NORTHBROOK, IL — A custodian at Grove Elementary School was charged with misdemeanor theft and obstructing a police officer after being accused of drinking on the job, stealing janitorial supplies and falsely identifying himself, according to the Northbrook Star.
Ernestino Valdez, a contracted custodian for GCA Services Group, was reported to Facilities Director Doug Heurich after complaints that his breath smelled of alcohol, the story stated.
After checking Valdez's car, Heurich found several empty cans of beer and a roll of the school's brand of toilet paper; a search of the car by police turned up more toilet paper, toilet brushes and a quart of stolen cleaning fluid, the story noted.
District Business Director Kimberly Arakelian said: "All of it wasn't worth $20. At no time was there a safety concern for students or staff."
Valdez, who was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court March 17, has been reassigned, the story added.
Monday, February 16, 2009
America's Best Restroom contest
CINCINNATI — Nominations are being accepted through March 31 for the eighth annual America's Best Restroom Award presented by Cintas Corporation, according to the Port Clinton News Herald.
The America's Best Restroom contest is open to any non-residential restroom that is free of charge and open to employees, visitors or the general public, the story stated.
Cintas Senior Marketing Manager Keith Hartman said: "There is no question that restroom hygiene plays a big role in determining customer satisfaction and repeat business. Cintas created the ABR Award to honor businesses that combine good hygiene with functionality and exceptional style in their public restrooms."
The contest has attracted tens of thousands of votes since its inception in 2002; past champions have boasted breathtaking skyline views, unique décor and sparkling fixtures, the story noted.
Nominations can be submitted at www.bestrestroom.com, the story added.
The America's Best Restroom contest is open to any non-residential restroom that is free of charge and open to employees, visitors or the general public, the story stated.
Cintas Senior Marketing Manager Keith Hartman said: "There is no question that restroom hygiene plays a big role in determining customer satisfaction and repeat business. Cintas created the ABR Award to honor businesses that combine good hygiene with functionality and exceptional style in their public restrooms."
The contest has attracted tens of thousands of votes since its inception in 2002; past champions have boasted breathtaking skyline views, unique décor and sparkling fixtures, the story noted.
Nominations can be submitted at www.bestrestroom.com, the story added.
Wausau Paper suffers $15.8 million loss
MOSINEE, WI — Wausau Paper reported a $15.8 million loss for fiscal year 2008, significantly higher than the $1.8 million loss in fiscal year 2007, according to TradingMarkets.com.
Fourth-quarter losses totaled $1.8 million, compared to a net loss of $27.6 million in the year-ago quarter, the story stated.
Thomas J. Howatt, president and CEO, said: "Adjusted results were slightly above break-even levels for 2008 as we continued to implement plans to improve the future performance of each of our businesses. We permanently closed unprofitable capacity in our Specialty Products and Printing & Writing businesses while pursuing strategic capital projects aimed at driving long-term shareholder value."
Net sales for the fourth quarter decreased 9 percent to $275.7 million, the story noted.
Fiscal year 2008 net sales decreased 4 percent to $1.19 billion, the story added.
Fourth-quarter losses totaled $1.8 million, compared to a net loss of $27.6 million in the year-ago quarter, the story stated.
Thomas J. Howatt, president and CEO, said: "Adjusted results were slightly above break-even levels for 2008 as we continued to implement plans to improve the future performance of each of our businesses. We permanently closed unprofitable capacity in our Specialty Products and Printing & Writing businesses while pursuing strategic capital projects aimed at driving long-term shareholder value."
Net sales for the fourth quarter decreased 9 percent to $275.7 million, the story noted.
Fiscal year 2008 net sales decreased 4 percent to $1.19 billion, the story added.
IMU implementing gender-neutral restrooms
BLOOMINGTON, IN — The Union Board and the Indiana University Student Association passed a plan last week to create gender-neutral restrooms on the first, second and eighth floors of the student activities tower, according to the Indiana Daily Student, the independent student newspaper for Indiana University.
By May 18, the main entrance to the first-floor restroom will be open, and the two stalls, complete with locking doors, will be fully enclosed from floor to ceiling so that two people can use them at the same time, the story stated.
Bruce Jacobs, executive director of the Indiana Memorial Union, said: "Gender-neutral bathrooms provide for the entire campus community no matter what one’s sexual preference is. It is the best way to go to become more welcoming to the entire community. The Union’s basic purpose is to be a place that serves the entire community."
The second-floor and eighth-floor restrooms are already single units, so making them gender-neutral simply requires placing sign stating that they are gender-neutral, the story noted.
Before the plan was passed, the first floor only had a women’s restroom; men would have to go to the mezzanine or third floor to use a restroom, the story added.
According to the university, more gender-neutral restrooms are planned in several buildings across campus.
By May 18, the main entrance to the first-floor restroom will be open, and the two stalls, complete with locking doors, will be fully enclosed from floor to ceiling so that two people can use them at the same time, the story stated.
Bruce Jacobs, executive director of the Indiana Memorial Union, said: "Gender-neutral bathrooms provide for the entire campus community no matter what one’s sexual preference is. It is the best way to go to become more welcoming to the entire community. The Union’s basic purpose is to be a place that serves the entire community."
The second-floor and eighth-floor restrooms are already single units, so making them gender-neutral simply requires placing sign stating that they are gender-neutral, the story noted.
Before the plan was passed, the first floor only had a women’s restroom; men would have to go to the mezzanine or third floor to use a restroom, the story added.
According to the university, more gender-neutral restrooms are planned in several buildings across campus.
Tumultuous toilet torching
SAN FRANCISCO — An arsonist targeting port-a-potties has, after a 10-day hiatus, struck again, making a total of 22 toilets torched to date, according to KTVU-TV.
The majority of the incidents spanning three months have occurred at night or very early in the morning, the story stated.
This latest arson, however, is the second in three weeks to have taken place during the daytime, the story noted.
No arrests have been made in the toilet torching scandal, most of which have taken place on construction sites in the Russian Hill area, the story added.
The majority of the incidents spanning three months have occurred at night or very early in the morning, the story stated.
This latest arson, however, is the second in three weeks to have taken place during the daytime, the story noted.
No arrests have been made in the toilet torching scandal, most of which have taken place on construction sites in the Russian Hill area, the story added.
Custodian becomes victim of drive-by shooting
DALLAS — A custodian at NorthPark Center Mall, the largest in Dallas, was the victim of a drive-by shooting that occurred earlier this morning, according to The Dallas Morning News.
About seven rounds were fired into the ground-floor mall entrance around 5 a.m. and struck a custodian cleaning roughly 100 yards away, the story stated.
The custodian was rushed to Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas; he is in fair condition, the story noted.
The mall will open for business as usual, though a portion will remain blocked off for further investigation, the story added.
Chris Gray, a morning power walker at NorthPark, said: "That does concern me, but I know they have security here. I will probably be more cautious the next time I come."
Police said they were unable to provide a detailed description of the vehicle or the number of people inside the vehicle. Investigators are hoping to look at a video from a camera mounted nearby to make a positive identification of the vehicle and/or its occupant(s).
According to the story, this is the second shooting at NorthPark Center in less than a year.
About seven rounds were fired into the ground-floor mall entrance around 5 a.m. and struck a custodian cleaning roughly 100 yards away, the story stated.
The custodian was rushed to Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas; he is in fair condition, the story noted.
The mall will open for business as usual, though a portion will remain blocked off for further investigation, the story added.
Chris Gray, a morning power walker at NorthPark, said: "That does concern me, but I know they have security here. I will probably be more cautious the next time I come."
Police said they were unable to provide a detailed description of the vehicle or the number of people inside the vehicle. Investigators are hoping to look at a video from a camera mounted nearby to make a positive identification of the vehicle and/or its occupant(s).
According to the story, this is the second shooting at NorthPark Center in less than a year.
“The Black and White of Green” symposium
DULLES, VA — National Independent Sanitary Supply Companies (NISSCO) will be holding a symposium at their annual Conference April 8 at the Gaylord Hotel in Washington, DC, according to a press release.
“The Black and White of Green” will be presented by representatives of the U. S. Green Building Council, LEED, EPA and others, the release stated.
NISSCO President Keith Marcoe said: "There is too much confusing, conflicting and downright inaccurate information being disseminated. We are providing our members with the real facts, from the agencies that are responsible for the guidelines in our industry, now and into the future."
The symposium will help clarify green marketing versus green mandates, the release added.
“The Black and White of Green” will be presented by representatives of the U. S. Green Building Council, LEED, EPA and others, the release stated.
NISSCO President Keith Marcoe said: "There is too much confusing, conflicting and downright inaccurate information being disseminated. We are providing our members with the real facts, from the agencies that are responsible for the guidelines in our industry, now and into the future."
The symposium will help clarify green marketing versus green mandates, the release added.
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