Latest news with #Quonset
Calgary Herald
20-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
In Calgary courts: Serial rape suspect Richard Mantha was a massive hoarder, his former landlord tells court
Serial rape suspect Richard Robert Mantha left behind thousands of kilograms of garbage on the rental property east of Calgary where he allegedly assaulted several women, his former landlord testified Tuesday. Article content Article content 'Probably the worst hoarder that I've ever met in my life,' Paul Lock told Mantha's Calgary Court of Justice trial, which resumed after a months-long delay. Article content Article content Crown prosecutor Dominique Mathurin took Lock through a series of photographs taken at his Vale View Road acreage following Mantha's April 2023 arrest. Article content Article content 'This photo doesn't give justice to the amount of stuff that was pulled out of there because my property looked like a landfill,' Lock testified. Article content Lock said he rented Mantha a Quonset on his property and in an 18-month period he stuffed it with everything from children's clothing and toys, to dead animals, to human feces, to a 'trashed' fifth-wheel motorhome. Article content 'I did see this (prior to Mantha's arrest) and I thought 'oh my God,'' Lock said. Article content 'He considered himself the highway hobo so if it wasn't bolted down he took it home.' Article content Mantha, 60, faces 20 charges involving allegations he sexually abused seven women, allegedly drugging six of them. He also faces a charge of kidnapping one of the women. Article content Article content Lock said after an 'army' of police officers raided his property over the Easter long weekend in 2023, he was left to clean up the mess his former tenant left behind. Article content He said, '37,426 pounds (nearly 17,000 kilograms) of garbage was removed off that property.' Article content 'That's what went through the scales at the dump.' Article content That amount didn't include recyclable materials, such as metals, which were also taken away. Article content 'After Richard was arrested the $33,000 cleanup began,' Lock said. Article content He said when Mantha first rented the building it was empty and a stipulation was that it be used only for work purposes, not a residence.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rhode Island's Royal Charter inspires lawmaker's idea for coping with tariff troubles
Rep. Joseph McNamara, a Warwick Democrat, thinks state officials should explore establishing trade agreements with international car manufacturers and creating a free trade zone within the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown, one of the top 10 automobile importers in the U.S. (Photo via Quonset Development Corporation) As the international trade war heats up, one Rhode Island lawmaker is proposing the state invoke its royal charter in order to stave off rising import costs. Rep. Joseph McNamara, a Warwick Democrat, sent a letter to Gov. Dan McKee Wednesday urging him to establish 'free trade zones' under the powers granted to the governor by King Charles II in 1663. The document that established the colony of Rhode Island allowed free trade with colonies throughout the world. 'Our state has a long history of resisting unfair authoritative trade mandates and taxes,' McNamara wrote. 'One only has to reflect back on our 252-year history to be reminded of the action that our early colonists took in 1772 when faced with an unlawful British vessel.' He was referring to the HMS Gaspee, the British revenue schooner assigned to patrol Narragansett Bay that ran aground in Warwick and was plundered and burned by a group of colonists led by merchant John Brown. McNamara suggests that the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation explore establishing trade agreements with international car manufacturers and creating a free trade zone within the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown, one of the top 10 automobile importers in the U.S. Quonset imported 304,593 cars last year, up 27% from 239,761 in 2023, according to figures from the Quonset Development Corporation. He pointed to the new air cargo terminal under construction at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport as an ideal location for duty-free imports and proposed that the Port of Providence be renamed the 'Free Trade Port on the East Coast.' McKee spokesperson Andrea Palagi acknowledged a request for comment, saying that a formal response would be sent from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. The Commerce Corporation did not immediately respond to an inquiry. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
CBC
10-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
With Trump tariff uncertainty, this Manitoba manufacturer is doubling down on Canadian pride
Social Sharing The on-again-off-again U.S. decision to slap a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods has some businesses scrambling to plan for an uncertain future. Brandon-based Behlen Industries, a steel building manufacturing company, makes a potato storage Quonset, which is its only product sent to the United States, says senior vice-president Sean Lepper. Its shop was running seven days a week trying to beat the March 4 tariff date threat. "In the last month, we've shipped over 100 loads of steel to the U.S., which is an incredible amount of steel for a product line that would typically ship over the next four months," Lepper said. "It's been very chaotic." If a 25 per cent tariff is implemented, Behlen would most likely see an overnight stoppage of its Quonset production, Lepper said. Overall, though, Lepper expects the tariff impacts to be negligible because Behlen's company structure focuses on domestic production and sales. Behlen doesn't buy anything in the United States and all other products are based in Canada using steel from Hamilton, Regina or Winnipeg. But the tariff threats have created intense uncertainty in the market, and the company is fielding calls from dealers across Canada asking what impacts the tariffs will have on products. Most recently, U.S. President Donald Trump said he's pausing tariffs on some Canadian goods until April 2. Trump's partial climbdown is just another pause and there are more promised tariffs on steel and aluminum coming next week and beyond. Barry Prentice, director of the Transport Institute at the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba, says tariffs could be the catalyst for Canada to build up its resources, including developing critical minerals and increasing transportation connectivity across the country. "We just aren't developing new resources the way we should. So one of the advantages I think that the Trump tornado has done for us is it's really caused us to take a hard look at what we do," Prentice said. "Are we buying from Canadian producers? Are we looking at intervention trade barriers that are blocking trade? Are we looking for new markets?" Planning for uncertainty Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, says this uncertainty has workers across industries bracing for the worst. They're already hearing about some employers seeing fewer orders, which means less work. "Workers are worried about what their future is ... We're already hearing about layoffs," Bruske said. "They're really worried because every tweet from the White House means a different direction.... Regardless of what industry they're in there's that huge amount of anxiety right now." There needs to be an all-hands-on-deck approach to support critical industries like manufacturing that rely on cross-border sales, she says. Lois Ruston, Brandon Chamber of Commerce President, says there is a robust manufacturing industry in Brandon and on Monday the Chamber is sitting down with around a dozen businesses to talk about tariffs and their impacts. Ruston expects encouraging people to buy Canadian will be part of the conversation, she said. "People feel very fearful and they understand the impact that this is going to have on our country and on our economy potentially," she said. "I think that buying local, shopping local, buying Canadian … it gives consumers and everyday Canadians a way to make a statement." But Doug Ramsey, professor in the Department of Rural Development at Brandon University, warns that in the end, buying Canadian may not be enough to make up for the losses created by tariffs. There also needs to be an emphasis on diversification with other markets in Asia and Europe, along with what is produced in Canada. "We need to take the passion that Canadians have now, not for just trying to buy Canadian, but seeking out what is Canadian and ensuring that ... there are more products that are Canadian," he said. "Whether it's pipelines or making sure you buy the steel product that's fabricated in Manitoba or Ontario, that's how we can strengthen our economy and then secure better trade deals with other regions of the world." Canadian support Meanwhile, Behlen is seeing unprecedented interest from across Canada about their products. These calls first started in January around Trump's inauguration and the start of tariff threats, Lepper said. Behlen is seeing new clients because they know it's Canadian-owned and using Canadian products, Lepper said. They're quoting buildings from mining in Newfoundland to mining on Baffin Island and the Arctic to Victoria and everywhere in between. This is helping the Canadian market stay fairly strong for Behlen, despite the uncertainty created by a potential trade war, he said. "We have customers, end users asking and demanding that the product be Canadian, which is really uncommon for us," Lepper said. "Most of the time it would come down to price.... Now it's less about price and more about where it's coming from."
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blatnik Bridge replacement will displace several businesses
Jan. 31—SUPERIOR — The city's northernmost waterfront is going to look different when construction gets underway to replace the Blatnik Bridge. The iconic Quonset huts that have housed Superior Lidgerwood Mundy for the last 77 years will be gone. Halvor Logistics will move south on Grand Avenue. Those, in addition to Allstate Peterbilt Group, Twin Ports Testing, Great Lakes Electrical Equipment and the western portion of Halvor Lines will be needed for new driving lanes, exits and entrances and rights-of-way for the new bridge as the Superior side of the main structure shifts from spilling onto Hammond Avenue to turning to U.S. Highway 53. "I would be just perfectly happy to stay here for another 50 years," said John Mahan, owner of Great Lakes Electrical Equipment. The site of Great Lakes Electrical Equipment, 320 Baxter Ave., will become part of an exit ramp from 53 to access other businesses located north of the highway, including Benson Electric next door to the electrical supply company, and Halvor Lines. "We did try to get Benson Electric some consideration to move, but that didn't work out," said Jason Serck, the city's economic development, port and planning director. He said ultimately, Benson Electric couldn't be justified as being part of the project. Some businesses are further along in their relocation planning than others, Serck said. Serck said the city is just starting to work with Allstate Peterbilt Group. A company spokesperson declined to comment at this time. The city's Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday, Jan. 28 approved the sale of land and a development agreement for a 68,000-square-foot building in the Winter Street Industrial Park that will consolidate Superior Lidgerwood Mundy under one roof. The proposal will be considered by the Superior City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 4. After being notified that the company would have to move, the manufacturing and engineering company sent out a request for proposals, not only to Superior, but other cities in the region looking for property, Serck said. "Luckily, we came out on top and that's why we're here today," Serck told the Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday. SLMRE, a limited liability company created to own the property to lease to Superior Lidgerwood Mundy, is planning to start construction in the spring on the company's new facility on 8.2 acres near Railroad Street. Completion is expected within a year, Serck said. The city built the street and installed water, sewer and gas infrastructure to the site more than a decade ago. But Serck said the property does have some challenges, including wetlands and clay soils, prompting the city to offer greater incentives for the $19 million project. After paying about $788,000 to purchase the land, the company will receive about $1.84 million in total incentives through annual tax increment grants based on taxes paid on the property. "Lidgerwood has been here for a long time, and we want to keep you here," said Nick Baker, a member of the Redevelopment Authority board. The company moved to Superior in 1946 and was incorporated in Wisconsin on Jan. 1, 1947, said Art Woodman of Superior Lidgerwood Mundy. Its origins date back to the 1860s and 1870s, before Superior Iron Works, Lidgerwood Manufacturing of New York and J.S. Mundy of New Jersey joined forces in Wisconsin in 1947. "I couldn't be prouder of our company because of what we do and the longevity," said Kent Phillips, owner of the company. "We just finished a project for NASA where they're getting ready to land on the moon again." He said the company built the tower and hoist for NASA's simulator. The privately held company employs more than 40 people and creates custom winches and hoists, barge haul systems, gate machinery, tow haulage and mooring systems, heavy-duty capstans, cableway systems, funicular systems and custom design equipment and systems; technology in the controls makes them safer to operate, Phillips said. The company also has a food service side, providing dough dividing and rounding equipment, and pizza and tortilla presses, Phillips said. "We still do stuff for the Navy and for the Coast Guard — a lot of work for the Corps of Engineers," Phillips said. He said the company's high-speed, closed-couple centrifuge pumps are made strictly for the Navy. "We weren't thrilled about the idea of having to move — it's terrifying to have to do it — but it's also a huge opportunity for our company," Phillips said. He said it would allow employees who work in the 11 buildings across the current facility to work under one roof. "And we're happy that it worked out that we're able to stay in Superior, " Phillips said. He said while he does anticipate interruption to the business during the transition, he's hopeful it will be limited to 30 days at most. Mahan said he would prefer to keep his electrical supply company at 320 Baxter Ave., which offers outdoor storage and about 20,000 square feet of indoor storage. "I have been told by the state that I have to be out by Jan. 1, 2026," Mahan said. Mahan said he has been looking at other buildings but hasn't purchased one yet. He said he's still negotiating with the state on the purchase price for his existing business, and he won't know how much money he has to work with until those negotiations conclude. "I would just as soon stay in Superior," Mahan said. He said his preference is to relocate somewhere north of 28th Street and east of Tower Avenue or in North End. Mahan said he thought the city and Development Association would be more helpful in the process. "I believe the mayor made a statement at one time that he was going to make sure that they retained all the businesses, or they wanted to maintain all the businesses that were displaced by the bridge," Mahan said. "Well, he sure hasn't made an effort." Mahan said the city did offer some land available near Lakehead Constructors, 3801 Winter St., but it's not where he wants to go. "It would destroy my business," he said of the location on the west side of the Winter Street Industrial Park. "Would you put a restaurant down there? Would you put a gas station down there? ... We're a service business so people would have to find us." In addition to selling electrical supplies, Mahan said he runs his real estate business out of the Baxter Avenue location. His holdings include three downtown buildings in Superior, a venue in Duluth, a couple of warehouses and 92 apartments. He said those buildings would not suit the needs of his electrical business. The Halvor Lines trucking firm founded in 1968 will remain on Superior's waterfront at 217 Grand Ave. Its sister company founded in 2008, Halvor Logistics, is going to move to 329 Grand Ave. New lanes of travel to the bridge will be constructed where its building stands now. Halvor Lines is not doing a full relocation, but it will lose some property on the west side, so company leaders are looking at doing some consolidation, Serck said. They expect to lose two of the three buildings, including one to the west and the Halvor Logistics building to the south of the trucking firm's property, as well as some parking, spokesperson Cara Hess said. "Our main building will be untouched," she said. Hess said the company has found another building along Grand Avenue that it is currently sprucing up to relocate portions of the business, including Halvor Logistics. Other portions of the business will be moving into the building behind Central Flats that previously housed Enbridge Energy and Superior Choice Credit Union, Serck said. The timeline remains uncertain, according to Hess. "We're still in the process of kind of getting all the signage up and moving there," Hess said. She said the company plans to announce the move once the transfer is made. Twin Ports Testing was the first out of the gate to announce a new location. The firm that has provided testing services in the region since 1972 entered into a purchase agreement to buy 5 acres of land in the Atlas Industrial Park in Duluth's Morgan Park neighborhood with plans to construct a 10,000-square-foot testing facility. The building would be roughly comparable to its current site at 1301 N. Third St., Joe Berger, one of the company owners, told Duluth Media Group in October. "We haven't closed on it, but we do have a purchase agreement," Brett Carlson, president and geotechnical engineer, and one of three owners of Twin Ports Testing, said this week. "The only available land we could find with the time we had available is over in Duluth." Like Mahan, Carlson said Twin Ports Testing is expected to be out of its current location by Jan. 1, 2026. "We're on a very tight timeline to do that," Carlson said. "I really can't say, but that is the intention." While some disruption is expected, particularly in the lab where the machines will have to be recalibrated after the move, Carlson said they are looking forward to moving into a building that will better suit their needs. "It's just the timeline, the way the funding works" that is the biggest challenge for Twin Ports Testing, Carlson said. "The state's on a tight timeline so we're on a tight timeline. The city of Superior and city of Duluth both worked with us to try to do what they could to keep us in business."
