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Lafayette parents and taxpayers have one more opportunity to offer input on renovating or rebuilding Sunnyside Middle School -- part of a nearly $40 million construction project for the district. Architects from Indianapolis firm CSO Schenkel Shultz have presented the Lafayette School Corp. with cost estimates for six design options, ranging from a total renovation to all-new construction. But building a two-story classroom wing while keeping both gyms and the auditorium at the 50-year-old school was the favored option -- design 3A -- by people who attended a workshop this week. The workshop, the last of six focused on the construction project, will be repeated this morning. The board is expected to develop a public recommendation during its Oct. 23 work session. Parent Elizabeth McShurley -- who has one child at Sunnyside, another attending Earhart Elementary School and three children at Jefferson High School -- said she's most in favor of a mixed option because it will cause the least disruption.
The Wiseman Company and businesses in its One Harbor Center in Suisun City were recently recognized by Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Superintendent Woodrow Carter for their adoption of Crescent Elementary School as part of the Adopt-a-School program. Over the last few years, they have raised more than $15,000 and their adoption of Crescent Elementary School. The Wiseman Company notes that the following businesses continue to generously support the program: Loan Center of California, First Northern Bank, ERA Home Traditions, Hillman, Lucas & Jones, Attorneys, Law Offices of Russo & Prince, Van Pelt Construction, Sheldon Gas Company, and Rail America. For more information about the Adopt-a-School program visit www.fsusd.k12.ca.us or call 399-5035. Farmer networks Rose Loveall-Sale, the owner of Vacaville's Morningsun Herb Farm, will be joining other prominent farmers and chefs, including Chez Panisse's Alice Waters, at Slow Food International's Terra Madre 2006 gathering in Turin, Italy.
GASTONIA - Gastonia could take a swing at a "Big League Dream." But first, it would have to find a way to meet the price tag, with estimates starting at $15 million. Big League Dreams is a California-based company that creates replicas of major-league baseball stadiums such as Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium for youth baseball and for softball. The company made a presentation to city and county leaders this month to show what kind of impact a six- to eight-field complex would have on Gastonia. "I think the concept is really good," said Chuck Dellinger, director of the Gastonia Parks and Recreation Department. "It would not take away from the programs we already have." Big League Dreams operates five complexes in California and Texas, and more are in the works, expanding the company into Nevada and Arizona.
Significant disparities still exist in Kansas City government contracts awarded to minority and women firms, compared with businesses owned by white men, according to a briefing this week. The report by Mason Tillman Associates, an update of an initial disparity study done in the 1990s, covered 2002 to 2004. It will provide a framework to revise city ordinances and improve conditions, said Human Relations Director Phillip Yelder. Wednesday's meeting before the City Council's Operations Committee provided summary findings and recommendations. The final written report will be released next week. Here are key questions and answers from Wednesday's briefing: Q: What were the businesses studied? A: Construction, architecture/engineering, professional services, and goods and services.
Lori Bjelde of Menasha stuffed a backpack with things to keep her kids occupied while they waited for an "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" house to be unveiled in Dundee on Oct. 6. But the Nintendo DS and iPod stayed put as they were riveted by the events taking place during the seven hours they waited for the "move the bus" moment. "They kept the audience busy by tossing out Frisbees and T-shirts," Bjelde said. "We saw Ty (Pennington, the show's star) come out, and the bus was there early and they were taking footage of the bus. The security guards and volunteers would be there and they told us what they were doing behind the scenes. "There was always something to look for or hear or talk about. There just wasn't any time to do anything else." The Bjeldes were part of an estimated crowd of 10,000 onlookers who cheered as Christine Koepke and her four children were given their home.
The rising cost of construction materials is forcing some West Valley cities to put the brakes on certain road projects or find other ways to deal with escalating prices.
In Glendale, one drainage-pipe and road-widening project was shortened from a mile to three-quarters of a mile. In Peoria, city officials are choosing one project over another. In Surprise, projects have been delayed as bids come in too high and are sent out for second and third rounds of bids.
In several cases, transportation officials have to explain to their respective city councils why the price tags are coming in higher than budgeted or why projects are taking longer to finish. .
Questions are being raised about the viability of a company slated to be the anchor tenant for Crawfordsville's new commerce park after officials seized its office equipment for auction.
Only books and some office furniture inhabit the Polyglot Press offices on the third floor of National City Bank, 101 W. Main St.
Sheriff Dennis Rice posted a notice of seizure on the door when he confiscated computer keyboards, speakers and monitors, phones, software and office furniture. An auction scheduled for next week at Polyglot's Crawfordsville headquarters will be rescheduled because the building's owner asked Rice to have the auction elsewhere.
Christopher Michael Doty, a former employee of Polyglot President David Scott in the Crawfordsville office, sued Scott for back pay earlier this year.
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