Worcester and Auburn officers with a warrant seized a kilogram of cocaine and $3,500 in cash from an Auburn hotel room Wednesday, according to Worcester police.

The drugs and money were taken from a room at the Comfort Inn on Southbridge Street. Police said the cocaine has a street value of $25,000 to $35,000.

The Auburn hotel search was set in motion by an arrest of a Worcester man earlier in the day on Dorchester Street in Worcester.

Worcester police officers on the trail of a drug distribution suspect pulled him over about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Benjamin Diaz, 34, of 99 Main St., Worcester, was found in possession of more than 100 grams of cocaine, packaged to be sold, according to police. Mr. Diaz was charged with drug trafficking and two counts of a drug violation with 1,000 feet of a school.

The arrest led Worcester police to get a search warrant for a room at the Comfort Inn in Auburn, at which point the investigation became a joint operation with Auburn police.

In addition to the Worcester charges, Auburn police also charged Mr. Diaz with trafficking in cocaine.

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Kilo of cocaine seized from Auburn hotel room

Article updated: 3/6/2014 3:37 PM

Occupational therapist Amy Payton works with students in a hallway at Steeple Run Elementary School in Naperville Unit District 203 because there are no small-group spaces available. A $2.7 million construction project set to begin this spring will allow the school's current offices to be renovated into flexible areas for specialists such as Payton to teach.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

The gym at Steeple Run Elementary serves as lunchroom, after-school program hub, concert hall and community event venue, but a $2.7 million addition will add a multipurpose room to alleviate much of the space crunch in the gym.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Designs call for a new multipurpose room, office and entrance area to be built beginning this spring at Steeple Run Elementary in Naperville Unit District 203. The 38-year-old facility also will receive parking lot improvements in the $2.7 million project.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Karen Currier, principal of Steeple Run Elementary in Naperville Unit District 203, says a $2.7 million addition soon to built will give the school more flexible learning spaces for small group instruction. The construction project will add a new multipurpose room, entrance area and offices.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Small groups of students will no longer be working in hallways once a $2.7 million construction project wraps up in September at Steeple Run Elementary School in Naperville Unit District 203.

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Addition to create space to spread out at Steeple Run in Naperville

Offcials push for wildlife overpass at Liberty Canyon

Liberty Canyon Road under the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills is one of the only places left in the area where mountain lions and other animals can move in and out of the Santa Monica Mountains.

But the roadway can be deadly.

Last October a mountain lion was struck and killed near the Liberty Canyon interchange as it tried to move south. Had it been able pass safely from one side of the freeway to the other, the young male could have helped bolster the cougar population in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Only one lion is known to have survived the highway crossing over the past decade.

Environmentalists agree that building a permanent wildlife corridor at Liberty Canyon Roadas well as at other points across the 118 and 23 freeways in Ventura Countyis the best hope for the animals.

On Feb. 24, two dozen residents and representatives from local cities, open space agencies and Caltrans toured the Liberty Canyon freeway interchange to see firsthand the obstacles animals face when trying to cross.

OVER THEREPaul Edelman of the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority discusses the need for a wildlife corridor in Liberty Canyon. The projects more than $10-million price tag will be an issue. SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers Over or under?

Most of the scientific community believes Liberty Canyon offers the best wildlife connection between the Simi Hills to the north and the Santa Monica Mountains to the south.

Since last year four mountain lions have been killed by cars in the region. In addition to the male cougar killed in October, three mountain lion kittens were struck by vehicles in recent weeks, one near Kanan Road in rural Agoura and two near the 126 Freeway in Ventura County.

Originally posted here:
Room to roam

Living room set-top boxes have become increasingly sophisticated, but they can still feel backward any time you need to input a long password or search term using an onscreen keyboard.

Logitech's new Harmony Smart Keyboard ($150 list) is aimed squarely at that problem. It's a full-size keyboard that lets you type on (most of) your living room devices, while also offering total living room control in the manner of a typical Harmony universal remote.

The universal remote capabilities of the system are similar to the Logitech Harmony Smart Control ($130), except the keyboard replaces the simplified remote. The Hub is the brain of the system, accepting commands from the keyboard or the Harmony mobile app, then issuing commands to the appropriate device using IR, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.

Logitech is no stranger to making a quality keyboard, and the hardware feels well made. The keyboard is covered in a nice, grippy finish, and it's relatively light, even though it requires two AA batteries. On the other hand, it's an intimidating device compared to a standard TV remote -- frequently used keys like volume up / down and transport control are relatively small and easy to miss at first glance amid the other 77 buttons.

Getting a full-size wireless keyboard to work with a variety of gadgets isn't easy. In the best case scenario, the Harmony Smart Keyboard system can issue commands directly to your devices, which it can do with Roku boxes (via Wi-Fi) and the Apple TV (via Bluetooth). (Logitech also said that direct control of Roku boxes over Wi-Fi will also come to the Harmony Smart Control later this year.)

Other devices aren't so simple. For example, with the PlayStation 3, the Harmony Smart Keyboard can power up and navigate menus via Bluetooth, but for typing you'll need to connect to one of the two included USB adapters. Both Bluetooth and the USB adapters end up being used for controlling the PS3, and the idea is it should feel seamless when you're using it. It seems like Logitech's had to do a lot of work to make ensure compatibility with Harmony Smart Keyboard, and the company says it will be publishing extensive online resources for the particulars of each device.

Logitech specifically mentions support for Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, Mac/PC computers, and Roku devices. Other devices, such as Smart TVs, may work too, but compatibility will differ on a model-by-model basis. According to Logitech, Sony hasn't offered any company the ability to control the PS4 with a third-party device, but the Harmony team is still working on a solution.

In addition to the physical keyboard, you'll also be able to control your living room devices using the Harmony App (available on Android/iOS), just as you can with the Harmony Smart Control. One major difference is that Harmony Smart Keyboard users will also have the ability to use your mobile device's touch-screen keyboard to type on your living room devices. The capability will also be available to Harmony Smart Control users later this year.

The Logitech Harmony Smart Keyboard will be available later in March for $150, which includes the keyboard, Harmony Hub, and two USB adapters. The keyboard (without the Hub) won't initially be offered separately for existing Hub owners, although Logitech says it's a possibility in the future.

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Logitech Harmony Smart Keyboard: A living room keyboard and universal remote

Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai record a surge in revenues as tourists flock to the UAE

HotStats MENA Chain Hotels Market Review January 2014

Hotels in Abu Dhabi posted double digit growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) in January on the back of strong growth in occupancy levels and Average Room Rates (ARR), according to the latest HotStats survey of full-service hotels in five MENA cities by TRI Hospitality Consulting.

Abu Dhabi hotels reported a 7.6% growth in ARR to US$165.07 in January, while occupancy climbed 5.4 percentage points to 74.7%. The combined effects of a rise in both performance indicators drove RevPAR growth by an impressive 16.0% and closed the month at US$123.37. The increase in Average Room Rates was primarily driven by the corporate and conferencing segments as a result of demand generated from high profile events such as the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The growth in the top line, combined with a 2.6 percentage point drop in payroll costs, resulted in a 35.9% surge in profit margins during the month as the Gross Operating Profit Per Available Room (GOPPAR) reached US$86.88.

"January is typically a robust month of performance for hotels in Abu Dhabi and this year was no exception as continued growth was seen across all key indicators. According to Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Abu Dhabi International Airport received 1,564,266 passengers in January, marking a rise of 14.5 percent from the previous year that corresponded to the continued expansion of Etihad Airways. In addition to benefitting from international passenger growth, Abu Dhabi also hosted a number of high profile events that boosted international visitor numbers. A series of packages were developed for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, as hotels partnered with other travel industry members to cultivate the golf travel segment and strengthen Abu Dhabi's foothold as an international golf destination" commented Peter Goddard, Managing Director of TRI Hospitality Consulting in Dubai.

Record-high air passenger traffic helped hotels in Dubai maintain robust performance levels during the month of January. Occupancy levels in Dubai reached 86.3% and ARR increased by 10.8% to US$402.15 during the month, boosting RevPAR by 9.5% to US$347.17. Higher average rates were largely attributed to higher yield from the leisure segment, as visitors took advantage of holidays such as the Orthodox Christmas and New Year and the extended New Year break in China. The growth in the top line revenues, coupled with a decline in operating expenses, drove an increase in profits during the month as GOPPAR reached US$302.94, up by 10.4% over the same period in 2013.

"Hotels in Dubai successfully yielded higher average rates on the back of strong leisure demand during the month of January. The growth in hotel performance also came in the wake of a number of key occasions including the Orthodox Christmas and New Year which attract substantial demand from Russia and the CIS market. In addition, the annual Dubai Shopping Festival occurred throughout the entire month of January and based upon initial estimates saw a 5.0 to 10.0% rise in shoppers, with the GCC and East Asia maintaining their position as the top source markets", commented Goddard.

Riyadh and Kuwait experience lower revenue and profitability levels as corporate demand subsides in January

Doha hotels reported a 10.9 percentage point growth in occupancy in January and closed the month with an average occupancy of 70.5%, however, ARR dropped 1.2% to US$225.37. RevPAR witnessed impressive growth of 16.9% to US$158.91 solely driven by the double digit rise in occupancy levels. The growth in guests contributed to a 16.9% rise in food and beverage profits, which reached US$74.7 per available room. Overall, hotels in Doha reported a 14.0% growth in Total Revenue Per Available Room (TRevPAR) and coupled with a reduction in payroll costs, profitability surged 24.2% to US$156.21.

"The increase in profit levels experienced by the hotels during January was attributed to stronger room revenues as a result of increased demand in January. Additionally, a rise in food and beverage consumption which comprised 44.5% of total revenues further impacted the bottom line. However, rising competition in the city continues to impede further growth in profits as new entrants launch aggressive strategies in order to penetrate the market", commented Peter Goddard, Managing Director of TRI Hospitality Consulting.

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HotStats MENA Chain Hotels Market Review January 2014

This map shows the location of an explosion and fire in a Santa Ana motel for which a man has been sentenced to 33 years to life. (Bing)

March 3, 2014, 7:54 a.m.

A man was sentenced to 33 years to life in state prison for causing an explosion that started a fire in a Santa Ana motel room, according to authorities.

In addition to his prison time, Thanh Van Quang, 39, was ordered to pay more than $177,000 in restitution, according to the Orange County district attorney's office.

A jury found him guilty last October of arson of an inhabited property and illegal possession of flammable material, the Huntington Beach Independent reported.

On Nov. 30, 2012, Quang was arguing with the manager at the Pueblo Motel in Santa Ana about inviting guests into his room, according to prosecutors.

Authorities said he later walked to a nearby gas station, bought a fuel canister and filled it with a gallon of gasoline before returning to his motel room.

Quang then caused an explosion in the room, which started a fire and damaged his and neighboring rooms, prosecutors said.

In 1998, Quang was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm and two counts of robbery, according to prosecutors.

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Man gets 33 years to life for explosion, fire in Santa Ana motel room

Santa Monica Complete Home Remodel and Room addition
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Santa Monica Complete Home Remodel and Room addition - Video

February 28, 2014 | 2:34 p.m.

A Fountain Valley man was sentenced to 33 years to life in state prison for causing an explosion that started a fire in a motel room, according to authorities.

In addition to his prison time, Thanh Van Quang, 39, was ordered to pay more than $177,000 in restitution, according to a press statement from the Orange County district attorney's office.

A jury found him guilty Oct. 30, 2013, on one count each of arson of an inhabited property and possession of a flammable material.

Last year's incident marked the fifth conviction for Quang. He had four strikes in 1998 for voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm and two counts of robbery, according to the statement.

On Nov. 30, 2012, Quang was arguing with the manager at the Pueblo Motel in Santa Ana about the defendant inviting guests in his room.

He later walked to a nearby gas station, bought a fuel canister and filled it with a gallon of gasoline before he returned to his motel room.

Quang then caused an explosion in the room, which started a fire and damaged his room and neighboring rooms.

Anthony Clark Carpio

Twitter: @acocarpio

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Man sentenced in motel room explosion

A Better Guest Experience Join Complimentary Webinar To Be Presented March 26, 2014

Is providing a clean room and complimentary newspaper enough today? For some, it may be a good start, but guests today are discerning, sophisticated, and have more choices than ever for their lodging needs. In addition to the fundamentals that every guest expects as a minimum, hospitality organizations need to be smarter about their execution by delivering an exceptional experience.

According to the J.D. Power 2013 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, the number of interactions guests have with hotel staff may have an impact on satisfaction, as guests who interact with four or more staff types, excluding the check-in staff, gave an average of 856 points, 79 points higher than the industry average. Conversely, satisfaction dropped to 53 points below the industry average when guests have no interaction with staff beyond check in.

The Service Optimization solutions, HotSOS, REX and PMWorks, from Newmarket International, Inc. ("Newmarket"), the proven business solutions provider for empowering hospitality organizations to lower costs and increase revenue, while improving customer satisfaction and guest loyalty, are the ideal tools to give guests what they want. A clean room, hot water, and an on-time wake-up call are essentials, but guests want their needs to be anticipated and requests swiftly executed.

HotSOS automates and tracks preventive maintenance, service orders, and guest requests. With intelligent guest matching, profiling, and stay history features, guest information is always "at your fingertips." And, since HotSOS in enterprise-enabled and delivered via the Internet, staff members can anticipate guest needs and be more proactive because unique automation provides the right information, right when they need it.

By making the room assignment and cleaning process quick and easy, REX uses data from multiple systems in ways to help get guests to the rooms faster. First, it gathers information from the Property Management System (PMS) and other systems to intelligently assign rooms and provide room attendants with the next most important room to clean. Second, it communicates valuable client information such as name, stay details, and room setup preferences to room attendants, so they can enhance the guest experience.

With PMWorks, maintenance staff can focus on completing open orders. Properties do not necessarily need a sophisticated tool to manage maintenance. PMWorks allows properties to create and maintain a standardized preventive maintenance program for all venues in an organization. The program can even include brand standards for frequency of maintenance and special inspections that need to be done throughout the year. This level of detail proves valuable not only in legal cases, but also serves as a competitive advantage for brands.

Service Optimization solutions from Newmarket enable hospitality organizations to run at optimal efficiency and help create a "home away from home" experience that guests expect. They also have the tools to create personalized, unique experiences that go beyond the expected, resulting in guest loyalty and years of repeat business.

Please join Newmarket for a complimentary webinar on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 1pm EST to learn more about the Service Optimization solutions provided by HotSOS, REX and PMWorks. Register today!

Since 1985, Newmarket International, Inc. ("Newmarket") continues to deliver proven business solutions for empowering hospitality organizations to lower costs and increase revenue, while improving customer satisfaction and guest loyalty. With more than 40,000 installations and 150,000 users in over 154 countries worldwide, Newmarket technologies are a cornerstone in the global hospitality industry. Offering solutions for sales & marketing automation, customer relationship management, catering & events, guest loyalty, meeting intelligence, workflow management, and property maintenance, Newmarket enables hospitality professionals to work smarter and better manage all aspects of their transient, leisure, groups and meetings business. For more information on Newmarket, please visit http://www.newmarketinc.com.

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Newmarket Service Optimization Solutions Deliver A Better Guest Experience

The Osseo City Council moved forward with the concept to put an addition onto City Hall that would house the Police Department.

The council also discussed the removal of snow from residential sidewalks at its meeting Monday, Feb. 24.

POLICE ADDITION

Modris Feders, Principal Architect with Buetow 2 Architects, brought to the council the schematic design for the proposed police addition to City Hall. The council previously authorized Buetow to prepare the design back Jan. 13.

The cost of the addition to City Hall for the police department is estimated to be $878,000. These costs include the addition to the City Hall building, removal of the existing police building and reconfiguring the parking lot.

The project would consist of a 3,463-square-foot addition onto the City Hall building on the west side. This proposal would put police and other city departments, community center and library all under one roof. This police addition would house a garage for three police cars, a waiting area, booking and photo area, reception area, an open office, police chiefs office, conference room, kitchen and emergency operations center.

The addition would allow the two current public entrances to not change and remain open as well.

Feders said the proposal would keep the appearance the same at City Hall. The curb cut for one of the drive entrances to the parking area would be then used for the squad garage entrance/exit. The electrical and plumbing infrastructure would be tied into the new addition. The existing bathrooms in City Hall would also serve the new addition.

Also, part of the project would be to use 1,660-square-feet of the lower level in City Hall that is currently used for storage. This level would house the mens and womens locker rooms, storage and supply area, evidence space and armory area.

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Osseo moves forward with police addition to City Hall