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He graduated first in his class from the local high school where he served as student body president
Jimie was given a full four-year scholarship to Princeton University
The faculty at Princeton named him the most outstanding junior in the Department of Economics and awarded him an additional senior scholarship
He joined Princeton’s Air Force ROTC Unit
he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force
The Air Force required extensive global travel
He graduated with distinction from both the Squadron Office School and the Air Command and Staff College rising to the rank of Colonel
After earning an MBA and LHD from Michigan State University
he went on to become a certified public accountant
and a certified government financial manager
His diverse assignments included a Deans position at the Air Force Institute of Technology and Director of Accounting and Finance for the Military Airlift Command
Jimie was twice awarded the Legion of Merit and was selected to become comptroller for the Strategic Air Command
he and his wife Janet decided that twenty-four years of service was enough
Colonel Kusel turned down the assignment and resigned his commission electing to start a new career
His new career began with acceptance of a tenure track position at the University of Arkansas Little Rock teaching graduate and undergraduate student courses in accounting
Kusel did extensive research in the field of internal auditing
he published more than fifty articles in professional journals and co-authored the text used in graduate level classes
His peers selected him for a number of research and teaching awards
Each Fall and Spring semester for more than twenty years
he was given the highest teacher evaluations in the College of Business
This achievement was noted in his certificate from the faculty in 2011
Arrangements entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home
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Denise Kusel, center, tells a funny story to the group meeting of the Santa Fe Memory Cafe in 2018 at Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Fe.
Leslie Rich, left, and her wife, Denise Kusel, share a moment in 2018 at the Santa Fe Memory Cafe at Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Fe. Kusel, a former editor of Pasatiempo, died Tuesday at 82.
Denise Kusel, also a columnist, died Tuesday at the age of 82, following years of declining health and an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
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It took more than a legal threat to rattle Denise Kusel.
The New Mexican’s longtime former editor of Pasatiempo and a local columnist, Kusel was a great supporter of Santa Fe’s artistic community as a whole — but wasn’t willing or able to try to please each individual gallery owner or restaurateur in the city.
Former New Mexican reporter Robert Nott said in an interview Wednesday he saw Kusel’s backbone in action once when a business owner tried to push back on a decision of Kusel’s he didn’t like.
“One of our editors was on the phone and said, ‘Denise, gallery owner “X” from gallery “Y” says he’s going to sue you,’ ” Nott recalled. “... And without missing a beat, she said, ‘Tell him to get in line.’ ”
It was a standard line for Kusel, who was known both for her toughness and her humor during her time at The New Mexican, where she later became a humor columnist.
“She was both fierce and then very kind and funny, which is I think a great combination for an editor,” said Jason Silverman, another former reporter who worked for Kusel in the 1990s. “She wanted the stories to be right and was pretty forceful about that.”
Kusel died Tuesday following years of declining health, an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and a recent stint in hospice. She was 82.
“Everybody who knew her said, ‘Oh, that was typical,’ ” said Leslie Rich, 79, Kusel’s wife since 2008. “Only Denise would die on April Fools’ Day.”
Born in California, Kusel was just 15 when she left school and started writing for newspapers, Rich said. Among her earliest published pieces were a string of columns in 1959 for The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet, a newspaper in Los Angeles where she chronicled the doings of students at James Monroe High School: details about who made honor roll, what the drama class would be performing and which local disc jockey would be hosting the school’s sock hop.
When she moved to New Mexico, she worked first for the Santa Fe Reporter before landing the Pasatiempo job in 1987.
She wasn’t its first editor, Nott said, but she did help grow the arts and culture magazine into a stronger presence.
“I think Denise saw Pasatiempo as a vehicle to promote the arts and the arts events that were happening in a town that was just chock-full of them,” Nott said.
It was also where she gained her reputation for her no-nonsense approach.
Marcella Sandoval, a longtime friend and former partner of Kusel’s who had worked with her both at the Santa Fe Reporter and The New Mexican, said she frequently had to hold would-be newsmakers at bay as they competed for space in the magazine.
“She could be a terror and she could be wonderful,” said Sandoval, who is the current Pasatiempo art director. “... I’m sure she pissed off a few people.”
Kusel embarked on a major reporting trip in 1993: A ride-along with the 1,100-pound Vietnam Women’s Memorial sculpture on its journey to its home at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The sculpture, the work of famed Santa Fe artist Glenna Goodacre, went on display at stops in 21 cities across the country, despite questions from some about whether another Vietnam War memorial was needed or why the 10,000 women who volunteered for duty during the war should have their own display.
Kusel’s reporting explored the still-raw pain from the conflict permeating the country through interviews of those she met along the way. There was the Federal Express driver of the truck hauling the sculpture — a Chinese American Vietnam War veteran from Chicago who always thought of himself as “All-American” until he was deployed and treated like an outsider.
At the Mall of America in Minnesota, one woman showed up in fatigues to see the statue.
“I know a lot of women over the years who were vets and were ashamed of it,” she told Kusel.
It made for a powerful series, said Inez Russell Gomez, who today is the editorial page editor for The New Mexican.
“Denise covered that so incredibly,” Russell Gomez said. “... She’s somebody who rose to the occasion, whether it was expanding the magazine ... or taking a story like that because she felt really strongly that women needed to be honored.”
Kusel moved fully into her columnist role in 1999, a job that let her humor shine through. In her column, “Only in Santa Fe,” Kusel described, often with a wink, the goings-on in her adopted hometown.
In a 2001 column, Kusel informed readers that — “despite being pummeled by allegations of bribery and bad judgment” — she had been recruited by the Santa Fe Animal Shelter &amp; Humane Society to serve as a judge for the Westmuttster Dog Show.
“To be truthful, I didn’t exactly jump at the chance. I had wanted to enter Paddy in the owner-dog look-alike contest,” Kusel wrote, in reference to her own pup. “But not even someone as blatant as I could enter and judge at the same time. So I put my own hopes of recognition and fame on the back burner for the good of the community.”
In 1999, Kusel chronicled the misadventures of a woman who ultimately found herself penniless in Santa Fe before her fortunes reversed.
“Elisha Southworth moved from Greece to Texas to attend a seminar in getting in touch with her high consciousness,” Kusel wrote. “That, of course, was her first mistake.”
In a column where she mused more broadly about the nature of “cool,” Kusel imagined a world where everyday people doing ordinary things might meet the criteria.
“Seen walking through the Plaza, blatantly wearing a pair of elastic-waist jeans, was supermodel Denise Kusel,” she wrote in parody magazine style. “ ‘My personal best was three Frito pies in a row,’ she said, licking her lips with customary gusto.”
Kusel wrote about Neal Frank, the owner of Santa Fe Pens, a shop she frequented over the years to indulge her love of “vintage pens that Bruce Chatwin or Ernest Hemingway might have used tramping through Patagonia or Kilimanjaro.”
Frank said Kusel was “wonderful” to local businesses like his.
“I dealt with a lot of media,” Frank said of his 10-year stint as a public relations man. “She was just the most down-to-earth, sweetest reporter I ever dealt with, and the only reporter I truly became friends with.”
Kusel’s departure from her professional writing career was abrupt.
In 2005, while undergoing a foot surgery, she had a reaction to the anesthesia that left her with memory loss and unable to continue working. Then, in 2017, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The disease progressed in fits and starts, Rich said. Kusel was usually able to rally for visitors, although it took a great deal of energy to do so.
Kusel entered hospice nine days before her death. She is survived by Rich and two nieces. A service will be planned in the future.
“She could be funny. She was smart. She had a wicked tongue,” Rich said. “She was probably the most generous person I’ve ever met.”
And, Rich said, Kusel was a writer to the end.
“I’m typing out the last thing she ever wrote, which was ... several days of writing,” Rich said. “... I believe it was about her looking at her death.”
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The interior of the old stone post office in downtown Kusel, Germany, has been transformed into a hip cafe that takes a page from the bustling streets of Bangkok and Seoul.
Laura Becking opened Cafe AusZeit about two years ago after serving 12 years in the German army. A fan of the vibrant cafe culture in Thailand and South Korea, Becking wanted to distinguish her place from the typical coffee shop or bakery.
Her standout on the simple menu is the “croffle,” a trendy Korean dessert made by putting frozen croissant dough into a waffle maker. 
The most popular item on the menu is also easy to make, Becking said, since she doesn’t have to whip up waffle batter daily. Impressed by the simple brilliance of the croffle, I had to try it. Soft and buttery, it did not disappoint. 
Becking sprinkles the concoction with powdered sugar and serves it with sugary toppings such as caramel sauce, mini marshmallows, brownie or cookie crumbles and strawberry jam. 
For those with an insatiable sweet tooth, there’s also the “hermännchen,” similar to the croffle but with frozen cinnamon dough as a base.
Cafe AusZeit’s ambience is fun but also conducive to relaxing. Patrons can sink into seats that are made with a material that feels as soft as velvet.  Ample natural light and modern lighting with dark tropical animal print wallpaper featuring monkeys make the place feel cozy.
For those watching their waistlines, the cafe has healthier options, too. I tried the salad bowl with Korean-style seasoned chicken, a mix of chickpeas, pickles, salsa, red cabbage and a dressing that combines coconut, yogurt, lime and mint. 
The salad has a kick, courtesy of added spices and jalapeno peppers. It was light, yet tasty. The chicken, chopped up into small pieces, was slightly sweet, seasoned with what I guessed was soy sauce, honey and maybe vinegar.
Other lunch items include a spicy grilled cheese sandwich, the same Korean-style chicken but in a sandwich; and a veggie sandwich with hummus on two slices of toast.
Becking also makes hot and cold coffee drinks, including a few with a twist. The Evie, for example, is made with espresso, ice cubes, sparkling water and orange syrup. Becking adds prosecco instead of water to a similar cocktail she calls the Dirty Evie. 
On a quest to find good coffee places in the area, I ordered a cappuccino with two shots of espresso. It was nice and smooth, though I would have liked a bolder flavor.
Cafe AusZeit’s limited hours reflect Becking’s desire to be home when her kids are there. The mother of three wanted a post-military career that was compatible with family life, she said.
Pets are welcome, as are kids, and a play area for small children takes up one corner of the restaurant. The cafe also offers free Wi-Fi.
“I just want to make a place (for others) to take a break,” Becking said.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, closed.
Prices: Sandwiches and salad bowls are all under 10 euros; coffee and other specialty drinks from 3 to 6 euros; alcoholic cocktails are 6 euros or under. Dessert and breakfast items under 5 euros. Cash only.
Volume 4 - 2016 | <a class="ArticleLayoutHeader__info__doi" href="https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2016.00032">https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2016.00032</a>
The Earth&#x00027;s Critical Zone (CZ) is a thin living layer connecting atmosphere and geosphere
Humans live in the CZ and benefit from the vital supporting services it provides
the CZ is increasingly impacted by human activities including land and resource use
Recent interest in uniting the many disciplines studying this complex domain has initiated an international network of research infrastructure platforms that allow access to the CZ in a range of geologic settings
In this paper a new such infrastructure platform associated with the Collaborative Research Center AquaDiva is described
that uniquely seeks to combine CZ research with detailed investigation of the functional biodiversity of the subsurface
AquaDiva aims to test hypotheses about how water connects surface conditions set by land cover and land management to the biota and biogeochemical functions in the subsurface
With long-term and continuous observations
hypotheses about how seasonal variations and extreme events at the surface impact subsurface processes
community structure and function are tested
AquaDiva has established the Hainich Critical Zone Exploratory (CZE) in central Germany in an alkaline geological setting of German Triassic Muschelkalk formations
The Hainich CZE includes specialized monitoring wells to access the vadose zone and two main groundwater complexes in limestone and marlstone parent materials along a &#x0007E;6 km transect spanning forest
Initial results demonstrate fundamental differences in the biota and biogeochemistry of the two aquifer complexes that trace back to the land uses in their respective recharge areas
They also show the importance of antecedent conditions on the impact of precipitation events on responses in terms of groundwater dynamics
we find signals of surface land use and events can be detected in the subsurface CZ
Future research will expand to a second CZE in contrasting siliciclastic parent rock
to evaluate the relative importance of parent material lithology vs
surface conditions for the emergent characteristics of the subsurface CZ and biodiversity
The Hainich CZE is open to researchers who bring new questions that the research platform can help answer
Schematic identifying the near surface compartments of the Earth&#x00027;s Critical Zone (CZ)
Also illustrated is our multi-tube well design
Such coordinated research platforms and data systems in turn bring together researchers from a wide range of disciplines and provide a library of information for synthesis and hypothesis testing
both at a single CZO and by comparing sites that differ in factors like lithology or climate
Progress will require not just a cataloging of subsurface life
but an understanding of how the biodiversity of the subsurface transforms the mineralogy
shapes its physical and trophic environment
but what they are doing to understand feedback mechanisms that determine the properties of the subsurface bioreactor
and their consequences for the range of services provided by the CZ
these studies rarely extend beyond the depth where the majority of plant roots are&#x02014;i.e.
generally the upper 20&#x02013;30 cm of soil
Few such studies pay much attention to the role of the geologic setting of the experiment
especially when extending into the subsurface CZ
a major question is the relative importance of parent rock material vs
surface biota on the diversity and function of the subsurface
and how the characteristics of the subsurface might influence surface biodiversity and geomorphology
The geologic setting controls the subsurface in a number of fundamental ways&#x02014;by setting the overall patterns of fluid flow (e.g.
the spatial and temporal distribution of possible sources of energy from transported dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or reduced gases (e.g.
chemical weathering and the chemistry of weathering itself
which is a main driver structuring microbial communities and their metabolism
Although all of these factors impact the architecture and function of the subsurface
major questions are so far unanswered and still under scientific debate: What are the relative importance of the geologic setting and surface characteristics in controlling the functional biodiversity of the subsurface
To what depth does the influence of surface diversity extend
What are the processes that couple subsurface to surface and how are they impacted by human activities
Although we have only little general knowledge of the inhabitants of the subsurface, mostly from aquifers (e.g., <a href="#B28">Goldscheider et al., 2006</a>; <a href="#B4">Amalfitano et al., 2014</a>) or karst conduits and caves (<a href="#B13">Brigmon et al., 1994</a>; <a href="#B20">Farnleitner et al., 2005</a>; <a href="#B67">Pronk et al., 2008</a>)
they are increasingly subject to human impacts
These include direct impacts through activities like heat and energy exchange
are indirect impacts through the downward communication of changes in properties of the atmosphere
a major question is the degree to which the geologic setting interacts with human impacts such as land use change that occur at the surface
will the same change in surface conditions produce the same subsurface response in a different geologic setting
In this paper, we describe the Hainich Critical Zone Exploratory (Hainich CZE) in central Germany (Figure <a href="#F3">3</a>)
an infrastructure designed specifically to investigate the role of biota in shaping the subsurface compartments of the CZ
We also use initial results to demonstrate that surface conditions indeed influence the subsurface functional diversity and groundwater chemistry
and show that extreme precipitation events have a complex effect on subsurface conditions
Various hypotheses about how water connects surface and subsurface
Location of the Hainich CZE in a topographic map of northwestern Thuringia/Germany
Data Sources: DEM &#x000A9;GeoBasisDE/TLVermGeo
Gen.-Nr.:12/2015; DLM250 (c) GeoBasis-DE/BKG 2014: Coordinate system ETRS89/UTM
The Hainich CZE, already implemented within the framework of the &#x0201C;ProExzellenz&#x0201D; initiative AquaDiv@Jena (2009-2012, Contract No 107-1) funded by the state of Thuringia, and fully established within the collaborative research centre (CRC) AquaDiva<a id="note6a"></a><a class="footnoteanchor" href="#note6">6</a> funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation
is unique in its emphasis on applying modern molecular
&#x0201C;omic&#x0201D; and computational tools useful for exploring the identity and metabolism of organisms inhabiting the CZ and exploring their role in setting emergent properties of the CZ biogeochemical reactor
In establishing AquaDiva&#x00027;s CZE at Hainich
we aimed for a holistic description of the subsurface CZ in a region with a range of land use characteristics
There are three major components of investigation: (i) identifying a variety of surface-or subsurface- specific patterns (e.g.
specific organisms; for example the presence or absence of specific fungi) and attempting to trace these into the various compartments of the subsurface; (ii) characterizing the biota that live in the subsurface and identifying their energy source and metabolism; and (iii) combining studies of flow and transport within the subsurface with biological and chemical characteristics to understand the influence of the surface on the subsurface in general
The Hainich CZE is one of just a few observatories located in this important lithology
In the upcoming years we will establish a second CZE in a contrasting
siliciclastic geologic setting within the Thuringian Basin
to generally address the overall research question of AquaDiva
By combining approaches and methods from a range of complementary disciplines
we seek to understand and quantify the functioning of the subsurface
its biodiversity and how those depend on the local geologic conditions
these signals can be altered or transformed as they are transported through the CZ
and/or diluted by other signals of processes operating in the subsurface
we seek to discover to what degree dissolved or particulate organic matter (DOC/POC) in the subsurface show similarities on a molecular basis to the original plant-derived compounds
or reflect vegetation-derived C that has been microbially recycled and transported downward with seepage waters
The challenge is thus to observe the degree to which signals in the subsurface provide a recognizable suite of clues that reflect the changing nature of the surface vegetation
(A) Potential transformations of signals (components of Marylin) originating at the surface and moving through the subsurface CZ
Signals include individual biomarker molecules or collections of compounds
colloids or even organisms specific to surface origin or indicative of surface processes
These are transported down through the CZ by water
but can be transformed by incorporation into subsurface biota or diluted by other signals
(B) The subsurface CZ is not just a zone through which materials move and are filtered/transformed
it is also the habitat for chemolithautotrophs (represented here by Elvis) that can add completely new signals
(C) The degree to which these signals travel in the subsurface CZ depends on the relative rates of input
but also on the flow (connection) between zones
under low flow conditions (&#x0007E;0.2 mm/day)
where the subsurface CZ is more disconnected (left)
the in situ biota may have the strongest imprint
while during high flow events (&#x0007E;20 mm/day)
the in situ signals may be diluted by the increased transport of filtered signals from the surface
A major goal of AquaDiva is thus to quantify the relative roles of transport vs
chemolithoautotrophy as sources of reduced C in the subsurface
and the consequences for the subsurface environment
we have to determine how microorganisms have adapted to potentially oligotrophic conditions in the subsurface and which metabolic processes are operating
especially the balance of autotrophic and heterotrophic pathways
We will infer the importance of autotrophic processes from the presence and activity of lithoautotrophs by targeting and quantifying functional genes specific for different autotrophic pathways
in addition to measuring rates of CO2 fixation and inferring metabolic changes from evolving chemistry and isotopic signatures of gases and groundwaters (i.e.
to quantify the relative influence of Marilyn (surface) and Elvis (in situ chemolithoauthotrophy) on the signals we observe the subsurface)
Biomass derived from chemolithoautotrophy could consistently fuel subsurface food webs
since this autochthonous resource is largely decoupled from surface processes
We seek to disentangle the activity in such food webs from the actual source of C atoms&#x02014;which could be recycled multiple times between organic and inorganic forms
Vertically the observatory reaches from treetops down to 90 m in the subsurface at the deepest point
Geologic cross section of the Hainich monitoring well transect from the eastern slope of the Hainich ridge (recharge area of target aquifers) to the syncline/discharge area
The black parts in the wells (H1 through H5) indicate main screen sections and accessed depths of the aquifer assemblages
The transect spans different land use types
Major land uses are unmanaged woodland (primeval beech forest
managed forest (Hainich low mountain range top and upper slopes) and a mosaic of pasture and agriculture (footslopes
The CZE with its well- and plot- transect (Figure <a href="#F5">5</a>) is mainly underlain by rocks of the Middle Triassic epoch
The land surface developed from layers of Upper Muschelkalk at the mountain ridge and slopes and on sediments of Lower Keuper in the eastern
footslope/plane parts but also on overlying deposits of Pleistocene Loess and Holocene unconsolidated alluvium
The soils found are typical for the pedogenesis in parent materials from limestone
Fluvisols and planosols) with colluviums found at footslope positions and depressions
The groundwater aquifers targeted within AquaDiva&#x00027;s Hainich CZE are those of the Upper Muschelkalk subgroup
Ongoing tectonic activity in the basin results in a number of fault zones that control regional surface and subsurface water flow
The investigated aquifers developed in solid carbonate rock due to tectonic stress (fracturing) and weathering
The major lithologies of the Upper Muschelkalk include alternated stratification of limestones and marlstones
Subrosion and karstification of underlying sulfates (Middle Muschelkalk) led to hanging wall collapse and the formation of karst features like sinkholes
we distinguish two main aquifer assemblages in the lithostratigraphic formations of the Upper Muschelkalk: the main and &#x0201C;lower&#x0201D; aquifer(s) in the Trochitenkalk formation (moTK) and &#x0201C;upper&#x0201D; and minor aquifers within the Meissner (moM) and Warburg (moW) formation (summarized to &#x0201C;Ceratites Beds,&#x0201D; moC
in regional lithostratigraphic nomenclature)
The fractured aquifer system within moC is characterized by joints
while the lower moTK shows more intensive karstification
by widened fractures up to expected large conduits allowing for fast flow and transport processes
The two assemblages are largely distinct from one another
They are separated by intercalated dense and sealing marls and lesser permeable marly limestones of variably thickness that serve as aquitards
The Hainich Transect Upper Aquifer Assemblage (HTU
moC aquifers) is partly present in the Hainich ridge top and midstream wells
with recharge areas outcropping in all land use types
Due to the dipping strata and aquitards comprising overburden
the HTL&#x00027;s recharge areas are mainly in the uphill parts of the transect and Hainich ridge
the signal and matter input to the groundwater will be dominated by the forest
the signals and inputs of grassland and agriculture might add to the composition and properties of the groundwater by enhanced flowpaths like karst input features
The short distance from the surface to the aquifer at H1 (less than 2 m) might allow us to identify signals derived from the forest and to trace these signals in the groundwater flow down to the other sites (with a maximum of 90 m depth)
This situation provides a unique basis to explore the distance over which coupling between surface and subsurface can be traced
as the aquifers are affected by different land uses
it will be possible&#x02014;provided specific signals or markers are identified&#x02014;to discern land use effects for conveying surface and soil signals into the deeper subsurface compartment of the CZ
Initially, a series of liner core drillings were performed for rock sampling and probing. Then a transect of groundwater wells were installed along the topographical gradient, longitudinal to the major groundwater flow direction, to grant access to the two major aquifer assemblages (as illustrated in Figure <a href="#F5">5</a>)
The well transect spans the land use change typical for the region
with deciduous managed forest (location H1) or unmanaged woodland (H2) on the hilltop (western part)
grassland/pasture (H3) to cropland agriculture (H4
eastern part) over a distance of &#x0007E;6 km
the well transect cuts into formations of the Upper Muschelkalk (H1&#x02013;H5) and Lower Keuper (top of H5) and grants access to a major groundwater complex that is built of two superimposed and partially disjoint aquifer systems: HTU
whose top ranges from some tens of centimeters below surface with only a thin soil cover (&#x0007E;0.6 m) to approximately 30 meters below surface with thicker soils (&#x0007E;1.5 m) and Keuper sediments as overburden
whose top ranges from centimeters to &#x0007E;2 m at H1 with variable soil thickness (up to 2 m) to a depth of 85 meters at H5
This also provides large pores to allow suspended particles including organisms up to the size of a few millimeters to enter the groundwater wells
As the limestone environment is prone to karst development
short circuiting and communication in between the different aquifers is likely to occur
we decided against multi-level wells in favor of single aquifer wells
each target aquifer is equipped with a single and isolated groundwater observation well
Unique construction of ground water wells in the Hainich transect
(B) passive samplers that are filled with rock material suspended in groundwater to study attached organisms (C) Main screenpipe (6 inch 6&#x02033;) for groundwater sampling and installation of passive samplers (D) Secondary screenpipe (2&#x02033; diameter) for permanent installation of p-T dataloggers and in-line optical sensors
(E) multi-channel tube with up to seven access ports for gas phase sampling
(F) backfilling of well with glass beads as a chemically inert material
To target these attached microbial communities we also analyzed the rock cores obtained during the drilling process of our wells and constructed bioreactors with original groundwater and rocks under controlled conditions in a climate chamber
exposed rock material can be harvested in short time intervals to follow its colonization by indigenous microbial communities over time
high volumes (greater than 1000 liters) are filtered for analysis of DOM chemistry
biomarkers and compounds of microbial metabolism
Comparative pattern analyses will provide insights how turnover of carbon
providing an answer to our first hypothesis
Measuring program in the Hainich Exploratory
mesocosms in the laboratory allow us to measure rates or create extreme events under controlled conditions
will be used to investigate the role of changing surface inputs on the fluxes of matter transiting the soils and entering the subsoil
Subsurface mesocosms will track the interactions of fluids
and biota mimicking conditions in the subsurface
Our two overarching hypotheses were that surface and subsurface were coupled
such that aquifers with recharge in different land uses would differ in their characteristics
and that events at the surface would be detectable in the subsurface
Initial data supports both of these hypotheses
but also highlights the complexities of the processes involved
In this section we will briefly describe some of the collected data and link these to the processes underlying surface-subsurface coupling and how that is affected by events and seasons
This response reflects the combined effects of snowmelt and early spring precipitation events with high antecedent soil moisture in winter
reinforced by negligible evapotranspiration of the leafless deciduous beech forest in winter time
precipitation and groundwater level for the years 2011 to 2015 (A) at site H3
and total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC/DOC) (E)
Response of the hydraulic head is high in early winter with increases of up to 20 m over a few hours
This is caused by the longer and more effective precipitation events combined with a strong decline in evapotranspiration due to the beginning of the vegetation&#x00027;s dormant period
Lag times ranged from a few hours (high flow events
&#x0007E;20 mm/day) up to weeks in the HTU and HTL assemblages
with lag times typically increasing with downstream distance
Relaxation of the groundwater head following an event typically follows a two phase decline
with a rapid decrease lasting some days to weeks and a slow decline over subsequent months
A much more interesting observation so far is the fact that&#x02014;outside of this snowmelt/spring storm period, single precipitation events&#x02014;classified according the definition used by the world meteorological organization<a id="note11a"></a><a class="footnoteanchor" href="#note11">11</a> do not seem to affect the groundwater table and groundwater flow
Both are much more dependent on initial soil moisture conditions and the cumulative precipitation beyond a still-to-be-determined threshold
Most rapid groundwater response is observed with high antecedent soil moisture and the largest cumulative precipitation
while no response is sometimes seen when surface soils are dry
The pH of the two aquifers reflects the dominance of limestones
Electrical conductivity exceeds 500 &#x003BC;S cm&#x02212;1
major differences between the biogeochemistry and microbial community composition between the two aquifer assemblages
Figure 8. Piper diagram of groundwater samples recorded for more than 4 years and all five well locations. Classification after <a style="color:grey;" href="#B25">Furtak and Langguth (1967)</a>
Larger differences between the two aquifer assemblages are found in the amount of dissolved oxygen, redox potential, nitrate, and sulfate (Figure <a href="#F9">9</a>)
the HTL groundwater has higher dissolved oxygen
dissolved oxygen decreases in the HTL and HTU aquifers
leading to anoxic conditions in some domains of the aquifer assemblages
We relate these differences to the land uses in the recharge areas and the resulting differences in vegetation cover and soil characteristics&#x02014;hence
surface characteristics do matter for subsurface biota and their function
short pathway recharge behavior in outcrop or thin covered areas
thus allowing oxygen-rich water to infiltrate the aquifer
the tiny HTU aquifers have their recharge locations in thicker soils (topsoil and subsoil up to 1 m) with presumably smaller direct recharge
and also without tree roots creating potential conduits for macropore flow
the loess or Keuper overburden and the regolith
including residual clay that must be transited by the seepage water without short-cuts
leaving more time for oxygen consumption and reduction in the redox potential
Box-Whisker plots of selected chemical parameters (pH
sulfate and nitrate) sampled at HTL and HTU along the five groundwater sampling sites (H1-H5)
Data are based on samples taken during 2013 through 2015
The impact of surface precipitation events on DOC and TOC are mixed. Concentrations increase with some of the groundwater rise events, though the magnitude of DOC increase is not simply related to the magnitude of the groundwater table excursion (Figure <a href="#F7">7</a>)
Declines in DOC could represent net consumption
or mixing; ultimately our ability to compare with other parameters (e.g.
will help to deconvolve the extent of mixing
and consumption on subsurface biogeochemical C cycling
With a thicker overburden more soil-borne organic matter reflecting the land use mosaic will reach the groundwater body
The detailed analysis of the molecular composition of DOC as well as the analysis of biomarkers and tracers specific for land use type and even target organisms (plants
animals) will help to elucidate the recharge situation and residence time within the overburden layers (soil
as well as the degree to which organic C is recycled in the subsurface
Since microbial activities play an important key role in biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial and aquatic environments
one key mission is to gain more insight (i) into the diversity
identity and abundance of microorganisms in the Hainich aquifers including bacteria
(ii) into their metabolic potential and activities
and (iii) into how distribution patterns of microbial communities are linked to physicochemical parameters on both spatial and temporal scales
These putative autotrophs are represented by mostly facultative anaerobic microbial groups related to Sulfuricella denitrificans
Sideroxydans lithotrophicus ES-1 as well as to members of the genera Thiobacter and Thiobacillus
sequence analysis pointed to the presence of strictly aerobic ammonia oxidizers known to be autotrophs (Nitrosomonas
our findings point to a strong coupling of autotrophy with the oxidation of reduced sulfur and nitrogen compounds
In addition to our snap-shot inventories of the groundwater microbial diversity
we follow temporal dynamics of the total and active microbial populations by monthly sampling and by linking community structure to changes in groundwater chemistry or to single events such as snow melt or heavy rain fall
These data can be compared to temporal fluctuations of DOC (both quantity and composition) and other dissolved nutrients to better link microbial communities to biogeochemical cycles
We aim to identify key organic carbon compounds and
as inferred by strong positive microbial responses to certain compounds
and key degradation pathways which could shape heterotrophy in these aquifers
and proteomics approaches will allow us to assess the functional potential and expressed activities of the aquifers&#x00027; microbial population across the whole groundwater transect for selected time points
Building on the information derived from these approaches
key biogeochemical processes in the aquifers driven by microbial activities will be identified
While we await results for some of the planned analyses
our preliminary results confirm similar hydrological responses
but large differences in geochemistry and community composition for the two aquifer complexes that recharge in areas covered by either forest alone or forest combined with managed grassland/agriculture
Response to events can be seen in both hydrolic head and in geochemistry
but the magnitude of responses clearly depends on antecedent conditions
and will require observation of numerous events to understand
while we can answer the question in our title and say that surface signals can be found up to 90 m deep in our groundwater wells in HTL
the processes making this connection vary and in particular respond to precipitation events at the surface
We also note that both HTU and HTL aquifer assemblages respond rapidly to hydrologic events
although the effects depend strongly on the size of the event
the antecedent soil moisture conditions and the activity of vegetation in transpiring precipitated water
Explaining the response of water chemistry
to events will likely require multiple years of data collection that covers a range of different forcings and responses
Overall the infrastructure of the Hainich CZE has been demonstrated to be an effective tool for answering our questions about the interactions between biota and the subsurface environment
and ultimately questions about how subsurface conditions reflect surface land use and geologic setting
As a member of the international CZ community
AquaDiva and its infrastructure welcomes collaborators with new questions
ideas and tools to improve our understanding of the role of biota in the Earth&#x00027;s critical zone
Data from AquaDiva will be made available through a dedicated database system
and MH substantially contributed to the conception and design of the work as well as the acquisition
analysis and interpretation of data for the work and drafting the work
revising it critically for important intellectual content and approved the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest
We thank Anna Rusznyak and Anna Spaethe for giving support through the central office
The work has been funded by the state of Thuringia &#x02018;ProExzellenz&#x02019; initiative AquaDiv@Jena (107-1) and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
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Hydrogeologic controls on episodic H2 release from precambrian fractured rocks&#x02014;energy for deep subsurface life on earth and mars
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As an intern with the Administrative Enforcement Unit of New York City’s Department of Buildings during summer 2011
Matthew Kusel got substantive experience in both reading and interpreting regulations—in this case
building codes—and in presenting oral arguments to a judge
“My job was to represent the city in administrative hearings where somebody who received a building ticket was defending their case,” he explained
but the Department of Buildings handles between 500 and 900 cases a day
and they use legal interns to deal with smaller cases.”
He discovered the position while searching online for legal internships in New York City and was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to spend the summer doing legal work
“I dealt with a lot of illegal occupancy violations
where building owner chops a building meant to have
and fires have resulted in fatalities because building owners had put up walls that blocked fire escapes
<a href="https://law.vanderbilt.edu/bio/?pid=tracey-george">Professor Tracey George</a>, from whom Kusel took Contracts and Evidence, supervised his internship. “Before I started law school, I couldn’t imagine being interested in Contracts,” he said, “but Professor George taught the class so well, I genuinely enjoyed it. It was a great introduction to thinking like a lawyer.” George was also faculty advisor to the <a href="https://vanderbiltlawreview.org/">Vanderbilt Law Review</a>
Kusel recalls his Civil Procedure Class, taught by <a href="https://law.vanderbilt.edu/bio/?pid=brian-fitzpatrick">Professor Brian Fitzpatrick</a>
as “terrifying but also a great experience
He takes the cold-calling Socratic method very seriously
and I read most assignments twice just so I’d be prepared.”
His positive experiences in George and Fitzpatrick’s courses during his first year of law school led him to choose George’s upper-level Evidence course and Complex Litigation with Fitzpatrick
Kusel spent summer 2012 working for Milbank Tweed Hadley &amp; McCloy in New York and joined the firm after graduating in May. He was <a href="https://law.vanderbilt.edu/21-members-of-class-of-2013-selected-for-order-of-the-coif/">selected for the Order of the Coif</a> in September 2013
Kusel had planned to go to law school in his home state until he visited Vanderbilt
“I’d heard great things about Vanderbilt—that it was a very good and very friendly law school—and when I was admitted
my father and I made the 10-hour drive from Raleigh to Nashville to visit,” he said
“I was really impressed with Nashville and with the law school.” Kusel also acknowledges another important factor in his choice of Vanderbilt
and Vanderbilt does a good job of placing students there,” he said
After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina
where he majored in journalism and minored in music
Kusel spent a year working two jobs—as a copy editor for a yellow-book company and as a night stocker at PetSmart—to save money to pay for law school
he played guitar in a rock band he formed with two other law students—Eric Fackrell and Greg Robinson
on the Class of 2013 Facebook page soon after both chose Vanderbilt for law school
Kusel and Mitchell became friends as well as roommates
and after commuting from an apartment in a Nashville suburb during their first year
they moved to a townhouse nearer campus before their 2L year and remained roommates throughout law school
“I feel really good about my decision to come to Vanderbilt,” Kusel said
“I didn’t take a class here I didn’t enjoy.”
<a href='https://www.vanderbilt.edu/about/privacy/'>Vanderbilt University’s Online Privacy Notice</a>
We chat with author<a href="https://lisakusel.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Lisa Kusel</a> about <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202082991-the-widow-on-dwyer-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Widow on Dwyer Court</a>
which is a sexy psychological thriller that will leave you breathless
perfect for fans of Kiersten Modglin’s The Arrangement
I’ve previously published a collection of linked short stories
The Widow on Dwyer Court is my debut thriller
When I was in the sixth grade I made up a story for a book I was supposed to have read for a book report
my teacher secured me a spot in an exclusive summer creative writing program
Kate Burke is an asexual romance writer who uses her husband’s one-night stands as material for her books
Of course no one in Kate’s suburban social circles knows about her secret alt-life
When Annie Meyers moves to the hood from Colorado
Kate is thrilled to have a new cool friend she can finally be her true self around
Kate begins to suspect that Annie didn’t move to town just so she could enroll her daughter in the local Waldorf School
Annie might have far more nefarious plans in store
The dynamics surrounding infidelity have always intrigued me
I used to live in a small town in the Sierras
and when the husband of one couple was caught having an affair with the wife of another
I found myself captivated by the drama that ensued
I wondered what would have happened if the cuckolded wife had actually been okay with her husband cheating; like what if she didn’t like sex and wanted him to be with other women so that she wouldn’t have to sleep with him
The seeds of those what-if’s slowly but surely grew into a sexy psychological thriller
pithy and intelligent character that she is
I gave her the habit of quoting everything from the Bible to Cyrano de Bergerac
Finding the exact right words to put into her mouth was great fun
2) Since the novel Kate is writing is embedded in the book I had to a) learn how to write decent erotica
It was no easy feat and I gained a whole lot of respect for romance writers; and b) since the main character in the romance book is a cheesemaker I had to research the art of cheesemaking
Naturally I felt obliged to taste all the Vermont cheeses Kate did while writing her book
I always begin by loosely plotting out my main characters’ trajectories using Joseph Campbell’s Hero&#8217;s Journey template
but I know I will need my protagonist to leave what’s familiar; be subjected to some sort of adversity; and then return home a changed person
Utilizing this guide in the thriller genre
It’s these complexities—the gray areas where good versus evil are not so clearly delineated and endings are filled with surprising twists—which drew me to the genre
Writing thrillers is akin to riding a roller coaster in the dark
And you have no idea what’s about to happen
much darker story than The Widow on Dwyer Court
who believes her life is about to change once she marries Cal Cooper
When Cal and his parents perish in a plane crash
Cal’s brother Grant (a recovering addict) and his mysterious girlfriend Erika
become the beneficiaries of all that wealth
Deni’s best friend is found murdered on the land where she illegally grew marijuana
Local Detective Robyn Torres thinks the murder is a straightforward drug robbery gone wrong
but she couldn’t be further from the truth
Torres uncovers a series of shocking secrets and family lies
See also<a href="https://thenerddaily.com/hannah-mary-mckinnon-only-one-survives-interview/" class="mask-img"></a><a href="https://thenerddaily.com/hannah-mary-mckinnon-only-one-survives-interview/">Q&amp;A: Hannah Mary McKinnon, Author of &#8216;Only One Survives&#8217;</a>
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The Widow on Dwyer Court Author Returns to Her NJ Roots
author and your host of The Book House podcast
we&#8217;ll be chatting all about the writing life with authors from across the Garden State
author Lisa Kusel shares a behind-the-scenes look at penning her spicy suspense novel
The Widow on Dwyer Court which was released July 16
Lisa grew up in Edison and currently lives in Burlington
Vermont where she writes at a desk overlooking Lake Champlain
Before crafting this twisty psychological thriller
about her family&#8217;s bold move to Bali
and a collection of interconnected short stories
Lisa talks about her uncommon writing path spanning multiple genres and how her newest novel
which bestselling author Samantha Bailey calls
and compelling,&#8221; had several iterations before arriving in its current form
The Widow on Dwyer Court tells the story of thirty-six-year-old stay-at-home soccer mom Kate Burke
Kate is no longer interested in having sex with her husband
they make an arrangement: Matt can have one-night stands with other women on work trips
he has to tell Kate about them—every juicy detail
Beecause Matt’s adulterous affairs inspire and fuel Kate&#8217;s secret career as a beloved erotic romance novelist
who gives her a much-needed break from the other picture-perfect suburban moms
although she’s not sure how much of her hidden life she’s willing to share with her new friend
But it turns out Annie has secrets too—big ones that could destroy all their lives
Stop by The Book House Long Branch on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 5 to 7 pm to meet Lisa in person and pick up a signed copy of her latest. Visit her website <a href="http://lisakusel.com/">LisaKusel.com</a> for updates or follow her on Instagram @Lisa_Kusel
Press play to hear this AudioHopper Original production
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Who knew that homegrown movies are key to U.S
Robert Kusel is a youth soccer coach and mentor
Robert Kusel explores the ways in which youth sports can serve as vehicles for character development
empowering young athletes to thrive both on and off the field
Youth sports are more than just games; they serve as powerful platforms for teaching invaluable life lessons that extend far beyond the playing field
From teamwork and perseverance to sportsmanship and leadership
participation in athletics offers children and adolescents a unique opportunity to develop essential life skills that will serve them well in all aspects of their lives
by internalizing their roles within a team dynamic and appreciating the diverse talents and perspectives of their peers
young athletes lay the groundwork for successful collaboration in various facets of life
empowering children to navigate academic challenges
and foster meaningful relationships in their social interactions
children take on a journey of personal growth
where the principles of teamwork serve as guiding beacons illuminating the path to success and fulfillment
Sports offer a unique opportunity for young athletes to experience setbacks
providing valuable lessons in resilience and perseverance
From losing a game to facing a challenging opponent
setbacks in sports teach children how to bounce back from disappointment
and stay resilient in the face of adversity
Robert Kusel says that by learning to cope with failure
young athletes develop the mental toughness and resilience needed to navigate life&#8217;s challenges with confidence and determination
One of the core principles instilled through youth sports is the importance of sportsmanship and respect for opponents
Whether it&#8217;s shaking hands after a game
congratulating the opposing team on a hard-fought victory
or showing gratitude towards coaches and officials
young athletes learn the value of integrity
It involves embracing victory with humility and accepting defeat with grace
recognizing that the true essence of competition lies not solely in winning but in demonstrating resilience
Robert Kusel underscores that by modeling sportsmanship both on and off the field
children develop strong moral character and become positive contributors to their communities
Participation in youth sports provides young people with opportunities to develop leadership skills and take on roles of responsibility within their teams
Whether it&#8217;s serving as team captains
young athletes learn how to inspire and motivate others
Robert Kusel says that by cultivating leadership qualities such as accountability
children emerge from youth sports as confident and capable leaders both on and off the field
and develop a growth mindset that empowers them to pursue their dreams with determination and resilience
Robert Kusel also notes that in the heat of competition
conflicts and disagreements are inevitable
providing athletes with opportunities to develop conflict resolution skills and effective communication strategies
Whether it&#8217;s resolving disputes with teammates
children learn how to navigate conflicts constructively
young athletes develop strong interpersonal skills that serve them well in their relationships with others
Youth sports serve as powerful vehicles for teaching invaluable life lessons that extend far beyond the playing field
Robert Kusel says that from teamwork and perseverance to sportsmanship and leadership
participation in youth sports offers children and adolescents a unique opportunity to develop essential life skills that will serve them well in all aspects of their lives
youth sports empower young athletes to thrive both on and off the field
equipping them with the tools and mindset needed to navigate life&#8217;s challenges with confidence
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Library funding is under threat. Find out how you can show up for libraries: <a href="https://ala.org/showup">ala.org/showup</a>
Susan Kusel was selected to receive the 2023 American Library Association (ALA) Equality Award
and a framed citation will be presented on Sunday
Susan tirelessly educates fellow librarians
adjacent professionals such as publishers and teachers
and the general public about Judaic literature
She has initiated multiple projects to ensure quality in Jewish children&rsquo;s literature and to promote these titles as &ldquo;window books&rdquo; to help build bridges between the Jewish community and the wider world
The Sydney Taylor Book Award has been presented at the Youth Media Awards since 2019 by the Association of Jewish Libraries
Susan worked hard to bring about this partnership when she chaired the Sydney Taylor committee
This was in addition to the task of running the committee itself
which is a major force in promoting children&rsquo;s and young adult books that authentically portray the Jewish experience
is being recognized as an energetic advocate for the minority concerns of Judaic librarianship
and the ongoing struggle to have Jewish concerns included in diversity justice efforts
Jews are approximately 2% of the American population yet are the target of approximately 60% of religiously motivated hate crimes and antisemitism is sharply on the rise
Kusel has mentored 50+ fellow librarians over the last fifteen years and served on numerous committees for the Association of Jewish Libraries and ALSC
including the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee and the Caldecott Medal committee
Kusel administers the Sydney Taylor Shmooze mock award blog
according to the criteria of the Sydney Taylor Book Award
Kusel's goal was to raise awareness of the award and to get more people to think critically about Jewish children's literature
she wanted to provide a way for librarians
and caregivers to easily find information about Jewish books
This project demonstrates Susan's passion for educating colleagues and the public
for EDI work that includes Jewish literature under the diversity umbrella
and for creating opportunities that encourage others in the profession to develop their own talents
Her numerous presentations have included a joint Poster Session at ALA&rsquo;s Annual Conference 2022 &ldquo;A Place for Us: Working Towards Collaborative Inclusion in Librarianship,&rdquo; keynote speaker at Highlights Foundation Symposium for Jewish Creatives and the National Council of Teachers of English 2022 "Into the Light of Diverse Jewish Children's Literature."
Other contributions include Jewish Kidlit Mavens
a Facebook group of 1,400 members formed by Kusel and Heidi Rabinowitz in 2019 to create a space where librarians
and others discuss issues related to Judaic children&rsquo;s literature and librarianship
in recognition of achievement for outstanding contribution toward promoting equality in the library profession
either by a sustained contribution or a single outstanding accomplishment
The award may be given for an activist or scholarly contribution in such areas as pay equity
Los Angeles Public Library (retired); the members of the 2023 Equality Award are: Skip Dye
children&rsquo;s public service supervisor
More information about the <a href="http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/ala-equality-award">ALA Equality Award</a>, including how to submit a <a href="http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/ala-excellence-library-programming-award">nomination</a>, is available on the ALA website (<a href="http://www.ala.org/">www.ala.org</a>)
District Court for the District of Columbia granted a temporary restraining order to block the Trump Administration&rsquo;s dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
AFSCME Challenge Trump Administration Gutting of Institute of Museum and Library Services
The American Library Association (ALA) today released the highly anticipated Top 10 Most Challenged Books List
An executive order issued by the Trump administration on Friday night
calls for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
the nation&rsquo;s only federal agency for America&rsquo;s libraries
The American Library Association launched a new supporter program on February 10
inviting the public to join the fight to protect libraries and library professionals at a pivotal moment in our country&rsquo;s history
The American Library Association responds to the Department of Education's dismissal of complaints about censorship and discrimination: the "effort to terminate protections..
advances the demonstrably false claim that book bans are not real."
Today the American Library Association (ALA) launched Show Up for Our Libraries
a campaign to harness the collective power of library advocates to influence elected leaders and policymakers
The American Library Association extends our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by and to those who have lost everything during the Los Angeles area fires
The Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 139 public libraries across 42 states to host digital literacy workshops
powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&amp;T
Lewis has made the largest individual bequest to the American Library Association in the association&rsquo;s history
&copy; 1996–2025 American Library Association
They also have opened a negligent homicide investigation into the suspect’s wife
who was the registered owner of both firearms prosecutors say were used in the killing
Spiesen-Elversberg resident Andreas Johannes Schmitt
is accused of singlehandedly killing the officers during a traffic stop near the U.S
Army installation in Baumholder during the early morning hours of Jan
31 to avoid arrest on suspicion of poaching
investigators believed that Schmitt killed a 24-year-old female police trainee with a shotgun blast from close range as she was asking him for his license and registration
Kaiserslautern chief prosecutor Udo Gehring said in a statement issued Tuesday
they now say the evidence indicates that she was gravely injured by the first shot yet still alive when she fell to the ground
Schmitt immediately fired his shotgun at her colleague near the patrol car
The 29-year-old returned fire with his service pistol but missed
firing three shots from his hunting rifle before finally killing the officer with a shot to the head
Schmitt then searched the female officer for notes or other evidence that could lead back to him
he again grabbed his shotgun and fired a fatal shot to the head
Schmitt did not have any weapons registered in his name
Having lost both his hunting license and his gun permit
Schmitt sold his shotgun to a private owner
who then resold it to Schmitt’s wife to skirt German limitations on firearms sales
His wife later legally purchased the hunting rifle under her own name
Prosecutors say it was her responsibility to prevent him from accessing and using the weapons
Investigators think Schmitt’s motive was a desire to conceal his prolific poaching
which they said likely provided the bulk of his current income
“The public prosecutor’s office accuses him of having killed the police officers out of greed in order to be able to continue this illegal occupation,” Gehring wrote
both covering up a killing and personal greed are recognized motives for murder
Schmitt faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole
Prosecutors are also pressing ahead with their case against Schmitt’s alleged accomplice
a 33-year-old identified only as Florian V.
who was with Schmitt when their vehicle was pulled over
While DNA evidence previously cleared Florian V
he is charged with poaching and obstruction of justice
“My client has been been making extensive statements and has assisted investigators during two comprehensive interrogations as well as crime scene reconstructions,”  Christian Kessler
“Based on the available information and evidence
we expect that the court will not issue a significant sentence against my client.”
was released from custody in March after prosecutors assessed him to be a low flight risk
Schmitt remains in detention and has not made public comment
A psychiatric exam showed that both men are capable of standing trial
making an insanity plea unlikely for either defendant
Schmitt is also awaiting trial in Saarbruecken district court on unrelated embezzlement and fraud charges involving previous business ventures
The trial date in Kaiserslautern has not yet been announced
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A 30-year-old was found surrounded by blood and vomit four days after he died
An inquest into his death opened and concluded at Norfolk Coroner’s Court this afternoon - although the exact cause of his death remains a mystery
coroner Christopher Leach therefore recorded an open conclusion in which the death was recorded as “unascertained”
who was born in the German city of Ludwigsburg
did not suffer from any serious health issues - although he did have hay fever
He lived with his mother at their home on High Street
She described him as a “very active man” who enjoyed going to the gym and competing in pool competitions
while he would go to the pub with friends at the weekend
Mr Kusel tested positive for Covid two weeks before he died
but despite initially feeling “very unwell”
His mother was travelling in Germany at the time of his death
After becoming concerned having not heard from Mr Kusel in four days
a group of his neighbours climbed inside an open window and found him dead lying in his bed
The inquest heard that a mixture of blood and vomit was spread throughout the property
A statement provided by St James Medical Practice staff said that Mr Kusel was a smoker and had a family history of high blood pressure
although he did not suffer from it himself
There was no suggestion from his medical record that he had any serious health conditions
ambulance crews said that upon looking through Mr Kusel’s window
They originally suggested he may have gone into cardiac arrest
a post-mortem investigation could not determine the cause of death
Doctors found alcohol in his liver and muscle tissue but said this was likely to have developed after he died
There was no evidence that Mr Kusel had any alcohol or drugs in his system when he died
Mr Leach told the inquest: “I therefore conclude on the balance of probability that the medical cause of Mr Kusel’s death was unascertained.”
<a href="https://www.ipso.co.uk/media/1535/reporting-on-deaths-public-18.pdf">For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here.</a>
Click here to read Your Local Paper &amp; Lynn News e-editions
Kusel is a small town that is worth meandering around for the day
Kusel is located roughly 20 minutes by car (and 35 minutes on public transit) from Baumholder and Ramstein and less than an hour by car and public transit from Kaiserslautern
(It’s also a quick drive or pleasant walk from my house so I love popping into town myself)
Fuel up with coffee and pastry: There are a couple of places I can personally recommend to get your morning fuel for a day in Kusel
Café Auszeit is a great place to grab a coffee
They’ve got a small area in the back set up for kids
so you can catch up with friends while watching the kids play
the bakery at the WASGAU Bäckerei is open on Sundays and has a fantastic latte macchiato and a huge pastry selection
Benton Community senior Chase Kusel was elected to the position of State FFA Secretary at the 88th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference held recently in Ames
Kusel is the son of Heath and Michelle Kusel of Belle Plaine
Kusel will represent 226 FFA Chapters and nearly 15,000 FFA members
Chase is only the fourth FFA member in the Benton Community FFA Chapter’s 64-year history to serve as a State FFA Officer
“Serving as Secretary will be an amazing opportunity for Chase,” Wright said
“I know he will do a great job because Chase has a passion for agriculture and the FFA and a unique ability to make connections with people of all ages.”
Kusel underwent four rounds of interviews by a nominating committee at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny
The members of the nominating committee analyze every candidate and have the challenging job of narrowing the field to two candidates per office
The upstanding and well-respected members of this panel put candidates through a series of rigorous interviews
asking them questions pertaining to agricultural issues
The candidates also participated in a stand and deliver event in which they had 20 minutes to prepare a three-minute speech on an agriculture issues topic
the ballot is released to the voting delegates
There are two delegates from every FFA Chapter in the state who cast their vote in the officer elections
he or she is given two minutes to give a speech to persuade voters
the nomination chair asks each candidate two questions
The turnout of the election is then kept secret until the final session of the state convention
Kusel plans to attend Iowa State University this fall
My daughter’s senior pictures clued me in to a bit of confusion regarding a spot in Germany whose scenic properties make it a popular portrait backdrop
I had to verify with the photographer and a friend who called it the same that the shoot at “Kusel Castle” was at Lichtenberg Castle
it’s easy to see why people want to have their picture taken there
The castle is perched on a mountaintop about 1,200 feet above the village of Thallichtenberg
about 30 minutes northwest of Ramstein Air Base
One of the largest castle complexes in Germany
the sprawling grounds date back more than 800 years and are mostly ruins
Enemy forces never conquered the towering fortress
but a fire destroyed much of the castle in 1799
including a watchtower and a maze of walls
to make it an ideal setting for family photos
one can hardly think of Germany without picturing a castle
at Lichtenberg Castle there are other things to do besides just taking pictures or gazing at old rocks
my 11-year-old and I found a museum that would excite just about any kid or adult interested in dinosaurs
minerals and ancient lake and river monsters: The Geoskop Museum of the Primeval World
The two-story facility showcases “the primeval past” of the Palatinate mountains from nearly 300 million years ago
when the site of the museum was much closer to the equator and the area’s climate was tropical
sharks up to 10 feet long and large crocodile-like amphibians roamed freshwater lakes in the area
Large ferns and primitive conifers dominated the landscape
dinosaur bone replicas and various displays of petrified wood
My son especially liked building a T-Rex from a model and looking at hairy spider legs under a microscope
We took a hard pass on another museum on the castle grounds that documents the history of the region’s wandering musicians
We instead wandered around the castle grounds some more
trying to guess what each of the remnants of rooms once were
We climbed about half a dozen flights of wooden stairs
gingerly stepping over pigeon droppings and feathers
to reach the top of a watchtower with a panoramic view of the valley and hills below
The castle also features a restaurant that serves mostly German cuisine
Seating is available indoors and outdoors on a terrace inside the castle courtyard
Next up is a Middle Ages market June 25-26
the Veldenz trail leads from Kusel up to the castle
the 3-mile route takes just over an hour in the opposite direction
Regular castle tours take place from April to October on Sundays and public holidays at 3 p.m
The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 8 p.m
Admission to the Geoskop museum is 2.60 euros for adults and 2.10 euros for children; families pay 6.10 euros
 Becky was the happiest person I&#39;ve ever been around or have worked with
 She was also smartest nurse I&#39;ve ever worked with
 I remember the line dancing lessons we would go to (back in the day) with Carl and Christy
 I hope you all find some comfort in the many memories
I have such fond memories of Becky when I visited from Texas
I know she will be missed by her family and friends
I have many fond memories of Becky during my childhood with Christy as one of my great friends
she was a very talented and loving mother and wife
By <a href="https://www.elon.edu/u/news/author/etownsend4/">Eric Townsend</a>
<a href="https://www.elon.edu/u/news/2011/01/04/">January 4, 2011</a>
The American College Personnel Association recently named Michelle Kusel
assistant director of the Center for Leadership
as one of five recipients for its latest Annuit Coeptis Emerging Professional Award
The ACPA created the award to commemorate the life and work of the late professor Philip A
&ldquo;who dearly loved to challenge their contemporaries and junior colleagues in a spirit of personal and professional sharing
and intellectual debates,&rdquo; according to the organization&rsquo;s website
Individuals are honored for their contributions to the fields of administration
Three senior professionals and five emerging professionals are honored each year at a dinner where they can engage in lively and thoughtful discussions about professional issues
The Latin phrase &ldquo;annuit coeptis&rdquo; reflects Tripp&rsquo;s optimism for the future of the profession by suggesting that the gods have smiled upon that which we have begun
After obtaining a degree in industrial engineering from Marquette University and working in that field for some time
Kusel obtained a master&rsquo;s degree in higher education from Loyola University in her native Chicago
and worked there as graduate assistant prior to coming to Elon
&ldquo;Without a doubt Michelle reflects the spirit of the Annuit Coeptis award,&rdquo; assistant professor John Dugan of Loyola University wrote in a nominating letter
and character inspire a deep sense of optimism for the profession consistent with the legacies of Phillip Tripp and Ursula Delworth
demonstrates an incredible commitment to social justice
and works tirelessly to enhance the educational experiences of college students
&ldquo;This is complemented by an ethic of care and warmth of personality that reflect her deeply held convictions regarding the important work of student development
Michelle is incredibly humble and often shocked or embarrassed by the praise she receives constructing her work as an extension of her passion and rarely acknowledging the incredible talents she possesses.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Tagged: <a href="https://www.elon.edu/u/news/elon_departments_cat/new-student-transition-programs/" rel="tag">New Student &amp; Transition Programs</a>
Elon University Professor of History Michael Matthews explores the romantic and sexual lives of Mexico City’s poor and working class during the rule of Porfirio Diaz
The 6th annual Maker Takeover featured students’ experiments
business and creative works to showcase the hard work taking place in Elon University’s Maker Hub
Nia James says when doctors weren’t taking her pain seriously
her athletic trainer and Elon alum John Lavender ’94 was her lifesaving advocate
The graduate of Elon University’s human services studies program works on policy advocacy in Washington
in a prestigious fellowship with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Get more Elon news delivered to your inbox
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Tributes have been paid to a 30-year-old Lynn man as a “pure soul who was loved by every person who crossed his path”
Kenneth Kusel, of Highgate, died in August of this year - with an <a href="https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/30-year-old-was-found-dead-surrounded-by-blood-and-vomit-9385782/">inquest last week unable to determine the exact cause of his death</a>
At the inquest at Norfolk Coroners’ Court on Wednesday
coroner Christopher Leach recorded an open conclusion in which the cause of death was recorded as “unascertained”
The tribute added: “Ken had the most infectious smile and contagious laugh which you could never forget
one of very few in the world who you could honestly say didn’t have a bad bone in his body
“No problem was ever too big or too small for him to sit and listen to even if it was for hours on end and he always tried his best to show you the positivity in things.”
who was a student at what was then known as King Edward VII (KES) High School
“Ken had a massive cheeky side and would mostly be up to mischief
“He was the life and soul of the party and no room felt complete if he wasn’t there
“He will be so greatly missed by his friends and has truly left us all with a piece missing in our lives that can never be replaced
“We hope he is now at peace and can see how much he meant to so many people.”
Police officers prepare for an operation close to a road where two police officers were shot during a traffic stop near Kusel
Police say two officers have been shot dead while on a routine patrol in western Germany
Police in Kaiserslautern said the shooting happened during a traffic check near Kusel at about 4:20 a.m
They said that the perpetrators fled but police had no description of them
the car they used or what direction they fled in
Police called on drivers in the Kusel area not to pick up hitchhikers and warned that at least one suspect is armed
Police officers block the access road to the scene where two police officers were shot during a traffic stop near Kusel
Police called on drivers in the Kusel area not to pick up hitchhikers and warned that at least one suspect is armed.(AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Police officers search for traces on the access road to the scene where two police officers were shot during a traffic stop near Kusel
BERLIN (AP) — Two police officers were shot dead on a rural road in western Germany while on a routine patrol early Monday
The shooting happened during a traffic check near Kusel at about 4:20 a.m.
The officers radioed that shots were being fired
spokesman Bernhard Christian Erfort told n-tv television
But reinforcements who arrived at the scene were unable to help the 24-year-old woman and the 29-year-old man
Erfort said he didn’t know whether the officers had seen something particular about the assailants’ vehicle that they wanted to check or whether it was just a routine check
said the officers reported finding dead game in the car before the shooting started
But what exactly happened remained unclear
Police called on local drivers not to pick up hitchhikers in the Kusel area as they hunted for the perpetrators there and in neighboring Saarland state
police said they had arrested a suspect for whom they had put out a wanted notice
The 38-year-old man from the region was apprehended in Sulzbach
about 37 kilometers (over 20 miles) from the scene of the shooting
Police said he didn’t give any information on the case after his arrest around 5 p.m
Investigators were working to determine whether he had anything to do with the shooting
They said they were continuing to look for anyone else who may have been involved
The younger officer killed Monday was still studying at a police academy
this crime is reminiscent of an execution and shows that the police risk their lives for our security every day,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser tweeted
She said “we will do everything” to catch the perpetrators
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Tom and Dori Ramsay sit in the ‘Santa Fe Memory Cafe’ meeting Friday at Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Fe
The support group for caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients meets every fourth Friday
share a moment Friday at the ‘Santa Fe Memory Cafe’ at Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Fe
The gathering enables caregivers such as Rich and those living with Alzheimer’s such as Kusel to socialize and empathize
tells a funny story to the group meeting of the ‘Santa Fe Memory Cafe’ at Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Fe
The gathering provides socialization and support for caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients
first asked the doctor if she would lose her sense of humor
Fear of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses is all too common
a caregiver trainer and executive director of the Memory Care Alliance for Northern New Mexico
Email notifications are only sent once a day
When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in September 2017
A former Pasatiempo editor and humor columnist for The New Mexican
she had a reaction to an anesthesia administered during a foot surgery that left her with memory loss
She never fully recovered from the drug’s effects and could no longer work in journalism
The last edition of her Only in Santa Fe column
in which she told New Mexican readers about her preparations for the upcoming surgery
Kusel was diagnosed with another type of dementia
more than a year after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis
doctors say Kusel’s disease has hardly progressed
“I still wake up in the morning and wonder
Can I still get up and do things for myself?’ Because I know one of these days
a year-old nonprofit that offers support to caregivers and patients like Kusel and her wife
“One of our mission points is to try to take the fear out of this,” Davis said
“This whole culture of this disease has got to change.”
The alliance is hosting a daylong Caregiver Education Day on Saturday at Santa Fe Community College
family members who care for them and professional caregivers
because “we’re at the point where this is affecting everybody.”
who previously worked for the New Mexico chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
has firsthand experience with the devastating effects of the disease
which still has no cure or preventive treatment
“I was a caregiver for my mother for 11 years,” he said
more than 50 million people worldwide and nearly 6 million in the U.S
are living with the disease and other types of dementia
a number that is projected to increase by about 36 percent
All of the statistics are based on people who have a diagnosis
Over half the people I work with do not have a diagnosis.”
Davis describes the donor-funded Memory Care Alliance as a partnership between several community-based organizations that serve caregivers and clients with dementia
as well as the University of New Mexico’s Memory &amp; Aging Center
He refers at least one client a week to the center
which serves as both a research facility and diagnostic and treatment clinic
counseling and even the use of medical equipment for families in Santa Fe and Los Alamos counties
Davis plans to expand it to Rio Arriba and San Miguel counties soon
Davis stressed the importance of getting an early diagnosis when signs of memory loss or dementia emerge
This gives the patient an opportunity to have a say in their care and to make their last wishes known
“A lot of times people don’t have that opportunity.”
and a family is sure to face a catastrophe
he said: “Bank accounts mysteriously cleaned out
And then you’re forced to accept what’s happening.”
emphasized the importance of a “decent diagnosis.”
was diagnosed with dementia five years ago in Texas
The doctor predicted he had five years of memory left
that he learned he had white matter brain disease
which leads to deterioration of cognitive skills
said the couple were living in a remote area of West Texas
when Tom Ramsay received his first diagnosis
It prompted them to move to an area where they wouldn’t be so isolated and Tom Ramsey could receive better care
They are now working toward full-time residency in Santa Fe
a city they said they had always loved for its opera
It’s also where Dori Ramsay discovered Davis’ caregiver course and support groups
which she said were life-changing for the couple as they learned to live with Tom’s condition
“I think the interesting thing for us,” she said
“is it was giving us problems in the marriage until it was diagnosed.”
Her husband often would promise to do something but forget to follow through
“Initially it feels like withdrawing from the relationship
… He felt really bad and I was really angry.”
After taking part in Davis’ Prepare to Care class and gaining a better understanding of her husband’s illness
“My anger was gone; his frustration was gone
The knowledge also was crucial in recent months when Dori Ramsay’s mother lost her short-term memory almost overnight
due to a series of episodes of high blood pressure
She worked with her siblings to help create a system of care that allows her mother to remain in her home in Wisconsin
“I could not have done that with my family if I didn’t have the knowledge I got at the caregiver class,” Dori Ramsay said
Tom Ramsay touted his wife’s ability to be a compassionate caregiver: “I adored her before; now I worship her,” he said
who have been together for about 25 years and have been married for a decade
had a less jarring introduction to life with dementia
“We’ve just kind of slid into it,” Rich said
“I really do try to live more in the present,” she added
Davis acknowledged that discussions about Alzheimer’s are often sobering
and that laughter can be an antidote for families struggling to accept it
“I feel like if I can get everyone in the room to laugh
sponsored by the Memory Care Alliance for Northern New Mexico
an event for family caregivers and patients with dementia
professional caregivers and members of the public
Register: Call 505-310-9752 or email <a href="mailto:david@memorycarenm.org">david@memorycarenm.org</a>; deadline to register is Wednesday
though organizers say no one will be turned away
Learn more: For more information about the alliance&rsquo;s support groups for patients and caregivers, and caregiver courses, email Executive Director David Davis at <a href="mailto:david@memorycarenm.org">david@memorycarenm.org</a>
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The IKM-Manning boys basketball team wrapped up their 2022 campaign with a 14-10 record making an appearance in the 1A-7 Second Round Game losing to the ACGC Chargers 78-64
head coach Keith Wagner is optimistic at the start of practice
“I’m really looking forward to the season,” Wagner said
“We have a good group of guys to work with that are hard working guys
and we’re just looking forward to seeing what we can do this year.”
Practices have begun for the Wolves with Wagner and his coaching staff getting the team geared up for a long season ahead
“Practices have been a lot of fun,” said Senior Ross Kusel
“I’ve played with these guys a long time and we just know how to play together
The Wolves did lose five seniors in Caden Keller
but have a lot of returners as well including Kusel
and Justin Segebart all in their senior season
“We lost some really talented seniors a year ago,” Wagner said
“We’ve got a number of guys we’re looking at right now
Justin Segebart got his feet wet a little bit
but we also have a lot of openings for some playing time
We’ve got some freshman that I think could step in there and help us to.”
The Wolves open their season on the road Nov
who finished their season with a 19-4 record
who made it to the 2A-8 Semifinal losing 63-53 to the Treynor Cardinals
The Eagles were led by Jack Vanfossan with 320 points
The Eagles have a majority of their team back graduating just two seniors in Alex Ravlin and Korey Pressgrove
Kusel talked about what will be key to getting the win over them in their season opener
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(FOX26) — It&#x27;s the first Thursday of the month and in Fresno that means it&#x27;s time for ArtHop
Local artist, Tom Kusel, visited Great Day to talk about ArtHop and to show some of the works he will be showing at <a href="http://figtreegallery.org/" target="_blank" title="http://figtreegallery.org/" class="themeColorForLinks">Fig Tree Gallery</a>
<a href="http://fresnoartscouncil.org/arthop/" target="_blank" title="http://fresnoartscouncil.org/arthop/" class="themeColorForLinks">Click here</a> to learn more about ArtHop and to see a map of all the locations.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — One of a pair of suspects in the fatal shooting of two German police officers near the U.S. Army installation at Baumholder in January was released from jail this week and is no longer accused of pulling the trigger.
The district court of Kaiserslautern rescinded the arrest warrant against a 32-year-old identified only as Florian V., lead prosecutor Udo Gherig announced Wednesday. 
Investigators concluded that Florian V.’s suspected accomplice, 38-year-old Andreas Johannes Schmitt, was the lone gunman, Gherig wrote in a March 1 statement. Schmitt is charged with murder and commercial poaching.
Two officers, a 29-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, were shot dead on the morning of Jan. 31 during a traffic stop near Kusel, a town in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz. The shooting triggered a major manhunt, and police special forces arrested both men the same evening. 
Florian V. remains accused of commercial hunting, poaching and attempted evasion of criminal prosecution. His lawyers had appealed his ongoing detention and prosecutors no longer deem him a flight risk. 
Prosecutors said testimony Florian V. gave cleared him of murder charges. He reportedly told investigators that during the shooting, he sought cover in a roadside ditch. Schmitt continues to exercise his right to remain silent, prosecutors said.
Police initially believed that a single shooter could not have used two weapons to fire five shots, including three from a shotgun that had to be unfolded and reloaded after each shot. 
The female officer was killed by a round from the shotgun. Her colleague fired at least 14 shots in self-defense after being hit by a shotgun round but was killed by bullets subsequently fired from a hunting rifle, according to the Kaiserslautern prosecutor’s office.
Rheinland-Pfalz police investigations into the shooting included autopsies of the slain officers as well as forensic investigations of the weapons and bullet impact sites. Only Schmitt’s DNA was found on the weapons used at the crime scene, according to Gherig. 
Schmitt alone had the shooting experience needed to supply so much rapid firepower, Gherig wrote in the statement.
When Schmitt and Florian V. were arrested, police found two long guns, including a double-barreled shotgun and a Winchester Bergara .308-caliber hunting rifle in their possession. 
On Schmitt’s property in Spiesen-Elversberg, police seized five handguns, 10 long guns, a crossbow and one repeating rifle. Schmitt does not have a valid license for those weapons, according to authorities. 
An unidentified third person who is the legal owner of the weapons found on Schmitt’s property remains a subject of the investigation, according to a statement by the Kaiserslautern public prosecutor’s office.
Schmitt remains in jail pending the conclusion of investigations.  He is slated to stand trial first in Saarbruecken on April 25 on fraud and other finance-related charges, which are unrelated to the killing of the police officers.
The trial date may change, pending the investigation into the shooting death of the two police officers. 
Schmitt is also accused of commercial poaching operations. Florian V. admitted he was helping with the hunt on the night of the crime, prosecutors said. 
Police found 22 illegally killed animals in Schmitt’s transport truck and more in a storage facility owned by Schmitt, according to prosecutors.
 STUTTGART, Germany — German tax collectors are trying to gather personal information about U.S. military personnel to build tax-liability cases against troops, and U.S. European Command appears to be OK with that, service members and Defense Department civilians have said.
 Among the information members of the large American military community in Germany have been asked to provide to German tax officials are detailed job histories, real estate holdings and names of associates.
 Asked whether personnel should answer the questions, EUCOM declined to answer, saying only that those affected should consult an attorney.
 “We don’t see a force protection issue per se,” Lt. Cmdr. Russell Wolfkiel, a EUCOM spokesman, said in a statement last week.
 U.S. Army Europe, which oversees Status of Forces Agreement matters in Germany, has said it, too, will not get involved in individual cases.
 But the U.S. military has spoken out against attempts by German tax offices to collect income tax from members of the military community — which includes active duty service members, Defense Department civilians, teachers and contractors — saying this violates the SOFA, designed in part to shield members from double taxation.
 U.S. troops and military civilians who have been hit with hefty tax bills and fines by German tax offices say they have been left to fend for themselves, without support from the military that sent them to Germany in the first place.
 “I feel like EUCOM should be raising red flags,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Larsen, who is married to a German and has been targeted for months by the Landstuhl-Kusel tax office.
 “We are not getting that support and are basically left to deal with this. We are not hearing anything from anyone at a higher level.”
 The questions being asked by the tax authorities are part of an attempt to determine if a service member or military civilian is in Germany solely for their job, and if they intend to return to the U.S., German officials have said.
 A service member or Defense Department civilian who extends their tour, marries a local, buys a car with German specifications or does anything else that suggests special ties to Germany could be liable for taxes on military pay they’ve received while in the country, the Germans argue. Benefits such as housing allowances have been factored into the often massive German tax bills received by Americans.
 To avoid being taxed, service members and civilians must prove to the German authorities that they have a “willingness to return” to the U.S. But there are no established legal criteria to define that willingness, and German tax offices have decided on a case-by-case basis to waive or impose taxes.
 An Army spouse, whose family, like Larsen’s, attracted the attention of the tax collectors in Landstuhl, argued that the Germans are not entitled to the information they’re seeking.
 “It could jeopardize my spouse’s career,” she said, asking not to be named for financial security reasons. “We don’t know who else could have access to this sensitive information.”
 She also said it was upsetting that “the military leadership has no interest in solving this big problem.”
 “So many families have been targeted already by the tax office and we’re talking about a lot of money — money most people don’t have.”
 Paola Berdecio, a DODEA teacher now working in Bahrain, is one of those people.
 Three years ago, she and her husband, also a DODEA teacher, settled a $180,000 tax bill from the Kaiserslautern tax office and left Germany for good.
 “How we got targeted in the first place is still a mystery,” she said. “We were pretty much treated like criminals and were ruined financially.”
 Greg Evans, a SOFA-protected contractor with the University of Maryland’s overseas campus for the military community, has spent $10,000 on legal fees after the Landstuhl-Kusel tax office in February hit him with a $195,000 tax bill. He had left his job in Kaiserslautern months earlier and moved to Japan, proof, he says, that he had no intention of staying in Germany.
 “They did not explain how they came up with this ridiculous fine,” Evans said. “Airmen, soldiers and contractors when assigned to Germany should not live in fear of being found out by the local tax authorities.”
 In September, the U.S. Embassy in Berlin said Germany’s attempts to collect taxes from the military community violated the SOFA. The Defense and State Departments have become involved in the matter, embassy officials said.
 Military personnel have set up a private online group to share information — and horror stories — about their dealings with German tax officials. The group has nearly 300 members. Larsen, one of its founders, said being pursued by the German tax authorities takes a heavy emotional toll.
 His wife has applied for U.S. citizenship and the family plans to leave Germany when Larsen retires in the near future from his Air Force job at Ramstein Air Base, he said.
 “There is an array of things people are going through,” Larsen said, warning other Americans to think twice before accepting a job in Germany.
 “God forbid somebody has their savings wiped out because of this and it totally destroys them.”
will be presented to court in the southwestern city of Kaiserslautern
police in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate said in a statement
adding that the man had not given any information on the matter.Police detained another 32-year-old man and were investigating his involvement in the crime
they added.Both suspects are German citizens
adding that one of the suspects was a trader of hunted game animals.Reporting by Riham Alkousaa and Miranda Murray; Editing by Alex Richardson and Frank Jack Daniel
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is one of a growing number of citizens and officials anxious to put those trees and their thick undergrowth to use before they ignite large-scale wildfires
His institute has invested in logging equipment to supply wood chips to community biomass facilities
which burn them to produce heat and electricity
This is low-value vegetation that would have burned in natural fires a century ago
that the West&#8217;s fire-prone ecosystems make biomass utilization fundamentally different
along with the small-diameter green trees that he says overcrowd forests and contribute to fire danger
some conservationists see overcutting that destroys wildlife habitat
and releases even more carbon by burning them
&#8220;For the climate it&#8217;s a double whammy,&#8221; says Shaye Wolf
climate science director for the Center for Biological Diversity
the state with the most biomass power plants
the nearly 70 facilities operating in the early 1990s dropped to about 24 after government incentives waned
when drought-killed trees began transforming Sierra forests from shades of green to bright orange
&#8220;a sober realization that we really do have a forest health issue,&#8221; says Andrea Tuttle
former director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (now CalFire)
and climate change have contributed to far larger and more destructive wildfires
Removing some of those dense and dead trees to biomass plants seemed a sound approach to reducing fire risk in a useful way
Does a fire-ravaged forest need human help to recover? <a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/does-a-fire-ravaged-forest-need-human-help-to-recover">Read more</a>
fast-tracking 35 high-priority logging and thinning projects in fire-prone communities
The state aims to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2045
in part by slashing the amount of CO2 emitted by wildfires
sees little difference between Kusel’s push for biomass and the destructive logging of the past
Government contracts for biomass removal include commercial logging — not just dead trees and woody debris
contributing to California&#8217;s carbon neutrality goals
such arguments pale in the face of wildfire emissions
California wildfires released 45.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
more than half as much as the state&#8217;s industrial sector emits in a year
&#8220;Catastrophic fires are completely swamping the types of gains that California is making by regulating tailpipes and all the other good work we&#8217;ve been doing,&#8221; says Graham Chisholm
senior policy advisor with the Conservation Strategy Group
Fighting fire with fire: California turns to prescribed burning. <a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/fighting-fire-with-fire-california-turns-to-prescribed-burning">Read more</a>
Kusel welcomes the innovative focus on both fire and carbon
Electricity is a byproduct of his biomass projects; it helps fund the work but it&#8217;s not the reason to do it
“That has to be seen as the critical component.”
Jane Braxton Little, a freelance journalist based in Plumas County, California, writes about science and the environment. Stories for Scientific American, National Geographic, Audubon, and EHP include award-winning features about natural fire and the effects of nuclear accidents on forests in Chernobyl and Fukushima. <a class="author-bios__more-link" href="https://e360.yale.edu/authors/jane-braxton-little">More about Jane Braxton Little&nbsp;→</a>
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KLANG: The role of the Selangor Utility Corridor (Kusel) to coordinate an underground utility mapping system has generated talking points following last month’s tragedy of an Indian national who fell into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur
which was raised by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari a day after the tragedy
was developed by the state to coordinate and organise an underground utility mapping system
“The establishment of Kusel is to identify what utilities are present beneath roads or land in our areas,” he was quoted as saying when asked about the Jalan Masjid India case in which the remains of the 48-year-old woman had not been found
Kusel managing director Khairul Azmi Misran said underground utility mapping information would be helpful for rescuers in such situations
This was why Kusel was established in 2020 under the flagship of the state’s Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBI)
“Kusel is developing Koridor Utiliti Selangor Geographic Information System (Selgis)
integrated and dynamic database that stores the state’s critical utility data
spanning over both greenfield (undeveloped land) and brownfield (premises previously used for commercial purposes) areas,’’ he said
coordinates and plans five underground utility infrastructure – water
All new applications to lay utility cables and pipes by utility service providers and contractors must go through Kusel
which functions as a one-stop centre to obtain the necessary permits and green light from the relevant local authorities
“Kusel aims to streamline the process of utility permit applications in the state where each application is being thoughtfully managed from end-to-end; from pre-registration until the issuance of permits.”
Khairul Azmi said initiatives including the mandatory Utility Detection Mapping (UDM) requirement
and the constant updates of Selgis were crucial in the preliminary prevention efforts of phenomenon such as sinkholes
Data collected through UDM will indicate the condition of the underground utility assets and the data stored in Selgis can also be crossed-checked and integrated with data owned by other parties for verification purposes
“This will allow us to locate the areas where old utility assets were buried
or the ones (utility assets) which have passed their material expiration
“Periodical supervision and examination can be scheduled at the locations in concern
as a preventive measure towards any similar incidents,” he added
Khairul Azmi said with accurate underground utility data easily accessible
the relevant parties would be able to execute thorough
well-planned as well as time and cost-effective efforts during search and rescue missions
Kusel started receiving applications in March 2022
There have been about 2,800 applications with some approved while others are being vetted
Khairul Azmi said UDM was a mandatory requirement for every application to Kusel
“It is conducted by certified and authorised surveyors
using high-tech equipment such as the ground penetrating radar
pipe cable locator or electromagnetic locator.”
He explained that to substantiate a new application
local authorities will make site visits to decide on the best excavation method whether it is open-cut or with the usage of horizontal directional drilling machinery
Carrying out the UDM will help detect existing utility assets which are often buried deep
the possibility of damage to the existing utility assets can be prevented when new utility assets are being installed in the same corridor
depth and diameter for particular utility assets
which may later be regarded as a base map for any excavation works,” he said
and damage to underground electricity wiring that will cause sudden power outages
Head of Universiti Putra Malaysia Civil Engineering Department’s Geospatial Information Science Research Centre Dr Siti Nur Aliaa Roslan said underground utility mapping is a must in any pre
“It would be better to know the real-time underground utility mapping so that any predicted or early warnings of underground movements can be detected and actions of prevention can be done.”
She said remote sensing technology can be used to detect imaging and non-imaging information of the underground utilities
“This can later be integrated with other information in GIS (geographical information system) for portraying better visualisation to the users,’’ she added
Dr Siti Nur Aliaa said the main concern would be to avoid any unwanted events that could lead to major action having to be initiated
underground utility mapping would be helpful for the engineers to decide the best action or method to carry out the building maintenance
refurbishment and to upgrade works according to the current underground conditions,” she said
Asked about the obstacles that may be present
who is head of UPM Civil Engineering Department’s Housing Research Centre
said in old areas where buildings had undergone multiple changes
the utilities may also have been altered and this may pose structural obstructions during mapping work
“These utilities could be embedded within walls
and may have been installed using obsolete methods
older buildings have utility systems that are interconnected in non-intuitive ways
complicating the task of determining which utilities serve specific areas,” she said
She said these factors may complicate efforts to map utilities and require careful consideration in both investigation and planning
“Overcoming these challenges requires a combination of research
A thorough review of historical records and blueprints is essential to understand the original utility layouts,” she said
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