Latest news with #Redmond
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Historic burgh buildings to be sold by Falkirk Council after listed status secured
Denny Town House 'means a lot to the community' councillors heard as sale finally agreed Falkirk councillors have approved the sale of of Denny's Town House, which will now go ahead after a year-long wait to get listed building status. The decision to sell Denny's former burgh buildings was made by Falkirk Council' s executive in April 2023, when they asked for conditions to be added that would guarantee the building's historic features were preserved. But the sale was halted when a Labour councillor made an application for listed building status. Bonnybridge & Larbert councillor Jack Redmond, with the support of Denny councillors Alf Kelly and Brian McCabe and concerned members of the community, made the application in March 2023. Cllr Redmond said: "The motivation behind seeking listed status was simple: to ensure that any future redevelopment of the Town House respected its unique heritage features. "I was concerned that, without protection, key elements such as the stained-glass windows and elegant staircase could be at risk from unsympathetic alterations or even demolition. In October 2024, Historic Environment Scotland (HSE) finally agreed that it should be classed as a C-listed building, due to its local significance. According to HES: "Denny Town House is a good example of a purpose-built municipal building that has remained largely unaltered since it was built in the earlier 20th century". Opened in 1932, it was designed by Denny burgh architect Robert Wilson, of Strang and Wilson, in the Scots Baronial style, to house a court, council chambers, burgh offices and public library. For decades, it served as a meeting place for the Burgh Council, until 1975 when Denny & Dunipace became part of Falkirk District Council. Most recently, it was used by Falkirk Council as a base for social services but its closure was announced in May 2021. While Falkirk Council was waiting to have the status of the building established, the building was taken off the market until earlier this year. This week, Falkirk Council's executive approved its sale for £205,000 to Mannish Khanna and Sean Harkins, subject to planning permission being granted. Councillors were told that the sale will also save Falkirk Council annual maintenance costs of around £42,000. According to the report, the highest bid of £225,000 was rejected as it was made on condition that it was not listed. Cllr Redmond said that this strengthened his belief that listed building status was vital to preserve the building. He said: "While I understand that there may have been a modest financial difference between offers, I believe that preserving a building of such significant historical and architectural value outweighs that by some margin." SNP councillor Paul Garner warmly welcomed the fact that the historic aspects of the building will be preserved while it is developed into flats. Before moving the report, he said: "Can I just say how much this building means to both the community of Denny & Dunipace and myself, being born and bred in the town. "Some of my earliest memories are of my late mum taking me into the Town House to pay the council rent. "I can still see the old wooden counter and the wooden clad walls in my head and more recently with the Gala entourage getting their photographs taken in front of the marvellous staircase and the windows. "It truly is a stunning building and one that means so much to the community." The cash will go to Denny & Dunipace Common Good Fund, as the building had originally belonged to the burgh of Denny & Dunipace.
Time Business News
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Garage Door Economics: How Redmond Homeowners Turn a Quiet Upgrade into a Smart Financial Move
Technology companies and ambitious start-ups dominate Redmond's commercial headlines, but the city's booming residential market is an equally compelling story. Median home prices have risen sharply in the past five years, and property owners eager to capitalize on that growth are searching for upgrades that deliver real returns without massive construction timelines. One project meeting those requirements is the modern garage door. Industry studies consistently rank door replacements among the highest cost-recoup investments, beating out popular kitchen or bathroom remodels in percentage returns. Yet many homeowners still view the door as a purely functional slab that opens and closes on command. Time Business News readers know that every capital decision, whether in a stock portfolio or a household budget, should weigh risk, reward, and payback horizon. A garage door upgrade checks those boxes in surprising ways. It boosts curb appeal, lowers energy costs, improves security, and supports smart-home ecosystems, all while requiring minimal downtime. Below, we break down the numbers, explore the latest technology, and highlight why a proactive maintenance strategy is worth the effort. Curb Appeal and Market Perception Appraisers and Realtors often quote the 30-second rule: buyers decide how much they are willing to pay for a house within half a minute of seeing it. Since a garage door can occupy up to forty percent of a front elevation, its visual impact is enormous. An outdated door with peeling paint or dents silently deferred maintenance, pushing valuations down before prospective buyers ever step inside. By contrast, a sleek contemporary panel system with subtle windows communicates pride of ownership and suggests that other hidden systems are equally well kept. According to the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange garage door replacement in the Pacific region recoups more than ninety percent of its cost at resale. That outperforms composite decking, window replacements, and even minor kitchen renovations. Investors who view their primary residence as both a family asset and a financial instrument should not ignore a project that ranks so high on the return ladder. Energy Savings in the Pacific Northwest Climate Western Washington's marine climate produces cool, damp winters and warm summers with occasional heat spikes. Many Redmond homes have attached garages, meaning the temperature in the garage directly influences adjacent living spaces. Single-layer steel or aging wooden doors offer little insulation. The result is heat loss in winter, solar gain in summer, and higher utility bills year-round. Modern insulated doors use polyurethane or polystyrene cores sandwiched between steel skins. R-values can exceed 18, and when combined with perimeter weather seals they form an effective thermal buffer zone. Research by the Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association found that upgrading from a non-insulated door to a high-insulated model can reduce energy consumption in connected rooms by up to fifteen percent. Over a decade of rising electricity and natural gas prices, those savings compound significantly. Security in an IoT World Redmond's technology workforce embraces connected devices, and smart garage door openers now integrate seamlessly into household networks. Wi-Fi modules provide real-time alerts, geofenced automations, and voice-assistant commands. From a risk-management standpoint, these features do more than add convenience. They close a common entry point for intruders. Older fixed-code remotes are vulnerable to 'replay' attacks. A low-cost scanner can intercept the signal, record it, and play it back later to unlock the door. New openers use rolling-code encryption that changes with every cycle, rendering intercepted signals useless. Smartphone authentication adds another layer of defense by eliminating remotes entirely. For homeowners who travel frequently or receive package deliveries during work hours, smart access lowers theft risk and provides immediate visibility. Predictive Maintenance and Big-Data Insights Commercial fleets use sensor data to predict equipment failures before breakdowns sideline vehicles. A similar trend is emerging in residential garage doors. Load sensors in premium openers track motor torque, number of cycles, and temperature. If the system detects rising friction or spring fatigue, it triggers a notification advising preventive service. This proactive model replaces emergency calls with scheduled tune-ups, lowering long-term costs. For property managers overseeing multiple rental units, these insights scale neatly. A dashboard view of door health reduces liability, ensures tenant safety, and extends equipment life. The data-driven approach aligns with broader industry moves toward smart-building management and makes the upgrade attractive not only to homeowners but also to real-estate investors. The Role of Professional Service Even the smartest hardware requires expert hands for installation and upkeep. Garage doors rely on torsion springs that store significant kinetic energy. Without specialized tools and training, a misstep during installation or repair can lead to severe injury. Certified technicians use calibrated torque bars, alignment lasers, and detailed load calculators to match springs and tracks precisely with door weight and size. When sourcing garage door repair redmond services, consumers should verify licensing, insurance, and manufacturer partnerships. Vendors who maintain direct supply chains can offer faster part replacements and maintain warranty coverage. A reputable contractor will also provide clear maintenance schedules, cost ranges, and smart-home integration options tailored to each homeowner's lifestyle. Cost Breakdown and Financing Options A quality insulated door and smart opener package for a standard two-car garage typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,500, depending on material and hardware choices. Financing is available through home-improvement lenders at interest rates lower than most credit cards. Considering the annual energy savings, improved security, and resale lift, the net cost over a decade often falls below that of less visible renovations that deliver smaller returns. Local rebates may further offset expenses. Puget Sound Energy periodically offers incentives for insulation upgrades that include attached-garage doors. Homeowners should monitor utility programs and federal tax credits linked to energy-efficient installations to maximize savings. Looking Ahead The next wave of garage door innovation will likely feature solar-powered openers paired with residential battery systems, ultrawide-band vehicle authentication, and even AI-driven image recognition that differentiates between wildlife and human activity. Redmond's forward-thinking homeowners will be among the first to adopt these solutions, keeping pace with the technological advancements that define the city. Final Thought A garage door upgrade blends property aesthetics, energy stewardship, and digital security into one cost-effective project. For Redmond residents keen on maintaining their competitive edge in a hot real-estate market, the choice is clear: invest in a smarter, safer, and more efficient entrance that pays dividends from day Garage Door Repair of Redmond Redmond, WA 98052 (206) 488-0702 TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Geek Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Microsoft isn't done cutting jobs yet: Report says sales roles are next on the chopping block
The Microsoft sign outside the company's visitor center in Redmond, Wash. (GeekWire Photo / Todd Bishop) Microsoft often restructures its operations and makes strategic cuts around the end of its fiscal year — and this year looks to be no exception, despite laying off nearly 3% of its workforce in May, or about 6,000 people. The company is is preparing thousands more layoffs, this time focused on areas including sales, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing unnamed sources who say the job cuts are expected to be announced early next month. Microsoft's 2025 fiscal year ends June 30. A Microsoft spokesperson said the company had nothing to confirm regarding any additional workforce changes. Employee Growth by Department (2010-2024)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Alder Spring Fire in central Oregon grows to 2,500 acres; Cove Palisades evacuated
(This story has been updated to include additional information) The Alder Springs Fire grew to 2,500 acres by the morning of June 17 and brought evacuation orders in areas northwest of Redmond including parts of Cove Palisades State Park at Lake Billy Chinook. The fire ignited the afternoon of June 16 and grew quickly amid windy conditions, prompting Gov. Tina Kotek to invoke the Emergency Conflagration Act to send crews to fight the blaze and protect nearby homes. Alder Springs becomes the third large blaze of the young fire season, following the still active Rowena and Ferry fires. The Deschutes Campground at Cove Palisades State Park was evacuated the night of June 16 and remains closed, parks officials said. Crooked River Ranch was also threatened by the fire. Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders have been issued for the area and can be found on this map: No homes have been lost to the fire so far. 'Today, firefighters will be working to secure the perimeter where accessible and safe to engage,' Central Oregon Fire Information said reported. 'The highest priority will be accessing Carcass Canyon to prevent additional spotting to the east, across the Deschutes River. Firefighters will work, along with the support of aerial resources, to secure the fire east of the Deschutes River that is threatening Crooked River Ranch.' The fire is expected to grow, with the forecast calling for 'challenging conditions for firefighters with hot, dry weather with westerly winds pushing the fire towards values at risk,' COFI said in its morning report for June 17. The Rowena fire in the Columbia River Gorge near I-84 had burned 3,570 acres and was 37% contained. Level 1 and 2 evacuations still remain in effect. Level 3 evacuations were lifted. A map for evacuations can be found at As of the morning of June 17, the Rowena Fire Facebook page said crews were mopping up in the north, southeast and western parts of the fire. At least 56 residential structures and 91 other structures have been burned in the fire. The Red Cross shelter remains open at The Dalles Middle School at 1100 East 12th St. Livestock and horses can be taken to the Wasco County Fairgrounds at 81849 Fairgrounds Road. I-84 remains open; however firefighters are continuing to work near the roadway. Drivers are asked to be aware of crews when in the area. Mayer State Park remains closed. The Ferry Fire that started in Sherman County reached 10,458 acres and was 85% contained. According to the Oregon Interagency Dispatch Update, the only remaining evacuation warnings include Level 1 "be ready" in the immediate vicinity of the fire area due to ongoing fire patrols. Cottonwood Canyon State Park remained closed. The John Day River from the J.S. Burress Park Boat Ramp to Tumwater Falls was closed. All BLM lands within a 2-mile radius of the John Day River from Ferry Canyon (approximately river mile 54) downstream to the mouth of the river at I-84 was closed. Mariah Johnston is an outdoor journalism intern at the Statesman Journal. Reach her at mjohnston@ Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@ or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfires: Cove Palisades evacuated for Alder Spring Fire
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Auction of pope's house in Dolton extended, judge denies restraining order blocking village acquisition attempt
An auction that seeks to find a possible buyer for Pope Leo XIV's childhood home in Dolton has been extended a month while a federal judge Wednesday declined to block the village from its own attempt to acquire the property. Lavelle Redmond, a former Dolton employee, had asked the judge for a temporary restraining order stopping the village from using taxpayer money to buy the home, where Robert Francis Prevost lived with his parents and sibilings for many years. U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland ruled Wednesday that Redmond lacked standing and denied the motion, according to Matthew Custardo, Redmond's attorney. 'While this particular legal avenue may have closed, the underlying issues of transparency and the village of Dolton's priorities remain important and aren't going away,' the attorney said after the judge's ruling. An auction of the home by New York-based Paramount Realty USA had been scheduled to close by Wednesday afternoon but was extended to 4 p.m. Chicago time July 17, according to Paramount's website. A reserve price of $250,000 is set for the home. Mayor Jason House has said the village may attempt to acquire the home through negotiations with the owner, and has also raised the possibility of using eminent domain and going to court to gain ownership of the house at 212 E. 141st Place. Prevost lived in the home from his birth in 1955, and his parents lived there until they sold it in 1996. Since Prevost was named the leader of the Roman Catholic Church May 8, the house has drawn significant interest from onlookers, prompting Dolton officials to have regular police patrols on the block. Steve Budzik, a real estate broker representing the home's owner, said Monday the owner is open to a sale while at the same time considering bids being submitted through the auction house. He said Monday he expected the owner would make a decision soon, once the auction deadline had passed, to make a decision on which direction he would take. Budzik was not immediately available Wednesday to comment on the extension of the auction. Redmond, who has an ongoing lawsuit against Dolton alleging wrongful termination in 2022, sought the temporary restraining order. The motion seeking the restraining order alleged the village, in seeking to buy the home, is engaging in an 'endeavor with substantial cost to taxpayers with no compelling governmental necessity.' Redmond said in the filing that Dolton 'is in severe financial distress, running large deficits while drowning in liabilities' including pending court decisions and unpaid vendor bills. House and Burt Odelson, an attorney for the village, have said that while Dolton's finances are shaky it is important for the village to gain control over the house, which could prevent any commercial use or exploitation of it. Odelson was not immediately available Wednesday to discuss the result of the court hearing or the status of Dolton's effort to acquire the home.
