| Cities learning the value of conserving tree canopy
Well before the 2004 hurricanes claimed a single tree, Central Florida cities and counties watched their thick canopies of mature oak, cypress and other trees shrink to accommodate new subdivisions and office parks.
The three storms ripped out 30 percent more of the region's tree cover in some places, providing the impetus and millions of dollars in federal assistance for local governments to plant trees and better manage what's left.
During the past two years, arborists armed with hand-held computers have been trekking through Orlando, Lakeland, Leesburg and other cities, cataloging every tree on public property.
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Freezing weather a hot time for furnace repairmen
Chances are it's coming from your poor overworked furnace in the utility room. Or it could be a loud sigh from the heating people in the Fox Valley -- who, after getting reacquainted with their families these last couple of moderate-temp days, must now go back into battle as winter returns with a vengeance. Fact is, we got spoiled. The past few winters have been unusually mild, which makes the current arctic blast like a, well, arctic blast of reality. Aurora, in particular, has sustained a string of sub-zero temperatures, including the day we hit 17 below and officially became the coldest place in the country. And no one is feeling the frigid effects more than businesses trying to keep up with the calls from us unfortunate schmucks who have awakened -- or arrived home from work -- to igloo-like conditions because the furnace is on the fritz.
Air conditioning unit sparks hotel fire
A heating and air conditioning unit sparked a fire Wednesday at a North Myrtle Beach hotel, said city public information officer, Nicole Aiello. The fire occurred around 9:51 a.m. at Peppertree by the Sea, 305 South Ocean Blvd. Two people were treated for injuries on the scene, and one was transported to Seacoast Medical Center. HORRY COUNTY Fire victim died of smoke inhalation, burns An autopsy performed Wednesday determined that smoke inhalation and severe burns killed a man who died in a fire at his office late Monday, Deputy Coroner Tony Hendrick said. The fire occurred in a building in the 4000 block of West U.S. 501. The victim's name is being withheld until his family, believed to live in Guatemala, is notified, Hendrick said.
NBA: LeBron leads East to All-Star victory
They beat up on us pretty bad last year," James said. "As the East, we didn't want to allow that to happen. We wanted to try to win." Ray Allen was on that Western Conference team that beat up on the East in Las Vegas. Traded to the Boston Celtics last summer, he helped his new All-Star teammates atone. His three 3-pointers in the final three minutes and 12 seconds kept the East ahead after a West rally had wiped out a double- digit lead. "Ray hit some big shots," James said, "some of the biggest shots of the game, and he kept it flowing. We put the finishing touches on it, and it was a dunk." It was a monster dunk authored by James that truly finished things. He powered the ball through and over Dallas Mavericks 7-footer Dirk Nowitzki with 55.5 seconds remaining.
Topping 2008 List of New Year's Resolutions: Go Green at Home
VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- This year many homeowners are adding a new commitment to their list of New Year's Resolutions: go green at home. Alongside pledges to quit smoking, exercise more, and spend more time with friends and family, fostering eco-friendly homes is a positive step for families' health and finances. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings in the United States account for 71 percent of the nation's electricity consumption, 39 percent of energy use, 36 percent of all greenhouse emissions, 12.2 percent of potable water consumption, and 40 percent of global raw materials use. "Americans realize that all buildings, even their own homes, impact our environment. People are now doing what they can to help improve the health of our planet and are choosing materials and remodeling projects that make homes healthier, comfortable and longer lasting," says Stanley Gatland, Manager of Building Science Technology for CertainTeed.
Tata Motors displays armoured vehicles at Defence Expo
Tata Motors displayed its new range of tactical and armoured vehicles at the Defence Expo last weekend. This range showcases the company's expertise in providing a military mobility solution.
Apart from the Light Specialist Vehicle (LSV) launched at the expo, it also displayed its entire range including armoured SUVs and other specialised vehicles. LSV: With a 1.2 tonne payload, it is a single platform to undertake diverse missions such as reconnaissance counter insurgency operations for special forces and even act as an ambulance. Armed with an adaptive automatic transmission, 60% gradeability, 300 mm vertical obstacle climbing ability, 45% approach angle, 45% departure angle, 255 mm ground clearance, the vehicle can operate in a temperature range of –20 degree to +55 degree celsius.
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