National backhoe Roe-D-Hoe champion crowned

The NOWRA National Backhoe Roe-D-Hoe championships were held at the 2023 WWETT Show in Indianapolis, as 175 entrants tested their backhoe skills through an obstacle course of basketballs, bowling pins and golf balls. Five finalists and the Iowa state champion competed for the top three prizes in the finals. Jordan Boley of Robins, Iowa, took first place in the competition and also was the Iowa state champion. He won $1,000 in cash and a commemorative belt buckle. Other top finishers included Albert Breech of Lucasville, Ohio, in second place; and Lawrence Triolo of Sandy, Utah, in third place. Winning honorable mention were Dan Shriver of Marianna, Pennsylvania; Adrin Keiper of Wadsworth, Ohio; and Mark Shepard, Stilwell, Kansas. The event sponsor was LongWave UV (formerly SALCOR).

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Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference slated for Oct. 22-25 in Virginia

The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association has announced that the 2023 Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference will be held in Hampton, Virginia, Oct. 22-25. The Mega-Conference is a collaborative effort between NOWRA, the National Association of Wastewater Technicians, the State Onsite Regulators Association and NOWRA’s Virginia affiliate, the Virginia Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association. The conference theme this year is “Clean Water for Healthy Communities.” An exhibit hall will be open and education sessions will be held Oct. 23 and 24, with optional field trips scheduled for Oct. 25, and an optional pre-conference workshop on Oct. 22. For more information, go to www.nowra.org.

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Franklin Electric launches new employee resource group

Franklin Electric formed a new employee resource group dedicated to providing an avenue for women to grow both professionally and personally through education, networking and advocacy. Known as Franklin Women’s Network, the group’s goal, according to a release, is to “build a welcoming, inclusive community, provide professional alliances, equip Franklin women with relevant development tools and resources, and guide Franklin women to identify and achieve career milestones.”