Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Bentley Kinzer carved a bear sculpture out of wood with a chainsaw at his house in Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG Parkersburg South High School student Bentley Kinzer thought he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, and his thought was only reassured after taking Human Anatomy with PSHS teacher Christopher Meckley.

I really enjoyed human anatomy last year, he said. I have always thought I wanted to do something in the medical field and that class made me know that is what I want to pursue.

Kinzer plans to attend West Virginia University after finishing his high school degree. He wants to go there to be closer to his sister Hannah. He is unsure of what exactly he will study but is trying to decide between biology or exercise physiology. He said he could see himself working at a hospital or in a physical therapy department in the future.

I picked biology because I think that it is a major that could lead me into multiple different avenues of the medical field because Im not exactly sure which route I want to take yet, he said. I thought about exercise physiology because Ive also thought about becoming a physical therapist and that is a common major to become that.

Kinzer dreams of eventually opening up a gym and a baseball facility so he can teach kids like him how to lift and play baseball. He said his inspiration for this dream came from Mary and Dave Jeffery, friends of his family, who taught him how to lift.

Bentley Kinzer is the catcher for the Parkersburg South High School baseball team. This was taken during a game at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)

They have been such great role models to me, he said.

Kinzer is the catcher on the PSHS baseball team and said his baseball skills have only improved since he started lifting. He started playing baseball at the age of 4 and hasnt stopped playing since. It didnt take long for him to realize how much he truly loves the game.

My interest began right when I started playing, he said. Baseball means everything to me.

Kinzer is also incredibly active in his school community.

The four years I have been here at South I have been a part of the South Side Psychos, which has been an absolute blast, he said.

From left, Hannah Kinzer and Bentley Kinzer take a photo together at Way Back Burger in Hilton Island, S.C. (Photo Provided)

Kinzer leads the PSHS student section and helps support other teams during games. He also works in the main office as a co-op student.

In his spare time, Kinzer likes to volunteer in the community. He has volunteered at local soup kitchens, the Humane Society of Parkersburg and with a wide variety of other causes.

It is truly a rewarding feeling, he said. It gives me the feeling that I am a part of something bigger than myself.

Kinzer also enjoys running his own landscaping business, spending time with his friends and carving bears out of wood with a chainsaw. He said his landscaping business, Bentleys Lawn Care, really took off this summer.

I do everything from landscaping, pressure washing and mowing, he said. I enjoy how Ive been able to hire my own workers and schedule jobs, sometimes even three weeks out.

From left, Brandon Holiday, Bentley Kinzer and Josh Smith attend the Parkersburg South High School 2022 Prom. (Photo Provided)

Kinzers chainsaw technique also took off this summer. He watched a YouTube video of someone else carving a bear out of wood with a chainsaw and thought hed like to do it himself. He tried it and was surprisingly pleased with the results.

James Dobbs can be reached at jdobbs@newsandsentinel.com.

From left, Mary Jeffrey, Bentley Kinzer and Dave Jeffrey take a photo to commemorate a powerlifting competition Kinzer participated in. The Jeffreys helped Kinzer train for the competition that he competed in at the Dils Center in Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)

Bentley Kinzer was a member of the 2022 Post 15 legion baseball team. (Photo Provided)

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Teen of the Week: Parkersburg South's Bentley Kinzer is a man of many talents - Parkersburg News

While the kitchen received over 23% (146 people) of the vote, the bathroom gained over 26% (165 people). This may be shocking, as the kitchen is one of the most common areas to renovate. Further, Go Banking Rates says that renovating the kitchen before the bathroom makes the most sense, especially for those who want to sell soon. This is because, while remodeling the kitchen will cost more upfront, it will give you more return on your investment once sold. Even if you're not planning to sell your home soon, you may still want to remodel the kitchen first because this space is typically seen by guests, while your private bathroom probably isn't.

However, Petri points out that remodeling the bathroom may make it easier for you to relax in your space. Updating the tub or shower could help you really enjoy the time you spend in the bathroom. Additionally, it could make the space safer by updating slippery flooring or exposed electrical outlets. Lamont Bros. says that a bathroom remodel may be more convenient than a kitchen remodel since most homes have more than one bathroom, while they typically only have one kitchen. If you're sticking to a tight budget, renovating the bathroom will make more sense because it costs less money upfront.

Read more:
26% Of Homeowners Would Rather Renovate This Room Instead Of Their Kitchen - House Digest

The basement is a great spot to build a designated laundry room due to its open layout and utility hookups. Often, though, the aesthetics leave a lot to be desired.

Your basement laundry room doesnt have to be dingy or dull; you can make your space more functional and stylish with a few simple changes. Your newly renovated space may even make you enjoy doing your laundry! Here are seven of our favorite basement laundry room ideas and a few considerations to keep in mind while remodeling.

Basements are usually dark and dreary, but you can add warmth and cheer to the space with the right color scheme. We recommend using light neutrals with a few thoughtful accent colors. For something fresh and calming, choose light shades of green and more neutral blues. If you prefer a crisp, clean look, pair white with a soft neutral beige or brown. To add some energy to the laundry area, consider using a bold accent color like a bright blue or red.

The basement is a great spot to experiment with striking wallpaper and bold patterns. These design elements can really add some excitement and personality to the space. There are a few different ways you can try out this style. Use peel-and-stick wallpaper with a geometric pattern or bold design to create an accent wall or coat all the walls in the area. If you have a shelving unit, you can use bright wallpaper or contact paper to back each cubby. Also consider adding a patterned rug to tie the space together and prevent your feet from freezing on the cold basement floor.

Storage is key to any laundry space. Open shelving is ideal for items you use often, such as detergent and dryer sheets. Countertops can also provide additional storage space and a spot for folding clean clothes. Cabinets, cubbies, and other closed storage units are better for stashing away things you dont need as frequently, like other cleaning products and seasonal items. Incorporate a few types of storage options to really make the most of your space.

Some homeowners are lucky enough to have a separate room in the basement for laundry. But if your basement is one open space, its useful to divide the space by function. This can help keep your basement organized, give it purpose, and optimize the space you have. Designate one corner, wall, or closet for laundry (depending on where your utility hookups are located). Then section off the area with doors, curtains, or a room divider. Separating the space from the rest of the basement clutter and activity can make your laundry room feel calmer and more put together.

Laundry rooms are not usually huge, so making the most of your space is crucial. Install countertops along the length of the wall to ensure you have plenty of space for sorting and folding your clothes. You should optimize your vertical space too. Add floor-to-ceiling cabinets next to the washer and dryer. Utilize the space above your appliances too by installing open shelving or a drying rack.

If your laundry area is tight on space, prioritize pieces that are convertible or have multiple functions. For example, you could use a storage unit with attached hanging rods to add more storage and air-drying space to your laundry setup. Or look for a stow-away ironing board that can be mounted on the wall and folded down during use. There are many options available with storage shelves and hooks for added functionality.

Maybe youre asking yourself, How can I make my basement laundry room nice? If that sounds like you, its time to start decorating. Though functionality is king in any laundry room, the right decor can transform the space into a warm and welcoming area. Add touches of your style with wall art, rugs, and stylish storage baskets or jars. Consider adding some greenery to liven up the place, too. If your basement doesnt get a lot of sunlight, a faux plant can be just as effective as a live one.

Is it bad to have a laundry room in the basement? Absolutely not! With these design tips and safety considerations, you can create a laundry area that youll genuinely enjoy using every week. First, ensure your appliances are installed correctly and are safe to use. Then you can really transform your laundry room! Make sure the space is functional with plenty of storage options and counter space. Then add some design touches with energizing color schemes, bold patterns, and decorative accents. We cant promise youll suddenly begin to enjoy doing the laundry, but at least youll have a beautiful new space to do it in.

More:
7 spectacular basement laundry room ideas to create a warm, inviting space - 21Oak

The project got underway about three months ago, and it's about to wrap up Phase One.

MACON, Ga. The Temptations, Four Tops, and Ron White are just some of the acts set to hit the stage in Macon within a few months. They will be some of the first acts to touch theMacon City Auditorium stage after they complete phase 1 of their facelift.

Crews are putting their finishing touches on the facelift of the historic building. However, they faced a tight schedule for phase 1.

"We had 90 days to complete phase one. We started Memorial Day," says Chris Brown, the superintendent of Sheridan Construction.

Regarding the outcome, the General Manager at the Macon Centreplex, David Aiello, says it will be well worth it.

"It's going to be more comfortable. It's going to fit the patrons a little bit better. It's going to really allow us to push the envelope with having back-to-back events and making sure the county is really getting the best return on their investment," said Aiello.

"Phase 1 of the project was what's overhead. We did a lot of demos, installed some new steel for catwalks for performances," says Brown.

Phase 1 included remodeling the concession lobby downstairs and the restrooms downstairs. One of their first projects was to open the floor up in the basement for the elevator in the concession lobby on the auditorium floor, but then some things happened.

"(We) encountered a few unforeseen conditions, and we are currently in a holding pattern for the redesign of that space to overcome the issues that we have found," says Brown.

"That 90 days is up next Wednesday, so as you can see, we are cleaning up and getting ready to turn the space back over," says Brown.

Turn the space over for stage lights and the spotlights to be back in action.

"Along with our other music venues in downtown, it's really helping Macon get back to its musical heritage and musical roots," explained Aiello.

They are aiming for phase 2 of the facelift to start next summer with new restrooms upstairs, a lot of painting, and re-doing the carpet, but they may end up doing some small projects before the summer.

Read more from the original source:
Crews are finishing up phase 1 of construction on the Macon City Auditorium - 13WMAZ.com

T

he owners of Jack's Hardware and Farm Supply in Minneapolis' Seward neighborhood prove the first year can be a bear, even for a veteran entrepreneur with a vision hailed by key supporters.

Nancy St. Germaine, owner of South Side-based Raven Construction, was eager to buy nearby Welna Hardware on E. Franklin Avenue last year when she learned that owners Jim and Sue Welna were planning to retire.

The Welnas, the local nonprofit development agency and members of the community encouraged St. Germaine and her husband and business partner, Justin Wells, to buy the store, saying their vision of urban farming would thrive there.

Several months in, she and Wells who also is a Raven carpenter have discovered that disrupting the existing store model has been a struggle. Sales at the store, which they renamed Jack's Hardware and Farm Supply, are lagging projections by 40%.

"It's been a bad year overall," St. Germaine said. "If sales don't increase significantly, we're not sure how we will survive winter.''

The couple are raising their children in a home they own in south Minneapolis and are part of the burgeoning urban gardening and vegetable-growing trend, on city boulevards and yards.

They also were Welna customers.

"Sue and I saw great potential in Nancy and Justin because of their commitment to community and their success with Raven Construction and our belief the sale would enhance the community," said a disappointed Jim Welna, who owned the store for 24 years with his wife. "We saw their vision for urban farming, which that neighborhood wanted, and we thought they would do well."

Seward Redesign, the local nonprofit development agency, and others who knew of St. Germaine's work and solid reputation also encouraged the couple to buy the store. Raven has been a successful small commercial contractor in the Twin Cities for nearly a decade.

The farm store part of the Jack's Hardware has worked well. However, hardware sales declined this year, dragging down overall revenue.

Jack's management budgeted for overall sales of $600,000 this year, about what Welna brought in last year. However, sales were down 40% for the first six months of 2022.

The couple has added in-store window repairs, locksmith services, bicycle repair and do-it-yourself classes.

"The store looks fabulous," Welna added. "The services are more than Sue and I ever provided."

St. Germaine, partly to make room for more garden-center supplies, cleared out old hardware inventory that wasn't selling and moved electrical and plumbing supplies into the renovated basement.

"We have [seven employees] who are experts and can help them find everything they need, upstairs or downstairs," she said. "And, if necessary, we can order what they need in a few days."

The overhaul put off some longtime customers and they have let St. Germaine know they are unhappy.

Inflation also hit at the same time the couple took over the store, and the price increases are another point of complaint.

Welna, whose family has been in the retail hardware business for three generations, said wholesaler-driven price hikes are the biggest since the late 1970s.

But customers had not seen price increases for about a decade. Longtime customers remember buying, for example, spray paint for $1.99 about 20 years ago, when it's now $5.99.

The spray paint is only up $1 from last year, "but they remember $1.99 as if it was last year," St. Germaine said. "Some items haven't been increased, but everything seems more expensive to some customers.''

Lately, St. Germaine and Wells have been winning over converts who gave the store a second try, and they launched a targeted advertising campaign.

A somewhat promising increase in younger customers and growing interest in garden supplies and related classes have St. Germaine and Wells still looking forward. Institutional customers, such as nearby Augsburg University and Pillsbury United, which run growing urban-farming operations, also have increased their business.

St. Germaine and Wells bought Welna Hardware for $465,000. The total investment, including remodeling and adding the gardening business, is north of $750,000. The couple financed all of it largely with an Small Business Administration bank loan, plus a city-backed property loan targeted at local entrepreneurs of underrepresented groups.

"We thought we had bought a stable business," said St. Germaine, a member of the Turtle Mountain Ojibwe tribe who grew up in Minneapolis. "We've got a big debt load. We work days at Raven and nights and weekends at Jack's, 80-hour weeks. We're trying to work harder and smarter. We have a lot of loyal individual customers, just not enough."

Read more:
Minneapolis couple made a store their own but struggle to find footing with longtime customers - Star Tribune

CHICAGOAlerting occupants that the private residence would be undergoing maintenance and remodeling, local landlord Keith Witman informed his tenants Tuesday of upcoming improvements to his lake house. Im emailing to let you all know that over the coming months, I will be making extensive upgrades to my weekend home, wrote Witman, explaining that construction on his house in Lake Geneva, WI, which would be expanded to include a spa area and movie theater, should not cause any disruptions for tenants of the aging apartment building he owns in Chicago. While Ive been made aware of the burst pipe in your buildings basement, just know that I am currently working around the clock to fix the much smaller leak in my lake house before its slow drip causes a stain to form on the polished marble tiles of the guest room hot tub. The cost overruns of these vacation home updates will unfortunately require me to raise rents throughout your building by 35%. At press time, Witman also notified residents that the super would not be reachable for the next several months, as his full-time services were needed onsite at the lake house.

Link:
Landlord Informs Tenants Of Upcoming Improvements To His Lake House - The Onion

You can plant grass seed anytime during the growing season, but doing so in fall takes advantage of cooler temperatures and milder sun.

How many plants are in your yard? If you have a lawn, the answer is: Too many to count. The average quarter-acre lawn contains millions of grass plants.

Fortunately, these plants start easily from seed. Grass is one of the most common plants on the planet, and one of the easiest to germinate. Still, timing and technique are important. Read on to learn more about sowing grass seed in the fall.

Yes to both! Fall is best for starting lawns in the North, while spring is better in the South. However, fall is the time for overseeding Southern lawns with a cool-season grass variety so they stay green in winter. So fall seeding has its place in both regions.

That depends on where you live and what kind of grass youre growing. Cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass) thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall, while warm-season grasses (Bermudagrass, centipede grass, bahiagrass and zoysia grass) peak in late spring and early summer.

Those are optimum times for growth, and consequently the optimum times to sow grass seed for the respective cool- or warm-season grass. If sowing in fall, do it at least 45 days before your expected first frost date. That could be late September in Minnesota, or early November in Oklahoma.

Heres how to ensure your fall grass seed sprouts easily and effectively.

As with any garden bed, the time to improve the soil is before planting. Its especially important for compacted soils or those with primarily heavy clay.

Compacted soils should be loosened; you can do small patches with a spade fork or an entire bed with a tiller. If the soil is poor (say, impervious clay or sieve-like sand), spread a couple of inches of compost and mix it in. Compost helps clay soil drain better and sandy soil retain moisture and nutrients. Plus it adds nutrients and beneficial microbes.

Choose a seed mix suited to your climate and conditions. Many bagged grass seeds include more than one grass species, or a blend of more than one variety. This helps ensure resistance to environmental factors like drought or heavy foot traffic, and promotes genetic diversity.

To make it easier for the consumer, manufacturers label some grass seed mixes specifically for problem situations, such as shade or heavy traffic. These mixes contain the varieties best suited to the situation.

A popular mix might include Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue and perennial ryegrass. Each brings something different to the table. Kentucky bluegrass forms a thick, lush carpet, fine fescue takes shade, and perennial ryegrass withstands heavy foot traffic, so together they make a formidable team. Moreover, quick-sprouting fine fescue gives protective cover to the slow-out-of-the-gate Kentucky bluegrass.

Once the soil is prepared, spread the grass seed. Small batches can be sown by hand, but a handheld spreader will distribute the seed more evenly. Larger areas can be done with a drop spreader, which deposits the seed beneath it, or a broadcast spreader, which fans the seed out in a circular motion.

Once youve spread the seed, use a garden rake to lightly work the seed no more than 1/4-inch into the soil. If sowing an entire lawn, consider renting a lawn roller, which will flatten the soil and ensure better seed-to-soil contact.

After that, mulch with straw or a biodegradable seed-starter made with paper, an adhering agent and seed-starting fertilizer. Mulch helps discourage bird browsing while keeping seeds moist for germination.

Although mulch helps prevent the sun from baking the seedbed, you still need to water. The key is to keep seeds (and later tender seedlings) moist but not soggy. A mulched bed needs daily watering in the morning. An unmulched bed needs two or three light waterings each day.

Grass seed germination takes from five days to three weeks, depending on the species. After grass seedlings begin to grow, you can taper off watering. Transition gradually, going from daily to every other day to every three or four days and finally to weekly.

If youre wondering if grass seed grows in the winter, the answer depends on where you live and the type of seed. Be sure to plant grass seed early enough to become established before the ground freezes. Grass can take a couple of months to become established, and an entire growing season to be ready for extended foot traffic. When seedlings are up about an inch, check to see if there are any bare spots that need to be re-seeded. You can begin mowing when new grass is about three inches tall a milestone that might not be met until spring.

More:
Tips for Planting Grass Seed in Fall | The Family Handyman

Now is the time to renovate hay fields and pastures.

Late summer and early fall are optimal times to evaluate hay fields and pastures to determine next steps and potential improvements.

A careful assessment will allow you to determine if a full burndown and reseeding is necessary or if some more basic remediation practices can be done to try and improve the field.

Extension agronomist Leanna Duppstadt explains forage seedings in Pennsylvania are most successful in mid-August to early September due to cool evenings and early fall rains that provide ideal conditions for our cool-season grasses.

Weather is an important planting consideration, as late summer can still be hot and dry, so in certain years planting may need pushed back to ensure adequate moisture, but never any later than six weeks before a killing frost.

A popular choice for fall planting of forages is a no-till drill. It can be used to overseed existing pastures and hay fields or do a full reseeding after a burndown application.

A full burndown has its pros and cons, so careful stand assessment is important. For more discussion on stand evaluation and determining whether to restore or renovate your fields, use the Penn State Extension resources on Seeding Perennial Foragesand Fall Management for Pastures.

Managing soil fertility is a key component of improving a pasture or hay field. Collecting a soil sample should always be the first step.

Knowing the fertility of the soil will allow you to make the necessary fertilizer applications before attempting to incorporate a new seeding or come through with any weed control.

Key point: If you are trying to improve your fields, you need to first understand why the improvement was necessary.

Yes, the field may be old and in need of a new seeding, but a majority of the time, the problem is fertility- or pH-related. Improving the fertility first will improve your chance of success.

In times of high prices (even outside of that, but especially then), adjusting soil pH and making lime applications can be the most effective and economical way to improve forage growth.

The biggest improvements will be seen when pH is well outside the preferred range for grass growth, which is around 6.5 to 7.

If a soil test shows a pH of 5.8 and another shows a pH of 6.1, you will see a greater overall improvement of the grasses when adding lime at the soil pH of 5.8 because the change is more dramatic.

Regardless, it is important to have the pH in the optimal range before seeding; otherwise poor germination could occur. Lime is also an excellent source of calcium and is the most economical way to make magnesium applications.

One ton of grass hay typically removes about 50 pounds of nitrogen, 15 to 20 pounds of phosphorus, and 45 to 60 pounds of potassium (potash). Fall is an excellent time to replace phosphorus and potassium.

For hay fields, manure makes an excellent fertilizer, except where legumes are present, and can be applied as a topdress before or after no-till seeding.

Potassium is directly related to winter survival and minimizing winter kill.

In pastures, it is important to understand that the continuous supply of manure from livestock will not be enough to feed the grasses. Additional fertilizer applications will need to be applied for optimal forage production.

Check out Extension's Soil Fertility resource for more information.

There are many factors that should go into selecting forages that will suit your needs, but thankfully many single species or species mixes will check multiple boxes.

Select species that are best adapted to your area, soil type, management practices and livestock species. Consider end use, intended markets, desired yields and forage quality.

Consult Extension's resources on selecting correct foragesand pasture species selectionfor more information.

Fall is when perennial forages are starting to store energy in their roots to overwinter. It is typically recommended to leave taller than average stubble or residue in the late summer and fall to ensure plants are able to store enough nutrients, survive winter, and have a jump start in the spring.

Overgrazing or mowing too short inhibits root systems, doesnt allow for proper carbohydrate storage, and increases plants susceptibility to stress.

Generally, a stubble height of 3 to 4 inches is recommended during any point in the season but especially in the fall, with 4 to 5 inches being more ideal.

This may mean pulling livestock off fields in the late summer (sometimes earlier than usual), feeding stored forages and allowing pasture forages to regrow, particularly in dry summers.

Consider the cost of heavily overgrazing the pasture and requiring a full reseeding in the spring compared to using stored forages.

Clipping or mowing before overseeding or a full burndown and planting a new seeding will help with weed control and allow increased light penetration, which will aid in the germination and growth of the new seedlings.

Be sure to mow weeds prior to them setting seed to avoid further spreading.

Chemical control of existing weeds prior to overseeding can be difficult because certain products have a 30-day planting restriction. Such products include 2,4-D and dicamba, which are the most common herbicides used for broadleaf weed control in grasses.

Glyphosate is usually used for burndown because it is nonselective, highly effective, and amenable to reseeding immediately after application.

For more information on fall weed control, check out Extension's resource on the matter.

Read the original here:
What to Consider When Renovating Pastures in Late Summer and Early Fall - Lancaster Farming

One hundred miles north of Philadelphia, the Billion Oyster Project has been restoring the bivalves in New York Harbor since 2010, engaging more than 10,000 volunteers and 6,000 students in the project. Oyster nurseries are being installed in Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland, where until recently they were believed to have been extinct for a century. And a hatchery 30 miles west of Chicago has dispersed 25,000 mussels into area waterways, boosting the populations of common freshwater mussel species.

Underwater vegetation restoration projects have been underway in the Chesapeake Bay and Tampa Bay for years, and more recently in California where seagrass species are in sharp decline. (Morro Bay, for example, has lost more than 90 percent of its eelgrass beds in the last 15 years.) The California Ocean Protection Councils 2020 Strategic Plan to Protect Californias Coast and Ocean aims to preserve the mere 15,000 acres of known seagrass beds and cultivate 1,000 more acres by 2025.

Scientists stress that these projects must be implemented alongside strategies to continue curbing contaminants, mainly excess nutrients from sewage and fertilizers, flowing into our waterwaysstill the most critical step in improving water quality. After several decades of aquatic vegetation plantings in the Chesapeake Bay, for example, scientists say that the modest increase of plants is largely due to nature restoring itself following a reduction in nutrient pollution.

And any human intervention in a complex ecosystem raises a host of compelling concerns, such as how to ensure sufficient genetic diversity and monitor competition for food and resources. Scientists say that, in many cases, theyre learning as they go.

Still, in areas where the natural environment is improving, bringing back bivalves and aquatic plants can create a lasting foundation for entire ecosystems. And restoration initiatives are an active form of stewardship that connects people to their waterways, helping them understand the ecosystems we depend on for our survival.

Until five years ago, the extent of wild celery grass beds in the Delaware estuary was a bit of a mystery. Many scientists didnt think the water quality was suitable, and since the estuary contains a lot of sediment and roils with the tides, the plants werent visible in aerial imagery.

But in 2017, EPA researchers started surveying by boat to detect submerged vegetation and were surprised to find the plant thriving in parts of a 27-mile stretch of the Delaware River from Palmyra, New Jersey, past Camden and Philadelphia, to Chester, Pennsylvania. Thats the only section of the river designated by the Delaware River Basin Commission as unsafe for primary contact recreationactivities like jet skiing, kayaking, and swimming.

The discovery of healthy grass beds was exciting, says the EPA Mid-Atlantic regions senior watershed coordinator Kelly Somers, because the plant is an indicator of water quality. The EPAs research, accessible via online maps, has been especially helpful for the Upstream Alliances restoration work, says founder and president Don Baugh, because most of the research on wild celery grass is from other placesprimarily the Chesapeake Bay. The restoration of wild celery and other aquatic plant species has been underway there for more than 30 years.

See the original post here:
How Scientists Are Cleaning Up Rivers Using Grasses and Oysters - WIRED

Anderson CountySeal coat operations will be taking place at the following locations:

Anderson County construction projects updates:

US 79 Super 2 Project

The contractor is scheduled to continue work on final cleanup. Project consists of widening for a Super 2, including sub-grade work, surface treatment, base and surface hot mix asphalt, widening structures, bridge rail, MBGF, signage and permanent striping.

SH 155 Overlay Project

The contractor is scheduled to work on driveways and drainage structures on SH 155 in Anderson County. The speed limit is scheduled to be reduced to 60 mph throughout the project limits. Motorists should use caution when traveling through the project and expect lane closures and delays. It consists of OCST, PFC surface, shoulder texturing, edge treatment and pavement markings.

SH 175 Widening Project

The contractor is scheduled to work on drainage structures on US 175. Motorists should use caution when traveling through the project and expect lane closures and delays. Project consists of grading, subbase work, HMAC, drainage, structures, pavement markings and signing.

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Cherokee CountyJacksonville and Rusk crews will be removing encroachments and repairing potholes in various locations throughout the county.

Also, striping operations will take place at the following locations:

Cherokee County construction projects updates:

SH 204 Super-2 Widening Project

No work is scheduled this week. The project adds passing lanes and incorporates safety upgrades.

US 84 Widening

The contractor is scheduled to fill pavement edges and temporary seeding. Lane closures will be in place. Expect delays on this corridor when construction is in progress. The project will widen and resurface the roadway, along with adding safety upgrades.

FM 22 Safety Widening and Bridge Replacement Project

The contractor is scheduled to begin paving the final surface. Lane closures are anticipated. The bridge is now open to traffic. The project will widen the existing roadway, replace three bridges and incorporate safety upgrades.

SH 21 Resurfacing Project

The contractor is scheduled to continue road work construction on driveway upgrades and structure extensions. No lane closures are expected. The project will consist of pavement resurfacing.

SH 135 Bridge Replacements

The contractor has placed message boards to inform the public. The project will begin Sept. 6. All birds have finished nesting. The project consists of the replacement of the bridge at Mud Creek and Mud Creek Relief.

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Gregg CountyLongview maintenance will be clearing trees from the right-of-way on FM 1845 and FM 3053. Crews will also be cutting high edges on FM 2207, from FM 1252 to SH 135 N. Expect flaggers controlling traffic.

Gregg County construction projects updates:

SH 135 Kilgore Traffic Circle

This project consists of completely rebuilding the traffic circle and full width of roadway to the Rusk County line. It will consist of removing existing concrete paving, reconstructing subgrade, constructing concrete paving, storm sewer installation, lighting, and striping. The traffic will be reduced to one lane in the southbound direction for the duration of the project. A detour will be set up for northbound traffic to follow SH 42. This will allow the contractor to build half of the roadway. Traffic will be switched to the newly constructed lanes later to allow completion of the other half of the highway. Expect delays.

SLP 281 Mill and Inlay

The project consists of performing mill and inlay all lanes with hot mix in both directions, including the center turn lane. Work will be performed at night. There will be alternating lane closures. Expect delays. Estimated completion is August 2022.

Spur 63/McCann Road Bridge Project

This project is part of the City of Longview Guthrie Creek Trail project. It will consist of building a bridge over Guthrie Creek to allow bicyclist and pedestrians to travel under Spur 63. The traffic will be reduced to two lanes, one northbound lane and one south bound lane to allow the contractor to build half of the bridge. Traffic will be switched later to allow completion of the bridge construction. Expect delays.

FM 2206/Harrison Road

This project consists of widening a two-lane road to four lanes with a center turn lane. This includes drainage structures, new bridge, flexible base, hot mix and pavement markings. Contractor will be extending culverts and constructing detours. There will be daytime lane closures. Expect delays.

FM 2206/Harrison Road

This project consists of widening a two-lane road to four lanes with a center turn lane. This includes drainage structures, flexible base, curb and gutter, sidewalks, hot mix and pavement markings. Contractor will be extending culverts and constructing detours. There will be daytime lane closures. Expect delays.

Pentecost Rd. Bridge Replacement

The project consists of replacing the bridge structure on Big Head Creek. Pentecost Road will be closed to through traffic. Only local traffic will be allowed. Through traffic needs to select an alternate route.

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Henderson CountyAthens maintenance is scheduled to repair edges and patch potholes on various roads throughout the county. This will be a slow-moving operation using a TMA. Expect delays.

Henderson County construction projects updates:

SH 198 Bridge Project

The contractor is scheduled to work on the new northbound bridge and roadway elements. Motorists should be prepared for lane closures and delays. The speed limit has been reduced to 50 mph throughout the project. The project consists of the construction of replacing bridges, approaches, grading, structures, asphalt concrete pavement (ACP) base, ACP surface, retaining walls, curb & gutter, MBGF, and pavement markings.

BUS 175 Safety Improvement Project

The contractor is scheduled to work on roadway elements. Motorists should be prepared for lane closures and delays. The project includes traffic signals, curb ramps and pavement markings.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Resurface Project

The contractor is scheduled to work on the final cleanup of the parking areas in the fishery and intersection with FM 2495 in Henderson County. The project consists of OCST and pavement markings.

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Rusk CountyCrews will be digging various ditches and cleaning culverts in various locations throughout the county. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A second crew will be performing edging on US 259. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic.

Also, striping operations will be taking place at these locations:

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Smith CountyTyler Maintenance will be performing ditch maintenance in various locations throughout the county. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A sweeper and herbicide unit will also be in various locations throughout the county.

Smith County construction projects updates:

Sidewalks at Various Locations in Smith County

The contractor is scheduled to complete punch list items. Lane closures are anticipated. The project consists of sidewalk construction along SH 64 west in Tyler, SH 110 west in Troup and SH 135 north in Troup.

FM 344, etc., Safety Improvements

No work is scheduled this week. The project consists of improving drainage, culvert work, and guardrail upgrades.

SH 155 Resurfacing Project

The contractor is scheduled to continue seal coat. Anticipate lane closures while work is in progress. When in progress, hours will be from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday nights. Expect delays. The project will resurface the roadway, upgrade drainage structures, and repair bridge joints.

SH 64 Bridge Maintenance

The contractor is scheduled to complete punch list items. Lane closures are anticipated. The project consists of bridge maintenance and repair.

Tyler State Park Bridge and Resurfacing Project

No work is scheduled this week. The project consists of bridge and pavement resurfacing.

SH 110 & FM 346 Landscape Project

No work is scheduled this week. The project consists of landscape development.

Whittle Street, CR 2110 and CR 289 Bridge Replacement Project

The contractor is scheduled to begin construction on Whittle Street at West Mud Creek Tributary. The road is closed to through traffic. The project replaces the existing bridge with a new structure.

The contractor is scheduled to continue construction on the CR 2110 bridge at Kickapoo Creek. The road is closed to through traffic. The project replaces the existing bridge with a new structure.

No work is scheduled this week on the CR 289 bridge at Prairie Creek. The road is open to traffic. The project replaces the existing bridge with a new structure. The contractor will complete one bridge at a time.

IH 20 Mill and Inlay

No work is scheduled this week. When in progress, work will be done at night, Sundays from 9 PM to 5 AM and Monday-Thursday 8 PM to 5 AM. Expect delays on this corridor when construction is in progress. Project consists of an overlay with TBPFC surface, ACP surface, planing, shoulder texturing and pavement markings.

US 271 Rehab, Turn Lanes, and Pavement Overlay

Crews will be paving shoulder level-up on the southbound inside lane and rehabbing southbound left-turn lane. Traffic control will consist of daily southbound inside lane closures managed by signs and channelizing devices. The project consists of paving, structures, MBGF, and pavement markings from I-20 north to the Gregg County line. The portion from I-20 to FM 16 also includes turn lanes and pavement rehabilitation.

IH 20 at Barber Road

This project consists of widening on ramps and exit ramps, culverts, drainage upgrades, new metal beam guard fence and bridge rails on the Barber Road overpass, and asphalt overlay. No work this week on this project.

Safety Improvement Project (Van Zandt, Anderson, Smith and Henderson County)

The contractor is scheduled to continue final cleanup on FM 850 in Smith County. Motorists should be prepared for lane closures and delays. The project includes grading, structure work, guard rail replacement and bridge rail upgrades.

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Van Zandt County

Van Zandt County construction projects updates:

I-20 MBGF Improvements (Van Zandt, Smith, and Gregg counties)

Crews will be addressing final punch list items. This project is to construct safety improvements consisting of upgrading metal beam guard fence and mow strip.

SH 19 Super Two Widening & Overlay (South of Canton)

Crews will be laying hot mix on the NB super two lane. Traffic control will consist of a daily northbound shoulder closure managed by flaggers and a pilot car. The project consists of Super 2 work including grading, base repair, treated subgrade, flex base, OCST, PFC surface, structures, signs and pavement markings.

SH 19 Super Two Widening & Overlay (North of US 80)

Crews will be extending drainage structures. Traffic control will consist of a northbound shoulder closure managed by channelizing devices. The project consists of Super 2 work including grading, base repair, treated subgrade, flex base, OCST, PFC surface, structures, signs and pavement markings.

CR 2918, etc. Bridge Replacements

Contractor will be addressing punch list items. All bridges are open to traffic and near final completion. Minimal impact to the traveling public is anticipated. The project consists of removing and replacing four bridges.

IH 20 Mill and Inlay

The project consists of milling and inlaying hot mix on various frontage roads in the area. Estimated completion is August 2022.

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Wood CountyMaintenance crews are scheduled to perform hot mix overlay on SH 11 east of Winnsboro. Expect one lane closure with flaggers and a pilot vehicle controlling traffic. Delays are expected.

Wood County construction projects updates:

SH 37 Road Widening and PFC Overlay

Crews will be paving shoulder level-up northbound and southbound. Traffic control will consist of daily shoulder closures managed by flaggers and a pilot car. The project consists of base repair, level-up, spray paver, permeable friction course surface, structures, bridge rail, metal beam guard fence, and pavement markings.

FM 2088, etc. MBGF Improvements in Wood County

Crews will be replacing MBGF on FM 514 and placing concrete mowstrip at four locations on FM 2966. They also will be placing mowstrip at three locations on FM 17. Traffic control will consist of daily lane closures managed with flaggers. The project is for bridge maintenance consisting of MBGF and bridge retrofit rail.

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I-20 Total Maintenance Contract

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TxDOT Project Updates for the Week of Aug. 29, 2022 - Texas Department of Transportation