Georgia Trust Award
The restoration of two landmarks on the University of Georgia Tifton campus earned recognition from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.UGA-Tifton, along with the UGA Office of University Architects, Menefee Architecture and Allstate Construction, were recognized with the 2019 Excellence in Rehabilitation award by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation for the renovation of the Tift Building and Agricultural Research Building (ARB), iconic campus buildings that were part of the original Coastal Plain Experiment Station.“For many years, these beautiful buildings were underutilized and essentially mothballed,” said Sam Pardue, dean of UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “Now the newly restored buildings are the centerpiece of our campus in Tifton, providing much-needed, updated space for our scientists to work. We are exceptionally proud of the attention to detail and careful preservation of the original character that make these historic buildings special.”Mirroring the mission of Georgia Trust — to preserve and enhance Georgia’s communities and their diverse historic resources — Joe West was committed to restoring these two structures when he became assistant dean of UGA-Tifton in 2008. The Tift Building and ARB had been abandoned and sat vacant for several years.“It’s one of two things; you fix them or they eventually have to be torn down. The condition of the buildings really did not reflect the values or image of the University of Georgia,” West said. “We persevered and we’re very proud of the result.”Plans for reclaiming the Tift Building were put on hold largely due to the U.S. economic recession that began in 2008. While the state of the economy didn’t allow the project to move forward at the time, it was only delayed temporarily. As the economy recovered, the Georgia General Assembly funded the $5 million project, which was completed in 2016. Compared to the cost of demolition and reconstruction, the Tift Building renovations were very cost effective, according to West.The Tift Building houses the assistant dean’s office, business office, UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and support units for the campus. It also contains modern classroom space equipped with the latest in learning technology for faculty and students.The ARB project also received $5 million from the Georgia General Assembly and was restored in 2018. Built in 1937, it was known for years as the Animal and Dairy Science Building. It now houses the departments of animal and dairy science and entomology. High-efficiency LED lighting, extensive fiber-optic cable and wireless internet capabilities make ARB a prime location for research and education.“The renovations have exceeded even our highest expectations. When you undertake a major renovation you expect challenges, financially and otherwise,” West said. “Our team did an excellent job dealing with unexpected challenges, was fiscally responsible and gave us these wonderful results. They’re everything we dreamed they would be.”The restoration of the Tift Building and ARB were completed in time for celebrations marking UGA-Tifton’s centennial this year. On May 3, the campus will host events throughout the day to commemorate its addition to the Tifton, Georgia, community 100 years ago.For more information about UGA-Tifton, see tifton.caes.uga.edu.
The Vermont House of Representatives took action this afternoon to pass a bill to help individuals and towns devastated by the spring flooding and Tropical Storm Irene. The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Taxes to reimburse municipalities for property tax abatements granted in the wake of those natural disasters. The bill passed unanimously and is now on its way to the Senate. Speaker Shap Smith and Representatives Oliver Olsen and Ann Manwaring released the following statements on the passage of H461:‘In the storms of the past year, significant damage was done to private properties across the state,’ said Speaker Shap Smith. ‘I am glad we were able to expedite this bill to provide help to those hit hard by natural disaster.’‘This bill provides important tax relief for communities and individuals who were already struggling with the burden of storm related expenditures,’ added Representative Olsen. ‘For me, this early action on the part of the House is personal. It comes as people who had suffered so much needed to see clear evidence of how the state would help them recover from Tropical Storm Irene,’ said Representative Manwaring. ‘It makes me very proud to be a Vermonter and a member of this Legislature.’
Last night, EC volleyball faced off with Franklin County and all three teams came out on top in straight sets. Varsity won with scores of 25-14, 25-17, and 25-21.EC VB vs Franklin County (10-6)‘It wasn’t the best game we’ve played as of late, but we saw a lot of good things. Our servers were trying to be more aggressive and more precise with their serving and our blockers got a lot of touches on the ball. Overall, I’d say it was a good night.’ Trojans Coach Cassie Laker.Varsity is now 18-11 on the season and will face off with Greensburg tomorrow night for senior night. Freshman and JV start at 5.
Brandon Rothzen was first to the checkers in the Saturday IMCA Modified feature at 34 Raceway. (Photo by D & M Racing Photography)By Brian NealWEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (April 22) – Brandon Rothzen returned to the winner’ circle Saturday night at 34 Raceway after holding off Ryan Cook in the IMCA Modified main event.Darrow Lille and Brandon Rothzen led the regular season opening night Victory Lane Suspensions IMCA Modified field to green.Rothzen jumped out front over Cook and Bill Roberts Jr. with the action being slowed for the only time on lap three. On the restart, Rothzen moved back out front with Roberts edging Cook for second.Rothzen started to pull away. Cook closed the gap on Rothzen late in the race, but ran out of laps.Dan Keltner pulled away over the final 10 circuits to win the Casebine Credit Union IMCA SportMod feature. Tom Bowling Jr. raced to his second local Pepsi IMCA Stock Car checkers of the young season.
The Newcastle head coach will go into battle with his West Ham counterpart in the Barclays Premier League almost eight years after they locked horns as international managers when Bilic’s Croatia prevented McClaren’s England from reaching the Euro 2008 finals on an infamous night at Wembley. That rain-soaked evening in November 2007, McClaren, who was later dubbed “the wally with the brolly”, could only look on as his side slipped to a 3-2 home defeat which ultimately cost him his job. Steve McClaren will renew acquaintances with Slaven Bilic on the pitch on Monday evening confident he is a better manager for his experience the last time they met. However, he has since rebuilt his career, principally in Holland, where he guided FC Twente to the Eredivisie title, and believes he is a better manager for what he went through with England. Asked if that Croatia game had changed him, he said: “I hope so, otherwise I would be in trouble. But yes, I think most definitely. “I think we all do, otherwise we have just wasted nearly 10 years of experience doing nothing and not improving, so hopefully, I think so. “He has as well. He has good experience now. It’s difficult coming from a player, the national team and then club, and I think he’s done very well. “But as I say, I have met him. He’s a perfect gentleman and the passion that he shows for his teams, his football, he’s taken that to West Ham and is making them a very good team.” It will not be the first time the two men have met since their fateful encounter at Wembley with the pair having come across each other when Bilic, still in charge of his national team, visited McClaren’s Wolfsburg to run the rule over striker Mario Mandzukic. The Englishman said with a smile: “He came over and that was kind of kiss and make-up, and he’s been very good ever since to me. We have come to know each other and respect each other. “I know a lot of Croatian players, I have had them, and he is typically Croatian a gentleman, passionate about his football and creating wherever he goes very good teams.” Bilic has remarked this week that he may have got the better of McClaren in 2007, but got wet at the same time. The Magpies head coach said: “I hope it stays sunny.” 
Press Association