Daily Archives: January 29, 2020

Despite various permit extensions, work appears to have again stalled at a long-shuttered gas station in downtown Howell.

The City has been working for years to bring the property at 401 East Grand River back to a viable use. Its the former Citgo gas station at the corner of Barnard and Grand River. Plans to re-open a gas station on the site were actually approved by the City back in 2016 but nothing ever happened. Permits were again issued last year to the owner, Fadi Kajy of Wixom-based FPD Properties, but were then revoked again due to lack of action. In December, permits were again granted but with weekly milestones included to keep them on task and city officials were reluctantly hopeful the project would continue to move forward.

At Monday nights City Council meeting, a less than positive update was provided on the situation. Interim Howell City Manager Erv Suida tells WHMI they spent a considerable amount of time and effort with the property owner trying to get the gas station up and running and also made some extensions to their permit in good faith. He says the owner has done some work such as landscaping restoration and some clean-up. A dumpster enclosure was also out in and a concrete pad was poured. Suida says the agreement with the City was through January 2020 and it doesnt look like the owner will meet that. He says theyll be back in touch with him and see what actions they can take but are pretty disappointed.

The City has fielded countless complaints about the property and issued various tickets. Kajy was previously cited by the city for making repairs without a permit as well as for allowing junk to accumulate on the property. The City had also tried to initiate dangerous building proceedings last year but the designation no longer applied - on the premise that the unsafe conditions had been rectified so it was considered just a vacant building. Its unclear how things will proceed now but regular updates have been being provided at Council meetings. If the project does ever move forward fully, its expected the station would have two new pumps with four fueling stations and a remodeled interior. (JM)

Originally posted here:

Limited Progress Being Made On Eyesore Gas Station In Howell - WHMI

Democratic White House hopefulJoe BidenJoe BidenPerry delegation talking points stressed pushing Ukraine to deal with 'corruption' GOP senator airs anti-Biden ad in Iowa amid impeachment trial Biden photobombs live national news broadcast at one of his rallies MOREin his last ad before the Iowa caucuses isemphasizing his electability and asking voters to imaginewhat could happen if he is elected in November.

Imagine all the progress we can make in the next four years. Imagine a country where affordable health care is a right, not a privilege,"the former vice presidentsays in the ad, which was first reported by Politico.

What we imagine today, you can make a reality," he adds. "But first we need to beat Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpCNN's Don Lemon explains handling of segment after Trump criticism NPR reporter after Pompeo clash: Journalists don't interview government officials to score 'political points' Lawyer says Parnas can't attend Senate trial due to ankle bracelet MORE. Then there will be no limit to what we can do."

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Biden in the ad also lists priorities such as health care legislation and an assault weapons ban.

The 30-second spot will reportedly run on Iowa TV stations and on the streaming service Hulu through next Monday, when Iowa voters willturn out for the first contest of the 2020 primary.

Biden trails a surging Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersNew campaign ad goes after Sanders by mentioning heart attack Biden on whether Sanders can unify party as nominee: 'It depends' Steyer rebukes Biden for arguing with supporter he thought was Sanders voter MORE (I-Vt.) by 3 percentage points in Iowa, according to aRealClearPolitics average of recent polling. Sanders has 25 percent support just days before the caucuses, compared to Biden's 22 percent.

The former vice president has sought to emphasize his moderate views and electabilityas he faces off againstSanders, a hero of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

Read the rest here:

Biden asks Iowa voters in final ad to 'imagine all the progress we can make' | TheHill - The Hill

While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, well use ROE to better understand Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ:PRGS).

Progress Software has a ROE of 8.0%, based on the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each $1 of shareholders equity it has, the company made $0.08 in profit.

View our latest analysis for Progress Software

The formula for ROE is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders Equity

Or for Progress Software:

8.0% = US$26m US$330m (Based on the trailing twelve months to November 2019.)

Most know that net profit is the total earnings after all expenses, but the concept of shareholders equity is a little more complicated. It is all the money paid into the company from shareholders, plus any earnings retained. Shareholders equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company.

ROE measures a companys profitability against the profit it retains, and any outside investments. The return is the profit over the last twelve months. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, as a general rule, a high ROE is a good thing. Clearly, then, one can use ROE to compare different companies.

By comparing a companys ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As shown in the graphic below, Progress Software has a lower ROE than the average (11%) in the Software industry classification.

That certainly isnt ideal. It is better when the ROE is above industry average, but a low one doesnt necessarily mean the business is overpriced. Nonetheless, it could be useful to double-check if insiders have sold shares recently.

Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but wont affect the total equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used.

While Progress Software does have some debt, with debt to equity of just 0.89, we wouldnt say debt is excessive. Its ROE isnt particularly impressive, but the debt levels are quite modest, so the business probably has some real potential. Judicious use of debt to improve returns can certainly be a good thing, although it does elevate risk slightly and reduce future optionality.

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better.

But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

Of course Progress Software may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have high ROE and low debt.

If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned.

We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading.

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Read This Before Judging Progress Software Corporations (NASDAQ:PRGS) ROE - Simply Wall St

I have watched from 200 miles away how Old Lyme Selectmen have neglected the law and their responsibility at the expense of an 82-year-old resident. As detailed in Julia Werths article, for 4 years Dave Berggren has watched his home and property be destroyed by beavers who continue to block the Bucky Brook waterway, causing his property to be flooded.

With black mold now rampant in his house, the town of Old Lyme is to blame for Mr. Berggrens nightmare. Neither Former First Selectman Bonnie Reemsnyder nor current First Selectman Tim Griswold have cared enough to take action. Years ago, Reemsnyder directly ignored Mr. Berggrens plea for help and now Tim Griswold disputes the statute and claims that he doesnt know where the dams are located.

The law is clear it is Old Lymes responsibility to clear waterways whether natural or man-made. It is infuriating to read article after article over the last 7 months about this mans property becoming uninhabitable while politicians apparently dont care and seem to be waiting for him to die. I find the leadership in Old Lyme as well as Old Lyme Land Trust (owners of the dam-riddled property) behavior to be egregious and shameful. At this point, one can only hope that Dave Berggren sues the hell out of them.

Lee DetwilerJenkintown, PA

Post Views: 91

Originally posted here:

Letter: No Progress on Beaver Flooding in Old Lyme - CT Examiner

LANSING (WXYZ) Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her second State of the State address Wednesday, and she'll be outlining her priorities for the next year.

RELATED: Roads, infrastructure top Whitmer's agenda in State of the State Address

Ahead of the speech, 7 Action News is highlighting the promises made in her first State of the State address one year ago. We're looking at the successes, the failures and the ones still in progress.

Let's take a look back at those promises.

On Those "Damn Roads"Lets get it done and lets fix the damn roads, said Gov. Whitmer on the house floor in Lansing on Feb. 12.

This promise received an enthusiastic applause. However, a year later, Michigans roads are still the prominent priority where progress has eluded the Whitmer administration. The partisan fight to find funding to fix the roads poisoned much of the governors paramount priorities promised in her first State of the State speech, including when the budget would be completed.

7 Action News has been looking at road issues across counties in our Getting Around Metro Detroit coverage. The reports, can can be found here, outlining what's working and what isn't when it comes to Michigan roads.

The governor's office responded saying, "The governor is still the only person who's put a real solution on the table to actually fix the roads. She's ready to work with anyone to solve this problem, but Republicans have offered nothing but a half-baked idea to raid teacher pensions and letting our roads return to gravel. That's it. In 2020, Republicans can either choose to work with the governor to get the job done, or they can choose to run on a dirt road agenda heading into November. The people of Michigan are demanding action and we can't afford to wait."

On the Budget"I give kudos to Gov. Snyder," Whitmer said. "Budgets got done before a break happened. We are going to stick to that."

However, that didn't happen.

David Dulio, Oakland University Political Science professor and co-author of the book "Michigan Government, Politics and Policy," explains why that expectation may have been too lofty.

"Gov. Snyder was working with a friendly legislature," Dulio said. "Gov. Whitmer, again, has got divided government."

The divided government dichotomy derailed many proposals offered in that first address.

"Gov. Whitmer was the only one to put forward a real budget with solutions," a spokesperson for the governor said in an email to 7 Action News. "She introduced her budget recommendation in March and didnt receive Republican bills until September. The budget was not done by break because the legislature went on vacation BUT we got a law passed that said they need it done by July 1."

On FOIA"Let's expand FOIA to my office and to yours," Whitmer said while addressing the legislature, which is still exempt from Freedom of Information requests.

"We need to expand the Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act to include protections for the LGBTQ community," she added

The governor's office responded saying, "The Governor has promised to sign legislation that extends FOIA to her office and the legislature, and that treats them the same in relevant respects. She remains committed to that promise. This too takes legislative action. The website http://www.michigan.gov/sunshine [michigan.gov] voluntarily discloses public calendars for the Governor and Lt. Governor, along with the governors federal income tax returns and personal financial information."

Watch Gov. Whitmer's first State of the State address below.

On LGBTQ ProtectionsWhitmer's administration has strengthened protections for LGBTQ state employees. However, LGBTQ Michiganders can still be fired or kicked out of an apartment for their sexual orientation, though a push to bring Elliot-Larson expansion to voters via a ballot initiative is currently under way by a committee called Fair and Equal Michigan.

The governor's office says to make further changes, it will require legislative action.

On Hands-Free DrivingIt is time for Michigan to join the 16 states that have passed hands-free laws to keep our roads and our kids safe," said Whitmer in 2019.

The state is yet to pass a hands-free law.

"You cant help but look at some of these and say 'Really? You cant get together and do that?,'" Dulio said.

The governor's office responded saying, "This passed one chamber. It required legislative action to get this done after Governor Whitmer made her call to action."

On SuccessesWhitmer has found success in the form of criminal justice and car insurance reform.

"Just because they weren't part of the State of the State priorities from 2019 doesn't mean that they shouldn't be applauded in 2020," Dulio said.

On EducationAnother State of the State priority is yet to be determined.

"I am announcing a new statewide goal of increasing the number of Michiganders between the ages of 16 and 64 with a post-secondary credential to 60 percent by 2030," Whitmer said.The most recent data available sets Michigan at 45 percent, according to the nonpartisan Lumina Foundation.

This is still a priority, according to Gov. Whitmer's office, and Michiganders can expect to hear more about this in the future.

Sarah Stark is a 22-year type 1 diabetic, whose insulin cost have skyrocketed. (One of Slotkins marquee policy initiatives is prescription drug cost.) pic.twitter.com/kt0gXYieoX

Brian Abel (@BrianAbelTV) January 28, 2020

On Bipartisanship Lastly, on bipartisanship, Gov. Whitmer's office says that she has been and remains committed to working across the aisle.

"Governor Whitmer has been and remains committed to working with anyone who wants to work with her on finding real solutions to address issues facing Michigan residents," according to a spokesperson for Whitmer. "She remains ready to work with the legislature when they want to get things done that will benefit the people of Michigan.

It's been proven they can work together."

The spokesperson also outlined what has worked under bipartisanship in the state since Whitmer was elected. After six straight years of having the highest auto insurance rates in the nation, historic bipartisan auto insurance reform legislation was passed.

7 Action News will be livestreaming Gov. Whitmer's second State of the State address at 7 p.m. online and in the wxyz.com app.

More:

Gov. Whitmer's progress a year after her first State of the State address - WXYZ

[This story contains spoilers from the season one finale of Showtime's Work in Progress.]

On Sunday, Showtime's Work in Progress Chicago-based comedian Abby McEnany's semi-autobiographical comedy wrapped its marvelous debut season. Created by McEnany and Tim Mason and co-written by executive producer Lilly Wachowski, the series starts with an offbeat and decidedly dark premise: The fictional Abby resolves to kill herself if her life doesn't improve in six months (with each of the 180 days represented by an almond, a quiet "fuck you" to the nosy, micro-aggressive co-worker who suggested Abby eat more of the nuts to lose weight). But on the same day she sets that countdown for herself, she meets a love interest, Chris (Theo Germaine), who doesn't exactly weaken Abby's resolve, but certainly gives her more to live for.

Featuring a kind of protagonist we still see too rarely queer, fat, middle-aged, mentally ill, unglamorous, uncharmingly neurotic, even gray-haired and four-eyed Work in Progress arrived fully realized and brutally funny. Below, Hollywood Reporter critics Inkoo Kang and Robyn Bahr discuss what makes the Showtime series so excellent and distinct. There will be spoilers, but details of the finale only appear at the end of the story.

Inkoo Kang: It's only January, but I already feel like Work in Progress has a healthy shot at making my top 10 list for 2020. A lot of that, I think, is due to the show's unobtrusive but clever advancements in representation. I love how Abby, whose circle of friends are fellow 40-something lesbians, is destabilized by her first relationship with a trans man. I love that she works as a temp instead of as a comedian, the case with so many semi-autobiographical shows by and about comedians. And while I think Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Rebecca Bunch is a genius creation, I love that Abbys depression, anxiety, OCD and all-around low self-esteem don't make her some sort of hyper-focused savant, as in so many Hollywood productions. In contrast to Harvard-educated lawyer Rebecca, Abby is a vulnerable contractor whose mental-health symptoms, like her excessive hand-washing, are noticed by her co-workers and rudely commented on. And because worrying about her mental illnesses takes up so much of her cognitive load, Abby frequently comes across as narcissistic, since she has to think about herself a lot more than she does about anyone else. And of course, that's alienating! So few shows feel so honest about the everyday isolation of mental illness, as opposed to the stylized disenchantment of, say, Joker.

Robyn Bahr: One hundred percentagree. Work in Progress already feels like one of the great surprises of 2020, despite the fact that it technically debuted in 2019. Like Abby's signature primal screams we need more women screaming on TV that has nothing to do with them being murdered! the comedy at first comes off as a novelty. The tiny, funny, quirky half-hour could merely have been a queer Curb Your Enthusiasm for a therapy-seeking audience: "Look! Abby put her foot in her mouth again!"Instead, the narrative caramelizes over eight episodes, its flavor deepening beyond the ultra-ironic tone of the series cold open, where Abby discusses her suicide plan only to look up and notice her therapist slack-jawed and extremely dead. Soon, her frustrated scream isn't just a wacky or cloying TV idiosyncrasy but an intrinsically empathizable coping mechanism, a guttural"Fuck this shit." We're meant to love Abby and relate to her flaws. We're also meant to be alienated by her spiraling anxieties and intrinsic self-involvement. I, too, adore the choice to make her a perma-temp and not a professional comedian, which wisely pushes back against the ableist, inspiration-porny "mental illness as genius" trope we see all over entertainment.

Notice how Abby is the only character we truly get to know over eight episodes: Her sister, her boyfriend and her best friend all orbit her, but we ultimately know very little about them. For example, the show has hinted at Chris' trauma a trans man who comes from a rural home life and is so pained by his dead name that he inadvertently baits Abby's obsessiveness when he tells her it's the one thing she can never ask about yet we get none of what makes him tick, only what triggers Abby. She's practically the definition of "vulnerable narcissism," which is why I particularly loved the fourth episode, one of the best of the season, which centers on bathrooms. For Abby, bathrooms are fraught places, sites of social anguish where her gender nonconformity intersects with her disability. The episode sets you up for a bathroom confrontation where Abby will finally get to tell someone off for denigrating her gender presentation and ritualistic hand-washing. Instead, she's confronted by her own victim mentality. At a Dolly Parton concert (probably the only place in the world that draws eager pilgrims from across the sociopolitical spectrum, from nuns to dude bros to trans folx), Abby monologues to a bitchy cis lady who demands she leave the public restroom. Her years of pent-up frustration come pouring out as she unleashes a torrent of cruelties ... that immediately bounce right back at her when she reveals her more-oppressed-than-thou self-pity.

Kang: One of the things that makes Work in Progress feel so fresh is that Abby's pet obsessions are so idiosyncratic. Some of that specificity has to do with the show's larger project of queer world-building, like Abby's possibly-in-love-with-her-best-friend Campbell (Celeste Pechous), and Abby's lifelong hatred of the otherwise long-forgotten Saturday Night Live character Pat. (Amazingly, Julia Sweeney, the actress who played Pat, not only apologizes for Pat while appearing as a version of herself here, but her fictional character is married to "Weird" Al Yankovic, who, like all cis straight men in Work in Progress, is dreadfully dull.) But other character specificities, like Abby's "conversations" with the picture of her dead therapist on her phone background, her crush on Vincent D'Onofrio (the bug guy from Men in Black!), and her inability to call a Lyft without ordering a shared car (big difference!) make the show's universe feel wonderfully lived-in.

Can we talk about how sexy Work in Progress can be? Robyn, you mentioned Chris' one absolute no-go, but in that same episode, the couple, in a series of Lyft shares, reveal their preferences to one another several hours before their first time together, ratcheting up the anticipation for the big night. Chris wants Abby to avoid his chest, since he hasn't been able to afford top surgery yet, Abby shares that she has herpes, and we find out later that even the red glow from the alarm clock is too much light for the ultra-self-conscious neurotic. We listen, in the dark, as they fumble and rustle and moan, and I appreciate the fact that we hear both of them orgasm. Conservatives tend to mock straw-men college students for suggesting everyone play a game of 20 Questions before sex to ensure consent, but this episode is such an urgent and necessary and scintillating illustration of how much better sex can be with open and honest communication.

And yet, if I'm being honest with myself, I don't quite know if Abby deserves Chris. Do you root for them as a couple? And do you have a sense of what Chris sees in her, since I can't say I entirely do?

Bahr: Sigh. I'm a giant mush, so yes, I root for them. Here's to fellow fat chicks bagging conventionally hot guys! But I'm not sure how to measure the idea of "deserving" versus "undeserving" here. Chris is a fantasy: a fit, supportive, emotionally intelligent guy with a welcoming group of friends, and only a suggestion of personal baggage. Abby is full-frontal with her faults, but Chris doesn't seem quite real enough, because we don't get to see any of his. (Another way the show brilliantly angles us completely toward Abby's perspective and her rose-colored glasses when it comes to him.) As a lifelong TV shipper, I can't help but love the idea of seeing a hurt person transformed by a relationship, and I ached to find out what Chris would do when he learned of Abby's "OCD closet," where she hoards decades' worth of diaries like a survivalist stocking up on ammo. Still, I knew in the back of my heart that Abby couldn't and shouldn't rely on another person to "save" her. And I suspect Chris was looking for someone to save him, too. But we don't really have a sense of his arc because Abby is such a vortex of emotion.

The cold-open where Abby "kills" her therapist during a session in which she confesses her suicidal ideation at first seemed like galaxy-brain gallows humor. But in hindsight, it really sets the stage for the entire season: Abby is looking for an anchor that will keep her tethered to life and believes Chris is it, regardless of whatever shit he's probably dealing with on his own. And I appreciate that when Abby has dinner with her longtime ex in the finale, ostensibly to ask what's wrong with her so she can fix herself for Chris, Melanie (Echaka Agba) immediately calls Abby out on her selfishness.

Admittedly, I am not sure what Chris sought in Abby without diving into Freudian depths of psychoanalysis, which feels seems unfair (and possibly transphobic, as I don't want to assume transition always equals familial trauma). Although we've spent a lot of time picking Abby's imperfections apart (because we both value seeing a truly three-dimensional female protagonist!), let's not forget she's also quite witty and radiant, which is how she's attracted such loyal friends to begin with. I think Chris smiles a lot with her because she's making him laugh all the time. And honestly, isnt it kinda fun to be around bitchy sass-mouths?

The closing scene of the finale gut-punched me because I wasn't ready for Chris to break up with her on the street, especially without a verbal autopsy of their relationship. I'd gotten so used to his unwavering flexibility that to see him stick to his one impermeable boundary was both empowering and heartbreaking. He rejects being her savior. I wanted him to forgive her for her indiscretion, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to forgive her for how she handled seeing his dead name. She should have told him right away that she not-so-accidentally glimpsed his legal name on a prescription bottle, but her fear and panic instead led her to seek the same answer over and over from friends who smartly reminded her that the lying was the problem, not her moment of curiosity and weakness.

So when she decides to stick the knife right back into him and shout his bleeped-out dead name as he walks away, I thought, "This is why he's breaking up with you." Mental illness may explain some behaviors, but it doesn't excuse abusive ones.

Kang: You've laid out pretty much all my thoughts on that heartbreaking yet wholly satisfying breakup, so I'll just note the hilarious scene in which Julia Sweeney dresses up as Woke Pat in an attempt to take back a character whose problematic qualities she feels bad about but hardly grasps. Julia going on stage in a fat suit, curly black wig, and the world's most hideous khakis over Abby's protests is a tragic betrayal and a reminder that, as maddeningly oblivious as our protagonist can be, she lives in a world where precious few truly understand her. Work in Progress shines because it knows Abby so well.

More:

Critics' Conversation: The Brilliant Messiness of Showtime's 'Work in Progress' - Hollywood Reporter

A World Health Organization (WHO) senior leadership team, led by Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, met President Xi Jinping of the Peoples Republic of China in Beijing.

They shared the latest information on the outbreak as of January 28, 2020, and reiterated their mutual commitment to bring the 2019-nCoV outbreak under control.

The discussions focused on continued collaboration to improve containment measures in Wuhan, China, to strengthen public health measures in other cities and provinces, to conduct further studies and transmissibility of the virus, to continue to share data, and for China to share biological material with WHO.

These measures will advance scientific understanding of the virus and contribute to the development of vaccines and treatments.

Patients with 2019-nCoV infection, are presenting with a wide range of symptoms. Most seem to have mild disease, and about 20 percent appear to progress to severe disease, including pneumonia, respiratory failure and in some cases death.

Clinical care of suspected patients with 2019-nCoV infections should focus on early recognition, immediate isolation (separation), implementation of appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and provision of optimized supportive care.

Additionally, the WHO announced it is launching a Global 2019-nCoV Clinical Data Platform to enable WHO Member States to contribute anonymized clinical data in order to inform the public health clinical response.

Furthermore, the WHO is continually monitoring the outbreak developments and the Director-General can reconvene the Emergency Committee on very short notice as needed.

As of January 29, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any preventive or therapeutic vaccine for the 2019-nCoVfor use in the USA.

In response to the current 2019-nCoV virus outbreak, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the NIAID said during an HHS press conference on January 28, 2020, "A phase 1 clinical trial does not mean you have a (coronavirus) vaccine thats ready for deployment. It could take a year or more before a vaccine is ready for sale to the public."

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, says the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coronaviruses that infect animals can also evolve and become a human coronavirus.

The best-known human coronaviruses are Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Outbreaks of a Novel Coronavirus (nCoV), now known as 2019-nCoV, are causing pneumonia-related infections in various counties in 2020.

The WHO said it is convening a bi-weekly call with clinical experts around the globe, to better understand, in real-time, the clinical presentation and treatment interventions.

International news related to the 2019-nCoV outbreak is published by Vax-Before-Travel.

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20% of 2019-nCoV Patients May Progress to Severe Disease - Vax Before Travel

DENTON Representatives from Harper and Sons, Inc., contractors of the new Caroline County Sheriffs Office, met with the Caroline County Commissioners during their work session on Tuesday, Jan. 21, to provide an update on the new facility.

Ron Markey of Harper and Sons, Inc. stated that the building is about 50% complete. After early delays with some ground water issues and specific building materials, the facility is taking shape at the predicted pace.

Markey anticipates shingles will soon be added to the roof and all the windows have been temporarily closed in to allow workers to continue with interior wiring, plumbing and HVAC installation throughout the winter months.

The architectural firm Crosby and Associates have met with county leaders and representatives of Harper and Sons for a progress report every two weeks since the groundbreaking was held April 9, 2019. The building is scheduled to be complete by Sept. 30.

The new facility is going to have a great impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sheriffs Office operation, Sheriff Randy Bounds said.

The Sheriffs Office is currently working out of eight offices in the basement of the Detention Center that occupies 3,823 square feet, and the new building will encompass nearly 13,000 square feet, including a 2-lane sally-port for the secure handling of detainees," Bounds said.

"The new building will also house the patrol and criminal investigation divisions, as well as the sex offender enforcement unit, records division and administration," Bounds said. "A large conference and training room will serve as host to the ever-increasing demands of new laws and procedures that law enforcement personnel are required to stay abreast of.

According to Bounds, the new facility will enhance every aspect of the Sheriffs Office operation.

The current facility simply has not kept pace with the increase in the roles and responsibilities of the Sheriffs Office over the years, Bounds said. While the move will be bitter-sweet for some of the employees who have spent their entire careers in the current facility, all agree that it is a step forward that is long overdue.

Bounds credits the Caroline County Commissioners for their vision and resolve in securing funding to make the new facility possible.

We are blessed to have elected officials who recognize the importance of public safety and have a proven track record of sustaining it as a priority, he said.

Bounds said he is most impressed with the response from the public.

From the beginning, our citizens have taken ownership of the new sheriffs office, Bounds said. Hardly a day goes by without a citizen approaching us with positive comments or questions about the new building, and it is obvious that our citizens are as excited to see its progress as we are.

When all is said and done, this facility is about becoming even better at serving our citizens, Bounds said. Throughout the planning process, we put those that we serve at the forefront. From the convenient well-lit parking to the customer-friendly lobby and private interview rooms, our goal is to have the building centered around great service to our citizens.

Read more:

New sheriffs office making progress, on schedule to open by Sept. - MyEasternShoreMD

There's no denying that the 62nd Grammy Awards made history with performances by more talented women of different genres, generations and walks of life than any award ceremony in recent memory.

Minutes into the show, Lizzo performed a virtuosic flute solo as part of a medley with orchestral accompaniment, and hit the high notes of "Cuz I Love You" with panache. Later, with her bourbon-soaked, husky voice, Tanya Tucker claimed her place as country music royalty with a rendition of "Bring Me My Flowers Now" with Brandi Carlile on piano.

Billie Eilish's whisper-sung "When the Party's Over" and Demi Lovato's gut-wrenching "Anyone" drew tears. Sheila E. rocked out on the timbales during a tribute to Prince. And jaws fell to the floor as H.E.R. nimbly switched from dexterous piano playing to a wailing guitar solo that would've made any Rock & Roll Hall of Famer proud.

Yet hovering over these top-tier displays of talent were the recent allegations of sexism and corruption within the Recording Academy, which presents the Grammy Awards, from Deborah Dugan, the organization's first female CEO.

After being put on administrative leave for allegedly fostering an abusive work environment, Dugan responded with her own accusations. She said she was ousted for speaking out against sexual harassment from the Academy's general counsel, Joel Katz. She also said that the Academy's previous CEO, Neil Portnowthe one who infamously said women need to "step up" in response to questions about sexism in the music industryhad been accused of rape, and that the Academy had covered it up. (Portnow denies the allegations.)

The rest is here:

At the Grammys, Sexism and Scandal Undermine Onstage Progress - KQED

An 85-80 win over the University of Denver at Scheels Center at Sanford Health Athletic Complex was a turnabout from a loss to the Pioneers in late December and the fact the Bison finally won an overtime game erased another demon. NDSU was 0 for 2 in OT games this season.

The program is on the up.

Huge, everything, said Bison junior Emily Dietz, when asked about the improvement in her time at NDSU. You can tell by the way we play. So many people talk to us about how much harder were playing and how much more efficient looking we are. Smarter. Stronger. Yeah, its really exciting.

NDSU lost its Summit League opener 91-82 at Denver. There were times this year, especially before Christmas, when head coach Jory Collins questioned his teams toughness.

Now?

We showed some today, for sure, Collins said. Were a lot more mentally tough. Earlier in the year we wouldnt have bounced back. I know for us six weeks ago we would have had no chance of winning that game with all the turnovers and miscommunication but we found a way in the third and fourth quarter to make some timely plays.

NDSU won despite committing 32 turnovers. In the last week, NDSU has beaten the University of North Dakota and took South Dakota State to the wire on the road. Losses in overtime earlier this year were to Northern Illinois and Western Illinois.

We came out on the short end of the spectrum in those, said Bison forward Rylee Nudell. This felt good. Rewarding.

The Bison were rewarded for their rally to force overtime. Dietzs rebound bucket with 1:11 left ended a Bison cold spell and brought them within 69-65. One possession later, Nudells layup off a feed from Dietz cut the margin to two at 33 seconds.

We did a good job of executing and listening to what Jory had to say, Nudell said. The whole game we wanted to get it into the post and when we fed the post good things happened.

That was true at the end of regulation. A DU turnover on an out-of-bounds pass gave NDSU a last chance and Dietz converted inside with 6.8 seconds remaining. The second half ended with another Pioneer turnover.

It took until the fourth quarter before NDSU found a workable lineup solution. Seven straight points by the Pioneers late in the third quarter and, later, a layup off a Bison turnover in the final seconds gave DU a 51-45 advantage heading to the final 10 minutes.

We probably played as poorly as weve played in a month in the first quarters, Collins said. That was unlike how weve been playing lately.

The Bison didnt fold. Nudells three-point play gave NDSU its first lead of the half at 58-56 with 6:27 remaining and the fight was on to the finish. Moreover, the Bison steadied the ship after the rash of turnovers.

That was pretty ugly, Dietz said. But that shows you how weve continued to improve and we pulled out the win. Its something we talk about. Like I said, even with 32 turnovers we ended up getting the win. Whats it going to look like when we keep (the turnovers) under 15?

Denver was without head coach Jim Turgeon, who was placed on administrative leave last week according to a school spokesperson. The team was led by assistant Kayla Ard, who was one of four finalists for the Bison head coaching position last spring.

The Pioneers beat the University of North Dakota 91-81 on Friday.

Denver 19 33 51 69 80

NDSU 11 33 45 69 85

DENVER (9-12, 3-5 Summit): Nelson 12-25 2-2 26, Ezeudu 2-10 3-4 8, Johnson 1-6 0-0 3, Loven 5-13 1-2 13, Gritt 0-0 1-2 1, Boyd 5-14 7-8 19, Malonga 1-4 0-0 2, Jackson 4-8 0-0 8, Foster 0-0 0-0 0, Zulich 0-0 0-0 0, Deem 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 30-80 14-18.

NDSU (5-14, 2-5 Summit): Nudell 6-7 5-5 18, Dietz 10-16 1-6 21, Zivaljevic 3-6 0-0 8, Cobbins 5-9 3-3 14, Rimdal 0-1 2-2 2, Gaislerova 2-8 0-0 5, Scales 3-7 4-6 11, Terrer van Gool 1-1 0-0 2, Voegeli 2-4 0-0 4, Skibiel 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 32-59 17-24. Total fouls: DU 19, NDSU 24. Fouled out: Gritt. Rebounds: DU 33 (Nelson 10); NDSU 46 (Dietz 13). 3-point goals: DU 6-27 (Nelson 0-3, Ezeudu 1-4, Loven 1-2, Boyd 2-7, Malonga 0-1, Jackson 0-3); NDSU 4-18 (Nudell 1-2, Zivaljevic 0-3, Cobbins 1-3, Rimdal 0-1, Gaislerova 1-4, Scales 1-5). Assists: DU 13 (Boyd 4); NDSU 17 (Cobbins 5). Turnovers: DU 17 (Johnson 4); NDSU 32 (Zivaljevic 8). A-537.

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Bison women showing progress, rally to defeat Denver - INFORUM