911 FLOOD

Frozen Pipe Bursts; Floods Shop on Main St

2012-03-06T19:34:00.001-05:00

A water pipe froze and burst in an upstairs apartment and sent water pouring into a newly remodeled Main Street shop Tuesday morning.

A passerby noticed water pouring out of the doorway of the Sagegrass Gallery at 156 Main St. and informed police at about 5:40 a.m., according to reports. Firefighters arrived quickly and gained entry to a vacant apartment above the gallery while the water main was shut off, Fire Chief Dave Rand said.

A pipe near the front window of the apartment, which juts out over the sidewalk, had burst, Chief Rand said, sending water all over the floor of the apartment and down the walls and into the gallery below.

The apartment was heated, Chief Rand said. He suspected that cold air had infiltrated the space around the pipe and caused the freeze. The same pipe froze once before, several years ago, he said.

Gallery owner Sue Stanley moved the business from Bayside Landing to the Main Street location this winter and plans to open again in the spring. She was devastated when she first walked into her shop Tuesday morning, she said.

“We had just got the painting completed. Literally, Friday it was done,” she said. “The biggest concern at this point is how the insurance is going to handle all this.”

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Burst Pipe Floods Shops at Mill

2012-03-06T18:46:00.000-05:00

FLOOD damage to a mill shopping complex could run into six figures, its has been revealed.

But the owners of Ena Mill, in Atherton, are resolving to reopen to the public in less than 10 days after the flood wiped out the entire ground floor and large areas of the first floor.

The flood is believed to have started between Sunday evening and Monday morning. The ground floor was the most seriously hit, with water as deep as three inches in some places.

Simon Yates, from Ena Mill, said: “It’s devastating. We’re just taking stock of it all at the moment.

“It’s one of those situations that nothing can prepare you for. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, just before half-term — it’s an important trading time for us. We’ve been advertising heavily and forecasting a record week of sales.

“We had already turned away 400 people before lunchtime on Monday.”

He added: “All we can think about is getting everything cleaned up and reopen as soon as possible. Our lives are on hold until we do.”

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Burst Pipe Floods Children Section of Library

2012-03-06T18:29:00.000-05:00

Flooding caused by a broken pipe has closed the children's area of the C.M. Bailey Public Library for at least a week and has temporarily made the upstairs bathroom unusable.

Library Director Richard Fortin said staff on Saturday found a running and overflowing toilet in the Kids Room, which is on the ground floor of the 96-year-old building.

About 500 children a week frequent the room, Fortin said.

A staff member, assisted by a patron, mopped the floor and emptied buckets much of Saturday to try to minimize damage until emergency plumbing could be done, Fortin said.

He said the plumber determined that a rock broke an outside pipe, possibly a result of frost-heaving.

Repairs will require excavation, Fortin said. The lines are old and the same one caused problems last year, he said.

The upstairs bathroom also was damaged by flooding and the floor tiles -- later determined to contain asbestos -- must be replaced. Meantime, he said bathrooms are available at the Town Office, which is within walking distance of the library.

Fortin said downstairs work will include replacing tiles, installing new drywall and painting ceiling tiles.

"The work will need to be done before we can reopen it," Fortin said. He didn't know how long that would take.

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Fire Damages Hollywood Recording Studio

2012-03-06T18:15:00.002-05:00

Los Angeles Fire Department investigators Tuesday sought the cause of a blaze that damaged a Hollywood studio where greats such as Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley and the Beatles recorded.

The fire at 1041 Production Studios, a roughly 100-by-50-foot building at 1041 N. Orange Drive, was reported about 7 p.m. Monday, and about 70 firefighters had it out in 18 minutes, a fire department spokesman said. No one was hurt.

The firefighters resuscitated a cat found unconscious in the two-story building and saved some clothing used in television commercial shoots.

"The firemen saved all my wardrobe, and it's fabulous because that's all rental," Stacey Anne told NBC4. "They saved the day."

The studio, believed to be one of the oldest of its kind in Hollywood, was used by major labels. Presley reportedly recorded hits such as "Jailhouse Rock" and "All Shook Up" there. The Beach Boys, Sam Cooke and Louis Armstrong also reportedly recorded in the nondescript building with one side facing Santa Monica Boulevard.

Members of the band Dead Day Revolution were at the studio Monday night, preparing for an upcoming concert at Saddle Ranch in Studio City.

"It was really smoky back there," Mike Sandoz of Dead Day Revolution told NBC4. "We're going to have to figure out where we're going to practice before the show."

Part of the roof caved in, and the second floor was extensively damaged. According to a published report, the studio was once known as Radio Recorders and built in 1929 by the Victor Talking Machine Co.

Firefighters have yet to put a dollar figure on the damage.

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2/6/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-03-06T17:34:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind between 10 and 13 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind between 14 and 18 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind around 15 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 15 and 24 mph.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy, with a west wind between 10 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers, mainly before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Monday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

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Burst Pipe Floods Church Again

2012-03-02T20:47:00.002-05:00

A MAJOR pipe burst has caused flood damage to a church for the second time in five months.

St Anthony’s Church in Saltney’s High Street was hit after the 12-inch water main burst causing a ‘torrent’ of water to pour on to the road causing parts of the pavement to break up.

Dorothy Dudley-Jones, who has lived on the High Street for 30 years, said water had flooded under her floorboards after seeping in through an air vent.

She said: “It was like a river. It came about an inch from the top of our doorstep. It stopped when they turned the main off. We were putting sandbags out.

“The water has gone under the floorboards in the front room. A joiner is going to have to pull it all up to see what damage has been done.

“When you don’t know when the water is going to stop, it is distressing. Our house is the lowest on the street.”

Other homes were spared similar damage when the main supply was switched off but water came within inches of the front doors of about 10 properties.

Tony Ellis, a member of the church, said: “The church cellar has flooded. It is right the way through. There is quite a lot of damage and a lot of water.

“Services won’t be affected, we will carry on as usual.”

A similar pipe burst in September also badly affected the church.

“The last time it took about two days to pump out all the water,” he added.

Cllr Richard Lloyd, the Mayor of Saltney, said the town council will donate funds to those affected by the flood which he described as a “disaster”.

He said: “There was water bubbling out of the road. There is a lot of damage. I could see masses of water. It was up to the kerb and on the verge of going into people’s houses. This was a major pipe which burst.

“It was like a mini earthquake. It has lifted the ground up, there was a lot of pressure coming through.”

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Small Fire Damages Home in Mandeville

2012-03-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

An apparent electrical fire caused minor damage to a home north of Mandeville this morning and sent a woman to a hospital due to smoke inhalation, authorities said. The woman's son required treatment at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Nearly 20 personnel from the parish's 4th Fire Protection District responded to the blaze at 209 Hickory St. at 10:12 a.m., according to district chief David Schmelling.

He said the fire originated from an overloaded electrical outlet in the small, one-story wooden house. The blaze caused minor damage to the wall surrounding the outlet, as well as some smoke damage, according to Schmelling.

Karen Lacassagne, who lives in the home, was taken away in an ambulance due to smoke inhalation.

Her son, Bert Brossette, said he believed a candle that had been left burning started the fire. "I woke up and it had caught on fire. I ran outside, got a hose and put out the fire."

"They took my mother away. She wasn't smart enough to get out of the house," Brossette said between coughing fits and puffs on his cigarette.

Schmelling said the blaze was extinguished shortly after firefighters arrived.

A neighbor, Helen Denison, said she came outside to make sure the fire didn't spread to her house.

She said she could smell the smoke, but couldn't see any flames.

"It doesn't seem like a whole lot," Denison said.

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3/2/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-03-02T16:30:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 1am. Areas of fog after 1am. Low around 39. Southeast wind between 13 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers. Areas of fog before 10am. High near 52. South wind 9 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. West wind between 8 and 14 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind between 11 and 15 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 41.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 51.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Friday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Apartment Complex Shuts Down Because of Mold

2012-02-29T21:09:00.000-05:00

Dozens of people at a Hopewell apartment complex are furious after they received notices they have to move out.

Hopewell Code Enforcement says living conditions are unsafe at the Prince George Terrace apartments, so it's telling people they need to move by Wednesday.

Tiffany Howard says her health has gotten worse and blames the basement apartments which have sitting water, sewage, and some say even mold inside. She lives right above a condemned unit and says the stench inside has crept up through her apartment creating health problems for her.

"The smell is horrible as soon as you walk through the door," said Howard. "I got asthma and bronchitis since I moved here, so it's bad."

Other neighbors like Leona Bland have the same problem. Her apartment has signs of water damage. She even says the water tastes so bad, she has to drink bottled water. Code enforcement says these conditions are not livable, but many people here say they have nowhere to go.

" I felt like I was going to die -- like I was homeless," said Bland. "I'm homeless. I don't have anywhere to go."

Neighbors say they complained to the property manager, but the only advice they've received is to bleach down the walls. Bland says for the past several years the property conditions have gotten worse.

"It's been a bad six or eight years, because people don't want to fix anything," said Bland. 'Now we are getting put out. The owners are hiding. We don't know want to do."

This isn't the first time police say property owner Steven Whitlow has violated city code. He has a record dating back to 2007. Documents from the Colonial Heights Police Department show he was cited for serious maintenance problems at Colonial Court Apartments - the same place where a fire started from a water heater Monday morning. Some violations include not following fire code, improper wiring, and not keeping vacant property secure - unlocked doors and broken windows. In many cases, raw sewage was exposed through bad piping. We saw many of the same scenarios at Prince George Terrace Apartments.

"We need somebody to come to our aid and give us a place to live and vouchers," Bland added.

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Burst Pipe Floods Home

2012-02-29T20:23:00.000-05:00

A DREAM holiday turned into a nightmare when a Chatteris woman returned home to find her house flooded.

Sarah Huebler was horrified to discover water pouring through her Clare Street home after she came back from Goa, where she had been holidaying with partner Andy Burley, from Ramsey.

A further leak later sprang up outside the house and was reported in last week’s Citizen, as it had been running for almost three weeks. Sarah and Andy came forward to tell their story after seeing the article.

The leak was discovered after the couple had spent a mammoth nine-and-a-half hours making their way from Heathrow Airport in the snowy conditions that greeted them as they arrived home on February 4.

Andy said: “We had to sleep on the motorway because conditions were so bad. Then we got to Sarah’s house and found a pipe had burst in the loft. It was a mains pipe, so the water kept going. The only things salvageable from the house were a table and four chairs. Everything else was ruined.”

Sarah’s parents had been to the house to turn on the heating just before they were due to land and things had been fine. It’s thought the pipe burst not long after they left, due to the freezing conditions.

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Senior Citizens Return Home After Apartment Flooded

2012-02-29T19:57:00.000-05:00

Senior citizens have returned to their apartment homes after a water pipe burst and flooded portions of their building.

Fire and rescue crews on Monday night were called to the River Run Senior Apartments on 13900 Ridgewood Drive, near the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road in Woodbridge, and found a broken hot water pipe flooding apartments. The pipe was located on the second floor and its water caused damage to multiple units on the first and second floods, said Prince William fire and rescue spokeswoman Kim Hylander.

No injuries were reported.

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One-Alarm Fire Damages Garage in Newark

2012-02-29T19:17:00.000-05:00

A one-alarm fire damaged the garage of a residence Wednesday afternoon, an Alameda County fire official said.

No injuries were reported, Battalion Chief Kris Kerstetter said.

About 1 p.m., 24 firefighters responded to reports of a blaze at a residence in the 38000 block of Iris Court, near Robertson Avenue, Kerstetter said.

They saw smoke billowing from the home and cut open the front of the garage to attack the flames, fire officials said.

Firefighters used four three engines, two truck and a heavy-rescue vehicle to contain the blaze to the garage and they extinguished it within 10 minutes, Kerstetter said.

The fire did about $5,000 in damage to the garage, he said.

Investigators have determined that the blaze started from oily rags that spontaneously combusted after being left in the garage, fire officials said.

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2/29/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-29T18:34:00.002-05:00

Tonight: Rain. Low around 37. Breezy, with a east wind between 16 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Northeast wind between 6 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind around 9 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46. North wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 40. South wind between 11 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers likely. Cloudy and breezy, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 44.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

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Burst Pipe Floods Apartment Building

2012-02-28T23:31:00.000-05:00

Crews were cleaning up on Tuesday after some major flooding at a 15-story apartment building in a Pasadena.

The fire department was called to the 200 block of Cordova Street at about 11 p.m. Monday after a pipe burst. Water had poured through the top floor and out of the 14th story ceiling, causing it to collapse.

No one was injured in the incident.

It was unclear if any residents were displaced, and authorities have not yet determined what caused the pipe to burst.

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Burst Pipe Floods Fitness Center

2012-02-28T22:49:00.000-05:00

A GYM owner has thanked her members for their support following a huge flood on Christmas Day.

Activzone in Guildford was almost destroyed when water from a burst pipe ruined the equipment, walls, flooring and electrics.

Sonja Botha, who has owned the facility in Stoke Road since 2007, praised the 700 members for retaining their memberships during extensive refurbishment work which meant the gym was closed for a month.

She said: “I really want to say to my members that I am really thankful to them. Not one of them cancelled their membership. They stood by me and were really nice about it.”

She opened a temporary gym in a room in Guildford College but it could only house a few pieces of equipment.

Miss Botha said it was bad luck that the pipe burst on one of only two days a year that the gym is closed. Police called her at 2am on Boxing Day to tell her about the accident.

“Nobody was there so we couldn’t stop the water,” she said. “I was in Germany so I got in the car and drove through the night to get to the gym.

“When I turned up, it was literally like a swimming pool. The whole place was flooded. It really was a mess and telephone cables and parts of the equipment had corroded.”

A caretaker was able to turn off the water but Miss Botha said the flood was by then about 6cm deep.

It covered the entire floor but the fire brigade told the gym that it could not pump water out if it was less than one foot deep.

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$200,000 Fire Damage Holds 12 Year Old Boy Responsible

2012-02-28T19:03:00.002-05:00

Police in southwest suburban Plainfield said a pre-teen arsonist is responsible for a fire-starting spree in his neighborhood that ended up causing $200,000 damage.

Plainfield police Chief John Konopek said the 12-year-old admitted to setting ablaze five vehicles in the 16000 block of Hazelwood Drive between Dec. 25 and Jan. 7, including a Christmas Day fire that spread to the home of Lisa Morris and her family.

Morris said Tuesday she was making breakfast that morning when her children smelled smoke and accused her of burning the food.

“It was the garage that was burning,” she said.

A Ford Explorer and a Nissan Pathfinder parked inside were destroyed as the fire spread to the house. Morris’ family and pets were able to escape without injury, but were unable to live in their home until last week.

Another car fire was started on New Year’s day, and a Jan. 7 fire spread to a townhome that ended up having to be gutted, authorities said.

Konopek said an officer doing undercover surveillance in the area spotted the boy burglarizing an unlocked car around 7 a.m. Monday and arrested him.

As he was being interviewed about the break-in he admitted to setting all the fires, Konopek said.

Konopek said they boy had been identified early in the investigation as a possible witness to one of the fires.

“And some of the information he provided didn’t match up,” Konopek said.

The boy targeted unlocked cars at random, using paper and cloth he found inside to start the fires, authorities said.

“He wanted to see how big he could get the fires to grow,” Konopek said, adding the boy showed remorse for the crimes on Monday.

“He didn’t want for anyone to get hurt and gave no indications he thought the vehicle fires would spread to the buildings,” he said.

The boy reportedly has been in foster care at a home on the block for less than a year. He was charged with five counts of arson, three counts of burglary to motor vehicles and two counts of vandalism for spray-painting houses on Arbor Creek Drive on Feb. 22.

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2/28/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-28T18:44:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Wednesday: Rain, mainly after 1pm. High near 44. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 39. East wind between 8 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain, mainly before 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 49. North wind between 5 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Friday Night: A chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Showers likely. Cloudy and breezy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 47.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 44.

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Pipe Burst Floods Holt High School

2012-02-24T17:34:00.000-05:00

Holt High School dodged a bullet recently when a pipe burst cascading water into four classrooms - but the leak was noticed and significant damage was avoided.

Holt Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Johnny Scott said a open air duct in the school’s system was left in a vulnerable state as an arctic blast quickly moved in to the area Feb. 10.

“The cold air caused a pipe to burst, and we had water all over four classrooms by Saturday,” Scott said.

Luckily, the school was being used to host a Science Olympiad tournament on Feb. 11 and the flooding was noticed, he said.

“If we didn’t have that noticed on Saturday, the water would have run all the way until Monday morning,” Scott said. “And that would have done some major damage.”

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Fire Damages Duplex

2012-02-24T17:20:00.002-05:00

A family of four escaped uninjured Friday when fire broke out inside their Skehan Lane home.

West Gardiner Fire Chief Chris McLaughlin said the mother and four children who share the home where the fire broke out were outside when firefighters arrived. A woman who lives in the other half of the duplex was still inside when firefighters arrived. Crews escorted her from the home.

An investigator from the State Fire Marshal's Office was called to determine the cause of the fire, McLaughlin said. He declined to name the occupants or the building's owner until the investigation is complete. McLaughlin is unsure if the building is insured.

The mother and children—McLaughlin is unsure of the children's ages—are staying with a family member, McLaughlin said.

"There was significant damage to one bedroom where the fire originated," he said. "The contents of that bedroom are a complete loss."

The woman who lives in the other half of the building was allowed to return to her home.

The fire broke out around 8:30 a.m., inside a bedroom in the single-story home at 12 Skehan Lane. Smoke was pouring out the front door when firefighters arrived. Flames were showing inside the bedroom where the fire originated.

McLaughlin said damage was minimized by an early warning provided by the smoke detectors and an aggressive response by firefighters.

Firefighters from Farmingdale, Pittston, Gardiner and Litchfield assisted West Gardiner crews.

"In less than 10 minutes of the first arriving unit we had the fire completely out," McLaughlin said. "The fire department did a great job of containing it to that one room. Most of the contents of the house were salvageable."

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2/24/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-24T16:49:00.002-05:00

Late Afternoon: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 45. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then isolated rain between 11pm and 1am. Low around 35. Breezy, with a northwest wind 6 to 9 mph increasing to between 21 and 24 mph. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 47. Windy, with a west wind between 25 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 27. Breezy, with a northwest wind between 16 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind between 11 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Wednesday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

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Burst Pipes Flood Bar and Grill

2012-02-23T18:37:00.000-05:00

Burst water pipes have shut down Cityside Bar and Grill in Coon Rapids, but only temporarily.

Cityside opened at 133 Coon Rapids Blvd., where Paddy Wagon’s Irish Sports Pub was formerly located, Dec. 1, 2011.

But the morning of Saturday, Jan. 14 before the restaurant opened for the day, six water pipes burst in the loft area flooding the restaurant, including the kitchen area.

“We were open for six week and now we are closed for six weeks,” said Susan Neumann, who owns Cityside Bar and Grill with her sons, Jonathan Lietzau and Benjamin Lietzau.

According to Neumann, the burst water pipes were part of a compressor/refrigeration unit in a storage room in the loft area.

There was a vent from the unit in the roof, which malfunctioned, Neumann said.

The vent was defective, she said.

It took some time for the water from the burst pipes to be pumped out and the restaurant and kitchen areas to dry out, Neumann said.

And the damage from the water means that major renovation work is now taking place, she said.

“We have basically had to start from scratch,” Neumann said.

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Mold Causing Health Problems for Couple

2012-02-23T18:12:00.000-05:00

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, living with mold in your home can cause everything from mild asthma to shortness of breath and even lung disease.

“The burning of the eyes, the coughing and the headaches, constant headaches,” said Frank Killian on how he thinks mold affected him.

Killen said he and his girlfriend, Deb, dealt with health issues for the past two years because of mold in his apartment.

Apartment management insists they were not aware of a problem and responded to all requests made by Killen.

“The caulking has mold, not the drywall or window,” said Katie Garrity, regional property manager for the North Union Street Apartments and James Management Group.

Garrity also said that aside from that, there is not any mold.

"This is his housekeeping issue,” said Garrity. “It is dirt, not mold.”

Either way, what is a person to do if they suspect they have hazardous mold inside their apartment?

You can call the health department so you know for sure, said Hamilton County administrator Barry McNulty.

"There are no set laws or regulations on mold because there is no way to quantify mold, and we all have different sensitivities,” said McNulty.

McNulty said before you rent an apartment, you need to do a thorough check of the home to see if it has mold. Also, he suggests getting a mold addendum in your lease in case you need to move out due to mold.

That was the case with Killen.

“It got so bad, we couldn't live there,” said Killen.

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Fire Damages Auto Shop

2012-02-23T17:16:00.000-05:00

A fire damaged a Klamath Falls auto shop late Monday night, and investigators say the fire may have been started intentionally.

Mike Dukes of the Daceco auto shop has been busy today...

"Trying to get this place secured, and get it cleaned up."

The fire was reported just before 11 Monday night. Tom Morehouse of Klamath County Fire District #1 says the fire began in an area at the rear of the building.

"We've got a couple of trailers with what looks like some used tires that is where the main part of the fire was."

Firefighters checked the building thoroughly to make sure the fire didn't spread. Investigators say the fire was human caused... but they can't say if it was accidental, or intentional.

Investigator Scott Rice notes that several arson fires were reported in the same general area late last year.

"We don't know if we have just a happenstance, or if we have a second person that's involved with a lot of these fires - but there is a suspicion around that."

Damage was limited to about 5000 dollars thanks to a quick response... and Mike Dukes is thankful.

"Yes - the fire department did a very good job - I was very proud of them."

There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the auto shop is still open for business.

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2/23/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-23T16:42:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Rain, mainly after 3am. Low around 39. North wind between 7 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain. High near 46. East wind between 9 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy, with a east wind 8 to 11 mph becoming west between 21 and 24 mph. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a west wind between 18 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 42.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Attorney General's Office Flooded

2012-02-22T21:45:00.000-05:00

A Phoenix building that houses the office of the Arizona Attorney General has been evacuated after a water pipe exploded, flooding the second floor of the building.

A spokeswoman for Attorney General Tom Horne says a pipe in a bathroom exploded Tuesday morning, leaving about two inches of water on the floor.

Spokeswoman Amy Rezzonico says it was dangerous to staff and there are concerns about the quality of air inside.

Images provided by Horne's office showed what appeared to be broken ceiling tiles that fell to the floor after water soaked the ceiling.

Rezzonico says no injuries were reported.

Information on the cause of the pipe burst was not immediately available.

Rezzonico says about 200 to 300 people were evacuated. She says staffers can work out of another office.

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Burst Ppe Floods Apartment Building in Pasadena

2012-02-22T21:13:00.000-05:00

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Fire Damage One Apartment in Complex

2012-02-22T20:45:00.000-05:00

A fire at the Coronado Bay Club Apartments displaced one household early Wednesday and caused about $50,000 in damages, according to the fire department.

A resident who lives below the third-floor unit that burned suffered water damage. Workers scurried about the building in the morning, placing debris in plastic bags and laying out large machines to dissipate the fumes from the blaze.

The fire occured in the “T” building of the sprawling complex, off 1st Street, according to fire Capt. Bill Toon. Residents had to be evacuated, with the help of Coronado police, Toon said, but no one was injured.

The cause of the two-alarm blaze is under investigation, but it appears to be accidental, Toon said. The call for aid came in at 3:06 a.m., and he estimates the fire was under control 30 minutes later.

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2/22/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-22T19:39:00.000-05:00

Tonight: A chance of showers, mainly between 10pm and 5am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 43. South wind between 10 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a west wind between 11 and 20 mph.

Thursday Night: Rain, mainly after 4am. Low around 41. Northwest wind between 3 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: Periods of rain, mainly before 3pm. High near 58. Breezy, with a east wind 16 to 23 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Breezy, with a east wind 18 to 23 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear and breezy, with a low around 28.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 42.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Monday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Burst Pipe Floods Mill

2012-02-20T22:14:00.002-05:00

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Pipe Burst Floods Shop

2012-02-20T21:25:00.000-05:00

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Fire Heavily Damages Tattoo Parlor

2012-02-20T20:50:00.002-05:00

A tattoo parlor in San Jose was heavily damaged in a fire Monday morning, firefighters said.

The fire was reported at 4:54 a.m. at 1050 Blossom Hill Road, fire Capt. Rob Brown said.

Firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after 5 a.m. and found flames coming out of the windows of the second floor of the commercial building, Brown said.

The second floor of the two-story building is occupied by the tattoo parlor Lucky Star Tattoo, Brown said.

Firefighters called a second alarm right away, but canceled it after they were able to get the fire mostly knocked down by 5:25 a.m.

The fire was under control by 5:34 a.m., Brown said.

The tattoo parlor sustained heavy damage, though firefighters were able to contain most of the damage to the back half of the unit.

The most heavily damaged area was the studio portion of the tattoo parlor, while an office and filing area towards the front of the building was mostly saved, Brown said.

The first floor was undamaged by the fire and sustained some water damage, Brown said.

The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire and no one was injured. A fire investigator was on the scene this morning to determine the cause.

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2/20/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-20T20:29:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 30. North wind between 6 and 9 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: A slight chance of rain after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming south between 13 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain, mainly before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind between 11 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind between 13 and 17 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of light rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind between 9 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear and breezy, with a low around 30.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

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Two Homes in Richmond Damaged by Separate Fires

2012-02-16T19:55:00.002-05:00

A predawn apartment fire Thursday forced occupants of a duplex on the 5300 block of Columbia Avenue to evacuate, the second residential blaze this week in Richmond.

Nobody got hurt. The fire started in the kitchen of one unit, likely a grease fire. Fire trucks arrived about 1:21 a.m. and confined the blaze to the kitchen, Fire Chief Michael Banks said.

The department called the American Red Cross to provide temporary shelter for two women and two children displaced by the blaze. It caused about $55,000 in property damage, officials said.

A fire Tuesday dealt similar damage to a house on the 900 block of 31st Street, where one occupant was treated for minor injury after the 11 a.m. blaze. The fire caused minor damage to a next-door garage. The cause remains under investigation, and residents of the home received help from the Red Cross.

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2/16/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-16T18:04:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Periods of rain, mainly before 3am. Patchy fog before 10pm. Low around 39. South wind between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of rain or drizzle before 7am, then a chance for drizzle before ending. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 50. West wind between 8 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind between 10 and 14 mph.

Saturday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 48. West wind between 11 and 13 mph.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph becoming northwest. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain, mixing with snow after 8pm, then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy and blustery, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Washington's Birthday: Sunny and breezy, with a high near 42.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Rec Building in Brooklyn to Gain New Life

2012-02-15T20:38:00.000-05:00

The Brooklyn Board of Selectmen later this month will consider a draft of a request for proposals for use of the former recreation building.

First Selectman Austin Tanner said the board voted last week to move forward with the request to determine if anyone has interest in the building.

The Recreation Department moved out of the Prince Hill Road building in 2008. The building has water damage, collapsed ceilings, mold and damage from termites and rodents. Renovation estimates range from $31,000 to $130,000.

Selectmen voted in September 2008 and in February 2009 to demolish the building, budgeting $10,000 to raze it. But the building is a town asset, so approval from residents is required. The issue was never brought to town meeting.

Since 2008, groups have expressed interest in the building, Tanner said, but none has made a formal presentation to the town.

Selectmen have discussed options for the building, which include renovations by Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School and use of the building by the Last Green Valley and the town’s agricultural commission. Brooklyn resident Paul Archer, of Archer Surveying, has also expressed interest. Archer could not be reached for comment Monday.

Tanner said he spent last month researching the restrictions on the building. By deed, the building can only be used for recreation or conservation. Any other use would require permission from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Tanner said.

Tanner said the request for proposals will be broad and open to anyone interested in purchasing, leasing or renovating the building. But Tanner said some cautionary words for any potential buyer or tenant.

“The town doesn’t want to put money into it,” he said. “So if they wanted to (renovate) it, they’d have to do it themselves.”
Tanner said the board has not set a timeline for sending the request out.
Resident Paula Burns said she does not see a reason to rush to tear down the building, even though the town has been talking about it for years.
“If people are interested and will fix it up, the town should do what it can to help them,” Burns said.

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Burst Pipe Floods Hair Salon

2012-02-15T18:40:00.000-05:00

The fire brigade were called to a hairdressers today, after a burst pipe in the property above flooded part of the salon.

Harmony Hair and Beauty, on the corner of Shenley Road and Drayton Road, Borehamwood, was flooded after a pipe burst in the boxing club above, and was left without electricity and water.

Siobhan Rosier, who owns the salon, said: “My neighbour phoned me at about 10.30am and told me they could hear water in down the back of the building.

“I came to the salon to check it and the hallway at the back was just full of water but luckily none got into the main part of the salon.

“I just hope the water will stop soon and so I can trade tomorrow. I need the water and power for by business and I can’t afford to be closed tomorrow.

“I’ve got customers relying on me and with it being Valentine’s Day; there will be a lot of ladies disappointed if they don’t open.”

The leak was the result of a broken pipe located in a boxing club above the salon.

The fire service were called to the scene and had to break into the club though the window at the rear of the building because the owner could not be contacted.

The fire service found the leak and stopped the water running, but Mrs Rosier has been told that the dripping will continue for a possible 24 hours.

Inside the boxing club was there was damage to kitchen where the pipes burst, but the club is remaining open while repairs are made.

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Burst Pipe Floods Several Shops

2012-02-15T18:25:00.000-05:00

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4-Alarm Fire Damages Home in Lancaster

2012-02-15T17:51:00.000-05:00

During a four alarm fire, several people were rescued from a porch roof in Lancaster City.

The fire began about 1:45 a.m. in a rowhome on the 600 block of Vine Street.

Firefighters and police used ladders to rescue the people from a neighbor's porch roof.

At least one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The fire went to four alarms, primarily for manpower.

The cause is still undetermined.

There were concerns about staffing last weekend, when one fire station had to be closed temporarily.

A fire captain on the scene of this fire says staffing was not an issue this morning.

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2/15/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-15T17:25:00.002-05:00

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Calm wind becoming south between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Periods of rain, mainly before 3am. Low around 40. South wind at 8 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind between 6 and 13 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain after 11pm, mixing with snow after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Washington's Birthday: Sunny and breezy, with a high near 40.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Water Main Break Floods Several Homes in St. Louis

2012-02-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

A water main break has left part of a South County neighborhood under water. The main broke around 4 p.m. Thursday and in less than an hour water was running into some homes.

This is on the Affton Mehlville border in this Lemay neighborhood. The water now shut off in the area so crews can try and dig through the mud to get to this main and repair it.

Skyfox flew over the scene and you could see the water just pushing right up from the ground and then running straight downhill to Deibold Court and flooding about a half dozen homes on that

"It was just boiling out of the ground." That`s how Scott Schmidt described the water main break.

"One guys driveway was coming up and rocks were flying out," said Schmidt.

The Missouri American Water Company says its hard to know why the main broke but it was put into place in the 1950`s.

The company was able to shut water off in order to make repairs but not before basements were flooded.

We spoke with one man who had a brand new car in his garage that connects to his basement, that car and his basement were flooded."By the time I went into the basement there was probably 2 feet of water," said one resident.

It wasn`t just his basement that flooded. The connecting garage flooded as well.

"I have a brand new car in their," said the owner. "6,000 miles on it and it`s full of water."

Another witness says it was like a river suddenly appeared in her driveway but there wasn`t any time for sandbags.

"All you could do is watch it," said Sandy Stragliati. "I mean what can you do."

In some homes the water was several feet deep. That's because the water was not shut off for more than an hour.

Some of the families that were flooded say the damage could have been avoided if that water had been shut off quicker.

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Attic Fire Causes $5,000 in Damage to Home

2012-02-13T20:40:00.002-05:00

An attic fire caused about $5,000 worth of damage to a home on Jones Avenue.

Firefighters were called to the home at 11:08 a.m. Monday after the resident smelled smoke, according to Niceville Fire Chief Tommy Mayville.

When the first crew arrived to the home at 11:11 a.m., the fire was confined to the attic and they were able to extinguish it within about 10 minutes, Mayville said.

An investigation revealed that the electrical fire was started after a nail was accidentally driven through a wire inside a wall, he said.

No one was injured in the fire, but Mayville said there were no working smoke alarms inside the home. He urged all residents to install them in their homes.

“So far we’ve been absolutely lucky,” Mayville said. “If these fires had taken place at night, we probably would have been looking at a loss of life… I can’t encourage folks enough to just get out and get smoke detectors.”

Firefighters recommend having at a smoke alarm installed in every bedroom, the living room and the garage, although they would ideally be located in every room.

“Every fire starts out small,” Mayville said. “And that’s what smoke detectors are for.”

Firefighters from Eglin, East Niceville, North Bay and Valparaiso also responded to the fire.

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2/13/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-13T19:23:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 31. West wind between 6 and 10 mph.

Tuesday: Cloudy, with a high near 45. West wind between 5 and 11 mph.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: A slight chance of rain and snow before 8am, then a slight chance of rain between 8am and noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Calm wind becoming southwest between 4 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Light north wind.

Thursday: A chance of rain, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 49.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Washington's Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 43.

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Mold Damage Has Winston Apartment Residents Worried

2012-02-09T18:46:00.000-05:00

Less than one month after a North Valley apartment complex flooded, some residents say their health is now at risk because of growing mold.

The Sierra Apartments located on Winton Way near Myrtle Avenue in Winton suffered major damage after freezing temperatures caused pipes to burst. 27 apartments in the complex had some sort of water damage.

Tyler Trant says his Winton apartment is surrounded by mold: "It's hard to deal with things. I always feeling like I'm going to pass out. Sick."

Trant's main concern is for his two young daughters.

Roberto Perez is also worried for his kids. Take one look behind a tarp inside his two bedroom unit, and you can clearly see why.

Back in January, pipes froze and then burst, causing a dozen ceilings to collapse. Perez says he and his family left for several days until crews declared his unit safe.

After returning to find mold covering half of this room, this what Perez claims he was told: "The manager said that he can't do anything. That he doesn't know who's going to fix it."

Despite how bad the mold problem in this apartment is, the family who lives here says they can't afford to leave. In fact, the four of them are sharing one bedroom, and they'll have to do that until the problem gets fixed.

The manager was not on-site Wednesday to answer our questions. But, we did speak to a representative from the complex's management company out of state. By phone, he expressed concern, telling Action News they were not aware of the ongoing mold issue. He also promised to send a contractor out to the complex right away, to ensure every resident is living in a safe environment.

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Fire Heavily Damages Two Homes in Salt Lake

2012-02-09T18:15:00.000-05:00

Investigators are looking into the cause of a fire in Salt Lake that heavily damaged two homes Wednesday evening.

The blaze started at around 6:30 p.m. on Likini Street.

When fire crews arrived, a three-bedroom home was already burning.

The flames also damaged the house next door.
Fire officials believe as many as five residents lived in each house with multiple rooms being rented to tenants.

Nearby residents say they heard screams and saw one man trying to run back into the burning house.

"We see one house burning and thinking, 'Oh, messed up,'" said Salt Lake resident Jessteen Garin. "Everyone yelling, 'Get out of the house, get out of the house!'"

"I heard a bunch of popping from the back of the house, then a lot of people yelling to get out of the house," said Salt Lake resident Victor Vermudez.

Police officers had to handcuff and detain the owner of the house who tried to go back inside the home as it went up in flames.

Fire officials say no one was injured but a cat died in the fire.

Damage is estimated at more than $500,000 for both homes.

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2/9/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-09T17:41:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind between 3 and 8 mph.

Friday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 46. West wind between 6 and 14 mph.

Friday Night: Rain and snow likely before 4am, then snow. Low around 35. Southwest wind between 5 and 8 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday: Rain and snow before 4pm, then a slight chance of snow. High near 40. North wind between 6 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. North wind between 15 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: A slight chance of snow showers after noon. Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 21.

Monday: Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 37.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

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Ceiling Collapses After Pipe Bursts

2012-02-08T18:44:00.002-05:00

A BEDROOM ceiling collapsed after a frozen water pipe burst today, devastating a High Wycombe house.

Firefighters were called Hatters Lane today at about 1.15pm after the resident returned to discover her home was flooded.

An inch of water covered the entire ground floor and the remaining ceilings upstairs which had not collapsed were straining under the pressure.

It appears to have been caused by a pipe in the loft and the house was unoccupied when it happened.

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Burst Pipe Floods Surgery; Will Remain Open

2012-02-08T18:24:00.002-05:00

Emergency electricity and lighting has been installed at Woodlands Park Surgery on Sunday after a mains water pipe burst.

Practice manager Diane Parrott said no medical records were damaged in the flooding and the Woodlands Park Road surgery in Cox Green is still open for business.

She said: "A neighbour kindly called the out of hours number to let us know the pipe had burst.

"By the time we arrived at the surgery there was already a waterfall coming from the ceiling and down the stairs.

"We're still open but some services are not being offered at this point due to limited electricity."

She added work is in progress to return the surgery back to normal as soon as possible.

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Fire Causes $250,000 in Damage to Auto Shop

2012-02-08T17:39:00.002-05:00

A smoky fire Tuesday morning caused $250,000 damage to an east side auto detail shop, the Madison Fire Department reported.

The fire was reported at 10:25 a.m. in a multi-tenant commercial building at 4914 Pflaum Road, according to a Fire Department news release.

One of the tenants in the building is American Auto Detail LLC.

The initial report to the fire department was that a car was on fire inside the building.

"The first units to arrive confirmed everyone was out of the building and there was heavy black smoke inside the auto detail shop," said spokesman Eric Dahl in the release.

Firefighters used a saw to cut a hole in the overhead garage door, allowing access to the inside, and also cut a hole in the roof to release heat and smoke from the building.

"The fire spread to a large amount of tires that were stored above an office area in the building," Dahl said. "Firefighters had to pull the tires off of the office and remove them from the building to complete extinguishing the fire."

Damage was mostly confined to the unit where the fire started. The other units had to close because electrical service had been cut off during the fire.

"Paramedics checked out two people at the scene but nobody had to be transported to a hospital," Dahl said.

Pflaum Road was shut down between Daniels Street and Mustang Way because hose lines were crossing the road.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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2/8/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-08T16:41:00.000-05:00

Late Afternoon: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight: A chance of snow, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind between 3 and 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46. West wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. West wind between 7 and 15 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 5am, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Rain and snow likely, mainly before 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Sunday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 32.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 17.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 37.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50.

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Pipe Bursts Flood Homes and Businesses in Worcester

2012-02-07T19:58:00.000-05:00

A NUMBER of homes and businesses were flooded over the weekend after their pipes burst as a result of the freezing weather.

On Saturday night, firefighters in Evesham were called to isolate water supplies after large volumes of water began to enter a shop in the town from the flat above it.

Meanwhile, Stourport firefighters were called to reports of flooding at industrial premises on Sunday evening. Crews in Bromyard, Hereford and Kidderminster were also called out during the weekend to deal with flooded properties.

A similar pattern occurred across Herefordshire and Worcestershire last winter.

Firefighters are encouraging people across the two counties to check that pipes and tanks are suitably insulated to prevent them from bursting in sub-zero conditions. Grant Wills, community safety manager at Here-ford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “A few simple precautions could save a significant amount of time, money and effort.

“Flooding incidents can be very disruptive and costly for homes and businesses and we are keen to encourage everyone to do what they can to prevent pipes freezing and bursting.”

He recommended that pipes are insulated and that people know what to do should a pipe burst. This includes identifying where the stop tap is located and knowing how to safely turn off both water and electrical supplies in an emergency.

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Homes Evacuated After Burst Pipe Floods Homes

2012-02-07T19:40:00.000-05:00

About 100 homes were evacuated after water began gushing from a drain in East Bridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers.

Flood waters reached about 30in (72cm) before engineers located and repaired a ruptured pipe.

Residents in East Bridge Road had called police at 06:30 GMT to report that water was gushing from a drain.

A reception area was set up for people who had been forced out of homes but they will be allowed back when the flood waters have receded.

"Most residents were initially asked to move upstairs where it was safe to do so," a police spokesman said.

"A total of 13 people were immediately evacuated and were assisted from their homes by members of the Essex Police marine unit and other officers.

"Fifty homes were flooded but there were no casualties. A number of police officers are still at the scene helping residents with mopping up operations now the water has been turned off."

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Mid-Day Fire Damages Home

2012-02-07T18:03:00.001-05:00

A noontime fire caused serious damage to a residence at 421 West St on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The fire, which started in a utility room, rapidly spread to the carport ceiling and spread into the attic area. Swainsboro firefighters rapidly knocked down the heavy fire, then opened a vent through the roof to stop the spread of fire through the attic. It was determined that the fire began from combustible materials that were stored too close to the gas water heater. Emanuel EMS and Swainsboro Police assisted at the scene. The Red Cross assisted the residents, as the building is uninhabitable at this time.

According to the Consumers Product Safety Commission, fires involving gas water heaters result in numerous structure fires. These fires result in about 316 injuries and 17 deaths per year.

Fire Chief Mike Strobridge reminds residents that there is always an open flame under all gas water heaters. To stay safe DO NOT store any combustible materials, paper materials, or use flammable liquids, paints, or solvents close to a gas water heater. Also follow these rules for any gas fired heaters in homes and/or workshops.

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2/7/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-07T17:46:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of snow showers, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. North wind around 6 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Calm wind becoming northwest between 4 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 43. West wind between 6 and 13 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. West wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 47.

Friday Night: A chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 34.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 22.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

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Burst Pipe Shuts Down Primary School for Day

2012-02-06T19:52:00.000-05:00

Children at Pewsey Primary School were given the day off today after a burst pipe left quite a lot of the school flooded.

Parents learned on local radio this morning that the school was closed for the day because of the damage caused by a burst pipe in the boy's toilets.

A member of staff told the Gazette: "We have had to close because of a burst pipe in the boy's loos and the headteacher Nicola Gilbert says there has been quite a lot of damage.

"At the moment we do not know how long we will be closed and we have plumbers here at the moment fixing the burst pipe."

The spokeswoman added: "We hope to know later today if we can re-open tomorrow."

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Burst Pipes Flood Homes in Whitley

2012-02-06T19:27:00.000-05:00

Two flats in Windermere Road, Whitley, were flooded when a frozen pipe burst early this afternoon.

Firefighters say it is important to make sure pipes are insulated and keep the heating running even if you go away to avoid pipes freezing.

A crew from Dee Road fire station was called to the maisonette shortly after midday by the people living in the downstairs flat. The occupants of the upstairs flat were not at home so firefighters had to wait for police to force entry before they could get in.

Watch manager Andy Balfour said around 75 per cent of the upstairs flat had been damaged by the flood while 40 per cent of the downstairs one was affected.

The crew isolated the water to the maisonette by switching off the supply to it at the mains.

Watch manager Balfour said: "The best thing for people to do to avoid pipes freezing is to make sure they have all their pipes lagged.

"If people go away for any length of time it's worse to turn off your heating completely. I know people want to save but it doesn't take long for a building to cool down when it's not occupied and that can lead to pipes freezing and bursting.

"People should also make a note of what they have to do to shut off the water to their houses or flats and check if they've got the key or whatever tools they need."

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Fire Damages Duplex in Rochester

2012-02-06T17:44:00.000-05:00

City firefighters this morning battled a house fire in northeast Rochester.

Firefighters were called to 86 Forester St. about 8:30 a.m. Several residents were inside the 2 ½-story duplex and escaped safely before firefighters arrived at the scene, said Deputy Fire Chief Martin McMillan. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters arrived to find flames and smoke rising from the rear of the duplex, he said. The fire flashed over in that area, causing the windows to blow out, he said.

The right side of the house — 86 Forester — sustained heavy fire and smoke damage and is not livable, McMillan said. The other side of the duplex— 88 Forester — had smoke damage, he said. It was not immediately clear if residents of that side of the house will be displaced.

Fifteen people including seven adults and eight children lived in the house, he said. The American Red Cross of Greater Rochester was called to the scene.

McMillan said it appeared the fire started in 86 Forester. Firefighters are investigating, to determine the cause.

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2/6/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-06T17:13:00.002-05:00

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 36. West wind between 8 and 14 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind between 7 and 13 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. North wind between 6 and 8 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of light snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of light snow, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind between 3 and 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 46.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy and blustery, with a low around 24.

Monday: Sunny and breezy, with a high near 35.

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Pipe Burst Floods Maryland Senate Offices

2012-02-01T19:05:00.000-05:00

An old pipe burst in the William S. James Senate office building Monday afternoon, flooding a slew of offices and prompting the Department of General Services to temporarily shutter the building.

Thirty-five of the state's 47 senators have offices in the building, and staff members were moving equipment out of offices on the fourth floor Monday afternoon. The pipe failed on the west side of the fourth floor, where many GOP members have their offices.Sam Cook, a director at the Department of General Services, said the building will reopen Tuesday morning. Three senate offices took the brunt of the damage and will be closed for a longer period of time.

Cook said that a 3-inch water pipe connected to the building's sprinkler system rusted out and ripped open around 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon. "Most of the damage was just ceiling tiles dropped and the floor is wet," Cook said. He said there was a restoration company on site Monday evening.

The Georgian-style James building, built in 1938, is the older of the two Senate office buildings. Most of it is set aside for individual senators’ offices, while the hearing rooms and committee offices are in the Thomas V. Mike MillerBuilding.

Sen. James N. Robey, a Democrat from Howard County, said his first floor office was spared, but he saw the leak. "It was like a waterfall coming down the elevator shaft," he said. He noted that his socks were wet from walking around the building.

Robey said the pipe that burst was part of the sprinkler system, and was told that the building had to be evacuated since the fire suppression system was no longer functioning.

The Maryland General Assembly began its annual 90-day session last Wednesday. Lawmakers are expected back inAnnapolis Monday evening for a session that starts at 8 p.m.

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Parents of Elementary School Students Still Worried About Mold

2012-02-01T18:28:00.000-05:00

Several months after Knox County Schools addressed a mold issue at Shannondale Elementary, parents say children are still getting sick.

Following storms in 2011, a tree fell and damaged one classroom in a Shannondale portable building. According to a timeline of information from Knox County Schools, sometime after repairs were completed, the school discovered water damage in the sub-flooring of the classroom, leading to the formation of mold on a portion of the sub-floor.

Since September, the district has taken a number of actions to fix the problem.

At a meeting Tuesday night, Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre told parents current air samples show a safeenvironment for classroom use.

"We take issues of school safety and school security very seriously. We want to make sure we have a safe, healthy learning environment for our kids," said Dr. McIntyre.

Knox County Schools also consulted with the Knox County Health Department, which conducted an investigation into the mold findings. The report concluded "no unusual mold exposures to students."

However, several parents say children continue to suffer from headaches, bloody noses and breathing problems.

Wendy Buchheit has two children who attend Shannondale. She says her children's symptoms lessened while they were home during Christmas break, but returned with the start of the new semester.

She says the data collected by the school system isn't accurate enough.

"I hope they will ask the parents to document the symptoms so that we can prove to them that we do still have sick children," she said.

School officials listened to parents for nearly two hours about the issue. Dr. McIntyre said he takes issues of school safety andsecurity very seriously, and will consider further actions.

"We want to make sure every school in our system is a safe, healthy, inviting learning environment for our students so they can be successful academically," he said.

"We'll continue to take those issues seriously. We'll continue to look carefully and assess the situation and take appropriate action if necessary."

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Fire Damages Homes in St Helens

2012-02-01T17:31:00.002-05:00

Columbia River Fire & Rescue had a busy weekend responding to a house fire in Rainier and another house fire in St. Helens the following day.

Shortly after 4 a.m. on Jan. 28, crews were dispatched to a house fire at 710 B St., in Rainier. On arrival, crews found a fire in the wall and floor on the second story of the home.

All occupants of the home, which is owned by Everett Thorn of Hillsboro, were found safe outside upon arrival. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and check the home for extension using a thermal imaging camera.

The occupants of the home are the Curt Wyatt family.

The cause of the fire appears to be combustible materials placed too close to the chimney.

Damage to the home is estimated at $15,000 to the home and $12,500 to the contents. The total value of the home is $230,000 and the value of the contents is $100,000. The home is insured.

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2/1/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-02-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind between 5 and 11 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. North wind between 3 and 9 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind around 8 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 47. North wind between 8 and 11 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 6 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 46.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

Monday Night: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

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Early Morning Fire Damages Bar

2012-01-31T15:04:00.000-05:00

The Griffin Bar and Restaurant in the the area of downtown Aiken known as 'The Alley' was gutted by flames overnight.

Lt. David Turno of the Aiken Department of Public Safety said the fire was spotted shortly after 5:30 a.m., when a police officer patrolling downtown noticed smoke in the area. Fire crews responded to heavy smoke in the in the restaurant and a fire in the kitchen. Crews extinguished the fire quickly and were cleared from the scene by 8 a.m.

Businesses on either side of the pub received smoke damage.

There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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1/31/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-01-31T11:45:00.000-05:00

This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 43. West wind between 9 and 11 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. West wind between 10 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Thursday: A slight chance of rain after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. North wind between 7 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Monday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Home FLooded While Mother is in Hospital

2012-01-30T21:06:00.000-05:00

Mother of three, Jodie Seymour, has effectively lost the roof over her head - and so have her daughters.

Just out of hospital and still in pain from major surgery, she will have to get used to continuing her recovery on other people's couches.

"What a mess," she said yesterday, holding back the tears as she surveyed what had been her Cedar Crt home for some years, until a plumbing failure on Australia Day destroyed all that.

It was a flood that had nothing to do with all the rain that affected the rest of us.

"I didn't want to be the person to have to tell you this," her friend Ashleigh Rose said on Thursday, breaking the news to the hospital-bound Ms Seymour via mobile phone.

"It wasn't much of an Australia Day for us," Ms Seymour said.

But she added that the Australians who came out of nowhere to help were what saved the day for her.

"I could look out from the hospital and see the house," she said.

"They rang me up when the shipping container arrived. I watched them back it in and load it up."

Ms Rose said her friend didn't even know what she'd lost and what was still worth saving.

"I was first on the scene. I'd gone around to the house because Jodie only had hot clothes and she needed some cooler pyjamas," she said.

"There was water pouring out one of the doors. It was coming from a ruptured hot water line and the cold water line was about to go."

The water loss was one thing, but the electricity bill from the hot water system would be another problem again.

"I turned off the water supply and the plumber disconnected the hot water system," Ms Rose said.

Uncounted thousands of litres of water poured onto the undrained bathroom floor and wrecked the house interior and many belongings.

Ms Seymour said she owed thanks to her friends, neighbours across the road who formed "a small army of helpers" and people at Jefco Containers in River Rd, who rented them a shipping container without a deposit.

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Deck Fire Damages Apartment Complex

2012-01-30T20:46:00.002-05:00

No injuries were reported in a small fire Friday at an apartment complex on the 800 block of Corday in Naperville, authorities said Monday.

The fire was on a second floor deck, Deputy Chief Rick Sander said, and was extinguished in just a few minutes.Authorities believe the fire was sparked by discarded smoking materials.

No one was home at the time of the fire, which caused an estimated $10,00 damage.

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1/30/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-01-30T18:41:00.000-05:00

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. West wind between 13 and 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. West wind between 11 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Northwest wind between 8 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: A slight chance of rain after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

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Burst Pipe Floods Bonavista Complex

2012-01-27T15:32:00.000-05:00

Roughly 50 seniors were forced Friday night from their suites at a retirement home after a broken sprinkler line flooded part of the building.

Fire crews arrived at apartment block, at 11800 Lake Fraser Drive S.E., just before 8:30 p.m. after a waterline ruptured in the ceiling of the fourth floor of the north wing.

The water seeped down through three other floors.

The residents will likely be displaced for several days, according to the fire department.

While crews mopped up the mess, contained to one wing of the four-storey, multi-unit complex, residents were relocated to an unaffected wing, and many gathered in the dining room.

It was later determined residents were going to be displaced for a few days.

Although the cause of the flood is still under investigation it appears the rising mercury might have played a role.

“As temperatures start to rise, often some of the frozen pipes that have ice in them start to thaw, exposing the cracks that have been cause by the cold,” said battalion chief Ernie Molineaux. “That could likely be the cause.”

While most of the affected residents left the building to stay with family or friends, the rest will receive help from the city in finding accommodations, said Molineaux.

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Small Flood Damages Iowa University School of Music

2012-01-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

Six pianos belonging to Hancher Auditorium and the University of Iowa School of Music were damaged in a small flood early Tuesday morning.

Ten pianos — seven from the School of Music and three from Hancher — saved from the 2008 flood were being stored in a rental space at 209 N. Linn St. The inner workings of the pianos received the most damage as water came through the upstairs ceiling, UI spokesman Tom Moore said.

Five pianos from the School of Music were damaged including a severely damaged 1979 Steinway Model D, Moore said.

"It was truly the gem of the collection," Moore said, and the piano would cost roughly $120,000 to replace.

Moore said a restoration specialist will be hired to see if the piano can be salvaged.

The suspected cause of the flood, which only produced around an inch of water on the ground floor, was a burst water pipe, Moore said. An Iowa City police officer discovered the flooding at 1 a.m. Tuesday.

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Burst Pipes Continue to Flood Home in Garson

2012-01-27T14:49:00.001-05:00

All Brian Weight wanted was a house to raise his family in. What he ended up with is a six-year marathon of despair fighting the city as his property is slowly destroyed.

Constant road and utilities work on Falconbridge Road in Garson, on which he lives, have menaced Weight, his family and many of his neighbours for several years, he said.

He and his wife bought the home on Falconbridge Highway in Garson eight years ago and fixed it up, including finishing the basement. They have two children, three and five.

All went well until six years ago when a watermain burst in front of his house caused flooding along the street. Although his house was spared, some of his neighbours were badly flooded, Weight said.

Since then, there have been two other pipe bursts in front of his property that have flooded his home. Two years ago, a burst flooded his yard and basement. He re-graded one side of his property and ripped out half his newly finished basement. But the fear of flooding has prevented him from rebuilding it.

Again last week, another watermain burst in virtually the same spot left his front yard completely saturated and water pooling close to basement windows. It's likely he'll have to rip out the rest of his basement, he said.

As well, three years ago when they started to rebuild Falconbridge Highway in front of his Garson home, his yard was torn up constantly for more than two years, first for the road and then for the curb and side-walks.

It has been, on aggregate, more than one property owner should have to bear, he said.

"In the eight years I've been here, I've had a good yard for only two of them," he said.

After it was torn up again last winter, when the gas line was being replaced, he didn't even bother reseeding it, he said.

And now it's flooded again, he wonders if it's worth seeding it this spring.

"I don't understand why they didn't replace the pipes when they had the street torn up," he said. "Instead, the city will have to keep tearing the road up every time this happens, and I'm gonna have a flood every time this happens."

Compounding his problem is that the roadbed was raised a few inches when it was rebuilt, and now his property is the low point in the neighbourhood, he said.

The city has accepted no responsibility for his ongoing issues. He's been invited to file an insurance claim with the city, but he's also been told the city has never been found responsible in such cases before.

It's an unfortunate situation, Ward 7 Coun. Dave Kilgour says. Weight has done nothing wrong, but doesn't appear to have many options. He has offered to help Weight navigate the insurance process, but he, too, is skeptical it will work.

In the meantime, Weight says he's thousands of dollars out of pocket and the only solution presented to him -- to raise the grade of his property a couple of feet -- will cost thousands more.

His dream of owning a home has become a nightmare, he said.

"How can you be proud of something when it's constantly being ruined?"

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Fire Damages Guitar Business

2012-01-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

Fire heavily damaged a building near Duke University's East Campus Wednesday night that housed a guitar shop and other businesses. No one was hurt.

Durham firefighters were called at 11:30 p.m. to the two-story, wood-frame building at 1805 W. Markham Ave. near Broad Street. A sign on the building says: "Danser Guitar Works - fabrication, restoration, repair." Several guitar cases that appeared to have sustained fire damage were on the ground at the rear of the building.

The building also houses a massage business and other studio shops, according to a woman who was helping to remove drums and other property from site Thursday morning. She said the owner was too upset to answer a reporter's questions.

Deputy Fire Chief Dan Curia of the Durham Fire Department said most of the damage was to the rear of the building and attic. He said there was smoke and water damage to both floors.

Firefighters were at the scene more than two hours.

The cause of the fire was being investigated Thursday.

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Storm Floods Neighborhood

2012-01-26T20:50:00.001-05:00

'Ah, shoot," Arthur Walle said with a disheartened expression as he read what was scrawled in marker on the side of a sodden box.

The box contained a Thomas Kinkade print he gave to his wife, Connie, for her birthday, and was just one of many that he and others dredged from his flooded basement Friday morning.

The couple moved to the Millicoma Road rental in June from Kalispell, Mont. Many things were still packed in boxes and stored in the basement.

They didn't hear the knock on the door overnight Wednesday recommending that they evacuate. Residents of the road were some of the few people asked to leave during flooding caused by this week's storm.

The Walles awoke Thursday morning to sodden carpet and standing water in the downstairs bathroom. The basement was filled. Friday, a pump worked to push water out, but the level was still above workers' ankles as they trudged among floating boxes.

With no renter's insurance, the couple worked to salvage family heirlooms and memories -- one box at a time.

'We didn't know what to do," Connie Walle said.

They couldn't leave. The water was waist-deep, and their vehicles flooded, she said. 'We just kind of walked around in a daze."

Down the road, Seth Lucas and others worked to remove soaked carpet from the bottom level of his home.

Sandbags at the doors didn't keep water from seeping in through the cement and drywall, he said, pointing to the waterline with his boot. His family moved to an upper floor, taking water and other supplies in case of a power outage or if the water stuck around for a while. They never lost power, though, and performed damage control as things happened.

Debbie and Bruce Carpani didn't stick around to see what would happen to their home. After making it through a worse flood in 1996 when their vehicles and trailer flooded, they didn't want to chance getting stuck.

'I've been a little goosey ever since," Debbie Carpani said, adding they took their trailer and vehicles to a nearby park to wait out the flood waters.

They waded back Thursday morning to check on things and then were able to drive back Friday to start the work of clearing logs, debris and silt.

Bruce Carpani, along with Lucas and several others, also spent some of Friday morning helping neighbors who needed help moving large items, like a hot tub that had floated away. A group of neighbors also helped people who got stuck Thursday.

'You really come to appreciate and like your neighbors," Carpani said.

'With all the bad, there's a lot of good."

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Burst Pipes Flood Shops on Elgin ST

2012-01-26T18:37:00.000-05:00

Some businesses along Elgin Street experienced flooding or a loss of water services after a water main broke early on the morning of Jan. 18 near Elgin and Cooper streets.

An employee at Mags and Fags magazine shop, located at 254 Elgin Street, who declined to be identified, said the store had experienced flooding in the basement the day of the water main burst.

Amy Dau, manager of Morrison's Unisex Hair Design and Esthetics, said water service had been shut off at her salon, but her shop hadn't experienced flooding.

"There's been no water services, so we've had to cancel customers," Dau said. "All my staff had to go home."

An employee at MacDonalds on Elgin Street, who also declined to be identified, said the store was closed the day of the water main break.

River Coun. Maria McRae, chairwoman of the environment committee, said the rupture wasn't related to one that had happened over the previous weekend.

During a press conference on Jan. 18, McRae said there wasn't an exact cause of the burst.

"No one had any idea this pipe would burst," said McRae, adding that the pipe dates back to 1874, but analysis showed that it was fine during the recent resurfacing of Elgin in 2011. "This had been looked at earlier. There was no indication the pipe was going to fail. It would make common sense that if you have cast-iron pipes dating back to the 1800s or early 1900s, that they're getting old. Hence, every time we're resurfacing we need to get that integrated (water and sewer) program moving forward."

Integrated road work (sewer, water and road surface) is being advanced starting this year as part of Ottawa On The Move.

McRae said there are roughly two to four pipe ruptures a day throughout the city, and it's "disruptive and costly" to repair broken mains. A repair like this one would cost about $8,000.

She added that water rates will be set this month and any additional increase above the four per cent increase in water rates last year would be in order to help accelerate replacement of water pipes.

Compensation for loss of business to the affected stores on Elgin would also be looked at through the legal services department. Elgin will be patched and then resurfaced in the spring for the section that has to be dug up.

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Fire Causes $700,000 in Damage to Restaurant in Berkeley

2012-01-26T16:33:00.000-05:00

Flames from a heated wok at a downtown Chinese restaurant spread out of control Wednesday night, causing $700,000 damage and closing the eatery, a fire official said Thursday.

No injuries were reported.

The fire in the kitchen of Great China restaurant on Kittredge Street leapt into the chimney over the stove and ignited grease caked inside it, said Berkeley Assistant Fire Chief Gil Dong.

The fire then went into the roof and the ceiling of the restaurant's dining room and scorched the Oxford Plaza apartment building next to it, Dong said. Razan's Organic Kitchen next door also felt the heat but was not damaged, he said.

"The cook and several employees tried to put the fire out in the flu above the stove with fire extinguishers, but once it was inside there it got out of control," Dong said.

When firefighters arrived just after 9:20 p.m., they put the fire in the chimney out, but it took them another hour and a half to put out the flames that had spread to the ceiling and roof, he said.

"It's hard when you have to chase the fire through the walls," Dong said. "We didn't want it to relight."

Dong said Great China will remain closed until it can repair its ceiling and roof. Razan's Organic was given the OK to reopen Thursday morning, he said.

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1/26/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-01-26T15:53:00.000-05:00

Late Afternoon: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 41. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Periods of rain. Temperature rising to around 47 by 5am. South wind between 9 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then a chance of rain. High near 55. Southwest wind between 14 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind between 10 and 18 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. West wind between 5 and 14 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Monday: Sunny and breezy, with a high near 39.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

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Burst Pipe Floods New Hampshire Library

2012-01-25T18:44:00.000-05:00

A burst pipe affected by sub-freezing temperatures over the weekend has left about two inches of water on the floor of the public library in North Hampton, N.H.

No books were damaged but carpets were waterlogged and there’s been some damage to ceiling tiles.

Town Administrator Steve Fournier tells the Portsmouth Herald the library could stay closed for up to a week.

The damage was discovered by cleaning crews Monday night.

Town Building Inspector Richard Maybe believes the wind entered the building through tiny spaces in the walls and caused the pipe to freeze and burst in the kitchen area of the Atlantic Area building.

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Burst Pipe Floods High School Cafeteria

2012-01-25T18:19:00.002-05:00

A burst sprinkler pipe temporarily flooded the East Providence High School on Sunday afternoon, according to reports from the fire department. Crews responded to the scene at approximately 3 p.m. and cleaned up the water.

The principal of the school refrained from returning a phone call on Tuesday afternoon.

In budget commission meetings, school administrators have discussed ways to finance high school renovations projects scheduled to be completed over the summer.

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Hotel Tenants Head Back to Court

2012-01-25T17:59:00.002-05:00

On January 19, the Chelsea Hotel tenants association returned to Housing Court for the next round of their case against Chelsea Dynasty LLC, the Chetrit Group, Chelsea Management LLC, Joseph and Meyer Chetrit, Michael Butler and Lilly Sirkin.

Representing the tenants association were Janet Ray Kalson and Ron Languedoc of Himmelstein, McConnell, Gribben, Donoghue & Joseph. Of the 35 tenants named in the Order to Show Cause, eight attended the proceedings.

Fred Daniels of Daniels, Norelli, Scully and Cecere PC — a firm that specializes in debt collection — represented the respondents-owners. Butler, an executive with the Chetrit Group and named in the lawsuit, sat on the opposite side of the courtroom from the tenants. Valentine Moretti was the legal counsel for the Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), the city agency also named as respondent. HPD appears at each housing court case to represent tenants in general, explained Mary Anne Rose, one of the tenants. “It’s less critical if tenants already have representation, but since there are so many violations at the hotel, it behooves him to deal with these,” Rose said.

At the December 16 hearing, Judge Peter Wendt stipulated that the owners adhere to a tenant safety plan and follow applicable laws and regulations regarding construction and demolition — and provide heat and hot water to residents of the renowned West 23rd Street hotel. At the January 19 hearing, Judge Wendt asked a series of questions following up on these issues. Both sides concurred that at present there was adequate heat and hot water, with Daniels noting that the landlord is going to inspect and confirm repair issues along the way. Moretti said he doubted HPD had trained people for mold inspection; Daniels stated that the owners want to participate in obtaining a cost estimate for mold remediation as a means of comparison and within the next two weeks they will pick a contractor.

The judge adjourned the case until February 14, at which time Kalson told Chelsea Now, “We are going to have an agreement or very close to it, or we are going to set up for a trial.” Any ruling (whether from an agreement or from the outcome of a trial) is only enforceable among petitioners. “Someone who is not named in the lawsuit doesn’t have the right to come in and say we didn’t notify you,” Languedoc explained.

“The judge reminded all sides that a trial is an expensive enterprise — and time consuming,” said Zoe Pappas, a spokesperson for the tenants association. “It’s not beneficial for the landlord to keep this lawsuit forever. It will work against him.” Rose added that it isn’t to his advantage “to have a hotel filled with mold.” The hotel has been closed to the public since demolition and construction began in September — but 100 or so tenants still reside there.

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Two Alarm Fire Damages Hotel Rooms

2012-01-25T12:49:00.001-05:00

A two-alarm fire caused heavy damage to a room at the La Quinta Inn Wednesday morning.

Firefighters were called about 6:20 a.m to the hotel, 1460 S. University Ave. The arrived to find smoke and fire coming from a second-story room, said Provo Deputy Fire Chief Gary Jolley.

"There was a lot of fire coming out of the heating unit," he said.

The room was vacant. But a guest in a nearby room had opened her window and smoke was filling her room. Jolley said crews set up a ladder and got the woman to safety.

She was treated for minor smoke inhalation at the scene but did not require transportation to a local hospital.

Mark Springer, a former firefighter from Colorado Springs, was a guest at the hotel Wednesday and in bed when he heard the fire alarm go off.

"I got up and started hearing people knock on the doors," he said.

Springer grabbed his laptop and iPad, opened his door and immediately found heavy smoke. He said he dropped to the floor and crawled to the nearest exit along with a couple of other hotel guests.

"Did a lot of this on the other side. First time I've ever been a victim. it was quite an experience. It reminds again of how quick conditions can get bad in a building," the former firefighter said.

Springer said many of the hotel guests were helping each other get out. He believed about 100 people were evacuated.

"It was not your typical morning at La Quinta," he said.

Fire damage was confined to the room where the fire started while several others suffered smoke damage. Jolley said investigators were still working to determine if the heating unit started the fire or something else.

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1/25/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-01-25T11:21:00.000-05:00

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind between 8 and 11 mph.

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Thursday: A chance of light rain after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. North wind at 7 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: Rain, mainly after 9pm. Low around 40. South wind between 9 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. West wind between 15 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Sunday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear and breezy, with a low around 28.

Monday: Sunny and breezy, with a high near 38.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

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Sewage Backups Damage Homes

2012-01-24T20:20:00.000-05:00

A broken water main and a broken sewer main wreaked havoc near 25th and Hampshire Friday.

Sewer backups damaged homes and canceled classes at St. Peter School, and crews were working throughout the day Friday to repair the damaged pipes.

Hampshire Street was closed between 24th and 25th streets, and water and sewer service were interrupted.

Utilities Director David Kent said the water main broke first, at about 1:50 a.m. Friday at 25th and Hampshire, and the fallout may have caused the sewer main break.

"I have an idea that there was probably some saturation in the soil and some settlement" that led to the sewer break, Kent said.

Residents on 25th Street from Maine to Vermont and on Prentiss Avenue remain under a 48-hour boil order that was instituted once water service was restored early Friday.

City crews that responded to the initial water main break were home around 4 a.m., about the time water service was restored. But the city then received information about sewer backups in the area.

The backups affected several homes in the area, and Servpro was making cleanup rounds during the day Friday.

The sewer problems also canceled classes Friday at St. Peter School, roughly a block south of the affected area.

Principal Janet Bick said a janitor discovered sewage in the school's boiler room. No damage was reported.

Closer to the break, Madison School was unaffected and held classes Friday as scheduled.

Kent said along with the school, he believed there were two or three interconnections that were affected.

Kent said the sewer break was in a transition piece from a new manhole into the older sewer line. The manhole and transition piece were replaced last summer.

The city brought in Rees Construction Co. to complete all of the repairs at 25th and Hampshire, Kent said.

"What was the deciding factor for me was the depth of excavation that we had to do," he said. "We're down right around 19 feet. The city doesn't have a piece of equipment that can dig down that deep. We don't have the proper shoring and trenching (equipment) to do that shoring safely."

No estimates were given on the repairs. Sewer service was scheduled to be restored and preliminary repairs scheduled to wrap up Friday night, although Kent said more work remains.

"I may leave the hole open, because I want some more permanent bracing on it," Kent said. "I probably want them to pour some concrete, and there's a problem getting concrete on weekends. I may just secure the area, put fencing around it, but they should be back in service."

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Pipe Burst Floods Senate Offices

2012-01-24T18:41:00.000-05:00

Tuesday morning, the Republican from Pasadena stood in the midst of his furniture and belongings, all of it covered with plastic. The baseboards had been removed, and portable air handlers were drying the room to prevent mold.

Simonaire said he was setting up a temporary office in the conference room off Room 410 in the Miller Senate Office Building.

Out in the hallway, the carpet still felt squishy.

"Each session has something unique, but we weren't expecting this," Simonaire said. "I have three bills up for a hearing tomorrow, and we are still trying to get ready."

The flooding proved to be bipartisan.

Sen. Jim Rosapepe, a Democrat from College Park, had to move out of his third-floor office.

He is moving into a conference room in the James Building until his office can be restored.

"The fact is, my office is my Blackberry right now," Rosapepe said. "This is really a good example of how technology has provided a backup system."

Sam Cook, head of the Department of General Services' Annapolis office, said the iron pipe that burst was part of the James Building's sprinkler system. The pipe is normally dry, he said, but charges instantly when the pump activates.

Evidently, some kind of pressure leak caused the system to activate, he said.

Cook said he had no way of knowing how much water spilled into the building, and it is too early to tell how much the repairs will cost. Carpets and ceiling tiles suffered the most damage. Most of the damaged materials are easily replaced, he said.

Repairs could be finished by the end of the week.

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Flooding Shortens School Day

2012-01-24T17:04:00.002-05:00

Red Bluff Union High School students were released from school early Monday after a broken water main flooded part of the campus and water was shut off.

Parents were notified of the school closure through the district's automated phone system and students were excused around 9:30 a.m.

School will resume today.

Director of Operations Joe Kittle said when he got to work Monday morning he saw water boiling out near the foot of a tree. Water flooded an area that included some picnic tables.

He estimates the water main broke some time Sunday night and he discovered it around 5:30 a.m., Monday.

A staff member who had performed a campus check around 9:30 p.m., Sunday did not see any problems at that time, Kittle said.

After the flooding was minimized, maintenance staff discovered the broken pipes were well beneath the concrete.

No suspicious activity is suspected.

The age of the infrastructure combined with the cold weather may have caused the rupture.

We're dealing with 100-yearold infrastructure here, Kittle said.

This is a very old school.

Freezing temperatures from last week may have caused water to back up and it just took this long for the water to move through, he said.

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Burst Pipe Floods School in Lynden

2012-01-24T15:29:00.000-05:00

A water pipe that burst over the weekend flooded four classrooms at Meridian Middle School at Lynden.

District risk management coordinator Bevin Graham says insurance adjusters are still adding up the damages Tuesday but the amount will be more than $100,000.

She says students have been moved into empty classrooms during the cleanup and repair to the ceiling, walls and floors.

Superintendent Tim Yeomans told The Bellingham Herald frigid temperatures apparently caused the pipe to burst. Classes were canceled last week by snow, but staffers in the building Friday saw no signs of trouble. The damage was discovered Monday morning.

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Fire Damages House in Santa Rosa

2012-01-24T14:44:00.002-05:00

A loud pop and the smell of smoke alerted a west Santa Rosa woman early Tuesday that her Peterson Lane home was on fire.

“I could smell it. I opened the door and saw flames coming at us. I ran out of the house and called 911,” said the woman who declined to give her name.

“My hands were shaking so bad I could hardly call,” she said.

Emergency fire dispatchers got the call at 6:56 a.m.

Santa Rosa fire crews responded and had the fire under control by 7:13 a.m., according to dispatch reports.

Santa Rosa fire Capt. Sage Howell said firefighters found heavy black smoke in the home as they arrived.

Firefighters quickly shut down the fire and the flames were held to a bedroom where the problem started.

A fire investigator Tuesday morning was attempting to determine what happened.

As well as the fire damage in the bedroom, there was substantial smoke damage throughout the home, Howell said. Fire officials estimated the fire caused about $35,000 in damage.

Peterson Lane was closed temporarily while firefighters worked, allowing for hose lines and engines.

The fire was near the Guerneville Road end of Peterson Lane.

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Burst Pipe Floods Hotel

2012-01-23T23:02:00.000-05:00

The Pfister Hotel is dealing with a mess after a pipe burst and several rooms flooded Saturday.

Clean up crews spent the day at the historic hotel in downtown Milwaukee Saturday.

A manager with the hotel says a pipe broke in a stairwell.

Water poured out for at least ten minutes and ended up in the basement of the hotel. Eight guest rooms had water logged carpets which will have to be torn out.

Fans were brought in to help dry out other areas.

The hotel itself is still open. But the burst pipe foiled Tammy Spoek's day at the hotel's spa. "I was down at the spa and i was hearing that there was water. Water's coming from the ceilings. So she came to me and said Tammy, I'm really sorry but we're going to have to cancel your appointment," Tammy said.

Spoek says it appeared the pipe broke somewhere near the seventh floor.

Hotel management says they believe the burst pipe is due to the cold temperatures the last few days.

The Pfister's computer system apparently went down. But the hotel and its restaurants did remain open.

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Fire Damages Apartments in Eugene

2012-01-23T22:23:00.002-05:00

A large plume of black smoke hovered over downtown Eugene after an apartment complex caught fire Monday morning.

It happened just before noon at the Brookstone Apartments on 8th Avenue.

When fire crews got to the scene, there were flames coming from the first floor of a multi-unit complex.

The blaze heavily damaged one downstairs unit and caused smoke and heat damage to some neighboring ones.

"There's always a big risk when you have that much fire volume in one that it extends to another. And since they're all occupied or presumed to be occupied by an entire family, there's significant challenges when it comes to clearing the building quickly," said Eugene District Fire Chief Scott Bishop.

Crews were able to safely put out the flames.

Eugene police assisted in evacuating tenants.

No one was hurt.

Crews are still investigating the cause.

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1/23/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-01-23T21:57:00.000-05:00

Tonight: A slight chance of rain before midnight. Widespread fog before 4am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy, with a southwest wind 17 to 20 mph decreasing to between 9 and 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind between 9 and 14 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. West wind between 8 and 13 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Thursday: A chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: A chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

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Neighborhood flooding Brings Sewage

2012-01-18T22:05:00.000-05:00

Heavy rains cause some flooding problems in parts of the Metro. In the Presidential Hills subdivision off Highway 49, residents who live on James Garfield Circle were trapped. Naji Boyd is frustrated, and he wants the city of Jackson to fix this ongoing problem.

"For older people, like myself, have to walk through there. It makes no sense," comments Boyd.

Danier Randel blames debris for backing up the sewage drains.

"The city will come but today they came and they just surveyed it instead of bringing crew members to get it under control," recalls Randel.

The flooded streets also cause an inconvenience for school buses trying to drop children off at their homes.

"The school bus will stop at the street not in the flooded part to keep the children and the parents have to drive their cars up to meet the bus," explains Randel.

She adds the flood waters also cause sewage to back up in people's homes.

A city spokesperson tells us they have received only two complaints about this street in the last six months. They say a crew will be sent out to inspect the storm inlets.

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Broken Pipe Floods Library in Fletcher

2012-01-18T21:39:00.000-05:00

The first real artic blast of the season is upon us and it is causing problems.

At the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington crews worked to cleanup after a pipe in the attic froze and burst. The water damaged nearly 4,000 children's books. Fortunately irreplaceable collections were not touched by the water.

Damage estimates are still being tallied. Library staff say they are most concerned about potential water damage to the electrical system. Insurance will likely cover repairs.

"Quite honestly, it could've been a whole lot worse, we have 130,000 books in that building, so there are places that water could have fallen that would've made it a lot worse than this," said Robert Resnik.

The library will be closed this week, but hopes to reopen next week.

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Sprinkler Pipe Bursts, Floods Office

2012-01-18T14:35:00.002-05:00

Just as this year's General Assembly session was just getting into full swing, state Sen. Richard Colburn was forced by floodwaters to move to a temporary office in Annapolis.

Speaking Tuesday, Colburn, R-37-Mid-Shore, said a fire suppression system pipe collapsed Monday on the fourth floor of the historic James Senate Office Building. Colburn said the water pooled in the center of the fourth story before running down elevator shafts and coming through the ceiling of his third-floor office.

"Unfortunately, my office was probably hit hardest," he said.

Colburn said his chief of staff described the scene as starting out with water leaking down through the ceiling like rain. The senator said it kept getting worse, until eventually the ceiling collapsed and down came the deluge.

Colburn was thankful for the efforts of his staff members and those of other senators in trying to save what they could from his office. He said a line of people passed items out of his office to safety as the water started coming in.

"To me it's like a tragedy. But you have to put things in perspective. Nobody was hurt," Colburn said.

Colburn said two other offices near his were also damaged by the flooding, but not as badly. He said he has been given temporary space in the James building to use, but does not expect to get back into his own office for at least two weeks.

"We're doing the best we can. We're in a very small conference room on the first floor of the Senate building," Colburn said.

The senator said a company is already working around the clock to clean up the mess, using fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the offices. He said he will need a new ceiling, and the building's elevators will need repairs.

"But everyone should be taking the stairs anyway. It saves five minutes a day and its good exercise," Colburn said.

Colburn said it was lucky the flooding happened on a Monday. He said if it had been the Friday before, no one may have been around to notice for quite some time and he may have lost his computers, files and pictures.

The senator said he is most worried about his office's ability to keep up the high-level of constituent service he strives for. He said his regular phone lines have been rerouted to his temporary space and he was still able to get eight bills filed after the flooding.

"My main concern is to be able to provide good constituent service," Colburn said.

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Burst Pipe Floods Boston Library

2012-01-18T14:14:00.000-05:00

A burst pipe affected by sub-freezing temperatures over the weekend has left about two inches of water on the floor of the public library in North Hampton, N.H.

No books were damaged but carpets were waterlogged and there's been some damage to ceiling tiles.

Town Administrator Steve Fournier tells the Portsmouth Herald the library could stay closed for up to a week.

The damage was discovered by cleaning crews Monday night.

Town Building Inspector Richard Maybe believes the wind entered the building through tiny spaces in the walls and caused the pipe to freeze and burst in the kitchen area of the Atlantic Area building.

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Fire Damages Two Homes in Kansas City

2012-01-18T13:54:00.002-05:00

Two house fires broke out in Kansas City this morning.

Firefighters responded to 3429 College Avenue about 9:20 a.m. and quickly reported getting that fire under control. They did not report any injuries.

About 9:40 a.m., other crews responded to a house fire in the 6600 block of Wayne Avenue. The initial call mentioned reports of shots in the area, causing firefighters to wait briefly on permission from Kansas City police to begin fighting the blaze.

The fire was intense enough that fire crews were ordered to leave the interior and battle the fire from outside until they knocked the flames down enough for crews to re-enter the house. They reported having the fire under control at 9:48 a.m. No injuries were reported.

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1/18/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-01-18T13:04:00.000-05:00

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a northwest wind between 17 and 21 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. North wind between 5 and 11 mph.

Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 37. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers before 3am, then a chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 13 to 16 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Northwest wind around 15 mph.

Friday Night: A slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49.

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Mold Now A Concern for Childrens Library

2012-01-17T21:15:00.000-05:00

It's typically where fictional characters spring to life in the imaginations of young readers. But Sunday morning staffers at the Fletcher Free Library had a tale to tell of a very real flood in the children's section.

"This room was full of water. The water seeped right down, went right down the walls and landed over in the children's non-fiction section," said the library's Robert Resnik.

The pros are blaming a pipe in the attic -- right above Resnik's office. A release valve broke and the pipe burst, sending gallons of water cascading down the walls of the 108 year old Carnegie building and drenching upwards of 2-thousand children's books.

And now mold is the new concern. "Because you have all of these books lined up in a row, if you start getting a moldy spot, it doesn't stop there, it continues down the line," Resnik said.

On Monday clean-up crews pumped up the heat to dry the place out. The goal is to detect hidden wet spots then use vacuums to suck up the excess water lurking in the ceiling. Resnick says it's still too early to put a price tag on the damage but he hopes insurance money will help pay to replace the damaged books. "Chances are, they are things that can be re-ordered pretty quickly," he said.

Past the drenched children's section is the local history room. Here there are tons of irreplaceable documents and librarians say they're counting their lucky stars nothing was damaged. "We would have been in real trouble because a lot of that stuff is one-of-a-kind or old books that don't exist in print anymore, so it would have been really, really hard to replace," Resnik said. "I would have been probably crying. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it."

The silver lining to a soggy story. But like most children's books, Resnik says the ending has a simple message applicable to all ages: "This is just something to remind us to be thankful and to be grateful and to watch out what you do and keep your eyes on the pipes."

The library plans to re-open Tuesday with the exception of the children's section. That will remain closed for at least another week while the clean-up is completed.

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Burst Pipe Damages O'Neill Building

2012-01-17T18:31:00.000-05:00

Federal officials say the Tip O’Neill Federal Building will open today after a section of the overhang at the building’s main entrance collapsed last night, due to water damage caused by a burst pipe.

A pipe feeding a heating/cooling unit burst on the second floor of the Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. building, flooding a portion of the overhang and the ceiling above the lobby, said Patrick J. Sclafani, regional spokesman for the federal General Services Administration, which oversees the building.

No one was injured, and workers were able to isolate the leak and have cordoned off areas in the lobby and walkways as a precaution, said Sclafani, whose office is also located at the 10 Causeway Street site.

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Burst Pipe FLoods Cellars in Farmington

2012-01-17T18:09:00.000-05:00

Two downtown businesses hope to reopen this week after they finish cleaning up the mess left behind by a water main that burst early Saturday morning, flooding several basements along Main Street.

John Anderson, who owns Trask Jeweler's Inc., lost pretty much everything in his store's basement, destroyed by the nearly 6 feet of water that flooded into the building, he said.

Professional cleaners, electricians and other contractors spent most of the weekend and Monday working at his 174 Main St. shop. Anderson worked alongside the crews as they sifted through the soggy papers, fried electrical wiring and piles of ruined watch repair parts, he said.

"We're going through the damage piece by piece and most of everything we've found is not salvageable," Anderson said Monday.

Rebecca Acevedo, a spokeswoman for TD Bank, said the bank's branch in downtown was also flooded because of the water main break. The water flooded into the bank's basement and spilled over into the main lobby, reaching about 2 feet in the street-level space, she said.

Acevedo would not discuss what got damaged, saying the bank hopes to reopen some time this week. She said customers were encouraged to do their banking online, by phone or at the branch on Wilton Road until cleanup is finished, she said Monday.

On Monday, heavy equipment and Dumpsters were outside the bank and pipes ran into the lobby. Tarps, rolled up carpets and fans and cleanup crews hard at work could be seen through the lobby windows.

Anderson awoke about 4:45 a.m. Saturday to a call from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, alerting him of that the water main in the alley behind the bank had burst.

"The water was rolling right out the front door of TD Bank and that's how somebody noticed it," he said.

Farmington Fire Department helped the businesses pump the water out of their basements, and the water department was still trying to determine what caused the pipe to break, Anderson said Monday.

Messages left with the water company and the fire department seeking details about repair work were not returned Monday.

At least two other basements in buildings on Main Street had minor flooding, but the bank and jewelry store sustained the worst damage, Anderson said.

Anderson hopes to reopen as soon as possible this week. His father ran the business before him, and it's been in town for 156 years. It moved to the location on Main Street in 1975, he said.

"We won't stay closed for too long because we have a lot of people who rely on us," Anderson said.

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Building Set to Reopen After Flood

2012-01-17T17:47:00.000-05:00

A state building in Concord, N.H., that was closed after pipes froze and burst over the weekend will re-open Wednesday, but the Public Health Laboratory will remain closed until further notice.

The building housing the Departments of Health and Human Services and Environmental Services was damaged by flooding over the long holiday weekend.

Officials said Tuesday that most staffers should return to work Wednesday. Those who work in the laboratory's radiological health program will be temporarily relocated, while other lab workers will be contacted individually.

Republican House Speaker Bill O'Brian blamed the situation on what he called Democratic Gov. John Lynch's "shoddy management practices." Lynch's spokesman called it partisan politics at its most absurd to blame the governor for frozen pipes in January.

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School Fire Causes $600,000 in Damage

2012-01-17T17:25:00.002-05:00

A fire at a San Diego elementary school has caused an estimated $600,000 in damage.

Classes have been canceled Tuesday at Alice Birney school in the University Heights neighborhood.

The fire was reported at around 11:45 p.m. Monday. It took about 50 firefighters less than a half-hour to douse the fire.

No one was injured but the cafeteria and other school areas were damaged.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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1/17/12 Lindenhurst Weather Forecast

2012-01-17T16:58:00.002-05:00

Late Afternoon: Occasional rain. High near 47. Southwest wind around 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: A chance of rain, mainly before 8pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind between 15 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a northwest wind between 17 and 22 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. North wind between 9 and 15 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. North wind 5 to 11 mph becoming south.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain showers before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow showers between midnight and 3am, then a chance of snow showers after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Saturday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49.

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Pipe Burst Floods Library

2012-01-16T23:08:00.000-05:00

Although closed for Martin Luther King Day, Fletcher Free Library in Burlington is busy with crews working to stem water damage from an attic plumbing break Sunday morning.

City officials said the library would open as usual Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. -- but it is likely that some sections will remain off-limits to patrons.

Library Co-Director Robert Resnik said a substantial portion of the children's collection, located in the older portion of the library, suffered from the incident.

"Between one and two thousand books got really soaked; a lot of water was released over a short period of time," he said.

Resnik said until more is known about the extent of the damage, it would be impossible to estimate its cost.

Library workers, arriving early for a Sunday shift, noticed the water about 8:30 a.m., and began moving vulnerable books away from the walls and spreading tarps, he added. The irreplaceable local history section was spared.

"This could have been much, much worse," Resnik said.

Director of Public Works Steven Goodkind said a water pipe associated with the building's heating system broke in the attic space above Resnik's office, sending sheets of water through and along the building's inner walls. The precise cause of the break is being studied, he added.

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