MOUNT OLIVE TWP. The year of 2013 was marked with the tragedy of drownings and fires but also with progress on the development front.

Here are some of the more important and dramatic news stories of the year.

Boys Drown

As they had done before, Nicholas Michael Cianciotto III and Clyde Schimanski III, both 15, of Budd Lake, went out ice fishing.

But on this evening of Monday, Jan. 7, the ice was too thin and the two boys fell through the ice believed to be one or two inches thick.

Emergency workers donned immersion suits and entered the frigid water but were unable to find the boys.

The only signs of the boys were a cell phone and backpack found floating on the water.

The next day, rescue workers used sonar to help locate the Cianciotto boy but the body of the Schimanski teen wasnt found until the next day. It was the first time anyone had fallen through ice on Budd Lake and drowned.

A memorial to the two boys was soon erected at the western end of the lake.

Read the original:
Victory, tragedy mark Mount Olive in memorable 2013

Published: Friday, December 27, 2013 at 5:12 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, December 27, 2013 at 9:18 p.m.

All that preparation culminated in a long-term master plan the company submitted to the county Dec. 12 that calls for developing portions of the land with a balance of housing and commercial space big enough to lure large employers while putting large swaths of land in conservation with Plum Creek retaining timber rights.

The company is pitching the development portion of the plan as a way to address economic disparities on the east side of the county, while the conservation land would remove the ability to build one home with well and septic tank per every 5 acres, as allowed in the current agricultural land use.

The portions slated for development cover 11,000 acres of the 17,000-acre Windsor tract between Newnan's Lake and Hawthorne with a maximum of 15.5 million square feet of commercial space and 10,500 homes. The commercial space includes 8 million square feet for advanced manufacturing, 6 million square feet for research and development, office and institutional uses and 1.5 million square feet of retail and service space.

At least 30 percent of the developed areas must remain open space in the plan, leaving about 7,500 acres available for development.

The developed acreage would be reduced further if Plum Creek is allowed to concentrate homes and businesses over a smaller area.

The company is eyeing two areas in particular that make the most sense for development because of their proximity to Gainesville and Hawthorne with access to State Road 20.

However, developing the portion closest to Gainesville would affect wetlands, which is not currently allowed under the comp plan.

Tim Jackson, director of real estate for Plum Creek, said they could build out the maximum developed space without touching the 1,700 acres of wetlands within the 11,000 acres, but Plum Creek is asking to concentrate the development in smaller areas while affecting a few wetlands in the southern portions in return for greater wetlands protections on land to the north.

Jackson pointed out the areas on a poster-sized map during a Dec. 19 press briefing.

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A boon for eastern Alachua County?

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Steve Sloane

Steve Sloane started working as a freelance writer in 2007. He has written articles for various websites, using more than a decade of DIY experience to cover mostly construction-related topics. He also writes movie reviews for Inland SoCal. Sloane holds a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and film theory from the University of California, Riverside.

Each home has a main sewer line (pipe) that runs into either the city sewer or a septic tank. All sewer pipes from individual water fixtures (sinks, toilets, bathtubs), run and connect into this main sewer line, and are attached via connecting couplings. Sewer pipes are made of either PVC or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic, and and the joints are connected with plastic couplings and cement (glue). Water fixtures have a different diameter than sewer pipes, so it's important to contact the local city building department to determine the correct size of the pipes in your area.

Mark the main sewer line at the point where the water fixture's sewer pipe will attach to it. Make a second mark two inches along from the first mark. Cut through the main sewer line at both marks, using a hacksaw to make sure the cuts are straight. Remove any burrs with a utility knife.

Apply ABS glue to the inside lip on both ends of an ABS connecting coupling, and also glue around both cut ends of the sewer line. Push the connecting coupling between the two cut pipe ends, and make sure that the coupling's side spout faces up and in the direction of the water fixture. Hold the coupling in place for 30 seconds to let the glue set.

Apply glue to the end of a piece of ABS sewer pipe and to the inside lip of the connecting coupling's side spout. Push the pipe into the spout, and hold in place for 30 seconds. Then glue a coupling to the other end of the pipe, and install all necessary pipe and couplings until the sewer pipe reaches the water fixture. For sinks, showers and bathtubs, a P-trap needs to be glued to the end of the sewer pipe before the vertical part of the P-trap is connected to the fixture. The end of a toilet sewer pipe is glued to a 90-degree street elbow joint, which in turn is glued to a closet flange.

All horizontal sewer pipes are installed at a gradient to allow for waste to travel along the pipe. Consult your local city building department for the correct gradient in your area.

If installing PVC sewer pipe, use PVC primer to prime all joints before using PVC glue to attach the joints together.

Couplings come in 30-, 45-, 60- and 90-degree angles to help install sewer pipes at the proper angle. There are also "T"-shaped couplings that connect one pipe to another.

See the rest here:
How to Install Sewer Pipes | eHow

The Ramsey City Council Dec. 10 unanimously approved bids to construct a new community building at Elmcrest Park.

This will be more than a place to buy beverages and snacks for people attending youth athletic association games. A large meeting room will give associations and the public at-large a space to discuss issues important to them.

The new community building at Elmcrest Park will include a space for selling concessions, a large meeting room, storage space and a gathering area that includes a fireplace.

It means that the Anoka-Ramsey Athletic Association will not have to put up a tent when hosting tournaments that host teams from out of town. Lisa Muller, president of the association, said it had to put down wood boards because Anoka County said it could not just place items on the grass if it wanted to serve concessions.

Muller is excited to see this project move forward, which she said will get people from out of town to come to the businesses and it helps the associations keep the fields up.

Weve been working on this diligently for the past two-and-a-half years, but weve been talking about it for 10 years, she said.

According to Muller, the association has had as many as 172 soccer teams with about 3,000 kids at some tournaments. The association schedules games at Elmcrest for traveling teams, which start as young as the fourth grade and go up through U-17.

Mark Riverblood, parks and assistant public works superintendent for Ramsey, said the tournaments are often three or more days. There is at least one traveling tournament in July and another in October.

With parents and other spectators one can easily double the number of park patrons (over the 3,000), over the course of a couple of days, Riverblood said.

Muller anticipates even more teams could be interested in coming to play at Elmcrest with this new facility in place.

Read more here:
Ramsey council approves bids for Elmcrest Park building

Flood Safety Tips

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) urges people to learn the dangers of driving into flooded roadways because drivers often underestimate the power of floodwater. Roads weaken under floodwater and drivers should proceed cautiously after waters have receded, since the road may collapse under the weight of the vehicle.

Twelve inches of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles, including pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles. Water across a road may hide a missing segment of roadbed or a missing bridge. Because disaster can strike at any time, ADEM encourages everyone to have a disaster supply kit in their home and vehicle.

When theres water on the road:Turn Around, Dont Drown. Saving your life is as simple as choosing an alternate route. If you are driving and your vehicle stalls in flood water, the best advice is to get out quickly and move to higher ground.

Flood: Know Your Terms Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a flood hazard:

Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately. Before a Flood To prepare for a flood, you should:

Avoid building in a flood prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home. Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding. Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home. Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the homes in your area. Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

During a Flood If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

Listen to the radio or television for information. Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move. Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain. If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following: Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor. Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips: Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

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Don't Try to Drive over Flooded Roads

More than 200 residents of Colonia Revolucion in Far East El Paso County may be connected to a water pipeline for the first time by next year, said County Commissioner Vince Perez, who represents the area.

The underserved community is located west of Horizon City between Pellicano and Eastlake drives.

Providing potable water to the colonia will result in a better quality of life for the residents, who would also save in water and electricity bills, Perez said.

By state law, all homes outside the city limits must have access to drinking water and a sewer or septic system in order to get a Certificate of Plat Compliance from the county, which allows homeowners to receive electrical and gas services.

Perez said that since colonia residents do not have water connectivity, they don't qualify for the certificate of compliance. He said many of them pay commercial electricity rates, which are much more expensive than residential rates.

"Not only they are going to get clean, safe, drinking water in their homes for the first time, this is also going to enable them to get the COCs for the first time, which is going to enable them to pay residential (electricity) rates," Perez said.

The county has received a $3.1 million grant and a $500,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide water service for the first time to about 80 homes (225 residents) in Colonia Revolucion, according to county documents.

"The residents do not have a safe, reliable, water distribution system to meet their supply, storage or fire protection needs," a county document states.

On Dec. 9, Commissioners Court contracted R.M. Wright Construction Company for almost $1.75 million to install an elevated water storage tank and to build a booster pump station. Commissioners Court also hired CMD Endeavors to carry out the water system improvements pipeline project, which includes installing thousands of feet of water lines and 37 fire hydrants.

The county will work in conjunction with El Paso Water Utilities to provide the water service to the colonia.

Link:
El Paso County receives $3.1 million grant for Colonia Revolucion project.

By Gregory Phillips Staff writer

Initial steps were taken Monday night, despite objections from residents, toward seeking money to install sewer in a rural neighborhood north of Spring Lake.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to create a Bragg Estates Water and Sewer District.

The action was the first step in what is likely to be a lengthy effort to secure grants and loans from the state to install a public sewer system in the neighborhood of about 170 homes.

Commissioners emphasized the vote doesn't guarantee a system will be built.

"We're not saying to anybody ... that it would cost them any money at this point in time," Commissioner Kenneth Edge said.

Bragg Estates has seven homes with irreparable septic systems and others that have drainage problems.

"This is going to be a large problem because more and more houses are going to fail," said Daniel Ortiz, the county's environmental health director.

Frances Melree Tart's late husband built the subdivision.

She said Monday the building stopped because of the soil problems, and that installing sewer would allow more of the property to be developed.

Read more:
Cumberland County commissioners OK first step in septic system repair

CHAMPLAIN With a $415,000 boost in state funding, the Champlain Town Council is near creating a new water district that would serve a section of Route 11 and environs, along with East Service Road and West Service Roads.

Wednesday is the last day a petition with signatures from 5 percent of district residents can be turned in that would force a public referendum on the measure, otherwise it will go to the council for approval.

We felt there is a great need for this, Town Supervisor Larry Barcomb said.

Weve had people call here, and they want to come to Champlain for industry or a commercial venture or whatever, and one of the first things they ask is if we have water.

The town has surveyed property owners there, too, and found many favor water and wastewater service. Now, wells and individual septic systems serve homes and businesses there.

YEARLY COST

The project cost is estimated at $13,420,000, with, according to recent figures, the town paying 75 percent and the Village of Champlain contributing 25 percent.

Estimated yearly cost per equivalent dwelling unit (water usage for a single-family home) is estimated at $816, said Matt Cooper, a principal with Bernier & Carr Associates, designer of the project.

That would include debt service, he said.

All property owners in the district would be required to pay debt service whether they hook up or not, he noted, with parcels not using water assessed as a half-dwelling unit each, according to early calculations.

Read more:
New water district closer for Town of Champlain

CAPE CORAL, FL -

A huge section of Cape Coral looks more like a construction zone right now. The controversial Utilities Expansion Project is underway in the Southwest 6/7.

Crews are digging up streets -- all in an effort to bring city water and sewer services to the area. It's now one of the nation's largest utility projects.

The expensive undertaking is finally taking shape. We've reported for years on the troubled quest to get this $100 million project up off the ground.

Crews are ripping up the roads and installing sewer pipes. It's a slow process that, when complete, will bring many more people online with city services.

"Just a lot of dust, you've got to deal with," said resident John Ramsey.

UEP -- just a mention provokes either excitement or outrage in the Cape.

"Most subdivisions, when you get ready to build, you put the sewer, water and the streets -- then you build your house. Not Cape Coral," Ramsey said.

Homeowners, assessed almost $20,000 each, finally see what their money is buying them.

"It's a little noisy. It's a little noisy. You know they've got big machines," said resident Oziel Betancourt.

Visit link:
UEP construction begins in Cape Coral

POSTED: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - 7:34pm

UPDATED: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - 7:35pm

El Paso, TX (KTSM) After years of drinking and cooking with bottled water and residents complaining of hurting stomachs, Village of Vintaon leaders are looking for answers and help. A lack of a sewer or water system in the Village of Vinton is taking its toll.

"Their pipes are too old or a septic tank is broken and it's releasing contaminants and families are being at risk,"said UTEP researcher Patricia M. Juarez-Carrillo, MPJ, PhD.

UTEP researchers tested wells and septic tanks last summer and found everything from traces of salt to arsenic and E. coli, possibly causing symptoms in Vinton residents.

"Gastrointestinal problems and maybe in the future cancer. Children being returned from school or missing school because of that," said Juarez-Carrillo.

20% to 30% of participants reported illnesses and just how much Arsenic and E.coli was found? Well enough for researchers to suggest that Vinton connect to El Paso Water Utilities for water and sewer.

The standard for drinking water is 10 parts of arsenic per one billion parts of water. The study found the average household in Vinton has 13.3. Arsenic and E.coli could also cause skin rashes and infections.

"Filter their water and to also boil it because we found about 14% of the households resulted with total Coliform and E.coli," said Juarez-Carrillo.

The study also found that septic tanks in the area overflow and could be harmful.

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UTEP study finds high levels of arsenic and E.coli in Vinton water system