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In June, Eagle River Water and Sanitation District staff learned of a problem : The sewer interceptor pipe running through EagleVail had an irregular flow pattern. While there were only minor impacts to service at the time — one customer’s wastewater was not draining properly — an investigation of the pipe revealed a greater issue. Tree roots in several places infiltrated the vitrified clay pipe that made up the sewer interceptor. An interceptor, also called a trunk line, is a larger type of pipe that absorbs the flow from smaller pipes as it moves down the system. This particular trunk line is essential because it carries wastewater between Vail and Avon. The pipe was partially filled with roots in some places, leaving significantly less space for wastewater to flow. While the issue was non-emergent — many days, wastewater only fills a third of the pipe — it remained top of mind for district staff. The monthlong repair, which cleared out the roots and installed a cured-in-place pipe to keep them from returning, wrapped up last month. From Oct. 22 through Nov. 20, district staff supervised a specialized contractor-led repair using a cured-in-place pipe liner, essentially a custom-made sleeve that hardens in place once it is inserted into the pipe, creating one long pipe surface and reinforcing the existing pipe’s walls. Brad Zachman, the district’s director of operations, Niko Nemcanin, the district’s field operations manager, and Micah Schuette, the project manager, presented the construction progress to the district board on Dec. 5. When Eagle County’s upper valley was starting to fill out in the 1960s and 1970s, the district installed a sewer system to serve its new residents. That system was primarily made out of clay pipe. As clay pipe ages, water sometimes escapes from the joints where individual pipes are connected, and tree roots will trace their way to the source. Over time, roots can create significant impediments within the pipe as they grow, fed by the nutrients flowing through the pipe. “When you have the trees planted on top of our pipes and our easements, it can lead to this type of intrusion,” Schuette said. It is in the district’s rules and regulations that trees — along with any other landscaping or structures — should not be planted or built within district easements. The sewer interceptor in EagleVail runs from West Vail to Avon, carrying wastewater between the district’s Vail Wastewater Treatment Facility to the Avon Wastewater Treatment Facility. The pipe operates all day, every day, and is the main transporter of that area’s wastewater. The four sections that needed to be repaired totaled 1,260 linear feet long, making it the biggest pipe-lining project the district had ever taken on, Nemcanin said. The process of fixing the pipe required multiple steps. First, the pipe had to be bypassed, moving its contents into an alternative pipe without disrupting service. The sewer interceptor then had to be cleaned of tree roots and rocks with specialized tools. Finally, the liner was installed. Residents of EagleVail and Avon may be familiar with the bypass, a 3,000-foot-long pipe that ran aboveground on the south shoulder of U.S. Highway 6 from east of the Post Boulevard roundabout to Stonebridge Drive. The liner, which is 9 millimeters thick, was custom-made to fit the pipe. The pipe was measured several times before the liner was made. “One of the risks of the CIPP is if you haven’t thoroughly characterized the inside of the pipe and they show up with this impregnated folded liner and it’s the wrong size, or you run into a situation where the pipe is damaged ... you eat the cost of that liner because it can’t be used” in another pipe, Zachman said. The liner arrived looking like a heavy, deflated bag, Schuette said. The liner was inserted into the pipe and was then molded to the pipe with heat. During transit, the liner was kept cold with ice. “As soon as it heats up, then it starts to cure,” Schuette said. To mold the pipe in place, steam was passed through the pipe. A small wire running through the bottom of the pipe measured the temperature, as the liner had to reach 150 degrees for around an hour to properly harden in place. While there are no joints in the cured-in-place pipe, an “important disadvantage” of the liner is that when sections of the liner need to be cut out where the sewer interceptor connects to other pipes or manholes, those can become “a pathway for roots,” Zachman said. To combat this, special inserts will be added to block out the roots in those places. In the end, the pilot project cost $516,000. Schuette called this “a pretty good price” compared to an open trench repair, which would have required excavating and potentially replacing the whole pipe and the roadway above it, a much longer, more disruptive and costlier project. While the EagleVail repair was a big undertaking, the four sections made up only a quarter mile of the roughly 18 miles of clay pipe in the district’s system. Any section of pipe that is made of clay will need to be investigated for similar root infiltration. Though not all 18 miles of pipe are interceptor, most pipe installed between Vail and Avon is likely clay. If the pipe were to be installed today, district staff would use a new PVC technology that is flexible, will not crack lengthwise, and, most importantly, has gaskets that prevent trees from gaining access to the interior, Nemcanin said. The district is already beginning talks with contractors about the next phase of the project. In addition to the repairs in EagleVail, the contractors investigated three segments of pipe upstream and downstream of the repaired sections and did not find major intrusions, Nemcanin said. Notably, these un-infiltrated sections did not have large trees on or around them. The section of pipe from Avon to Edwards is made of PVC pipe and thus less susceptible to the root infiltration issue, so the investigation for other damaged sections of pipe will head east from EagleVail. The presence of trees on the aerial map of the area will help identify priority areas for investigation. As other infiltrated sections of pipe are identified, the results of the contractor’s inspection will determine whether a full replacement is needed, or a cured-in-place liner will suffice.
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US lawmakers voted Wednesday after fraught negotiations to move forward with a contentious 2025 defense budget that raises troops' pay but blocks funding of gender-affirming care for some transgender children of service members. The centerpiece of the $884 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) -- which was green-lit by the Republican-led House of Representatives but still needs Senate approval -- is a 14.5 percent pay increase for junior enlisted service members and 4.5 percent for other personnel. But talks over the 1,800-page-plus text were complicated by a last-minute Republican intervention to prevent the military's health program from covering gender-affirming care for children of service members if it results in "sterilization." "Citizens don't want their tax dollars to go to this, and underaged people often regret these surgeries later in life," Nebraska Republican Don Bacon told CNN. "It's a bad hill to die on for Democrats." Gender-affirming health care for children is just one of multiple fronts in the so-called "culture wars" that polarize US politics and divide the country, with Republicans using the issue as a cudgel against Democrats in November's elections. The funding block angered progressives, and prompted the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee to come out against the legislation. "As I said a few days ago, blanketly denying health care to people who need it -- just because of a biased notion against transgender people -- is wrong," Adam Smith, who represents a district in Washington state, said in a statement. "The inclusion of this harmful provision puts the lives of children at risk and may force thousands of service members to make the choice of continuing their military service or leaving to ensure their child can get the health care they need." Smith slammed House Speaker Mike Johnson for pandering to "the most extreme elements of his party" by including the transgender provision. The must-pass NDAA -- a bill that Congress has sent to the president's desk without fail every year since 1961 -- cleared the chamber in a 281-140 vote and now moves to the Senate, with final passage expected next week. The topline figure is one percent above last year's total and, with funding from other sources, brings the total defense budget to just under $900 billion. Some foreign policy hawks on the Republican side of the Senate wanted $25 billion more for the Pentagon but they are still expected to support the bill. "The safety and security of the American people is our top priority, and this year's NDAA ensures our military has the resources and the capabilities needed to remain the most powerful fighting force on the planet," Johnson told reporters. ft/mlm
FRISCO - For most of the last two weeks, the vibe has been the same. Sources have whispered it. Troy Aikman came right out and said it. “Mike McCarthy’s a good football coach,” Aikman said on Nov. 18. “He’s proven that at Green Bay. He’s proven it here. You win 12 games three years in a row, you’re doing something right. But he didn’t get a contract extension after he had done that. It’s hard to imagine him getting one now.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.In conclusion, the viral video of the woman and her father unintentionally taking flight on an electric scooter may have brought laughter and amusement to many viewers, but it also underscores the importance of safety and caution when it comes to riding any form of transportation. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of urban mobility, let us remember to prioritize safety and responsible travel practices to ensure that incidents like these remain rare and unforgettable moments of laughter and surprise.
As Alan peels back the layers of his sister's story, he realizes the depth of her courage and the strength of her character. He sees a newfound admiration for the woman his sister has become - independent, fearless, and unapologetically herself. He understands now that the distance between them had only served to strengthen their bond, for it had given them the space to grow and evolve into individuals who could stand on their own two feet, yet always have each other's backs.“We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that,” NFL (National Football League) commissioner Roger Goodell said on Wednesday after the conclusion of the league’s winter meetings. “We know the litigation is happening now. From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl.” A woman who previously sued musician Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13 years old, amended the lawsuit on Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, said the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The 24-time Grammy Award winner called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement released by Roc Nation. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Kendrick Lamar will perform the Super Bowl halftime show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Beyonce, who is married to Jay-Z, will perform at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game at Christmas. “I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Mr Goodell said. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.”In December 1916, as war raged in Europe, an entrepreneurial pearl diver took a chance on some bleeding-edge technology and installed an outdoor cinema in one of the country’s most isolated towns – Broome, Western Australia. Ted Hunter didn’t know much about cinemas. Not many people did at the turn of the 20th century. But that didn’t stop him beginning what has become a long history of outdoor cinema exhibition in Australia. Sun Pictures in Broome opened with Jack Hulcup’s 1913 silent film Kissing Cup , in which a “squire’s jockey” escapes kidnappers and gallops across the Isle of Wight in time to win the race. Huzzah. More than a century later, Sun Pictures still stands – the world’s oldest operating open-air cinema. While the Guinness World Record is a nice-to-have, Sun Pictures’ survival has been ensured not by the latest Hollywood blockbuster, but by what the cinema offers locals and visitors each night: a moviegoing experience that is at once unique and familiar. Segregation at the movies Before opening Sun Pictures, Hunter made his money as a master pearler. Pearl shells, which were turned into mother-of-pearl buttons, transformed the economic life of Broome in the late 1800s. Despite being so isolated, the pearling industry brought great riches to the town, while also entrenching workers along racial lines. Racial segregation was firmly present in Broome’s “picture garden” for the first half of the 20th century. White Australians and their kids were seated in the middle, with Chinese and Japanese patrons behind them. Malays, Filipinos and First Nations people entered separately and were seated at the sides, or remained standing. Aboriginal rights activist Charles Perkins would later directly challenge the segregation of Australian cinemas in his 1965 “Freedom Ride” throughout rural New South Wales. Outdoors, from the comfort of your car My colleague Tess Van Hemert and I have spent the past three years researching the cultures and practices of cinemagoing and how cinema sites shape this experience . Outdoor cinemas – whether they be the picture gardens of Broome or the Yatala Drive-In – function as special sites of culture, connection and community. During COVID lockdowns, social distancing measures particularly invigorated drive-in cinema attendance. But even after lockdowns ended, David Kilderry, the long-time operator of Melbourne’s Lunar Drive-in , remains clear on the appeal: You could open up the car or even sit outside it and if cool, hop back inside and snuggle up in private. [...] You can talk about the film as it runs. Kids can ask questions and parents can explain. Patrons can use phones during the film without interrupting others, and babies and infants won’t annoy other customers [...] The drive-in has always been more than just a movie experience. It’s where the two icons of the 20th century come together: the motion picture and the automobile. While the Lunar was shuttered in 2023, Kilderry said this decision was less about the 400,000 annual patrons and more about the land tax implications of keeping a site of that size viable. But it’s not all doom and gloom for drive-ins. Kilderry notes many operators now own their land, rather than trying to constantly negotiate leases. There are currently about 12 drive-ins running regularly across Australia, with a few more opening for the occasional screening. New drive-in developments are also planned for Perth, pending local consultations . Connecting with others and the environement Beyond drive-ins, Sun Pictures is in good company with a range of locations around the world that actively celebrate outdoor cinema. During the European summer, open-air cinemas are popular in countries such as Germany and Italy. In Bologna, three large piazzas – Piazza Maggiore, Arena Puccini and Piazzetta Pasolini – are set up as cinemas for the annual Cinema Ritrovato festival. Closer to home, the University of Western Australia’s Somerville Auditorium, framed by a “tree cathedral” of mature Norfolk pines , has long been a place of unique outdoor cinema experiences. Perth Festival film programmer Tom Vincent understands the distinct pleasures of outdoor cinemagoing: The m ost memorable cinemagoing anywhere will always engage the audience’s sense of place, usually through architecture and experience design. [...] It includes a natural sensory mix that includes river breezes, ambient sounds and wildlife, alongside a sense of grandeur and good programming. Good outdoor cinema says ‘look, we are here, engage all your senses’. But while seasonal outdoor cinemas such as the Moonlight Cinemas continue to operate around Australia – alongside local council park screenings – openings of new permanent outdoor cinemas are rare. Phoebe Condon, manager of the new permanent Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema in Brisbane, explained how the site positions itself as a high-value leisure experience: It’s more than just a night at the movies – it’s a destination [...] What truly sets us apart from other outdoor cinemas is our focus on creating an elevated, year-round experience. This framing of outdoor cinema as an “elevated experience” is vital. While the cost of cinemagoing has come up as a key consideration in our research (especially in the current economic context) the industry is quick to remind consumers it remains affordable compared with other out-of-home arts and leisure experiences such as live sports, music, comedy and theatre. Despite legitimate cost-of-living concerns, census data continues to show cinemagoing as the nation’s most popular cultural activity. Why Neflix can’t replace cinemas Our research on Australian cinemagoing supports broader arguments for a more holistic understanding of cinema’s value in society. Cinemagoing shouldn’t be compared to your Netflix subscription, but to other leisure activities people get up and leave the house for. As the International Union of Cinemas notes, “films reflect national culture or subcultures and the wider world to the audience; they frame moral and political discussions; and they entertain and educate”. We also know cinemagoing has never stood still. Ever since Hunter took a chance on outdoor cinema in 1916, these spaces have evolved constantly to respond to new challenges and shifting appetites. But one aspect remains the same: whether sat under the stars, or parked in a lot, Australians continue to see the value in leaving their homes to connect and share in new stories on the big screen.LAS VEGAS — There are three races remaining in the Formula 1 season and Max Verstappen of Red Bull is close to a fourth consecutive world championship, which can wrap up Saturday night at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. All is not smooth sailing headed into this final month of racing: "It was a bit of a surprise, I think, for everybody," said Mercedes driver George Russell, a GPDA director. "It's a hell of a lot of pressure now onto the new race director (with) just three races left. Often, as drivers, we probably feel like we're the last to find out this sort of information." The Andretti team is expected to receive F1 approval to join the grid, albeit without Michael Andretti, who has scaled back his role dramatically since the IndyCar season ended in September. Many drivers, particularly seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, have been at odds with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem since his election following the 2021 season finale. In the GDPA statement, they reminded the sanctioning body "our members are adults" who don't need lectures and fines on foul language or jewelry bans, and simply want fair and consistent race control. There's been no response from Ben Sulayem, and won't be this weekend since he does not attend the LVGP. He will be at Qatar and the finale in Abu Dhabi next month. Hamilton doesn't think all the behind-the-scenes changes will be a fan topic as the season comes to a close. But he noted that consistency from race control is all the drivers have asked for, while throwing his support behind Domenicali and the job Maffei has done in growing F1 since Liberty took over. "I really hope Stefano is not leaving because he's been so instrumental in changes and progress to this whole thing," Hamilton said. "And he knows the sport as well as anyone. But all good things do come to an end, and whoever they put into place, I just hope they are like-minded. But sometimes you have to shake the trees." That's just what happened with the surprise departure of race director Wittich. Although drivers have been unhappy with race officiating this season and held a private GPDA meeting in Mexico City, Russell said they had no prior warning Wittich was out. The race director is the referee each weekend and Wittich has been in charge since 2022, when Michael Masi was fired following the controversial 2021 season-ending, championship-altering finale at Abu Dhabi. Now the man in charge for the final three races is Rui Marques, the Formula 2 and Formula 3 race director. Las Vegas, which overcame multiple stumbling blocks in last year's debut before putting on one of the best races of the season, is a difficult place to start. Verstappen can win his fourth title by simply scoring three points more than Lando Norris of McLaren. "It's a bit weird with three races to go to do that," Verstappen said. "It doesn't matter if you're positive or negative about certain things. I thought in Brazil there was definitely room for improvement, for example. It's still a bit weird having to now then deal with a different race director." Charles Leclerc of Ferrari wondered why the move was made with only three races to go. "To do it so late in the season, at such a crucial moment of the season, it could have probably been managed in a better way," he said. The drivers have consistently asked for clearer guidelines in the officiating of races, specifically regarding track limits and racing rules. The drivers have no idea how Marques will officiate, highlighting a disconnect between the competitors and Ben Sulaymen's FIA. "We just want to be transparent with the FIA and have this dialogue that is happening," Russell said. "And I think the departure of Niels is also a prime example of not being a part of these conversations." The GDPA statement made clear the drivers do not think their voice is being heard. "If we feel we're being listened to, and some of the changes that we are requesting are implemented, because ultimately we're only doing it for the benefit of the sport, then maybe our confidence will increase," Russell said. "But I think there's a number of drivers who feel a bit fed up with the whole situation. It only seems to be going in the wrong direction." He also said the relationship between the drivers and the FIA seems fractured. "Sometimes just hiring and firing is not the solution," he said. "You need to work together to improve the problem." Norris, who has battled Verstappen this year with mixed officiating rulings, said "obviously things are not running as smoothly as what we would want." Marques has his first driver meeting ahead of Thursday night's two practice sessions and then three weeks to prove to the competitors he is up for the job. Carlos Sainz Jr., who will leave Ferrari for Williams at the end of the season, hopes the drama doesn't distract from the momentum F1 has built over the last five years. "I think Formula 1 is in a great moment right now and all these rumors, I think in every team, every job, there's job changes," he said. "It's not big drama. I'm a big fan of the people you mentioned, they've done an incredible job in Formula 1 and Formula 1 is what it is thanks to these people. But it's just so emotional, especially the Stefano one. The only one that has a real effect is the race director. But I think if he does a good job, it should be transparent and nothing big." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and notching another record high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Friday. The Dow added 1%, and the Nasdaq composite tacked on 0.2%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts’ estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company’s Dish Network unit. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks rose on Wall Street in afternoon trading Friday, keeping the market on track for its fifth straight gain. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% and was solidly on track for a weekly gain that will erase most of last week's loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 333 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite was essentially flat with a gain of less than 0.1% as of 3:07 p.m. Eastern. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 10.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 1.5% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.4% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 were gaining ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.3%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.6%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.8% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, Bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated Press8. Besiktas vs. Borussia Dortmund:Virtual Receptionist Market to See Incredible Development| Big Giants Conversica, CloudTask, Numa
