MEC&F Expert Engineers : 03/21/17

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

FRAUD AND CORRUPTION EVERYWHERE: corruption charges against Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams after failed to report $160,000 in "gifts"





Federal officials to announce corruption charges against Philadelphia DA Seth Williams



Federal officials are set to announce corruption charges against Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, Action News has learned. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Updated 3 mins ago
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Federal officials are set to announce corruption charges against Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, Action News has learned.

Further details were not immediately available.

A news conference is set for 3 p.m. Tuesday involving the U.S. Attorney's office for the district of New Jersey, the FBI, Homeland Security, and the IRS.

You can watch that news conference when it happens on 6abc and 6abc.com.

The district attorney's office refused to comment on Tuesday, saying Williams was not in the office because he is spending time with family.

"I ask that you respect his privacy and the privacy of the men and women of the office so all of us can continue to do our jobs without the distraction of additional media attention," said communications director Cameron L. Kline.

Back in February, Williams announced he would not run for a third term amid an FBI investigation into $160,000 in gifts that he failed to report.

The Democrat later reported taking a new roof, a $2,700 couch and luxury vacations, including the use of a defense lawyer's home in the Florida Keys. Williams has agreed to pay $62,000 in related ethics fines.

During his February news conference, Williams apologized for "mistakes in my personal life and in my personal financial life that cast an unnecessary shadow over my office."

Williams, 50, said in February he intended to stay in the $175,000-a-year job through January.

He previously served as the city's inspector general, overseeing investigations into corruption within the city government. In college, he was the student body president at Penn State University. He is also the city's first African-American district attorney.

THE CRIMINAL HISPANICS: Two 17 and 18-year-old illegal alien students from El Salvador and Guatemala brutally raped the 14-year-old victim in Maryland School








(Updated at 9:55 a.m. Tuesday) ROCKVILLE, MD — The two teenagers charged with raping a 14-year-old girl in a boys’ restroom at Rockville High School during school hours last week may be undocumented immigrants with no previous police problems locally, says the county executive. The suspects have outstanding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement orders, said Ike Leggett, and the county will cooperate fully with federal officials to see that the two are deported after serving prison time for what he called a heinous act.
Police are working to ensure schools are secure in the wake of the attack. Detectives have charged two Rockville High School students — Jose O. Montano, 17, of an unconfirmed address, and Henry E. Sanchez Milian, 18, of Bel Pre Road in the Aspen Hill area — with the rape of a female Rockville High School student. Montano has been charged as an adult.
Sanchez Milian is originally from Guatemala and was attending the high school as a ninth-grader, reports WTOP. Court records say Sanchez Milian arrived in Montgomery County seven months ago after having been questioned in Texas by border patrol agents in Texas and issued a notice to appear in front of an immigration judge.
Leggett said Monday he was “immediately sick and disgusted when it was reported that two young men raped a 14-year-old student at Rockville High School last Thursday. This should not happen. Period. My deepest condolences go out to this young girl and her family.”

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Update: Horrific Immigrant Rape In Maryland School – No Explanations from Montgomery County Public Schools
Posted on March 18, 2017 by sundance

Yesterday we outlined a horrific sexual assault of a 14-year-old female freshman student victim in Montgomery County Maryland. Two 17 and 18-year-old illegal alien students brutally raped the 14-year-old victim. One rapist, Henry Sanchez, 18, originally from Guatemala. The second rapist, Jose Montano, 17, a native of El Salvador.



Despite their age both illegal aliens were enrolled in the ninth grade at Rockville High School. There has been no response from Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) officials as to why a 17 and 18-year-old illegal alien would be allowed to enroll in public school where they would be classmates with 14-year-old students.

Montgomery County Maryland is a sanctuary county where U.S. immigration laws are intentionally not enforced by the local public officials.

ABC7 News Journalist Kevin Lewis has provided an update to the events along with the police report which outlines the brutality experienced by the young female student.

I must warn readers the police report of the crime (below) is extremely unsettling.





MARYLAND – […] Investigators later found blood and other DNA in the bathroom stall where the girl stated the attack occurred. It’s initially unclear how no one saw or heard the unconscionable rape in the middle of a crowded school and during normal class hours.

On Friday, Montano and Milian both appeared via CCTV in Montgomery County District Court for their bond reviews. Both men spoke by way of a Spanish translator, apparently unfamiliar with the English language.

Court officials confirmed Milian entered the United States seven months ago from his native Guatemala. Those same officials stated Milian already had an active “alien removal case” pending in the federal judicial system.

Despite being 18, Milian managed to enroll with Montgomery County Public Schools as a freshman at Rockville High School this school year. He was living with his father in an Aspen Hill apartment along Bel Pre Road.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed to ABC7 News Friday that it has placed a detainer on Millian. That is commonly done when someone is arrested and suspected of being in the country illegally. ICE would not comment on Montano because he is a minor.

As for Montano, court officials stated he came to the United Stated eight months ago from El Salvador. His immigration status was not immediately known. Montano also enrolled with Montgomery County Public Schools as a freshman this year. Court officials stated he could read and write in Spanish, but struggled with English. Montano was living with his uncle along Lincoln Street in Rockville. Though, officials say, he has been unable to recall his street address or uncle’s phone number.

Both men are currently being represented by the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. Despite pleas for their release, the judge denied bond for both men citing a threat to the community, plus concerns about them fleeing the area.

“The immigration ramifications are determined at a later point by the proper authorities,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office spokesperson Ramon Korionoff stated. “We just are working very closely with our police and school security partners to ensure this case goes forward in a timely and well-executed manner.”

Prosecutors say Montano and Sanchez will be tried as adults. Montano’s mugshot, however, was not released due to his age. Each teenager faces up to three life prison terms.

“These are very serious allegations, carrying a life sentence. Anybody above the age of 16, facing up to life in prison, can be charged as an adult and that is the path we are taking at this time,” Korionoff concluded.

Prosecutors would not say whether-or-not there is school surveillance video to support their felony case. It’s also unclear what factors, such as age, would preclude someone from enrolling with MCPS, seeing as both suspects were well above the typical freshman class age range. (link)

Tens of thousands of illegal aliens from South America were previously relocated by President Obama, Homeland Security and HHS into communities throughout the United States. We previously documented many of the locations in a distribution map.

This recent outcome in Maryland is a horrific consequence.





INTERACTIVE DISTRIBUTION MAP HERE


=============

Two of President Obama’s Undocumented Alien “Children” Brutally Rape 14-Year-Old Maryland Student During School…

Those of you who have followed the Undocumented Alien Children (UAC) story, which began in the summer of 2014, will note the nationality of two UAC’s who brutally raped a 14-Year-Old Rockville Maryland Student.
Henry Sanchez, 18, originally from Guatemala and Jose Montano, 17, a native of El Salvador, brutally raped a 14-year-old high school student on Thursday.   Sanchez had a pending illegal alien removal case (deportation order) pending, which was not carried out while immigration activists tried to block the deportation.
Sanchez and Montano dragged the 14-year-old victim into a school bathroom where they repeatedly gang raped her during school session.  The sickening story is partially explained in the local news coverage:
.
You might also remember Glenn Beck, Dana Loesch and Senator Ted Cruz going to the Texas border during the summer of 2014 to bring teddy bears and soccer balls to the future rapists. (See Here and also See HERE)

I wonder how they feel about this story now?



Maryland – […] The victim told police she was walking in a school hallway on March 16 at about 9 a.m. when the two male students approached her, according to charging documents. Montano asked her twice to have sex, and after she refused, he forced her into a boys’ bathroom and then into a stall, according to police.
The student told police that Montano and Sanchez raped her multiple times, according to the court documents. She cried out in pain and repeatedly told the two students to stop, she told police.
Forensic investigators said an inspection of the boys’ bathroom later turned up suspected blood “that may be mixed with male fluid,” the court documents stated.
Sanchez and Montano were arrested at school, police said, and have been held since Thursday.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says they have a detainer on Sanchez, a citizen of Guatemala. The agency could not comment on Montano’s case since he is a minor.
In a letter to parents, Montgomery County Public Schools said school officials notified police immediately after the student reported the assault to a staff member. (read more)
The 2014 UAC Crisis was specifically an out of control influx of “Unaccompanied Alien Children” that were not children, and were not unaccompanied.
There were entire families relocating illegally, and thousands of South American gang members including MS13 gang members, all teenage or early twenties males, who crossed the border under the auspices of being children.  They were categorized as “refugees” and settled in numerous communities throughout the U.S.

UAC Distribution Map by President Obama and HHS

Interactive HERE

CTH was one of a small group of websites that began tracking the location of all the UAC’s that were being disbursed by the Obama administration throughout the U.S.  (See Here)  We also tracked the amount of taxpayer money being used at the time.
Specifically to Maryland the South American UAC’s were sent to:
♦ 2014 Windsor Mill, Maryland – 1 Facility – BOARD OF CHILD CARE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, INC [Residential Emergency Housing and Care for UAC’s] Address: 3300 Gaither Road BALTIMORE, MD 21244 HHS Grant $2,387,200
♦ 2014 Baltimore, Maryland – 1 facility – LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION & REFUGEE SERVICE [Foster Care Placement] Address: 700 LIGHT ST BALTIMORE, MD 21230-3850 HHS Grant $14,957,523
♦ 2014 Staunton, Virginia – 1 facility – Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Detention Home [Residential ORR/DCS Secure and Staff Secure] Address: 300 Technology Drive STAUNTON, VA 24401 HHS Grant $3,282,893
♦ 2014 Bristow, Virginia – 1 facility – Youth For Tomorrow [Residential Shelter UAC Program ] Address: 11835 Hazel Circle Drive BRISTOW, VA 20136 HHS Grant $8,314,702
What makes all of this worse is that the influx of these “UAC refugees” was not organic in nature.  Exhaustive research discovered there was a specific program in place by the Obama Administration to seed the exodus and create a manufactured UAC crisis at the border – Outlined Here
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That young rape victim in Maryland is a specific victim of the damage caused by the UAC crisis initiated by President Obama and the blind idiots like Glenn Beck, Dana Loesch and Senator Ted Cruz who were codependent enablers allowing the Obama administration to carry out the scheme.
Dana Loesch presents herself as a womens rights and gun rights activist.  She is currently a leading spokesperson for the NRA.   However, Loesch’s activity with Beck and Cruz on behalf of President Obama in 2014 is what has inevitably, and predictably, culminated in the victimization and rape of a 14-year-old high school student in Maryland – and hundreds more rapes and murders throughout the country.
They too own this outcome.


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'Student' on 'Alien Removal' List Charged With Raping 14-Year-Old Girl in High School Bathroom

By Michael W. Chapman | March 20, 2017 | 1:31 PM EDT

Entrance to Rockville High School in
Rockville, Md.  
WARNING: This report contains graphic details of an alleged rape on a 14-year-old girl in a Maryland public school by male suspects aged 18 and 17. 
(CNSNews.com) -- Henry Sanchez-Milian, 18, a Guatemalan citizen who is on an "alien removal case" list, and Jose Montano, 17, who came to America from El Salvador eight months ago, were charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sexual offense on Friday for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl, on Thursday, at the Rockville High School in Maryland. According to the Montgomery County Police report, the young girl allegedly was brutally raped and sodomized by both of the suspects.
The two men were charged in the Montgomery County District Court. Although Montano is 17, a minor, he was charged as an adult because of the seriousness of the crime. At the court, Montgomery County Assistant States Attorney Rebecca MacVittie said Sanchez "is a substantial flight risk," reported The Washington Post. 
Both Montano and Sanchez were students assigned to the freshman class. However, the school's spokeswoman, Gboyinde Onijala, would not comment on why these older teens were assigned to the 9th grade, said The Post. At the court, the two suspects used a Spanish translator, indicating they may not speak English, according to ABC7's Kevin Lewis.  

Henry E. Sanchez-Milian, 18, a 9th
grade student at Rockville High
School charged with first-degree
rape of a 14-year-old student.
(MCPD)
On Friday, March 17, a "Statement of Probable Cause" was filed at the Montgomery County District Court by the arresting officer assigned to the case. The officer, a Montgomery County Police Detective, explained the investigation of the alleged rape of the 14-year-old girl, who is called "Victim A."
WARNING: The material below is sexually graphic and disturbing
The detective reported: "Victim A was in the school hallways when she met with the two other students later identified as Jose O. Montano and Henry E. Sanchez Milian. Victim A knew Montano as a friend and did not know Sanchez Milian personally.... Montano asked Victim A for a hug. Then Montano slapped her butt and asked her to come with him and his friend, Sanchez Milian. They were walking near the gym area when they passed by the bathroom.
"Montano asked Victim A for sex, which she refused. Montano asked again, more persistently and pushed Victim A into the boy's bathroom. Montano then pushed Victim A into the one bathroom stall with a door. ...
"Victim A was holding a sink to avoid going into the bathroom when Montano grabbed her hand and pulled her into the stall.... Montano then unzipped Victim A's top and pulled her breasts out to play with. Victim A again told Montano to stop. Sanchez Milian came into the stall. Montano unbuckled Victim A's pants and pulled it down. Montano pressed his body against Victim A. Victim A tried to push Montano off. Montano grabbed Victim A's arms and turned her around. Montano bent victim over the toilet. Victim A again said to stop.
"Montano and Sanchez Milian spoke to each other in Spanish. Then Sanchez Milian sat in front of Victim A on the toilet with his penis pulled out. Sanchez Milian forced his penis inside Victim A's mouth and forced oral sex. Victim A tried to lift up but Sanchez Milian held the back of Victim a's head.
"During the same time, Montano attempted to force anal intercourse with Victim A. Victim A felt Montano's penis against her butt and felt pain. Victim A cried out in pain.... Montano then forced vaginal intercourse with Victim A from behind.... Once Montano pulled his penis from Victim A's vagina, Montano and Sanchez Milian switched positions....
"Montano held the back of Victim A's head. At the same time, Sanchez Milian penetrated Victim A's anus with his penis and forced anal intercourse with Victim A. Then Sanchez Milian pulled out and penetrated Victim A's vagina with his penis.... Sanchez Milian held onto Victim A's hands against her waist while he forced anal and vaginal intercourse. Victim A repeatedly said to stop.
"They heard the door. Sanchez Milian left and Montano told Victim A to be quiet. Montano also put his hand over Victim A's mouth to keep her quiet."

ICE agents.  (AP) 
Sanchez and Montano then spoke in Spanish again and put Sanchez's jacket over the victim's head. They walked her out of the bathroom and then left her. She went into the girl's bathroom, then exited and saw the two suspects coming back. She then left the area and told school staff what had happened.   

Rockville High School Principal
Billie-Jean Bensen.  (MCPS)
The police report further states that Montano was interviewed on March 16 "at which time he denied having any sexual contact with Victim A. Montano stated that they went to the bathroom to tell jokes." The forensics specialist for the police then "processed the boy's bathroom and observed suspected blood that may be mixed with male fluid."
Based upon the interviews and forensics information, the police detective stated there was probable cause to arrest Montano and Sanchez-Milian. 
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an "immigration detainer" was placed on "Henry Sanchez-Milian, a citizen of Guatemala, on March 17, 2017, after he was arrested by Montgomery County Police on criminal charges."
ICE "places detainers on individuals who have been arrested on local criminal charges and who are suspected of being deportable, so that ICE can take custody of those individuals when they are released from local custody," said ICE spokesman Matthew Bourke.
ICE is not able to comment on Jose Montano's immigration status because he is a minor, said Bourke. 
On Friday, the principal of the Rockville High School, Billie-Jean Benson, issued the following letter to parents:  
"I am writing to inform you about a serious incident that occurred at our school yesterday, March 16, 2017, and share with you how it is being addressed.
"It was reported to administration that a student was sexually assaulted by two students in a restroom.  We immediately contacted the Montgomery County Police Department.  The police conducted an investigation and subsequently executed arrests on school property of the alleged assailants. I am unable to share further details at this time as this is an ongoing police investigation.
"Ensuring a safe, secure and welcoming learning environment for all of our students is our top priority. Our staff remains vigilant in the monitoring of our school each and every day. Please remind your child that if they believe they are a victim of an assault or see something inappropriate, they should immediately tell a staff member."

Jack R. Smith, superintendent of Montgomery County
Public Schools.  (MCPS) 
Also, on Sunday, March 19, the superintendent of schools for Montgomery County, Jack R. Smith, issued a statement that, in part, said: "I know community members have many questions about this serious incident. To ensure we do not unintentionally prejudice an ongoing investigation, MCPS cannot provide any additional details about this specific case at this time.  However, we believe more information about this incident will be made available by law enforcement in the coming weeks.
"The safety and security of every student in our district is our top priority and a responsibility that we do not take lightly. We have and will continue to work every day to ensure our schools are safe places to learn."
 


















 













 

Clarence Williams, 26, and Gerry Thomas, 28, both of Paterson, New Jersey set a car on fire to cover up the murder of other Paterson vicitms





Clarence Williams (left) and Gerry Thomas (right)

The city of Paterson, New Jersey is a cesspool of murderers, thieves, corrupt politicians, corrupt judges, corrupt prosecutors, corrupt sheriff and so on.  That is why the city is in the doldrums.

PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) -- Two Paterson men were arrested in the murder of two men discovered dead in a car owned by a cast member of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey."

Clarence Williams, 26, and Gerry Thomas, 28, both of Paterson, were arrested Monday and charged with felony murder, conspiracy to commit felony murder, robbery, arson and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.




Pictured: Aaron Anderson
The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office identified the victims as 27-year-old Aaron Anderson and 25-year-old Antonio Vega Jr., both of Paterson. Their deaths were ruled homicides.

They were discovered dead Friday morning in an Audi S Line registered to Kim DePaola, who has appeared regularly on the "Real Housewives of New Jersey."




(Photo/New York Post)
The car was found near the intersection of East 28th Street and 14th Avenue in Paterson. It was set of fire and the two bodies were found inside.

Police said both victims had been shot in the back of the head.

MEXICANS ARE NO THIEVES OR RAPISTS OR KILLERS (YEAH, SURE): Martin Mauricio Ortega, is the Mexican thief of the Patriots jersey


MEXICANS ARE NO THIEVES OR RAPISTS OR KILLERS (YEAH, SURE):
Tom Brady's stolen Super Bowl jerseys found in possession of international media member,
Martin Mauricio Ortega

Tom Brady's stolen jersey from this year's Super Bowl has been recovered after being found in the possession of a member of the international media, according to the NFL.

The league announced Monday that the New England Patriots quarterback's game-worn jersey from Super Bowl LI and another jersey, missing from Super Bowl XLIX, were retrieved after an investigation led by the FBI.

The jerseys were found in Mexico and currently are being authenticated by authorities, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said.Authorities recovered two Tom Brady jerseys, including this one, which appears to be the one he wore in Super Bowl XLIX, which was played on grass in Glendale, Arizona. Photos of Brady after that game indicate the same pattern of grass stains. Mexican Attorney General’s Office

The Mexican Editorial Organization (OEM), a major newspaper publishing company, has identified the man allegedly involved in the case as Martin Mauricio Ortega, who was a director of one of its newspapers, Diario La Prensa, until he resigned last Tuesday.

OEM announced in a statement Monday that it accepted Ortega's resignation, citing his previous mentions of family health issues, and said it had no previous knowledge of his alleged involvement in the case.

A Denver Broncos helmet, believed to belong to star pass-rusher Von Miller, from Super Bowl 50, also was recovered with the two Brady jerseys, sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. Officials currently are trying to authenticate the helmet.


"I am happy my jerseys from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered, and I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved. I know they worked hard on this case -- and it is very much appreciated. Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience."

A law enforcement source told ESPN that authorities used footage from Fox, which showed Ortega entering the locker room and, with his back to the camera, reaching into Brady's bag and putting the jersey into a black plastic bag and leaving.

Authorities went over approximately 20,000 credentials, and eventually settled on Ortega as a person of interest, leading to Monday's announcement. A source also told ESPN that authorities found stickers inside the helmet -- one each for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps -- which led them to believe it belonged to Miller.

"I am happy my jerseys from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered, and I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved. I know they worked hard on this case -- and it is very much appreciated. Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience," Brady said in a statement released via his agent, Don Yee.

Acevedo noted during a news conference Monday that the jerseys are in the possession of the FBI in Boston, and law enforcement was working to authenticate them.

Acevedo mentioned a "suspect" in the case but did not say whether anyone was in police custody. He also tweeted about the recovery of the jerseys.

"Through the cooperation of the NFL and New England Patriots' security teams, the FBI and other law enforcement authorities, the Super Bowl LI jersey worn last month by MVP Tom Brady has been recovered," the NFL said in its statement. "Also retrieved during the ongoing investigation was the jersey Brady wore in the Patriots' victory in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks in 2015.

"The items were found in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media. Due to the ongoing investigation, we would refer any additional questions to the FBI."

Following the Patriots' 34-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, Brady immediately realized his jersey had been taken from a bag he had put it in in the locker room.

"It's unfortunate, because that's a nice piece of memorabilia," Brady told the media a day later. "If it shows up on eBay or something, somebody let me know. I'll try to track that down. ... Those are pretty special ones to keep. But what can you do? I'll take the ring. That's good enough for me."

A week later, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, on the Fox Business Network, compared taking the Brady jersey to "taking a great Chagall or Picasso."

In its report, the Houston Police assigned a value of $500,000 to the jersey, the same number that sports auctioneer Ken Goldin, who has sold game-used Brady jerseys before, said he believed it was worth if it were to hit the open market. Game-used Brady jerseys from regular-season games have been sold in the $50,000 range.

The Houston police classified the alleged theft of Brady's Super Bowl LI jersey as a first-degree felony.

YOU CANNOT HANDLE THE WATER: LA Mayor proclaimed a state of emergency Monday, citing concerns that melting snowpack in the eastern Sierra Nevada could cause flood damage




Garcetti calls for state of emergency amid concerns that flooding could damage DWP facilities



A winter scene from January near Bishop, Calif. Los Angeles officials are concerned that melting snow along the eastern Sierra Nevada could harm Department of Water and Power facilities. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti proclaimed a state of emergency Monday, citing concerns that melting snowpack in the eastern Sierra Nevada could flood homes and highways in the Owens Valley and damage the Los Angeles Aqueduct.

The proclamation, which takes effect immediately and lasts seven days, is designed to help the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power protect its pumps, pipes and reservoirs in the Owens Valley and surrounding areas.


Although the head of the DWP downplayed the immediate threat level, Garcetti called the potential for infrastructure damage “very, very high,” adding that he doesn’t “want lives to be upended, families hurt, jobs lost because we waited too long and didn’t take action.”

Recent storms have dumped record levels of snow in the Sierra Nevada, helping ease the drought and swelling reservoirs. But melting snowpack and heavy rains have also sparked alarm about flooding.

Few details about the proclamation were available before Garcetti’s news conference, prompting criticism from City Councilwoman Nury Martinez.

Martinez, who chairs the council’s Energy and Environment committee, said her office had been seeking information about the emergency proclamation since Thursday, but hadn’t received any information from the DWP.

She said she learned about it after a media advisory and in the news.

“There was no communication to the City Council or the council president in terms of this declaration,” Martinez said Monday afternoon at a hearing on the emergency proclamation.

DWP General Manager David Wright said at the hearing that the proclamation “sounds more ominous” than it is, but conceded the utility had fallen short in its communications with city leaders.

“We failed,” Wright told reporters after the event. “We should have spent more time briefing the City Council.”

With the proclamation, which the council must renew every 14 days, the DWP can fast-track its contracting process to allow the utility to dig trenches to divert water runoff, for example. The proclamation also allows the city to seek federal and state funds.

Richard Harasick, director of water operations at the DWP, said severe flooding could cause as much as $500 million in damage at Owens Lake. He described such flooding as a potential “train wreck” the city is trying to control.

The city is legally bound to suppress airborne dust from the lake after Los Angeles drained the body of water several decades ago.

Vegetation such as saltgrass that is being used as a dust control measure at the lake would be wiped out, Harasick warned. Pipes and pumps that sprinkle the lake with water could also be damaged, he said.

The DWP said Monday's order is the first emergency proclamation the city has issued for excess snowpack runoff.

Inyo County Administrator Kevin Carunchio said the county is likely to follow with a similar emergency proclamation next week. “Everyone up here is concerned about the spring runoff,” Carunchio said.

He described a worst-case scenario in which the Los Angeles Aqueduct would be damaged by floods, cutting off the water supply to the city.

Marty Adams, DWP’s chief operating officer, downplayed the possibility of such an event. He said the utility is more worried about silt getting into the aqueduct and the potential for overflow.

The Columbia river stage in Oregon is at 16 feet, a half foot above minor flood stage, and is expected to get even higher in the next few days.




Swollen Columbia River Flooding Trails And Parks

By Jim Ferretti
|
Mar 21, 5:11 AM

KGW

PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW) — The Columbia river is at 16 feet, about a half foot above minor flood stage, and is expected to get even higher in the next few days.

As a result, some parks, trails and even some roads are now underwater.

The swollen Columbia River has inundated Chinook Landing boat ramp and park in Fairview. What normally is a grassy park and a beach alongside the river is all underwater.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office River Patrol said it’s already seeing problems. That’s because the water is not just deep, it’s also moving extremely fast and is full of debris.

“The debris is the worst part of it, any time the water rises, anything that’s on the bank goes back into the water,” explained Lt. Marc Shrake. “Water is moving fast so you’re going to get from small sticks to large root balls going down the river.”

The beaches at Sauvie Island are also shrinking as the Columbia swells, as are many trails and even some roads, including the one leading to Michael Johnson’s usual fishing spot.

“I’ve never seen that much water,” explained Johnson. “I mean I’ve seen… just about a foot or so but not this deep.”

While the Columbia is above flood stage, the Willamette River, although high, still has a ways to go. Its flood stage is 18 feet. It will likely get to about 17 feet by the end of the week.

Another wood-framed apartment complex goes up in smoke, as the multimillion-dollar CityPlace development in Overland Park, Kansas turns to ashes







Another wood-framed apartment complex goes up in smoke, as the multimillion-dollar CityPlace development in Overland Park, Kansas turns to ashes
Firefighters are battling a massive fire at an apartment complex in Overland Park. (KCTV5) 

 
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (WIBW) — Firefighters are mopping up after a huge fire spread from a suburban Kansas City apartment complex that was under construction to more than a dozen homes.

KCTV-TV reports that Overland Park Fire Department spokesman Jason Rhodes says crews have put out the fire at the multimillion-dollar CityPlace development in Overland Park, Kansas. He says the crews will focus Tuesday on investigating each fire and making sure all flames have been extinguished.

Firefighters battled at least 17 house fires after the fire started Monday. Rhodes says eight to ten of those homes were "significantly impacted." Three firefighters were transported to the hospital, but all are listed in fair condition. He says everyone has been accounted for and that it is "really fortunate" that there are no significant injuries.

WOOD-FRAMED APARTMENTS ARE CHEAPER, BUT POSE A HIGHER LEVEL OF RISK OF FIRE

 











Wood-framed apartment construction is booming in the Triangle.

By Jonah Kaplan
Monday, March 20, 2017 06:47PM
RALEIGH, North Carolina (WTVD) -- The impact from Thursday's fire in downtown Raleigh is spreading far beyond the City of Oaks.

According to market research from Real Data, there are more than 10,000 apartments under construction or proposed throughout the Triangle.

Most, if not all of those units, are built with wood frames.

"The wood is available and very affordable," David Pard, Vice President of Sales at Talbert Building Supply, told ABC11. "There is a smaller supply of concrete and steel, which would delay construction just waiting for the materials."


In Durham alone, city officials report 1,600 apartments have gone up since 2010, with at least 400 more on the way. Pard says building with concrete or steel would require a more expensive workforce, too.

"The construction and using of metal framing is not the same carpenter as the person who's building with wood," Pard said.

Indeed, wood does carry risks because of its flammable contents. Pard says some wood products also have chemicals in them to resist insects, decay and moisture. Still, Pard insists that wood is safe when fire protections are put in place - which are required by law.  However, many wood-framed apartments throughout the country have gone up in smoke in the recent years, like the Avalon in Edgewater, New Jersey.


"The fire-safety industry works very closely with the building industry and our codes align themselves so a lot of protective measures are put in place."

North Carolina's building codes are governed by international standards, mandating that all wood-framed apartment complexes have tested and approved sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers at specified locations, access to exits, and-repellent doors that resists flames for at least two hours.

The doors, however, cannot be installed until the walls are finished - which is why Metropolitan did not have those protections in place.

For more information on building and fire codes, visit:

http://codes.iccsafe.org/

State building codes









Couple watches as downtown Raleigh fire engulfs building (ABC11 Photographer/Adolfo Ibarra)