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Rocco & Roxie is a family-owned small business named after theMagleby family's pets Rocco, a Labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys.

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Get it from Amazon for $19.97.

Check out our in-depth Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator review.

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38 Things You *Shouldnt* Buy If You Want To Continue To Live In Filth In 2022 - BuzzFeed

A private housing contractor that subjected military families across the country to toxic mold, insect infestations, water leaks, burst pipes and other problems pleaded guilty to major fraud against the United States on Wednesday, agreeing to pay more than $65 million in fines and restitution.

The contractor, Balfour Beatty Communities LLC, falsified its performance data and destroyed resident comment cards so it could pocket performance incentive fees from the Army, Air Force and Navy, the U.S. Department of Justice wrote in a press release. Balfour Beatty Communities operates military housing communities at 21 Air Force, 18 Navy, and 16 Army bases across the country.

Instead of promptly repairing housing for U.S. service members as required, BBC lied about the repairs to pocket millions of dollars in performance bonuses, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Justice. This pervasive fraud was a consequence of BBCs broken corporate culture, which valued profit over the welfare of service members.

Specifically, Balfour Beatty Communities was sentenced to pay over $33.6 million in criminal fines and over $31.8 million in restitution to the U.S. military, serve three years of probation, and engage an independent compliance monitor for a period of three years. Separately, Balfour Beatty Communities settled a False Claims Act case with the U.S. and was found liable for $35.2 million. However, any amounts paid under the civil settlement will be credited against the $65 million owed under the companys criminal plea, the Justice Department said.

The punishment was not enough for some onlookers, who wanted Balfour Beatty Communities taken off the government payroll and forbidden from military housing responsibilities.

This is a fucking joke right, there is no way the DoD is going to allow a company who pled guilty to defrauding its troops all over the country to continue to do business with its troops right? wrote one commenter reacting to the news on the unofficial Air Force subreddit.

They still have their contract, wrote another. So its basically a slap on the wrist and a warning to not do it again.

Balfour Beatty Communities may still run private housing for some bases for another four decades. In 2011, Air Force Global Strike Command announced the company was selected to privatize military family housing for Beale, F.E. Warren, Malmstrom and Whiteman Air Force Bases under a 50 year lease.

At closing, the houses become property of BBC who will own and operate the rental housing development for military families, as well as finance, plan, design, and construct improvements in the development that maintain the housing units for the 50-year lease period, said Jessie Barrera, who was program manager for Global Strike Commands Western Group bases at the time.

Still, the fines could have a dramatic impact on the bottom line of Balfour Beatty, BBCs United Kingdom-based parent company. The Guardian reported that the fines levied against BBC are more than Balfour Beattys entire profit before tax for 2020 of 48 million ($64.4 million). However, the company made 8.6 billion ($11.54 billion) in revenue that year.

American lawmakers and military officials have pressured Balfour Beatty Communities to clean up its act for years. In 2019, after Reuters and CBS reported that Balfour Beatty had falsified its Tinker Air Force Base maintenance records for years in order to appear responsive to resident complaints and secure its incentive fee bonuses from the Air Force, the Air Force gave the company 90 days to come up with a plan to fix those problems.

This is not the first time allegations have been raised that Balfour Beatty has used fraudulent work order practices at Air Force bases, said Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) at the time, in response to the Reuters report. This isnt even the second time. It is the third timeand it is completely unacceptable and disturbing. How much more should we ask military families to endure?

But two years later, Air Force and Army families were still filing lawsuits against Balfour Beatty Communities. One lawsuit alleged one instance after another of squalid conditions, such as plumbing issues, insect and rodent infestations, asbestos, and mold, that the housing provider did little to repair.

One family involved in the lawsuit alleged that they developed asthma and migraines after moving into their Balfour Beatty-maintained home at Sheppard Air Force Base. James Banner, the father of the family, had such intense migraines he was eventually discharged from the military, the lawsuit said. Another family at Fort Bliss said a hot water pipe ruptured in their childrens bedroom in the middle of the night, burning them with [scalding] hot water, the lawsuit said.

Theyre still doing the same things today that theyve got people in jail for, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonn Roellchen told Task & Purpose in June. The airman and his family have been dealing with problems in Balfour Beatty homes since 2019.

The issues with the work orders that they were under federal investigation for, its still happening, he said. Nothing has changed.

In its defense, Balfour Beatty said on Thursday that it is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct, the company wrote in a statement.

The wrongdoing that took place is completely contrary to the way the Company expects its people to behave, Balfour Beatty added. The Company apologizes for the actions of Communities to all its stakeholders. It has been made clear to all employees that breaches of policies, procedures, or law will not be tolerated.

Still, the scheme to which Balfour Beatty Communities pleaded guilty is despicable, said David Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, in the Department of Justice statement. Tens of thousands of service members and their families live in Balfour Beatty communities around the country, for which the company earns not only fees from the military, but also the payments of service members basic allowance for housing.

While Balfour Beatty Communities usually receives a monthly base fee, the company also received performance incentive fees from service branches paid quarterly or semi-annually, the Department of Justice explained. To obtain the incentive fees, Balfour Beatty Communities had to submit proof that it was maintaining the properties and satisfying residents. But from 2013 to 2019, Balfour employees altered or manipulated data in property management software, and destroyed or falsified resident comment cards to make it seem like they were doing a better job than they actually were, the Department of Justice wrote.

As a result, according to court documents, there were lengthy and unnecessary delays in the resolution of maintenance issues to the detriment of service members and their families, the department said.

Earlier this year, two of those employees, former community manager Stacy Cabrera and former regional manager Rick Cunefare, pleaded guilty to charges related to those fraudulent incentive fee submissions.

The defendants greed undermined a program designed to protect service members homes while they courageously fight to protect our homeland, said Robert Troester, acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma on Wednesday. Service members and their families deserve better.

Those families have understandably had enough.

You can sit here and tell me that youre sorry all you want, Roellchen said in June. I dont want sorry, I want you to do the job.

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Military housing company to pay $65 million after years of 'pervasive fraud' - Task & Purpose

In Mayfield, Kentucky, storm warnings had been coming for days, then came radar observations of a rotating storm of debris to the south, and finally urgent alerts to the imminent strike of a severe tornado.

In the seconds it took for the quad-state storm to pass over the higher elevations of the city soon after midnight on 10 December, the notional separation between the man-made and natural world was effectively obliterated as were large sections of Mayfield

Damage to life and limb caused by the vast and powerful tornado that passed over Mayfield was epic and profound. The broader storm front also caused havoc as more than 30 powerful tornadoes tore through Dixie Alley. There were 76 dead in Kentucky alone, with eight lost in a candle factory where night-shift workers, some on work-release from jail, later claimed they were dissuaded from leaving their positions or seeking shelter by threats of termination.

Last week, as collapsed houses were marked clear of victims and turned back in on themselves by bulldozers and condemned to demolition, Mayfield residents barely had time to assess the impact. The raging winds had left metal siding wrapped tight around dismembered trees, demolished the town hall Christmas tree and torn the roof off the building itself and scattered debris for miles around in a manner reminiscent of an air-crash.

Its not normal to get a tornado in December, but then its not normal for it to be 73 degrees at night, said Mayfield resident Tim Wetherbee, referring to the local temperature on the day the onslaught destroyed 15,000 buildings and trailer-homes and caused at least $3.5bn in damage.

In a world that is failing to do enough to curb emissions that cause global heating and thus make extreme weather events more likely, the wider context of what happened in Mayfield was not lost on Wetherbee. People think about today, not tomorrow, and its only going to get worse, he said.

His niece, Huda Alubahi, was sheltering in a bathroom closet when the tornado struck. Clutched to her side was her three-year-old son, Jhalil, who was struck and killed as the house collapsed. His other niece and her children narrowly escaped injury when their house over the road was struck.

On the other side of the post office, which lost its roof, his sisters house was also destroyed. In all, Wetherbee, a refrigeration and heating contractor, counted five family members whose houses were destroyed.

As power company workers began restoring power to Mayfieldfor some there was little to do but gawp at the scale of the destruction.

Lengths of two-by-four had become airborne spears, penetrating the metal skins of cars; overturned school buses and semis; storage bins ruptured to reveal tons of grain now exposed to the elements; a collapsed water tower; and dozens of structures, from statuesque municipal buildings or private homes, that will now likely be demolished to prevent black mold from setting in.

Smaller tornadoes bounce, but an EF-4 stays on the ground, said property owner Hoot Gibson surveying several of his ruined properties. The only difference between this and an atom bomb is that a bomb would have fried people.

Climate change was not a subject all were willing to be drawn on.

Most people dont want to know, said James Hyatte, owner of The Catfish House. Theyll go with what Fox News or their church tell them.

Joava Good, deputy director of the Church of Scientologys disaster response team, ascribed the event to an act of evil. Good, who has attended the aftermath of 45 tornadoes, said that to have one of this magnitude in December was open to interpretation. Its quite amazing to see whats happening. Something has changed.

Following the track of a tornado is a relatively straightforward task of following a trail of broken trees and debris.

Half a mile out of town is the Mayfield Candle Factory, that had 110 workers on night shift when the storm hit. For many, it was work of last resort: poorly paid but easily accessible to those without transport. It offered consistent work, running 10-12 hour shifts around the clock at starting pay of $8 an hour to meet demand from customers like Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Its pitiful, said a project manager for the factory. We lost eight lives, but we could have lost more.

The factory, reduced to a pile of twisted metal and concrete, lies a quarter mile from a feed factory that was relatively unscathed, a demolished chicken hatchery missing its chicks, likely drawn 35,000ft up into the storm; a tractor dealership that while badly damaged lost none of its equipment.

Many in town, including workers at the factory that night, contradicted managements claims that employees had been free to leave after multiple tornado warnings were issued for the area. Even with weather like this, youre still going to fire me? 20-year-old worker Evan Johnson reportedly asked a manager. Their response, Yes.

Amos Jones, an attorney representing Haley Conder, one of those trapped in the factory after it collapsed, said the candle factory, along with the partial collapse of an Amazon fulfillment center in Edwardsville that killed six, could be a turning point for labor rights.

Amid the tragedy, we hope there will be more responsible care for employees and an end to all American sweatshops, Jones said.

Jones said he he was compelled to file a workers compensation suit after a spokesman for the factorys owner, Mayfield Consumer Products, continued to discredit and eyewitness declarations that workers were prevented from leaving and subjected to roll-calls and line-ups to determine who had left so they could be disciplined or fired. Company officials denied the allegations.

The tornado also helped focus some minds on exactly who those workers were.

Jaime Mass, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana, who had turned his small church into a outreach to supply Mayfields Mexican and Central American migrant worker population with food, said many workers at the factory registered under assumed names leading to confusion over who was missing.

Its part of the problem theyve been looking for the wrong people, Mass said. Theres a fear of authorities, and theyre not going to risk exposing themselves. Theyre here, but weve got emergency responders searching the rubble.

Jane Hoopingarner, a crisis responder with the Red Cross, said the job for emergency workers was to start to build trust with communities that often see themselves and are seen as outsiders. We are here to walk beside and support them not provide everything they need because theyre already being provided for by their own community.

The storm itself, though, did not discriminate.

Ten miles south-west of Mayfield, Amish farms dot the landscape, and the communities horse-drawn buggies are a common sight on the country lanes and in town.

The storm tore apart the home of Jacob and Emma Gingerich, killing both along with two of their five children. Chris Crawford, a nearby farm owner an Englisher to the Amish said hed been over to warn the couple of the storms approach. They had no way to know what was coming. We talked, they thanked me, and then 30 minutes later it came through.

Crawford went back after it had passed to find the couples infant baby, Ben, wearing only a diaper, under a vehicle more than 50 yards from the home and some distance from where his mother lay dead. I heard the whimper. He was laying in the driveway. I cuddled him up, and just ask God dont let him die on me.

Timber supplier Ronnie Murphy, helping to co-ordinate the barn rebuilds, said he believed the infant had been ripped from his mothers arms. All the babies that made it through are miracles, but this one he trailed off.

By midweek, the family were buried in a single grave, and 200 of the community were coming from as far away as Canada by train to help rebuild the sawmills that had been destroyed. I guess thats the way God wanted it, commented neighbor Joe Stutzman.

He declined to speculate on climate-science interpretations. We dont get involved in stuff like that, but the end is getting closer for sure. Why did this thing come through here? I think it was to wake people up. Hey! Work together better. Show your love. Pray.

Much of the Gingrichs farm ended up a quarter-mile away in the wood next to Joey Rogers, who lost his home, four barns, poultry and livestock. Many of his surviving cattle were still too spooked to be rounded up.

They sense the storm coming and go crazy, but theres not much place to go when youre out in a field, said local vet Timothy Jones. But in the manner of natural disasters, he said, human life was first and foremost, but the animals were part of the trickle down, expansive consequences of a tornado strike.

Domestic animals, too, had been injured a dog with a splinter in his chest, another that required a leg amputated. Others, though, had been simply swept up into the story and lost for good. How far they go, who knows?

It maybe too early to talk of recovery in Mayfield. For some, it is a going to be a haul that goes on long after the immediate dizzying intensity of the event itself and its aftermath subsides.

Sandra Delk, co-ordinator for Mayfields community response, said she slept in her car the first two nights, then moved into a trailer with electrical issues, and finally moved back home, though still without light or heating.

People are in a daze, and some are never going to go back to their homes, she said.

See the article here:
Tornadoes in Mayfield, Kentucky caused profound losses: Some are never going back to their homes - The Guardian

RICHMOND, Ind. Richmond's parks enjoyed so many 2021success that they didn't really fit into a top 10 list.

Parks Superintendent Denise Retz highlighted those successes Monday to Richmond Common Council. She labelled it a top 10 list, but with a 3.5, 4.5 and a 5.5, it really became a baker's dozen list that also included multiple entries under some categories.

The support and the generosity that we continue to receive in this community is very humbling, and we just cant thank the community enough for all the support they give the parks department," Retz said. "The parks team continues to amaze me. They power through low manpower and high expectations each and every day, and they are doing a wonderful job.

The presentation came just a few days after the city's Board of Public Works and Safety approved two contracts with Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group to develop a Farmers Market Strategic Plan and a Whitewater Gorge Activation Plan. Both plans are part of the parks Master Plan and show the department's commitment to implementing that plan.

I just couldnt be happier with the current condition and the current outlook for our entire parks department, Mayor Dave Snow said.

He also thanked parks team members for their hard work as well as council members and parks board members for their support.

I dont have to tell community members as you go around: Our parks are just in beautiful, thriving condition," he said. "We are seeing growth in every one of our beautiful 19 city parks.

Richmond Farmers Market was listed as No. 2 on Retz's 2021 list and occupies some of the future focus. Among vendors who report weekly sales, they have accumulated nearly $290,000 in sales this year compared to about $200,000 in sales during 2020. The Reid Double Dollars program that doubles the buying power of SNAP money at the market has resulted in $60,107 spent this year compared to $39,634 last year.

The market is doing great things right now," Retz said. "We are in a very good place. We dont want it to be stagnant. We want to continue to press forward and grow, so we need to know where we are, where weve been and then where were going to go from here.

The Winter Farmers Market in the Starr Gennett Building shows one use of theWhitewater Gorge Park that stretches along the Whitewater River from Test to Waterfall roads. Using the river, which will flow more freely after the removal of Weir Dam,and that park for more recreation and to generate income is a major focus.

In fact, the project was accepted as one of about 50 included in the eight-county East Central Indiana Regional Partnership's proposal for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative. The regional group was awarded $15 million from the state's American Rescue Plan Act money.

The Whitewater Gorge Activation Plan will be focusing on the gorge initiative and activating the gorge to make it a phased approach how we can get funding and make it a place where we can continue to recreate, preserve, maintain and highlight what all it has to offer," Retz said.

The plan will incorporate new ideas, such as a river walk, ziplining and boating along with existing assets such as the Starr Gennett Building, Walk of Fame, trails and Veterans Memorial Park. Retz said the plan is about using the water as a resource and "seeinghow these things can actually function for us as a city to make more of a destination area in the gorge.

Having that project accepted into the READI application was part of Retz's No. 1 success for 2021: celebrations. The category also included the 60th anniversary of the city's senior center and a Community Improvement Award from the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce honoring the winterization of the Starr Gennett Building.

Retz also highlighted grants and donations totaling$130,528.17 that were supplemented by an additional $101,815.67 from Wayne County Foundation's Challenge Match.

Following the Farmers Market at No. 2, Retz highlighted volunteers at No. 3 on her list. The parks department received help from two deployments of AmeriCorps workers and has applied for a 2022 deployment. There also were cleanup days at the gorge, Middlefork Reservoir and Glen Miller Park, as well as organized volunteer efforts from 3Rivers, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Ivy Tech Community College, Seton Catholic school and Central United Methodist Church.

At 3.5, Retz highlighted revenue increases. The parks department began an online reservation system for rentals of things like shelters. There were 982 online rentals that increased revenue $18,345.98. At Middlefork, there were 481 boat rentals that boosted revenue $5,0049.09.

Highland Lake Golf Course will celebrate its 50th anniversary during 2022, and its successes during 2022 were No. 4 for Retz. The course'srevenue increased $50,000, withmemberships rising 40% and food and beverage sales increasing9%.

Improvements at the course included the irrigation system, tree and stump removal, new tee signs, new ball washers, newtrash cans and a new tee box for the first hole.

The 4.5 on Retz's list was theSpringwood Enhancement Project. The park on Waterfall Road received a makeover that includes the building of Springwood Chapel that can be rented for weddings and other services and as an outdoor classroom. In addition, trails werecleared, a boardwalk built over wetlands, the pavilion interior was painted, 250 trees were planted and new outdoor lights installed.

In 2022, more trails and siding and windows for the pavilion are planned at Springwood.

New gardens and landscaping ranked No. 5 for 2021. New landscaping and a serenity garden were installed at the senior center and a sensory garden at Clear Creek, plus work around Middlefork Reservoir's bathroom and deck and Highland Lake's tee signs. It also includes the flowers forming "It's Spring," "Richmond" and "It's Fall Y'all" messages along U.S. 40 in Glen Miller Park.

We get more and more calls and letters about these message boards on 40, so we thank our floral crew for that, Retz said.

Retz highlighted successful and safe events at 5.5 on her list. The parks department hosted more than 55 events, including a drive-through egg hunt, Just Us Kids Outdoors, father/daughter and mother/son events, Middlefork Family Day, Halloween Howl, Veterans Parade, Frostbite 5K and Celebration of Lights.

New buildings and rehabbed roofs sit at No. 6 on the list. A new shelter that seats 60 was built in Glen Miller Park, and a new pole barn at the greenhouse improves storage. New roofs were put on the C&O Depot, the Bicentennial garage and three Middlefork Reservoir buildings. In addition, new shade sails are available for Elstro Plaza.

During 2021, the parks department celebrated openings of the Riverside Heritage Trail and the Whitewater Gorge Connector Trail, the City Bike Park at Freeman Park, new walkways at Richmond Rose Garden, the Mary Scott Community Orchard, a Negro League baseball marker at Glen Miller Park and a new playground and landscaping at Starr Park. Those rank No. 7.

The installation of security at Clear Creek and Elstro Plaza occupies No. 8 on Retz's list. Five of the city's 19 parks are now better protected with this ongoing project.

The parks department's greenhouse became a certified composting facility, one of only two in Richmond, and Izzi Wilhelm became a certified arborist. Those certifications placed ninth among 2021's successes.

At No. 10 is arts and culture. The parks department hosts Art in Parks and Art Along Main, while partnering with Richmond Symphony Orchestra for the RSO Music Garden in Glen Miller Park.

Council members were complimentary and appreciative of Retz and the parks department following the presentation.

I know the park team is strong. I believe in our parks, and I think our parks are beautiful," Bill Engle said. "It takes great leadership to get there, and I think youve done a great job. Thank you.

Jane Bumbalough added: I would like to tell you also, Denise, I thank you for everything that you do. You do a fantastic job. I am so thankful that you are part of the leadership team here in Richmond.

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Richmond Parks Department bursting with successes, future plans - Palladium-Item

The council issued a conditional use permit for the project, which includes a lower level therapy pool to help patients who are dealing with pain, stiffness, swelling and mobility limitations.

The main floor addition will not be finished at this time, according to Alomere. One possibility was mentioned in the permit request expanding the existing emergency room.

The addition will not change the hospitals bed capacity.

The pool will be built on the northeast corner of the existing hospital, adjacent to the emergency room exit.

The permit was approved with three conditions: a building permit must be obtained, a revised drainage plan must be submitted, and Alomere must replace any trees that are removed or mitigate the loss.

In other zoning action, the council denied a request from Douglas and Rachel Selchow to vacate a portion of the Summer Meadows plat and street, south of Scenic Heights Road.

The planning commission cited four reasons for their decision: The street still serves a purpose; the request isnt consistent with the citys comprehensive plan; the request isnt consistent with the character of the surrounding area because it would result in one house on 13 acres when the average lot size is half an acre; and the request would place a financial burden on the city for repeated flushing and maintenance on the existing utility lines.

The city of Alexandria will receive a total of $1,510,499 through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The city will get half of that amount in 2021 and the second half next year.

Congress enacted ARPA this past March. It includes $65 billion in recovery funds to help cities across the nation recover from the financial losses caused by the pandemic.

The council authorized city staff to work with Mayor Bobbie Osterberg to make recommendations on how ARPA funds will be spent.

The owners of seven parcels of land who failed to maintain their properties will have to reimburse the city for doing it for them.

The work included snow removal, cutting grass and weeds, maintaining trees and shrubs, and removing junk and rubbish. The charges will be included as a one-year special assessment on the property owners taxes. The combined amount of the reimbursements is $5,300.

The council voted to certify the citys charges with the Douglas County Auditor-Treasurer Office.

The council agreed to authorize the city to act as the legal sponsor for the Twenty08 workforce housing project.

The city and D.W. Jones are partners in the development. The citys authorization will have no cost impact on the city, according to Administrator Marty Schultz.

Twenty08 Apartments and has an estimated development cost of $9.2 million. The site is 2008 Runestone Ave., north of County Road 82 and west of Birch Avenue, adjacent to the existing Central Lakes Apartments.

The majority of the units, 49 of 62, would be market rate and the others would be for low-income or homeless people. The building will be 73,202 square feet and include a mix of studio, one, two and three bedroom units for workforce housing.

D.W. Jones plans to request an amendment to the existing TIF district if the project gets funding from the states workforce housing development program.

If all goes well, D.W. Jones plans to start construction next September and complete the project by June, 2023.

Bids were accepted for materials that will improve electrical lines in Alexandria in 2022 and move some of the lines underground.

Three bids were awarded $218,640 from Irby Utilities in Eagan for switchgear; $353,127 from Border States Electric of Fargo for power cable, and $134,110 from WESCO of Fargo for secondary power cable. The total cost of the bids was about 3% higher than ALP Utilities originally thought but still reasonable, according to Chris Olson, general manager.

ALP Utilities, which recommended the bids, is paying for the distribution improvements with funds from a previous bond issue. The projects will take place near 3Ms main line and the west circuits main line between 17th and 4th Avenue.

Bids were also considered for electrical transformers but none were accepted. One bid came in at $519,000, more than triple the estimate of $145,00. Because of supply and demand, the transformers wouldn't have been delivered for 130 weeks, so ALP will use its stockpile of transformers instead.

Link:
Alomere Health in Alexandria gets green light for therapy pool addition - Echo Press

The Wisconsin Badgers signed 14 scholarship players during the early signing period of the 2022 recruiting cycle.

And while its possible that number could still change, Wisconsins class currently ranks 44th in the country, and 11th in the Big Ten with an average recruiting ranking of (0.87), per 247 sports.

In part eight of a position by position recruiting evaluation series, I will be handing out grades for each position from the early signing period.

So, without further ado, I evaluate the outside linebacker addition.

Commits: (1) Isaac Hamm

An argument could be made that outside linebacker is one of the deepest position groups in the entire program. So, Wisconsin was in position to be picky, and only take someone the program felt had a chance to be a difference maker at the position.

Wisconsin had to wait a while for the Sun Prairie, Wisconsin native to commit, but they finally locked Isaac Hamm in to their 2022 class.

Isaac Hamm is a four-star recruit per 247, and totaled 73 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a senior despite playing with a labrum tear in each shoulder.

Accolades: Named the Large School Defensive Player of the Year, Won the Tim Krumrie Award, given to the top defensive lineman in Wisconsin, WFCA first-team selection as a junior and senior.

Isaac Hamm played defensive end at Sun Prairie, but Wisconsin sees him as an OLB in their defensive front. Hamm possesses some of the same qualities that TJ Bollers had, making him a versatile option as a pass-rusher or hand in the dirt defensive lineman.

Hamm is someone that already has great size and strength coming out of high school, while also having a frame that allows him to put on more weight if need be. The thing that stands out most about Hamms game is the way he explodes getting off the ball and shows good bend for a potential edge rusher.

There are many unknowns about Hamms ability in coverage or even how he plays in space, but with the talent ahead of him, hell have plenty of time to refine his game. What I can tell you is that he has impressive physical traits for a player his size all the tools are there for him to be a potential impact player for Jim Leonhard regardless of what position he ends up playing.

This is a big win for Wisconsin for several reasons: they picked up an impact pass-rushing prospect to add to an already deep room, and kept a premium in-state player home despite an impressive offer list.

Wisconsin has elevated their recruiting of the outside linebacker position, and the on-field success is assuredly a reason why. The arrow of this position group continues to point up.

Other evaluations: QB RB WR TE OL DL ILB

Contact/Follow us@TheBadgersWireon Twitter, and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

Originally posted here:
Grading the outside linebacker addition in the 2022 recruiting class - Badgers Wire

A family loses their entire home to a fire on Christmas Day. The father tells KENS 5 that his daughter was the one who helped them escape.

COTULLA, Texas A south Texas family lost their entire home to a Christmas Day fire, the father telling KENS 5 it was his daughter who helped them escape the flames with their lives.

The Tellez family said they were awakened around 5:30 a.m. on Christmas. Their youngest daughter, 11-year-old Deserae, alerted them about the fire.

Her father, Victor, shared that she was sleeping in the living room because she was waiting for Santa. He said the flames started behind the couch that she was sleeping on.

The room next to the living room where we sleep at was full of smoke. I dont know if we would have woken up if it wasnt for her, he recalled. By the time I got there, the whole living room was fully engulfed. Within a matter of seconds, like 20 to 30 seconds, the whole living room was done.

The family said they were lucky to escape with only minor burns. For now, they're staying at a hotel before moving in with a relative while they rebuild their lives.

The family did not have home insurance.

Im just blessed I still have my family. Everything can be replaced slowly but surely. The outpour from the community has been phenomenal. Its just been great, Tellez said.

He added that the La Salle County Sheriffs Office has even assisted the family. They have received some food, clothes and toys.

Victor and his wife, Nina, have six children; 16-year-old Dianarae, 13-year-old Davena, 10-year-old, 7-year-old Victor and 7-year-old Vincent, in addition to Deserae. If you would like to help the family, click here.

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'I don't know if we would have woken up if it wasn't for her': Young Cotulla girl credited with saving family from fire - KENS5.com

Its time to start making plans for 2022. Maybe one of your resolutions in the new year is to make a little extra money. These days, there are tons of ways you can earn cash in addition to your full-time job so you can have more in savings, pay off debt or just splurge on something cool. Here are the side hustles that take the least amount of effort to get started so you can start collecting some easy money.

Modern Money Etiquette:Answering Thorny Questions About Tipping, Gifts and MoreImportant:How To Best Handle These 4 Messy Money Matters That Happen With Family

The beginning of the year is a great time to purge. Go through your closet and see if there are any pieces of clothing or shoes you can sell on websites like Poshmark or thredUP. On Poshmark, you can list your items and set the price, while thredUP is a consignment model, so they select the pieces they want to sell. If you dont have clothes to sell, take stock of your electronics, appliances, or other things that are in good condition, but you just dont need anymore. You can put these items for sale on Craigslist or eBay and make some money without ever leaving the house.

More About Tipping:Rude Tipping Habits You Need To Break Now

If you have a spare room and dont mind having people stay over, you might consider renting it out on Airbnb. If you rent, check your lease to make sure this is allowed with your landlord. If you own, youre free and clear, but remember to take into account the cost of having another person in the house when youre setting your price. If you are able to rent out the room pretty frequently, your utility bills will go up, so reflect that in the price of the room. You can always check how much similar listings in your area charge to make sure youre setting a fair price. Some other tips include taking great photos and accurately describing the home to ensure you guests see your place and keep returning.

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Taskrabbit provides taskers to customers who do everything from repairs to putting together IKEA furniture. Other common tasks include moving, cleaning, deliveries, gardening, and general assisting. On the Taskrabbit app, you can make a profile, set a price and list your availability. Customers reach out to you through the app to describe their task and set up the appointment.

If you have a specialized skill, there are a few sites that you might want to look into. To offer copywriting, graphic design, web design or something similar, you can set up a freelance profile on Fiverr, Freelancer or Upwork which is geared toward businesses looking for people to work on specific projects. Those seeking your area of expertise can contact you and book you based on your set price. Similarly, Thumbtack is another site that enables you to set up a profile for a wider range of services like DJing, event makeup, personal training and more.

Find Out:The Dollar Dance, Gift Cards and More Money Matters: Whats Tacky and Whats Acceptable?

In a focus group, people pay you just to hear your opinion, and pay ranges are typically between $50-250 per group, though sometimes, you can get paid higher depending on the type of group or trial. You can look for these opportunities using sites like FocusGroups.org or FocusGroup.com to find local or remote focus groups looking for participants. Subjects include everything from how you interact in groups, to what ads you respond to, to clinical trials on new drugs and therapies.

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How easy is it to just sit at someone elses home and make sure nothing happens? Pretty easy, and you can get paid to watch TV while you do it. You can find gigs on sites like Housesitter.com or Care.com. People looking for someone to watch their house in your area have posted ads so you can look through the details and apply to them if you like the opportunity. In addition to looking after the house, and watering the plants, some of the ads require you take care of pets as well, or run some errands while the owner of the house is gone. Many ads say the pay is negotiable, but most of the posted rates are between $25-75 a day.

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Sam DiSalvo is an LA-based comedian, writer and actor who's performed all over the country. Her written work has appeared in numerous digital publications. As a copywriter, she's worked with a variety of major brands including GoldieBlox and Thrive Causemetics. Sam loves dogs and is currently perusing leisure suits to buy for her corgi mix, Barry

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The Easiest Side Hustles To Get Started With in 2022 - GOBankingRates

By Cara Beth Lewis

Harmony Hall is the 1760s-era home of Colonel James Richardson, located in White Oak, North Carolina. In addition to the house, there are several buildings that were added over time, up until the year 1900. You can even find a one-room school on the property that operated in the late 19th century. Harmony Hall is certainly a great place to visit in the Mother County.

Colonel James Richardson, the original owner, was born in Stonington, Connecticut, and later made North Carolina his home. He died in Bladen County on September 29th, 1810, at the age of 76. Colonel Richardson was buried in Tarheel, NC.

In his life, Colonel Richardson ran a West Indies shipping line, according togeni.com. As a Connecticut native, he had been shipwrecked off Cape Hatteras. While he waited for one of his ships to arrive, he spent some time exploring the area. He liked it so much that he decided to make it his home.

Around the same time, he met a young Jamaica native named Elizabeth ONeal Purdy. According togeni.com, The two were soon married and moved up the river to build their new home. This house remained in the Richardson family until 1874, when it was acquired by Daniel S. Tatum. Tatum transferred the title to his daughter Sarah Margaret and her husband N. Austin Layton, Sr. In 1961, Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Layton Jr., of Winter Haven, Florida, deeded the structure to the Bladen County Historical Society.

Harmony Hall can now be rented for all sorts of events weddings, parties, family reunions, and more. Treasurer Sunday Allen stated, We have bathroom facilities and lots of ground to explore, so it makes for a fun location.

For more information or to rent Harmony Hall for an event, call 910-866-4113.

Dating back to the late 18th century, the house has been restored as a local historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To maintain the historical beauty of the plantation, maintenance is important. If you would like to contribute by donating, scan the PayPal QR code below, or you can send a check in the mail.

On Harmony Hall Villages social media, the following information is shared:

Our funding comes through donations to our program. Harmony Hall Plantation Village Inc. holds a 501(c)3 tax exemption, and we will graciously accept your donation of any amount to continue preservation efforts and education. To mail your donation, please send it to:

ATTN: HHPV, Inc

C/O Treasurer: S. Allen

1800 Winding Creek Rd

Elizabethtown, NC 28337

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Harmony Hall Village: A Piece of History in White Oak BladenOnline.com - BladenOnline.com

Mayor-elect Mark Beardmore says officials at City Hall should wait for bids to return on a Rec Center project before deciding its fate.

Depending on the bids opened at City Hall at 2 p.m., Feb. 1, it may make sense to move forward on a plan determined by the outgoing City Council, or scrap the proposal and send the matter back to a public referendum, Beardmore said in an interview.

Elected officials this week proceeded toward obtaining bids on what is estimated to be a $7.75 million project at the Carroll Recreation Center.

One big factor: the city already has $500,000 invested in the modernization of the Carroll Recreation Center.

Its going to be really challenging for myself and the City Council to go back on whats already been done, Beardmore said.

The current City Council voted 6-0 Monday to approve plans and specifications, as well as the estimated cost, for the improvements at the 1977 Rec Center, which would include a full-court gymnasium addition with a second-level suspended jogging track, storage-room additions, cardio and circulation additions, multi-purpose room renovations, locker room renovations, a lifeguard office and individual family changing room additions.

Carroll City Council members in March approved a $500,000 engineering contract with RDG Planning & Design, a prominent Midwest firm, for work associated with the improvements to the Carroll Recreation Center. The measure passed 6-0.

The city cant recoup that money if it drops the project, although the planning could be used as a basis to pivot in another direction with work at the Rec Center. Beardmore noted that, for example, building codes change regularly and that a shelved plan would have to be redone in the future at more cost to the city.

Beardmore has said the process did not have enough public input, and he thinks the city could have considered specific bidding on certain portions of the Rec Center plan and prioritized differently.

Ive voiced my concerns, but thats water under the bridge, he said.

The question for Beardmore and the other three newly elected members of city government who have expressed concern with the process is this: do they shelve a plan with a half a million dollars already invested, and one that might result in favorable bids, or move ahead to the bid stage to evaluate it then?

Maybe well get some really, really competitive bids, Beardmore said.

If the plan goes forward construction is expected to be completed by May 1, 2023. City officials have a plan to keep the Rec Center open during construction.

The vast majority of the funding would come through local option sales tax proceeds, which could account for $6.6 million of the project.

The city plans to issue $700,000 in general obligation debt, a figure just low enough that it doesnt trigger a public referendum a major point of contention in the November election.

City of Carroll voters on Sept. 8, 2020 rendered a split decision in a local election as they passed a continuation of the 17-year-old 1 percent local option sales tax but rejected the citys plan to use up to $5 million in general-obligation bond debt financing toward a $13.38 million modernization of the Recreation Center.

The more aggressive Rec Center plan included major pool additions. Those have been dropped from the current plan.

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Beardmore: Wait for bids on Rec Center before making final call - Carroll Daily Times Herald