RENSSELAER AND ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. This past year was filled with many unexpected twists and turns due to the Novel Coronavirus creating a global pandemic.

The Capital Region began seeing its first cases in March and from then on, the cases continued to rise and things began to rapidly change throughout the state.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo ended up putting the state on Pause and many people began working and learning from home.

Even though the year was dominated and impacted by the pandemic, many other newsworthy stories occurred in 2020.

With the year coming to an end, the editorial staff at The Record ranked its top 10 stories from 2020.

The Collar City and Capital Region community was rocked on Sept. 14 with the homicide of 11-year-old Ayshawn Davis.

Troy police were called to the scene of a shooting that occurred in the area of 2266 Old 6th Ave. Officers were dispatched to this area at around 11:40 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found Davis, a student in the Lansingburgh school district, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Troy Fire Department personnel arrived and began treating the victim and then transported him to Albany Medical Center Hospital, where he succumbed to the injury.

Officers, detectives, and evidence technicians secured the scene and began processing evidence and speaking with neighbors and others in the area. The events leading up to the shooting are as follows, the victim was standing in the area of the shooting with a group and a car sped by with gunfire coming from the vehicle.

The vehicle continued north on Old 6th Avenue and fled the area, according to city police.

The public came together to find ways to keep Ayshawns memory alive and to help his family.

The Ayshawn Davis Memorial Fund was established in September to raise funds for the Davis family.

The fund will support family expenses for the Davis family, in addition to helping to cover future college costs for their four children.

The Troy City Council unanimously passed (7-0) a resolution in October on creating a sign/designation for "Ayshawn's Place," at a location to be determined within the city of Troy.

Ayshawn's father, Terance Davis, remarked on the significance of having his son's name displayed as a reminder to city residents.

"It's very important to me that a part of Old Sixth be named after my son to remind people of the mistakes that's going on in Troy and around the world," Davis said during the virtual city council meeting in October.

"That a little kid outside playing, nothing should've happened to him. This kid was a very independent, worked very hard, was very bright. I want people to recognize there was a bright young kid that had a bright future," Davis continued.

"Just to look at his name is to remind you of the mistakes, not to make again and to make the youth better for the little kids and even for the grownups to understand that we need to keep his name alive," Davis added.

On Sept. 28 many attended a graveside service in St. Peter's Cemetery for Ayshawn. Many of the people in attendance at the funeral wore blue in honor of Ayshawn. Blue was his favorite color. The bright color was a sharp contrast to the somber, heavy mood of the day, which was matched by a gray overcast sky.

As the funeral procession traveled down 3rd Avenue, past the house of one of Ayshawn's relatives, neighbors came out and knelt in the streets. Most were wearing blue. Many raised their fists in a gesture of support. Houses nearby were adorned with posters bearing messages of support for the BLM movement.

Ayshawn's graveside service was presided over by the Reverend Charles Barber. Bible readings of including Psalm 23 and John 14 were given, followed by hymns and songs. A prayer of comfort was offered, and then family members were given an opportunity to speak.

A few days before Ayshawns funeral, Troy police announced the arrest of Jahquay E. Brown, 20, of Cohoes in connection to Ayshawns murder. Police detectives interviewed Brown and executed a search warrant of his home. According to police, a handgun was located at Browns residence and has been taken as evidence. Police believe the weapon found may have been used in the crime and are awaiting testing of the firearm.

Troy police were also aided by multiple law enforcement agencies and the New York State Police Troop G Special Investigations Unit.

Along with multiple community members, the FBI also posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible for the homicide.

After the death of George Floyd, while in police custody in Minneapolis, many across the nation began to organize peaceful as well as violent protests in various communities.

Floyd, a Black man in handcuffs, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer who is white, pressed his knee against Floyds neck for several minutes even after he said he couldnt breathe. Floyds death sparked protests in Minneapolis and beyond, and led to a nationwide reckoning on race.

In late May, a protest in the City of Albany turned into a riot. Around 6 p.m. on May 30, a group of people came to the Albany Police Departments South Station on Arch Street requesting to speak with officers. Authorities said officers came out and spoke with some people and then went back into the police station.

Once officers went back inside the station, rioters began throwing bricks at police vehicles. Police then came back outside in riot gear. Officials said people then began throwing water bottles, bricks, rocks towards police officers.

Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said some officers were injured with one officer taken to Albany Medical Center after being hit in the head with a brick. Hawkins was not at the scene Saturday, although he said he was in constant contact with his staff.

Police said many buildings were destroyed, including the Albany County Probation building, health department building, and board of elections building.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple also noted how a tractor-trailer was lit on fire in Albany and how a CDTA bus driver was stuck on a street with people surrounding her bus.

Then on June 7 a crowd of thousands gathered at Riverfront Park for a peaceful Rally for Black Lives on Sunday afternoon. The rally was co-sponsored by Justice for Dahmeek, AYA Rising Project, All Of Us, and the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region.

During the first part of the rally, libations were poured out in honor of those who had come before. Spanish and sign language interpretations were provided to make the event truly united and accessible to all.

Speakers gave brief orations on the local importance of the rally, with enthusiastic support from the crowds. Past acts of violence and brutality by Troy police were described and the names of victims were read.

When the speakers were finished, it was time to march.

The crowds took to the streets of downtown Troy, chanting "No Justice, No Peace." They made their way out of Riverfront Park, looped through the city, and returned to the park at the end for a closing program.

During part of the march, protesters kneeled in the intersection of 3rd Ave. and River St., temporarily blocking traffic. As cars came to a stop and started backing up along 3rd Ave, the protesters encouraged drivers to exit their vehicles and kneel with them.

Some complied, receiving cheers and applause when they did so.

The rally achieved its goal of being a peaceful protest, with no incidents of property damage or violence.

In 2017, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden made the difficult decision to close the citys two municipal pools after an engineering assessment discovered significant structural, mechanical, and accessibility issues.

Since then, city officials had hopes that it would reopen every summer after 2017. However, various construction delays caused that to continue to get pushed back year after year. Finally, on July 18 city officials announced that the South Troy pool would reopen to the public.

Upgrades and improvements to the facility include:

New roof and skylights on the amenities building

Interior of amenities building repainted, lighting re-wired, bathrooms re-plumbed, and changing rooms rebuilt

Replacement of pump and filtration room, including installation of new plumbing lines and wiring

Replacement of compromised sections of concrete pool walls, and installation of a new liner and gutter system

Replacement of exterior fencing around facility

Installation of new concrete decking

Addition of pool lift to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities

Restoration of splash pad (located behind amenities building)

However, in keeping in line with state health guidelines for COVID-19, the pool capacity was limited to 50 patrons. Among those 50 patrons, the pool was accessible to only Troy residents, and children under 18 had to be accompanied by an adult.

On Thursday, July 30 the Troy Police Department began to investigate a reported domestic incident that led to the fatal shooting of a city man by an off-duty city officer on 17th Street in Troy.

According to police, Colin Davis, 25, of Troy, was accused of stabbing his estranged wife, and he was fatally shot by off-duty Troy police officer Adam Harbour, who intervened and saved her life.

A Rensselaer County grand jury cleared Harbour of any criminal wrongdoing in the fatal off-duty shooting of Colin Davis.

Harbour was praised by members of the police department as well as other elected officials for his heroic actions to save the womans life.

On April 30, Det. Sgt. Randy French, 39, succumbed to coronavirus after a long and tough fight.

Before his death, French's wife, Danielle French, made a post on Facebook saying that Randy was on a ventilator in the ICU at Albany Medical Center and the family was asking people to donate plasma. Danielle French wrote on April 13 that Randy French was matched with a donor for a plasma transfusion.

First responders from around the Capital Region came together on May 1 to take part in a vehicle procession from Albany Medical Center to Perry Komdat Funeral Chapel in Averill Park. French and his family resided in the town of Nassau in Rensselaer County.

French is survived by his wife, Danielle, their daughters Caitlyn and Juliana, his father, William, mother-in-law, Linda, sister, Chrissy, and sister-in-law Kimberly.

Former New York State Sen. Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno was a heavyweight in state and Capital Region politics.

He had the charisma and boxing gloves to prove it.

Bruno died Tuesday, Oct. 6, at his Brunswick home, accompanied by family and his longtime companion Kay Stafford. Bruno was 91.

The son of immigrants, Bruno grew up in depression-era Glens Falls and made ends meet from selling ice off a truck, all the way through his years as a Skidmore College student. Bruno also served in the United States Army in Korea.

Bruno, a Republican, was first elected in 1976 and rose to power as Senate Majority Leader from 1994 to 2008. Along with Gov. George Pataki and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Bruno was one of the three powerful "men in a room," helping forge state policy and spending.

Bruno's legacy can be found across the Capital Region, whether it was the Global Foundries plant in Malta, the modernizing of the Rensselaer Rail Station, or bringing affiliated minor-league baseball back to the Capital Region with his own named Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, Bruno's impact loomed large.

On December 9, The Tri-City ValleyCats announced that they will not be receiving a Player Development License from Major League and Minor League Baseball.

The Houston Astros have only announced that their AAA team will be the Sugar Land Skeeters. The Quad Cities Bandits will now become an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, the Round Rock Express will renew their relationship with the Texas Rangers, and as of right now according to the Fayetteville Observer, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers received a PDL renewal as a Class-A team.

Options for the ValleyCats could potentially be the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball or the Empire Professional Baseball League. The Empire league has teams located in Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh, and Tupper Lake.

The site of the former Troy City Hall was demolished in 2011 because of structural damage blamed on severe flooding along the Hudson River in 2006. Since then, many developers have expressed interest in developing the vacant site, however, many deals have fallen through over the years.

The Troy Local Development Corporation (TLDC) and Hoboken Brownstone Company announced the agreement to terms of a Development Agreement for the Monument Square site.

The TLDC voted to approve the agreement at a meeting on May 1.

The agreement paves the way for Hoboken Brownstone (HBC) to commence a design for the redevelopment of Monument Square, the next phase in what has been an 18-month open and transparent process to re-imagine the former City Hall site

Hoboken Brownstone Company was selected as project developer for the Monument Square site in 2019 because of their experience and ability to successfully redevelop waterfront property and a strong commitment to community inclusion in their redevelopment process.

The agreement provides HBC with a 2-year development term, with an option for a 1-year extension, to design, receive approvals, and apply for funding for a project that incorporates elements of the community visioning sessions, held in 2018.

As part of the agreement, HBC will make a future payment of $600,000 toward the public portion of the project to offset costs of the redevelopment that would otherwise be borne by the city of Troy. HBC will also place $50,000 in escrow to be used by the City and the TLDC to cover their project-related expenses.

More than 1,000 new full-time jobs were created in Rensselaer County thanks to Amazon's new fulfillment center in Schodack opening in 2020.

The employees joined more than 24,000 full- and part-time employees already working across the state with $15 an hour minimum wage and comprehensive benefits beginning on day one.

The more than one million square foot, state-of-the-art facility is located on U.S. Route 9 in Castleton. Employees there will work alongside innovative technologies to pick, pack and ship larger-sized items to customers across the region, including bulk cleaning supplies and paper goods, sports equipment, pet food and supplies, electronics, and household goods, to name a few.

On top of Amazons $15 minimum wage, the company offers full-time employees industry-leading benefits, which include health, vision and dental insurance from day one, 401(k) with 50 percent company match, up to 20 weeks paid parental leave and Amazons innovative Career Choice program, which pre-pays 95% of tuition for courses in high-demand fields.

When 2020 began, many cities were swearing in new mayors with some incumbent mayors returning to office. All of these mayors did not expect what 2020 would turn into due to the pandemic, but they all still had a job to do for its residents.

In the Collar City, Mayor Patrick Madden was sworn-in for another four-year term. According to the City Charter, the mayor of Troy can only serve two terms.

The City of Rensselaer saw a new mayor get sworn-in when Rensselaer County Legislature Chairman Michael Stammel took the oath of office.

Across the river, the city of Watervliet also elected a new mayor with former Councilman Charles Patricelli taking over the office.

After a heated election in 2019, Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler took the oath of office.

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The Record's top 10 stories from 2020 - Troy Record

RAWALPINDI:

The project concept to covert winding lanes of almost 300 year old bazaars of the old city area to pedestrian-only heritage trail got official nod on Wednesday.

The special city beautification committee has approved the project-concept (PC) I for the conversion of streets passing through different old markets into proper walking streets.

Under the project, the 2.5 kilometres (kms) long-stretch of lanes and streets from historic Bhabhra Bazaar to Raja Bazaar passing through Sarafa Bazaar, Dangi Khoi, Kalan Bazaar will be converted into a proper walking street.

In the heart of the old city area of Rawalpindi is an over 230 year old locality the Bhabra Bazaar. Named after the rich Bhabra community that owned the almost two square kilometre patch of the town it still has a number of old buildings intact which speak of the regal past of the area. The gated community secured from four entrance and exit points has many small lanes that open on to the main bazaar.

Today, the Bahabra Bazaar is a 20 feet wide and 2km long stretch of commercial area that extends from Muree road to Sarafa Bazaar, the hub of gold and jewellery trading. Bhabhra Bazaar locality was inhabited 260 years ago by

The city administration and the business community have joined hands to convert these ancient lanes to tourist-friendly area, instead of demolishing these relics of past.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) members of civil society and urban conservation specialist have formed the beautification committee.

The committee has sent the PC-I for converting the lanes of these bazaars to heritage trail to the competent authority for final approval.

The estimated cost of the project would be Rs50 million while it will be kicked off from February 15. The funds for the project have already been approved.

RDA Chairman Tariq Murtaza told The Express Tribune that it was a unique project of Rawalpindi in which the administration and traders bodies were on-board. He added that tuff tiles would be placed on the entire path.

Under the project, all electricity and telephone poles will be removed from the route and wiring would be laid underground.

The removal of street lights is also part of the project and instead, the lights will be fixed on the walls of the buildings.

Murtaza said that the installation of tiles on the walkway would be done from Teli Mohalla Murree Road to Dangi Khoi Chowk.

The entry of motorcycles will be banned and only pedestrians will be allowed to walk in from a certain limit.

There will be electric vehicles at the entry and exit of the street for the elderly, women, and children.

RDA official said that digitized advertisement boards would be installed along the street as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2020.

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Rawalpindi citys beautification project gets official nod - The Express Tribune

Combination Starters Market: Overview

Combination starters are the most common type of packaged motor controllers forming a critical input unit related to industrial drives and controls. Motor starter which can be 1 or 2 type coordination is made through combining a contactor with motor protective circuit breaker or circuit breaker. Coordination 1 or 2 safely control short-circuit by switching it off, offering a high degree of operational continuity to the system. Functions such as motor control, disconnect, overload protection, and branch circuit protection are majorly performed by combination starters.

Furthermore, combination starter helps in safeguarding personnel from accidental starting of machinery and contact with live parts by disconnecting motor and starter. Combination starters provide more attractive and compact installation than separate units which can be prewired thereby eliminating the wiring cost between starter and separate disconnect. Combination starters find their application in pumps, conveyors, compressor, and other equipment; pumps are the key application which are attributed towards the growth of global combination starters market over the next decade.

Combination starters possess features such as lifecycle of more than one million operations with an adjustable overload relay and current-limiting fuses. Moreover, North America is the most dominating region in the global combination starters market due to stringent installation, application, and product standards such as NFPA70, NFPA79, UL508A, UL489, and UL508 for governing electrical installations in the region.

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Combination Starters Market: Dynamics

Global combination starters market is expected to grow at a significant rate owing to growing concerns for motor control & protection, increasing demand for industrial pumps operating at varying loads during the forecast period. Furthermore, growing construction, oil & gas, water and wastewater management and chemical industries, being the major end-use industries are expected to fuel the growth of combination starters market during the forecast period. Moreover, features of non-reversing combination starters such as circuit simplicity, single speed & direction, and fast starting of motor are further expected to enhance the growth of combination starters market over the forecast period. Despite of various drivers in combination starters market, some of the restraining factors such as high maintenance cost and power consumption is expected to hamper the growth of global combination starters market during the forecast period.

Combination Starters Market: Segmentation

Global combination starters market is segmented on the basis of product type, application, and end-use industries. On the basis of product type, global combination starters market is segmented in to full-voltage non reversing, full-voltage reversing, multi-speed, and reduced voltage type. On the basis of application, global combination starters market is segmented into compressors, conveyors, fans, and pumps. On the basis of end-use industry, global combination starters market is segmented into food & beverage, oil & gas, metal & mining, construction, wastewater, and others (automotive, pulp & paper, chemical)

Combination Starters Market: Region-wise Outlook

North America is anticipated to dominate the global combination starters market by 2017 end owing to stringent regulations in the region and is estimated to show its dominance during the forecast period. Furthermore, Western Europe being hub of automotive, food & beverage, construction, and chemical is estimated to drive the growth of Western Europe combination starters market during the forecast period.

Growing awareness for motor control and automotive & construction industry in Asia Pacific is expected to fuel the demand for combination starters during the forecast period. Moreover, Middle East & Africa is estimated to enhance the growth of global combination starters due to upcoming construction, chemical, oil & gas projects and increasing awareness among end-use industries.

Latin America and Eastern Europe are expected to show substantial growth during the forecast period owing to oil & gas projects in Russia and Mexico; upcoming food, pharmaceuticals, chemical projects in these regions will further boost the growth of global combination starters market over the forecast period. In terms of competitive landscape, the major OEMS and related manufacturing hubs are concentrated in U.S., Europe and Japan owing to prowess in technical know-how and established business infrastructure since the inception of the product.

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Combination Starters Market: Key Participants

Some of the key participants of global combination starters market are:

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Combination Starters Market Growth Analysis By Manufacturers, Regions, Types and Application Forecast 2025 - LionLowdown

Copper thieves sent the Spaghetti Bowl into darkness a month ago, but work is underway to have the lights back on by the end of the year.

The replacement comes at an estimated cost of $300,000. The first cost of repairs was estimated at $70,000 for equipment and $70,000 for labor.

We now plan on having all 20 freeway light pole masts located near the downtown Las Vegas Spaghetti Bowl interchange corridor rewired by months end in time for New Years Eve, said Tony Illia, Nevada Department of Transportation spokesman. The increased figure is partly due to new security measures being installed in conjunction with the copper wire re-installation.

Illia declined to detail any of the new security devices so as not to inform possible thieves.

Law enforcement has made several arrests of suspected copper thieves since the outages occurred.

Thieves using power tools and other devices to speed their work stole enough wiring to knock out lighting several weeks ago, leaving only about 30 percent of the freeway lights illuminated along the Spaghetti Bowl corridor and creating a significant safety hazard for motorists.

As state crews worked to restore wiring and lighting, thieves struck again, delaying repairs that NDOT had hoped to be completed by Thanksgiving.

The price of copper has reached $3.29 per pound, up 55 percent from $2.13 per pound five years ago.

We are committed to Nevada motorists staying safe and connected, while undertaking the added theft deterrent measures, Illia said. Meanwhile, we advise motorist caution and attentiveness if traveling through the Spaghetti Bowl corridor at night.

Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Marv_in_Vegas on Twitter.

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Spaghetti Bowl lights may be back on soon after copper wire thefts - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Therapeutic Associates Inc., a physical, occupational and speech therapy business, received an $8.1 million loan under the federal Paycheck Protection Program, the most of any Kent company.

Novinium Inc., an underground power expert that partners with utility companies, obtained $5.3 million and Holmes Electric, an electrical contractor, received a $5.2 million loan, according to data released last week by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), complying with a federal court order as part of a lawsuit by the Washington Post and other media organizations to get specific information about the loans, part of the federal CARES Act to combat the economic impact of COVID-19.

The SBA released data in July that did not include specific amounts to each business. The loans do not require repayment if borrowers spend most of the funds to cover payroll. The SBA, in most cases, considers a small business as having 500 or fewer employees.

Therapeutic Associates, a physical therapy business whose administrative officers are in Kent, did not report the number of jobs retained. Holmes Electric also didnt list the number of its employees. Novinium reported the loan would help it retain 267 employees.

Following is a list, by amount received, of Kent businesses that received at least $1 million, with the type of business and the number of employees. Several businesses did not list their number of employees. Many other Kent businesses received amount less than $1 million.

Kent PPP recipients $5 million $10 million

THERAPEUTIC ASSOCIATES INC.

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists

No employee number listed

$8,167,100

NOVINIUM INC

All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

267 employees

$5,370,000

HOLMES ELECTRIC COMPANY

Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

No employee number listed

$5,205,500

$3 million $4 million

KELLEY IMAGING SYSTEMS INC

Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers

200 employees

$4,169,500

ALCO INVESTMENT COMPANY

Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers

331 employees

$4,126,100

KEY MECHANICAL CO.

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

203 employees

$3,812,395

HARBOR FOODSERVICE OF SEATTLE LLC

Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers

208 employees

$3,653,250

T & A SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.

Floor Covering Stores

No employees number listed

$3,505,000

BARGHAUSEN CONSULTING ENGINEERS INC.

Engineering Services

175 employees

$3,315,821

LONG PAINTING COMPANY

Painting and Wall Covering Contractors

68 employees

$3,296,149

POULSBO RV INC

Recreational Vehicle Dealers

235 employees

$3,002,157

$2 million $3 million

PETROCARD, INC.

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals)

162 employees

$2,970,245

PRECISION AEROSPACE PRODUCTS, LLC

Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing

125 employees

$2,564,422

PUGET SOUND PIPE AND SUPPLY COMPANY

Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers

No employee number listed

$2,531,230

SHINN MECHANICAL, INC.

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

No employee number listed

$2,506,100

INSULATION CONTRACTORS, INC.

Drywall and Insulation Contractors

No employee number listed

$2,441,600

SEA-TAC ELECTRIC, INC.

Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

No employee number listed

$2,422,500

WESTERN INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES INC

Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers

No employee number listed

$2,321,000

THE BOXMAKER, INC.

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing

No employee number listed

$2,311,200

MAC & CO.

Baked Goods Stores

No employee number listed

$02,149,332

TRI-MED AMBULANCE, LLC

Ambulance Services

239 employees

$2,035,009

FAWCETT PAINTING, INC.

Painting and Wall Covering Contractors

111 employees

$2,019,200

CORPORATE MOVING SYSTEMS, INC.

Used Household and Office Goods Moving

No employee number listed

$2,000,000

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Kent physical therapy company received $8.1 million from SBA... - Kent Reporter

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 - by Mitch Talley, Whitfield County Director of Communications

The old saying that you cant always judge a book by its cover will definitely apply to the Whitfield County Courthouse after extensive renovations inside the original 60-year-old portion of the structure are finished late next year.

Every wall of the building will be coming out, down to the concrete frame, County Engineer Kent Benson said, and then itll be rebuilt to a different floor plan. Basically itll be a whole new building; were just reusing the frame.

Sandwiched between the special U.S. Senate election in January and the city election in November, with full funding provided by the four-year, special purpose local option sales tax that voters approved in June, Whitfield County plans to start and finish all the work inside that part of the courthouse built in 1961.

That original building is a three-story, 48,000-square-foot concrete framed structure, Mr. Benson said, meaning its got concrete columns and concrete beams set in place with concrete floor decks and a concrete roof deck that all serve as the structural part of the building. None of the interior walls carry any load, he said, so we can totally demolish or remove all of the interior walls without affecting any structural integrity of the building.

When the new portion of the courthouse was added in 2006, the exterior walls of the 1961 portion were left in place, but hidden behind a brick faade to match the new construction.

If you go into that old part of the building and look at the exterior windows, youll see the window sills are very deep, Mr. Benson said. That shows how big the cavity between these two walls is, about three feet. Its uninsulated space so you get condensation in there and with the roof leaks and other moisture that also get into that space, theres never any air change-over so it just promotes mold growth.Usable space will growThe project, which is being designed by Carter Watkins Associates, will include the removal of those original exterior walls, and the floors will then be extended out three feet, actually increasing the amount of usable interior square footage.

That space was previously uninsulated and not part of the HVAC system and will be converted to heated interior space, Mr. Benson said, so youll end up with the current exterior brick wall, new insulation, and new interior wall but no three-foot cavity in there. That will eliminate the mold problem.

The HVAC system, along with all the wiring and plumbing, will be replaced. Its 60 years old and still has the original wiring and plumbing, Mr. Benson said. The AC main unit has been replaced over the years, but that type of system is conducive to mold growth inside the ductwork, especially for a building that has one floor underground.

The new HVAC system which will be more energy efficient and will cost less to operate is a multi-split system with zones that uses smaller equipment and does not have interior supply ductwork. Instead, a square cartridge in the center of the ceiling of each room will supply the heating and cooling, and another separate fresh air duct that doesnt promote the growth of mold will be employed. A drain line for condensation removes water created by the system, and if a line does stop up, it shuts off automatically and sends a notice that service is required so you dont have leaks from a condensate pan overflowing like you would with a conventional system, Mr. Benson said.

Getting ready for those interior renovations to the 1961 building, the county used capital funds of $1.25 million earlier this year to replace its roof and install new, more efficient windows on the original clear story portion that rises above the flat roof.Clearly an improvementIn 2006, when the courthouse was expanded to the north, the architect had suggested using a screen wall around the clear story in an attempt to hide it and better match the look of the new part. Unfortunately, that screen required the use of a steel frame that had to be secured to the roof with dozens of bolts.

Everywhere they put a bolt in, it was a penetration through the roof, Mr. Benson said. They have tried many, many things over the years to try to seal those holes up, but over time, whatever you use to seal it, it eventually gets dry and cracks and water winds up getting into the building. There was a problem with leaks from the beginning, and its gotten worse over time.

Crews finally were able to eliminate that problem for good earlier this year, however, by totally removing the screen, then installing a thicker-than-standard rubber polymer membrane roof system with a 30-year warranty.

The clear story itself, located over the main courtroom, also created problems over the years, Mr. Benson said.

For years, its original uninsulated single-pane windows were a heating and cooling nightmare, depending on the season, and if their non-tempered glass panels had ever been broken, they would have fallen in large sheets into the courtroom, possibly resulting in a very dangerous situation, according to Mr. Benson. The windows also caused a glare in the courtroom below, and blinds installed to try to block the sun had long ago served their useful life, he said.

The new windows are high performance, double-pane, low energy transfer, Mr. Benson said, Meaning you get a lot of heat on the window from the sun beating down on it, but it doesnt transmit that heat to the inside of the room, plus the coating they have on them cuts the glare of the sun without having to have blinds on there.

Mr. Benson expects better temperature control in the courtroom thanks to installation of the new windows as well as rigid insulation panels underneath the new roof membrane, along with the new more efficient HVAC system, when its installed next year.Strictly a judicial courthouseThe renovations will allow the county commissioners to meet their goal of using the courthouse strictly for judicial functions. That means over the next few months, several departments will be relocating.

The Public Defenders Office, for example, will move from the Wells Fargo building to the ground floor of the 1961 portion of the courthouse. The Board of Elections and Registrar recently moved into renovated space formerly occupied by the Vending Area on the middle floor of the new courthouse, with voting machines to be stored next door in space to be renovated in the old part of the building. Thats one reason why work wont be able to start on the renovations until after the Jan. 5 special election is certified, and why work has to be completed before the citys election in November.

The middle floor will also include part of the district attorneys office, specifically the Victim/Witness Assistance Program, as well as additional space undesignated for now but likely to be used eventually for judicial functions.

The top floor will continue to be the main courtroom, which will see new lighting, wiring, and HVAC installed but will retain its current furnishings. Behind that, youve got judges offices and mediation rooms and things like that, Mr. Benson said, and all of that will be renovated. The jury assembly room will get a renovation, but it will end up looking exactly like it does theyre happy with how the room is now. It just needs the same as the others new electrical, new HVAC and all, but we wont remodel that room.

As a result of the renovations, the tax commissioners office will move from the courthouse to a new location at 1013 Riverburch Pkwy. just off the North Bypass in mid-January, and the tax assessors office is relocating to the Staten Building across from Dalton City Hall.Project will also increase securityThe project will also include construction of a second sallyport aimed at increasing security in the courthouse.

The new part of the courthouse already includes a sallyport, a secure elevator, and a secure hallway to get inmates to each courtroom without coming in contact with a judge or a jury or the public, but thats not the case in the old part, according to Mr. Benson.

So if they were to bring somebody and needed a secure way to get them to the main courtroom, theres not one, he said. They would just have to bring them in the sallyport in the new courthouse, and then there would be a distance they would have to transport that person where they could come in contact. Of course, there would always be an escort by law enforcement, but they could still come in contact with somebody.

So this project will construct another sallyport in the old part of the courthouse where police cars can pull in, have the door close behind the car, enter a secure elevator that will go from the ground floor up to the top floor where the main courtroom is and then a secure hallway to get that inmate into the courtroom without coming in contact with a judge or the jury or the public, so thats a pretty big upgrade.

The county will open bids on the project on Dec. 11. The contractor chosen will then have to get their bonds and weve got to get the contracts executed, Mr. Benson said, so by the end of the year, we want the contracts executed and everything ready to go so that they can be ordering materials and getting ready to work on Jan. 20. In the meantime, weve got to get the tax commissioner and tax assessor moved out. Were also working on a temporary location for the Victim/Witness program while their office is being renovated.

Mr. Benson says the entire old portion of the courthouse will have to be empty by the time construction starts late next month, and he believes the work should be completed by mid-October.

We hope to start on or about Jan. 20, and weve got to be done by Oct. 1 because theres a city election in November next year and theyll have early voting in October, he said, so weve got to be done (with the elections storage room) by Oct. 1 to get those machines back over there in time for the election. There could still be some small items to be done on the top floor or the ground floor after that, but weve got to have the middle floor where the elections equipment goes totally finished and ready to be occupied by Oct. 1.

Continued here:
With New Roof Installed, Whitfield County Now Turns To Interior Renovations Of Old Part Of Courthouse Next Year - The Chattanoogan

Visual PressSupport supports communication for remote maintenance

Like all other globally active companies, Koenig & Bauer is particularly affected by the current restrictions on travel. In this situation, data-driven services are helping to prepare machines for production and resolve service cases to the satisfaction of the users. The basis for this capability is a remote maintenance function which has been guaranteeing the high availability of Rapida sheetfed offset press on markets around the world since 1995. Where communication is conducted exclusively by telephone, however, there is a risk that only limited assistance can be provided or that the full scope of the issue cannot be conveyed when dealing with complex mechanical specifications or process-related issues.

That is precisely the point at which Visual PressSupport comes into play. This digital tool enables forms of information sharing with added value and greatly simplifies communication for users and hotline technicians alike. The hotline technician sees exactly what the operator or service partner at the press can see. He can observe relevant processes and functions as moving images, and thus obtains a faster and more comprehensive overview of the situation in the press room. That eliminates the need for lengthy descriptions and reduces the risk of misunderstandings compared to a simple telephone call.

Koenig & Bauer Campus: Trainers and experts from Koenig & Bauer convey specialist knowledge in a small studio also on the installation of UV dryers.

Remote function checks and commissioning

This is how it functions in practice: When a new press is being set up, the installation of the UV dryers must be entrusted to specialists. Due to the current restrictions, however, they were unable to travel to the site. And yet commissioning was still possible thanks to Visual PressSupport.

First of all, online training was organised for the local service technicians. This was provided through the Koenig & Bauer Campus, the press manufacturers training centre. The training course showed and explained the critical aspects of dryer installation and commissioning and the technicians received specific instructions for working on high-voltage equipment with voltages up to 4 kV.

Subsequently, press assembly was completed and the dryers were installed. Before the press was started up for the first time, a dryer specialist from Koenig & Bauer was shown all the important points. This included the wiring of all electrical connections, the cable routing and the water cooling connections. The factory specialist was able to view the components via Visual PressSupport as still images or videos, and could guide the colleagues on site to those elements which required a closer check or further adjustments, for example by highlighting details on a drawing or screenshot. Communication was not limited to just speech, but also included live images and written comments. Checklists were tackled step by step in the same manner. Everyone was on the same page at all times, and gapless function checks were possible. The press and its dryers could be taken into production safely.

Diversity of applications

There are many other ways in which Visual PressSupport is able to help. Printing process-related issues or mechanical problems can now also be solved remotely. The user of a large-format perfector press, for example, reported creasing of the sheet in the perfecting unit. Design engineers asked to be shown the sheets in question and certain mechanical elements via Visual PressSupport, and were able to determine an incorrect gripper setting. After correction, the press produced flawlessly once more.

In another case, coating plate changes were not functioning properly. A visual check of the coating plate revealed that the wrong plate type was set on the console. Once the setting was changed, plate changing was back to normal.

Visual PressSupport has established itself as a proven tool when providing service for sheetfed offset presses. Beside Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed, it is also used elsewhere in the company group for example with presses and equipment from the business units Digital & Webfed, Coding and MetalPrint.

Prerequisites for use of the Visual PressSupport service

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Koenig & Bauer Extends Video- and Photo-Based Support to Mechanical and Technical Process Issues - WhatTheyThink

FM broadcast is a device that transmitsbroadcasts by wireless transmission. It has the characteristics of no vertical poles for wiring, wide coverage, unlimited capacity expansion, and convenient installation and maintenance. It solves the problems of traditional cable broadcasting wiring difficulties, complicated installation, and poor scalability. For the current large-scale and wide-area schools, FM broadcasting has the superiority that traditional cable broadcasting cannot match.

Application principle

The audio signal collected by the system is modulated to a high-frequency signal of a certain frequency and radiated into the air. The receiving end receives the high-frequency electric wave containing the audio signal. Through frequency selection and amplification, the audio signal is detected by the detection circuit, and then passed Positive, the power is amplified and restored to the original audio signal. This process is thewireless broadcasting system.

Application field

Inorder to allow students to practice English listening, some campuses have installed small FM transmitters, and each student is equipped with wireless monitoring equipment. High-power FM radio speakers can also be installed on campus. Some factories and mines have adoptedmulti-pointautomatic reception transmissionin order to transmit instructions in time. Some townships to natural villages have installed FM radio transmitters and installed FM radio automatic receivers and amplifiers in the villages for the smooth flow of government orders and good publicity work. There are many places in life where wireless broadcast communication is used.

ZHC is engaged in R & D; production; marketing; engineering installation and after-sales service of FM Radio & TV Wireless Broadcasting Equipment in professional. The leading products of ZHC include: FM RadioTransmitter; TV Transmitter; Digital Radio Exciter; Digital TV Transmitter; FM & TV Antenna; Digital Audio Equipment; Transmitter Telemetry & Remote Control Management System etc.

ZHC adopted by ISO9001 International Quality Management System; wireless transmission equipment production license certification;FM Radio & TV equipmentnetwork certification.

Media ContactCompany Name: Zhongchuan Digital Equipment Co., Ltd.Contact Person: Media RelationsEmail: Send EmailPhone: +86 13588215572Address: Building 5th, No.23, Jugong Rd. Binjiang District City: HangzhouCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://www.fmtvzhc.com/

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FM broadcast is a device that transmits broadcasts by wireless transmission - Virtual-Strategy Magazine

So, when they enter the front gate of Pyramid Hill, they leave Ohio, and by the time they get to the end of the journey, they are at the North Pole, FitzGibbons said.

From the very beginning, they will be envisioning this story through to the North Pole. As you go through each section of the park, a new part of the journey will unfold."

Visitors will see more than five different art installations, created by local and regional artists, along with an expansive, curated display of lights. Guests will also experience a Journey Borealis soundtrack by Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and Cincinnati Boychoir as they drive through the display. Arranged by Daniel Nail, the soundtrack will feature arrangements of holiday music.

Its a journey. Youre going to the North Pole, and its a light-based art installation, and we thought Journey Borealis was perfect to describe what the art drive is and what to expect, northern lights, FitzGibbons said.

As far as other highlights on the journey, guests will go through a Crystal Palace during one segment of the drive.

Current volunteer opportunities at Pyramid Hill will also allow community members to be a part of Journey Borealis. Community members are invited to volunteer at Pyramid Hill every Monday through Nov. 16, and they will assist with installation projects throughout the park. Volunteer projects will include creating innovative lighting effects, installing lights in trees and bushes, building structures, wiring lights, and more.

Opening Pyramid Hill and Journey Borealis up to the community through our volunteer program is an important step in aligning our programming with our mission of Bringing People to Art in Nature. It also provides a shared creative experience, FitzGibbons said.

Additionally, Pyramid Hill is accepting donations of materials. New materials are preferred, but donations can also come from personal Christmas collections of working items. Donations can include single-color strands of lights of any length, colored lights of any length, and construction materials such as plywood sheets and lumber. For additional information about volunteering or donating materials, contact Sarah Rodriguez, project coordinator, at srodriguez@pyramidhill.org.

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Hamilton holiday lights event to change with soundtrack by Cincinnati Boychoir, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra - dayton.com

(Pocket-lint) - Though smart lights can be controlled through voice, and regular lights work just fine with switches, sometimes you want the best of both worlds. That's where smart light switches and dimmers come in, with their capabilities extending far past a normal wired-in switch - all while remaining simple enough for the whole family to use.

Like everything else in the smart home, however, there are a few things to understand before you buy.

Most top smart switches will offer compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, but installation methods vary. Some will just require an adhesive tab, but others will need some wiring - so, make sure the screwdriver is handy. For an easy reference, wall-installed options tend to act as a tool to give you smart control over regular lights, while remote-style switches you stick to the wall often aim to give you more control over already-installed smart lights.

If you're ready to take that lighting setup to the next level, we've detailed some of the top options to help you decide.

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There are plenty of great smart home devices under TP Link's Kasa line, but one of the best is the company's Smart Light Switch.

As far as installation goes, it's one of the most straightforward methods that doesn't just, you know, involve sticking an adhesive to the wall. The Kasa app will guide you through each step, but all you really need to do is find the neutral wire behind your regular switch and configure it from there.

There's no hub required, as well, with the switch essentially giving you the ability to turn your regular lights smart. That means you can control them from the app or by using your voice and even set schedules for them.

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Belkin's Wemo smart alternative works similarly to other replacements for regular switches, working with Alexa and Google Assistant to give you ample control.

You'll require a single-pole connection and a neutral wire, with the switch not compatible with three-way systems, but once you're set up you'll be able to control the lights and schedule using your voice or the app.

It is a little on the pricey side when compared to similar options, but it's a super reliable and easy system to set up.

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Gosund offers up another take on the classic style on smart switches, upgrading your regular fittings into more functioning members of the house.

You get all the typical features once you have set things up, which means scheduling, voice control (through Alexa or Google Assistant), app control and more are at your disposal.

Like other fittings of this type, just be aware that it won't work with three-pole connections, just single-pole. They'll also require a neutral wire to get set up.

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If you want to install plenty of smart switches around your home, it can start to get costly.

With Treatlife's four-pack, though, you get to graduate from regular switches and still have enough money to actually pay your mortgage.

It's the same single-pole, neutral wire setup as other switches, with the device itself opening up a world of scheduling, automation through Alexa or Google Assistant, manual app control and more.

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Philips serves up a different kind of smart switch with its Wireless Dimmer Switch, which essentially exists to give users another way of controlling their Hue-compatible lights.

Instead of requiring installation to replace your existing switch, the remote is designed to be placed beside it with an adhesive strip. You will require a Hue Hub, but, if you have one, this is a painless way to back up the app and voice control with something manual.

On the switch itself, you're able to dim and brighten the lights you've set up to work with the remote, as well as turn them off and on.

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Unlike many other options, which only work with single-pole connections, Meross allows you to replace your regular fitting with this two-way smart switch.

The device is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, letting you take advantage of voice control for your lights, as well as app controls.

Just be aware that your switch wiring will require at least one neutral blue wire for installation, something that a lot of old houses don't feature.

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Like Philips' Dimmer Switch, the Tap is a stick-to-the-wall type of smart switch that affords greater manual control of your Hue lights.

The four buttons allow you to jump between different, customizable scenes, with the unit itself cleverly powered by kinetic touch. That means there's no need for batteries - you can simply stick the mount to the wall or use it as a remote and it'll remain useable.

It's less of an essential switch than the Hue Dimmer, but it's a really handy way to change the mood with, well, just a simple tap.

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Sonoff's touch-enabled smart switch is a beauty, providing you with one of the neatest and most affordable ways to add more functionality over your regular light switch.

The device is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, with this backed up by app control and the ability to create scheduling routines and light scenes.

Just note that the installation will require a neutral wire, and the switch itself will only work with one-way connections (though Sonoff does offer two-way and three-way options, too).

Writing by Conor Allison. Editing by Max Freeman-Mills.

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Best smart light switch: Take a shine to these top Alexa and Google Assistant switches - Pocket-lint