MANCHESTER A water main break had a West Side couple on edge after their garage and basement filled with 32 inches of water two days after Thanksgiving. Back-to-back snowstorms didnt help.

Lynn Chabot and Jason Loy said neighbors came to their aid.

When the insurance company said, You have to wait until Monday and everything else, these people were here for us, Loy said.

Silt on the walls of the home at 5 Alpine St. and a Porsche Cayman S sports car parked in the garage show just how high the water rose. Loy said his baby is likely a complete loss.

It found the path of least resistance, which is our driveway, Chabot said of the small geyser that burst from the street around 8 p.m. Saturday.

The couple said they were originally told the damage wasnt covered because they dont have groundwater or flood insurance, but Hanover Insurance has since opened a new claim and will send an adjuster.

Guy Chabot, the citys water works deputy director in charge of water distribution, said the bolts of a 1997 valve corroded, causing the water to gush down the couples driveway. He is not related to Lynn Chabot.

The break is legally considered an act of God, meaning the city is not responsible for any damage.

It has to be shown that we did something to create the liability, Guy Chabot said. Lets say we were out there digging and pulled the top off the valve, then yes we typically would be responsible. This was a valve with corroded bolts and the top basically broke off of it.

The city will help repair part of the driveway because of a sinkhole.

But what about all the stuff in here? Lynn Chabot said Tuesday afternoon pointing to the garage.

As the couple continued to clean Tuesday, Hanover Insurance called saying they would be covered, prompting Lynn Chabot to shed tears and embrace Loy. A Hanover Insurance spokewoman said an adjuster and claims manager visited their property Wednesday morning.

Now, a water cleanup and restoration company can be called to help because of the claim.

Lynn Chabot, who grew up in the home and moved back in in 2014, said there is no estimate on how much the damage caused. A finished room in the basement had to be demolished and a retaining wall outdoors needs to be replaced.

Many photos and other childhood memories are being sorted through and air-dried.

I didnt sleep for 36 hours, she said. I feel relieved now and Im overwhelmed, but I know this is only the beginning.

The couple, who married in June, said they were touched by the generosity of neighbors, some they barely know.

We had people here helping who I had met him and his wife one time, Lynn Chabot said.

One neighbor helped shovel and a plumber worked for hours to restore heat, they said.

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Water main break floods Manchester home in 32" water - The Union Leader

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI)will sponsor a webinar, GeosyntheticReinforced MSE Walls; Overview, Failures and Items for Improvement on Dec. 11, from11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discountedrates on all GSI webinar and short course registrations.

Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE)walls represent a grade separation structure which functions at a slope betweenunreinforced soil to classical (i.e., vertical) concrete walls. The soil massitself is layered with geogrids or geotextiles such that a coherent stable massis formed. The facing is usually either vegetated or masonry block, including manyaesthetic variations. MSE walls have reached to 25 meters in height, supported railroadsand heavy surcharge loads, buildings of moderate bearing capacity and can readilyfunction adjacent to water courses and seismic conditions.

Furthermore, they are shown by arecent survey to be the least costly of any other type of retaining wall by 20to 50%.

Design of such MSE walls is wellwithin the state-of-the-practice and is usually addressed using a computer code.The six essential elements of design being the following; each of which are numericallyaddressed.

Internal Stability

External Stability

Unfortunately, there have been failures consisting of eitherexcessive deformation or actual collapses. The presenter has been collecting suchfailures since 2000, and the worldwide database includes more than 300. They willbe analyzed to learn where ongoing concerns exist. In this regard, five areas appearto be fundamental insofar as remedies are concerned. They will be described accordingly.

Summarizing comments and conclusionswill be offered accordingly.

Participants will learn aboutthis new class of retaining walls (and steep slopes), cost comparison to other walltypes, elements of design and where problems have existed in the past. Thesepast problems have been classified into groups, which give clear insight intothe mechanisms involved. Five aspects of design and/or construction will beoffered which, if followed, would minimize such failures from occurring in thefuture.

The webinar is intended for ownersof sites needing grade separation in both the public and private sectors; federal,state, and regional geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineers; engineersfrom municipal districts and townships; private and municipal land developers, architecturaland landscape designers; general civil consulting engineers; hardscapedesigners; testing laboratories servicing these organizations; manufacturers andrepresentatives of geosynthetic and masonry block materials; ground modificationcontractors; academic and research groups; and others desiring technically relatedinformation on this important aspect of our constructed infrastructure.

The webinars instructor, Dr. RobertM. Koerner, is professor emeritus of civil engineering at Drexel University,and founder and director emeritus of the Geosynthetic Institute.

Webinars cost $200.00 for GSI andGMA members, and $250.00 for nonmembers. Successful completion of amultiple-choice test after the webinar carries 1.5 professional development hours(PDH).

For more information or to register, visit http://www.geosynthetic-institute.org/webinar.htm.

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GSI to host webinar on geosynthetic reinforced MSE walls - Geosynthetics magazine

WOODBURY, N.J., Dec. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --The crackle and flicker coming from a fire pit is one of the iconic sounds and sights of fall nights. Fall is the best time to enjoy a warm fire outdoors the air is crisp and the heat from the fire is cozy and comforting. People have been having outdoor fires for millennia, but not all of them are done efficiently or safely. Here are a few secrets to getting the most out of an outdoor fire pit.

Getting started

The driest wood and tinder are necessary for a quick-lighting fire. Tinder can be small twigs, strips of birch bark, pine straw, or, strangely enough, broken pieces of potato chips or cheese-based snacks like Doritos or Cheetos. Newspaper does not make good tinder because it flames out too quickly and it sends lit embers into the air.

Place tinder in the clean fire pit. Put the smallest bits in first and pile upwards according to size, with the largest pieces on top. Kindling is the wood that is bigger than tinder but not as large or as long. Dry twigs and branches less than one inch in diameter make good kindling. If the kindling snaps easily underfoot, then it is ready for burning.

The best dry logs are hard, show their rings and cracks on the edges, and have no signs of mold or fungus growing on them. Layer dry wood on top of kindling in a crosshatch pattern. While triangle structures for fires are popular, a crosshatch pattern will burn the wood more thoroughly. Also, for fire pits, the lower height of the crosshatch pile will be safer than the taller pyramid shape. Be sure not to build too high a stack.

Lighting

Simple is best. Matches are the way to go. Long-armed matchsticks are convenient and keep hands away from flames. Holding the match in the tinder or dropping it in should be enough to ignite it. Smoke will rise if the tinder lights. Gently fan the embers. If the wood is piled on too tightly, the tinder may not get enough oxygen to burn. Re-light the tinder in three places and fan gently until the kindling begins to burn.

Safety

As with indoor fireplaces, there are screens that help retain embers and sparks that may pop from the fire. Also keep the wood supply a safe distance away from the flames and seating at 3 feet away or more. Fire pits themselves should be at least 10 to 20 feet away from any structure, including the home.

Having an active hose or buckets of water nearby is essential for outdoor fires because some embers may escape. With the many dried fallen leaves around this season, caution is paramount. Some homeowners douse the fallen leaves before having a fire pit night for an added measure of safety. Be sure the fire is completely out before turning in for the night. The hose or bucket of water can be used for this purpose.

Treats

Anything goes. S'mores are classic. Hot dogs, kebabs or other food items that can be cooked quickly over a flame make for great fire pit meals. Avoid paper plates and cups. Stoneware or heavy duty plastic dinnerware and cloth napkins are less likely to be caught in the flames than paper accessories. Set up a table with condiments and drinks in an open area at least 10 feet away from the flames to allow guests to prepare their food.

Enjoy

Enjoying a fall evening outside with s'mores, warm drinks and stories shared among friends and family can be as easy as starting up a fire in the fire pit. Nothing draws out neighbors like seeing those inviting, flickering flames or smelling the unique and wonderful aroma of a campfire. Outdoor fire pits are a classic way to gather friends and family and share a cozy evening together.

About EP Henry EP Henry is the oldest American family-owned and -operated manufacturer of unit concrete products in North America. Based in Woodbury, New Jersey, EP Henry manufactures a wide range of Hardscaping paving stone and retaining wall products. EP Henry also offers beautiful patio pavers, outdoor kitchen kits, garden wall solutions and more to homeowners throughout the Mid-Atlantic states. For more information on EP Henry Hardscaping products, visit EPHenry.com or call 800-44-HENRY (800-444-3679).

SOURCE EP Henry

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Using an outdoor fire pit the right way leads to cozy nights with family and friends, by EP Henry - Benzinga

A New York developer hoping to build a mixed-use project on the Connecticut River in Hartford has proposed a more modest version of his plan to woo the interest of city officials.

Developer George Bryant, president of Aqua Ark LLC, said his firm has compiled a dozen proposals for potential development on city-owned land near Mortensen Riverfront Plaza.

Aqua Arks initial $40-million proposal aims to build two structures on land-based floating technology to house several retail and restaurant vendors and event or hotel space.

Bryant on Wednesday said his startup is also pitching a scaled-down, $9-million development that would include a single-story amphibious promenade that would also be able to float on the water during flood conditions.

Bryant aired his various plans at the citys planning, economic development and housing committee meeting Tuesday night.

The smaller, single-level development includes a series of kiosks for food and retail vendors and a separate restaurant that would feature indoor and outdoor seating.

Germany-based Clement and Westport engineering firm Collective Design Associates are supporting Aqua Ark, with design plans.

We just want to make sure we are putting something forward that is fine-tuned to what the city thinks will work best there, Bryant said. We dont want to develop something that is oversized or undersized.

Aqua Arks scaled-down proposal includes a series of kiosks for retail and food vendors.

The waterfront redevelopment builds off Hartford City Councilman John Gales resolution last year that encouraged development along the Connecticut River. But the resolution has been met with criticism from environmental advocates, including Robert Klee, former commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Bryant said his firm is willing to address any environmental issues the proposals may pose to existing levees and other underground barriers protecting the city from river flooding.

Riverfront Recapture, the not-for-profit organization managing Hartford and East Hartford's riverfront parks and Riverwalk trail system, has identified at least one potential issue the proposal poses to a retaining wall.

We may have to remediate that, said Bryant, who does not yet have any meetings scheduled with the nonprofit or the city.

Aqua Arkhas not completed a project in the U.S., but it has completed several floating developments in Europe and the Middle East.

The firm, which is working on a proposal for a floating development in the Bronx, pitched a similar waterfront project in Bridgeport in recent years, but city officials denied it.

Bryant has not discussed his vision for waterfront development in Hartford with DEEP or the Army Corps. of Engineers, which would both need to grant permits for the project before it moves forward.

The city and Riverfront Recapture would also need to award Aqua Ark various land use and development agreements for the development.

Bryant said hes optimistic city officials will support at least one his riverfront proposals.

We believe we have interest, he said. Members of the city council at the meeting last night appeared to be supportive from my side.

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Developer gauging support for several mixed-use proposals on CT River in Hartford - Hartford Business

Jeanie Stephens, jeanie.stephens@thetelegraph.com

The Alton City Council will meet as a committee of the whole Monday night to discuss a new tax levy and continue its talks on how to address a damaged retaining wall on Riverview Drive discovered earlier this year. An engineering firm has provided three suggested options for the city, ranging in cost from $169,000 to more than $561,000.

The Alton City Council will meet as a committee of the whole Monday night to discuss a new tax levy and continue its talks on how to address a damaged retaining wall on Riverview Drive discovered earlier this

The Alton City Council will meet as a committee of the whole Monday night to discuss a new tax levy and continue its talks on how to address a damaged retaining wall on Riverview Drive discovered earlier this year. An engineering firm has provided three suggested options for the city, ranging in cost from $169,000 to more than $561,000.

The Alton City Council will meet as a committee of the whole Monday night to discuss a new tax levy and continue its talks on how to address a damaged retaining wall on Riverview Drive discovered earlier this

Alton to discuss tax levy, retaining wall on Monday

ALTON Several demolitions and an annual tax levy ordinance are among the listed agenda items for Altons aldermanic Committee of the Whole meeting planned for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, inside city hall.

Resolutions to commence with three demolitions at 728 Alby St., 614 Ridge St. and 2510 Maxey Street are among those on the agenda, with bid reports for the demolition of seven other properties, including 1317 and 1321 Pearl St., 615 Sering Ave., 1720 Maupin St., 3410 California Ave., 616 Anderson St. and 928 Hawley Ave.

Another resolution, an ordinance for the annual property tax levy, is to be considered for fiscal year April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020. An amount for the tax levy will be recommended by the city comptroller.

In other committee business, city aldermen will preliminarily vote on resolutions pertaining the disposal or scrapping of a 2006 trailer used by the public works department and the scheduling of a public hearing to allow comments and questions concerning the proposed Transition Plan drafted by the officials of the City of Alton, pursuant to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).

Aldermen are also scheduled, again, to discuss the damaged retaining wall on Riverview Drive and modifications to the rules of the Civil Service Commission.

This spring, the Alton Public Works Department noticed cracks in the retaining wall after a series of heavy rains. The walls condition worsened after additional downpours in August and the area around it was closed to traffic.

Since then, an engineering assessment has been made by Sheppard Morgan and Schwaab Inc. with three options generated for the repair of the wall. The costs of the options range from $169,000 to more than $561,000.

The Committee of the Whole meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month in Alton City Hall.

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Alton to discuss tax levy, retaining wall on Monday - Alton Telegraph

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Closed stretch of Nadine Road reopens earlier than expected in Penn Hills - TribLIVE

There has been much discussion with regards on what to do with the Bighill Furniture Store in Fairfax. Three firms have submitted bids to tear down and dispose of the building, but there is also hope that filmmakers for, Killers of the Flower Moon, might come in and refurbish the building. Joe and Carol Conner also say they have found citizens who are willing to help restore the building.

The balancing act that the Board of Osage County Commissioners face is that there is a retaining wall currently holding the building up. That retaining wall is only made to last for a few more weeks before it becomes structurally unsafe and the building could fall.

If the commissioners choose to tear the building down with one of the three firms that submitted a bid, they only have another two weeks to choose one of those firms before those bids become non void. Carol Conner said she doesn't expect to get any further information within the next month. District Three Commissioner Darren McKinney expressed his concern if the county were to get any bad weather this winter.

The commissioners took no action on the agenda item, but the bids will expire on Thursday, December 19th. If they haven't yet made a choice by then, the commissioners would have to go out for bid a second time and possibly see higher prices.

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News Commissioners unsure on what to do with Bighill Store - Bartlesville Radio

Above left, a Pasadena firefighter surveys the Thanksgiving Day, 2018 big rig crash on the I-210 Freeway near San Gabriel Blvd. overpass which saw a truck slide on wet roads, crash through the Gold Line retaining wall and end up near the tracks. Image by RMG News. At right, a view of the Arroyo Seco channel with the Vista del Arroyo Federal Courthouse in the distance during heavy rain in 2017. Image: Karol Franks @okarol via Twitter.

Forecasters say there is 100% chance of rain for Thanksgiving Day in Pasadena, and possibly a thunderstorm, with a chilly high temperature of just 54 degrees predicted.

Officials are urging that drivers exercise caution on slick roads, hoping to avoid a repeat of accidents like the one on the I-210 last year at this time which saw a big rig crash through a retaining wall and damage the Gold Line tracks.

The National Weather Service said the storm could have major travel impacts including delays and potential road closures, mainly due to low-elevation snow or flooded roadways.

This storm will hit the entire state of California, even Death Valley, former Jet Propulsion Laboratory climatologist Bill Patzert told the Los Angeles Times.

The storm is expected as the result of a deep upper-level trough of low pressure developing over the West Coast and expected to bring cold and wet conditions through at least Friday, the NWS said. Rain amounts Thursday are expected to be between a quarter inch to as much as 1.5 inch, with the higher amounts in eastern L.A. County.

Here is the forecast for Pasadena:

Thanksgiving Day: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 54. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 39. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. South southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. South southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: A 10 percent chance of rain after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

City spokesperson Lisa Derderian reminded residents to visit http://www.cityofpasadena.net/disaster for emergency preparedness information. If you are not part of Pasadenas Local Emergency Alert System (PLEAS), sign up for the telephone notification system today by visiting http://www.cityofpasadena.net/Fire/PLEAS.

Pasadena residents and businesses with any power emergencies should call the Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) Department at (626) 744-4673 and for water-related emergencies call (626) 744-4138. PWP customers are also encouraged to sign up for specific emergency utility alerts by visiting http://www.cityofpasadena.net/waterandpower/oms/.

National Weather Service information for the Los Angeles area is online at http://www.weather.gov/losangeles.

The public is also reminded to:

Clear debris and overgrowth from drainage channels and rain gutters before it rains

Keep cars charged or with full gas tanks; power outages might shut down gas pumps or charging stations

Stay away from storm drain channels and do not attempt to cross flooded roads

Never touch any downed utility lines; call 9-1-1 to report

Keep your disaster kit updated with flashlight and extra batteries; portable battery-operated radio; first aid kit and manual; emergency food and water for your family and pets; non-electric can opener; essential medications; sturdy shoes, socks & gloves; essential paperwork & emergency cash, and comfort items for children

Make sure your vehicles are in good repair; especially windshield wipers

Slow down while driving in the rain; allow extra travel time and use caution while braking and turning as grease and oil have built up on roadways with lack of rain, making for slippery conditions in wet weather

Remember to turn off sprinklers, system controllers and timers as it is prohibited to irrigate landscaping during rainy periods

Use rain barrels to collect and reuse rain water

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Thanksgiving Day is Here, And So Is the Rain | Pasadena California, Hotels,CA Real Estate,Restaurants,City Guide... - Pasadena.com - Pasadena Now

MURRAY (ABC4 News) The most thankful person in Utah this Thanksgiving may be a Utah Highway Patrol trooper who has narrowly escaped death twice in the last five months.

Both timesTrooper Riley Rugg was outside of his patrol cruiserinvestigating an accident when it was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

RELATED: Slow down and move over for troopers, its the law

On Monday, Trooper Ruggs dashboard camera shows him assisting a driver who had spun out on I-15 near 7100 South in Midvale when he notices a speeding car start to slide.

He runs to leap over a retaining wall just before the car slams into the back of his UHP vehicle pushing it toward him.

His body camera also captured the terrifying moment from his perspective.What else was Trooper Rugg seeing?

A little bit maybe of my life flashing before my eyes, he told reporters.

It started veering towards my vehicle and kind of last minute I was able to run around the front of the persons car and jump over the wall before they impacted my carI was a little worried that he was going to maybe squeeze between my car and the wall and maybe hit me so I just tried to get over the wall so the concrete barrier could protect meI was lucky to get over the barrier in time and avoid getting hit by the car.

Holiday weeks seem to be a treacherous time for the 22-year-old husband and former Marine whos only been on the job for 14 months.

I had a pretty close call 4th of July Weekend this year, he said.

On July 7th he was working an accident along I-80 in Parleys Canyon and had just walked away from his patrol vehicle when a speeding Ford F-350 pickup rolled over the top of it.

That day the driver of the truck was ejected and flown to the hospital but Trooper Rugg and the driver in the original crash escaped unscathed.

Its a miracle that we werent hurt, he said afterward. Just a mile an hour or two difference in speed could have made the situation a lot different better or worse so Im just grateful how it happened that we werent injured.

Despite the two close calls, Trooper Rugg doesnt have any second thoughts about his career choice. Hell be out patrolling the highways this Thanksgiving weekend.

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Life flashing before my eyes: Utah Highway Patrol trooper narrowly escapes his second close call in five months - ABC 4

Jeanie Stephens, jeanie.stephens@thetelegraph.com

Decision on fate of crumbling Riverview Park wall delayed again as FEMA denies help

ALTON City officials have again delayed a decision on what to do about the damaged retaining wall along Riverview Drive in Alton.

At Mondays committee of the whole meeting, officials said no resolution to the matter is expected until more information about funding is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Damage to the wall was discovered during this springs flooding, with August storms exacerbating the problem. An engineering assessment on the project by Sheppard Morgan and Schwaab Inc. recommended three options expected to cost from $169,000 to more than $561,000.

It (FEMA funding) was originally denied and were trying to get it included, public works director Bob Barnhart said Monday night. So were appealing that decision and working with them. Hopefully theyll pick up some of the tab.

Regardless of funding, Barnhart said the city will have to do something. The road remains closed to traffic and the wall will continue to destabilize over time with additional downpours, he said.

Were looking right now to at least stabilize and repair how it is, Barnhardt said. But well have FEMA look at it as well. If they they feel theres a more comprehensive repair required, then well explore those options.

Barnhart said he met with a FEMA grant coordinator on Monday. Any updates, decisions and questions will be addressed collectively by the city officials and personnel, he said.

Im always optimistic, Barnhart said. Weve got to be positive.

Mondays meeting also discussed and preliminarily approved proposed changes to Civil Service Commission rules tabled at prior meetings.

The mayor had some concerns, said city attorney Jim Schrempf. He indicated that he would like some clarification. They discussed it and the Civil Service Commission voted two-to-one to recommend the approval.

The proposed changes would let those in appointed positions apply for civil service positions before the positions are opened to the public. Unlike union members who already have this opportunity, those in appointed positions would be unable to return to their positions if the civil service position doesnt work out.

We discussed it and its something the citys not done before, said Mayor Brant Walker. Overall, it may be a good thing. But I saw the potential that it could be problematic.

Council members also discussed and preliminarily approved the annual property tax levy, although the amount wont be finalized for about another week. They also gave preliminary approval to the demolition of structures at 728 Alby St., 614 Ridge St. and 2510 Maxey St.

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Decision on fate of crumbling Riverview Park wall delayed again as FEMA denies help - Alton Telegraph