Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

There are tips you can keep in mind regardless if you're still dealing with freezing weather or if you're preparing for the next storm.

The south has experienced devastating winter storms this week and power outages caused by the storms have left people cold and in danger.

Much of the power has since been restored, but there are still places without any. Regardless, many places that are strangers to below freezing temperatures have yet to warm up.

And winter storms are still moving through the country as cold air remains. So people have been sharing tips to stay warm and keep safe across social media to help those who find themselves in tough spots.

But not all tips are safe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of recommendations to follow during snow storms to stay safe indoors, and some of their tips include things to consider when losing power and heat.

Among the main guidelines, the website asks people to install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector to protect yourself and your family from CO poisoning, although every home should be equipped with a working one already.

This is an important first step because many devices that might be useful to you in a winter power outage release carbon monoxide, which is both colorless and odorless. That includes generators, gas ovens or ranges, grills and cars. The CDC says dont run a car inside your garage, dont run a generator in your home or even next to a window, dont run a grill inside your home or garage, and dont run a gas oven or range without proper ventilation.

HEATING YOUR HOME

The CDC strongly cautions against using a gas stove or oven to heat a home because its unsafe. The CDC adds that fireplaces or wood stoves should only be used to heat a home if they are properly vented to the outside and dont leak gas from the flue or exhaust into the indoor air space.

As stated above, gas or charcoal grills shouldnt be used indoors. Neither should camp stoves.

If you must use a kerosene heater, make sure you have proper ventilation. The CDC also recommends to use the fuel designed for the heater, dont substitute it for something else.

In fact, electric portable space heaters are a good go-to when your home needs heat. The CDC stresses they should have automatic shut-off switches, non-glowing elements and are kept away from flammable materials.

Its best to keep them uncovered and at least three feet away from drapes, furniture, bedding or water. Dont leave them on top of furniture, dont leave children unattended near a space heater, avoid using extension cords if you have the option to plug it in and make sure the cord is not in a place where its a tripping hazard or has to run under a carpet or rug.

CONSERVING HEAT

Its also important to prevent heat from escaping, especially if your access to devices that can warm you up is limited.

Keep yourself bundled with layers. A winter storm power outage is the perfect time to bust out extra blankets, sleeping bags and winter coats.

You should avoid unnecessarily opening doors and windows. In fact, you can stuff towels and rags underneath doors to better prevent heat from escaping. You should also close off unneeded rooms so there is a smaller space to heat.

Also, be sure to close draperies or cover windows with blankets at night to keep the heat in.

WHAT ABOUT MY CAR?

Many people have used their cars for warmth and a recharge during these winter storms. Never leave the car on in your garage if you plan to use it.

But even if your car is outside, keep your stays in it limited. Running the heater for too long still poses the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The CDC suggests running the motor and heater of the car for 10 minutes per hour and opening one window slightly to let in air. It also says you should double-check to make sure the exhaust pipe of your car isnt blocked with snow. These tips are recommended for people stranded in their cars during a snowstorm to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, but its also good advice to follow if you feel forced to use your car for warmth.

North Dakotas winter storm information guide warns you shouldnt fall asleep with the heater running. It adds that your ventilating window should be on the upwind side of your car as a downwind open window could actually lead to exhaust blowing into your car. It also reminds you that car batteries are weaker in cold weather and repeatedly starting and stopping the engine will put stress on it and could repeatedly melt and refreeze snow over top of the engine. So keep in mind cold weather will pose risks to your car starting on top of the risks you may have of running out of fuel to keep it running.

HOW DO I MAKE SURE I CAN DRINK CLEAN WATER?

The CDC suggests that you dont thaw frozen pipes with a torch. Instead, thaw the pipes slowly with warm air and an electric hair dryer.

You can work to reduce the likelihood of pipes freezing in the first place by leaving all faucets and water taps slightly open so the water is dripping continuously. You can also let more heated air get to the pipes by leaving the cabinets under your sink open.

That might still not be enough and your pipes may freeze anyway. If that happens, the best thing to do is rely on bottled water or get water from a neighbor.

But if those arent options, or if your city is issuing a boil water advisory, youre going to have to get a bit more creative.

As an emergency measure, if no other water is available, snow can be melted for water, the CDC says. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most germs but wont get rid of chemicals sometimes found in snow.

When boiling water, the CDC suggests you keep it boiling for three minutes if your altitude is about 6,500 feet and you store in clear, sanitized containers after letting it cool. Note that the CDC mentions nothing about adding salt in the water to make it boil faster.

Thats because it doesnt actually help speed along the process much if at all. Several school science experiment guides describe that salt raises the boiling point of water while also making it less heat resistant. Ultimately, your water needs just as long to boil but is now saltier.

Thats not entirely a bad thing in very limited quantities; however, the CDC says you can improve the flat taste of boiled water by pouring it from one clean, disinfected container to another and then allowing it to stand for a few hours, OR by adding a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of boiled water.

Boiling water may be harder if you are also suffering from a power outage. If you have appliances off of the grid to boil it, keep in mind the above guidelines not to use those appliances inside the house. If you use candles, never leave them unattended.

You can also freeze water in a container before the storm hits. Not only will that help keep your fridge and freezer cold for longer if the power goes out, but the FDA says this also gives you access to clean water once you melt it if the local water supply is contaminated.

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How to stay safe and warm both with or without power - KARE11.com

The Shawnee News-Star

With temperatures set below zero for a few more days the American Red Cross has steps to help prevent frozen pipes and how to thaw them safely.

With a few more days of cold weather frozen water pipes can become a real problem and it is putting many homeowners at risk of damage to their home with burst pipes and flooding , said Brittney Rochell, regional communications director of the American Red Cross of Kansas and Oklahoma. The main thing to prevent water pipes from freezing is to keep them warm and we have easy tips do that along with how to safely thaw any frozen pipes in your home.

PROTECT PIPES FROM FREEZING IN YOUR HOME

Protect pipes from freezing by taking the following precautions:

Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.

When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.

Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 F.

See additional tips online.

HOW TO SAFELY THAW FROZEN PIPES

The following steps are suggested to help pipes thaw:

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cant thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

OTHER COLD WEATHER AND SAFETY TIPS

Assemble an emergency preparedness kit.Full details here.

Stay indoors and wear warm clothes. Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing will keep you warmer than a bulky sweater. If you feel too warm, remove layers to avoid sweating; if you feel chilled, add layers.

Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends, particularly if they are elderly or if they live alone.

STAY SAFE OUTSIDE

If you must go outside, protect yourself from winter storm hazards:

Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and a hat. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Mittens or gloves and a hat will prevent the loss of body heat.

Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from severely cold air. Avoid taking deep breaths; minimize talking.

Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Know the signs of hypothermia - confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.

Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.

Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses much of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly away from the body.

POWER OUTAGE TIPS

Sudden power outages can be frustrating, troublesome and even dangerous. If a power outage is two hours of less, you need not be concerned about the loss of perishable foods. However, for prolonged outages, there are steps you can take to keep all members of your household safe and comfortable (More home power outage safety tipshere):

Preserve perishable food items with ice in the cooler or refrigerator. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers work well.

Put together a home emergency preparedness kit: water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home), flashlight, battery-powered or hand-cranked radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible), extra batteries, first aid kit, medications, cell phone chargers, important health documents, family emergency contact information and some extra cash.

If someone at home is dependent on electric-powered life-sustaining equipment, remember to include back-up power in your evacuation plan.

Keep your cars gas tank full.

HEATYOUR HOME SAFELY

Its that time of year when many people resort to space heaters and other sources to keep their homes warm.To reduce the risk of heating related fires, the Red Cross recommends these steps (More home fire safety information availablehere):

All heaters need space. Keep children, pets and things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.

If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets - never into an extension cord.

Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.

Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

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Red Cross: Winter storms and preventing, thawing frozen pipes - Shawnee News Star

Staff and wire| Akron Beacon Journal

Winter driving tips

Here are several winter driving tips to help you safely navigate icy and snowy roads.

Wochit

Temperatures this brutally cold in Ohiocan cause water pipes to freeze, particularly pipes that lead to outdoor spigots or pipes in unheated spaces.

Pay particular attention to pipes on outside walls. Open the doors of under-sink cabinets to allow warm air inside, and turn faucets on just enough to produce a trickle of hot and cold water overnight. And just for these frigid nights, its a good idea not to turn the thermostat back at night as you usually do. The extra money youll pay for water and heat is far less than the cost of a plumbing repair.

Ohio weather: Here's a look at road conditions as snow moves in

Disconnect hoses from outdoor spigots so the freezing water in the hoses doesnt damage the plumbing when it expands. Turn on the spigots, and then go inside and shut off the water supply to them. You can do that by turning the valve on the supply line that leads to each spigot.

If a pipe bursts, immediately turn off the water, using the shutoff valve for the individual pipe or the houses main shutoff valve. Its found where the water supply enters the house, usually near the water meter.

The meter is usually along the basement wall nearest the street.

If you dont have a basement, the shutoff is probably near the water heater but might also be under a sink.

More: How much snow will Ohio get? A look at the winter storm forecast

If youre lucky enough to discover a frozen pipe before the pipe breaks, shut off the water first, just in case the pipe has already split and you dont know it. Then try thawing the frozen section by directing warm air from a hair dryer parallel to the area you suspect is frozen, or by pointing an infrared heat lamp or space heater at the section.

As a last resort, wrap rags around the pipe and pour on boiling water, but be prepared for a mess and slow results.

Heres how to stay safe during this cold snap:

Source: The American Red Cross, U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Protection Association

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Ohio weather: How to stop your pipes from freezing and tips on staying warm during a cold snap - Akron Beacon Journal

A Window Shop viewer sent us this week's challenge: It's often said that Miata is always the answer, but what if Miata isn't the answer? What would we buy instead? Contributor John Pearley Huffman had the exact same idea and deputy editor, host of this recorded Zoom call, and author of this sentence, Tony Quiroga decided that perhaps he could put the Window Shoppers to work to find him a replacement for his beloved 1995 Mazda Miata.

To tailor the task to himself, Quiroga set a $10,000 budget, requested cars that offer an interesting driving experience, low mileage, and Miata-like reliability (as if such a thing is possible). He also suggested that a manual gearbox and rear-drive would be preferred, but not mandatory, and opened the possibilities to cars and SUVs.

Huffman didn't pick a rear-drive car, but his second-gen Honda CRX nailed the fun-to-drive and reliability aspects. Unfortunately, his CRX suffered from some aggressively applied tire sheen and he also ran over the $10,000 budget. Contributor Jonathon Ramsey also picked a two seater, a high-revving Honda S2000 with nearly 200,000 miles, but the listing left too much to the imagination. Deputy testing director K.C. Colwell and senior editor Joey Capparella went outside the two-seater box entirely. Colwell went with an E39 BMW 528i manual and Capparella cleverly chose a 2002 Toyota Tacoma, which somehow meets all of this week's requirements.

If you make it to the end, you'll notice that we miscounted the votes and mistakenly thought there was a tie. There wasn't a tie. One vehicle emerges above the rest, but it really doesn't matter, because Quiroga was only interested in buying his choice.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

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When Miata Isn't the Answer: Window Shop with Car and Driver - Car and Driver

While you may be a fan of home improvement in general, doing something about the aging windows is another matter. For the most part, they still work except for a few minor issues. Would it really be a good idea to look into the idea of new Vancouver windowsfor the home? Consider these benefits that come when you choose to arrange an update using the right type of new windows.

The Place Gets an Immediate Boost in Appearance

Its hard to appreciate the way that windows impact the look of a home until you invest in new windows. Even with great landscaping and a nice facade, older windows that are obviously past their prime will drag down the look of the entire place. By contrast, new windows will make the home look better than ever.

The real test is when you drive up after the new windows are in place. You can tell the house looks a lot better. This is reinforced when friends drop by, notice youve done something to the place, and remark how nice the house looks.

No More Drafts Around the Windows

During certain times of the year, you tend to avoid sitting or standing near a window. Why? Theres a noticeable draft. Even using different approaches to block the drafts are only partially successful. Its easier to close the drapes and stay away from the windows altogether.

Reclaim all of your space by investing in new windows. With better construction and more energy-efficient glass, its easier to leave the drapes open and enjoy the view. You can also pull up a chair and enjoy the sunset without getting chilly.

Lower Heating and Cooling Costs

With the drafts no longer a problem, youre in for another nice surprise. The homes heating and cooling unit doesnt run as often. Even so, the temperature and humidity level in the home is perfectly comfortable.

Things get even better when the utility bills arrive. Theyre lower than normal. Your lower energy costs are due to the superior construction of those new Canadian Choice Windowsand the features they offer. Think of what you can do with the money thats saved every month!

Improving the Homes Market Value

New windows are one more way to ensure the structure is sound. If you decide to sell the property in the next several years, you can bet that prospective buyers will check out the condition of the widows. When they see how well they operate, the fact that the sashes are snugly fitted into the frames, and that the glass is designed for energy efficiency, they have one more reason to put in a bid for the place.

See the windows as a way to be comfortable now and also to ensure you can get a good price for the property if you decide to sell. You may be amazed at how those windows make it to receive offers sooner rather than later.

If you need more reasons to move forward with a residential window replacement, talk with a contractor. Youll learn more about how they help with issue like noise reduction, ventilation, and even security. Once you know more about all the benefits, making the decision to replace those old windows will be easy.

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What Good Comes From Installing Replacement Residential Windows? - California Herald

The doors and windows of our homes are some of the most heavily used functions, and as such, every few years many Baltimore residents choose to replace them and install new ones. However, for residents in Baltimore, there is only one choice of who should be up to the task.

J Younghans & Sons started life as a small family run business in Baltimore over 25 years ago. Now, an established cornerstone of the area, theyve been serving the local public and providing exceptional quality and customer satisfaction for decades.

But why is this family-run business such a hit with Baltimore residents? It all comes down to quality, price, and gratification:

If youve ever tried to replace a window or door yourself, youll know how difficult and time-consuming it can be. First you need to make sure the design suits your home, then you need to consider energy-saving, the material, the dimensions, and the price, and thats all before even trying to fit them with the right tools and techniques.

Its undebatable fact that when you buy through J Younghans & Sons, youre not just buying new windows and doors. Youre buying expertise, experience, guidance, and quality. You do not run a business for this long without doing it to the highest of standards.

At the start of the project they emphasize satisfaction by ensuring that you receive personal attention, that everything is well communicated, and that efficiency and cost-effectiveness is well considered. Then, their specialist technicians, who are highly qualified and have extensive experience in installing all types of windows and doors for homeowners and businesses, ensure that the implementation is smooth and professional.

Sometimes its because our doors or windows have become old and outdated, and sometimes a neighbor refits their home and we feel a little jealous. Whatever the reason, J Younghans & Sons team have seven product lines available in wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum cladding. Not only can they design the type of window or door that you feel would best suit your home, but they can provide key guidance on the types of styles that you may want to choose from, the materials, the color and the fitting techniques. That is all backed up by a professional installation, and your customer satisfaction.

J Younghans & Sons guarantee that the windows they offer are durable, energy-efficient and work at a lower cost, saving you money over time. Not only are their actual products money-savers, but the price that they charge for design and implementation is incredibly reasonable. Their high-end quality finish enhances the look of your home and often adds greater value to it. Before shopping around, take a look at some of the projects and customers J Younghans & Sons Baltimore Maryland have provided for through their website, with pictures and stories a-plenty, youll get a great idea of pricing and quality.

Are you a resident of Baltimore Maryland and considering new doors or windows for your home or business? J Younghans & Sons should be your first choice.

When it comes to door replacement Baltimore MD and window installation Baltimore MD, you may have already heard of J Younghans & Sons. However, if you havent, they should be your first stop when it comes to information gathering, choosing a style, discussing your options, and finding a team of experts who can manage everything from start to finish. With energy efficiency at the heart of what they do, and a code of honor to satisfying their customers, you wont be disappointed.

More information

J Younghans & Sons is a door replacement and window installation company operating in Baltimore. With over 25 years of experience, their reputation has grown to that of one of the absolute best options in the local area for updating your home or business. To view pictures of their work, read customer reviews and get a free estimate, take a look at their website: https://younghanshardwoodfloorsbaltimore.com/ or to contact them directly, ring (410) 541-1836.

Source:https://thenewsfront.com/a-family-run-window-and-door-installation-business-in-baltimore-is-making-residents-open-doors-and-sing-from-the-windows/

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A Family-Run Window and Door Installation Business in Baltimore Is Making Residents Open Doors and Sing from The Windows - The News Front

With a combined leftover balance and expected revenue totaling $5.8 million and anticipated expenditures clocking in at $5.1 million, Ozark Countys 2021 budget is the largest in the countys history.

The uptick in sales tax revenue from 2020 and expected revenue for the coming year meant there was plenty of money to go around, making this years budgeting process easy and relatively uneventful, the county commissioners say.

Most county offices received a similar budgeted amount as they had in 2020, with the exception of the Ozark County Sheriffs Department, which received about $50,000 more than last year to provide some much-needed improvements to the jail.

A roof in need of repair

Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin says the current jail, which was built in 1996, has some dire needs that must be addressed immediately.

Martin says the department is currently gathering and formulating estimates for all of the needed repairs, an amount he estimates will likely cost upward of $300,000 in total.

The repairs will have to be made over several years, the sheriff says.

Were going to try to tackle one issue at a time, Martin told the Times, explaining that a badly deteriorating roof is at the very top of the list of needs. Once we get the roof done, then we can start working on the walls and other elements, because if we put a new coat of paint on them and fix the window seals now, all its going to do is happen again. Its like putting a band-aid on a bullet hole. Weve got to get the roof fixed first.

Martin says the flat-top roof covering the current jail is almost gone, and the building has been suffering the effects of water damage for years that has led to issues in much of the buildings interior ceiling, wall structure and windows.

The deteriorating roof has created damaged walls, bubbled paint and rusted window seals, and it also caused ceilings to sag and fall in some areas, among other issues.

A scary thought

The department has also begun repairs on one pod within the jail and plans to tackle the others as time and funds allow.

Weve started work on this. Weve done a lot of painting. Were taking the green trim back to its original gray and just trying to get a fresh coat of paint on everything, Martin said. Tables, bunks, just about everything in here will be repainted.

The jail showers, many of which are missing handles and fixtures, will also be repaired.

Although the pods will get a facelift, Martin says the more important issues and repairs include ensuring there is a working intercom system in each cell.

The sheriff says each jail cell should be equipped with an intercom device that allows a prisoner to push a button in order to reach a jailer in another section of the building. Martin says all of the cells were at one time outfitted with the devices, but he said when he took office this year, the devices in all of the cells had either been removed or were not working.

So, if this cell door is shut and we have an inmate in here who is in cardiac arrest or having another medical emergency, theyve got to try to shout past this locked cell door and then that locked pod door, he said. We lock down after a certain time at night, so if youre in here by yourself and youre having medical issues I mean, thats a scary thought.

Windows and broken glass

The other major issue Martin plans to fix involves windows throughout the facility. Currently, several of them have been broken.

Weve already pulled a bunch of the broken glass out, said Ozark County Reserve Deputy John Russo, who has helped Martin and the OCSD identify issues and build a plan for renovations. By jail standards, the cells are supposed to have natural light.

Martin and Russo said that many of the jail cell windows had been removed after they were damaged, and steel plates were welded over the window opening, leaving the cell without natural light and often causing heating and cooling issues as the steel plate is exposed to outdoor conditions without any insulation materials.

Several of the tall, thin glass windows on the cell doors separating the cell from to the main pod have been broken over time too, and Martin plans to remove all the broken glass and replace it with new glass panels.

Heres some of the windows we took out of the cell doors, Martin said, pointing to a box of broken window panels. With this being busted like it is, I mean, thats a glass shard. Thats a dangerous weapon. But when we got here, they were installed, broken like that inside the cells.

Recreation yard

Martin says OCSD has been able to fix the recreation yard fencing to allow prisoners to use the space to get some fresh air.

When we first got here, the rec yard wasnt even being utilized. The fence was still busted from the escape, Martin said, referring to a September 2020 incident in which inmate Robert Abbott and another prisoner cut a hole in the chain link fencing that allowed Abbott to escape. But we got that fixed, so now were able to actually utilize it. Now, with the cold weather and on nasty days, we dont use it, but when we do have the opportunity for our guys to come out and use it, its available.

Martin also spoke with the Ozark County Commissioners earlier this year about helping to maintain a clear fencerow on the west side of the jail.

Its both a security and escape risk, Russo said, pointing out the tangled vines that cover the fence. Believe it or not, thats barb wire over the 6-foot chainlink fence.

Martin said he spoke with Ozark County Western District Commissioner Layne Nance, who said he would have the western district Road and Bridge Department employees begin working to clear the fencerow and keep it free from trees, vines and other foliage.

The little things add up

Martin says a big part of the repair and renovation job is just knocking out dust, cobwebs and lint from all the nooks and crannies of the facility, which has built up to create some unsafe conditions.

If you look at the exhaust fan on the outside of the building, you can see soot from the dryer. It caught fire at some point because of all the lint packed in there, he said. So we got in there and cleared all that out to make it safe again.

Other little touches include replacing bathroom faucets and completing other smaller repairs to restore working facilities throughout the building.

The department is also replacing its current fixed lighting with LED bulbs to help with energy efficiency and lower monthly electric bills, Martin says.

A new training room

Martin says hes excited about the conversion of a previously under-utilized space that the department has transformed into a new law enforcement training center.

We had a class in here the last couple of days, Martin told the Times Friday, referring to a class on Fundamentals of Court Security held at the sheriffs department Feb. 11-12. We had different officers from Jasper County to New Madrid County, Oregon County, Howell County, and some of our guys were in on this class, Martin said. And MOJO (a jail training and consulting company) came down and put it all on. So its nice to have our own training rooms to allow that to happen.

Martin said a defendant who was sentenced to community service provided the labor involved with removing a wall that separated the space into two smaller rooms.

That gentleman was able to come take it down for us, and now were better able to use the space. We also fixed the lights, where there were some panels out. It used to just be an old catch-all room, and now were really making it a space that works for us, he said.

County revenue

The countys budget includes an expected revenue balance of $5,802,052 for the coming year. That total comprises $1,157,799 cash available at the start of the year, paired with $496,000 in expected property tax, $1,420,000 in expected sales tax, $1,017,915 in intergovernmental revenues, $191,000 in charges for services, $1,885 in interest, $1,241,929 in other revenues and $275,522 money transferred in.

This years revenue will not include the potential of $200,000 of revenue derived from the Ozark County Sheriffs Departments housing contract with Greene County Sheriffs Department. The contract, which ended in December 2020, was an agreement put into place by former Sheriff Darrin Reed in early 2019 that allowed Ozark County to house Greene County inmates for a daily housing fee.

Martin says he also sees the benefit of housing out-of-area prisoners in the Ozark County Jail in order to generate revenue, and hes been actively discussing future partnerships with different jurisdictions.

Martin says he hopes to hear back on one particular potential prisoner-housing contract agreement in early March.

Expenditures

In the countys summary funds, the following expenditures were allotted for each office: prosecuting attorney, $214,800; assessor, $182,049; county collector, $99,210; county clerk, $90,700; county commission, $85,732, treasurer, $54,526; public administrator, $50,956; recorder, $35,563; circuit clerk, $15,760; court administration, $9,775; juvenile officer, $27,645; and coroner, $28,305.64.

The budget allows for $91,000 for county employee fringe benefits, $79,300 for buildings and grounds, $37,936 for elections, $9,696 for health and welfare among other smaller budget items.

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OCSD to receive increased budget for repairs, renovations to jail - Ozark County Times

Microsoft has released the first preview build of Windows 10 version 21H1, and just a couple of days ago the company confirmed the existence of this update.

As already announced, this is a minor update and wont bring major changes. Most of the important new features have been reserved for the larger 21H2 update.

List of changes:

Microsoft very gradually rolled out the largest update of its operating system last year the May update of Windows 10 (version 2004).

And only now, 8 months after the release; Microsoft announced that the Windows 10 May 2020 Update is finally ready for widespread deployment.

Essentially, this means Windows 10 version 2004 is free of major bugs for most configurations; and is ready to be installed on all PCs.

Microsoft initially didnt provide Windows 10 May 2020 Update for all PCs. This version ended up with a long list of recognized issues; and the company blocked propagation to systems with certain parameters. Despite all the limitations, users faced Blue Screens of Death for a variety of reasons; refusing to work with the Google Chrome browser and other similar troubles.

Work on eliminating numerous critical failures was carried out for many months and only in January 2021; all locks and installation prohibitions were removed.

The widespread status also means that users can now directly install Windows 10 May 2020 Update on an earlier version of Windows 10, even if the PC has compatibility issues.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is gearing up to launch the next major update Windows 10 21H1. We expect the release in May or June.

Microsoft is currently finalizing its new Windows 10X operating system, with its first release expected in 2021. Meanwhile, screenshots began to appear on the network first, and then videos showing the OS interface.

Now, enthusiast developer XDeltaXForce has posted a video showing Windows 10X fully running on an existing device, the 2019 Microsoft Surface Pro 7 tablet.

Earlier demos used a traditional keyboard and mouse, but now you can see the OS control using the touch screen.

The video quickly guides viewers through the Start menu, settings and proprietary applications; it differ from their counterparts in traditional Windows 10. It also shows multitasking and fast switching between applications.

The first single-screen Win 10X devices should launch before the end of 2021. Models with two screens should appear next year.

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Microsoft releases Windows 10 21H1 preview and here is a list of new features - Gizchina.com

Wood is an ancient material humans have been using for millions of years, for the construction of housing, ships, and as a source of fuel for burning. Its also a renewable source, and one way to capture excess carbon dioxide from the Earths atmosphere. Today, the main component of wood cellulose is produced annually at 20 times the volume of steel.

One thing you wouldnt use wood for is making windows. Instead, we rely on glass and plastic, which are transparent and, when toughened, can give structural support. But buildings lose a lot of heat through glass, and while light can bring some heat through the material, its not a good insulator. This is why we need double glazing. Wood, on the other hand, is highly insulating but its not transparent. Usually.

In recent years, materials scientists have been experimenting with making wood transparent. Making wood see-through, and retaining its high mechanical properties, would provide a good alternative to glass from a sustainable and renewable source. Previous methods of doing this were highly energy-intensive and used harmful chemicals, but a new study has shown a way to make wood transparent without using huge amounts of energy in the process.

Woods lack of transparency comes from the combination of its two main components, cellulose and lignin. The lignin absorbs light, and the presence of chromophores light-activated compounds in the material makes the wood look brown. The fibers in the wood, which mainly comprise cellulose, are hollow tube-like structures. The air in these hollow tubes scatters light, further reducing the materials transparency.

Previous work on making wood transparent has involved removing the lignin completely from the structure and replacing it with a resin material. The removal of lignin requires a lot of environmentally harmful chemicals, and it also considerably reduces the mechanical properties of the material makes it weaker.

The new study, by researchers at the University of Maryland, demonstrates how to make wood transparent using a simple chemical hydrogen peroxide commonly used to bleach hair. This chemical modifies the chromophores, changing their structure so they no longer act to absorb light and color the wood.

The chemical can be brushed onto the wood, and then activated using light to produce a brilliant white material blond wood if you like. The chemical reaction of wood with hydrogen peroxide is well known. Its the basis for bleaching wood pulp used for paper making one of the reasons why paper is brilliant white.

The other reason paper is white is because pores or holes in its structure scatter light, just like the hollow cellulose fibers in wood. Filling these fibers with resin reduces that scattering, allowing light to pass through the wood and making it transparent, while retaining its original mechanical properties.

This is a very exciting development that uses well-known chemical reactions of hydrogen peroxide with lignin. The approach could also be applied to large pieces of material, leading to production of transparent building materials, offering a real potential to replace glass.

Because the chemical is brushed onto the wood, there might be opportunities for decorative effects to be added to the material. This could make panels of material popular for indoor applications, while also offering additional insulation.

Further work needs to be done to optimize the reaction with wood, and to incorporate it into an industrially automated process. But one day, in the future, you might be sitting in a home or working in a building with wooden windows.

This article bySteve Eichhorn, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Bristol,is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Scientists are making see-through wood, and it could replace glass - The Next Web

Weve all seen it. As snow or ice falls, a car is parked with its windshield wipers lifted up, off the glass.

Then, you think, should I be doing that?

As New Jersey braces for an ice storm Monday into Tuesday, this is a good time to weigh the pros and cons behind this technique.

The idea behind getting the wipers off the glass is that they wont freeze to the windshield and it will be easier to clear the snow or ice with a couple of unobstructed swoops of the snow brush.

Robert Sinclair Jr., manager of media relations at AAA Northeast, says it also eliminates the chance of burning out the windshield wiper motor when you start your car and the blades try to push their way through the frozen stuff.

But the convenience of an easy-to-clean windshield could cost you.

The National Weather Service says leaving your wipers pointed up can cause stress on the springs that hold them to the windshield and can lead to cracks in the glass if the ice-covered wipers slap down too hard when you lower them or if theyre blown down by the wind or some other force.

Glass.com puts it this way, a windshield wiper blade costs about $25 and takes about five minutes to replace. A windshield costs, on average, $350 and can take several hours to be replaced by a professional.

Instead of lifting your wipers, some suggestions are to cover the windshield with a blanket or tarp that you can later lift off, along with the snow or ice; cover the wipers with a towel; park in a garage; or just be patient and let your cars defroster do what its designed for.

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Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.

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Should you leave your windshield wipers up during a storm? Its debatable. - NJ.com