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‘Deep fire’ slowing rescue effort at collapsed Surfside condoAssociated Presson June 26, 2021 at 4:11 pm

Firefighters battle a blaze as rescue workers search debris at the 12-story oceanfront condo, Champlain Towers South, Friday, June 25, 2021 in Surfside, Fla. | Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP

A “very deep fire” hampered rescue efforts Saturday at the collapsed oceanfront condominium tower near Miami where authorities are racing to recover any survivors beneath a mountain of rubble, officials said.

SURFSIDE, Fla. — A “very deep fire” hampered rescue efforts Saturday at the collapsed oceanfront condominium tower near Miami where authorities are racing to recover any survivors beneath a mountain of rubble, officials said.

Rescuers were using infrared technology, water and foam to battle the blaze, whose source was unclear. Smoke has been the biggest barrier, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said during a news conference.

“We’re facing very incredible difficulties with this fire. It’s a very deep fire. It’s extremely difficult to locate the source of the fire,” she said.

One hundred fifty-nine people remain unaccounted for since Thursday’s collapse, which killed at least four.


Gerald Herbert/AP
Leo Soto, who created this memorial with grocery stores donating flowers and candles, pauses in front of photos of some of the missing people that he put on a fence, near the site of an oceanfront condo building that partially collapsed in Surfside, Fla., Friday, June 25, 2021.

Authorities also announced Saturday they are beginning an audit of buildings nearing their 40-year review — like the fallen Champlain Towers South — to make sure they’re safe.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have joined local and state authorities at the site, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

The news came after word of a 2018 engineering report that showed the building had “major structural damage” to a concrete slab below its pool deck that needed extensive repairs, part of a series of documents released by the city of Surfside.

While the report from the firm of Morabito Consultants did not warn of imminent danger from the damage — and it is unclear if any of the damage observed was responsible for the collapse — it did note the need for extensive and costly repairs to fix systemic issues with the building.

It said the waterproofing under the pool deck had failed and had been improperly laid flat instead of sloped, preventing water from draining off.

“The failed waterproofing is causing major structural damage to the concrete structural slab below these areas. Failure to replaced the waterproofing in the near future will cause the extent of the concrete deterioration to expand exponentially,” the report said.

The firm recommended that the damaged slabs be replaced in what would be a major repair.

The report also uncovered “abundant cracking and spalling” of concrete columns, beams and walls in the parking garage. Some of the damage was minor, while other columns had exposed and deteriorating rebar. It also noted that many of the building’s previous attempts to fix the columns and other damage with epoxy were marred by poor workmanship and were failing.

Beneath the pool deck “where the slab had been epoxy-injected, new cracks were radiating from the originally repaired cracks,” the report said.

Gregg Schlesinger, a former construction project engineer who is now a lawyer handling construction defect cases, said another area of concern in the report is cracks that were discovered in the tower’s stucco facade. Schlesinger said that could indicate structural problems inside the exterior that could have been critical in the collapse.


Gerald Herbert/AP
Rescue personnel work in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Friday, June 25, 2021, in Surfside. The seaside condominium building partially collapsed on Thursday.

“The building speaks to us. It is telling us we have a serious problem,” Schlesinger said in a phone interview Saturday.

He added that there are frequently “telltale signs” on oceanfront buildings indicating problems structurally largely from saltwater and salty air intrusion.

“This is a wakeup call for folks on the beach. Investigate and repair. This should be done every five years,” Schlesinger added. “The scary portion is the other buildings. You think this is unique? No.”

Abi Aghayere, a Drexel University engineering researcher, said the extent of the damage shown in the engineering report was notable. In addition to possible problems under the pool, he said several areas above the entrance drive showing signs of deterioration were worrisome and should have been repaired immediately because access issues prevented a closer inspection.

“Were the supporting members deteriorated to the extent that a critical structural element or their connections failed leading to progressive collapse?” he wrote in an email to the AP after reviewing the report. “Were there other areas in the structure that were badly deteriorated and unnoticed?”

On Saturday, a crane could be seen removing pieces of rubble from a more than 30-foot pile of debris at the collapse site. Scores of rescuers used big machines, small buckets, drones, microphones and their own hands to pick through the mountain of debris that had been the 12-story Champlain Towers South.

Levine Cava told WPLG there was no change in the number of people still unaccounted for: “We are at status quo,” she said. “I’m hopeful this will be a day that we have will have a breakthrough.”

Rachel Spiegel was anxious for any update on her missing mother, 66-year-old Judy Spiegel, who lived on the sixth floor.

“I’m just praying for a miracle,” Spiegel said. “We’re heartbroken that she was even in the building.”

Jeanne Ugarte was coming to grips with what she feared was a tragic end for longtime friends Juan and Ana Mora and their son Juan Jr., who was visiting his parents in their condo at the tower.

“I know they’re not going to find them (alive),” Ugarte said. “It’s been too long.”

While officials said no cause for the collapse early Thursday has been determined, Gov. Ron DeSantis said a “definitive answer” was needed in a timely manner. Video showed the center of the building appearing to tumble down first, followed by a section nearer to the beach.

The 2018 report was part of preliminary work by the engineering company conducting the building’s required inspections for a recertification due this year of the building’s structural integrity at 40 years. The condominium tower was built in 1981.

Condon reported from New York. Associated Press Terry Spencer in Surfside contributed to this report.


Gerald Herbert/AP
In this aerial image search and rescue workers work the site of an oceanfront condo building that partially collapsed, in Surfside, Fla., Friday, June 25, 2021.

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‘Deep fire’ slowing rescue effort at collapsed Surfside condoAssociated Presson June 26, 2021 at 4:11 pm Read More »

Dreams never go awayon June 26, 2021 at 4:18 pm

Looking for the Good

Dreams never go away

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Dreams never go awayon June 26, 2021 at 4:18 pm Read More »

Chicago Cubs: There is one interesting note from the no-hitterVincent Pariseon June 26, 2021 at 2:00 pm

For the first time in franchise history, the Chicago Cubs thew what is known as a “combined no-hitter”. Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin, and Craig Kimbrel all went out there and didn’t give up a single hit. As a unit, they allowed eight walks so it wasn’t a perfect game (or even close to […]

Chicago Cubs: There is one interesting note from the no-hitter – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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Chicago Cubs: There is one interesting note from the no-hitterVincent Pariseon June 26, 2021 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Good Guys Talk Back: A White Sox Podcast – Ep. 110 – Full CapacityNick Bon June 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm

The White Sox get out of the Steel City with a split. The team now returns home to Chicago and a full capacity park. The Sox are in first place but have questions that need to be answered. Josh from On Tap Sports Net stops by to discuss possible trades, when to panic, and where this roster can take the club.

The post Good Guys Talk Back: A White Sox Podcast – Ep. 110 – Full Capacity first appeared on CHI CITY SPORTS l Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Fans – Rumors.Read More

Good Guys Talk Back: A White Sox Podcast – Ep. 110 – Full CapacityNick Bon June 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Nyarko eager to help restore FireBrian Sandalowon June 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm

Patrick Nyarko has been hired as an assistant coach for the Fire’s U-19 team. | Getty

A forward with the club for eight seasons, Nyarko was on the team that came within a penalty shootout of making the MLS Cup in 2009 and knows what the Fire can be.

Patrick Nyarko knows what the Fire can be.

A forward with the club for eight seasons, Nyarko was on the team that came within a penalty shootout of making the MLS Cup in 2009, when Toyota Park was jammed with more than 20,000 rowdy fans for the Eastern Conference final. Since then, the Fire have slipped as one of American soccer’s top clubs, and Nyarko is eager to help them get back to that point — or beyond.

“It would mean a lot to be part of that process,” Nyarko told the Sun-Times. “That’s what the standard is for the club, and everybody that’s working here — on the field, off the field, front office — needs to understand that’s the standard they need to hold themselves to to help or contribute.”

On Monday, Nyarko joined the Fire as an assistant coach for the club’s U-19 team. He will assist head coach Ludovic Taillandier in the development of the players.

Beyond that, Nyarko can remind the youngsters of what the Fire once were and hope to be again: a consistent contender that routinely fields star players.

That’s something Nyarko saw firsthand when he was establishing himself with the Fire and building a relationship with the fans. Those fans, who have been put through so much, embraced Monday’s announcement.

“It’s overwhelming, but then again, but I know what Fire fans embody,” Nyarko said. “This fan base has been really loyal to the club through the ups and downs in my career and even up to this point. They always have and will be there to help to support the team.”

Supporting the Fire hasn’t been easy since 2009.

One reason is that many of the figures who made the team what it once was, aside from assistant coach Frank Klopas, haven’t been around a lot. A number of them are leading other clubs to the upper reaches of the league, while the Fire have struggled to find success or goodwill from their fans.

Under owner Joe Mansueto, there have been signs of that changing.

DaMarcus Beasley attended the April 17 home opener, while former executive Peter Wilt and star defender C.J. Brown were recognized on the Soldier Field video boards during the May 8 loss to the Union.

Nyarko’s hire is another move in that direction. He said it helps to bring back former pieces of the franchise because they embody what the Fire are and know what it takes to represent the club.

“I hope it’s trending that way and more and more guys get the opportunity to come back to the club and contribute their experiences and their knowledge of the game to help establish and cement this club as one of the top clubs, be it on and off the field, in MLS,” Nyarko said. “We know where we need to be, and we know what this club is in the history of MLS, and the goal is to get there and stay there like it used to be.”

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Nyarko eager to help restore FireBrian Sandalowon June 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

It’s OK to call this Chicago baseball quiz a homerBill Chuckon June 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm

Tuffy Rhodes
Tuffy Rhodes of the Cubs | Getty Images

Take a swing at this test of your Cubs and White Sox home-run knowledge

Welcome back to another edition of the Sun-Times Chicago Baseball Quiz. I am your quizmaster, Bill Chuck. Other than stats, there will be no Statcast figures, so you must guess how long each homer went all on your own.

Are you ready for the Chicago Nine?

Get set to flip your bat!

1. Who hit his first big-league homer against the Cubs?

a. Henry Aaron

b. Yoan Moncada

c. Nolan Arenado

d. Paul Konerko

2. Only one Chicago player ever has had a game with a homer and a Platinum Sombrero (five strikeouts). Who was he?

a. Ron Kittle

b. Sammy Sosa

c. Dave Kingman

d. Alex Avila

3. The Cubs’ first night game at Wrigley was a 6-4 victory against the Mets on August 9, 1988. Who hit the first night homer?

a. Rafael Palmeiro

b. Lenny Dykstra

c. Keith Hernandez

d. Ryne Sandberg

4. Sox hurler Eddie Lopat allowed five homers to the Tigers on April 23, 1947. Only one other White Sox pitcher gave up five homers in a game. Who was he?

a. Reynaldo Lopez

b. James Shields

c. Carlos Rodon

d. Jose Quintana

5. Who is the only Cub to hit three home runs in an Opening Day game?

a. Tuffy Rhodes

b. Javy Baez

c. Corey Patterson

d. Ernie Banks

6. Which of these players hit the most pinch-hit homers for the Sox?

a. Harold Baines

b. Smoky Burgess

c. Jerry Hairston

d. Carlton Fisk

7. In 2020, only one member of the Sox hit an extra-inning walk-off homer. Who was it?

a. Jose Abreu

b. Luis Robert

c. Eloy Jimenez

d. Edwin Encarnacion

8. In the Cubs/Cardinals rivalry, no Cub hit more homers against the Cardinals than Ernie Banks. Three of these Cubs have only one career home run against St. Louis. Who doesn’t?

a. Tommy La Stella

b. Lenny Randle

c. Lou Brock

d. Bill Madlock

9. Frank Thomas hit 521 homers. Which of the following pitchers did “The Big Hurt” hit the most homers against?

a. Kenny Rogers

b. David Wells

c. Tim Wakefield

d. Mike Mussina

QUIZ ANSWERS

1. Yoan Moncada’s first homer was off Jake Arrieta on July 26, 2017.

2. On June 9, 2000, Sammy Sosa of the Cubs had that contrasting game against the Sox.

3. Lenny Dykstra homered off Mike Bielecki in the 5th inning.

4. Reynaldo Lopez was bombarded by the Blue Jays on July 27, 2018.

5. Tuffy Rhodes vs. the Mets on April 4, 1994.

6. Jerry Hairston hit eight, the others five each.

7. On August 30, Luis Robert slammed a three-run game winner in the 10th against the Royals.

8. Lou Brock hit five before he was traded to the Cardinals.

9. Thomas went deep nine times off fellow Hall of Famer, Mike Mussina.

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It’s OK to call this Chicago baseball quiz a homerBill Chuckon June 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »