What’s eating away at your vehicle
De-icing chemicals: A growing threat Motor vehicles face a constant battle against the elements, with one of the most insidious threats being corrosion. In colder climates where snow and ice are prevalent, it’s not uncommon to see traditional road salt … More from our cover sponsor →
Love Food, Fight Waste promotes community education to enact positive change
Working with Table to Table in various aspects and programs over the years, it was natural for Iowa City to reach out to the organization once more when looking for ways to increase food waste diversion within the community. Jane … Continue reading →
First responders embrace autism safety initiative
Imagine being trapped inside a bottle of thick, wavy glass. Everything you see and hear is distorted. Sights, sounds and sensations are magnified. No one outside the bottle understands you. This is how I describe autism. Now imagine being trapped … Continue reading →
Beautifying cities by removing litter
Those of a certain age might remember a public service announcement from 1971. The Clio Awards-winning spot was named one of the top 100 advertising campaigns of the 20th century. This unforgettable spot, most commonly referred to as the “Crying … Continue reading →
What’s in a name: Peru and Mexico, Indiana
Many municipalities in the United States are named after foreign cities. Paris, Texas; Copenhagen, N.Y.; Budapest, Ga.; and Athens, Ohio, are notable examples. Fewer towns and cities are named after countries, and Indiana is replete with such names: Brazil, Holland, … Continue reading →
The top 10 places for RV camping in the U.S.
Recently asked about the effects of the pandemic on recreational vehicle habits, Chris Emery, the editor of Ordealist.com, replied: “The biggest change with the pandemic is that more people still in the workforce are traveling in RVs.” Emery continued, “That’s … Continue reading →
Oz Museum – Wamego, Kansas
You’re standing across the street, looking at the facade of emerald and yellow bricks dotted with flying monkeys and the likes of a lion, scarecrow and other fictional characters peeking through the windows. Yes, you are in Kansas. More specifically, … Continue reading →
Engaging the community key to success for waste and recycling issues
Getting public input on municipal projects is generally a good idea, but sometimes city officials might shy away from it for a variety of reasons. With waste and recycling, the officials we spoke to said community engagement is the key … Continue reading →
Delivering on electric street sweeping sustainability
Sustainability is a word that gets tossed around, sometimes inaccurately. One definition of sustainability is to save our natural or physical resources from running out. In a broader definition in relation to street sweeping, sustainability is the ability to maintain … Continue reading →
Columbia, Maryland Named 2021’s Best U.S. City for Jobs
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on the American job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Labor, March 2022 reported 6.3 million total unemployed persons — a 3.8% unemployment rate. But, one … Continue reading →
Hot times in Salida, Colorado
Salida, Colo., is a town that has literally risen from the ashes. In 1880, the newly established railroad community caught fire. The first issue of the Mountain Mail reported a tent near the railroad department touched a stovepipe and ignited. … Continue reading →
City-run food festival funds schools, fast-tracks restaurant recovery
A lot of work goes into planning a successful fundraising event, and that’s certainly true in the case of the Taste of Pines, held on Feb. 17. This annual event, put on by the city of Pembroke Pines, Fla., features … Continue reading →
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, breathes new life into Jo Allyn Lowe Park
Sometimes, even Mother Nature needs a helping hand, which is why the city of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, embarked on a $40,000 project to rehabilitate Jo Allyn Lowe Park. “We have been planning this project for a while now,” said Micah … Continue reading →
What’s in a name: Boring and Zigzag, Oregon
What’s in a name? In the case of two Clackamas County, Oregon, municipalities: not at all what it first appears. The names of Boring and Zigzag really have nothing to do with their common meaning as applied to their culture, … Continue reading →
Moline, Ill., partners with local school district to introduce students to public works
An innovative internship program is working to address gaps in the city of Moline, Ill.’s, public works workforce, and it could serve as a model for other cities looking to address similar issues. Students will soon get real-world experience through … Continue reading →
Vermont towns participate in CDC COVID testing program
You may have heard that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was working on ways to test wastewater for the presence of COVID-19 — the respiratory pandemic that’s gripped the world over the last two years. Several Vermont towns took part … Continue reading →
Poughkeepsie receives $3.57 million to improve aging sewer infrastructure
The city of Poughkeepsie, New York, recently received a $3.57 million grant toward modernizing its sewer and repairing and replacing damaged infrastructure. As one of the older cities in New York, Poughkeepsie’s sewers are an aging, brick system. On the … Continue reading →
Top 10 best cities for urban gardening
It’s that time of year for gardeners: Early-season vegetables are ripe, and hopefully, the rest of what was cultivated during the spring is well on its way to a bountiful fall harvest. Whether it takes the form of a large … Continue reading →
Broomfield, Colo., brings innovative team approach to snow removal
A Colorado community’s innovative team approach to snow response could offer an idea for other communities seeking to improve efficiency while recruiting and retaining employees in a tight labor market. The combined city and county government of Broomfield, Colo., provides … Continue reading →