war and dispute over the centuries. Menstrie Castle Menstrie Castle was built c1560 as a manor house by the Alexander family. It was the birthplace of Sir William Alexander, who had an illustrious career during the reign of James VI and I, becoming Principle Secretary of State for Scotland in 1626. In 1621 he began to establish a new colony called Nova Scotia , but the scheme failed and Sir William lost money. Nonetheless, he improved Menstrie Castle and his town house in Stirling in 1633, when he was invested 1st Earl of Stirling and Viscount Canada . Neglected for a number of years, Menstrie Castle was saved during the late 1950's and converted into apartments, but two ground floor rooms were restored as a display area, with dedicated exhibitions about Nova Scotia . These are now managed by the National Trust for Scotland . Open: Wed and Sun 2.00pm - 5.00pm (1st April - 30th September ...

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Tower Trail - Video