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Your drive to work may take longer as outages hit traffic lights. Check your route here
Your route to work may take longer than usual.
After a storm system blew through Indiana last night and left more than 139,000 without power going into Friday, police are reporting traffic light outages across Indianapolis.
Prepare for your drive by checking out live views from Indianapolis' traffic cameras and latest traffic reports in our gridlock guide.
🚗🚙 Check your route: Indianapolis gridlock guide 🚙🚗
What to do at a traffic signal without power
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reminds drivers what to do at downed traffic signals.
No signal: Treat non-functioning traffic lights like a four-way stop sign. This means coming to a complete stop, yielding the right-of-way to vehicles on your right and proceeding only when it's safe.
Flashing red lights: Treat the light like a stop sign. Come to a complete stop and only proceed once it is clear.
Flashing yellow lights: Slow down and proceed with caution.
Indiana storm damage
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works is responding to damage. If you see a downed tree or traffic light, report it to the Mayor's Action Center at 317-327-4622 or request.indy.gov.
If you come across downed power lines, don't approach them. They may be live. Call AES at 317-261-8111 or Duke Energy at 800-228-8485 to report downed lines and storm damage.
Storm damage:Severe weather topples trees on Indianapolis' east side
Indiana storms:Social media photos, videos show ominous clouds, high winds and damage
Indiana power outages
As of early Friday morning, more than 139,000 customers were still without power.
Power restoration might be a multi-day effort.
Indy Parks Family Centers across the city will be available as cooling locations Friday and Saturday. Visit indy.gov/activity/indy-parks-family-centers for a list of locations. Temperatures are expected to reach the 90s Friday.
Indiana outage tips:What you should and shouldn't be doing during a power outage
Indiana air quality update
Thursday marked the tail end of Canada wildfire smoke, National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew White said.
U.S. EPA's AirNow website shows Indianapolis air quality as "good" as of Friday morning.
June 30 was declared Knozone Action Day by the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability, which means "forecasted ground-level ozone is unhealthy for sensitive groups as hot southerly air moves in."
Friday air quality:Knozone Action Day declared for June 30, 2023, in Central Indiana | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2023/06/30/indianapolis-power-prepare-for-traffic-light-outages-on-route-to-work-indiana/70372231007/ | 2023-06-30T15:12:23 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2023/06/30/indianapolis-power-prepare-for-traffic-light-outages-on-route-to-work-indiana/70372231007/ |
Over 40 students at Carthage College were chosen to conduct research with faculty members this summer as part of the 2023 summer undergraduate research experience.
Kenosha County area students involved include:
Iman Deanparvar of Mount Pleasant is conducting research into molecular dynamics simulation study of drug binding to the V122I Transthyretin Variant with professor Kevin Morris.
Juan Gomez-Solis of Kenosha is conducting research into validation of synthetic PVY NO in plants with professor Erin Weber.
Jessica Schultz of Sturtevant is conducting research into development of an enzyme based detection method for PVY with professor Erin Weber.
Wayne Jackson of Kenosha is conducting research into developing inquiry-based engineering lab to foster student learning with professor Kathryn Hasz.
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Emma Conran of Kenosha is conducting research into patterns in political polarization with professors Haley Yaple and Landon Gauthier.
Marlena Moore of Kenosha is conducting research into care of the spirit for vulnerable patients with cancer with professor Cheryl Petersen.
Sarah Tuchel of Pleasant Prairie is conducting research into a qualitative study of expert magician’s views on magic and misdirection with professor Anthony Barnhart.
Jordan Wheeler of Kenosha is conducting research into microgravity ullage detection, a NASA flight project with professor Kevin Crosby.
John Cargille of Pleasant Prairie, Sarah Kersten of Kenosha, Carissa Kiehl of Kenosha and Sydney Pelnar of Pleasant Prairie are conducting research into the canopy near-IR observing project, a NASA CubeSat program with professor Kevin Crosby.
Gabriela Carranza of Kenosha and Kevin Totts of Kenosha are conducting research into the fiber optic sensing system, a NASA T2U project with professors Kevin Crosby and Kathryn Hasz.
Karlee De Jesus of Kenosha is conducting research into politics and queerness in 1980s comic books: a study on dykes to watch out for love and rockets and underground zine culture with professor Shannon Brennan.
Skylar Farr of Pleasant Prairie is conducting research into propellant refueling and on-orbit transfer, a NASA flight project with professor Kevin Crosby. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/kenosha-county-area-students-participate-in-summer-research-at-carthage-college/article_8d47b144-14fe-11ee-aca3-b7a7a6849982.html | 2023-06-30T15:12:42 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/kenosha-county-area-students-participate-in-summer-research-at-carthage-college/article_8d47b144-14fe-11ee-aca3-b7a7a6849982.html |
Unhealthy air quality remains in Milwaukee but should gradually improve through the weekend
Wisconsinites should hopefully catch their breath this weekend after enduring some of the worst air quality in decades this week.
Chances of rain in the forecast should gradually improve air quality for southern and central Wisconsin, said Jaclyn Anderson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Sullivan. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources yesterday extended its air quality advisory but it remains set to expire at noon Friday.
Air quality in Milwaukee is still "unhealthy" Friday morning with an AQI rating of 164, but that's an improvement from earlier this week when it climbed to over 250 — the worst it's been in decades.
Chances of showers are expected on Friday evening and could continue on Saturday and Sunday for those in the Milwaukee-area, said Anderson. The warmest temperatures this weekend will be on Friday with highs pushing into the upper 80s with humidity.
Temperatures should cool off slightly on Saturday and Sunday to the mid 70s and lower 80s along the lakefront.
Folks planning on attending fireworks displays in the Milwaukee area could see a slight chance of rain in the forecast on Monday but that's going to depend on whether there's any lingering moisture in the air, said Anderson.
To monitor the air quality in your area, you can type in your ZIP code into the AirNOw.gov website. Track the air quality with the following map of Wisconsin with a focus on Milwaukee. The map is updated every hour.
RELATED:Here's what you need to know about Summerfest 2023 tickets, parking and bag policy
RELATED:Can I walk my dog? Does AC really help? Is my mom OK? A host of tips for dealing with our bad air. | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/milwaukee-air-quality-likely-to-improve-with-weekend-rain-showers/70370617007/ | 2023-06-30T15:17:21 | 0 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/milwaukee-air-quality-likely-to-improve-with-weekend-rain-showers/70370617007/ |
'More than a building': Nonprofit mentoring group to rebuild after car crash damages building
A fatal car crash during a police chase severely damaged the building that houses GLOW 414, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for at-risk youth and young adults.
“I felt my heart drop to the floor," said Mickell Daniels, chief executive and founder of GLOW. "Everything I worked hard for — this is not just a building. This is my purpose. How could this happen?"
Daniels estimates it will cost more than $200,000 to repair doors, windows, the building facade and more.
Although her immediate reaction focused on the building and her program, she sympathized with those involved in the crash from personal experience.
Two women, ages 20 and 28, died in the crash Wednesday morning in the 2300 block of West Hopkins Street. Police say the driver had been speeding and officers started chasing the car after seeing it run a red light. The driver then lost control and slammed into the building.
“I felt for the families that lost the young ladies. That’s who GLOW services helps.” Daniels said.
How did GLOW 414 start?
GLOW 414 was founded in 2017. GLOW is an acronym for "Girls Learning to become Outstanding Women" and the organization provides education, counseling and mentoring services to at-risk youth.
Daniels started the organization based on her own experiences.
“I wanted to become educated in mental health to tear down barriers in my community and bring awareness to the youth and families I serve. Our youth and their families needed to learn the importance of mental health coming from someone who is from their very own community, while also learning the tools to rise above the stereotypes that trap us daily,” Daniels wrote on their website.
Daniels planned to expand the property to create an outpatient center, something that is now on hold. Other renovations underway have been paused.
“In the 53206 where I grew up, there were no mental health outpatient centers, so we were almost done completing ours,” Daniels said.
What can the community do to help?
To Daniels, having conversations with youth is part of how the community can help prevent these tragedies.
"When you see individuals, when you see youth, ask them how their day is going so they know people care. Stop blaming them — talk to them. Take time, encourage them, inspire them." Daniels said. "This situation was so unfortunate but let’s get in front of the problem and do more preventative work so that we don’t have another one of these."
Daniels said that she needs the community's support to repair the damage that was done.
“I need the community’s help because this is a lot,” she said.
If you are interested in donating, you can visit the Glow 414 GoFundMe page. | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2023/06/30/milwaukee-nonprofit-to-rebuild-after-car-accident-damages-building/70370734007/ | 2023-06-30T15:17:27 | 1 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2023/06/30/milwaukee-nonprofit-to-rebuild-after-car-accident-damages-building/70370734007/ |
BRUCE, Miss. (WTVA) — The FBI arrested a now-former Bruce police officer for allegedly possessing child pornography.
The FBI identified the suspect as Corey Harrelson, 47.
He was booked into the Lafayette County jail and made his initial court appearance on Thursday, June 29. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 5.
The city fired Harrelson during a special called meeting, Mayor Jimmy Hubbard confirmed Friday morning. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/bruce-police-officer-fired-after-child-porn-arrest/article_d6291ac0-1755-11ee-a4bb-dbb23fa64006.html | 2023-06-30T15:21:07 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/bruce-police-officer-fired-after-child-porn-arrest/article_d6291ac0-1755-11ee-a4bb-dbb23fa64006.html |
To keep the Colorado River's heart beating, people step in to do what nature once did
PIUTE FARMS WATERFALL, Utah — The muddy San Juan River plunged over a waterfall on its final push toward Lake Powell, trapping endangered fish in the whorl of driftwood, plastic foam and trash that heaved in the eddy below.
This sedimentary hurdle in the river's path didn’t exist before the government dammed the Colorado River downstream at Glen Canyon in 1963, creating Lake Powell. Water backed up past this remote expanse of rippling Navajo Nation desert shore, a point accessible by horse, boat or high-clearance vehicle. Decades of silt piled up below the surface. Then amid drought and overuse, the still water receded and left the San Juan, a tributary of the Colorado, to slice a new course through the mud and create the waterfall.
As temperatures started their seasonal rise in March, native suckers swam up from Lake Powell seeking more natural spawning beds in the river. Instead, they hit an 18-foot wall they couldn't pass without help in the form of orange Home Depot buckets. Once contained, their tails flopped from the rims, and the unexpected assist rendered a telling portrait of the ecological damage control America must employ to squeeze a semblance of nature from one of its most used and abused river systems.
Like most of the Colorado River and its feeder streams — from diverted headwaters to denuded delta — nature here needs a hand from humans if it is to survive what humans have done to it. River flows that already were overallocated for farms and cities have declined by double-digit percentages and temperatures have risen over the last century, drying precipitously since 2000. Climate scientists expect the long-term average flows to continue shrinking in the coming decades.
The states that use the river are haggling over how to spread unavoidable cutbacks, first with new emergency measures expected later this year and then with a long-term and likely more austere shortage-sharing plan for 2027 and beyond. Conservation measures that keep more water stored in Lake Mead have reduced flows downstream through habitats for endangered fish, birds and snakes, necessitating ever more intervention to avoid extinctions.
All around its 246,000-square-mile drainage, the Colorado River is on life support.
At Piute Farms, state, federal and tribal crews take turns each spring camping out and capturing native fish to move around the waterfall and toward cobbly spawning beds in the San Juan. Farther north, on smaller, heavily diverted Colorado River tributaries, hired arborists build artificial beaver dams by weaving juniper limbs through posts driven into the riverbeds, trying to keep some pools wet all summer. On the Lower Colorado, downstream of Hoover Dam, heavy equipment operators bulldoze weedy flats to create new ponds and irrigated lowlands — literally farming habitats for fish and birds that thrived naturally before dam builders arrived in the Southwest.
Throughout the vast watershed from the Rocky Mountains to the sea, state, federal, tribal and nonprofit partners spend tens of millions of dollars a year to preserve a hint of the natural bounty the once-grand river enriched with annual floods that filled backwaters and slaked cottonwood forests.
“The river got tamed and we lost all of those natural processes,” said Tice Supplee, Audubon Arizona’s director of bird conservation. Now it takes heavy equipment and pipes, plantations and hatcheries to give thousands of endemic fish and millions of migratory birds a lifeline. “This is a way to try to bring that back through a managed approach.”
Facing the twin threats of aridification and overconsumption, guardians of the wild now practice a measure of backcountry zookeeping.
Helping nature, one fish at a time
At Piute Farms Waterfall, Talitha McGuire stood atop the bow of a catamaran raft below the falls in March, ready to assist nature. A native fisheries technician for the Utah Department of Natural Resources, she clutched a hoop net on an 8-foot pole, primed to jab at the water when a salmon-size razorback sucker broke the surface. She yipped and howled when she ensnared the fish and hauled it aboard to be dropped in a holding tank.
Native fisheries biologist Brian Hines rowed the boat and minded the generator that powered a steel ball, slitted like a big jingle bell and hanging overboard, pulsing electricity into the water. The current enticed and then momentarily stunned fish in the river. If not immediately within reach, the fish revived and squirmed away, requiring blind stabs of the hoop into the brown water. McGuire left the non-natives — mostly common carp — to swim free, but hoisted a big razorback from the froth.
Later, at camp on the riverbank, they took turns measuring and weighing their live catches of flannelmouth and razorback suckers, waving a detection wand over them to see if they had been previously caught and tagged with a tiny transmitter. Then they clipped a sliver from a fin for later DNA sampling.
“Shh-shh-shh-shh-shh.” McGuire shushed wiggly fish as she hung them from the scale.
The big razorback she had snared weighed in at more than 4 pounds. “Oh, you’re so fat!” she said before lowering it into a tank with a pump that kept it refreshed with muddy river water. At day’s end they would hand-deliver the fish and the others past the waterfall, sending them on their way upstream.
The hike, with arms pulled low by the weight of water-filled buckets, took the two up a steep sedimentary bank around the waterfall, then a half-mile over some sand dunes, through a tunnel of tamarisk bristles and over piles of wild burro dung, then briefly onto some riverside quicksand to dump the suckers back in the San Juan.
“A lot of work for some fishies,” Hines said.
So far, he said, the genetics testing has proved that it works at least on a small scale. One fish that was spawned from a parent caught and transported has shown up back at the waterfall. He had not yet sent the fin clips collected during 2022 to the lab, so there could be more.
Without help, Hines said, these fish will struggle to persist in and around Lake Powell. They spawn in the reservoir and nearby on the Colorado, but those young larval fish don’t survive into adulthood. Besides aiding their migration to more suitable grounds in the San Juan, biologists stock hatchery-raised fish and also patrol the Green River, upstream of Lake Powell. They zap and remove predatory walleye that have invaded the Green after being stocked as sportfish in reservoirs.
Suckers are hardy fish. “If species like that are kind of going into decline,” he said, “there’s something wrong with the system.”
Because concrete dams and diversions supplying and feeding tens of millions of Americans are the ecosystem’s ultimate problem, there may be no end to this painstaking midwifing of the native species and killing of their predators.
“I would like to say there’s an end, but in reality I don’t know that there is,” Hines said. “We’re not going to get rid of the dams — all the dams. We’re not going to get rid of all the nonnative fish. And so there’s going to have to be something done, I think, in the long-term to make (native species) thrive.”
A river with few rights
The river’s own needs have suffered through a century of interstate compacts, settlements and treaties. The so-called Law of the River is not a law for the river. Instead, the suite of river rules developed since 1922 mostly dictates which groups of humans get how much of the water.
The Endangered Species Act and the Grand Canyon Protection Act both contain mandates involving water, but both also face serious limitations when the reservoirs are low. For instance, a Glen Canyon Dam flood release to benefit both Grand Canyon and its rare native fish was put off for years until a strong snow season assured Lake Powell’s storage pool of a partial rebound this year.
The river’s precarious status in its own watershed is why it’s so important for the states to reach a deal that stabilizes their supplies, according to Jennifer Pitt, who directs Audubon’s Colorado River program. Nature only gets its slim share if an interstate deal props up the reservoirs at least enough to keep the river flowing into Mexico. It’s a product of a legal system that doles out water to people and, with rare exceptions, not specifically to the river.
“A crisis for water users makes it much more difficult for (officials) to think about management that includes water for the river, let alone restoration,” Pitt said. If water stores sink low enough, she fears, Congress could override its own mandates, such as a program using some water to create new endangered species habitats along the lower river.
An Arizona State University water policy expert doubts the nation would allow the states to dewater the river within the U.S. now, even though this country and Mexico allowed that to happen in the formerly lush delta south of the border during the last century. The delta was drained before there was an Endangered Species Act, said Sarah Porter, who directs ASU’s Kyl Center for Water Policy. “There are laws in place to protect what’s left,” she said.
The Endangered Species Act may ultimately thwart future efforts to move more water away from riverside farms, such as those around Yuma, and transport it to cities around Phoenix, Porter said. Even artificial nature has its limits.
Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the region’s big storage tanks, dipped to about one-quarter of capacity before rising with the runoff from last winter’s healthy snowpack. They’re expected to climb back to about one-third full, which won’t put them out of risk for catastrophic plunges if dry weather returns, as it usually has over the past two decades.
Pitt hopes the states and the federal dam managers will create a new system that adapts in real-time, hitching water allowances to the current year’s natural flow instead of just tracking reservoir levels.
“We need to acknowledge the uncertainty that we face in the future because of warming temperatures,” she said.
In May, Arizona, California and Nevada released a proposal to share new cuts in water use over the next three years. At 3 million acre-feet in total, it’s less than the U.S. Interior Department had sought from them before an increasingly rare big snowpack piled up in the Rocky Mountains last winter, relieving some of the urgency. If Interior Secretary Deb Haaland approves the deal later this year, it could forestall further interstate squabbling and potential litigation at least until new and potentially more painful long-term river-management guidelines are due for adoption in 2026.
The ultimate goal is to keep Lake Mead from reaching “dead pool,” the elevation so low that Hoover Dam can no longer release water to the lower river that divides Arizona first from Nevada and then from California before it enters Mexico. The river there, approaching its dried-up delta, is a lifeline in the desert, supporting birds that need its food and respite on the long annual journeys to and from nesting areas.
“It does seem like a really perilous time for environmental resources in a place where effectively a lot of species are on life support,” Pitt said.
Life support for a weakened river
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge was built to compensate for the destruction that Hoover Dam wrought on the lower Colorado’s environment. It’s a cultivated bird haven straddling the river on the downstream end of the Palo Verde Irrigation District, one of California’s sprawling farm empires.
In February, excavators at Cibola plowed a gaping ditch across a levee from the river and inserted a new water main. It will serve new backwater ponds that the crews also dug out of the tamarisk-choked flats just downriver, scraping new artificial fish and wildlife habitats from the desert. The goal is to rebuild the kinds of wetlands that the river in its wilder days used to make on its own, delivering water for the trees and bugs that sustain wildlife.
Farther back from the river, a flock of gangly sandhill cranes feasted on corn stubble planted and left specifically for them and migrating waterfowl.
This altered landscape is part of the life support system that Pitt described, a fish and wildlife farm growing the natural resources that a thoroughly domesticated river can’t grow on its own.
“This is big,” Audubon’s Supplee said as she stood on the levee road watching the earth movers. When wet, the new lagoons will expand the haven that already supports about 1,000 cranes each year on their way north to Idaho. On that day, she counted 650. But she remembered decades past, before many of the habitat enhancements, when only a few hundred made the trip.
The cranes are a sight and sound to behold during their late-winter refueling stopover, especially at twilight. After a day of grazing in Cibola’s grain fields, they will lift off to find a place to rest and wet their feet nearer the river. They come first in pairs and small groups, and then in great waves, their croaking cacophony echoing from cottonwoods and desert bluffs until they settle down like gray flamingos in a canal-fed lagoon.
This phenomenon, like so many others among the West’s migrating flocks, now relies on the state and federal funds that effectively farm nature for them, Supplee said. Without that program and the wetlands it creates along this wet ribbon in the desert, birds would struggle to reach their northern nesting zones. Their peril is compounded by the decline of other invaluable waypoints, the inland saline lakes such as the Salton Sea and the Great Salt Lake, she said.
Replicating riverine habitat for water birds and for the bugs that feed neotropical songbirds is essential to continued bird life in the Northwest. “They’ll stop in by the thousands, refuel, then head on north,” Supplee said.
Rebuilding what the Colorado once provided requires constant work. In the old days, the river constantly swelled and shifted to mow down old trees to raise the new. Some birds, like the regionally threatened yellow-billed cuckoo, prefer younger willows and cottonwoods of the sort that spring up after floods. The endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, by contrast, likes the understory among established trees near water.
“They evolved around a dynamic, flooding system that would take the trees out and bring new growth,” Supplee said. A stand of tall willows on Cibola’s edge demonstrates the dilemma. When planted years ago, they were a prime habitat for some species that won’t enter them now because they create an impenetrable wall.
The contractors pushing earth around during Supplee’s February visit were helping America compensate the river for its dams and diversions. They were working for a federal-state partnership that has spent nearly $400 million since 2005 to perpetuate the species that rely on the river and its surroundings. Called the Multi-Species Conservation Program, it is intended to provide 50 years of restoration for imperiled fish and wildlife that are harmed by lower and more controlled flows. It costs about $35 million a year, with the federal government paying half and California, Arizona and Nevada covering the rest.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation administers the program from its offices near Hoover Dam. That agency, which also manages the dam, rejected a request by The Arizona Republic to jointly tour some of the habitat that it created and also declined interview requests. When approached after an April news conference about federal funding of Colorado River water conservation, though, Deputy Reclamation Commissioner David Palumbo said the program seeks to make the best of what the river can still provide on its way from dam to diversion canal.
“Given the water shortage we’re seeing,” he said, “we’re looking to see that every drop of water does pass through the habitat in the best way possible. We’re making strategic use of that water.”
The program’s annual report describes a massive undertaking designed not only to scrape more habitat out of the Southwest’s deserts and farmlands, but to capture and safeguard young endangered fish and to rear them until they’re safe from predators and can be slipped back in the river.
In fiscal year 2021, during the winter and spring razorback sucker spawning season on Lake Mohave, biologists with the program captured 38,218 of the young fish in their larval stage. They did this one fish at a time, luring them to light, then netting them. The captives move to a riverside hatchery to be raised in safety until they can be put back or moved to other river segments as they near adulthood.
Lake Mohave, a reservoir downstream of Hoover Dam, holds the species’ greatest store of genetic diversity, according to the report, so ensuring the survival of its young may help razorbacks adapt to fluctuating river conditions.
Another hatchery participating in the program, at Lake Mead, closed last year and transferred its fish to others after the reservoir’s water sank too low for its intake pipe. At least $8.5 million in direct federal funds and $3.1 million from Nevada’s share of federal pandemic recovery dollars is going toward construction of a new intake to reopen that hatchery next year.
Elsewhere along the river, the program supports tree farming for native species that require cottonwoods, willows or honey mesquites, species that were largely crowded out by nonnative tamarisks, after the dams started regulating flows last century.
At the Palo Verde Ecological Reserve, near Blythe, California, the program relies on miles of concrete-lined canals to deliver some of the Palo Verde Irrigation District’s farm water to 1,300 acres of trees. Wildlife surveys last year found yellow-billed cuckoos breeding there and a solitary willow flycatcher, among other rare species.
The Multi-Species Conservation Program intends to create 8,132 acres of new habitat for 27 affected species of state or federal concern, eight of which are federally listed as endangered. That includes 512 acres of marsh and 360 acres of backwaters. By last year, the total acreage created had reached 6,840.
Nonprofits also have added trees to harbor the river’s avian guests, including where the river usually no longer flows at all. Groups including the Tucson-based Sonoran Institute and Mexico’s Pronatura Noroeste have planted bosques of mesquite, palo verde and other natives along portions of the dry riverbed where depth to groundwater is shallowest, an effort that also capitalizes on targeted flows through Mexico’s farm canals.
At the Miguel Aleman restoration site, Pronatura says the partners have rooted more than 100,000 native plants and counted 122 bird species. It’s no match for the massive oasis that birds found on the delta before the U.S. built Hoover Dam and Mexico diverted its share. But without it, they would find only a wasteland.
How toppling tamarisk could help habitats
Yuma’s handsomely forested riverfront is another oasis that took a yeoman’s effort — and an irrigation system — to bring back. Its shade attracts both birds and nature lovers.
“Pshh-pshh-pshh-pshh!” Some of the 11 birders out for a weekly organized stroll around the Yuma East Wetlands mimicked the songbirds they stalked through the palo verdes, mesquites and cottonwoods in March, hoping to draw them in for a closer look through binoculars. An Abert’s towhee bounced through the underbrush.
It’s an underbrush that wouldn’t have been comfortably accessible when Karen Reichhardt moved to Yuma in the mid-1990s, not to her and the other birders, and not to some of the birds. Back then the riverside stretching north from downtown Yuma and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area was clogged with nonnative tamarisks, also known as salt cedars, and reeds. These scruffy, poky green invaders have taken over much of the Colorado Basin’s riversides, aided by the unnatural stability left by upstream dams that tamed floods.
Some people did penetrate those thickets and lived along the river outdoors. City residents hesitated to approach, worried about drugs and unsanitary conditions, and called the upstream confluence with the usually dry Gila River “Shit Creek.”
“We thought the river was dead,” Reichhardt said. “There was no hope.”
And yet, when the heritage area and partners with the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, the city and the Arizona Game and Fish Department started a program to clear and replant the banks with native species, volunteers abounded. Back then, Reichhardt was a natural resources specialist for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, another agency that got involved. They battled “tamarisk thickets you couldn’t even crawl through,” she said.
You’d never guess it today, under a tall, leafy canopy where Anna’s hummingbirds zoom and rough-winged swallows dart after insects. Like the marshes a few dozen river miles upstream around Cibola, some of the area is irrigated by canal and culvert from a nearby farm district. Like Reclamation’s multispecies program, the Yuma partners make the most of every drop that passes on its way to its ultimate user downstream. The trees shade walkers and canoeists in a town that blisters in the summer heat.
The birders’ count after an hour that day, submitted to a Cornell University survey app, included 24 species, among them a Bullock’s oriole. They would be back the following week to see what life the renewed forest might embrace.
“It’s just phenomenal,” Reichhart said. “Every single tree you see was planted.”
Across the river and downstream on Quechan land, Tribal Environmental Director Chase Choate checked on workers tending buckets of honey mesquites that would soon be transplanted where they had cleared tamarisk stands. Near the bank, a diesel generator powered a pump moving river water into drip lines to irrigate the latest stand in the 100 acres that the tribe has restored since 2010 on the California side between Yuma and the Mexican border.
They typically add 15-20 acres at a time, and were planning to help volunteers root another 500 or so trees bought for $5 apiece from the Colorado River Indian Tribes’ nursery the following month. Most of the work’s cost is reimbursed through federal grants.
The restored areas, including mesquites and flowering palo verdes, cottonwoods and Gooding’s willows, rise over bare sand, in contrast with the solid tamarisk jungles elsewhere on the river. Ideally, Choate said, when the new forests mature and sink their roots into the water table so they no longer need irrigation, they’ll invite struggling species such as willow flycatchers and Ridgway’s rails, marsh waders formerly known as Yuma clapper rails.
The Quechans seek to restore culturally significant plants, such as arrow weed, used in funeral rites. A handwritten note on the chalkboard in Choate’s office reminded workers of the need to gather some for an upcoming funeral. They’re also planting native berry shrubs, such as wolfberry. “We got our own native superfood here,” he said.
Taming the river to power and water farms and cities brought this local ecosystem to the brink of collapse by favoring nonnative species that thrive in the absence of floods. The tribe can’t undo all the damage, but it is working to maintain a sliver of what its ancestors knew as home.
“The trees and the critters were our ancestors too,” Choate said. “We need to honor them.”
Far upstream, around Moab, Utah, willows are recolonizing the Colorado’s banks without the direct aid of humans.
There, in March, Tim Graham dug through the leaf litter under roadside tamarisk bunches and found a tiny beetle ready to emerge for a season of gorging on tamarisk leaves. “Not very big,” acknowledged Graham, a retired federal entomologist who now helps Grand County monitor beetle activity, “but when you get a lot of them they make an impact.”
The impact since 2007, when the government released these insects native to Asia to munch on trees also native to Asia, has been pronounced around Moab. Tamarisks still live there, and sometimes bounce back from one year’s insect assault, inviting beetles back for another round. But throughout this red rock canyon country, Graham said, native willows are regaining some of their old turf.
“It’s been a success,” Graham said. “I don’t think that tamarisk is the dominant thing out here anymore.”
The success can only go so far while dams and canals continue to siphon off the river’s formerly cyclical high flows. The tamarisks themselves altered the river’s floodplain in ways that don’t support cottonwood reestablishment. Acting as strainers, they slowed whatever high water has encroached on them over the last few decades, causing sand to fall out and build the banks higher.
“It has become sort of a semiarid environment, instead of a riparian zone,” Graham said. Restoring the full complement of native trees would require bigger and more frequent floods than this era of drought and diversion generally deliver.
The beetle also is problematic in some parts of the river basin, such as the Grand Canyon and in central Arizona. It hasn’t taken to feasting on native vegetation, but it has spread farther south than scientists thought it could, based on the hours of summer daylight it needs. Where it has defoliated tamarisks that can’t easily be replaced by native trees, it has taken out the only riverside nesting habitat that supported birds including the southwestern willow flycatcher.
The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture for releasing the beetles without accounting for their effects to endangered species, and the department agreed to support flycatcher conservation both along the Colorado and in other habitats the beetles threaten, including central Arizona and the San Pedro River.
Environmental concerns 'override everything else'
Human control of the Colorado’s water has created new recreational opportunities, such as bass fishing in Lake Powell or trout fishing in the clear, cold waters below dams on the Green River, the Colorado’s largest tributary. Even these artificial playgrounds exist at the whims of the Southwest’s demands for water and electricity, though, as trout anglers learned anew last year.
Just below Fontenelle Dam, on the Green in southwest Wyoming, Layne Edwards launched his drift boat. He planned to pitch his artificial flies at trout numbering from 200 to 250 per mile. If the dam and the fishing below it were managed to maximize the fishery, he said, that remote, high-desert stretch should hold twice as many fish.
Instead, the fly-fishing guide from Park City, Utah, said the flows fluctuate wildly according to downstream needs, as do the reservoir levels. Water temperatures in summer can reach higher than 70 degrees, stressing the trout. When people hook and wear out already stressed fish, Edwards said, even catch-and-release is a killer.
Edwards fished in spring 2022, before the warm-up. He hoped to return that fall, when introduced kokanee salmon head upstream from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, their eggs drifting and creating a feeding frenzy among both trout and bald eagles.
“It’s kind of a wild fishery,” he said. “Outside of Alaska, you don’t really get to see this salmon process, even though it’s artificial.”
He held out little hope that his goals for the river, both water and fish, would influence dam managers.
“This is where all your water comes from,” he told The Arizona Republic. “Everything that comes out of this dam is a product of what they’ve gotta have in Lake Mead or Lake Powell.” He chose a fly while his fishing partner rowed downstream toward a trout hole. “We’re the last person anyone’s going to listen to for how much water’s going to come out of here.”
By late summer, a trout kill like those that Edwards dreaded on the Green was happening far downstream below the Green’s confluence with the Colorado. The Bureau of Reclamation announced that temperatures at Lees Ferry, driven higher as Lake Powell dropped lower against Glen Canyon Dam, were affecting oxygen levels in the river. Fishing guides in the stretch between the dam and Grand Canyon National Park reported stressed fish, and anglers wading in the river watched trout float past them, belly-up.
Warming waters last year also raised threat levels for native humpback chubs farther downstream in the Grand Canyon. Those fish are fine living in warmer water, as they did much of the year before Glen Canyon Dam started releasing cold water from Lake Powell’s depths more than half a century ago. But the warm band of water atop Lake Powell hosts smallmouth bass, a dangerous predator for chubs. As that surface water plunged closer to the dam’s hydroelectric turbine intakes, the bass started slipping through.
Last year was the first year those predators were confirmed to have bred in the river below the dam. This spring, bass-control teams had captured 26 young bass and spotted two adults between the dam and Lees Ferry, National Park Service biologists reported at a meeting of the dam’s adaptive management program partners in May. They planned to continue removing bass through this summer, including by electric shock that stuns the fish so they can be netted.
As snowmelt started pulsing downstream from the Rockies this spring, river rafters and kayakers were celebrating. Kurt Schroeder, a parks manager from Colorado Springs, Colorado, pumped up a raft for launch at Green River State Park in Utah, ready to join friends on a five-day float that would end just outside Canyonlands National Park.
Schroeder has floated and kayaked the West for 25 years, including twice through Grand Canyon. He believes the region’s thirst for the river’s water threatens a way of life, one that is written in marker on his floppy hat, an entry for each trip.
“We don’t want to lose our ability to raft these rivers and kayak them,” he said. “I can’t say it’s our life, but golly it’s fun.”
A warming climate and continued overuse endanger the natural wonders that make being on the water worthwhile, he said. One big winter’s snowpack won’t reverse that, and he hopes everyone among the millions who draw water from the river will do their part. Green grass, for instance, belongs in parks and not lawns, he said.
“The environmental concerns, as far as I’m concerned, override everything else.”
‘Drawing a line in the sand’
Throughout most of the Colorado and its web of tributaries, the chief environmental problem is far more basic than the unnatural regimentation of dam releases, the takeover of floodplains by invasive shrubs and sand, or even the menace of predatory fish that native species did not evolve defenses against.
It’s the water.
“Society continues to manage our desert rivers as if we think that fish don’t need water,” said Phaedra Budy, a Utah State University professor of fish management and aquatic ecology. She made the assertion in an introduction to research she and colleagues published about how still more new diversions will push native fish toward the edge. “If we continue down this path, we will watch native fish, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth, blink off the planet.”
Budy and Utah State colleague Casey Pennock co-led the 2021 research, published in Fisheries magazine, that studied four tributaries of the Green and found that among them, only the White River, flowing from western Colorado into eastern Utah, had sufficient water with a relatively natural flow schedule to provide safe haven for suckers and chubs.
Only the White has the right balance of water, sediment, sandbars with backwaters, sheltering cottonwood forests and pool-forming deadwood to sustain themselves without hatchery help. They didn’t study the Yampa, farther north, which also has favorable conditions. Those are the only two sizable tributaries that still favor native fish, they say, yet both rivers face calls for more water development.
The White has long been the subject of a dam proposal in Colorado. Protecting its flows could require action by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to designate a conservation area with federal water rights, Pennock said.
“We’re kind of drawing a line in the sand and saying it’s important and we should conserve it,” he said.
That line was crossed long ago on Utah’s Price River, another relatively small tributary, but one that barely flows past all the farms by late summer and that can’t sustain fish or beavers year-round.
So Utahns are doing the beaver’s work in hopes of bringing the fish back.
In late March, a gang of friends from northern Utah’s Cache Valley waded chest-deep in the Price just downstream of Woodside, a U.S. 6 crossing over the stream north of the town of Green River. They dragged juniper limbs lopped from the slopes closer to Soldier Summit, the mountain pass leading to Utah’s urban front. They had hauled them there because the Price Valley’s scrubby barrens, even at riverside, no longer supply the kind of stout wood they had in mind for clogging up the waterway.
The water had risen sharply since the last time they worked there, but it hadn’t fully immersed the V-shaped “BDA,” short for beaver dam analog, they had built under contract with the state. The structure, woven among posts they had pounded into the riverbed with a motorized driver, spanned the 12-foot-wide river and forced some of the risen water to flow over it, creating a foot-tall cascade. It’s the kind of work that both fish managers and groups including Trout Unlimited are supporting in several Colorado tributaries.
The muddy water obscured the mass below the Price’s surface, so it wasn’t clear whether the limbs the crew had loaded into it on their previous visit still held, or if the posts had instead caught new sticks floating down from elsewhere. Either way, it would do, even though it appeared the high water would keep them from loading as much wood into it as they had hoped.
“That’s the goal right there,” said Wes Newman, a Minden, Utah, arborist. Wood slowing the river, creating ripples and catching sediment to reinforce the obstacle should eventually help create little pools to cool fish.
“That’s satisfying to see, even if we didn’t get to weave it the way we wanted,” said Aaron Lerdahl, of Logan, Utah and, at 23, the youngest of the contracted workers. Their work was altering the waterway.
A competitive weightlifter at his hometown university, he barreled through the Price’s springtime depths, dragging armloads of juniper limbs to stuff between the posts he had already driven into the riverbed. The water lapped at the top of his chest waders and dampened his Hawaiian shirt as he filled the gap between a double-chevron of posts, then compacted the limbs and added more as his colleagues tossed them from the banks.
Slogging upstream again to find the next structure, he turned to look back at his latest creation’s newly formed ripple, and said it again: “Oh, that’s satisfying.”
On inspection for Utah State river researchers later that week, geomorphologist Scott Shahveridan was less satisfied. At every structure he reviewed, he wanted more: more width, more density, more wood.
Wood drifting and lodging in rivers is what adds complexity, and ultimately what aids fish, he said. Even if blown out by the next flood, more wood coming from one structure to the next will help the cause. Until now, the altered river has flowed in a largely unimpeded shot to its confluence with the Green, rarely collecting in deep pools or eddies.
So long as irrigators along the Price effectively drain it during summer, Shahveridan said, native and endangered fish can’t sustain themselves there.
“This thing gets sucked dry,” he said.
A U.S. Geological Survey graph tracking flows past the nearby gauge show that the Price fluctuated wildly according to human needs last summer, from a high in the hundreds of cubic feet per second to a low of 0.27 cubic feet per second on Aug. 14, and back. Such dry-outs would leave any surviving fish gasping in pools, if any such pools existed. The goal with the wood structures is to build barriers and sandbars that can hold water until the next wave of dam releases, Shahveridan said.
“If these are the only places that maintain water,” he said, “then we need these places to exist in the first place.”
Until now, they haven’t. The Price is deeply channelized, in places pulsing below 10-foot-high banks as if through an excavated flume. As with other Colorado Basin streams, Shahveridan said, this one was colonized by tamarisks after irrigators started altering its flows. Their intermingled stalks slowed the occasional floodwaters, filtering out sand and building up the banks until cottonwoods and willows could no longer grow there. It’s a cycle that robbed the river of its wood.
Now the wood is going back in, in the form of BDAs and “PALS,” or post-assisted log structures meant to mimic a tree falling across part of the stream. If they sufficiently slow the flow and cause sediment to drop out in strategic locations, pools will emerge during dry seasons.
How well they succeed in attracting native fish such as the Colorado pikeminnow into the Price and sustaining them there may ultimately depend on collaborations with farmers who own the water rights. The Nature Conservancy is working with Utah and an irrigation district to move some unused canal water into a reservoir for release into the Price when flows get critically low.
“Who cares how topographically complex your streambed is if there’s no water in it?” Shahveridan said.
The river calls
Tending to nature in this highly unnatural environment requires keeping one eye on the long view to recovery, and one on each step along the way. For McGuire, the Utah fish technician netting and transporting suckers upstream, it’s a calling that has anchored her in her home waters on the Colorado Plateau.
McGuire grew up in Flagstaff and went to college in Iowa with the idea of working abroad, but then took on a series of jobs in her home region, each helping her to see that she was needed here. She worked on the program to conserve endangered condors, and also on the electrofishing program in Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Creek to remove nonnative brown trout so they wouldn’t eat humpback chubs. She guided young people on educational raft trips in Utah. Then she joined the state’s native fish program.
“You don’t have to go very far to have an impact,” she said.
She sees a Colorado River and tributaries that need her help. “I don’t think it will ever go back to the way it was because humans have had such an effect on the environment.”
Still, in an age when so many species are disappearing or at risk of extinction, each razorback sucker she helps on its way seems like a gift from the past to her, and from her to the future.
“You just feel like you’re holding this really, really special thing,” she said. “And you’re like, ‘Yeah buddy. You’re surviving.’”
Brandon Loomis covers environmental and climate issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at brandon.loomis@arizonarepublic.com or follow on Twitter @brandonloomis.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Gila River is threatened by drought, demand and rising temperatures. Who will protect it?
High in the forested hills of western New Mexico's Gila National Forest, a river forges a lifeline, sustaining abundant wildlife in one of the largest and healthiest Ponderosa pine forests on the planet. Black bears, mountain lions and javelinas cool off in the river during summer. Bald eagles dip their talons in the water for a snack. Below the surface, it is one of the only places to find the rare Gila trout.
This is the headwaters of the Gila River, one of the Colorado River's longest tributaries. Rushing past towering cliffs, the Gila crosses into Arizona, stretching for nearly 600 miles until its confluence with the Colorado near Yuma.
The Gila was once one of the richest waterways in one of the most productive river ecosystems in the American Southwest. The once perennial river gave life to stretches of dry Sonoran Desert. Wetlands sprawled from either side of the river’s banks, riparian habitats thrived with lush cottonwoods and vegetation for birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Large mammals, like the now-endangered Mexican gray wolf, relied on the river for food.
But in the 21st century, depending on the time of year and winter precipitation amounts, the river doesn't resemble its headwaters to the east or its former glory through the desert. The once perennial river now dries up halfway through its journey.
Gila plays vital roles, but its flow is no longer reliable
Although it is one of the West's longest rivers, the Gila's many irrigation diversions drain it dry before it reaches its 500-mile marker.
Near the Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix, the stream bed lies exposed, and what once could be traversed by large riverboats and recreational users is now reduced to an intermittent trickle. The river appears as a walking trail. Invasive salt cedar sprouts wildly along the path, sucking up precipitation that falls during the monsoon. Their slender branches and green foliage are often the only sign of life for miles along the river.
The Gila long played a vital role for Arizona, collecting water from about two-thirds of the state’s river basins. Most of the rivers that run across the state historically emptied into the Gila, or into another tributary that reaches the Gila. That includes the Salt, Verde, San Pedro, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Agua Fria, though those rivers are often diverted and dry before reaching the confluence with the Gila.
The Gila feeds aquifers that irrigate millions of acres of agriculture, playing a critical role in the state’s economy and feeding families. In the stretches where surface water still flows, the river provides habitat for threatened and endangered species and beats as the heart of biodiverse riparian ecosystems.
Many factors determine the amount of surface water found in the river at any given time. Winter precipitation is a key component to the river's flow, especially in the upper basin. This year, a wetter-than-average season has kept the river flowing later in the year and for more miles.
But research from the University of Arizona suggests that temperature plays a larger role in keeping water in the river than precipitation. That's why rising temperatures over the last 50 years, fueled by increased greenhouse gas emissions, further threaten the already struggling river and its uncertain future.
Other long-term factors that influence surface water in the Gila include drought, diversion from flood control structures and overuse by cities and agriculture.
“There’s no guarantee that there will be water, it doesn’t constantly run,” said Sarah Sayles of the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance, a nonprofit conservation group working to protect the river. “Right now, we have water in it, but there are other factors that determine the health of the river.”
Future farming needs raise questions
One of the factors that determines the river's health is water quality.
The Gila and its largest tributary, the San Francisco River, both tested positive in recent years for high levels of E. coli, which can impair the ecology of the area, including adverse effects for fish and other riparian species. But earlier this year the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality said E. coli levels had declined in both waterways, a good sign for water quality and overall health for surface water in the upper basin.
Depletion of the water source also greatly affects the overall health of the river and is largely attributed to diversion, crop irrigation and water demands from cities.
Declining snowpack in recent decades has already affected the river's flows, but scientists predict that snow could stop falling in the Black and Mogollon ranges on the Gila’s headwaters by 2050, which would almost certainly alter the ecology of the upper basin. Temperatures in New Mexico have risen by more than 2 degrees since the beginning of the 20th century.
According to the Arizona Water Resources Development Commission, the Upper Gila Watershed will have unmet water demands by 2035. Over the past two decades, municipal water demand in the watershed has increased by 34% and agricultural demand has decreased by only 5%.
“It’s hard to talk about impacts on the river and not talk about agriculture,” said Ashley Hullinger, of the Water Resources Research Center at the University of Arizona. “It is very important to the Gila and the communities that live along the river.”
Agriculture is the largest water user on the Gila River. Large farms producing cotton, alfalfa and olive oil sprawl along the river’s banks. Even in areas where surface water nearly never flows, groundwater is pumped to sustain the industry.
“I think people would tell you they can’t survive without the mountains or the river,” said Sayles. “I think the farmers would tell you their livelihoods would not survive without the river.”
On the Gila River:How do you grow crops with no water? One rancher is trying an old approach
In a worst-case scenario, a huge water deficit
The Gila’s surface and groundwater have long been a sought-after resource, enabling farming, ranching and mining while also giving life to riparian habitats.
But the fate of the river is uncertain. In 2019, the advocacy group American Rivers named the Gila River “America's most endangered river,” citing the grave threat that climate change and a proposed diversion project in New Mexico would pose.
In 2015, the UA's Water Resources Research Center conducted a water budget analysis for the Upper Gila Watershed to estimate future supply and demand by 2050. In the report’s best-case scenario, the Gila Valley would have a surplus of 35,000 acre-feet of water.
“There are so many factors to be considered,” said Hullinger. “This winter is an example of how we can recover in the short term and gain a little more ground.”
In the worst-case scenario, the report suggests the Gila Valley could be in a 31,000 acre-foot deficit.
“In the ultimate worst case scenario precipitation and streamflow decrease, then increased water use demand on all sides and then this is what we are looking at,” she said. “But we're hoping it’s somewhere in the middle or on the higher side.”
'Riparian areas are the beating heart'
Riparian areas along the Gila are also vital to the longevity of the river but are being threatened by decreased precipitation and water flow, livestock grazing, wildfire and drought. These areas along the sides of the river provide habitat, help maintain water quality and stabilize stream banks to reduce flooding and erosion.
“Riparian areas are the beating heart,” Sayles said. “If our riparian areas are healthy, it demonstrates the health of the river.”
Hullinger said riparian areas along the river are feeling the effects of water-intensive crops, like alfalfa, that are grown in Arizona and shipped overseas to countries that ban the production.
“This is a conversation on what we need to use our water for, If we're choosing cotton and agriculture that is being exported versus feeding our local community, then what is the cost-benefit?” said Hullinger. “And we’re seeing that it is taking away from the local environment, the riparian health, the plants and animals that rely on those systems and that’s the forgotten sector.”
Riparian areas, especially along the lower stretches of the river, are struggling because they lack water. Areas that were once rich in biodiversity are now overrun by salt cedar, an invasive plant that sucks up any excess water that flows downstream or that falls from the sky. The plant was first brought in to channelize the river, but years later it has caused significant damage the ecology of the region.
“It was successful, it just wasn’t good,” Sayles said. “We’re never going to get to back to the way it was. But when we can repair some of that damage, and the longer we can keep native plants alive and growing, the more that reflects the health of the river.”
Livestock grazing has been a hot-button issue between conservation groups and ranchers for many years and is also impairing riparian habitats. Earlier this year, the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon said they intend to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management over grazing near the Gila River in eastern Arizona.
The groups say the cattle causes erosion along stream banks and destroys habitats for endangered birds that live in the riparian areas, like the southwestern willow flycatcher and the yellow-billed cuckoo.
River's health will depend on drought, heat effects
But things are looking good for the river further downstream, at least in the short term. A wetter-than-average winter has kept water in the river longer — and farther along in the riverbed — than in previous years. In Yuma on the southwestern corner of Arizona, the usually dry Gila is flowing for the first time since the early 1990s, due to mountain runoff from winter snowfall.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released water from Painted Rock Dam near Gila Bend in April after the heavy runoff raised water levels behind the dam. As of May, about 1.5 million gallons per minute rushed toward the Colorado River.
Just three months ago, a stretch of river near Oatman Flats Ranch, just south of the Painted Rock Dam, was completely dry. Now water rushes through the property and has washed out roads to the ranch.
But long-term, rising temperatures and drought will play a big role in the future of the river. Runoff efficiency is the correlation between winter precipitation and streamflow, and recent studies suggest warmer spring temperatures earlier in the year could undo the success of wet winters.
A study from the USA National Phenology Center said that Tucson has warmed 6.1 degrees during the spring season since 1970, and Phoenix temperatures rose 5.5 degrees over the same time.
“Temperature is sort of the root of all of this, whatever precipitation falls in the basin, with warmer temps it will be less efficient,” said Connie Woodhouse a researcher for the University of Arizona’s Climate Assessment for the Southwest. “Less of that precipitation that falls into the basin is going to make its way into the river as temperatures warm.”
The most important temperature relationship is between annual streamflow and summer temperatures, Woodhouse said. Her work looked at the climate influences of streamflow on the Upper Gila, the Salt and the Verde rivers.
“When you have warmer temperatures you will have more evaporation, plant activity, and heating of the soil,” she said. “All of these things will indirectly affect streamflow. So it’s not so much the precipitation in the summer, it’s the temperature that is important.”
The health of the river cannot be tied to one element. Rather the well-being of the river could be determined by the success of all the ecosystems that rely on it. Conservationists like Sayles say the longevity of the river will depend on collaboration between individuals who live and rely on the river and governments' willingness to protect it.
“There’s a large population here who just loves the river, the environment, our mountains,” said Sayles. “We're here at the edge of the Gila wilderness and there’s this love for all of this natural environment that can be found here.”
Jake Frederico covers environment issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to jake.frederico@arizonarepublic.com.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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On the Little Colorado River, a confluence of interests presents constant challenges
The Little Colorado River's turquoise blue waters and the place where they comingle with the larger Colorado on its path through the Grand Canyon create a place that calls people to explore one of the Southwest's most intriguing regions.
The Confluence.
The area is held sacred by several Indigenous peoples in the region, including the Hopi, Navajo and Zuni peoples. It's also the stronghold of the humpback chub, a minnow species that has survived in the Colorado River Basin's warm-water canyons for about 3.5 million years, but whose existence is threatened by dams and invasive species.
But the Confluence is only the end of the Little Colorado and its story.
Along the 338-mile journey from high in Arizona's White Mountain Apache tribal lands to its final stretch in the Canyon, the Little Colorado has left its mark on Indigenous cultures and settler farmers seeking to wrest a living from the wind-blown mesas in northeastern Arizona. It has fed dreams of developing the Confluence into a place where masses of tourists could tide a tram to the canyon floor, and it has sparked the possibility of electric current generation within its basin. Efforts to preserve an ancient fish threatened by human activities and to maintain the river's other natural resources remain a constant struggle.
It's a story that reflects the ongoing struggle between people who see the Little Colorado's waters and landscapes as a resource to tap and those who seek to preserve it as a place of worship, quietude and rugged, untouched beauty.
Small river, big footprint
The Little Colorado, one of the U.S.'s rare north-flowing rivers, bubbles up from the ground on the eastern flank of Mt. Baldy in the White Mountains, meanders through the high mesas of eastern Arizona and the Painted Desert, and parallels the western edge of the Navajo Nation to the Confluence.
The sparkling clean water that flows down from Mt. Baldy encounters its first hurdle at Lyman Lake, just south of St. Johns. There, the Little Colorado was dammed to create a 1,500-acre irrigation reservoir.
Although it's fed by several tributaries, including the Zuni and Puerco rivers, Silver Creek and several intermittent washes, the middle section of the Little Colorado rarely flows all year long until it gouges its way from spring runoff and monsoonal storms through rock and sands to Blue Spring.
The remaining 13-mile-stretch from the springs to where it meets its larger sibling is also the river's best-known portion, the Little Colorado River Gorge.
At some places, the walls of the gorge tower 1,500 feet above the river bed. Visitors are fascinated by the rich turquoise coloration the water takes on as it washes through deposits of travertine, a variety of limestone formed from calcium carbonate. At the narrow gorge's floor, the vibrant waters sparkle against the red rocks they have exposed after millions of years and the verdant plants that line the river's edge.
'Our place of emergence'
Indigenous peoples in the Southwest hold strong ties to the Little Colorado and Colorado rivers, the Grand Canyon and the Confluence.
The waters that live underground also provide life-giving water in another direction.
"We live on the headwaters of all the water that heads west," said Ramon Riley, cultural resource director for the White Mountain Apache Tribe. That water, he said, includes the four major reservoirs that serve central Arizona — the Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon and Saguaro reservoirs along the Salt River.
Apache elders say the rivers birthed within Mt. Baldy bring life to humans, animals, creepy crawlers and plants, Riley said. They also teach the need for Apache people to care for the mountain and the waters that lie beneath.
Close to the Confluence lie some of the Hopi Tribe's most sacred places. Sipapu, an almost perfectly round, large travertine dome and spring, is the place where the Hopi people emerged into this world. The rugged Salt Trail Canyon leads Hopis on pilgrimage and other people to salt deposits and eventually, to Sipapu. The Hopis call the Canyon Öngtupqa, or Salt Canyon.
The Canyon, or Chimik’yana’kya dey’a in the Zuni language, is also the place of emergence and beginning for the Zuni people, said Jim Enote, a Zuni tribal member and lifelong farmer.
"It is our ultimate point of reference and an essential part of our identity," Enote said.
Enote, the executive director of the Colorado Plateau Foundation and board chair of the Grand Canyon Trust, said if he followed the Zuni River, which meanders through his tribal lands in western New Mexico, it would take him to the Little Colorado River, known to Zuni people as K’yawinan A’honna or Red River and up to the Confluence.
This, Enote said, means that the Little Colorado River is like is like an umbilical cord connecting the Zuni people to the place where they came into existence, "like returning to our mother's womb." He likened it to other holy rivers such as the Jordan, the Columbia or the Whanganui rivers.
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Ancient fish threatened by dams and sport fish
The warm waters of the northernmost stretch of the Little Colorado are also the largest remaining stronghold for a fish that was almost driven to extinction by human development.
The largest population of the humpback chub, a member of the minnow family, can be found in the Little Colorado River near the Confluence. The chub have existed as a species for more than 3.5 million years, only to fall victim to human activity.
The fish, with the distinctive hump behind its head, needs water temperatures of at least 61 degrees to spawn, but Glen Canyon Dam's hydropower generation sends cold water down the Colorado's mainstem, which inhibits spawning. The chub took another hit because they are not adapted to fend off predators like rainbow and brown trout that were introduced into the river.
The chub was listed as an endangered species in 1967. After more than 50 years into a conservation and management effort, the fish was upgraded to "threatened" status in 2021.
Although the fish is no longer considered endangered, officials closely monitor its progress. David R. Van Haverbeke, a supervisory fish biologist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the population is holding steady. Some of the chub have ventured out of the Little Colorado to take up residence below Lava Falls.
Van Haverbeke has spent decades on the canyon floor dealing with the chub and he's come to appreciate their unique appearance.
"These fish are cool if you get to know them and handle them," he said.
Invasive fish like small mouth bass and brown trout may also move closer seeking out their next meal — the chub. One solution is removal, although some tribes insist that wildlife agencies deal with the invasive species humanely.
"A long, long time ago, during an ancient journey, some of our kin became aquatic beings," Enote said. The Zuni regard those fish as relatives. "We understand and are okay with the rationale for removing the invasive fish but oppose the inhumanity of poisoning them."
Developers eye the Little Colorado River and the Confluence
In recent years, the Little Colorado River's northernmost reach and the place where its water merges with the Colorado's mainstem, have been targeted by developers. In the mid-2010s, a group of investors proposed building a resort that would have been named the Grand Canyon Escalade. The star attraction was a 1.6-mile gondola ride that would have whisked tourists from the canyon's rim down 3,200 feet to the Confluence in only 10 minutes.
Opponents of the resort formed the grassroots group Save the Confluence to fight the proposal. Other tribes with ties to the Confluence — the Hopi, Zuni and New Mexico pueblos — passed resolutions opposing the resort and the gondola. Finally, the Navajo Nation Council "slew the monster," as the Save the Confluence members described the 16-2 vote that rejected the project.
The river was also proposed as two of three sites for a proposed electric storage and generation project, which opponents say would have damaged cultural sites and humpback chub habitat.
The proposed Salt Trail Canyon and Little Colorado River projects would have used a technique called pumped hydro. Water would be stored in an upper reservoir with a hydroelectric generating station. When electric power demands spike, the upper dam would release water through the turbines, generating power that would be distributed using a substation and high-power lines, which would also have to be constructed to connect to the existing electric grid. The lower reservoir temporarily holds the water, which is then pumped back to the upper reservoir to recreate the "battery."
Residents and Save the Confluence mobilized once again to fight the developer, citing the expected damage to cultural sites, the chub and the area's ecology. In 2021, the developer altered the plans to move the project farther south, away from the Confluence and its ecological and cultural treasures. The current project would place the dams in Big Canyon, a dry wash that empties into the Little Colorado, on Navajo Nation land. That project would require pumping groundwater.
One hurdle the project faces: water to fill the reservoirs. The Navajo Nation has yet to quantify its water rights, including the groundwater developers want to use. In 2003, the nation sued for a share of the Colorado River. That case was heard on March 20 by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Navajo and Hopi tribes have also been embroiled in a decades-long adjudication to allocate Little Colorado River's waters along with 6,000 other claimants.
Other threats to the region include tourists trashing one of the river's best-known but intermittent attractions, Grand Falls, or Adah'iilíní. When monsoonal rains or spring runoff swell the usually dry riverbed south of Blue Spring, the chocolate-brown water cascades down a 185-foot cliff. But tourists have damaged cultural sites, left trash behind, accosted residents when they break down on the rough roads and generally created havoc in the area. In March, the Navajo Nation closed the area to nontribal residents.
Van Haverbeke said all players have to work together to protect often conflicting priorities for the Little Colorado and Colorado rivers.
"There are always trade-offs," he said. "Culture, vegetation, water, beaches and power generation make it difficult to come to an optimum solution for everything." But, Van Haverbeke said, everybody tries to do the best they can to work together, coordinate and collaborate.
Back at the headwaters, Riley said one of his tribe's biggest issues is maintaining pure, clean water for the rivers that are birthed in its land, including the Little Colorado. In the old days, Riley said, Apache people tried to protest what was happening to their lands and waters but didn't speak English.
"So we learned English and started to fight back." He said Native people were at the forefront of fighting for laws like the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and environmental protection laws.
Indigenous peoples, environmentalists and their allies will continue their labors to preserve the Little Colorado River.
"Protecting the confluence is protecting part of the history of the human experience," Enote said. "It is a fragile place, and there is no place that can substitute for it."
Tribes and water:Arizona tribes wait for water as settlements languish in courtrooms and bureaucracy
Debra Krol reports on Indigenous communities at the confluence of climate, culture and commerce in Arizona and the Intermountain West. Reach Krol at debra.krol@azcentral.com. Follow her on Twitter at @debkrol.
Coverage of Indigenous issues at the intersection of climate, culture and commerce is supported by the Catena Foundation.
My articles are free to read, but your subscriptions support more local reporting that holds governments and other entities to account. Please consider a subscription to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2023/06/30/little-colorado-river-key-indigenous-cultures-fish/70176671007/ | 2023-06-30T15:28:39 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2023/06/30/little-colorado-river-key-indigenous-cultures-fish/70176671007/ |
On Arizona's San Pedro River, hummingbirds reflect the health of a landscape
SIERRA VISTA — Sheri Williamson blew on the feathers of the small hummingbird in her hand using a short blue straw. Next to her, a volunteer typed into a spreadsheet the bird's wing length, weight and sex, along with the five digits in the tiny numbered metal band on the bird’s leg.
A volunteer fed the hummingbird sugared water, and placed it on the extended palm of an 8-year-old spectator. The bird quivered, seemed to doze for a minute, and took flight.
Williamson, one of North America’s most renowned hummingbird experts, has been banding on the San Pedro River since 1996 with her husband and colleague, Tom Wood.
On that April afternoon at the San Pedro House visitor center, they banded just three hummingbirds and logged one recapture. The number was oddly low, even for the drop they’ve seen throughout the years.
"The numbers are down, the migration is spread out, the species' composition has changed somewhat,” said Wood, a wildlife biologist and professional birder.
The duo run the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory, a nonprofit operating in Hereford and Bisbee, and have banded roughly 10,000 hummingbirds.
The activity allows them and other professional birders to study hummingbirds’ migratory timing and routes, as well as the health of the population of different species. Data is shared with the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory, which has open banding records going back to the 1960s.
Blowing over the bird’s feathers, as Williamson did, reveals fat reservoirs, or the lack of them, an indicator of how prepared the bird is for the migration ahead. To get from point A to point B, hummingbirds, and hundreds of other species of migratory birds, need to find food and habitat along the way.
The San Pedro River, stretching from Sonora, Mexico, all the way north to the Gila River near Winkelman, is a critical “rest stop.” It is a flyway for half of all the bird diversity in North America.
“All the lovely birds that people enjoy seeing at their garden or in their local parks, or at their bird feeder” across the United States, “got there using resources like the San Pedro River to migrate north,” said Jennie MacFarland, coordinator of the Important Bird Areas program in Arizona, which includes portions of the San Pedro.
The quality of this important flyway has deteriorated in recent decades.
River surveys conducted by The Nature Conservancy during the driest month of the year show almost a 50% drop in the miles of "wet" river from 2009 to 2022. Today, less than 30 of the 173 miles of the San Pedro have surface water by June. The term "wet" is used because not all water encountered along the surveyed area is actually flowing.
The drop in water levels also means a change in habitat. For the birds, urban and farmland growth, wildfires, cattle grazing and groundwater pumping profoundly affect their migration and overall survival.
“If they can’t find what they need along the way, they're going to continue to decline,” said MacFarland.
'Up against a clock' for San Pedro's survival
Once perennial, the flow of the San Pedro River has weakened over the last century. It has thinned and disappeared in many sections, going underground.
Vegetation has changed due to a mix of deforestation, cattle grazing, groundwater pumping and extended droughts.
A main concern is the lack of “recruitment.” The cottonwood and willow gallery forests that line the river bank are aging, and the lack of new individuals presents a big challenge, said Kim Schonek, water program director for The Nature Conservancy. The nonprofit has been key in leading research, conservation and management programs along the river, and has led citizen river-mapping efforts for over 25 years, a project that allows them to watch trends.
This year, the Bureau of Land Management will conduct a vegetation survey, and assess the type and age of what grows along the river. That data will be incredibly valuable, Schonek said, because they can compare it with data obtained 20 years ago.
It will also improve estimates on the limit at which a low water table can still sustain healthy, verdant trees, and cottonwood gallery forests can survive.
“That is really the most important ecological threshold,” said Holly Richter, a hydrologist who has worked on the San Pedro River for nearly 25 years and has been key in establishing interagency partnerships in the upper basin.
The BLM will conduct the vegetation survey in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, one of the Important Bird Areas of the river that has long been affected by trespassing cattle and groundwater pumping. The lower basin, near Winkelman, will not be included in the survey.
Federal agencies and the local city and county authorities entered a memorandum of understanding in 2021 that aimed to balance the water demands and the ecological needs of the river habitat.
In Richter's view it is not far-fetched to think people in Arizona could grow up never knowing a flowing river.
“We are up against the clock,” she said, adding that every river in the Southwest faces threats from climate change and groundwater pumping.
"I challenge people to go down to a river in the middle of summer at sunrise, when the birds are so loud that you can't talk to another person, and the wildlife is super abundant, and it is cool and beautiful and moist, and say that that is not important.
"I guess you can't love what you don't know.”
Warmer temperatures count disrupt 'road stops'
At the San Pedro House, a crowd of nearly 40 people packed under the ramada. Older adults wearing floppy hats and binoculars, some young couples and a handful of restless kids watched Williamson carefully measure and band the captured hummingbirds, using a big magnifying lens over the plastic table.
The first catch was a male Rufous hummingbird, a bird that “glows like a copper-penny,” Wood told spectators. They are less likely to be caught than other species. Their population has dropped about 60% since 1974, according to recent conservation reports.
Rufous are long-distance migrants that annually travel from their winter home in southern Mexico all the way to Canada and Alaska for breeding — nearly 4,000 miles.
That mileage requires a lot of travel stops. In Arizona, they usually arrive for a spring feast.
“The timing of the blooming of the wildflowers and the arrival of the hummingbirds has been set over the millennia,” Wood said, but there are concerns about the warming climate.
Blooming season changes with the temperature, and birds are still migrating in response to daylight, he added. If flowers bloom early, there are no birds to pollinate them, and if birds get there when flowers are gone, they get no fuel for the rest of the trip.
Wood and Williamson still don’t know if this change is happening too fast for hummingbirds to adapt. Overall, they have observed that hummingbirds are spreading the migratory season for about three extra months, arriving earlier, by late March, and leaving later, around early October.
The other big factor is habitat change and, sometimes, destruction.
“One of the challenges of conservation for migratory birds like these is that they not only gotta have a summer home up here, they gotta have a winter home in Mexico and too many stations all along the way,” Wood said. Conservation has to happen across numerous territories.
If they feed on a wildflower patch for five years and from one year to the other they find a Walmart parking lot instead, Wood said, they are in trouble.
The San Pedro River is important, Wood said, because it gives them “pretty much everything.” It remains a key water source and wildlife habitat in the middle of a desert, with the Rio Grande 200 miles to the east, and the Colorado River 250 miles to the west.
“It's easy just to think of it as a water source but it's also a source for the insects that they need to feed on, the flowers that provide nectar, the shelter from trees," Wood said. "Everything they need is on the river."
Restoring habitat in the lower San Pedro River
Some 100 miles north of the hummingbird banding grounds, the San Pedro River looks slightly different. Lower in elevation, the region is drier than the upper basin in Sierra Vista.
Water was found flowing above ground in only 6 miles along the lower basin in the hottest month of 2022, half what was in the upper basin, according to TNC’s mapping. The river bed — a dry wash with small water pools in many sections — has widened and has plenty of invasive salt cedar, also called tamarisk.
"It's getting to be this way increasingly, this is happening in more parts of the river,” said Dan Wolgast, who has been observing the changes in the lower San Pedro River for more than a decade.
He manages about 500 acres of land in the lower San Pedro River for Salt River Project. On these properties, the southwestern willow flycatcher and the yellow-billed cuckoo drive conservation and restoration work. Roosevelt, Horseshoe and Bartlett dams inundated habitat for the imperiled birds, so management plans focus on compensating for losses.
Management plans focus on compensating for habitat losses created by Roosevelt, Horseshoe and Bartlett dams.
The SRP properties, previously used for farming, now have no groundwater pumping, providing a small counterweight to the region's water use.
Wolgast monitors and removes invasive plants to ensure habitat recovery and helps with big and small restoration efforts. In wide sections of the river, where last year’s rains created small pools of water, he planted about 20 willows. He expects those, and the cottonwood fluff lying all around, will thrive with the remaining moisture.
"We try as much as we can to let the habitat take the lead," Wolgast said. "We are here to protect it and provide small inputs."
On a different site, mesquite woodland has returned to a plot that was bare in 2011, before restoration work started. That property, with a blanket of desert brush extending a quarter mile toward the river, now has almost the same songbirds as properties with older woodlands, Wolgast said.
Wolgast is not a birder by training, but a good bird noticer. A pair of binoculars hung from his neck and he tilted his head to hear bird calls. In his home backyard in Dudleyville, aloe vera, gold poppies, penstemon, and glandularia flowers bloomed. An Anna's hummingbird fed on a pink wildflower as he spoke.
Revegetation is important because it allows birds and other wildlife species to make their way back into the area.
On SRP’s adobe preserve property, bird call was nearly deafening in the mesquite thicket. Taller trees — box elder, ash, cottonwood, walnut and sycamore — shaded the area. A shallow pool of water upwelled in a nearby wash, an anomaly in the past decade, and a product of last year's generous monsoon, Wolgast said.
“This area grows plants that you don't see almost anywhere else in this part of the river,” he said. "It's a lot of life just crammed into one area. It's neat."
Same river, different conservation challenges
Land ownership is probably one of the most important differences in conservation work in the lower and upper basin.
Near Sierra Vista, the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area is made of nearly 57,000 acres overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. The area where Wolgast works, near Dudleyville, is mainly private land, with a smattering of federal and state trust properties.
To conduct its annual river surveys, The Nature Conservancy must get permission from about 25 people to map a short section of the river. Researchers would like to learn both water flow and vegetation changes across the whole river.
“Without access to private lands, it's hard to say exactly what that looks like over time,” Schonek, the water program director, said.
The challenges are not just administrative, but also economic. Coordinating efforts with several agencies that oversee most of the riparian areas near Sierra Vista has administrative advantages, and it comes with funds.
“It’s very different when there aren't as many federal players at the table that can bring resources. And that's a major difference between the upper and lower river,” said Richter, who was a founding member of the Upper San Pedro Partnership and now acts as coordinator of the memorandum of understanding with federal agencies.
“There's a lot more private landowners in the lower river and they don't always have access to the resources of the federal agencies. That is a very real thing.”
On the other hand, these are unprecedented years for funding water conservation projects.
“In my lifetime there's never been such a wealth of funding opportunities coming down the pipe as there is right now,” Richter said.
The caveat is that there needs to be more people coming to the table and finding common ground, because “you can't get funding successfully without collaboration,” she said.
Clara Migoya covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to clara.migoya@arizonarepublic.com.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can support environmental journalism in Arizona by subscribing to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2023/06/30/san-pedro-river-arizona-water-hummingbirds/70184907007/ | 2023-06-30T15:28:45 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2023/06/30/san-pedro-river-arizona-water-hummingbirds/70184907007/ |
Why doctors say this medication can prevent hundreds of HIV infections in Arizona
Hundreds of Arizonans continue to contract HIV every year despite numerous prevention tools, including a preventive medication.
The most recently available data shows that 852 Arizonans were among 36,136 people nationwide who were identified as being infected with HIV for the first time in 2021, indicating that there is still much work to be done to reach the federal goal of ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic by 2030, including expanding access to the drug PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which reduces the chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.
As Arizonans and Americans continue to contract preventable HIV infections, the demographic of those newly infected has changed, the federal Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS heard during a meeting held in Phoenix this week.
While HIV once affected mainly young white men, the demographic most affected now is young people of color. Males are still more likely to contract new infections, yet the prevalence of new HIV infections among women of color and transgender individuals has grown in recent years, federal and local data shows.
Repealed bill's impact lingers :How anti-LGBTQ measures nationwide can stir 'confusion and chaos' in Arizona
The Hispanic population in Arizona has experienced a 60% increase in HIV cases since the peak of the HIV pandemic in 1988, according to the 2022 annual HIV/AIDS report published by the Arizona Department of Health Services. By comparison, the white population has experienced a 63% decrease in cases since the height of the HIV epidemic and has continued at a 2% downward trend over the last five years, the report said.
Given that changing face of HIV, strategies to prevent it need to change and Arizona groups say they are using mobile health vans in hard-to-reach areas, conducting free HIV testing with incentives like a meal, and working to build trust with marginalized groups such as victims of sex trafficking and sex workers who are at high risk for infection.
One Phoenix physician says there's a need for more local health providers to both test for HIV and offer the drug PrEP. Dr. Thanes Vanig, who spoke to the advisory council on Thursday, told The Arizona Republic that only about 20% of people with "PrEP indications" in Phoenix are actually using the drug.
PrEP indications are risk factors for HIV infection − a sexual partner and inconsistent condom use during anal or vaginal sex; transactional sex, defined as sex in exchange for drugs, money or shelter; and/or an HIV-positive partner.
"We have PrEP but we don't have enough PrEP users," said Vanig, who is the founder and chief medical officer of Spectrum Medical Care Center, a Phoenix-based clinic that specializes in primary care for LGBTQ+ patients. Vanig has about 1,400 patients with HIV.
"The shocking thing is the disparity between each community," he said.
The goal is to have at least 50% of the people who have "PrEP indications" taking PrEP. Among the white population, it's at more than 50% in Phoenix, but it's much lower among communities of color, Vanig said. He estimated that about 5,000 people in Maricopa County are using PrEP. The goal is to have about 10,000 county residents using the drug by 2025, he said.
"We don't need to focus on the white PrEP users. We need to increase a lot more PrEP users among the Hispanic and Black populations," he said. "Most primary care providers just don't offer PrEP and I don't know why. ... Right now in Phoenix patients have to go to a special PrEP clinic like Spectrum."
In 2021, 19,435 people in Arizona were living with HIV/AIDS, state data shows. Advanced treatment for HIV means that an infection is no longer a death sentence. With treatment, suppression of the HIV virus can occur to a level where the HIV virus is no longer detectable. People who get and keep an undetectable viral load can stay healthy for many years and will not transmit HIV to their sex partners, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
HIV testing in Arizona:How nonprofits are filling in southern Arizona's health care gaps
Vanig said a citywide Phoenix protocol called Rapid Start, which began in 2018 and is in place at several clinics, has been effective in reducing the time it takes to get patients to an "undetectable" viral suppression level from 120 days to 38 days. The viral suppression rate among HIV patients in Maricopa County is at about 67%, he said.
HIV advocates say ending HIV/AIDS is possible but only attainable through more testing and diagnosis, which is why they say reducing the stigma around HIV is so critical.
"We need to go out and talk about PrEP," Vanig said. "HIV is preventable."
The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS provides advice, information and recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services regarding programs, policies and research to promote effective treatment, prevention and cure of HIV disease and AIDS.
Members this week were drafting a statement to recommend urgent action on syphilis and congenital syphilis, which have shown a significant increase in prevalence in the last few years. According to the most recently available federal data from 2021, Arizona has the highest rate of congenital syphilis in the country
"If you have any kind of STI (sexually transmitted infection) like syphilis, that increases the likelihood of acquiring HIV in the future," Vanig said. "That's why it's very important to refer patients with syphilis to get PrEP."
Reach health care reporter Stephanie Innes at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieinnes. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2023/06/30/arizonans-contracting-preventable-hiv-infections/70366425007/ | 2023-06-30T15:28:51 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2023/06/30/arizonans-contracting-preventable-hiv-infections/70366425007/ |
Fourth of July in Arizona: Expect major traffic. These are the best times to start driving
Major travel is expected during the next couple of days for the Fourth of July holiday.
As average gas prices continue to dip across the state — hitting a $3.92 per-gallon average this week — some Arizonans planning to take advantage of a four-day weekend will be hitting the road early Friday morning. Drivers can stay updated on traffic conditions at az511.com.
Unlike the previous year, several cities are planning major fireworks celebrations, including the City of Phoenix. Some areas of Arizona, however, have banned the use of fireworks due to elevated fire dangers. Yavapai County, for example, issued fire restrictions that went into effect Thursday prohibiting the launching of fireworks, starting campfires and smoking in outdoor spaces.
- Is setting of fireworks at home legal? Depends where you live.
- Where you can see fireworks across the Valley.
- See where wildfires are burning in Arizona.
Follow The Republic's coverage of the Fourth of July in Arizona here.
7:30 a.m. June 30: No road closures planned; expect major travel over holiday weekend
The Arizona Department of Transportation has no road closures planned between June 30 and July 5. However, people going to Flagstaff and northern Arizona should be aware that parts of Interstate 17 on a 30-mile stretch south of Interstate 40 are reduced to one lane because of pavement improvement work, the agency said.
If you're driving, be patient. Of the 50.7 million Americans AAA expects will travel for the Fourth of July, 43.2 million plan to travel by car.
Generally, the best time to drive to avoid traffic is early in the morning or after 6 p.m., according to the transportation data company INRIX. The worst time is the late afternoon, when travelers mix with rush hour commuters.
Nationwide and in metro Phoenix, Friday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 4, will be the busiest days to travel. On June 30, INRIX expects traveling between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. will expose motorists to unusually heavy traffic.
"With record-breaking travelers expected on the road this holiday weekend, drivers should prepare for above-average delays to their favorite destinations," INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said in a forecast. "Using traffic apps, local DOT notifications and 511 services are key to minimizing holiday travel traffic frustrations this Independence Day."
Motorists should prepare for hazards along the way, such as stormy weather or crashes that close the highway, and not drive while drowsy or impaired.
Having an emergency kit with supplies such as bottled water, snacks and medical or hygiene necessities may be important in case of an unscheduled traffic stop or getting stranded on the roadway, Nintzel said.
— Michael Salerno | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/30/arizona-fourth-of-july-traffic-weather-updates/70361739007/ | 2023-06-30T15:28:57 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/30/arizona-fourth-of-july-traffic-weather-updates/70361739007/ |
Granite Mountain Hotshots remembered 10 years after Yarnell Hill Fire
PRESCOTT — Multiple memorials are scheduled Friday to mark 10 years since the Yarnell Hill Fire killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, becoming the deadliest wildfire in Arizona history.
In Prescott, a private memorial for families and loved ones of the fallen firefighters will take place before the public ceremony begins at 3 p.m. on the plaza outside the Yavapai County Courthouse.
The event will conclude at 4:42 p.m. when 19 bells will be rung to signify each life lost.
Scheduled speakers include Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, Prescott Mayor Phil Goode, Prescott Fire Chief Holger Durre, State Forester Thomas Torres and Ryder Ashcraft, the son of fallen hotshot Andrew Ashcraft.
Brendan McDonough, the lone surviving Granite Mountain Hotshot, will read the Hotshot Prayer.
The memorial also will feature a reading of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Day proclamation, presentations by an honor guard, pipes and drums, and a flyover by jets from Luke Air Force Base in Glendale.
The city will close Goodwin Street from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and a portion of Cortez Street from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday. City officials recommend adjusting travel plans accordingly.
Outside Prescott, memorials are planned at the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting in Phoenix and the Los Angeles County Fire Museum in Bellflower, California — where the Granite Mountain fire trucks are held.
Yarnell Hill Fire:What to know about the Granite Mountain Hotshots
Reach the reporter at LLatch@gannett.com.
The Republic’s coverage of northern Arizona is funded, in part, with grants from Vitalyst Health Foundation and Report from America. To support regional Arizona news coverage like this, make a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/30/granite-mountain-hotshots-memorialized-10-years-after-fire-killed-19/70340312007/ | 2023-06-30T15:29:03 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/30/granite-mountain-hotshots-memorialized-10-years-after-fire-killed-19/70340312007/ |
Why this Leukemia survivor wants to help kids in the same hospital where he was treated
When Jaziel Olmeda was first diagnosed with cancer, he didn’t know what the word meant.
Olmeda was 7 years old at the time and had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of cancer where the bone marrow creates too many immature white blood cells, according to the National Cancer Institute.
His childhood was interrupted by on-and-off treatment for six years. But today, after 134 blood transfusions and two bone marrow transplants, not only is he cancer free, he’s realized his dream of becoming a nurse helping kids like him.
Olmeda and several people who donated blood that helped him recover recently gathered at Vitalant's blood donation center in Tempe to highlight the current need for blood donors and to celebrate Olmeda's graduation from nursing school.
Fourth of July weekend is traditionally the lowest week of the summer for blood donation, said Sue Thew, a spokesperson for Vitalent.
To help increase the donated blood supply, Vitalent is hosting the state’s largest blood drive on Sunday, July 2, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
Giving patients strength through his experience
Earlier this month, Olmeda became a registered nurse. He wants to work in pediatric oncology. He hopes to work at the same hospital where he was treated as a boy, Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
“I want to be that little beacon of hope for my patients,” Olmeda said.
'A scary place to be':Arizona State Hospital has safety, staffing concerns, critics say
In addition to being grateful for the team of healthcare professionals who treated him and his family, Olmeda is thankful for the blood donors who gave him what he needed to survive without ever meeting him.
Two of those donors, Mike Hashimoto and Kathy Nuss, were at Vitalant's Tempe blood donation center on Wednesday to celebrate his graduation from nursing school.
A decade ago, Hashimoto donated what became Olmeda’s 123rd blood transfusion. On Wednesday, Hashimoto sat in a cushioned gray chair with a purple bandage wrapped around his arm. He had just completed his 300th donation in honor of the boy he helped all those years ago.
“They helped me to be able to help others,” Olmeda said. “And I’m so grateful for that.”
Hashimoto has donated blood for years, something that started simply because one person took the time to ask him, he said. Hashimoto and Nuss stressed the importance of donating blood during the summer, a time of year that often sees blood shortages in hospitals.
“If it can make someone live longer, that’s a good thing," Nuss said.
How one young woman found help:Psychosis first appeared just as her life in Arizona was taking off
Blood transfusions are what gave Olmeda the strength to keep going, he said. He remembers the rejuvenation he felt after receiving each one.
The most significant turning point in his treatment came after his second bone marrow transplant, donated by his little brother, Ian, who was three at the time. Ian was present Wednesday to celebrate his big brother — about 10 years after the successful treatment.
As a student, Olmeda worked on the same floor where he was treated at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He said he would come across nurses from years before. When they learned he was studying to become a nurse, they weren’t surprised, he said.
Olmeda said he is sometimes asked why he chose a nursing career after living through a childhood punctuated by cancer treatment.
He said he sees his experiences as something he can offer to children going through similar journeys. He remembers a nurse he met as a patient who told him she was in remission after battling cancer. Olmeda said he never forgot her and has been determined to join the medical field ever since.
“It took a lot of years for me to be me again,” Olmeda said. “Now that I am, I want to use that.”
Appointments to donate blood during Vitalent's Fourth of July weekend blood drive, or any time, are available on Vitalent’s website, https://www.vitalant.org/. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/30/leukemia-survivor-becomes-nurse-to-help-kids-with-cancer/70359258007/ | 2023-06-30T15:29:09 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/30/leukemia-survivor-becomes-nurse-to-help-kids-with-cancer/70359258007/ |
Suspect connected to multiple crimes over 6 years faces 42 charges in Yuma
A man who was arrested in Yuma in early February is facing 42 charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault, after police say he was connected to seven incidents that happened between 2017 and 2023.
According to the Yuma Police Department, Jesus Javier Ibarra-Martinez Jr. was booked by the Yuma County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 9 and questioned by Yuma police detectives in reference to several open cases.
Through their investigation, which included interviews and forensics, detectives found that Ibarra-Martinez Jr. was connected to seven incidents dating back to May 2017.
On May 28, 2017, Yuma police responded to the area of South Magnolia Avenue and West Third Street regarding shots fired. When officers arrived, they found a 32-year-old who was struck by gunfire in the back and hospitalized with serious injuries. A nearby residence was also struck by gunfire, police said.
Ibarra-Martinez Jr. faces several charges in this case, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and participation in a criminal street gang.
On Feb. 26, 2022, Yuma police officers responded to reports regarding a person being shot on Second Street and Fifth Avenue where they found a 31-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said. Ibarra-Martinez Jr. faces charges for attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Police said they also linked him to shootings and robberies that transpired during the early morning hours of Jan. 21 and involved six victims.
At around 2 a.m., officers responded to reports of a theft on West Buckeye Road and South 10th Avenue, according to a release.
Police learned that three men approach a 46-year-old man on West Buckeye Road and South 10th Avenue while the man was unlocking his 2005 Ford F150. The three men pointed a revolver at the man and stole his wallet and truck keys. That same truck was reported stolen on Jan. 24 from the victim's residence, police said.
Around 4 a.m. on Jan. 21, police found that two men, ages 22 and 35, had been shot near South Margo Drive and West Ninth Street when they were approached by two men who shot at them and left the area in a car. Both victims were hospitalized with serious injuries, police said.
Shortly after, Yuma police officers responded to a call about three people, including two teenagers ages 17 and 18, who were shot near Fifth Street and 17th Avenue. According to police, they were shot at by two men. Both teenagers suffered serious injuries.
Police identified Ibarra-Martinez Jr. as the person to shoot all five people and rob the man of his wallet and car keys, said a release. It was not immediately clear if the other suspects were also arrested.
In relation to these incidents, Ibarra-Martinez Jr. faces attempted second-degree murder charges, as well as aggravated assault, armed robbery and gang-related charges.
On Jan. 28, two men were assaulted by two men in an attempted armed robbery at a Food City on South 13th Avenue and West Eighth Street, police said. Ibarra-Martinez Jr. faces aggravated assault and armed robbery charges.
And on Jan. 29, Yuma police officers responded to reports of shots fired near East 22nd Street and South Walnut Avenue where they found multiple casings and a house damaged by bullet impacts. Police arrested a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old in connection to the incident.
Police said that their investigation found that Ibarra-Martinez Jr. drove both teenagers to the area and bought the firearm that was used in the shooting, according to a release. He faces several aggravated assault and gang-related charges.
Yuma police said there were a total of 16 victims, with seven of them shot.
Ibarra-Martinez Jr. has been in custody since his arrest in February, according to Yuma police, and faces the following charges:
- 2 charges of attempted first-degree murder
- 3 charges of attempted second-degree murder
- 14 charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/dangerous instrument
- 6 charges of aggravated assault with serious physical injury
- 2 charges of discharging a firearm at a residential structure
- 1 charge of armed robbery with a deadly weapon
- 3 charges of attempted armed robbery
- 1 charge of theft of means of transportation
- 5 charges of endangerment
- 2 charges of participating in a criminal street gang
- 2 charges of gang-knowingly inciting or inducing others to engage
- 1 charge of misconduct involving a weapon
Police asked anyone with any information regarding the case to call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/30/suspect-connected-to-multiple-crimes-faces-42-charges-in-yuma/70371584007/ | 2023-06-30T15:29:15 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/30/suspect-connected-to-multiple-crimes-faces-42-charges-in-yuma/70371584007/ |
Arizona Coyotes have homed in on 6 Phoenix-area locations. Here are the most and least likely
Arizona Coyotes President Xavier Gutierrez reaffirmed the team's commitment to find a location for a new arena in the East Valley before Wednesday’s first round of the NHL draft, and according to ESPN, the franchise has narrowed it down to about six spots.
It remains unclear what specific locations the team has in mind, however. Coyotes officials have kept the details of their search close to their vests since the team's $2.1 billion proposal to build a new arena and entertainment district in Tempe was overwhelmingly shot down by voters.
But Gutierrez has made some details public. The team isn't looking to return to the less populated West Valley. It wants a property that sits along a widely accessible freeway such as the Loop 101 corridor, and it is looking for an option that won't require another referendum attempt.
That set of criteria seriously limits the team's list of potential options, but there are some that do exist, according to real estate expert Daniel Lupien, who's become an authority on development in the East Valley and tribal land.
"I'm just looking at viable options for development areas that could accommodate this scale of development (and) has the freeway frontage in the East Valley. There are just a handful of spots. There's not that many," said Lupien, who works as the managing principal of Palmer Development Group, a Valley-based real estate firm.
The industry veteran named three possible locations east of Phoenix: the Fiesta Mall site in Mesa; a property in Chandler near the Lone Butte Casino; and a site near the Talking Stick Resort in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The Coyotes' CEO also named Scottsdale and Gilbert as options.
The Arizona Republic reached out to each of those communities to find out whether they have been in contact with the Coyotes, if they have any properties that could suit the team's needs and if they would be amenable to having the NHL franchise set up shop there. Here's what the Coyotes' prospects look like across the East Valley.
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Lupien believes the Coyotes' best shot is striking a deal with the Salt River community. He admits he might be biased because of how much development business he does there but said its central location near Loop 101 and proximity to Scottsdale — where the bulk of the NHL team's season ticket holders resides — makes the location ideal.
The specific property he pointed to sits on a 3-mile-long corridor between Indian Bend Road and 90th Street. It's across the 101 from north Scottsdale, the wealthiest section of the affluent city, and would be almost as close to Paradise Valley, Arizona's wealthiest town.
"I think the Talking Stick Resort and the Talking Stick District Entertainment Corridor would give them the best chances of success (because it's) closest to the demographics that have had the most expendable income," Lupien told The Republic. "Guys that can buy a $500,000 box. Guys who can spend $50,000 a year on season tickets. Those are the people that drive the revenue for hockey."
The issue is that the Coyotes wouldn't be able to build ancillary residential units there because of tribal laws. The team's proposed apartments were one of its sticking points during the Tempe deal, and Coyotes attorney Nick Wood said that housing component was needed to make the deal pencil out.
It's unclear if that would still be the case on Salt River land, however. Lupien said the Coyotes' business model would have to be different, focusing more on high-priced ticket sales to the nearby wealthy individuals whom he described as "recession-proof," meaning the team might be able to better weather a future economic downturn in that location.
There's also a question of gambling issues between the Coyotes' sportsbook and the tribe's. Both would seek to make money off of their own gambling operations, so they may ultimately end up competing with each other for a slice of that pie given that the team would be right next door to the community's casino.
Lupien believes that wouldn't be a big issue given the other financial gains for both sides from both the arena and any ancillary development that's included, however.
"I'm sure there's a way for them to work through that issue. If that was an issue, I think the perks outweigh any challenges with respect to the sport," he predicted.
Tribal representatives did not respond to The Republic's request for comment for this article. But in May, shortly after the Tempe vote took place, they said the community would be open to the idea, although they hadn't been in talks with the team.
“We are always open to new ideas that can expand development that will enhance the quality of life for our members, community, and the state, but at this time, there are no conversations about sports facility development within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community," a spokesperson wrote in an email.
Mesa
Mesa confirmed there have been “no recent conversations with the Coyotes regarding an arena,” in an email to The Republic. There are two viable options on the northern and southern sides of west Mesa that have been floated.
Developers are getting ready to demolish the 1.2-million-square-foot former Fiesta Mall building this summer and submitted preliminary plans to make way for multifamily housing, commercial and office space. At this point, the “Coyotes have not been part of any of the conversations with planning staff,” a city spokesperson told The Republic. The city has issued the permits to begin demolition, but no date has yet been set.
Meanwhile, city leaders, including Mesa Mayor John Giles and Councilmember Francisco Heredia, who represents that area of the city, both see it as an option for the team.
The mall site covers 80 acres and is just north of U.S. 60 and 2 miles east of Loop 101.
Heredia said that in northwest Mesa a gravel pit along the Loop 202 Alma School Road exit could be “prime real estate” for the Coyotes. He said the owners have been slowly filling the pit for a “potential sale” in the future, although it still was a long way to go. The site is larger than the Fiesta Mall location at about 134 acres, based on available data from the county recorder’s website.
A small portion of the gravel site is in city limits, but the large majority is within the county’s jurisdiction. If the site were to be redeveloped, it would have to be annexed into the city to receive water and sewer service, according to a city spokesperson.
The location could fulfill the Coyotes' desire to be closer to Loop 202 as it's about 3 miles from the Loop 101 interchange. It’s also close to established commercial development, such as the Mesa Riverview and Tempe Marketplace west of the location.
Chandler
Chandler doesn't seem to be a very likely location for a new Coyotes arena, given the city's lack of usable land. It's 93% built-out and most of the unused land has been set aside for "employment uses," according to Chandler spokesperson Matthew Burdick. That might conflict with the Coyotes' entertainment development plans.
On top of that, the city hasn't heard from anyone in the Coyotes organization or any private companies that have expressed interest in pursuing the project. It's likely that some contact between city staffers and developers at some point due to permit or zoning issues would have to be taken care of well before construction.
Chandler also has a booming local economy that hinges on the presence of semiconductor manufacturers in the city, something that officials there are currently working to expand.
Those companies often offer very high-paying jobs that the Coyotes likely wouldn't be able to match, raising questions about whether Chandler could get behind a move that would see a portion of its already dwindling land supply dedicated to an NHL arena.
"The City of Chandler has not been contacted by the Arizona Coyotes or any private developers interested in considering such a venue in Chandler," Burdick wrote in an email to The Republic. "Our focus continues to be on attracting and retaining high quality development and employment uses that generate high paying jobs among target industries, including technology, business and healthcare sectors."
Lupien, the developer, also said choosing Chandler would be a "mistake" for the Coyotes. He contends that it's too far away from the team's target demographic in Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix.
The least likely options: Scottsdale and Gilbert
With the Coyotes' commitment to stay closer to Loop 101, it’s unlikely Gilbert could have viable privately owned land, as the most northwest town limit is 10 miles away from the freeway.
And as far as town-owned land goes, a town spokesperson said in an emailed statement that it doesn't have any suitable properties for the Coyotes and has not had contact with the team.
“The Town does not own land that would be able to accommodate an arena-type facility. There may be private property opportunities in Gilbert, which would not be in the Town's purview,” the town spokesperson wrote.
As for Scottsdale, even though its residents represent most of the Coyotes' season ticket holders, it's not likely they would want a big and loud arena in their backyards.
The city has historically been averse to big developments and protective of its open space. On the City Council, most officials rarely greenlight significant construction projects and also maintain strict water usage policies that might conflict with the Coyotes' needs.
When questioned about the possibility of becoming a new home for the Coyotes in May, a majority of Scottsdale City Council members were flatly against the idea. Some others didn't say "no" outright, but leaned strongly against it, and only one seemed somewhat positive about the notion.
"Scottsdale draws the most sports-friendly fans and major (league) athletes, without the hassles of a major sports arena here," said Scottsdale's Mayor David Ortega, one of the strongest "no" officials. "I am absolutely opposed to subsidies, and have seen the 'hockey drama' movie before ... I like (the Coyotes' CEO) and wish them luck."
A Scottsdale spokesperson also confirmed that the Coyotes still have not spoken with officials about any plans to relocate there. The city would not elaborate on whether there could be a viable property within its borders.
"The city has not been approached about this ― from the city manager’s perspective, it would be premature to answer any other questions beyond that," Scottsdale spokesperson Kelly Corsette wrote in an email to The Republic.
Sam Kmack covers Tempe, Scottsdale and Chandler. Reach him at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com.
Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa and Gilbert and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on Twitter @maritzacdom. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/2023/06/30/where-might-the-coyotes-move-in-the-phoenix-area/70370978007/ | 2023-06-30T15:29:21 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/2023/06/30/where-might-the-coyotes-move-in-the-phoenix-area/70370978007/ |
Temperatures are climbing above 110. Why are so many Phoenix pools closed?
It was a typical oven-hot day in Phoenix. The temperature hovered at 100 degrees. The sun blazed white in a cloudless blue sky.
To keep cool, Kamora Masters stood in the shade with friends at Harmon Pool, which was crowded with children splashing and playing in the refreshing water.
Masters, 16, said she and her friends come to Harmon Pool in south central Phoenix almost every day in the summer to escape the searing Arizona heat and hang out with other kids.
"We've been coming here for years," Masters said.
But just as temperatures are forecast to climb above 110 degrees, Harmon Pool has closed, barely a month after it opened. Masters and her friends will have to find somewhere else to swim. But that won't be easy.
Eleven of 29 Phoenix pools will not open this summer. Plus, six pools will only be open for one month, instead of the usual 10 weeks, including Harmon, where nearly 50% of the neighborhood's population lives in poverty. So only 15 of 18 pools will be open at a time, half the usual number.
City officials blame a lack of pool managers stemming from an ongoing pandemic-related lifeguard shortage for the pool closings and limited pool openings.
Phoenix residents depend on city pools to cool off in the summer and battle cabin fever. Phoenix, with 1.6 million people, is the nation's fifth-largest city. Temperatures average in the 100s more than 100 days a year, and it is not uncommon for temperatures to climb above 115, making Phoenix the hottest large city in the U.S. What's more, the temperature sometimes does not even drop below 90 at night.
Admission to city pools is free for kids, $3 for adults, and $1 for seniors 55 and older, making city pools an affordable option to seek relief from the summer heat.
Some children arrive when the pool opens and stay until it closes, said Elizabeth Evans, the Harmon pool manager.
"It's a safe place to come and have fun and swim," Evans said.
But the pool closings and reduced openings leave fewer options for residents to escape the heat and limit opportunities for children to learn to swim. These changes will disproportionately affect poor and working-class families, many of them people of color, experts say.
Many people who visit city pools don't have backyard pools of their own or don't have the financial means to travel to San Diego or other destinations to flee the heat and enjoy lower temperatures, as many Arizona families do in the summer.
"This is a game changer for most of our kids," said Mike Scroggins, who had brought 19 children from the Muriel Smith Recreation Center to Harmon Pool one recent afternoon.
"They love it," Scroggins said. "It's the summertime in Arizona, and everybody likes to swim."
Black and Latino children are less likely to know how to swim than white children, and swimming proficiency is low for kids from low-income households. Not knowing how to swim puts children at greater risk of drowning. It also prevents teens from being qualified for lifeguard jobs, experts say.
"We have a lot of working-class families that don't have the luxury of being able to have a pool in their backyard, and our community pools are incredibly important for our children," said Phoenix City Councilmember Betty Guardado, who represents District 5, which covers neighborhoods in west and northwest Phoenix. Guardado said she fought to keep all the pools in her district open this summer.
Children "went through a lot during the pandemic," Guardado said. "And for them to be able to get out and go to the pool and be able to hang out with their friends and do something healthy, that's something that's incredibly important for our kids."
Many affected pools in high-poverty neighborhoods
The 18 Phoenix pools that will be open for at least part of the summer is an improvement from last year when only 14 of 29 pools opened. In 2021, 12 pools opened. In 2020, the year of the pandemic, all 29 pools remained closed.
Still, just 15 Phoenix pools opened Memorial Day weekend. Three of those, Harmon, Cielito and Perry, only opened for June.
Three other pools, Falcon, Pierce and University, will open July 3 but will only be open that month.
Just 12 pools — Coronado, Cortez, Deer Valley, El Prado, Encanto, Maryvale, Paradise Valley, Pecos, Roosevelt, Starlight, Sunnyslope and Washington — will be open the usual schedule from Memorial Day weekend and then daily except Fridays through July 30. That list includes seven pools that serve some of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city based on census tract data: Coronado in east-central Phoenix; Paradise Valley in northeast Phoenix; Pecos in Ahwatukee; Encanto in north-central Phoenix; Sunnyslope in north Phoenix; Washington in northwest Phoenix and El Prado near South Mountain.
Five of the six pools open for only one month are in high-poverty neighborhoods, according to census tract data: Harmon, Cielito in west Phoenix; Perry in east-central Phoenix; Falcon in west Phoenix and University in west-central Phoenix.
The 11 pools that will remain closed all summer include five pools in neighborhoods, according to census tract data, with high poverty rates: Alkire in west-central Phoenix; Marivue in west Phoenix; Grant in south-central Phoenix; Hermoso in southeast Phoenix and Holiday in west Phoenix. Eight of the 11 are in neighborhoods where at least half of the residents are people of color.
Eight pools — Cortez, Encanto, Maryvale, Paradise Valley, Pecos, Roosevelt, Sunnyslope and Pierce — will be open for an extended period on weekends through Labor Day weekend.
The city could not hire enough qualified pool managers to run all 29 pools, said Phoenix Parks and Recreation spokesperson Adam Waltz. The lack of qualified pool managers stems from a nationwide shortage of lifeguards caused by the pandemic, which caused pools to close for the entire summer of 2020. Qualified pool managers must have experience as lifeguards and then assistant pool managers, he said. So with fewer lifeguards in the pipeline, there were fewer qualified pool managers, Waltz said.
"Part of what we're seeing is the consequences from COVID. By not having the pools open during that time, we kind of lost the continuum of pool managers and lifeguards," said Phoenix City Councilmember Kesha Hodge Washington, whose district includes neighborhoods in south and east Phoenix.
"From a safety standpoint, if we don't have adequate lifeguards or pool managers, we can't open a pool in a safe manner," she said.
Phoenix offered thousands as incentive pay
To hire more pool staff this summer, the city offered a $3,000 incentive pay to lifeguards, assistant pool managers and pool managers who work at least 240 hours this summer, Waltz said. Lifeguards earn $15.72 an hour. The incentive bumps lifeguard pay up to about $23 per hour and up to about $30 for pool managers.
But the city still wasn't able to find enough pool managers with the required amount of lifeguarding and assistant pool manager experience to open all 29 pools, he said.
"Our lifeguard hiring has actually been fantastic, but one of the key positions that we need in order to open a facility really is the pool manager," Waltz said.
The decisions regarding which pools to close and which pools to open for a reduced number of days were based on location and past attendance, Waltz said.
The goal was "to make sure we have equitable pool access throughout the city," Waltz said.
After Harmon Pool closes, the city will provide transportation from the Harmon Recreation Center to University Pool about 1.5 miles away, Waltz said.
Black, Latino and low-income kids less likely to be solid swimmers
Equitable access to pools is not just about having a fun place for everyone to cool off in the blistering heat — it's also about water safety.
Children who have little or no swimming ability have more chance of drowning. Because swimming ability varies by race, ethnicity and income, some populations are at greater risk.
A 2017 USA Swimming Foundation report concluded that 64% of Black children and 45% of Latino children had little or no swimming ability, compared to 40% of white children. Native people also have higher drowning rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That same study concluded nearly 80% of children from families with household incomes less than $50,000 have no or little swimming ability and that children qualifying for free or reduced school lunch programs are 63% less likely to have good swimming ability.
"Swimming is absolutely a lifesaving skill," said Elaine Calip, a representative of USA Swimming Foundation, in an email. "It’s the only sport that can save your life."
"Part of the problem is drownings are not nationally understood. We want to see policies change so that every young child knows basic water safety skills so they could get to the edge of the pool if they fell in," Calip said.
China Meader signed up her daughter, Nylahni, 5, for swim lessons at Harmon Pool. She was standing on the pool deck, keeping an eye on Nylahni in the water.
Meader said she has a car. So driving Nylahni to another pool when Harmon closes on Thursday won't be a problem. But she feels bad for children who walk to the pool and now may have a hard time getting to another pool.
"I think it's really sad for the people who live near here — very sad," Meader said.
Daniel Gonzalez covers race, equity and opportunity. Reach the reporter at daniel.gonzalez@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8312. Follow him on Twitter @azdangonzalez. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/30/phoenix-pools-closed-summer-2023/70326499007/ | 2023-06-30T15:29:27 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/30/phoenix-pools-closed-summer-2023/70326499007/ |
Camelback, Piestewa Peak trails to close due to excessive heat during Fourth of July weekend
Popular Phoenix trails at Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak will be closed for a good chunk of the Fourth of July weekend.
The trails will be closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from July 1 to July 4, Phoenix Parks and Recreation announced Thursday.
This comes on the same day the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for the Phoenix area.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 114 degrees on Sunday, with highs of 110 degrees forecasted for the Fourth of July. The city announced in April that safety measures intended to keep residents safe from the excessive heat would once again be implemented, after approving them in 2022.
During these times, access to trails is limited, gates to parking lots are closed and signage is posted reminding residents of the closure. Moreover, Phoenix park rangers will be posted on these trails to remind residents of the restrictions.
This is the second time in less than a week a trail has been closed in the Phoenix area due to climatological factors. Trails at the McDowell Mountain Regional Park remain closed due to the Diamond Fire burning in north Scottsdale.
Hiking tips
Other trails will remain open unless noted by the city. The City of Phoenix has provided the following safety measures that hikers should take when hitting the trails:
- Watch the Weather: Yes, "it's a dry heat" — but Arizona's temperature can be deceiving and deadly. Hike when it's cold outside, try early mornings and evenings when there's more shade.
- Dress appropriately: Wear proper shoes, clothing, hat and sunscreen.
- Bring Water: Hydrate before you go. Have plenty of water, more than you think you need. Turn around and head back to the trailhead before you drink half of your water.
- Keep in Contact: Carry a mobile phone.
- Team Up: Hike with others. If hiking solo, tell someone your start and end times, and location.
- Be Honest: Do you have a medical condition? Asthma, heart problems, diabetes, knee or back problems? Don't push yourself! "Even trained athletes have been caught off guard by getting dehydrated on Arizona trails."
- Don't Trailblaze: Enjoy the Sonoran Desert's beautiful and undeveloped landscape, but please stay on designated trails.
- Take Responsibility: Don't be "that person" — the one who wasn't prepared, shouldn't have been there for health reasons or ignored safety guidelines. Be the responsible hiker, who takes a hike and does it right!
From the city of Phoenix: Take a hike. Do it right. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/30/phoenix-trails-to-close-on-fourth-of-july-weekend-due-to-heat/70371330007/ | 2023-06-30T15:29:33 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/30/phoenix-trails-to-close-on-fourth-of-july-weekend-due-to-heat/70371330007/ |
Residents of this West Valley city are concerned about a McDonald's drive-thru. Here's why
Goodyear residents are raising concerns over a new McDonald’s set to come to their city.
The McDonald’s would be on the southeast corner of Sarival Avenue and Yuma Road.
Christian Williams, Goodyear’s principal city planner, said the area will be located within the Pueblo Verde neighborhood, which is located in the central part of Goodyear. The McDonald’s will be located on a larger 6.5-acre lot zoned for residential and commercial uses.
The drive-thru restaurant would be about 4,500 square feet and would have 45 parking spaces. It will be located 150-210 feet away from the nearest home, Williams said. But some residents say the McDonald’s will be located too close to homes in the area, potentially impacting traffic in the area and making it too loud.
Residents voiced their concerns at Monday's City Council meeting, with Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo having to quiet the loud applause in between speakers. The opposition is spilling over from previous meetings, with 30 people having attended a neighborhood outreach meeting in January, Williams said.
Kori Cowan, who appeared at the City Council meeting with her husband Ray Cowan, said their family’s house is located 150 feet from the proposed McDonald’s in Glenmont Estates. One of the access points to the McDonald’s is located only 30 feet from their backyard, she said.
Some concerns that residents have cannot be controlled by the developer, Kori Cowan said. Some of those concerns include loud music coming from cars, or people being loud outside of the McDonald’s. There’s also the potential of thousands of cars coming to the location per day and car accidents, Kori Cowan said.
She also said she's concerned that, by the city letting the McDonald’s come to this location, it will set a precedent for other similar businesses to seek out locations so close to residential areas.
Alan Stark said the drive-thru will be the closest drive-thru to residential homes in the city, apart from one other drive-thru that was built before the surrounding homes. And the limited nature of the surrounding intersections — the two intersections near the McDonalds don't have left turn lanes — might cause traffic to become even more congested, Stark said.
But McDonald's will address some of the concerns voiced at previous meetings. For example, the operating hours at the McDonald’s will be restricted from 5 a.m. to midnight, as opposed to the location being a 24-hour drive-thru, Williams said.
Paul Gilbert, who represented McDonald’s as well as Goodyear McDonald's owner Mellon Family Management, added that the land has been zoned for commercial use since people moved into the Glenmont Estates as a part of a larger masterplan. The land is allowed to be zoned for commercial use, Gilbert said.
Gilbert said several precautions will be taken in order to reduce disturbances to nearby homes. For example, the display screen in the drive-thru will allow for less communication between customers and the speaker. There will also be a 6-foot wall near the drive-thru that will reduce noise. McDonald’s is even required by stipulation that the noise from the speakers will not be heard beyond the boundaries of the property, Gilbert said.
McDonald’s is also required to submit an odor mitigation plan to the city prior to the approval of any building permits, according to city documents. And Gilbert said the location will be installing an exhaust scrubbing device, which can remove some types of particles from the exhaust system.
Councilmember Vicki Gillis said that, if she were living in one of the nearby homes, she would want a sit-down restaurant as opposed to a drive-thru, especially due to the fact that the drive-thru will be located in the middle of homes in several directions.
Goodyear Vice Mayor Laura Kaino acknowledged that the transition might be difficult for families like the Cowans, who have lived in the area since 2012. While there may have been a decrease in commercial development due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Kaino said it seems to now be picking up, especially in areas where there is vacant land.
The use permit ultimately passed 5-2, with all voting in favor aside from Councilmember Bill Stipp and Gillis.
Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on Twitter @AlexandraHardle. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2023/06/30/west-valley-residents-concerned-about-fast-food-restaurant/70367167007/ | 2023-06-30T15:29:39 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2023/06/30/west-valley-residents-concerned-about-fast-food-restaurant/70367167007/ |
LADY LAKE, Fla. — One person is dead and another is hospitalized after a shooting at a home in Lady Lake.
Lady Lake Interim Police Chief Steven Hunt said they got a call about gunshots around 1 a.m. When officers responded to 104 Caroline St., he said they found two people with gunshot wounds.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
He said one person died at the scene and the other was taken to a nearby hospital.
Hunt said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is helping with the investigation and that they’re canvassing neighborhoods and following leads. He said they believe the shooting was an isolated incident, but did not elaborate.
Read: Lady Lake proposes cutting back hours bars, restaurants can serve alcohol
Channel 9 has a crew on the scene working to gather additional details.
Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News at Noon for updates.
Read: Lady Lake prepares for inaugural Independence Day fireworks display
See a map of the scene below:
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/1-dead-1-hospitalized-after-shooting-lady-lake/J6US26IFGZESBON6YA7MPWL4XI/ | 2023-06-30T15:30:23 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/1-dead-1-hospitalized-after-shooting-lady-lake/J6US26IFGZESBON6YA7MPWL4XI/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Data shows more than 2.8 million Floridians will travel around 50 miles or more between Friday and July 4th.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
And wherever people end up, staffing shortages may be a problem they face.
Channel 9 spoke with the American Hotel and Lodging Association about the roughly 100,000 open positions at hotels across the country.
Watch: FDOT works to keep millions of Florida drivers stay safe during July 4th holiday weekend
“Pre-pandemic levels” is a term used to measure travel and tourism since 2021.
AAA says this extended July 4th holiday will break records, and Orlando is one of the top destinations.
Data shows there are more than 2,000 open hotel jobs in the Orlando right now that need to be filled.
Watch: July 4th holiday weekend rush moves into high gear at Orlando International Airport
A national survey and found 75% of hotels are increasing employee wages, 64% are offering greater flexibility with hours, and 36% are expanding benefits. However, 87% say they are still unable to fill open positions.
Last year, hotel guests spent more than $69 billion in destinations across the state, and Florida hotels generated nearly $6.9 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue.
Read: Gov. DeSantis signs bill allowing radioactive material to be built into Florida roads
See more in the video above.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/crowds-staffing-shortages-could-plague-millions-traveling-celebrate-july-4th-florida/YGDSJ6SJ3JFCPCGF2RZHPZ3IHA/ | 2023-06-30T15:30:27 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/crowds-staffing-shortages-could-plague-millions-traveling-celebrate-july-4th-florida/YGDSJ6SJ3JFCPCGF2RZHPZ3IHA/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation is preparing for millions of travelers on the roads.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
AAA said the number of drivers taking a road trip on July 4th could set records.
Photos: FDOT works to keep millions of Florida drivers stay safe during July 4th holiday weekend
Data shows 2.4 million Floridians are expected to take a trip this holiday weekend. That’s 37,000 more people than last year.
Read: AAA’s ‘Tow to Go’ returns for Independence Day extended weekend
FDOT and law enforcement agencies around the state will be working through the extended holiday to make sure people are safe on the roads.
FDOT says it will be all hands on deck to help manage the travel surge.
Watch: July 4th holiday weekend rush moves into high gear at Orlando International Airport
“So, we’ve elevated our staffing levels along with our other partner and first responder agencies to ensure all motorists are able to get help if they need help,” said Garrett Popovich with FDOT.
Channel 9 was invited into FDOT’s Regional Transportation Management Center in Sanford on Friday to see how the agency helps keep everyone safe.
Read: Gov. DeSantis signs bill allowing radioactive material to be built into Florida roads
See more in the video above.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/fdot-works-keep-millions-florida-drivers-stay-safe-during-july-4th-holiday-weekend/DVQH5GO4RJDWZBRJVN5WDM34BE/ | 2023-06-30T15:30:33 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/fdot-works-keep-millions-florida-drivers-stay-safe-during-july-4th-holiday-weekend/DVQH5GO4RJDWZBRJVN5WDM34BE/ |
NORMAL — Starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, westbound West Vernon Avenue will be closed under the viaduct for pavement repairs.
A detour will be set up to School Street. Drivers are encouraged to be cautious while traveling through the area.
The road closure is expected to be completed by 5 p.m. that day, weather permitting.
A map spotlight of the road closure can be found at arcg.is/0410ei.
Call 309-454-9738 for more information. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/road-closure-planned-on-vernon-avenue-in-normal/article_e70849f4-1694-11ee-9bf2-97c6b80ee114.html | 2023-06-30T15:33:48 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/road-closure-planned-on-vernon-avenue-in-normal/article_e70849f4-1694-11ee-9bf2-97c6b80ee114.html |
LOCAL
Mass for Rhoda Wise set July 7 at St. Peter
Catholic mystic died in 1948
The Repository
- Wise's life being examined by the Vatican for possible beatification
- Wise's NE Canton home now a shrine
- Mother Angelica among those who claimed healing via Wise
CANTON − The annual Mass for Servant of God Rhoda Wise will be celebrated at 6 p.m. July 7 at St. Peter Catholic Church at 726 Cleveland Ave NW.
This year’s Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop David Bonnar, will include a visit from Valentina Culurgioni, who last year became the Vatican's new postulator of the Cause for Rhoda Wise.
Wise was a Canton woman who died in 1948 and who is being considered by the Catholic Church for beatification, a step toward possibly being recognized as a saint.
Wise's home at 2337 25th St. NE has been transformed into a grotto and shrine. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/mass-for-canton-mystic-rhoda-wise-is-july-7-at-st-peter/70370899007/ | 2023-06-30T15:36:53 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/mass-for-canton-mystic-rhoda-wise-is-july-7-at-st-peter/70370899007/ |
The Bluecoats modify public practice at Mount Union due to wildfire haze
- Hundreds of area residents attended Community Day hosted by the University of Mount Union and the Canton-based Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps on Thursday.
- Smoky haze from Canadian wildfires forced The Bluecoats to change plans for the event, forcing some units to stay inside due to poor air quality.
- The Bluecoats have been training at Mount Union since May 25 for the 2023 season. The season starts July 5. The group would like to return next summer to Mount Union to train.
ALLIANCE − Smoky haze from Canadian wildfires altered a new event Thursday at the University of Mount Union.
Hundreds of area residents attended the first Community Day jointly hosted by Mount Union and Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps on campus.
"I heard about it through a friend at work," said LaToya Gispert of Salem. "So far, it's been good."
The Bluecoats, based in Canton, have been training for their upcoming season at Mount Union since May 25. Their season begins July 5 in Mason, outside of Cincinnati.
Several food trucks were on hand, and community members could stick around to watch the Bluecoats rehearse in Kehres Stadium. But the hazy conditions forced the competitive crops to change plans and only the percussion unit, which is stationary, performed for the public.
The other performers, who move around and breathe into instruments, stayed inside to practice.
Better air:Stark County's air quality likely to return to normal Friday
Mike Scott, chief executive officer for The Bluecoats, explained the decision:
"The marching musicians and color guard are staying inside because the project they're working on tonight, in order to prepare for our public opening on Saturday night involves intense cardio for extended periods of time. It is very unhealthy to practice intense cardio in these conditions for the length of time they'd be doing it."
Saturday's Opening Night Community Celebration, starting at 5:45 p.m. in Kehres Stadium, will mark the 2023 debut of The Bluecoats. Tickets are $25. The third annual "Bluecoats Party in the Plaza" starts 2 p.m. Sunday in downtown Canton, and they'll perform a free concert at 8 p.m.
The last opportunity to see The Bluecoats before they start their season is July 4, starting at 11:30 a.m., at Gervasi Vineyard in Canton. They will return home Aug. 7 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for "Innovations in Brass."
None of those events are expected to be impacted by air quality issues.
"Coming to Mount Union (to train) has been a game-changer," Scott said. "The facility has been great. The university is incredible to work with. We've had great weather."
'It's kind of neat standing in the backyard listening to them play.'
Mount Union has welcomed The Bluecoats with open arms, providing them with the facilities and resources needed to train. Additionally, the university has held multiple events, including Thursday's, for area residents to watch The Bluecoats practice.
"It has been wonderful," said Angi Johnson, executive assistant for marketing at Mount Union. "They've really made people in the neighborhoods happy. People, young and old, have come and just sat in the stands when available and listened."
Nate Sheen and his wife, Lindsay, and their children have seen multiple practices. The family lives near campus.
"We've heard them all summer," Lindsay Sheen said Thursday.
Nate Sheen added: "It's kind of neat standing in the backyard listening to them play. It's like having a concert in your backyard every day."
The Sheens say they hope The Bluecoats come back next summer to train. As does Scott. He said there have been discussions with Mount Union for a possible return.
"We're 100% committed (to coming back) next year," Scott said.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2023/06/30/bluecoats-drum-bugle-corps-alter-public-mount-union-rehearsal-due-to-wildfire-haze-alliance-ohio/70368355007/ | 2023-06-30T15:36:59 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2023/06/30/bluecoats-drum-bugle-corps-alter-public-mount-union-rehearsal-due-to-wildfire-haze-alliance-ohio/70368355007/ |
LOS ANGELES — Alan Arkin, the wry character actor who demonstrated his versatility in everything from farcical comedy to chilling drama as he received four Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar in 2007 for “Little Miss Sunshine,” has died. He was 89.
A member of Chicago’s famed Second City comedy troupe, Arkin was an immediate success in movies with the Cold War spoof “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming” and peaked late in life with his win as best supporting actor for the surprise 2006 hit “Little Miss Sunshine.” More than 40 years separated his first Oscar nomination, for “The Russians are Coming,” from his nomination for playing a conniving Hollywood producer in the Oscar-winning “Argo.”
In recent years he starred opposite Michael Douglas in the Netflix comedy series “The Kominsky Method,” a role that earned him two Emmy nominations.
“When I was a young actor people wanted to know if I wanted to be a serious actor or a funny one,” Michael McKean tweeted Friday. ‘I’d answer ‘Which kind is Alan Arkin?’ and that shut them up.”
Arkin once joked to The Associated Press that the beauty of being a character actor was not having to take his clothes off for a role. He wasn’t a sex symbol or superstar, but was rarely out of work, appearing in more than 100 TV and feature films. His trademarks were likability, relatability and complete immersion in his roles, no matter how unusual, whether playing a Russian submarine officer in “The Russians are Coming” who struggles to communicate with the equally jittery Americans, or standing out as the foul-mouthed, drug-addicted grandfather in “Little Miss Sunshine.”
“Alan’s never had an identifiable screen personality because he just disappears into his characters,” director Norman Jewison of “The Russians are Coming” once observed. “His accents are impeccable, and he’s even able to change his looks. ... He’s always been underestimated, partly because he’s never been in service of his own success.”
While still with Second City, Arkin was chosen by Carl Reiner to play the young protagonist in the 1963 Broadway play “Enter Laughing,” based on Reiner’s semi-autobiographical novel.
He attracted strong reviews and the notice of Jewison, who was preparing to direct a 1966 comedy about a Russian sub that creates a panic when it ventures too close to a small New England town. In Arkin’s next major film, he proved he could also play a villain, however reluctantly. Arkin starred in “Wait Until Dark” as a vicious drug dealer who holds a blind woman (Audrey Hepburn) captive in her own apartment, believing a drug shipment is hidden there.
He recalled in a 1998 interview how difficult it was to terrorize Hepburn’s character.
“Just awful,” he said. “She was an exquisite lady, so being mean to her was hard.”
Arkin’s rise continued in 1968 with “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,” in which he played a sensitive man who could not hear or speak. He starred as the bumbling French detective in “Inspector Clouseau” that same year, but the film would become overlooked in favor of Peter Sellers’ Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” movies.
Arkin’s career as a character actor continued to blossom when Mike Nichols, a fellow Second City alumnus, cast him in the starring role as Yossarian, the victim of wartime red tape in 1970’s “Catch-22,” based on Joseph Heller’s million-selling novel. Through the years, Arkin turned up in such favorites as “Edward Scissorhands,” playing Johnny Depp’s neighbor; and in the film version of David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross” as a dogged real estate salesman. He and Reiner played brothers, one successful (Reiner), one struggling (Arkin), in the 1998 film “The Slums of Beverly Hills.”
“I used to think that my stuff had a lot of variety. But I realized that for the first twenty years or so, most of the characters I played were outsiders, strangers to their environment, foreigners in one way or another,” he told The Associated Press in 2007.
“As I started to get more and more comfortable with myself, that started to shift. I got one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever gotten from someone a few days ago. They said that they thought my characters were very often the heart, the moral center of a film. I didn’t particularly understand it, but I liked it; it made me happy.”
Other recent credits included “Going in Style,” a 2017 remake featuring fellow Oscar winners Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman, and “The Kominsky Method.” He played a Hollywood talent agent and friend of Douglas’ character, a once-promising actor who ran an acting school after his career sputtered.
He also was the voice of Wild Knuckles in the 2022 animated film “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”
Arkin also directed the film version of Jules Feiffer’s 1971 dark comedy “Little Murders” and Neil Simon’s 1972 play about bickering old vaudeville partners, “The Sunshine Boys.” On television, Arkin appeared in the short-lived series “Fay” and “Harry” and played a night court judge in Sidney Lumet’s drama series “100 Centre Street” on A&E. He also wrote several books for children.
Born in New York City’s borough of Brooklyn, he and his family, which included two younger brothers, moved to Los Angeles when he was 11. His parents found jobs as teachers, but were fired during the post-World War II Red Scare because they were Communists.
“We were dirt poor so I couldn’t afford to go to the movies often,” he told the AP in 1998. “But I went whenever I could and focused in on movies, as they were more important than anything in my life.”
He studied acting at Los Angeles City College; California State University, Los Angeles; and Bennington College in Vermont, where he earned a scholarship to the formerly all-girls school.
He married a fellow student, Jeremy Yaffe, and they had two sons, Adam and Matthew.
After he and Yaffe divorced in 1961, Arkin married actress-writer Barbara Dana, and they had a son, Anthony. All three sons became actors: Adam starred in the TV series “Chicago Hope.”
“It was certainly nothing that I pushed them into,” Arkin said in 1998. “It made absolutely no difference to me what they did, as long as it allowed them to grow.”
Arkin began his entertainment career as an organizer and singer with The Tarriers, a group that briefly rode the folk musical revival wave of the late 1950s. Later, he turned to stage acting, off-Broadway and always in dramatic roles.
At Second City, he worked with Nichols, Elaine May, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara and others in creating intellectual, high-speed impromptu riffs the fads and follies of the day.
“I never knew that I could be funny until I joined Second City,” he said.
___
The late AP Entertainment writer Bob Thomas provided biographical material for this story. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/2023/06/30/alan-arkin-dead/06ba6b76-1751-11ee-9de3-ba1fa29e9bec_story.html | 2023-06-30T15:40:43 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/2023/06/30/alan-arkin-dead/06ba6b76-1751-11ee-9de3-ba1fa29e9bec_story.html |
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VALPARAISO — Valparaiso Police Department K9 officer Ryker will be a little safer when out on the beat as a result a donation through the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s , his fellow officers reported.
Ryker received donated body armor designed to protect him from bullets and stabbings, police said.
A first-of-its-kind study on anti-LGBTQ hate crimes in the United States has recorded at least 356 targeted assaults and acts of vandalism and harassment, with drag artists, educators, and medical professionals most likely to be targeted.
"K9 Ryker's vest was sponsored by Robert and Rosann Gordon of LaPorte, IN and embroidered with the sentiment 'Honoring those who served and sacrificed," according to the department.
Vested Interest in K9s, which was established in 2009, has a mission of providing the protective armor to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States, Valparaiso police said. The group has provided more than 5,127 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by private and corporate donations.
"The pistol had an extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device attached to it," officials said.
There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States, the group says.
Vested Interest in K9s reportedly accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,800.
For more information, visit vik9s.org .
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail
Vince Mileski
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 49
Residence: Michigan City, IN
Booking Number: 2302534
Vanessa Ontiveros
Arrest date: June 18, 2023
Age: 32
Residence: Chesterton, IN
Booking Number: 2302536
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Tresheena Wilburn
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 38
Residence: Michigan City, IN
Booking Number: 2302525
Travis King
Arrest date: June 18, 2023
Age: 28
Residence: Chesterton, IN
Booking Number: 2302546
Charges: Domestic Battery, Felony
Terrence Music
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 57
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number: 2302527
Tapria Forrest
Arrest date: June 22, 2023
Age: 25
Residence: La Crosse, WI
Booking Number: 2302606
Charges: Obstruction of Justice, Felony
Souladeth Sapradit
Arrest date: June 19, 2023
Age: 53
Residence: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Booking Number: 2302555
Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony
Sherry Thompson
Arrest date: June 18, 2023
Age: 56
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number: 2302535
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Shawn Nowell
Arrest date: June 20, 2023
Age: 24
Residence: DeMotte, IN
Booking Number: 2302567
Shane Ratliff
Arrest date: June 23, 2023
Age: 32
Residence: Lake Village, IN
Booking Number: 2302608
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Robert Westerfield
Arrest date: June 20, 2023
Age: 40
Residence: Valparaiso, IN
Booking Number: 2302560
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Ricardo Suarez
Arrest date: June 23, 2023
Age: 68
Residence: Highland, IN
Booking Number: 2302609
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Paul Daniel
Arrest date: June 19, 2023
Age: 57
Residence: Walkerton, IN
Booking Number: 2302547
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Nicholas Ton
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 21
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number: 2302589
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Megan Sancillo
Arrest date: June 22, 2023
Age: 24
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number: 2302599
Charges: Domestic Battery, Felony
Martin Ramian
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 69
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number: 2302532
Marray McKinney
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 24
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number: 2302520
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Lindsey Williams
Arrest date: June 18, 2023
Age: 30
Residence: Valparaiso, IN
Booking Number: 2302539
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Lawrence Roberts
Arrest date: June 20, 2023
Age: 59
Residence: Detroit, MI
Booking Number: 2302559
Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony
Lawrence Jones
Arrest date: June 18, 2023
Age: 30
Residence: Melrose Park, IL
Booking Number: 2302542
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Jonathan Shaffer
Arrest date: June 20, 2023
Age: 29
Residence: Chesterton, IN
Booking Number: 2302572
Charges: Possession of Cocaine, Felony
Jonathan Kennoy
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 38
Residence: Chesterton, IN
Booking Number: 2302594
Charges: Possession of Cocaine, Felony
Jessica Gallion
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 36
Residence: Colorado Springs, CO
Booking Number: 2302579
Jennifer Malocha
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 47
Residence: Valparaiso, IN
Booking Number: 2302518
Charges: Resisting Law Enforcement, Felony
Jasper Howard
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 37
Residence: Logansport, IN
Booking Number: 2302584
Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony
Gregory Blandford
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 31
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number: 2302530
Charges: Residential Entry, Felony
Gregg Michiaels Jr.
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 48
Residence: Valparaiso, IN
Booking Number: 2302531
Charges: Possession of Cocaine, Felony
Felipe Chiguil
Arrest date: June 23, 2023
Age: 25
Residence: Indianapolis, IN
Booking Number: 2302611
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Eric Perez
Arrest date: June 19, 2023
Age: 41
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number: 2302556
Charges: Burglary, Felony
Emma McDonald
Arrest date: June 18, 2023
Age: 21
Residence: Wheatfield, IN
Booking Number: 2302540
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Edwin Mains
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 59
Residence: Valparaiso, IN
Booking Number: 2302581
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Derrick Vaulx
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 32
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number: 2302529
Charges: Habitual Traffic Offender, Felony
Derrick Angelucci
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 32
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number: 2302587
Deanna Burgess
Arrest date: June 17, 2023
Age: 26
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number: 2302533
Dean Davis
Arrest date: June 20, 2023
Age: 48
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number: 2302565
Charges: Identity Deception, Felony
Dannie Armstrong
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 30
Residence: Michigan City, IN
Booking Number: 2302596
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Daniel Nicolas
Arrest date: June 19, 2023
Age: 25
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number: 2302550
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Christopher Hultquist
Arrest date: June 19, 2023
Age: 33
Residence: Kouts, IN
Booking Number: 2302552
Charges: Possession of Child Pornography, Felony
Bradley McCord
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 26
Residence: Chesterton, IN
Booking Number: 2302583
Bardo Arellano
Arrest date: June 18, 2023
Age: 31
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number: 2302537
Charges: OWI, felony
Ashley Peterson
Arrest date: June 21, 2023
Age: 30
Residence: Buffalo, IN
Booking Number: 2302585
Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony
Andres Trujillo
Arrest date: June 20, 2023
Age: 48
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number: 2302568
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
Adam Eberhardt
Arrest date: June 20, 2023
Age: 35
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number: 2302558
Charges: OWI, Misdemeanor
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How a Gastonia woman, and others, have their lives improved by volunteers
Volunteers with Carolina Cross Connection got to work last week building a much-needed porch and ramp onto the back door of a Gastonia woman's home.
“Most of our projects are access projects,” said Bree Eldridge, a Carolina Cross Connection camp director.
Carolina Cross Connections is a non-profit organization that brings members from churches across North Carolina together to serve different communities.
Some members go to Honduras and others do work in local communities such as Gastonia.
This year, Eldridge oversaw a team of volunteers servicing the Gaston County area from Sunday, June 18, to Saturday, June 24. The team spent three days in the rain working to make it a little easier for Roberta Elliott to get in and out of her South Marietta Street home.
“I had been on a waitlist to get some help getting this done for a long time,” Elliott said. She and her late husband had not been able to afford the stairs amid other repairs they needed to make to their home, including a new roof and HVAC system.
Elliott didn’t stop believing she would get the help she needed.
“As long as you’ve got breath in your body, there’s hope,” Elliott said.
While Elliott didn't know exactly how she wound up being selected by Carolina Cross Connections, it is likely that she was referred by a community contact, according to Eldridge.
There are three ways people can get on the list for these services, Eldridge said. Some people call into the referral line, others are referred by neighbors, and the rest are referred by community contacts like the Department of Health and Human Services.
According to Elliott, this service has been a blessing.
"In this economic time, it's good to have people to help those of us that are less fortunate," she said.
Elliott and Eldrige both agree that this program is impactful for the children participating as well.
“This instills qualities in the kids to do good,” Elliott said.
Children as young as 12 years old are eligible to participate in the camp. Eldridge herself, “fell in love with service,” after attending the camp as a teen. Fellow volunteer Margaret Freeman appreciates the new perspective she gains from chatting with those they serve.
“The times I’ve talked with Roberta, I feel like I’ve learned more from her than she’s ever going to learn from me,” Freeman said.
Campers at Carolina Cross Connection generally complete anywhere from one to four projects per week. “Projects can be kind of expensive,” Eldridge said. Camp directors and coordinators are required to raise half of their own salary each summer to help offset costs, according to Eldridge.
This year, a grant from Gaston County’s Glenn Foundation also made a donation to help cover the costs of repairs.
Carolina Cross Connection plans to serve Gaston County twice more this summer. Volunteers will be on the job from June 28 to July 8, and again from July 16 to 22. | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/carolina-cross-connection-making-gastonias-homes-more-accessible/70342922007/ | 2023-06-30T15:43:06 | 1 | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/carolina-cross-connection-making-gastonias-homes-more-accessible/70342922007/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/this-massive-birdhouse-in-delaware-serves-as-tribute-to-civil-rights-moment/3595782/ | 2023-06-30T15:44:31 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/this-massive-birdhouse-in-delaware-serves-as-tribute-to-civil-rights-moment/3595782/ |
Denton home cook Anthony Langston walked in to RT's Neighborhood Bar before the Secret Chef watch party started, where people immediately shouted “Lanky!”, his nickname.
He smiled — waved back — and started to greet his friends and locals at the bar.
The bar hosted a Secret Chef watch party where Langston’s friends, family and locals watched the first two episodes of the show on Thursday evening.
Langston was selected to participate in Hulu’s new cooking competition Secret Chef for a chance to win the $100,000 grand prize.
Langston said it was the first time he watched the filming of the show and was excited to see it on Thursday evening.
“So, to see the first couple episodes with friends and see things actually come out to fruition, it was pretty awesome,” Langston said.
The show from executive producer and chef David Chang showcases 10 contestants who are isolated in a secret underground kitchen labyrinth connected by a series of conveyor belts.
Instead of having traditional cooking show judges, the participants must rate each other’s final dishes in blind taste tests.
The contestants are guided by a mischievous animated talking hat, Chefy, who tasks the participants with performing a series of cooking challenges.
The crowd cheered during Langston’s introduction on the show as he made a Tex-Mex shakshuka — which competitors in the show praised.
“I'm a home cook — and I’m a cheesemonger by day — and a bartender by night,” Langston said during Secret Chef’s first episode. “Since I was a child, I spent a lot of time in front of the TV. Some of my favorite people to watch were TV chefs, and my dream is to do that [be a TV chef].”
Langston is the culinary director at Ten:One Artisan Cheese, a cheese shop in downtown Denton that offers house-made accoutrements to pair with cheese selections. He also bartends at East Side.
This isn’t the first time Langston participated in a cooking show. He competed in Netflix’s reality cooking competition Best Leftovers Ever!, where he competed against two other home cooks in episode 7.
He also had a stint with MasterChef, where a casting representative remembered Langston and asked him to audition for Secret Chef.
The crowd laughed as Langston accidentally cut himself not once — but twice while he was cutting cabbage in the show.
“It's a competition — everyone's going to do great, everyone's going make some mistakes,” Langston said.
During the first episode elimination challenge, Langston was assigned with Tallahassee, Florida, chef Leon Brunson, a secret at the time.
The twist of the challenge was that competitors could not cook together at the same time – and the team with the lowest score would get eliminated.
Langston and Brunson made a Korean bulgogi as they worked together to make the dish. The show got dramatic as Brunson questioned the color of the kimchi, which was pink.
“I think I’m going home,” Brunson said during the show went on a commercial break.
While Brunson may have questioned the color — he was excited that the dish tasted good.
The competitors then rated each other’s dishes anonymously, and the crowd at the bar got tense as Langston, Brunson and chefs Alexa Santos and Anthony Bar were called up by the animated judge to step forward for the highest and lowest-rated dish of the challenge.
The loudest cheers occurred at the bar as Langston and Santos's dish was rated the highest during the first elimination challenge. Langston put both his arms up in the air and bowed to the bar crowd.
“That's a way to start the show,” Langston said. “And to see the whole crowd at RT’s behind me was pretty exhilarating.”
All 10 episodes of Secret Chef are available to stream on Hulu now.
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://dentonrc.com/news/local/a-way-to-start-the-show-secret-chef-watch-party-cheers-on-dentons-anthony-langston/article_e4cd0b99-987a-57d9-a036-3a68bec84fb3.html | 2023-06-30T15:45:31 | 0 | https://dentonrc.com/news/local/a-way-to-start-the-show-secret-chef-watch-party-cheers-on-dentons-anthony-langston/article_e4cd0b99-987a-57d9-a036-3a68bec84fb3.html |
The queso craze is coming to Midlothian.
Torchy’s Tacos, the Texas-based chain that brought massive crowds out when it opened a location in Short Pump in January , is offering free tacos, queso and beer samples from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at its new location at 1315 Huguenot Road.
The location officially opens at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The first 100 people in line then will get a T-shirt that will allow them to get free green chile queso for a year.
Mike Rypka, who grew up in Virginia, started Torchy’s started in 2006 in Austin, Texas, in a food trailer. Today, the chain is known for its "damn good tacos," fresh queso and full bar at each location. There are about 100 in 14 states, including in Richmond, Charlottesville and Glen Allen.
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A Carytown location opened in February.
The Midlothian location has a 3,860-square-foot dining room and a 764-square-foot outdoor patio. It sits adjacent to the Raising Cane’s chicken restaurant at 1321 Huguenot Road that opened earlier this year.
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PHOTOS: Torchy's Tacos
House margarita on the rocks with salt.
Megan Marconyak
House margarita with green chile queso and chips, guacamole and roja salsa at Torchy's.
Megan Marconyak
The Trailer Park and Ranch Hand tacos at Torchy’s Tacos.
Megan Marconyak
Street Corn at Torchy’s Tacos.
Megan Marconyak
Torchy's Tacos is opening its first Richmond area location in Short Pump on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
Torchy's
Torchy’s Tacos opened two locations the Richmond area this year, one in Short Pump at 11120 W. Broad St., another in Carytown Exchange at 3510 W. Cary St., Suite C110, with a third on the way in Chesterfield.
Torchy's Tacos
Customers line up during a preview party for complimentary meals as Torchy's Tacos opens its first restaurant in the Richmond area in Short Pump.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Torchy’s Tacos is opening its first restaurant in the Richmond area in Short Pump on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Other locations coming to the region this year include Carytown and Chesterfield.
Daniel Sangjib Min, TIMES-DISPATCH
Torchy’s Tacos has opened two fast-casual restaurants in the Richmond area: one in Short Pump and the second in Carytown. A third is on the way for Chesterfield.
times-dispatch | https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/torchys-tacos-midlothian-queso/article_c277193c-174b-11ee-acc9-971396996d0b.html | 2023-06-30T15:46:40 | 1 | https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/torchys-tacos-midlothian-queso/article_c277193c-174b-11ee-acc9-971396996d0b.html |
LEASES
Commonwealth Commercial Partners LLC reports the following transactions:
- William T. Boland III, D.M.D., renewed 1,046 square feet at 5700 Old Richmond Ave. in Henrico County. Tucker Dowdy and Michael Good represented the landlord.
- Douglas S. Belt, D.D.S., renewed 1,013 square feet at 5700 Old Richmond Ave. in Henrico County. Tucker Dowdy and Michael Good represented the landlord.
- ME By Design LLC leased 2,220 square feet at 320 Libbie Ave. in Richmond. Jim McVey represented the landlord.
- John F. Van Der Hyde & Associates Inc. leased 45,449 square feet at 3901 Westerre Parkway in Henrico County. Eric Hammond, Eliza Izard and Russell Wyatt represented the landlord.
- Glacier Health and Development Center LLC leased 6,400 square feet at 2006 Bremo Road in Henrico County. Ben Boykin and Jamie Galanti represented the tenant.
- Odyssey Reinsurance Company leased 4,162 square feet at 3900 Westerre Parkway in Henrico County. Eric Hammond, Eliza Izard and Russell Wyatt represented the landlord.
- The Bikini Bar LLC leased 418 square feet at 4901 Fitzhugh Ave. in Richmond. Ben Boykin and Russell Wyatt represented the landlord.
- Tigeraire Inc. leased 2,675 square feet at 11551 Nuckols Road in Henrico County. Eric Hammond, Jamie Galanti and Russell Wyatt represented the landlord.
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Colliers reports the following transactions:
- Virginia Education Association leased 10,079 square feet at 8001 Franklin Farms Drive in Richmond. David Wilkins, Matt Anderson and Catherine Walker represented the landlord.
- EMH of Virginia LLC leased 2,109 square feet at 1503 Santa Rosa Road in Henrico. David Wilkins, Matt Anderson and Catherine Walker represented the landlord.
- Department of Social Services leased 100,010 square feet at 5600 Cox Road in Glen Allen. Malcolm Randolph and Wood Thornton represented the landlord.
- Gerzk LLC leased 435 square feet at 4435 Waterfront Drive in Glen Allen. Rebecca Barricklow, David Wilkins and Joe Marchetti represented the landlord.
- V-Envisage Solutions Incorporated leased 488 square feet at 4435 Waterfront Drive in Glen Allen. Rebecca Barricklow, David Wilkins and Joe Marchetti represented the landlord.
- Pyramid Consulting Inc. leased 986 square feet at 1602 Rolling Hills Drive in Henrico. Catherine Walker, David Wilkins and Matt Anderson represented the landlord.
- MC Innovations LLC leased 2,545 square feet at 5540 Falmouth St. in Richmond. David Wilkins represented the landlord.
- Glam R Us Events LLC leased 3,208 square feet at 1508 East Parham Road in Richmond. Rebecca Barricklow, David Wilkins and Joe Marchetti represented the landlord.
- The L.E. Myers Co leased 6,406 square feet at 11520 Nuckols Road in Glen Allen. Frank Hargrove represented the landlord while Jimmy Martin and Harrison McVey represented the tenant.
- Jersey Mike's Subs leased 1,500 square feet at 14201 Winterview Parkway in Midlothian. Peter Vick and Harrison Hall represented the landlord.
- Batesville Logistics Inc. renewed 17,934 square feet at 1060 Port Walthall Drive in Colonial Heights. Jimmy Martin represented the landlord.
- MyEyeDr. leased 2,400 square feet at 12241 W. Broad St. in Henrico. Peter Vick and Harrison Hall represented the landlord.
- PAC Solutions LLC leased 3,847 square feet at 7814 Carousel Lane in Richmond. Rebecca Barricklow and Joe Marchetti represented the landlord.
- Dog Krazy Inc. leased 4,814 square feet at 1352 Gaskins Road in Richmond. Peter Vick, Harrison Hall and Maddy Spear represented the landlord.
- Blue Ridge Bank renewed 18,032 square feet at 1801 Bayberry Court in Richmond. David Wilkins and Frank Hargrove represented the tenant.
- The Clovely Corporation renewed 2,900 square feet at 7204 Glen Forest Drive in Richmond. Rebecca Barricklow and David Wilkins represented the landlord.
- Coverstar Central Inc. leased 8,828 square feet at 340 Hill Carter Parkway in Ashland. Catherine Walker, John Carpin, Jimmy Martin and Malcolm Randolph represented the landlord while Harrison McVey represented the tenant.
- Cary Street Partners LLC expanded 3,937 square feet at 4401 Waterfront Drive in Glen Allen. Malcolm Randolph represented the tenant.
- D.R. Horton Inc. renewed 9,180 square feet at 2820 Waterford Lake Drive in Midlothian. John Carpin represented the landlord.
- SMC Corporation of America renewed 4,313 square feet at 4953 Cox Road in Glen Allen. John Carpin represented the landlord.
- Raquel Howell Sutherland leased 330 square feet at 7202 Glen Forest Drive in Richmond. David Wilkins and Rebecca Barricklow represented the landlord.
- Centcom Global Inc. renewed 1,443 square feet at 5540 Falmouth Street in Richmond. David Wilkins and Rebecca Barricklow represented the landlord.
- Page Sutherland Page Inc. leased 9,028 square feet at 4991 Lake Brook Drive in Glen Allen. David Wilkins represented the tenant.
- Gateway Healthcare Professionals LLC leased 1,431 square feet at 5540 Falmouth Street in Richmond. David Wilkins and Rebecca Barricklow represented the landlord.
- R.S.V.P. Inc. expanded 3,952 square feet at 1504 Santa Rosa Road in Richmond. John Carpin and Gray Bryant represented the landlord.
- Highfill Painting, LLC renewed 1,975 square feet at 1578 E. Parham Road in Richmond. Rebecca Barricklow, Joe Marchetti and David Wilkins represented the landlord.
- Bon Secours - Richmond Community Hospital LLC expanded 3,650 square feet at 5875 Bremo Road in Richmond. Malcolm Randolph, John Carpin and Catherine Walker represented the landlord.
- Virginia Weight and Wellness renewed 4,093 square feet at 4439 Cox Road in Glen Allen. Rebecca Barricklow and John Carpin represented the landlord.
- EcoShield Pest Control Washington D.C. LLC leased 7,262 square feet at 4949 Cox Road in Glen Allen. John Carpin represented the landlord.
- Virginia Sheriffs' Association expanded 3,816 square feet at 901 E. Byrd St. in Richmond. David Wilkins and Matt Anderson represented the landlord.
Cushman & Wakefield — Thalhimer reports the following transactions:
- Conduent State Healthcare LLC renewed 16,747 square feet of office space at Boulders Office Center at 1011 Boulder Springs Drive in Chesterfield County. Amy J. Broderick and Evan Magrill represented the landlord.
- Phone Express and Electronics leased 2,500 square feet of retail space at Eastgate Town Center at Nine Mile Road and Laburnum Avenue in Henrico County. David Crawford and Richard L. Thalhimer represented the landlord.
- Sharkey's Cuts for Kids leased 1,342 square feet of retail space at Short Pump Commons at 4300 Pouncey Tract Road in Henrico County. Annie O’Connor and Nicki Jassy represented the landlord.
- Veronica’s Closet leased 1,200 square feet of retail space at Dunn Shopping Center at 3714 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Hanover County. Michael A. Shaia represented the landlord.
Porter Realty Company Inc. reports the following transaction:
- Holiday Signs Inc. leased 18,733 square feet of office/warehouse space at 11930 Old Stage Road in Chesterfield County. Byron Holmes represented the buyer.
SALES
Commonwealth Commercial Partners LLC reports the following transaction:
- Benjamin Pully purchased 273 acres for $500,000 at Creighton Road and Hope Haven Drive in Henrico County from The Nature Conservancy. Brent Altaffer and Hank Campbell represented the seller. | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/real-estate/commercial-real-estate-highlights-bon-secours---richmond-community-hospital-llc-expands-at-5875/article_b71e7e44-1706-11ee-9671-a7183dbf713c.html | 2023-06-30T15:46:46 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/real-estate/commercial-real-estate-highlights-bon-secours---richmond-community-hospital-llc-expands-at-5875/article_b71e7e44-1706-11ee-9671-a7183dbf713c.html |
Hanover Commonwealth’s Attorney R.E. “Trip” Chalkley III has announced that he won’t run for reelection in November.
Chalkley, a Republican, has served four terms, having won election in 2007.
R. E. “Trip” Chalkley III
“Although I am on the road to recovery, and am committed to fulfilling my current term, I believe it would be better for the people of Hanover to elect a new commonwealth’s attorney this November,” Chalkley said.
The Commanders aren't coming back, and now Richmond has big decisions to make
Goochland grad Zack Potts turned D3 national title into a DI opportunity, and hopes for more
Shyndigz owners to open boutique hotel, new market on Cary Street
Bill Lohmann's farewell column: Once more, with feeling
Virginia budget negotiations break down over tax cuts, special session next?
German transfer to VCU hoops program returns home weeks after arriving in Richmond
Police identify driver killed in Chesterfield crash
Chaka Khan to headline Richmond Jazz and Music Festival
Opinion: Expelling the outlaws: Morrissey, Chase get their comeuppance
Insiders say Richmond’s organ transplantation network dismisses whistleblower concerns, resists change
Rams House opens, Smoke & Barrel takes over Lady N’awlins space, Taco Bamba headed to Willow Lawn
Despite legislative furor, Chinese farm holdings in Va. old and limited
Virginia's primaries set the stage for this fall's fierce political wars
Chesterfield man identified as Swift Creek drowning victim
Richmond approves 17-story apartment tower along James River despite concerns
“It has been a wonderful 16 years and I cannot adequately express my thanks to my office staff, past and present, the attorneys in my office, past and present, and the law enforcement agencies who serve the county, the county administration, the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and to our sheriff, my dear friend, the honorable David R. Hines,” Chalkley wrote.
He has endorsed his deputy Mackenzie Babichenko, who will be running to replace him.
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From the Archives: Richmond buildings that are no longer around
This January 1946 image shows Forest Lodge, completed in the early 1880s by Confederate Army scout John Cussons. The six-story resort hotel stood on 1,000 acres in Glen Allen on Mountain Road and boasted more than 100 rooms. It never became the success that Cussons envisioned, and after changing hands and purposes several times, it was razed in 1992. The cupola was saved and can be seen at Mountain Road and Old Washington Highway.
Staff photo
Shown in December 1957, this building at 1600 Chamberlayne Parkway and several others behind it - the former plant of Valentine's Meat-Juice Co. - were slated to be torn down after being sold to the Noland Co. Valentine's Meat-Juice was marketed as a tonic, used for such maladies as cholera and typhoid. It gained attention after Mann S. Valentine Jr. created it in order to cure his wife, Ann Maria Gray Valentine, from wasting away in 1870.
Staff Photo
In September 1961, about 25 alumni of Richmond’s old John Marshall High School demonstrated against a plan to demolish the building. After protesting there, the group went to City Hall to discuss the matter with City Council. Despite their efforts, the high school was razed that fall.
Staff photo
In April 1982, preparations for construction of the Richmond Convention Center were underway along East Broad Street downtown. Among businesses that were torn down to accommodate the new facility were Swatty’s Men’s Shop and the Greyhound bus station.
Lindy Keast Rodman
This January 1953 image shows houses on Belvidere Street in Richmond, as seen near Rowe Street, which were to be taken by the city for a proposed war memorial. The row formed the western boundary of a block that city officials were preparing to acquire. The Virginia War Memorial was dedicated in February 1956.
Times-Dispatch
This May 1953 image shows the First Market building, which was razed in 1961. This site now houses the 17th Street Farmers Market, but its history as a public gathering place and market dates to the 1700s. Over time, it hosted Confederate soldiers, Union troops, political speeches, a police station and religious revival meetings in addition to farmers’ wares.
Times-Dispatch
This October 1948 image shows the northeast corner of Third and Franklin streets downtown, where demolition soon made way for the new Times-Dispatch mechanical plant that opened in 1950. In the late 1990s, the site was fully renovated, and The Times-Dispatch building, which had fronted Grace Street, was given its current address of 300 E. Franklin St. 10-1-1948: Building at Third and Franklin to be razed for newspaper mechanical plant. ORG XMIT: RIC1311011539563729
RTD Staff
The Azalea Mall in 1970.
Staff photo
03-22-1962 (cutline): These buildings will be razed for construction of modern ones. Latest in downtown improvement plans announced today.
Staff photo
03-26-1959 (cutline): Home of Maj. Myers, 515 W. Franklin St., before it was razed.
Staff photo
09-15-1959 (cutline): These buildings, in the Pearsall block, bounded by Ninth, Clay, 10th and Leigh Streets, are being torn down to make way for the new Richmond Department of Public Safety Building, the first unit of the Civic Center. The M&M Wrecking Co. has contracted with the city to demolish the buildings and remove all combustible materials by December in return for such materials as it can salvage. When the property is cleared, the city will decide on further use of the area pending construction of the new building. One possible use; parking.
Staff photo
Published Caption Richmond News Leader: Down She Goes - With the rest of the church already knocked down, workmen began yesterday demolishing the Gothic tower of the former All Saints Episcopal Church building in the 300 block West Franklin St. An apartment building is planned for the site, where the church stood for 60 years. Published Caption Richmond News Leader 2-21-91: The All Saints Episcopal Church building at 316 W Franklin St was sold for $85,000. The tower was the last part demolished.
Staff photo
In May 1977, this 150-foot smokestack came down. The smokestack stood behind what used to be Broad Street Station in Richmond; the demolition was part of a contract with the state for removal of the stack and several buildings in the area.
Don Pennell
This October 1964 image shows a set of buildings at the corner of 13th and Main streets in Richmond that were due to be demolished to make way for a parking lot. The lot, which was scheduled to be completed in February, was designed to handle about 40 cars.
Staff photo
11-29-1963 (cutline): Downtown traffic--Both pedestrian and vehicular--is heavy despite rainy skies. Pace picked up as rain slackened on traditional first day of Christmas shopping. The Atlantic Life and May Co. building were demolished in the early 2000s.
Staff photo
June 21, 1963 (Photograher Carl Lynn) (cutline) "These houses in the 800 block of West Grace St. are to be razed for a high-rise apartment building in Richmond Va.
In October 1961, a crane swung a wrecking ball against the portico of the old John Marshall High School in downtown Richmond as a nostalgic crowd watched. The building was being razed to make way for development of the new Civic Center; the new high school opened in North Side the previous year.
Times-Dispatch
In May 1954, buildings in the 500 block of Marshall Street in Richmond were soon to be razed to make way for additional parking.
Staff photo
In September 1982, a section of the former Pinnell’s boat and bicycle shop on lay in ruins after demolition the day before. The store was razed to make way for a 3-story medical office building - the new $24 million structure was built between Grace and West Broad streets, close to Richmond Metropolitan Hospital. Today the building serves as a Virginia Commonwealth University dormitory.
Clement Britt
This 1957 image shows Pratt’s Castle, built as the Richmond private home of William Abbott Pratt in the 1850s. Pratt used all of his fortune to construct his castle, which was modeled after the estates of his Scottish relatives. The castle sat on the southern tip of Fourth Street on Gamble’s Hill, overlooking the James River. It was demolished in the late 1950s to make way for the headquarters of what became Ethyl Corp.
Times-Dispatch
In September 1954, owners of the old Richmond Tobacco Exchange building at 13th and East Cary streets announced that it would be razed the next year to make way for a parking facility. The exchange opened in 1858 -- formerly, officials inspected tobacco at many warehouses all over the city, and the new building aimed to centralize the process.
Staff photo
This August 1972 image shows the Virginia State Penitentiary, then located along Spring Street in Richmond. At the time, the state was considering options to replace the old and cramped pen, with one plan calling in part for a facility in the Green Springs area of Louisa County. Today the site is largely occupied by Afton Chemical Corp., a united of NewMarket Corp.
P.A. Gormus | https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/hanover-commonwealths-attorney-will-not-seek-new-term/article_c099107c-1749-11ee-8fb6-d790648e4363.html | 2023-06-30T15:46:52 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/hanover-commonwealths-attorney-will-not-seek-new-term/article_c099107c-1749-11ee-8fb6-d790648e4363.html |
The animal shelter is looking for people to come snuggle cats and dogs that are stressed due to fireworks and noises.
SARASOTA, Fla. — An animal shelter in Sarasota is looking for volunteers to come to hang out with their furry friends that are stressing out due to the loud noises of the Fourth of July.
In a post on Facebook, Suncoast Humane Society said it will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. for volunteers to come to walk, comfort, and snuggle cats and dogs.
BBQ and drinks will be provided for the volunteers, the shelter said.
"Come enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers and then stay and help us love on our animals and comfort them during the fireworks," the shelter said.
Those interested in volunteering should email volunteer@humane.org.
💥 Come spend the 4th of July with some of our amazing animals 💥
Tuesday, July 4th from 4pm -10pm we will be open, to be at the shelter to walk, comfort, and snuggle with every Dog or Cat that is stressing out due to the fireworks and noises.
🍔 We will supply bbq food and drinks🍔
Everyone is welcomed and needed!
Tag a friend, or two below !
Please also consider fostering an overnight sleepover with a shelter pet, to help them be more comfortable during the holiday festivities 🥰
PLEASE EMAIL volunteer@humane.org IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN COMING BY SO WE CAN MARK YOU DOWN !
#4thofjuly #SuncoastHumaneSociety #engelwoodfl #rescueanimals #SaveThemAll #shelteranimals #protectyourpets #fosterapet #swflanimals #LoveThemAll #weloveourcommunity
Posted by Suncoast Humane Society on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/suncoast-animal-shelter-fireworks/67-938ddd5e-8b13-45b9-a385-22f0da66fd8f | 2023-06-30T15:47:09 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/suncoast-animal-shelter-fireworks/67-938ddd5e-8b13-45b9-a385-22f0da66fd8f |
FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) ended the search for a missing teenager after she was found safe just hours after her disappearance.
The 13-year-old had last been seen at her home at around 2 a.m. and reportedly left in a blue Ford Fiesta between 2 a.m. and 3:40 a.m., according to FSPD.
At 9:06 a.m. the same day, FSPD reported that the teenager was "located safe."
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/missing/fort-smith-police-search-missing-teen/527-6fba342f-4b70-4181-9719-e9fd9e41fde3 | 2023-06-30T15:51:01 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/missing/fort-smith-police-search-missing-teen/527-6fba342f-4b70-4181-9719-e9fd9e41fde3 |
ARLINGTON, Va. — A man visiting from Boston saw something completely unexpected while riding a Blue Line Metro train Wednesday night. You may have heard of snakes on a plane, but what about turtle on a train?
Rithvik Doshi was headed to Largo from Arlington around 7:30 p.m. when he said the turtle popped out from under one of the seats. He was understandably stunned by the wildlife hitching a ride on the train.
"I just stared with my jaw dropped for a good five seconds and watched while it crawled under another row of seats," Doshi said.
He pulled out his phone and took a video of the turtle traveler, just to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him.
After picking his jaw up off the floor, he spotted the Metro Transit Police hotline to report the shelled commuter.
"The person on the other side legitimately texted back, 'unattended turtle???' which I don't entirely blame them for because it doesn't happen every day," Doshi said.
Eventually he was able to convince authorities that he was being serious. Officers were alerted, and Doshi called the Humane Rescue Alliance to let them know about the turtle as well. Doshi said the turtle did not appear hurt or in distress.
A spokesperson for the Humane Rescue Alliance told WUSA9 that they picked up the turtle from the Metro, and it was eventually transported to DC City Wildlife.
City Wildlife was created to address the need for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Washington, D.C. Over the past several decades, urban development has reduced local wildlife habitat and wild animals have had to adapt to living in close proximity with people. Each year, hundreds of wild animals in D.C. are unintentionally harmed by people and the urban environment.
Doshi said he's used to seeing weird things on public transit in his hometown, but this was on another level.
"I've never encountered anything so farfetched," Doshi said. "This was just the weirdest thing ever."
It is not yet clear how the turtle ended up on the Metro in the first place. Doshi posted his photo of the turtle on Reddit, where commenters joked that he was in a race with a hare. Or that he was on his way to grab a slice of pizza.
A City Wildlife spokesperson confirmed with WUSA9 that the turtle is safe in their care, and that they are taking collections to get the traveling turtle a Metro card. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/turtle-on-wmata-metro-train/65-ec43ce4a-052d-4c1b-808c-2571d5690208 | 2023-06-30T15:54:44 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/turtle-on-wmata-metro-train/65-ec43ce4a-052d-4c1b-808c-2571d5690208 |
WALDORF, Md. — A fleeing carjacking suspect died Thursday after colliding with a dump truck in Waldorf.
It happened as police were giving chase on Mattawoman-Beantown Road.
Charles County Sheriff's deputies were initially called to a parking lot on Action Lane for reports of a woman being assaulted.
As the first officer got on scene, they spotted the suspect leaving in the woman's stolen vehicle.
When the deputy tried pulling the car over, the driver refused prompting a pursuit.
Several minutes later the suspect lost control of the car, striking a grass median, before crossing into oncoming traffic and hitting a dump truck.
He died on scene. The dump truck driver and carjacking victim each sustained minor injuries. No officers were hurt.
Names of those involved are currently being withheld.
Police say the suspect and woman he allegedly robbed did not know each other.
Deputy dashboard cameras were activated during the chase. That footage is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
The incident remains under investigation by the Maryland Attorney General's Office. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/carjacking-suspect-fleeing-police-dies-after-colliding-with-dump-truck-in-waldorf | 2023-06-30T15:59:56 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/carjacking-suspect-fleeing-police-dies-after-colliding-with-dump-truck-in-waldorf |
WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – Officials released a boil water advisory for the Deer Song subdivision in Winter Springs on Thursday.
This warning comes after a main valve failure near the intersection of Sherry Avenue and George Street during planned maintenance by Winter Springs Public Works and Utilities.
Officials said that the advisory applies to 172 homes in the area.
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During a boil water advisory, residents are asked to only consume bottled water or water that has been heated to a roiling boil for at least one minute.
The city of Winter Springs expects the advisory to be lifted within 48 hours of the initial notice.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/boil-water-advisory-issued-in-winter-springs-subdivision/ | 2023-06-30T16:00:51 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/boil-water-advisory-issued-in-winter-springs-subdivision/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Family and friends will say their final goodbyes to the Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr., former Orange County NAACP president and founder of New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, who died earlier this month.
A public viewing will be held Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando and a celebration of life funeral will be held on Saturday at First Baptist Orlando at 11 a.m.
The 78-year-old founded the New Covenant Baptist Church in 1992 with his wife, LaVon Wright Bracy.
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“Pastor Rose and the entire NCBC family mourn the transitioning of our Founder, Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr.. Dr. Bracy served and led well. We will continue praying with and for the Bracy family,” the church wrote in a Facebook post announcing his death.
Bracy Jr. is survived by his children and wife.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/family-friends-celebrate-life-and-legacy-of-the-rev-randolph-bracy-jr/ | 2023-06-30T16:00:57 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/family-friends-celebrate-life-and-legacy-of-the-rev-randolph-bracy-jr/ |
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a driver involved in a chain of crashes on the Florida Turnpike in Lake County.
The crash happened on Thursday around 4 p.m. in Clermont near mile marker 276.
The driver of a silver or gray minivan was traveling north on the Turnpike when they stopped for traffic and were struck from behind by a Honda, troopers said. A Chevy and a Subaru traveling behind the Honda were unable to stop in time, causing a chain reaction crash.
Troopers said the minivan driver then left the scene.
Two people, a driver and passenger, were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
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The FHP said the minivan may have minimal damage to the rear.
The Chevy driver, a 61-year-old Astatula man, and a woman in the Subaru were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Anyone with any information about the crashes is asked to call the FHP.
An investigation is ongoing.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/minivan-driver-sought-in-chain-of-crashes-on-florida-turnpike-in-lake-county/ | 2023-06-30T16:01:03 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/minivan-driver-sought-in-chain-of-crashes-on-florida-turnpike-in-lake-county/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – State transportation officials and law enforcement are launching a safety campaign over what’s expected to be the busiest Fourth of July travel period on record.
Through “Red, White and Buckle Up,” drivers are encouraged to keep safety tips and road laws in mind while on the road.
According to AAA, more than 2.4 million are expected to take a holiday road trip from June 30 through July 4, 37,000 more drivers than last year.
With so many people on the roads, drivers are reminded to avoid distractions.
“We know when you’re in a traffic jam you might want to look at your phone or check that text or check that call, but traffic is going to be moving at all times,” Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. “You have to keep your eyes and mind on the roadway. To make sure everyone is safe, not only in your vehicle but all of those people around you.”
FHP and the Florida Department of Transportation urge drivers to buckle up, not drive impaired and make sure their vehicle is ready for the trip.
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“Make sure everything is functioning properly, so you don’t have a hazard while you’re on the roadway and then you have to pull over and potentially be in another hazardous situation,” Crescenzi said.
When an issue on highways happens, FDOT’s Road Rangers offer roadside assistance.
Stranded drivers on interstates and toll roads can request a Road Ranger by calling *FHP (*347).
Drivers are also reminded to follow Florida’s Move Over law if they encounter someone working on the side of the road.
“Move over and if you can’t move over, slow down,” Road Ranger Garrett Popovich said. “We want to make sure everyone gets home safely this holiday weekend.”
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/more-than-24m-expected-to-hit-the-road-for-fourth-of-july/ | 2023-06-30T16:01:09 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/more-than-24m-expected-to-hit-the-road-for-fourth-of-july/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal judge has ordered a new hearing in the case of an Orlando man linked to the attack on the U.S. Capitol after he did not show up to court.
James Beeks was scheduled to appear for a status conference in his criminal case in Washington D.C.’s federal court on Monday, but he was not present.
Beeks was arrested in November 2021 while he was playing Judas in the national touring company of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Federal prosecutors claimed Beeks was a member of the far-right group The Oath Keepers and was part of the violent uprising on Jan. 6, 2021.
Beeks, who is representing himself in court, is scheduled to go to trial on July 10.
On Friday, Federal Judge Amit Mehta scheduled another status hearing for Beeks on Wednesday.
News 6 reached out to Beeks to see why he did not show up for his court hearing on Monday and he did not respond.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/orlando-capitol-attack-suspect-a-no-show-in-court-hearing/ | 2023-06-30T16:01:16 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/30/orlando-capitol-attack-suspect-a-no-show-in-court-hearing/ |
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis school districts are fighting hunger this summer by providing free meals to students 18 and under.
Pike and Warren township school districts, along with Chartwells K-12, will have sites set up from now until July 21, serving free meals to children whose families face food insecurity.
Summer can be a stressful time for parents struggling to make ends meet. These sites are meant to assist families who rely on the school-provided lunch options to feed their children during the school year.
The sites are open Mondays through Fridays, and no ID or paperwork is required for a meal. Students do not need to attend the schools in the district to receive a meal, but meals are required to be eaten onsite.
Sites will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
Warren Township
- Grassy Creek Elementary — breakfast 8:35-9 a.m., lunch noon-12:30 p.m.
- Stonybrook Intermediate Middle School — breakfast 8-9 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-noon.
- Raymond Park Intermediate Middle School — breakfast 8-9 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-noon.
- Warren Central High School — breakfast 7:15-7:30 a.m., lunch 12:30-1 p.m.
- Silverstone Community — lunch 11:30 a.m.-noon (Breakfast not served).
- Moorhead Community Resource Center — lunch 11 a.m.-noon (Breakfast not served).
- Ransburg YMCA — breakfast 8:30-9 a.m., lunch 12:30-1 p.m. Also open until July 24.
Pike Township
- Pike High School Freshman Center — breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m., lunch 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA — breakfast 9-9:30 a.m., lunch noon-12:30 p.m.
You can text "summer meals" ("verano" for Spanish) to 914-342-7744 or call 866-3-HUNGRY (1-877-8-HAMBRE for Spanish) to find a summer site near you. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-school-districts-provide-free-summer-meals-pike-warren-township/531-144379fb-03e0-49f7-a7b4-9622bb114c83 | 2023-06-30T16:09:15 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-school-districts-provide-free-summer-meals-pike-warren-township/531-144379fb-03e0-49f7-a7b4-9622bb114c83 |
MARGATE — People will have two chances to reminisce and have a "Last Dance" in honor of the late Jerry Blavat this weekend at Memories, said the Philadelphia Inquirer on Wednesday.
The news comes from "The Geator with the Heater's" estate executors A.J. Mattia and David Raezer.
The executors said Memories will be open two times this weekend, with about 10 DJs that worked with Blavat.
Friends and family who purchased tickets, which are now sold out, will have the opportunity to enjoy the club at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The public will be able to have "A Last Dance" at Memories 3 p.m. Monday, the day that would have been Blavat's 83rd birthday.
Afterwards, the city will be installing a sidewalk plaque in honor of Blavat at the corner of North Madison and Amherst avenues at 5 p.m.
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The iconic nightclub opened in 1972 and shut its doors in 2019 after providing lots of dancing, laughs and good times to those who attended the shore town nightclub for almost five decades.
After Blavat died January 20 at the age of 82, his partner Keely Stahl posted on her Facebook page that Memories was up for sale.
Although there have been many proposals to buy the night club, Stahl said they would focus on the ones that plan on keeping the site as Memories. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/jerry-blavat-the-geator-with-the-heater-the-boss-with-the-hot-sauce-opening-memories-in-margate-reopening-just-this-weekend/article_a9eac08e-1747-11ee-8859-b7fd1e81cdbe.html | 2023-06-30T16:11:38 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/jerry-blavat-the-geator-with-the-heater-the-boss-with-the-hot-sauce-opening-memories-in-margate-reopening-just-this-weekend/article_a9eac08e-1747-11ee-8859-b7fd1e81cdbe.html |
Beware: Fireworks laws are strict
Plenty of Fourth of July celebrating is likely in and around Wichita Falls over the next few days – but there’s a limit to how residents can legally celebrate on their own.
Wichita Falls has strict rules on the possession and use of fireworks in the city. In fact, it’s illegal to possess or discharge fireworks within the city limits. People caught popping fireworks or possessing them are subject to a $2,000 fine.
“No person shall fire or explode or keep, store, manufacture or sell any pyrotechnics in the corporate city limits,” the ordinance says.
Most other communities in the region have similar restrictions and some small communities set aside specific areas where residents can use fireworks.
It is legal to discharge fireworks in unincorporated areas of Wichita County, but restrictions are tight. By law, people cannot pop fireworks on property other than their own or with permission of the landowner.
“Anytime you do that you should have adequate water in case something ignites,” Wichita County Commissioner Jeff Watts said. “You are responsible if something were to catch fire and blow over on your neighbors’ property."
Discharging fireworks on a roadway or easement is illegal.
“You can’t go out on a county road and with a big bar ditch. It’s just against the law,” Watts said.
However, some people disobey that law every year and often leave behind a mess. That means they could face fines for discharging the fireworks and for littering.
“It can be a hassle. We encourage everyone to be considerate,” Watts said.
The commissioner said some pets and livestock are bothered by fireworks and advised people to notify neighbors if they intend to pop fireworks.
“I encourage everyone to remember their volunteer fire departments. Those guys are going to miss their holiday to take care of any problems that occur out there and give thought to contributing to those departments,” Watts said. “It costs a lot of money to gear up to go do that.”
The National Fire Protection reported nearly 13,000 fires were attributed to fireworks in 2021 with a price tag of $59 million in property damage. Fireworks lead to about 1,500 emergency room visits each year according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/beware-fireworks-laws-are-strict/70370243007/ | 2023-06-30T16:13:54 | 0 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/beware-fireworks-laws-are-strict/70370243007/ |
Local Salvation Army aids Perryton
After a tornado rocked Perryton, a small Texas community of about 8,500 people on the northern side of the Texas Panhandle, help came from all around, including the town, the state government and relief agencies from across Texas. The Wichita Falls chapter of the Salvation Army left on the Saturday after the June 15 tornado to help.
Major Joe Burton of the Salvation Army was one of four who made the trip from Wichita Falls to Perryton to help. He saw the aftermath of the storm firsthand, and said people in the community were quick to begin rebuilding despite the devastation - something he and his crew were there to assist with.
“They see their house being put in the back of a dump truck, that they used to live in. And to get them and try to help them move forward, that there are better days and that they will find housing and all of that,” Burton said, adding, “ And those people in Perryton were very - and I don’t know what the word is I want to use - they were very resilient, I guess. The storm came through, they began to clean up and get everything going, and trying to move on. And the Salvation Army was there to help them do that.”
Burton said his team was able to supply emotional support for the people affected by the tornado, in addition to supplies. Those consisted of over 1,000 meals, over 3,000 bottles of water, cleanup and sanitation kits and disaster response literature. Burton, who has worked in disaster relief for over 30 years, said being able to help people in need gave his mission purpose.
“It’s a great feeling to be able. That’s why I’ve done it for so many years, it’s a great feeling to be able to go in and assist people. When you go in, look around and see the devastation, they have nothing,” Burton said, later adding, “And that’s why I keep doing it year after year when I’m called upon or my team is called upon. We just say “Yes, sir,” and we move on and we go and serve. And just to see a smile, in the midst of all the devastation, to see someone who comes up there and just says “Thank you,” and “God bless you” and “Thank you for being here.” It’s just overwhelming sometimes.”
With himself and his team now back in Wichita Falls, Burton said he was glad to be able to watch his team help people in need, regardless of their circumstances before the disaster.
“And to watch them work, volunteers or employees or Salvation Army officers, it’s a great feeling to know that the Salvation Army is there reaching the need, the point of need and the human need without discrimination. It doesn’t matter what house you lived in, it didn’t matter what trailer you lived in, didn’t matter what your socioeconomical status is. The Salvation Army goes into these disasters and serves the whosoever, and I think that’s why I do it. Because of course, the scripture tells us that’s what we need to be doing,” Burton said. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/texas/2023/06/30/wichita-falls-salvation-army-aids-perryton/70371650007/ | 2023-06-30T16:14:00 | 0 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/texas/2023/06/30/wichita-falls-salvation-army-aids-perryton/70371650007/ |
As new gun law goes into effect, gun shop owners and police in Polk say many are confused
As Polk County prepares for the rollout of the state's new permitless carry law this Saturday, law enforcement and firearm dealers share a deep concern that potential new gun owners are properly trained and educated.
Stating July 1, Florida residents will be able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. It's a controversial change that's also raising some confusion about what, if any, impact it has on the state's other gun regulations.
"A lot of people are for it, a lot of people are against it," said Evan Reynolds, co-owner of Leadfeather Guns and Archery in Winter Haven. "I know it's a constitutional right and I support the Second Amendment. My fear is we will have a lot of people carrying with very little training, except for like 'my grandad taught me to shoot when I was 12.'"
Reynolds called the new law a "double-edged sword," fearing gun owners who haven't sat through a concealed carry course may not be fully aware of all the state and federal firearm regulations.
"Some people are going to find themselves in hot water," he said.
Al Delatorre, owner of Guns Galore Inc. in Lakeland, said he's already seen new customers enter his shop confused about how the change in state laws impact their ability to purchase and carry a firearm. Some have left disappointed, finding out they are unable to purchase a gun or weapon the same day.
"Now that there's no need to have permit to carry concealed, people think it applies to buying a gun. It doesn't," he said. "You still have a three-day wait."
For the first time in his 41-years as a gun dealer, Delatorre said he had two applications from potential gun buyers rejected by Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Individuals looking to legally purchase a firearm must still meet the state restrictions of being 21 or older, without a felony or violent criminal conviction and without other disqualifying conditions.
"These people clearly didn't understand the new laws, as they thought a background check wouldn't come into effect," he said.
Many Polk gun dealers told The Ledger they will continue to offer concealed carry classes, even though the permit is no longer required.
"Most people with conceal carry in the past had the permit for the simple fact you could walk in and buy without a waiting period," Reynold said.
Many concealed carry classes go far beyond what's required for a state permit, touching on various issues of gun ownership.
"I believe people need to be responsible, that’s one of the biggest things we stress in our class," Delatorre said. "Responsibility along with liberty, there’s always a balance."
Besides covering basic gun safety and storage issues, Delatorre said Guns Galore makes sure people walk away knowing that concealed carry doesn't give them the right to take the law into their own hands. It's about self defense.
"If you can walk away from a situation, walk away," he said. "This is not the wild, wild West where you can have a shoot out, walk away, make up and things are settled."
State law does not allow aggressive use or brandishing of a firearm, Reynolds said, even if the concealed weapon is never pulled clear of its holster.
"You need to be in fear for your life and need to immediately stop the threat, with good potential you or your family members will be seriously injured or die," he said.
Polk County Sheriff's Office has been undertaking extensive efforts to train its deputies as well as educate the public on what the new permitless-carry law means, spokesman Brian Bruchey said. Deputies have been answering questions from residents during their everyday interactions, held webinars with several community groups and will continue to offer concealed-carry classes.
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"[W]e believe gun owners should be trained for safety and proper handling of a firearm, and have a good understanding of the new law, and existing laws regarding possession of firearms," Bruchey wrote.
Leadfeather offers concealed-carry classes twice a week, Saturdays and Mondays, and continues to see a steady average of 15 to 18 people enroll each session, according to Reynolds. At Guns Galore, Delatorre said it's not so uniform. The shop has seen interest wane from monthly classes of about 40 people down to less than half, and less than a handful signed up for July's class.
"They'll run into trouble, and they'll be back," he said.
The Ledger asked various gun dealerships and law enforcement to answer a few key issues for potential new gun owners who choose to carry without a permit.
What are the benefits to obtaining a concealed carry permit, even thought it's not needed?
Law enforcement agencies and gun dealers agree there are two legal benefits for gun owners who choose to obtain a concealed carry permit from the state, even though it's no longer needed as of Saturday.
A resident who has a concealed-carry permit can walk into gun dealership and purchase a firearm or weapon that day. Individuals without the permit still must complete a seven-page Form 4473 for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and face a mandatory three-day waiting period while background check is run.
Gun owners will also need to have a concealed-carry permit in order to receive reciprocity if traveling with a concealed firearm in another state. Florida currently has reciprocity agreements with 37 other states, according to Concealed Coalition, a training resource whose mission is to educate others in firearm safety.
Where is it illegal to carry a concealed gun or weapon?
The state's new law repeals previous legislation that prevented individuals from bringing a firearm into a pharmacy, according to Polk County Sheriff's Office. It remains illegal to bring a concealed weapon into:
- Any sheriff, police or highway patrol offices.
- Any prison, jail or correctional facility.
- Courthouses, unless explicitly given permission by a judge.
- Polling places.
- Any governmental meeting of city, county, municipal or school board or other special districts.
- Any school, college or professional sporting events not related to firearms.
- Elementary or secondary school facilities, including administrative office buildings.
- Any hospital or mental health facility.
- Any place that sells alcoholic beverages to be consumed on site, like a bar or brewery.
- Airport passenger terminals or sterile areas of an airport; unless encased to be shipped as baggage.
- Any place federal law prohibits firearms, including federal courthouses, offices, post offices and national cemeteries.
Do I need to tell an officer/deputy if I have a concealed weapon?
Individuals choosing to carry a concealed gun are not required to inform a deputy or police officer they are armed if pulled over for a traffic stop, Bruchey said. It's just been common courtesy. The decision is ultimately up to the driver whether to inform law enforcement they are carrying a weapon.
"We recommend full cooperation with the law enforcement officer. As a part of the conversation, you can say, 'By the way, I have a firearm in the car — it’s in the glove compartment,' or something like that," he said. "The deputy will appreciate that disclosure from a safety standpoint."
Lakeland Police Department spokeswoman Robin Tillett said the agency advises any resident who interacts with law enforcement and has a concealed weapon within reach to notify the officer for everyone's safety.
Under the new state law, individuals carrying a concealed weapon are required to carry a valid identification at all times and must display it to a law enforcement officer at their request. If a person refuses, they face a $25 civil fine.
If a person is detained or arrested, they are still required to let a deputy or officer know they have a concealed weapon on them, Bruchey said. An individual still in possession of a concealed firearm or weapon when entering jail will face criminal charges.
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFL. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/as-permitless-carry-law-takes-effect-many-in-polk-are-still-confused/70366198007/ | 2023-06-30T16:21:13 | 0 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/as-permitless-carry-law-takes-effect-many-in-polk-are-still-confused/70366198007/ |
Fort Meade deflects blame as agreement with Polk County for equestrian center falls apart
At the beginning of June, it appeared that Fort Meade might finally be moving toward construction of a long-sought equestrian facility.
The city had received a pledge from Polk County of $6.5 million in funds to support its development. And the state budget contained an allocation of $250,000 for the project, a funding request from Florida Rep. Melony Bell, R-Fort Meade.
Now, though, the prospect of a combined equestrian park and emergency shelter in Fort Meade appears highly questionable, if not dead.
Polk County has withdrawn the offer of $6.5 million amid concerns about Fort Meade’s ability to handle the financial obligations of running the facility. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the $250,000 appropriation when he signed the state budget on June 15.
Bell has been promoting the creation of an equestrian center in Fort Meade for at least a decade, beginning with her time as a Polk County commissioner. The Fort Meade native served from 2010 to 2018, before her election to the Florida House.
In the past two sessions, Bell has pitched the project as not only a horse facility but also an emergency shelter and agriculture center. In her appropriation request for this session, Bell wrote that southern Polk County lacks any emergency shelters, requiring residents to shelter in place during hurricanes and other threats.
She wrote that the dual-purpose facility would promote tourism by hosting animal shows and would have appropriate parking for recreational vehicles and trailers.
Fort Meade City Manager Jan Bagnall had been meeting with Polk County officials, including County Manager Bill Beasley, to discuss a partnership under which the county would provide money and Fort Meade would operate a center to be built at Peace River Park.
The county offered $6.5 million in money derived from federal COVID relief funds. The money would have been used for construction of the first phase of the equestrian center, also known as the Fort Meade Outpost. The emergency shelter would come in a later phase.
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But Beasley sent a letter dated June 20 to Bagnall and Fort Meade Vice Mayor Bob Elliott indicating that the county was withdrawing the offer. Beasley referred to a meeting he attended with Bagnall and Elliott four days earlier.
“Based upon our recent discussions, due to pressing higher municipal priorities, the city of Fort Meade has officially declined to be associated with a proposed equestrian venue in any site ownership, site operations or site maintenance roles as originally envisioned,” Beasley wrote. “While we are disappointed by the city's decision in this regards, we clearly understand the conflicting business priorities faced by many of the local governments within Polk County. And we deeply respect the business nature of your decision.”
Beasley wrote that Polk County would seek other potential partners in pursuing the project at alternate locations.
Fort Meade pushes back
Both Bagnall and Elliott took exception to the wording of Beasley’s terse letter.
“That letter was kind of hurtful for me,” Elliott said, “because, truthfully, I was in on that meeting and I was copied on that email. We did not officially decline.”
He added: “There's a lot of moving parts that have made this project difficult. ... There are some obstacles there, but it's all doable. And from my standpoint — I'm just one of the commissioners — honestly, we want to be a part of that. With given time, we'll make it work.”
Bagnall has requested a place on the agenda for the County Commission’s July 11 meeting to discuss the project, Elliott said.
The county manager wrote the letter one day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget and vetoed $250,000 the Legislature had allotted at Bell’s request for a Fort Meade “multi-use emergency shelter and equestrian center.” Last year, the Legislature included $250,000 for the project among a list of local support grants, but DeSantis allowed the deadline for approval to pass without signing, and the money returned to the state’s general fund.
Bagnall wrote a letter of response to Beasley, providing more detail about the project and the discussions between his city and county officials. He wrote that his “understanding is a little bit different” than what Beasley described, saying that he had expected his counterpart’s letter to acknowledge the efforts Fort Meade had made to support the project.
In his response, dated June 21, Bagnall detailed Fort Meade’s efforts on behalf of the project and explained why progress had been slow. He said he and Beasley at their June 6 meeting had discussed “the timeline, the budgeting, the approvals, the geotechnical work completed, the change of the design due to the geotechnical and added costs for the City to continue the project.”
Bagnall mentioned the delay in getting approval to move the spray field and cited a cost estimate of $800,000. He also wrote that the city would need to make a capital purchase of $600,000 for equipment.
“Please note that the City is still very interested in pursuing the Equestrian Center, but we have not been able to solve all the variables according to the Polk County timelines and that the City of Fort Meade has limited resources,” Bagnall wrote. “The City of Fort Meade also has many pressing priorities with infrastructure as also discussed.”
Fort Meade has secured more than $30 million in grants and other funding the past two years for infrastructure work, fire department upgrades and other improvements, Bagnall said.
The city manager closed his letter by asking whether Polk County would allot $1 million of the funds intended for the equestrian center to be used instead for a new fire station in the city. He also asked the county to reimburse Fort Meade for expenditures of about $294,000 since December, noting that County Commissioner Rick Wilson said in a focus group meeting that the city would be reimbursed for those costs.
The County Commission has not met since Bagnall sent the letter and has not publicly discussed his requests. Beasley did not respond to an interview request.
'Multiple unknown costs'
Bell sent Fort Meade a letter in September announcing that her office had secured three local support grants for the city, one of them the $250,000 allotment for the equestrian park and emergency shelter. Bagnall said city officials were counting on that appropriation as they commissioned the Lunz Group, a Lakeland architectural firm, to design the equestrian center at a cost of $250,000.
Peace River Park occupies reclaimed phosphate mines given to Fort Meade by a precursor of The Mosaic Company. Bagnall said that no thorough study of the park’s soil had previously been conducted to determine what areas were suitable for construction.
At Fort Meade’s request, the Lunz Group drilled 47 test holes, raising the project’s cost to $270,000, Bagnall said. The results prompted plans to shift the location for the main facility to the south, an area now used as a spray field for dispersing treated wastewater to filter into the aquifer.
Bagnall said the city has proposed moving the spray field to an adjacent, 395-acre tract owned by The Mosaic Company, which would free up land to be used for the equestrian center. City officials discovered a 1994 letter from a precursor of Mosaic offering Fort Meade the land.
Mosaic had not yet approved the proposal at the time that Beasley sent his letter, Bagnall said.
In addition, Fort Meade paid $49,000 for consulting, $20,000 for legal services and $5,000 for engineering and surveying, bringing the total spent on the project the past two years to $388,000, according to the city staff. Fort Meade had previously spent a combined $98,000 on planning for the equestrian center, Bagnall said.
In a report for Fort Meade City commissioners before their June 13 meeting, city staff wrote that that project presented “multiple unknown unquantified costs.”
While offering the $6.5 million, Polk County had emphasized that it would have no role in operating the park. Bagnall said at the meeting that Fort Meade would seek a third party, possibly a nonprofit, to manage the Outpost. Discussions had also included Polk County Public Schools.
Fort Meade staff said the equestrian center would require two full-time employees at an estimated cost of $100,000 annually for maintenance. The city projected expenses of $2 million for extending water and sewer services to the park, $400,000 to $800,000 for relocation of the spray field and $600,000 for capital equipment and replacement.
In all, city staff estimated additional costs at about $10.3 million.
Personal conflicts arise
In April, the Fort Meade City Commission directed Bagnall to forge an agreement with Polk County to secure the promised $6.5 million in funding. Bagnall and Elliott met on May 11 with Beasley, Wilson, Polk County Attorney Randy Mink, Assistant County Manager Ryan Taylor and representatives from Polk County Public Schools, the Lunz Group and Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing.
Bagnall said he emphasized that Fort Meade would not proceed with the project until it reached an agreement with the county to receive the $6.5 million.
Along with the tricky details of coordinating among multiple entities, personal dynamics apparently figured into the collapse of the deal.
As he discussed the project at a June 13 City Commission meeting, Bagnall said he had “reticence even jumping into this knowing full well that the commissioner that I would be reporting to for this has actively been trying to spread mistruths in the city to have me fired, as well as the state representative who is the original sponsor of this project has reached out to four of the five commissioners and said the same thing.”
Audience members assumed that Bagnall was referring to City Commissioner James “Possum” Schaill, who was absent but had called for a vote to have Bagnall fired at a previous meeting, upset about the city manager’s signing of a contract to buy a fire engine without commissioners’ approval. Bagnall said he thought he was merely signing a change order, and the commission voted 3-2 against his firing but opted for a written reprimand.
In reality, Bagnall was referring to Wilson, the county commissioner most involved with the equestrian project.
Wilson called that claim “an outright lie.”
“I never called any city commissioner and ask them to fire him,” Wilson said. “This is what I don't understand: Why would I want him fired? Because if he got fired, this thing (the project) would have burned down.”
Wilson acknowledged that he talked to some influential Fort Meade residents and told them that if the city didn’t “get off its you-know-what” that it would lose out on the county’s offer of $6.5 million.
Bell also said it was “absolutely false” that she had asked Fort Meade commissioners to fire Bagnall.
Barbara Arnold, who resigned as a Fort Meade city commissioner at the end of the June 13 meeting, pushed back on those denials. She said that Wilson called before that meeting and said the city stood to lose $10 million in funding “if the city manager didn't figure out what he was going to do about the equestrian center.”
Arnold also said she believed Bell had been coordinating with others in Fort Meade to have Bagnall dismissed and had “been working on me since day one, when I got sworn in.”
Defending the city manager
Arnold said it was not fair for Polk County to make it seem that Bagnall had tanked the equestrian center project. At her final meeting, Arnold asked who would pay to construct the second and third phases of the center after the county funded the first phase.
“And nobody could answer that, so I made the comment that since this is Rick Wilson and Melony Bell’s baby, then they need to figure out how they're going to take care of it.” Arnold said. “Nothing else was said that night, and the next thing I know, they go to a meeting and then I'm reading that they're trying to blame it on Jan as the reason their equestrian center got dropped, because he refused to do any more work. That is not true.”
Bagnall has been a target of frequent criticism from some residents, often through social media posts. Bagnall shared a screenshot of a Facebook post after his meeting with county officials on the private page, “The truth behind Fort Meade.”
The post said the city would lose the county funding “due to the city manager, Jan Bagnall’s, unacceptable public actions, actions and public statements regarding misappropriation of funds, and stating in public meetings, how he was going to move money from other grants to other things.”
Bagnall stressed that the post from a Fort Meade resident was made before he had even received Beasley’s letter informing him that the county was withdrawing the offer of funding. He noted that only five people had attended his meeting with Beasley the previous Friday.
Wilson said Tuesday that Polk County is exploring other options for the creation of an equestrian park, though he would not offer details. He said a facility is needed because the Polk County Youth Fair has outgrown the facility it uses in Bartow.
Bell expressed sadness that Fort Meade apparently will not get the facility she has sought for so long.
“For over a decade the citizens of Fort Meade have anxiously awaited the dream of the Equestrian Center coming to fruition,” Bell said in a text message. “It would not only provide an economic boost to our town but serve as a much needed shelter in place for the citizens of south Polk County.
“It is unfortunate that despite the county’s willingness to provide a significant amount of the funding and the PCPS board’s offer to support, our city leadership has been unable to take this project to the finish line. Losing this potential for growth is a huge setback for our community.”
Elliott said he hopes the project will eventually become a reality.
“The whole complex idea is great; I think it's a wonderful concept and a great project,” Elliott said. “And it would obviously be good for south Polk County and the city of Fort Meade. But the biggest loss is the emergency shelter, which is not just for Fort Meade but the residents of south Polk County.”
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/fort-meade-polk-county-differ-on-withdrawal-of-funds-for-horse-center/70355913007/ | 2023-06-30T16:21:19 | 0 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/fort-meade-polk-county-differ-on-withdrawal-of-funds-for-horse-center/70355913007/ |
Lake Wales man, 19, dies in single-vehicle crash on Masterpiece Road
A 19-year-old Lake Wales man died Thursday night from injuries suffered in a single-vehicle crash, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The PCSO and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 10:30 p.m. to Masterpiece Road near Longhorn Drive, near Lake Wales, the agency said in a news release.
A preliminary investigation determined that Damien Fletcher, 19, of Haines City was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee east on Masterpiece Road when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of the vehicle and it left the roadway near Longhorn Drive.
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The Jeep struck three mailboxes and a utility pole and began flipping, the release said. Jaeden Hill, 19, a passenger in the front seat, was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken to a local hospital and declared dead at 11:37 p.m., the release said.
Masterpiece Road was closed for approximately 5 ½ hours for the investigation, which was ongoing, PCSO said Friday morning. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/lake-wales-man-19-dies-after-being-ejected-in-single-vehicle-crash/70372553007/ | 2023-06-30T16:21:25 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/lake-wales-man-19-dies-after-being-ejected-in-single-vehicle-crash/70372553007/ |
Lakeland man, brother of Jan. 6 rioter, faces new charge: practicing law without license
Prosecution: Doolin tried to replace lawyers assigned to fiance
Samuel Doolin, the brother of a Polk County man convicted in the U.S. Capitol attack, faces a new charge of practicing law without a license.
Doolin, a resident of the Kathleen area, was already in custody after his bond was revoked last week following an arrest for driving with a suspended license. Doolin, 27, had been released in December after a traffic stop resulted in his arrest on multiple gun charges and resisting arrest without violence.
He is the older brother of Joshua Doolin, a Polk City man convicted in March on multiple charges related to his presence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
In a notice filed Wednesday, Assistant State Attorney Brad Copley of the 10th Judicial Circuit wrote that Doolin had been arrested the previous day for practicing law without a license, a third-degree felony. Copley’s filing included a notice that Doolin had violated conditions of his pre-trial release.
The new charge stems from Doolin’s attempt to replace lawyers assigned to represent his fiancée, Tiffany Beam. She is charged with resisting arrest without violence for the December incident, when she was a passenger in the truck driven by Doolin.
Both Doolin and Beam ignored repeated instructions from law enforcement to leave the truck after a Florida state trooper stopped Doolin for driving without a proper license tag and then noticed a gun in the vehicle, according to the arrest affidavit.
In a court filing, David Lopez, an investigator with the State Attorney’s Office, offered this narrative:
Following the December arrest, Beam, 23, was appointed free legal counsel and most recently was represented by Andrew Ray Liverman and Leslie A. Hoffman from the Office of Regional Counsel.
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On May 9, Beam sent a "Notice of Change of Counsel" to County Judge Kevin Kohl and to her attorneys. She wrote that Doolin would be representing her because she did not think the appointed lawyers had the "adequate time and mindset to properly represent" her. Doolin signed the document as “Pro Se Litigant.”
That phrase applies to defendants who choose to represent themselves without lawyers in court. Doolin has taken that approach on the charges he faces from the December incident.
Doolin signed a “notice of appearance” filed June 12 on Beam’s behalf. The document read, "PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the undersigned hereby appears for TIFFANY ANN BEAM, Defendant in above-style cause of action.”
The same day, Beam submitted a “motion for continuance,” offering reasons why her trial should be delayed. Doolin signed the document as a "Pro Se Litigant."
Beam failed to appear at a pretrial hearing on June 13. Kohl issued a warrant for her arrest with a $1,000 bond and revoked her previous bond.
Liverman entered a motion to withdraw as counsel on June 14, citing a conflict of interest, as he anticipated being called as a potential state witness.
Lopez interviewed Doolin on Tuesday at the Polk County Jail, and he acknowledged creating, signing and filing the documents in question because he said the lawyers assigned to her case were not doing their jobs. Doolin admitted that he is not a licensed attorney in Florida, and Lopez confirmed that with a search of the Florida Bar’s records.
The document says that Copley noticed Doolin’s actions while reviewing court records and assigned Lopez to investigate on Monday.
In the December incident, Doolin was driving a 1985 Chevrolet truck on Kathleen Road when a state trooper noticed that the vehicle lacked a proper tag and pulled him over at about 6:30 a.m. The trooper approached the vehicle, and Doolin refused to identify himself, according to the arrest report.
Doolin also declined to open the window or a door. (In a video posted later, Doolin said the window could not be rolled down.)
The trooper noticed a handgun on the truck’s front seat, and Doolin said it was there for protection against law enforcement, a news release from Polk County Sheriff’s Office said. Doolin denied making that statement in the video.
The trooper called for assistance, and PCSO deputies arrived at the scene. As Doolin and Beam refused to leave the vehicle, deputies eventually broke the truck’s back window and shot Doolin with a stun gun.
Deputies found multiple guns inside the vehicle. PCSO charged Doolin with possession of a fully automatic firearm, possession of a short-barrel rifle and possession of a firearm with an altered or removed serial number, all felonies, along with resisting arrest without violence, a misdemeanor.
The Florida Highway Patrol also charged Doolin with various misdemeanor charges.
Court records show that Doolin has been representing himself in his case and has filed multiple motions. He submitted a 22-page motion in January asking that the charges be dismissed “with prejudice,” citing “conspiracy against rights,” evidence obtained illegally, unlawful search and seizure and unlawful imprisonment.
Judge Catherine Combee has issued orders denying the motions.
A deputy arrested Doolin in Bartow on June 22 after receiving information that he was driving without a license. Court records show that his license was revoked in February for unpaid traffic fines. He was also charged with resisting arrest without violence after being stopped last week.
Doolin is the cousin of Olivia Pollock and Jonathan Pollock, formerly of the Kathleen area. The siblings are fugitives after being indicted on felony charges, including assault on police officers, for their alleged actions during the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Doolin’s brother, Joshua, is scheduled for sentencing in August.
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/lakeland-man-faces-new-charge-practicing-law-without-a-license/70368212007/ | 2023-06-30T16:21:31 | 0 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/lakeland-man-faces-new-charge-practicing-law-without-a-license/70368212007/ |
Lakeland resident is third Republican candidate for Polk County Commission in District 1
Henry Coker of Lakeland has filed to run for the Polk County Commission as a Republican in 2024.
Coker is the third candidate in District 1, joining fellow Republicans Jennifer Price and Becky Troutman. The seat is now held by George Lindsey, who is barred from seeking re-election by term limits.
Coker, 38, is a South Lakeland resident and a third-generation Polk Countian. He graduated from Bartow High School and holds a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of South Florida.
He is a married father of two young sons, with another child due soon.
Coker described himself as a small-business owner. He previously operated a car dealership and now works in property management.
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“I’ve always been interested, and I have the time now to devote to it,” Coker said of his decision to run.
Coker said he has a particular interest in Polk County’s rapid development.
"The proper planning and infrastructure with this explosive growth that we're experiencing is a real concern for me,” he said. “You have to see it guided through properly.”
Coker said he is “inundating” himself with research on other issues.
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“My view is if you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room,” he said.
Troutman has reported more than $27,000 in campaign contributions. Neither Price nor Coker has yet reported any receipts. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/lakeland-republican-joins-district-1-race-for-polk-county-commission/70368225007/ | 2023-06-30T16:21:37 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/lakeland-republican-joins-district-1-race-for-polk-county-commission/70368225007/ |
As hospitals and urgent cares typically see an uptick in burn injuries during the summer months, health providers are recommending caution ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
More than 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms across the U.S. in 2022 for firework related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children younger than 15 years old accounted for nearly 30% of all injuries. The most common firework-related injuries are to the hands, head, neck, and eyes.
Families should avoid fireworks at home and, instead, should seek out community events, Shriners Children’s Ohio said.
“Fireworks are obviously very fun to watch, but I think it’s always to be done best in the safety of your community firework display area,” said Dr. Petra Warner, chief of staff at Shriners Children’s Ohio. “You’d be surprised how quickly a controlled situation can become uncontrolled.”
Fireworks can fly off in unexpected directions, Warner said, potentially causing injuries if it comes into contact with a nearby observer. Powder from fireworks can also cause contact injuries and hand-held sparklers can reach up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, so Shriners recommends against children using sparklers.
Last year, Shriners Children’s Ohio had 1,298 visits from patients with a burn injury. This includes same-day surgeries, repeat visits, telehealth appointments, outpatient clinic visits, or in-patient stays.
In July 2022, Shriners treated more than two dozen new burn-related injuries, which includes fireworks, contact burns, scalds, flame burn, and other burns.
Follow directions on fireworks, grills
Doctors recommend if people do use fireworks, only adults should use them and they should also follow the directions on the fireworks. People should also watch which directions the fireworks are going in, and they should also adhere to neighborhood and city regulations that may be in place on firework usage.
“We recommend that adults only handle them,” said Brittany Jamison, a nurse practitioner with Premier Health Urgent Care. “Children should not be handling fireworks.”
People should not use the fireworks inappropriately, Jamison said, such as tying fireworks together or reigniting them. Of the injuries from fireworks they see at urgent cares, it is typically burns, she said, but they also have treated eye injuries from fireworks that ignited wrong.
“I do often recommend to individuals that they use eye protection whenever they’re launching and lighting fireworks. We do encourage people to make sure they’re wearing appropriate clothing,” Jamison said.
People using fireworks should also have a bucket of water, a water hose, and/or a fire extinguisher nearby in case something does wrong and a fire needs to be put out, Jamison said.
Fireworks are not the only summer activity that includes the possibility of a burn outcome. Grills, fire pits, and bonfires also pose a risk.
“Injuries around the Fourth of July are not solely due to fireworks,” Warner said. “More common injures are burns from touching the grill or walking on the ashes of a firepit.”
Children should be stay at least four feet away from fire pits and grills, Shriners said. Even with a doused fire, the coals may still be hot and able to cause burns.
“We recommend very much caution when being outside near anything that has fire related to it,” Warner said.
People should also be careful of wind conditions so as not to spread fires or have fireworks go off in unanticipated directions, doctors said.
“The biggest thing is just to be aware of your surroundings,” said Dr. Nancy Pook, medical director of Emergency Services at Kettering Health. “Be aware of the weather, the wind, where it’s going, and where you’re setting up. It’s important to keep certain people away from fireworks and sparklers, especially as they can get quite hot. They can cause burns.”
People grilling should also make sure they are doing so on a safe and secure surface that is not likely to ignite from anything from the grill.
“Charcoal fires, if they get knocked over, they can spread very quickly,” Pook said.
Seek medical care if accident occurs
If an accident occurs and someone experiences a burn, Warner recommends first brushing off any powders from fireworks if they get on your body before applying water. Some of the chemicals used in fireworks, like different kinds of phosphorus, can cause chemical reactions with water.
Water can be used to douse injuries from grills or other hot surfaces. Only cool water, and not ice, should be applied to wounds to avoid also creating a hypothermic reaction when treating a burn. Any affected clothing should also be removed. A protective, dry dressing should be used to secure the wound.
Shriners also offers specialized care for children who experience burns and can help minimize scarring, as well as help with future growth spurts.
Burns can also range from mild burns to ones needing emergency care that could be life- or limb-threatening.
“If it’s something mild, you can gently cool it, no ice directly to the skin, but gentle cooling of the skin. You can apply a burn cream or a first aid cream over that and bandage it if it’s mild,” Pook said.
More significant burns should be seen promptly, Pook said.
“If anything is life-threatening, if the wound isn’t necessarily closed or it’s not improving, we do recommend that you seek care,” Jamison said.
Fourth of July safety tips from Shriners Children’s Ohio:
- Lead fun and safe activities with children as a safe alternative to fireworks.
- Teach the “Circle of Safety,” which is that children should stay at least four feet away from fire pits and grills.
- Never allow children to light or play with fireworks.
- Adult supervision of a designated firework area is key; do not let children near or around fireworks.
- Never let children handle sparklers—use glow sticks instead.
- Never try to relight fireworks that are not functional.
- Adults should dispose of all fireworks in a bucket of water.
- Keep a fire extinguisher and/or a hose nearby in case of a fire.
- Educate your children about the dangers of fireworks.
- Keep flammable liquids (gasoline) away from designated firework area.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/fireworks-firepit-safety-recommended-as-july-4-activities-approach/FFY3IRDHAZDQPIYVGGBWUOQVRA/ | 2023-06-30T16:21:38 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/fireworks-firepit-safety-recommended-as-july-4-activities-approach/FFY3IRDHAZDQPIYVGGBWUOQVRA/ |
As the Montgomery County Jail Coalition calls for increased scrutiny of the health care provider at the Montgomery County Jail in the wake of six inmate deaths this year, the provider says the problem is this region’s opioid crisis.
“Since January 2023, we have treated more than 1,000 individuals going through opioid withdrawal within the Montgomery County Jail. In comparison, at other correctional facilities of a similar size, we have treated fewer than 100 patients going through opioid withdrawal within the same timeframe,” said a spokesperson for NaphCare, which is contracted to provide medical and mental health services at the jail.
The NaphCare spokesperson stated that through the use of Narcan, health care staff at the Montgomery County Jail have helped more than a dozen people experiencing overdoses in the facility.
But Montgomery County Jail Coalition leaders say more action is needed. This year has seen more jail deaths than 2021 and 2022 combined, according to coroner’s office data.
Coalition member Yvonne Curington, who also works as a nurse and patient activist, called the number of deaths among inmates this year “appalling” during Tuesday’s Montgomery County commission meeting.
“People can’t keep dying,” she told commissioners. “And what do you see as your role in this?”
Montgomery County Commissioner Judy Dodge on Tuesday said the commission is very concerned, but cannot comment on ongoing investigations.
Curington pointed to turnover with jail employment and drug overdoses among inmates. She also echoed the coalition’s previous concerns with NaphCare, noting the end of the county’s contract with the medical and mental health care provider later this year.
University of Dayton professor Joel Pruce, another coalition member, previously said that inmate deaths have been a crisis since the beginning of the year.
Pruce said the prison system was not designed to be a place for people to get well and raised concern over the jail’s contractor for health services.
“The provider that taxpayers pay for care needs to be scrutinized,” he said.
NaphCare pointed to the impact of overdoses in the Miami Valley.
“This directly affects the Montgomery County Jail, as correctional facilities nationwide have experienced disproportionate increases in the number of people incarcerated with mental health and substance abuse disorders,” the NaphCare spokesperson said.
Six jail deaths this year
· Steven D. Blackshear, 54, of Dayton, was booked into the jail Jan. 26 and awaiting trial for misdemeanor theft. He died Jan. 29. The coroner’s office said the cause was “intoxication by fentanyl. Atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease were contributing conditions.”
· Aaron Dixon, 52, was being held on drug charges since Jan. 9, when he died on Jan. 13. The coroner’s office said the cause was “Fentanyl and buprenorphine intoxication.”
· Amber Goonan, 41, was arrested on charges of drug possession and booked into the jail on Feb. 19. She died on Feb. 24 of “multiple drug intoxication” including fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and others, according to the coroner’s office, with bronchopneumonia as a contributing factor.
· Isaiah Trammell, 19, was arrested on charges of domestic violence on March 13, and died March 16. His cause of death is still under investigation.
· Amanda K. Campbell, 44, of Vandalia, was arrested on a warrant from Vandalia Municipal Court for theft, warrants from Montgomery County Eastern Division for receiving stolen property and obstructing official business and a warrant from Kettering Municipal Court for falsification. She was booked into the jail April 2 and died there at 7:02 a.m. April 4. According to the sheriff’s office spokesperson, Campbell’s death was “naturally caused because of her extensive health issues.” The investigation of her death is also pending.
· Gerald Ford, 47, died on June 10 at the hospital after being found during a medical emergency in the direct-supervision unit hours after his booking.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/jail-medical-provider-responds-to-inmate-deaths-says-opioid-problem-10x-worse-here-than-elsewhere/OKUO6BBUFBD3TDKX244TXNQE4M/ | 2023-06-30T16:21:45 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/jail-medical-provider-responds-to-inmate-deaths-says-opioid-problem-10x-worse-here-than-elsewhere/OKUO6BBUFBD3TDKX244TXNQE4M/ |
What's that going in at the former Epic Fitness gym near Fred Meyer in South Salem?
Location: 706 Madrona Ave. SE, Suite 160
Description: The former Epic Fitness gym near Fred Meyer in South Salem is undergoing renovations.
Instead of treadmills and fitness training, the building's new incarnation will offer crafts, pantry staples, toys and party supplies as a Dollar Tree discount store, according to city records.
Local contractor White Oak Construction is doing the renovation work. The company has constructed and renovated numerous properties in the region, including constructing retail development for another Dollar Tree further south on Commercial at Kuebler Boulevard.
A site plan review to add a loading dock, dock level and sectional door for the building was approved in March. The property, which is connected to the South Salem Ace Hardware store, is zoned for mixed use.
According to city records, the construction company is also manning the renovations in the neighboring Ace Hardware to remodel the interior, add stair and forklift access, and remodel the bathrooms.
Dollar Tree Inc. owns both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores. The Dollar Tree discount retailer, which previously sold everything for $1, increased its price point to $1.25 in recent years due to inflation. The company operates about 15,115 stores in the United States and Canada.
According to their website, six Dollar Trees are open in Salem.
Source: City of Salem
Is there something under construction you'd like to tell us about or find out more about? Contact reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/whats-that-going-in-at-the-former-epic-fitness-in-south-salem/70357204007/ | 2023-06-30T16:24:54 | 0 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/whats-that-going-in-at-the-former-epic-fitness-in-south-salem/70357204007/ |
DERBY, Kan. (KSNW) — On Friday, the Derby Police Department gave an update on a shooting that injured a woman on Sunday.
The shooting happened around 6:30 a.m. near Baltimore and Madison. When first responders arrived, they found the woman on the ground with a gunshot to her abdomen. She was rushed to the hospital, and a City of Derby spokesperson says she is in stable condition.
According to the City, the evidence indicates the shooting was accidental, and the woman was the only person involved.
However, Derby detectives would like to speak to any witnesses. If you have information, call Derby Police at 316-788-1557.
If you want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/police-say-shooting-in-derby-was-an-accident/ | 2023-06-30T16:35:24 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/police-say-shooting-in-derby-was-an-accident/ |
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department on Friday issued a health advisory for sensitive populations due to anticipated high levels of smoke from fireworks on Monday and Tuesday.
Fireworks may be used legally in the city from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday. The Health Department said in a news release that its Air Quality Program typically observes periodic high levels of particulate air pollution from the evening of July 3 through the morning of July 5. During these time periods, Lincoln’s Air Quality Index often reaches peak levels that are unhealthy for everyone, but are especially unhealthy for people with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory conditions.
“Most people are unlikely to experience significant health impacts, but those most at risk are youths, the elderly and those sensitive individuals with respiratory or heart conditions,” Gary Bergstrom, air quality program supervisor, said in the release. “Smoke from fireworks can cause asthma attacks, worsen chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and cause angina (chest pain) in some people with heart disease.”
People at risk should avoid extensive physical activity outdoors or remain indoors with windows and doors closed, and those who experience health effects should contact a medical care provider. Bergstrom said that even a few hours of exposure to high levels of particle pollution may affect those with underlying health conditions.
The current weather forecast calls for a gentle to moderate breeze on Monday and Tuesday, which will help carry firework smoke out of the area. This means periods of elevated smoke levels should be brief, the Health Department said.
US cities with the dirtiest air
U.S. cities with the dirtiest air
Almost half of all Americans—45.8%, or 150 million people—live in counties with unhealthy air quality, according to the American Lung Association’s 2020 State of the Air report . Poor air quality, including unhealthy ozone or particle pollution, can lead to respiratory issues that are known to shorten lifespans, contribute to the risk of lower birth weight in newborns, and cause myriad tangential health problems.
Despite this knowledge, the number of people living amid unsafe air quality continues to grow; 2020 numbers are up from 134 million people reported in 2018. To learn more about where in the country the air is the dirtiest, Stacker analyzed the 2019 Air Quality Statistics Report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released in May 2020. From there, we compiled a list of the 50 cities with the dirtiest air.
To help track air quality around the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created National Ambient Air Quality standards . The two most relevant thresholds are 150 micrograms of pollutants per cubic meter of air over a 24-hour period for coarse particulate matter (PM10) and 12 micrograms of pollutants for fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Air quality was ranked according to the amount of particulate matter (PM) between 2.5 and 10 micrometers in the air. The higher the amount of particulate matter, the dirtier the quality of air. In the case of cities with equal amounts of particulate matter, the city with dirtier air was determined by which city had the highest particulate matter on the second dirtiest day. Any city with an annual mean amount of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers was not included in this ranking. The second-highest days were also included to rule out unusually low outliers.
One important note about the data is that rankings were determined by typical or average values. Exceptionally high or low values were regarded as outliers and not used to quantify the mean average particulate matter upon which the rankings were based. We also included other explainers as to factors, such as industries and climate factors, that could also account for low air quality in these cities.
Keep reading to see if your city ranks in the top 50 for dirtiest air.
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John D Sirlin // Shutterstock
#45. Joplin, Missouri (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 22 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 88 μg/m^3 (70.5% below EPA standard)
Joplin was incorporated in 1873, drawing people there for mineral mining including lead and zinc. The city grew in leaps and bounds around the turn of the 20th century as railroads connected it to other cities around the U.S. and Joplin established itself as a central transportation center in Missouri. Today, Joplin continues to be at the center of multiple modes of transportation including major highways, contributing to air pollution in the area.
Toa55 // Shutterstock
#45. Laramie, Wyoming (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 22 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 82 μg/m^3 (82.9% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 4 μg/m^3 (200.0% below EPA standard)
Wildfires such as the Badger Creek Wildfire in 2018 have contributed significantly to the smoke pollution in the air. The Department of Environmental Quality maintains air-quality sensors on top of the UW Engineering building to provide an accurate air quality index for Laramie.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#45. Payson, Arizona (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 22 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 191 μg/m^3 (21.5% above EPA standard)
Payson, with a population of just over 15,000, is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest. Its proximity to Phoenix (the cities are less than 100 miles apart) and highways works against Payson’s air quality. The Environment Arizona Research and Policy Center has recommended improving air quality by transitioning to clean energy and imposing stricter rules on fuel economy standards.
Ken Lund // Flickr
#45. Portland-South Portland, Maine (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 22 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 91 μg/m^3 (64.8% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.3 μg/m^3 (29.0% below EPA standard)
The EPA in February 2021 settled a case with the Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation resolving allegations of hazardous waste regulations violations at the company's semiconductor manufacturing facility in South Portland, Maine. The company agreed to comply with federal regulations to lower air pollution and VOC emissions, both of which were expected to contribute to improved air quality for the city and surrounding areas.
Christopher Georgia // Shutterstock
#45. Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 22 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 90 μg/m^3 (66.7% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8.4 μg/m^3 (42.9% below EPA standard)
Open-air farm burning has contributed to air-quality issues throughout the Sacramento region. In February 2021, the California Air Resources Control Board agreed to phase out open-air agricultural burning by 2025.
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Fotokostic // Shutterstock
#45. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 22 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 87 μg/m^3 (72.4% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 6.8 μg/m^3 (76.5% below EPA standard)
A large air pollution contributor in Santa Barbara comes from ash stirred up in the aftermath of wildfires in surrounding areas. Local government agency Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District aims to help protect the environment and residents from the impact of air pollution, with on-staff experts in meteorology, engineering, and environmental science.
Terry Straehley // Shutterstock
#42. Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 23 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 80 μg/m^3 (87.5% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.6 μg/m^3 (13.2% below EPA standard)
Air pollution throughout the Birmingham region of Alabama has dropped more than most other American urban areas since 2009, according to a 2020 study. Neverthess, the area in 2019 was ranked 14th-worst in the country for year-round particulate air pollution .
Stephen Reeves // Shutterstock
#42. Kalispell, Montana (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 23 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 83 μg/m^3 (80.7% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 6.4 μg/m^3 (87.5% below EPA standard)
High traffic, especially during the wintertime, causes the amount of particulate matter in the air to increase. Temperature inversions also contribute to poor air quality in this area.
NadyGinzburg // Shutterstock
#42. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 23 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 86 μg/m^3 (74.4% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 14.2 μg/m^3 (15.5% above EPA standard)
Pittsburgh’s air quality has been so notoriously bad that three-quarters of a century ago, the metropolitan area earned the unusual descriptor of “Hell with the Lid Off .” Much has changed since, with air quality improving as steel mills shut down over several decades leading into the 1980s. A 2021 report from Pittsburgh Works found that Allegheny County met federal standards at all eight local air monitors for the first time.
Jon Bilous // Shutterstock
#36. Bishop, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 24 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 529 μg/m^3 (71.6% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 5.2 μg/m^3 (130.8% below EPA standard)
The goal of government agency Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District is to help protect the environment and residents of Alpine, Mono, and Inyo Counties, the last of which Bishop is located within. GBUAPCD monitors multiple air quality cameras in the region in order to make sure the region is meeting federal and state air quality standards.
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Michael Kaercher // Shutterstock
#36. Boulder, Colorado (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 24 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 52 μg/m^3 (188.5% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 7.8 μg/m^3 (53.8% below EPA standard)
Colorado’s Front Range Urban Corridor includes major state cities including Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. The region has consistently struggled to meet air-quality standards laid out by the EPA. Wildfires regularly disrupt efforts to improve the air throughout the Boulder area.
Chad Claeyssen // Shutterstock
#36. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 24 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 50 μg/m^3 (200.0% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.7 μg/m^3 (12.1% below EPA standard)
In Texas’ Hidalgo County, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and McAllen rank among the cleanest when it comes to ozone pollution . But McAllen, Brownsville, and Houston also rank among the 25 cities with the worst particle-pollution levels. Particle pollution has been shown to contribute to the risk for health issues raning from strokes to cancer.
Davy Lane Photography // Shutterstock
#36. Monroe, Michigan (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 24 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 70 μg/m^3 (114.3% below EPA standard)
Monroe, Michigan, falls within Monroe County—a region regularly tagged with air-quality alerts or “ozone action days .” In 2020, DTE Energy Co. reached an agreement with the federal government to lower air pollution from its coal-fired power plants in Southeast Michigan.
heck, j g // Flickr
#36. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 24 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 163 μg/m^3 (8.0% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 7.6 μg/m^3 (57.9% below EPA standard)
Much of the pollution in this region comes from the pesticide use, power plants, and Superfund cleanup sites. The area's air quality is also impacted by smoke from wildfires in the state: In 2018, the Ventura County Health Care Agency offered its residents free face masks after brush fires led to poor air quality.
Michael Domingo // Shutterstock
#36. Stockton-Lodi, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 24 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 116 μg/m^3 (29.3% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.4 μg/m^3 (27.7% below EPA standard)
More cities impacted by smoke from the region's wildfires include Stockton and Lodi in the San Joaquin Valley (south of San Francisco). The burning of carbon-based fuels, including vehicle emissions, is also to blame. In January 2019, the California Air Resources Board announced a plan for cleaning up the valley's dangerous air and meeting federal standards for fine particle pollution.
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Trevor Bexon // Shutterstock
#32. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 25 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 65 μg/m^3 (130.8% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.6 μg/m^3 (4.8% above EPA standard)
Much of the air pollution in the area comes from the automobile industry and vehicle emissions from the multitude of trucks on local roads. More than 150 sites in southwest Detroit emit dangerous particles and chemicals into the air, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, and PM2.5. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reported that 5.5% of annual deaths in Detroit can be linked to PM2.5 exposure.
Daniel J. Macy // Shutterstock
#32. Gillette, Wyoming (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 25 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 108 μg/m^3 (38.9% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 2.1 μg/m^3 (471.4% below EPA standard)
A big contributor to air pollution is the weather conditions in the area. Conditions such as cold weather, low wind, and a great deal of snow increase the formation of ozone in the atmosphere.
kapichka // Shutterstock
#32. Laredo, Texas (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 25 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 48 μg/m^3 (212.5% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.7 μg/m^3 (12.1% below EPA standard)
Oil production in Texas’ Permian Basin was expected to double between 2018 and 2023, with direct consequences to air quality in the region. Laredo Petroleum , a major player in the region, has seen significant growth in the last several years.
FreezeFrames // Shutterstock
#32. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 25 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 129 μg/m^3 (16.3% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 7 μg/m^3 (71.4% below EPA standard)
California State Parks have worked to improve air quality around Southern California's Oceano Dunes, which cover 18 miles along the coast where many enjoy off-roading and camping. Conservationists have expressed concern that these activities are endangering plant and animal species, as well as increasing overall pollution in the area.
NicholasGeraldinePhotos // Shutterstock
#29. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Indiana (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 26 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 57 μg/m^3 (163.2% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.5 μg/m^3 (4.0% above EPA standard)
A major factor for air pollution in the Indianapolis region is the lack of public transportation, which fuels high usage of cars and high emissions into the air. Another notable contributor is the coal-fired power plants that are carried by winds to other parts of Indiana.
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Elena Rostunova // Shutterstock
#29. Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 26 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 71 μg/m^3 (111.3% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 7.6 μg/m^3 (57.9% below EPA standard)
The Kansas City region has a little more than a dozen days annually that do not meet EPA air-quality standards. Much of this is due to smog, or ground-level ozone.
f11photo // Shutterstock
#29. Sierra Vista-Douglas, Arizona (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 26 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 97 μg/m^3 (54.6% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 5.1 μg/m^3 (135.3% below EPA standard)
The main contributor to air pollution in Sierra Vista is the high ozone count in the atmosphere. Out of 228 metro areas, the American Lung Association ranked Sierra Vista #123 for high-ozone days , but the metro surprisingly tied for first place for the country's cleanest metro area in regards to 24-hour particle pollution.
Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock
#28. Duluth, Minnesota-Wisconsin
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 27 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 81 μg/m^3 (85.2% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 5.5 μg/m^3 (118.2% below EPA standard)
A significant contributor to air pollution in this northern Minnesota region comes from the smoke from the wildfires that occur in Canada. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported that smoke from July 2019 wildfires in Manitoba and Ontario in Canada made its way to northern Minnesota, adding that visibility in the area decreased to under 1 or 2 miles. MPCA issued air quality alerts to surrounding towns, including Duluth, a Minnesota town that boarders Wisconsin.
Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock
#27. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 28 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 159 μg/m^3 (5.7% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 13.4 μg/m^3 (10.4% above EPA standard)
The majority of air pollution in L.A. comes from vehicle emissions —especially from large trucks; the trucking industry is prominent in L.A. The Harbor Commissioners of L.A. recently voted to approve the Clean Air Action plan to help transition diesel trucks to run on electric power.
Radoslaw Lecyk // Shutterstock
#22. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 29 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 63 μg/m^3 (138.1% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.7 μg/m^3 (12.1% below EPA standard)
Much of the poor air quality in Houston is the result of climate change : The higher temperatures in the summer stimulate formation of ozone in the atmosphere. Particulate matter is also high in Houston from disasters such as Hurricane Harvey, which released more than 8 million pounds of particulates into the atmosphere.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#22. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 29 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 104 μg/m^3 (44.2% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8.3 μg/m^3 (44.6% below EPA standard)
The high temperatures and intense sunlight in the Las Vegas region trigger the formation of ozone in the atmosphere. Particulate matter from vehicle and tailpipe emissions also adds to the pollution here.
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#22. Merced, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 29 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 80 μg/m^3 (87.5% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.6 μg/m^3 (25.0% below EPA standard)
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago estimates that the average Merced resident could live seven months longer if the region could meet the World Health Organization's standards of soot exposure levels. The area would need to impose strict emissions controls to meet WHO's standards.
eleonimages // Shutterstock
#22. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 29 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 83 μg/m^3 (80.7% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8 μg/m^3 (50.0% below EPA standard)
Much of the air pollution in these regions comes from inversions , which is when warm air gets sandwiched between cold air layers. This formation prevents pollutants from being able to disperse out into the atmosphere.
Roger Siljander // Shutterstock
#22. Ponce, Puerto Rico (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 29 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 94 μg/m^3 (59.6% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 6.3 μg/m^3 (90.5% below EPA standard)
Sahara dust in 2020 moved across Puerto Rico in a concentration that hadn’t been recorded in 50 years. The territory has been under pressure in recent years by the EPA to reduce emission levels, which some say could be achieved with more effort put toward green infrastructure .
Ilona Koeleman // Shutterstock
#21. Modesto, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 30 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 104 μg/m^3 (44.2% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.6 μg/m^3 (13.2% below EPA standard)
The large agricultural sector in Modesto contributes to emissions released that affect the atmosphere. Modesto is located in the San Joaquin Valley, which as a whole experiences poor air quality.
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Noel V. Baebler // Shutterstock
#20. Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 31 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 79 μg/m^3 (89.9% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.9 μg/m^3 (10.1% below EPA standard)
Much of Cleveland's air pollution comes from coal-burning power plants and vehicle emissions , which come from cars, trucks, trains, and boats in the area. Byproducts of lawn care equipment used in the region also contribute to the pollution.
VLADJ55 // Shutterstock
#18. Nogales, Arizona (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 32 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 108 μg/m^3 (38.9% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8.8 μg/m^3 (36.4% below EPA standard)
Nogales’ air quality is regularly a point of concern in Arizona, as people living closer to the U.S./Mexico border often use more wood for fires, contributing to higher PM levels than in northern cities like Tucson. Long-term exposure to lower air quality such as in Nogales has been linked to health issues ranging from asthma to reduced lung function.
Lexi Holmes // Shutterstock
#18. San Diego-Carlsbad, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 32 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 153 μg/m^3 (2.0% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8.6 μg/m^3 (39.5% below EPA standard)
The heat waves and wildfires common in San Diego have played a major role in increasingly unhealthy ozone levels. The American Lung Association has found that part of the problem lies in mountains in the area trapping polluted air.
Randy Miramontez // Shutterstock
#17. El Paso, Texas
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 33 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 79 μg/m^3 (89.9% below EPA standard)
A binational air-quality committee in 2021 created a fund to help monitor air quality in El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. The fund, if goals are met, would funnel $100,000 into supporting three air-quality monitors and system improvements.
Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
#13. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Illinois (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 35 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 129 μg/m^3 (16.3% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.6 μg/m^3 (25.0% below EPA standard)
The pollution in the air in the Davenport area is from the particles emitted by vehicular traffic. The stagnant air also prevents pollutant particles from being able to freely disperse.
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All About Space // Shutterstock
#13. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 35 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 111 μg/m^3 (35.1% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10 μg/m^3 (20.0% below EPA standard)
The major contributors to air pollution are increased vehicle traffic and increased building construction. Another issue is the smoke from wildfires in Western states drifting eastward toward Denver.
Darryl Brooks // Shutterstock
#13. St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 35 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 99 μg/m^3 (51.5% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.5 μg/m^3 (14.3% below EPA standard)
Much of the air pollution from the area comes from the high temperatures during the summer, which drive ozone formation, and from the sulfur dioxide emitted from power plants and other industries in the area.
Wlad74 // Shutterstock
#13. Yuma, Arizona (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 35 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 174 μg/m^3 (13.8% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 7.9 μg/m^3 (51.9% below EPA standard)
The Yuma County Farm Bureau has made active educational efforts to teach Yuma's agricultural sector about best management practices to protect their atmosphere. Growers in the area must follow practices such as conservation irrigation, reduced speeds on roads , and planting based on soil moisture.
Ron Arnone // Shutterstock
#10. Albuquerque, New Mexico (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 36 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 141 μg/m^3 (6.4% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 7.7 μg/m^3 (55.8% below EPA standard)
Much of the air pollution in Albuquerque comes from the burning of fuels such as gas, oil, and coal. Airports and vehicle traffic are massive sources of emissions.
Thana Thanadechakul // Shutterstock
#10. Madera, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 36 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 155 μg/m^3 (3.2% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.7 μg/m^3 (23.7% below EPA standard)
The American Lung Association's 2019 State of the Air report ranked the Madera-Fresno-Hanford area the worst in the country for 24-hour soot and the fourth-worst in smog. Several events were canceled by the Madera Parks and Community Services during the time period ALA looked at (2015–2017) due to poor air quality exacerbated by extremely high temperatures.
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Alaina Sharpshair // Shutterstock
#10. Rapid City, South Dakota (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 36 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 170 μg/m^3 (11.8% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 5.9 μg/m^3 (103.4% below EPA standard)
Smoke from wildfires in Western states affects air pollution in South Dakota. Dust is a major issue in Rapid City , which harms air quality, and is worsened by the location of quarries in the northwest corner of the city.
Flystock // Shutterstock
#8. Fresno, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 39 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 234 μg/m^3 (35.9% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.2 μg/m^3 (7.1% below EPA standard)
A major source of air pollution in Fresno is ozone from vehicle emissions . Emissions from the agricultural and construction industries in the area are also part of the problem.
Rui Serra Maia // Shutterstock
#8. Tucson, Arizona (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 39 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 139 μg/m^3 (7.9% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 5 μg/m^3 (140.0% below EPA standard)
The high-pressure weather systems coupled with intense heat and solar radiation contribute to high ozone layers in this region. Pima County , where Tucson is located, regularly issues ozone warnings to residents.
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#7. El Centro, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 44 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 162 μg/m^3 (7.4% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.8 μg/m^3 (11.1% below EPA standard)
The hot, arid climate in El Centro contributes greatly to its air pollution. El Centro shares a border with Mexico, which has much looser clean air regulations than its neighbor to the north. El Centro has put in efforts with the Mexican government to prevent vehicles that do not meet U.S. emission standards from crossing the border.
Ody_Stocker // Shutterstock
#5. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 46 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 139 μg/m^3 (7.9% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 15.4 μg/m^3 (22.1% above EPA standard)
The National Science Foundation gave Riverside a $1.2 million dollar grant to provide curriculum about air pollution to high school students in the area and help promote awareness of the problem.
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#5. Visalia-Porterville, California (tie)
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 46 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 284 μg/m^3 (47.2% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.9 μg/m^3 (7.0% above EPA standard)
Since the burning of solids (e.g., wood and pellets) causes air pollution, residents can only burn these materials between November and February to reduce air pollution.
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#4. Hanford-Corcoran, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 49 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 304 μg/m^3 (50.7% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.3 μg/m^3 (2.4% above EPA standard)
The geography of the Valley which Hanford resides in contributes largely to its air pollution. The hot summers coupled with stagnant air and mountainous terrain creates makes this part of California susceptible to high-smog levels.
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#3. Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 53 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 149 μg/m^3 (0.7% below EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8 μg/m^3 (50.0% below EPA standard)
Much of the air pollution in this region is not from vehicle emissions or manufacturing, but rather from the many dust storms that pass through the region.
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#2. Bakersfield, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 54 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 382 μg/m^3 (60.7% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 13 μg/m^3 (7.7% above EPA standard)
The geography and topography of the San Joaquin Valley makes Bakersfield especially susceptible to smog formation and particulate buildups during certain weather systems.
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#1. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 59 μg/m^3
- Second-highest average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 222 μg/m^3 (32.4% above EPA standard)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.3 μg/m^3 (6.2% below EPA standard)
Huge contributors to the poor air in Phoenix include emissions from cars and chemical solvent waste from small industrial businesses. A 2018 report by the Environment Arizona Research & Policy Center found that in 2016, the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area had 100 days of "degraded" air quality.
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US cities with the dirtiest air
Two out of every five Americans—40%, or 137 million people—live in counties with unhealthy air quality, according to the American Lung Association's 2022 State of the Air report . Poor air quality, including unhealthy ozone or particle pollution, can lead to long-term health effects, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues that can lead to premature death.
Air quality can be impacted and degraded by industrial emissions, ambient emissions such as those from cars and residential heating systems, and natural events, including wildfires and drought. Air quality can vary significantly by season and by region, even within the same city. In most places, however, there are several sources simultaneously contributing to air pollution.
To learn more about where in the country the air is the dirtiest, Stacker analyzed the 2021 Air Quality Statistics Report from the Environmental Protection Agency, released in May 2022 to compile a list of the 50 cities with the dirtiest air.
To help track air quality around the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created National Ambient Air Quality standards . The two most relevant thresholds are 150 micrograms of pollutants per cubic meter of air over a 24-hour period for coarse particulate matter (PM10) and 12 micrograms of pollutants for fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Air quality was ranked according to the amount of coarse particulate matter (PM10) in the air in metropolitan areas. The higher the amount of particulate matter, the dirtier the quality of air. In the case of cities with equal amounts of particulate matter, the city with dirtier air was determined by which city had the highest particulate matter on the second dirtiest day.
Data on coarse particulate matter was available for 176 metropolitan areas. Rankings were determined by typical or average values. Exceptionally high or low values were regarded as outliers and not used to quantify the mean average particulate matter upon which the rankings were based. We also included other explainers as to factors, such as industries and climate factors, that could also account for low air quality in these cities.
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#50. Sandpoint, Idaho
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 25 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 177 μg/m^3 (18.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): Not available
Idaho's air quality is most significantly and negatively impacted by wildfires, both in-state and those burning in neighboring states to the west. Over the last decade, Idaho's air quality has reached unhealthy-to-hazardous ranges due to an increase in wildfires and wind patterns blowing toxic smoke from west to east.
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#49. Deming, New Mexico
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 25 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 193 μg/m^3 (28.7% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): Not available
Wildfires pose the greatest air quality risk in Deming. The new infrastructure being built in the region as part of the Biden Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, while a boon for safer and more efficient transportation, may bring great levels of vehicle emissions.
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#48. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 26 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 101 μg/m^3 (32.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8.8 μg/m^3 (26.7% below EPA standards)
Winter air stagnation has been a problem for the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington region. Light winds and little to no precipitation mean that pollutants cannot be cleared from the air and stay trapped close to the ground under pressure systems.
Roger Siljander // Shutterstock
#47. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 26 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 115 μg/m^3 (23.3% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8 μg/m^3 (33.3% below EPA standards)
Wildfires and dust pollution from the Oceano Dunes are the primary contributors to poor air quality in the region.
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#46. Joplin, Missouri
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 26 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 120 μg/m^3 (20.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): Not available
Vehicle and industrial emissions and volatile organic compounds are primarily to blame for low air quality in Joplin. In 2022, ProPublica identified several regions of southwest Missouri, close to where Joplin is located, as hot spots of toxic air pollution . A town located under an hour from Joplin was estimated to have an industrial cancer risk 27 times what the EPA considers acceptable.
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#45. Chico, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 26 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 129 μg/m^3 (14.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.1 μg/m^3 (7.5% below EPA standards)
Air pollution in Chico is caused by a mixture of vehicular emissions, agricultural dust, fossil fuel production emissions, household energy utilization, and wildfires. Chico's location at the base of the Sacramento Valley, surrounded by the Cascade Range to the north and the Sierra Nevada range to the east and south, enables emissions to accumulate in its lower atmosphere .
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#44. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 27 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 81 μg/m^3 (46.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.9 μg/m^3 (7.5% above EPA standards)
More than half of Pittburgh's pollution can be traced to industrial sources like steel plants . Vehicular emissions are also a contributing factor, disproportionately impacting low-income neighborhoods in Allegheny County.
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#43. Salt Lake City, Utah
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 27 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 103 μg/m^3 (31.3% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11 μg/m^3 (8.3% below EPA standards)
Low water levels of the Great Salt Lake coupled with dry conditions allow toxic dust from the lakebed to be kicked up into the atmosphere by the wind. This toxic dust includes metals and arsenic, which can be carried and distributed over great distances.
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#42. Pahrump, Nevada
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 27 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 134 μg/m^3 (10.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): Not available
Most of Pahrump's coarse particulate matter pollution comes from the use or disturbance of unpaved roads and vacant lands , according to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. The Pahrump Valley often experiences high winds and dust storms, so when disturbances of roads and land kick up dust, it can quickly become hazardous under the right conditions.
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#41. Spokane-Spokane Valley, Washington
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 27 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 138 μg/m^3 (8.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.4 μg/m^3 (5.0% below EPA standards)
Wind patterns and wildfire smoke from neighboring states such as Montana are the primary cause of low air quality in the region.
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#40. Pocatello, Idaho
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 27 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 147 μg/m^3 (2.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): Not available
Seasonal wildfires which continue to grow more intense in the west are producing massive amounts of particulate matter air pollution. Because Pocatello is surrounded by mountains , air pollutants from fires are more easily trapped in that topographical region.
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#39. Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 28 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 89 μg/m^3 (40.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.7 μg/m^3 (5.8% above EPA standards)
Much of Cleveland's air pollution comes from coal-burning power plants and vehicle emissions , which come from cars, trucks, trains, and boats in the area. Byproducts of lawn care equipment used in the region also contribute to pollution.
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#38. Kalispell, Montana
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 28 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 93 μg/m^3 (38.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 7.8 μg/m^3 (35.0% below EPA standards)
Wildfire smoke is the main source of unhealthy air in Kalispell. The fossil fuel industry is also prevalent in Montana. In 2020, activists sued the state for violating the state Constitution that guarantees residents "the right to a clean and healthful environment."
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#37. Boise, Idaho
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 28 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 113 μg/m^3 (24.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.1 μg/m^3 (15.8% below EPA standards)
Boise is subject to the pollution caused by a rapidly growing population—such as vehicular emissions and residential wood burning, as well as wildfires in the region. Its location in a valley makes it more difficult for ozone and fine particulate matter to be cleared from the atmosphere.
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#36. Watertown, South Dakota
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 28 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 143 μg/m^3 (4.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.2 μg/m^3 (23.3% below EPA standards)
Watertown is vulnerable to the effects of Canadian wildfires that burn to the north. Wind can carry smoke from Alberta to North and South Dakota, and parts of Minnesota.
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#35. Bishop, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 28 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 262 μg/m^3 (74.7% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.7 μg/m^3 (19.2% below EPA standards)
Dust is the primary air pollutant in the Bishop region , worsened by extensive drought conditions in the west. Wildfires from surrounding areas have also blanketed Bishop with hazardous smoke and ash.
Michael Kaercher // Shutterstock
#34. Wichita, Kansas
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 31 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 89 μg/m^3 (40.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.3 μg/m^3 (5.8% below EPA standards)
Smoke from seasonal rangeland burning contributes to bouts of poor air quality in Wichita. The controlled burns, which typically occur in March and April, are necessary for ranchers to control invasive species, foster better grazing for cattle, and preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Vehicular and industrial emissions are also at play in Wichita.
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#33. Reno, Nevada
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 31 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 284 μg/m^3 (89.3% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.4 μg/m^3 (3.3% above EPA standards)
Air pollution in Reno can largely be attributed to regional wildfires . Its position in the Truckee Meadows Valley makes it a prime location for pollution to settle and difficult for the environment to naturally clear.
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#32. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 32 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 85 μg/m^3 (43.3% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.4 μg/m^3 (3.3% above EPA standards)
Industrial sources are the main contributors to air pollution in the region. Southwest Detroit alone is home to an oil refinery, steel mill, wastewater treatment plant, a coal-fired power plant and a gas-fired power plant, heavily traveled highways, and a six-lane bridge.
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#31. St. Joseph, Missouri
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 32 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 114 μg/m^3 (24.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8.4 μg/m^3 (30.0% below EPA standards)
As is characteristic of many other locations throughout Missouri, St. Joseph's air quality is negatively impacted mainly by industrial and ambient emissions.
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#30. Sierra Vista-Douglas, Arizona
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 32 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 132 μg/m^3 (12.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): Not available
The Sierra Vista-Douglas region is prone to air pollution from wildfires and dust from prolonged drought conditions.
Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock
#29. St. Louis, Missouri
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 32 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 161 μg/m^3 (7.3% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.6 μg/m^3 (11.7% below EPA standards)
Industrial sources are a primary cause of air pollution in St. Louis. In March 2023, the EPA released an order called the Good Neighbor Rule, instructing Missouri and 22 other states to reduce air pollution levels, particularly industrial emissions. Nitrous oxides emitted from industrial facilities contribute to dangerous ground-level ozone.
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#28. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 33 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 103 μg/m^3 (31.3% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.5 μg/m^3 (12.5% below EPA standards)
Houston is home to oil refineries and petrochemical facilities that generate harmful air pollutants. The facilities are often located in close proximity to Black and Latino residential neighborhoods, causing them to bear a disproportionate burden of negative health impacts.
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#27. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 33 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 113 μg/m^3 (24.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 13.8 μg/m^3 (15.0% above EPA standards)
The majority of air pollution in L.A. comes from vehicle emissions —especially from large trucks; the trucking industry is prominent in L.A. The Harbor Commissioners of L.A. voted to approve the Clean Air Action Plan in 2017 to help transition diesel trucks to run on electric power.
Radoslaw Lecyk // Shutterstock
#26. Stockton-Lodi, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 33 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 162 μg/m^3 (8.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.7 μg/m^3 (2.5% below EPA standards)
Wildfire smoke is a primary polluter of the region's air, followed by ambient sources including passenger vehicle and freight emissions.
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#25. Gillette, Wyoming
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 34 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 154 μg/m^3 (2.7% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): Not available
Air pollution from oil and gas production, particularly nitrogen oxide, ozone, and fine particulates, impacts the health of many Americans, including Wyoming residents, according to a 2023 study . Wyoming is also impacted by wildfire smoke from regional fires.
amadeustx // Shutterstock
#24. Kansas City, Missouri
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 35 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 103 μg/m^3 (31.3% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.3 μg/m^3 (5.8% below EPA standards)
Kansas City is subject to the impacts of industrial air pollution, particularly soot from coal-fired power plants , diesel emissions, and wood-burning devices. The impacts of these emissions worsen in the winter as the demand for heating increases.
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#23. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 35 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 137 μg/m^3 (8.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.8 μg/m^3 (18.3% below EPA standards)
Much of the Davenport region's air pollution is caused by industrial sources or transportation. Sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plants and nitrous oxide from ambient vehicular emissions are the most common pollutants.
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#22. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 35 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 178 μg/m^3 (18.7% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.4 μg/m^3 (5.0% below EPA standards)
Smog is a pervasive problem in Cincinnati, worsened by vehicular emissions. Pollutants from coal-fired power plants, as well as diesel emissions from freight transportation, are also prevalent.
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#21. Modesto, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 36 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 129 μg/m^3 (14.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 15 μg/m^3 (25.0% above EPA standards)
The large agricultural sector in Modesto contributes to emissions released that affect the atmosphere. Modesto is located in the San Joaquin Valley, which as a whole experiences poor air quality.
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#20. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 36 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 152 μg/m^3 (1.3% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.9 μg/m^3 (17.5% below EPA standards)
Transportation, construction, and industrial facilities are the primary sources of harmful emissions and ozone in Las Vegas. Long-term drought conditions and intensified wildfires also contribute to the region's poor air quality.
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#19. Laramie, Wyoming
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 37 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 230 μg/m^3 (53.3% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): Not available
Wildfire smoke from fires in neighboring states like Idaho is a main driver of poor air quality in Laramie. In 2022, wildfires as far south as Arizona impacted air quality in parts of southern Wyoming.
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#18. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 39 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 93 μg/m^3 (38.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.1 μg/m^3 (15.8% below EPA standards)
The Denver region is prone to several different types of air pollution including vehicle emissions, wildfire smoke, and industrial emissions. The topography of the region worsens the impacts of these pollutants as they settle in the lower atmosphere.
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#17. Yuma, Arizona
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 40 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 199 μg/m^3 (32.7% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.3 μg/m^3 (22.5% below EPA standards)
Wildfire smoke has the most significant impact on Yuma's air quality. The University of Arizona also identifies vehicle emissions from Interstate 8, pollutants emitted from surrounding agricultural fields, and particulate matter stirred up at the Yuma Proving Ground also impact air quality.
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#16. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 41 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 166 μg/m^3 (10.7% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.8 μg/m^3 (10.0% below EPA standards)
Vehicle emissions are a primary contributor to poor air quality in the Chicago area. In addition to transportation-related emissions, communities bisected by major highways are also home to many industries and as such, are overburdened by air pollution.
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#15. Rapid City, South Dakota
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 41 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 168 μg/m^3 (12.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 8.1 μg/m^3 (32.5% below EPA standards)
Located on the high plains, Rapid City is subject to droughts and high winds, making it susceptible to a phenomenon called fugitive dust . Fugitive dust is generated by mining and construction activity, gravel roads, and wind erosion.
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#14. San Diego-Carlsbad, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 42 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 119 μg/m^3 (20.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.7 μg/m^3 (19.2% below EPA standards)
In recent years, San Diego has seen a significant rise in dangerous ozone pollution, caused mostly by passenger vehicle emissions. As recently as 2021, San Diego allowed industries to expel cancer-causing air pollutants at a rate much higher than most of California.
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#13. Madera, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 42 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 198 μg/m^3 (32.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 12.4 μg/m^3 (3.3% above EPA standards)
Like neighboring Fresno, Madera's air pollution is largely caused by farming emissions and transportation emissions.
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#12. Fresno, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 43 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 147 μg/m^3 (2.0% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 17.2 μg/m^3 (43.3% above EPA standards)
Fresno's air pollution is characterized by high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide from passenger vehicles, freight, and gas-powered farming equipment emissions.
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#11. Nogales, Arizona
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 45 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 149 μg/m^3 (.7% below EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.9 μg/m^3 (9.2% below EPA standards)
Nearly all of the air pollution in Nogales, located on the Southern U.S. border, comes from Mexico , according to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Nogales is situated downhill from Mexico, and as a result, this cross-border air pollution settles in the lowest topographical points.
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#10. Bakersfield, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 49 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 242 μg/m^3 (61.3% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 20 μg/m^3 (66.7% above EPA standards)
The geography and topography of the San Joaquin Valley make Bakersfield especially susceptible to smog formation and particulate buildups during certain weather systems.
Elliott Cowand Jr // Shutterstock
#9. Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 49 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 439 μg/m^3 (192.7% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.4 μg/m^3 (13.3% below EPA standards)
Much of the air pollution in this region is not from vehicle emissions or manufacturing, but rather from the many dust storms that pass through the region.
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#8. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 50 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 227 μg/m^3 (51.3% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 17.8 μg/m^3 (48.3% above EPA standards)
Known as the Inland Empire, the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario region is home to heavy pollution emitters, including freeways, railways, and industrial complexes. Black and Latino communities are disproportionately impacted by air pollution in the Inland Empire, according to the People's Collective for Environmental Justice.
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#7. El Paso, Texas
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 52 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 153 μg/m^3 (2.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 9.2 μg/m^3 (23.3% below EPA standards)
A binational air-quality committee in 2021 created a fund to help monitor air quality in El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. The fund would funnel $100,000 into supporting three air-quality monitors and system improvements.
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#6. Visalia-Porterville, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 52 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 198 μg/m^3 (32.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 20.7 μg/m^3 (72.5% above EPA standards)
According to the American Lung Association, population growth and topography are two of the biggest contributors to poor air quality in Visalia-Porterville. With more residents come more smog-producing vehicles, and heavy pollution naturally settles in valleys and basins like the one where Visalia-Porterville is located.
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#5. Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 52 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 221 μg/m^3 (47.3% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 11.3 μg/m^3 (5.8% below EPA standards)
The American Lung Association notes that transportation emissions are a major contributor to high levels of ozone in Albuquerque. In July 2022, New Mexico enacted the Clean Car Rule, which is expected to eliminate 130,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and more than 1,700 tons of ozone-forming pollutants by 2050.
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#4. El Centro, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 52 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 234 μg/m^3 (56.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 10.3 μg/m^3 (14.2% below EPA standards)
The hot, arid climate in El Centro contributes greatly to its air pollution. El Centro shares a border with Mexico, which has much looser clean air regulations than its neighbor to the north. El Centro has put in efforts with the Mexican government to prevent vehicles that do not meet U.S. emission standards from crossing the border.
Ody_Stocker // Shutterstock
#3. Tucson, Arizona
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 52 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 249 μg/m^3 (66.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 6.6 μg/m^3 (45.0% below EPA standards)
As Tuscon's industry and population grew industrialized and the population increased, emissions from power plants and tailpipes rose. In recent years the city has experienced an unprecedented severity of ground-level ozone .
Canva
#2. Hanford-Corcoran, California
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 55 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 180 μg/m^3 (20.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 15.6 μg/m^3 (30.0% above EPA standards)
The geography of the Valley in which Hanford resides contributes largely to its air pollution. The hot summers coupled with stagnant air and mountainous terrain make this part of California susceptible to high-smog levels.
Mike Chappazo // Shutterstock
#1. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona
- Average coarse particulate matter (PM10): 76 μg/m^3
- PM10 2nd Max 24-hr: 225 μg/m^3 (50.0% above EPA standards)
- Average fine particulate matter (PM2.5): 13.2 μg/m^3 (10.0% above EPA standards)
Huge contributors to the poor air in Phoenix include emissions from cars and chemical solvent waste from small industrial businesses. A 2018 report by the Environment Arizona Research & Policy Center found that in 2016, the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area had 110 days of "degraded" air quality.
Data reporting by Emma Rubin. Story editing by Robert Wickwire. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Abigail Renaud.
Ambartsumian Valery // Shutterstock
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A 34-year-old Lincoln resident who was riding a bike was hospitalized with potential life-threatening injuries on Thursday night after colliding with a vehicle in the Capitol Beach area.
Lincoln Police Department Capt. Todd Kocian said the crash occurred after 5:30 p.m. Thursday near Northwest 17th and West O streets, when a 2008 Mitsubishi collided with the bicyclist.
A 36-year-old Crete resident was driving the car eastbound on West O Street and the bicyclist was traveling south and attempting to cross West O Street when the collision occurred. There is a stop sign at Northwest 17th Street, but no marked crosswalk.
The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. Police suspect the bicyclist was under the influence of alcohol. It is unclear if the person was wearing a helmet.
The driver was not injured and has not been cited.
Top Journal Star photos for June 2023
Players part of the Lincoln International FC wave flags from different countries while posing for a photo on their last day of soccer practice on Wednesday at Densmore Park in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Henry Schmid builds a new robot using LEGOs and various electronics as part of a LEGO Robotics course, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at The Bay in Lincoln. Brick-by-brick, students between fourth and ninth grades worked to assemble robots they built from LEGOs. As part of the Lincoln Public Schools Summer Technology Program, kids interested in robotics worked to build and program their robots to perform various tasks.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Florida's Michael Robertson embraces Deric Fabian after their loss to LSU, during game 3 of the NCAA College World Series championship series on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Florida relief pitcher Cade Fisher delivers to the plate against LSU in the fifth inning, during game 3 of the NCAA College World Series championship series on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
LSU's Paul Skenes carries the trophy after defeating Florida in the game 3 of the College World Series championship series on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
LSU's Brady Neal pours a sports drink on coach Jay Johnson after the Tigers defeated Florida in the College World Series championship game Monday at Charles Schwab Field.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
LSU players celebrate the victory against Florida in the College World Series championship series final on Monday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Lincoln's Zach Keenan throws a pitch against Winnipeg on Monday at Haymarket Park.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
LSU's Alex Milazzo hurdles Florida catcher BT Riopelle to score in the fourth inning during the College World Series championship series final on Monday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Brenda Schmidt (left) and Charles Schmidt kayak at Holmes Lake on Monday. After a sunny day reaching a high the upper 80s on Monday, Tuesday could see a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. A big warmup is in store for Wednesday, with the National Weather Service forecasting a high near 100 in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Florida players wait to celebrate Jac Caglianone's (14) home run during a College World Series championship series game against LSU on Sunday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Finn Nash, Jaro Lepic, Liam Demshock and Liam Etkes (top, from left) have their sports memorabilia, including a replica of Homeplate, signed by Florida's Philip Abner before Game 2 of the College World Series championship series on Sunday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Florida's Cade Fisher celebrates after closing out an inning against LSU during the NCAA College World Series championship, Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Florida warms up during the NCAA College World Series championship, Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
With $5 in hand, Lincoln City Council member Tom Beckius checks the odds on a screen before placing his bet Thursday at WarHorse Casino. While the state's gambling regulations require bets to be placed on site at the casino, gamblers can use WarHorse's app to build out their wagers, making it easier and faster to place them in person.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Alex Azevedo sits on his dad's vintage motor car before the International Speedsters Trials and Reunions road trip Thursday morning.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
David Campbell, a recent graduate from Union college's international rescue and relief program, climbs and rappels from a tree alongside Mike Mikler (not pictured) on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln.
The duo, who had earlier created a giant swing, said they were climbing the trees for fun and practice. The program for International rescue and relief is a bachelor of science degree designed for students who want to serve and help others in disaster and humanitarian relief.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Southeast Community College Professor Michael Mellon teaches anatomy of the human brain to his class Tuesday in Lincoln. A change to community college funding in Nebraska will result in higher property taxes to support SCC next year, but officials say a tax credit will offset those increases.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
A'rielle Harvell (bottom), 5, slides down an inflatable water slide next to her sisters, Yahkira Harvell (top), 4, and Samirah Graham, 13, on Monday in central Lincoln. The temperature in Lincoln reached 96 on Monday and was in the 90s again on Tuesday. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the 90s and mostly sunny conditions for at least the next week.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Crane removal equipment sits on Q St. between North 9th and 10th St. temporarily closing the section of Q until June 23rd, Monday, June 19, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Malone Ribbon Dancers, including Maisey Ratliff, 8, dance during Lincoln's Juneteenth celebration Saturday at Trago Park.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Scott Copeland (Left) and Donnette Thayer (right) play Irish folk music with friends during the Hub Farmers Market at Union Plaza park on Wednesday. The markets are Wednesdays, from 5-7 p.m., through Sept. 20.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Open Harvest employees shovel gravel at the Open Harvest ground breaking in the Telegraph District, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Dynasty Volleyball players Abigail Mullen (bottom left), Reese Messer (left), Claire Cisneros (top right), and Skyler Pierce (right) share snacks and stories with one another as they rest on the catwalk overlooking the volleyball courts ahead of their next match during the Midwest PreNationals tournament on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Sports Pavilion Lawrence in Lawrence.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Fisherman Salem Alsareni, catches a 24 inch carp, weighing in at six and a half pounds at Holmes Lake, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Angela Gebhardt walks next to Star City Chorus during the Star City Pride Parade Saturday at the Nebraska state Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Foster Care Closet employee Brooke Horton lifts boxes of diapers onto the bus before departing for Norfolk on Friday.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor candidate Rodney Bennett answers questions from students and staff who are part of the College of Law on Thursday at the Office of the President.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Terrance McIntyre gets his hair cut by Treveon Phinney at 402 Fades Barber Shop on Thursday at Gateway Mall.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Eliana Athena Vargas Smith, 2, plays in the fountain at Union Plaza park on Wednesday, when temperatures reached 88 degrees in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Children extend their arms outward as they reach for bubbles to pop during a family fun night ice cream party on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the Charles H. Gere Branch Library in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Harper Trumble (top right) dances with her cousin Keegan VanDeWater (right) while Alexis Arai y Su Grupo perform as part of the Jazz in June concert series on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at in the Sheldon Sculpture Garden at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln. The first performers for Jazz in June drew a sizable crowd on Tuesday. The free concert series, held each Tuesday in June, will feature two sets of music from 7-7:45 p.m. and 8-8:45 p.m. Beyond the performances, the series will include education outreach coordinated by community centers and artists. A market offered food and drinks to hungry patrons. And a bike Valet will provided free, secure parking for bicycles from 5 p.m. until the end of the performance in the market.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
The Rev. T. Michael Williams signs the petition to repeal LB753 during Support our Schools Nebraska petition drive kickoff at the state Capitol on Tuesday.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Mia Masch, 5, has her hair adjusted by her father Ian while his pet parrot Mango rests atop his shoulder during an animal blessing ceremony at First-Plymouth Church.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Shriner clowns cover their hearts for the invocation before the Nebraska Shrine Bowl on Saturday at Cope Stadium in Kearney.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A rainbow is seen near Ralston High School stadium during the Nebraska High School Soccer Senior Showcase on Friday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Grace Jacobson of Lincoln holds a rainbow umbrella over a coffin prop in front of the Governor's Mansion on Thursday, the final day of the legislative session.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nikita (black) jumps into the dog pool as Pearl chases after her at Off Leash Dog Bar on Wednesday.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Lincoln East’s Carter Mick (10) poses for portrait , Monday, May 29, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Rebecca Rager greets her grandfather Alfred Zieg (from left) during a celebration before his birthday on Wednesday, in the Gramercy dining room on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at The Residence at Gramercy in Lincoln. 'It has been a life for sure," Alfred Zieg said during the celebration. "And on Wednesday I get to start all over again, right?"
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Muggs, a 6 year-old chocolate lab fetches his toy from the water following his dive on Saturday at Paws 4 Fun in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Fire fighters clear out hot debris pulled off of 411 Mulder Dr home after alert two back yard fire, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-bicyclist-life-threatening-injuries-collision/article_55f8f01a-1759-11ee-896b-2fdbcd41af85.html | 2023-06-30T16:36:10 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-bicyclist-life-threatening-injuries-collision/article_55f8f01a-1759-11ee-896b-2fdbcd41af85.html |
TUPELO — Tupelo officials have named Deputy Fire Chief Brad Robinson as interim fire chief of the Tupelo Fire Department following the upcoming departure of Chief Kelly Elliot.
Mayor Todd Jordan made the appointment one week after the city announced Elliott's resignation, which takes effective July 1.
“We are excited to have Brad Robinson lead the Tupelo Fire Department while we search for a permanent replacement for Kelly Elliott,” Jordan said in a press release. “Brad has risen through the ranks of the department and is very familiar with the day-to-day operations. He is well-qualified to lead the department and will do a great job.”
Robinson, who has more than 23 years of experience with the Tupelo Fire Department, has been the Deputy Chief of Operations since Oct. 2022.
“I look forward to the opportunity to continue the growth the Tupelo Fire Department has seen and serving the citizens of Tupelo,” Robinson said in a written statement.
Elliott’s resignation comes after he accepted a position as executive director of the Mississippi State Fire Academy. Meanwhile, the city hired former Saltillo fire chief and former candidate for Tupelo fire chief Mark Nowell as deputy chief of administration.
Elliott praised Robinson for his “unwavering work ethic and relentless dedication” to the department, adding that the fire department will be left in capable hands.
Chief Operations Officer Don Lewis said the search for a new fire chief will likely begin next week after the fourth of July holiday, noting he expects an extensive interviewing process much like the previous search that led to Elliott's hiring.
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/deputy-chief-brad-robinson-named-interim-tupelo-fire-chief/article_228047c8-175f-11ee-94fc-cb020162a673.html | 2023-06-30T16:37:08 | 0 | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/deputy-chief-brad-robinson-named-interim-tupelo-fire-chief/article_228047c8-175f-11ee-94fc-cb020162a673.html |
BAR HARBOR, Maine — In an effort to improve traffic congestion in downtown Bar Harbor, visitors will now have to pay more to park this summer.
Town council members voted last week to raise parking meter rates across downtown Bar Harbor, after implementing them four years ago.
The aim was for better turnover to free up more spaces for visitors, and town council Vice Chair Gary Friedmann said it has been working smoothly.
"I mean, you can actually go downtown and find a parking space now," Friedmann said.
Friedmann said he hoped the rates would incentivize vacationers to leave their cars at their hotel if they're staying close by or to even encourage folks to bike to their destination.
Last year, meters brought in close to $2 million dollars to the town according to Friedmann.
"That's really important revenue for a town that has less than 6,000 people but that's trying to provide services for millions of visitors every year," Friedmann added.
Some visitors say the increase could get costly, especially for those hoping to spend the day downtown.
"It's a little high, but it's a busy tourist town, so I also see why you would need to do that," Laurie Acker, who is visiting from Minnesota, said. "If you're here for a couple of hours, that's kind of a lot for parking."
For residents and workers, parking permits will be available for a discounted cost. One free seasonal permit will also be available per each registered car for residents.
Jesse Waiculoins, who works downtown, said that even with a parking permit, he believed spots would fill up quick, despite the separation from public parking.
"There's usually openings, but on busier days it fills up," Waiculoins said. "I don't think it's going to be different cause it's going to fill up either way." | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/bar-harbor-parking-meter-rate-increase/97-a519fe79-4f18-4641-8131-1798d9b615b5 | 2023-06-30T16:39:34 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/bar-harbor-parking-meter-rate-increase/97-a519fe79-4f18-4641-8131-1798d9b615b5 |
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – A new thrift and consignment store has opened for business in the old Amelia’s Restaurant space in Christiansburg.
“ThriftWell” officially opened its doors on June 26, and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The store is currently accepting donations. To schedule a pickup time for any large donations or items, click here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/30/new-thrift-and-consignment-store-opens-in-christiansburg/ | 2023-06-30T16:42:18 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/30/new-thrift-and-consignment-store-opens-in-christiansburg/ |
A Patrick County sheriff’s deputy is being praised for his heroic actions in saving a child from drowning in a pool.
According to the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jesse Pickeral and his family were recently on vacation, and while at a hotel pool, he noticed a motionless child at the bottom of the pool.
We’re told Pickeral swam to the bottom, recovered the child, and realized the child had no pulse. Deputy Pickeral then performed CPR for several minutes, and the child regained a pulse and began to breathe on his own.
Local paramedics arrived to transport the child to a hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery, the sheriff’s office said.
“Jesse doesn’t think he’s any kind of hero, as he gives credit to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for putting him in the right place at the right time to help the little boy,” Sheriff Dan Smith said.
Deputy Pickeral is currently a school resource officer at Patrick Springs Elementary School. He has worked for the sheriff’s office for 10 years and serves as part of the tactical response team. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/30/patrick-county-sheriffs-deputy-rescues-child-from-drowning-in-pool/ | 2023-06-30T16:42:24 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/30/patrick-county-sheriffs-deputy-rescues-child-from-drowning-in-pool/ |
WEATHER
Air quality alert issued for Maricopa County
The Arizona Republic
The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert for Maricopa County starting at 8:05 a.m. June 29. The warning expires at 9 p.m. June 30.
For the latest watches and warnings, see our weather alert page.
How do I protect myself during high pollution days?
When air quality is poor, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality suggests you take more care about being outdoors. Ozone levels are generally highest in the afternoon, so consider rescheduling activities and taking more breaks.
To avoid health risks associated with ozone:
- Reduce exposure by playing and exercising outdoors before noon.
- Limit vehicle idling when possible.
- Curtail daytime driving.
- Refuel cars and gasoline-powered equipment as late in the day as possible.
- Carpool.
- Combine trips.
- Limit vehicle idling by avoiding drive-thrus and excessive idling caused by long wait times making left-hand turns.
This article was generated by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff member. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-weather/2023/06/30/air-quality-alert-issued-for-maricopa-county/70373146007/ | 2023-06-30T16:46:47 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-weather/2023/06/30/air-quality-alert-issued-for-maricopa-county/70373146007/ |
'Caesar Rodney's ride': A 4th of July fraud not worthy of Delaware
When noted Delaware author George Alfred Townsend went to Georgetown for the Independence Day celebration in 1880, he was not going to be the main speaker.
The Wilmington Daily Republican reported on July 3, “The Grand Fourth of July celebration at Georgetown to-day will be a grand affair ... George Alfred Townsend will read a poem and Rev. J. S. Willis will deliver an oration.” Townsend may not have been the principal speaker, but his poem made faux history.
Born in Georgetown on Jan. 30, 1841, George Alfred Townsend’s father was the Rev. Stephen Townsend, who served Sussex County as a Methodist clergyman for more than half a century.
The Rev. Townsend’s son rose to national prominence on the basis of his vivid descriptions of the early battles of the Civil War for the New York Herald. While the war was still being fought, Townsend went to Europe, where his lectures enthralled audiences and confirmed Townsend’s skill as a storyteller.
After the end of the Civil War, he wrote a popular newspaper column under the nomme de plume “Gath” that further enhanced his reputation.
Townsend’s most famous fictional work was "The Entailed Hat," which was set partially in Sussex County during the early 19th century. The novel includes vivid descriptions of the area’s ironworks, slavery and the notorious Patty Cannon.
The blend of historically accurate detail, an imaginative fictional yarn and Townsend’s skill as a writer made "The Entailed Hat" a book that has enjoyed lasting popularity.
FOURTH OF JULY:Looking for Delaware, Maryland fireworks? Here is our list for 4th of July shows
When he spoke during the July 4th celebration at Georgetown, Townsend was determined to deliver a poem based upon the historic ride of Caesar Rodney and his critical vote on the Declaration of Independence.
In 1776, while the Continental Congress was considering the question of independence from Great Britain, news arrived in Philadelphia of a Loyalist uprising in southern Delaware. According to Townsend, after Rodney arrived in Lewes, he flirted with Sarah Rowland, who intercepted the dispatches from Philadelphia about the pending vote on the Declaration of Independence.
When he discovered Rowland’s plot, Rodney immediately hopped on his horse and scampered off to Philadelphia, where he arrived moments before the crucial vote was taken. Townsend’s poem and the Sarah Rowland yarn became an accepted part of southern Delaware lore.
The Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo in 1901 has been largely remembered as the scene of President William McKinley’s assassination.
According to the Delaware Gazette and State Journal, however, the Delaware exhibit was one that was best forgotten. The newspaper commented that the state’s exhibit, “resulted in a ridiculous burlesque, to the shame and discredit of the State.” Delaware’s display “consisted of a few plates of rather measly looking fruit … this was not Delaware fruit, but was purchased in Buffalo.”
"When the fruit began to rot, it was replaced by “a large copy of George Alfred Townsend’s poem, ‘Caesar Rodney’s Ride,’ framed and ‘hung in a conspicuous place,’ with a scheme in contemplation for having copies of this production printed for free distribution.”
The newspaper went on to comment that in future expositions, the Delaware exhibit, “shall be of a creditable character, in every way worthy of the State and its history.”
Unfortunately, veteran columnist and historian Bill Frank has shown that Townsend invented the Sara Rowland story in a Rehoboth Beach hotel shortly before he read the poem in Georgetown. Like the rotten fruit that it replaced, it was a fraud, a burlesque and not worthy of Delaware and its history.
Principal sources
Daily Republican, July 3, 1880.
Delaware Gazette and State Journal, Aug. 22, 1901.
Poetical Addresses of Geo. Alfred Townsend, New York: E. F. Bonaventure & Co., 1881, pp. 34-42.
William P. Frank, Caesar Rodney, Patriot, Wilmington: Delaware American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, 1975, pp. 25-27.
Hal Roth, ed., George Alfred Townsend, The Entailed Hat, Vienna, Maryland, 2000, pp. 2-3.
Jerry Shields, Gath’s Literary Work and Folk, Wilmington: Delaware Heritage Press 1996, pp. 17-20.
DELAWARE CHANGES:Wilmington says Caesar Rodney statue won't return to Rodney Square amid park renovations | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/delaware/2023/06/30/caesar-rodneys-ride-a-4th-of-july-fraud-not-worthy-of-delaware/70356563007/ | 2023-06-30T16:49:41 | 1 | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/delaware/2023/06/30/caesar-rodneys-ride-a-4th-of-july-fraud-not-worthy-of-delaware/70356563007/ |
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania may soon be changing its tune.
A proposal to establish a new state song got a positive vote Thursday in the House of Representatives, although there was some discord.
The resolution to establish an independent commission to review the history, solicit suggestions from the public and make recommendations passed the House of Representatives by a 138-64 vote. It was sent to the Senate for concurrence.
The current state song was adopted in 1990 by a similar committee tasked with the same job. The song “Pennsylvania” by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner was selected.
But the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joe Ciresi, a Democrat from Montgomery County, contends that these days no one really knows the song and he’s arguing it’s overdue for an update. (If you need a refresher, it starts aptly: “Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, mighty is your name.”)
“This is something we should take pride in,” he said. “This is something every member of this chamber should be able to sing, even if you don’t sing well.”
Rep. Craig Williams, a Republican from Delaware County, agreed. The first time he heard the state song was at the gubernatorial inauguration.
“It was a great performance of a bad piece of music,” he said. “I think we can do better.”
If the bill is approved by the Senate, a replacement for “Pennsylvania” will be sought. A search would be entrusted to members of the House and Senate, the public and music experts.
The ditty does have its supporters. Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, defended it, though ultimately he cast his vote in favor of the resolution.
“As a musician, there is no bad music,” he said. “There are only tastes in music.”
“Pennsylvania” was adopted decades ago from more than 200 submissions. When the Legislature approved that song, Khoury — then a retired prison administrator — told The Associated Press, “I feel great, I feel greatly honored. What can I say?″
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PITTSBURGH — A man who allegedly shot at multiple people along a busy Ross Township road in January was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on several charges for shooting at a mail carrier in Pittsburgh the same day.
Martinel Humphries, 28, was charged with forcible assault of a federal employee, use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Police say Humphries shot at five people along McKnight Road on Jan. 5, hitting a man and several cars. This happened shortly after Humphries shot at a postal carrier in Perry North, according to police. Humphries didn’t know any of the targets.
The mail carrier was not hit by gunfire.
Humphries remains in jail. He is scheduled to appear in court related to the other charges against him in August.
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Mariano “Nano” Birdno could be the next big thing for Flagstaff football.
That goes for his size -- listed at 6-foot-4 tall and 185 pounds on last year’s roster, and he’s probably grown since then -- and potential for the Eagles in his senior season this fall.
Birdno is a tight end and defensive lineman, and Eagles coach Mickey Clements will try to utilize him to boost both sides of the football.
Offensively, Birdno will be tasked with trying to make up for some of the lost production of 2023 graduate receivers Holden Sena and Jake Weidinger. Sophomore quarterback Chase Brown could find Birdno a useful target in an offense that will likely pass a lot this year.
“We hope to keep him on the field as much as we can. He provides a lot of matchup problems for defenses when he’s a tight end, and he can also play receiver. His connection with Chase makes a big difference for us,” Clements said.
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The quarterback and potential top target have started to make a connection in the summer.
“Nano, he’s crazy because I can always look for him,” Brown said. “If he’s open I can just throw the ball to him, and 99% of the time he’s coming down with it.”
“We’ve always been close since he started coming here,” Birdno added of his connection with the starting quarterback. “We hang outside of football but we also always throw the ball together in practice. You can definitely tell the chemistry is there for the passes and routes.”
Birdno is also a rugby player, and has competed with his club team throughout the summer. Clements often sees how the skills needed on the pitch relate to the football field.
“His comfort with the football in his hands is really great to see. A great receiver might have the ball in his hands six, seven, eight times a game, whereas a rugby player can have it for so much more in that game. It’s great to see the way he attacks the football when it’s going his way, and the physicality he has when he has it is awesome,” Clements said.
The other sport could also prove a boost for Birdno’s defensive abilities.
Teams can’t fully practice in the summer. The AIA won’t allow helmets, pads and full uniforms until a few weeks before the season begins. Offense -- aside from full blocking schemes from the offensive line -- can train on most of its playbook, and especially the passing game, in 7-on-7 competitions.
Defensively, tackling can be a challenge, though. But because of time spent playing rugby, Birdno has spent the offseason tackling -- and doing it correctly -- on a regular basis.
“You don’t have the helmet in rugby,” Birdno said, “so you’re a lot safer and have better technique with your tackles.”
Clements has high hopes for the senior as a defensive player.
“Because he’s so big, if he can establish the edge, it can do a lot for the rest of the line,” Clements said.
Birdno’s gotten a bit of recognition from college coaches in the past few months. He’s received a Division III offer from Carleton College in Minnesota, and has some verbal interest from other schools despite a lack of other schools pulling the trigger on an official offer.
Part of the hesitation is that much of Birdno’s potential is just that: potential. He has the size, strength and quickness to succeed at the next level. But, in playing behind some skilled players on both ends of the field the last couple years, he hasn’t fully actualized much of it. He also suffered a hamstring injury a few weeks ago, and wasn’t a full participant in some of the offseason camps he attended that might have increased his stock.
In 2022, Birdno had 17 tackles in four games, and didn’t register a catch as more of a blocking tight end than a catch-heavy target.
When he recovers, he hopes a solid senior year will be the ticket to his college dreams.
“It’s been unfortunate to have this injury, but I’m hoping to get my name out there,” he said. “This season is going to be big for me. I want to get a lot of good film out there to show coaches that I can play at the next level.”
Clements believes Birdno has a bright future as a college player.
“Having more film and having success on the film is going to be a start. But he’s a high-character guy with good grades,” Clements said. “I think he’s going to make some college coach really happy if they can figure out a way to get him on their campus.” | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nano-birdno-looks-to-have-breakout-season-for-eagles-football/article_ef8d674a-15da-11ee-ba01-0b2cf7fdfb8a.html | 2023-06-30T16:56:32 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nano-birdno-looks-to-have-breakout-season-for-eagles-football/article_ef8d674a-15da-11ee-ba01-0b2cf7fdfb8a.html |
MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A Marion County resident lost their home and their dog in a house fire Thursday night.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Firefighters said neighbors called 911 around 10:30 p.m. to report that the garage across the street was on fire with heavy smoke and flames visible. They said the homeowner also called 911 and reported everyone was out of the home and that they’d heard a loud “pop” in the garage.
Firefighters said the flames involved 75% of the home.
Photos: Firefighters battle house fire in Marion County
When firefighters searched the home, they found a dog inside and were able to remove it from the house. They said they tried to revive the dog with a pet oxygen max but were unsuccessful.
Firefighters said they had the fire under control by 10:55 p.m.
Read: Central Florida smoothie restaurant bursts into flames after explosion
Firefighters said the dog did not survive, but no one else was injured in the fire.
Investigators determined that an electrical issue caused the fire.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/house-destroyed-dog-killed-marion-county-fire/FB3OBERVENGKTO5YIHMHI2R4MI/ | 2023-06-30T17:01:54 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/house-destroyed-dog-killed-marion-county-fire/FB3OBERVENGKTO5YIHMHI2R4MI/ |
OCALA, Fla. — Several public parks in Ocala have reopened after being closed due to flooding last week.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Severe storms brought major flooding to parts of Ocala last week and several parks were closed for safety.
Watch: Thunderstorms flood streets, down oak tree in Ocala
Areas including Tuscawilla Park and the Letty Towles Dog Park have been closed for over a week.
Ocala officials said the parks were reopened at 8 a.m. on Friday.
Watch: 30-foot hole opens up in front of Ocala home, residents evacuated
The public parks are open from sunrise to sunset.
See more in the video above.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/public-parks-reopen-ocala-after-severe-storms-flooding-damage-last-week/2KYRDUQWRBBOPK6WUOZVEJXE5U/ | 2023-06-30T17:02:00 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/public-parks-reopen-ocala-after-severe-storms-flooding-damage-last-week/2KYRDUQWRBBOPK6WUOZVEJXE5U/ |
CELEBRATION, Fla. — A Reedy Creek firefighter is getting a second chance at life after his heart stopped while on the job.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Channel 9 was there as Steve Hollingsworth and his wife thanked the medical team that saved him at AdventHealth in Celebration.
In mid-April, Hollingsworth and his partner dropped off a patient at the hospital when he started feeling pressure on his chest.
Watch: Central Florida law enforcement informs community before permitless carry law takes effect
They didn’t think anything of it until he started feeling off.
After returning to the hospital his heart stopped as soon as he entered the emergency room.
Read: Sheriff: Polk County deputy shot, suspect killed in Frostproof shooting
“I remember I tried to grab the bed,” Hollingsworth said. “They told me I had a heart attack and my heart had stopped and they, you know, did CPR and shocked me back.”
The emergency room staff told us they were under pressure to save Hollingsworth because of friendship with him.
Watch: Girl shares story of shark attack while visiting Cocoa Beach with family
Some of the technicians compared it to operating on their family.
See more in the video above.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/reedy-creek-firefighter-thanks-medal-staff-that-saved-his-life-during-heart-attack/SY27T7AUNBF4TPEON5V4ZFTCEY/ | 2023-06-30T17:02:06 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/reedy-creek-firefighter-thanks-medal-staff-that-saved-his-life-during-heart-attack/SY27T7AUNBF4TPEON5V4ZFTCEY/ |
The upcoming holiday weekend will be filled with fireworks throughout South Jersey. Here's where you can watch this weekend and on the Fourth of July.
Friday, June 30
Atlantic City: 9:30 p.m., North Beach
Saturday, July 1
Barnegat: Dusk, Barnegat High School, 180 Bengal Blvd, Barnegat Township; rain date July 5
Egg Harbor City: 9 p.m., Renault Winery, 72 Bremen Ave, Egg Harbor City
Monday, July 3
Lacey Township: 9:15 p.m., Lacey Township High School, 73 Haines St, Lanoka Harbor; rain date July 5
Surf City: 9 p.m., on the bay at 17th Street
People are also reading…
Lower Township: 9 p.m., on the bay off Emerson Avenue in North Cape May; rain date July 5
Tuesday, 4th of July
Beach Haven: Dusk, on the bay at Taylor Avenue; rain date July 5
Tuckerton: Dusk, Lake Pohatcong
Atlantic City: 10 p.m., on the beach near Tropicana
Upper Township: Dusk, Amanda's Field, 1091 NJ Route 50, Petersburg; rain date July 5
Middle Township: Dusk, 626 Goshen Road
Ocean City: 9 p.m., on the beach at
Margate: 9 p.m., Huntington Avenue beach
Wildwood: 10 p.m., the Boardwalk
Cape May: 9 p.m., across from Congress Hall | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/where-to-watch-holiday-fireworks-this-weekend-and-july-4th/article_5d2c84b8-1511-11ee-afd3-cf73ec68af58.html | 2023-06-30T17:03:52 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/where-to-watch-holiday-fireworks-this-weekend-and-july-4th/article_5d2c84b8-1511-11ee-afd3-cf73ec68af58.html |
TEXAS, USA — Atmos Energy said in a release it recently became aware of an ongoing “search engine phishing” operation, where cybercriminals use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to place a fake website into a browser’s top search results.
Users who click on one of these “spoofed” websites will be redirected to what looks like a legitimate Atmos Energy page, but the fake page will feature a fake customer service number and other false information.
If a customer calls the fake customer service number, they may be asked to provide login credentials or other sensitive information the scammers can leverage to compromise bank, credit card or other accounts belonging to the same customer.
Telephone scams are also on the rise, including one where impostors call customers directly and offer a discount on their Atmos Energy bill if they pay immediately over the phone.
Reminders from Atmos:
- Atmos Energy will never ask for payment using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency or unauthorized third-party payment or mobile application.
- If you ever have concerns about the legitimacy of a call, hang up and call Atmos Energy customer service at 888-286-6700.
- Payment for an Atmos Energy bill should be made through the online Account Center or through other authorized payment methods.
- Atmos Energy will provide multiple notices and work to assist customers with payment plans and assistance options before any service interruptions take place.
- Unless there is an emergency, Atmos Energy employees will not call before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Central time.
“The most effective way to combat this recent increase in scam attempts is through education, awareness and extreme caution anytime someone contacts you about a utility bill payment,” Rochel Blakemore, Atmos Energy manager of public affairs, said. “In addition to online and telephone scams, beware of impostors demanding payment at your door. Always ask for an employee’s identification badge which displays name, photograph, and Atmos Energy logo. Our employees will not collect payments in person. If you suspect an impostor, call our customer service number at 888-286-6700 to verify the employee's identity and contact local authorities.”
Customers who suspect fraud or who feel threatened during contact with a scammer should contact local law enforcement authorities and Atmos Energy Customer Service at 888-286-6700, between 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays.
For more information and additional tips to protect against impostor utility scams:
- Visit the Atmos Energy website at atmosenergy.com/scams.
- Visit the Utilities United Against Scams website at utilitiesunited.org.
- Visit the Federal Trade Commission website at consumer.ftc.gov/
- Follow Utilities United Against Scams on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation by using #StopScams. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/atmos-energy-warns-customers-about-search-engine-phishing/504-4a901b6a-adf3-4949-96d8-7fcf64f965ba | 2023-06-30T17:07:31 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/atmos-energy-warns-customers-about-search-engine-phishing/504-4a901b6a-adf3-4949-96d8-7fcf64f965ba |
PLANO, Texas — The siblings of 32-year-old Sarah Dudley told WFAA on Thursday that they're fully dismayed the search for their missing sister ended with her husband being jailed in connection to her death.
"It just still doesn't feel real," Patrick Dowd, Dudley's brother, said. "She was just this openly warm person that was always willing to help anyone. She was so sweet and caring. We wish we could call her out of the blue, and she would answer, you know?"
Dudley was reported missing Saturday night by her husband, 37-year-old Karlton Dudley.
He's now charged with abuse of a corpse in connection to his wife's death and remains in the Collin County Jail. His bond has been set at $500,000.
On Monday evening, Sarah Dudley's body was found at Lake Lewisville near Hidden Cove Park in The Colony.
Her husband initially told the Plano Police Department that she never returned home from work Saturday evening and that he last saw her around 1:07 p.m., per court documents.
He told police that he never saw Dudley leave their apartment but guessed she left sometime before she needed to be at work which was 4 p.m. Dudley would walk to work because she had epilepsy.
Dudley's husband was wearing an ankle monitor in connection with another offense at the time of her disappearance.
Per court documents, Dudley's husband told investigators that he went to the area of Hidden Cove Park on Saturday to kayak but didn't get into the water because his kayak wouldn't inflate.
He told police he left after walking around a bit.
Investigators tracked the data on the ankle monitor. They told WFAA that Dudley's husband actually got into the water near the area where her body was later found, adding that he wasn't being fully transparent regarding his whereabouts.
Patrick Dowd, who spoke with WFAA alongside Sarah Dudley's sister Amy Pattison and sister-in-law Stephanie Dowd, said the development was unexpected.
"We were definitely surprised by it, but we just couldn't think of anybody that could hurt her. We were hoping that she was missing, and that's it. We weren't expecting this," Dowd said.
When WFAA asked if the family wanted the harshest punishment to be levied against Dudley's husband, Pattison replied, "Absolutely."
"We want justice for our sister," Dowd said.
Dowd told WFAA that Dudley was a kind soul, the middle child of the family, always following him around and interested in what he was doing.
"She loved all her nieces and nephews, they were like her kids because she couldn't have any. She would shower them with gifts, and she was just a great person," Dowd said.
"She was just always wanting to be around people. We're not asking for anything but prayers for our family. Sarah wants us to stay strong for her, but it's still tough."
Dowd and his siblings are raising money for Dudley's funeral in Chalmette, Louisiana, where they all grew up. If you'd like to help, you can donate to them via this Venmo account.
The Plano Police Department said Thursday that they don't believe the public is in danger following Dudley's husband's arrest.
At this time, a spokesperson told WFAA that investigators believe he acted alone in connection to the crime he's charged with.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) confirmed to WFAA that Karlton Dudley was a former Correctional Officer IV at the Gurney Unit near Palestine. TDCJ officials said it is no longer in operation and closed a few years ago. Dudley worked for the TDCJ from September 2007 to August 2016. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/family-of-sarah-dudley-dead-lake-lewisville-biggest-punishment-arrested-husband-karlton-dudley/287-91b35fda-95f3-46af-a923-1fe998d36c74 | 2023-06-30T17:07:37 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/family-of-sarah-dudley-dead-lake-lewisville-biggest-punishment-arrested-husband-karlton-dudley/287-91b35fda-95f3-46af-a923-1fe998d36c74 |
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Fourth of July is filled with hamburgers and hotdogs, time outside and for many people, a fireworks show.
This Independence Day, the majority of San Angelo offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
Closures include:
- The Animal Shelter
- City Hall and the Community Development Building
- City Hall Annex
- Fairmount Cemetery's business offices
- Municipal Court
- The Nature Center
- Parks and Recreation offices
- San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department
- Southside and Carl Ray Johnson recreation centers
- Station 618 and Santa Fe Crossing senior centers
- WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
Some establishments, including Lake Nasworthy Parks and Fort Concho, will remain open for holiday activities.
Middle Concho and Spring Creek Park will be selling day passes at $3 per county resident vehicle and $6 per non-resident vehicle.
Similarly, camping permits are on sale starting at $6 for one resident vehicle and $12 for non-residents. $20 bills and under will be accepted.
Additionally, Fort Concho will be firing artillery salutes from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. on the Parade Ground and regular paid tours will commence as usual from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Shooting off fireworks is also prohibited and can result in a fine of up to $5,000, which is especially critical during the burn ban.
Call 325-657-4315 to report firework activity in town. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/most-city-of-san-angelo-offices-closed-on-fourth-of-july/504-20a23c31-a401-4e72-9fcb-1a5e3700eaf3 | 2023-06-30T17:07:43 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/most-city-of-san-angelo-offices-closed-on-fourth-of-july/504-20a23c31-a401-4e72-9fcb-1a5e3700eaf3 |
ARLINGTON, Va. — A man visiting from Boston saw something completely unexpected while riding a Blue Line Metro train Wednesday night. You may have heard of snakes on a plane, but what about turtle on a train?
Rithvik Doshi was headed to Largo from Arlington around 7:30 p.m. when he said the turtle popped out from under one of the seats. He was understandably stunned by the wildlife hitching a ride on the train.
"I just stared with my jaw dropped for a good five seconds and watched while it crawled under another row of seats," Doshi said.
He pulled out his phone and took a video of the turtle traveler, just to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him.
After picking his jaw up off the floor, he spotted the Metro Transit Police hotline to report the shelled commuter.
"The person on the other side legitimately texted back, 'unattended turtle???' which I don't entirely blame them for because it doesn't happen every day," Doshi said.
Eventually he was able to convince authorities that he was being serious. Officers were alerted, and Doshi called the Humane Rescue Alliance to let them know about the turtle as well. Doshi said the turtle did not appear hurt or in distress.
A spokesperson for the Humane Rescue Alliance told WUSA9 that they picked up the turtle from the Metro, and it was eventually transported to DC City Wildlife.
City Wildlife was created to address the need for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Washington, D.C. Over the past several decades, urban development has reduced local wildlife habitat and wild animals have had to adapt to living in close proximity with people. Each year, hundreds of wild animals in D.C. are unintentionally harmed by people and the urban environment.
Doshi said he's used to seeing weird things on public transit in his hometown, but this was on another level.
"I've never encountered anything so farfetched," Doshi said. "This was just the weirdest thing ever."
It is not yet clear how the turtle ended up on the Metro in the first place. Doshi posted his photo of the turtle on Reddit, where commenters joked that he was in a race with a hare. Or that he was on his way to grab a slice of pizza.
A City Wildlife spokesperson confirmed with WUSA9 that the turtle is safe in their care, and that they are taking collections to get the traveling turtle a Metro card. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/turtle-on-wmata-metro-train/65-ec43ce4a-052d-4c1b-808c-2571d5690208 | 2023-06-30T17:07:49 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/turtle-on-wmata-metro-train/65-ec43ce4a-052d-4c1b-808c-2571d5690208 |
EATONTON, Ga. — An Eatonton woman is dead after she and a deer ran into each other on while she was on her scooter near Lake Oconee.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills says it happened about 8:30 Wednesday night on Ward’s Chapel Road.
He says 48-year-old Misty Renee Honeycutt was alive when first responders arrived, but she died soon after arriving at the Putnam County hospital.
He says she was driving a 2009 scooter she and the deer collided.
They did not find the deer, but the sheriff says they found deer hair in the wreckage.
They were not able to find a helmet where the crash happened, and Sills says Honeycutt suffered severe head and body trauma in the crash. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/woman-dies-after-getting-hit-by-deer-while-riding-scooter/93-ba21e3e5-64a2-4be7-b59c-2d7a7dd1671d | 2023-06-30T17:07:55 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/woman-dies-after-getting-hit-by-deer-while-riding-scooter/93-ba21e3e5-64a2-4be7-b59c-2d7a7dd1671d |
BALTIMORE — Baltimore police officers fatally shot a man who fired on officers who were pursuing him, the acting police commissioner said.
That’s when Worley said the man began firing at an officer riding by, striking the patrol vehicle and got out of his car. The man kept firing at officers as he continued down Milton Avenue and officers coming from the other direction fired at the man, striking him, and he died on the scene, Worley said.
The man had dropped one gun and was preparing to fire a second when he was shot, Worley said. No officers were injured, he said.
Worley declined to say what charges the man had faced, saying it was part of the investigation. It wasn’t clear where the officers began pursuing the man, he said.
The shooting will be investigated by the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division, which investigates police-involved deaths of civilians throughout the state. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2023/06/30/baltimore-police-shoot-man-dead-pursuit/baa4b01a-1765-11ee-9de3-ba1fa29e9bec_story.html | 2023-06-30T17:12:05 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2023/06/30/baltimore-police-shoot-man-dead-pursuit/baa4b01a-1765-11ee-9de3-ba1fa29e9bec_story.html |
Boom! Whoosh! Exploding mannequins illustrate what happens when you don’t handle fireworks safely
Heads exploded. A hand was blown off. Children caught on fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants you to have a blast with fireworks this Fourth of July, but at their violently explosive press conference on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Thursday, they asked Americans to keep safety in mind.
"Just last year we had at least 11 deaths associated with (fireworks) and over 10,000 trips to the emergency room related to fireworks," said CPSC chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. "And the deaths ranged from kids who were 11 up to 43.
"That's far too many people who are getting hurt, even killed from fireworks," he said.
And, to demonstrate, they blew up some mannequins. Here's what you need to know.
1. Never hold fireworks when you light them
Most of the deaths in 2022 were associated with mortar-style devices, the CPSC said in their 2022 Fireworks Annual Report.
The agency urges people to let professionals handle them or take steps to handle them safely. Never set off a mortar-style device while holding it, and never look inside the tubes after they fire to see if anything's left.
2. Never use M-1000 or other illegal fireworks
Driving up north to buy "the good fireworks" was once an annual tradition in some Florida families before fireworks became easier to find. But firecrackers resulted in the highest estimated number of ER visits in 2022; approximately 1,300, according to the CPSC. The injuries were caused by mishandling and at least partially due to sloppy construction.
In the agency's tests of selected fireworks sold in the U.S., nearly half of them contained "illegal components that could cause severe injuries" such as professional or faulty fuses that burned too quickly, prohibited chemicals, and "pyrotechnic materials overload."
“Fireworks are beautiful to watch, but they can be deadly when mishandled or misused, or if the fireworks themselves contain illegal components.” Hoehn-Saric said.
In one demonstration, a watermelon exploded after the professional 25-foot fuse on an M-1000 burned through nearly immediately, far too quickly for anyone to get away.
Other demonstrations included why you should never try to relight fireworks (with the mannequin's hand blown completely off) and why you should never point fireworks at anyone else (exploding bottle rocket in the eye).
3. Keep children away from fireworks, including sparklers
Sparklers may seem like the fun, "safe" fireworks to give to kids while the adults set off the big ones in the driveway, but they sent 600 people to the ER last year, according to the report.
"Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit," the report said. "hot enough to melt some metals."
The American Pyrotechnics Association recommends never lighting or holding more than one sparkler at a time, and keeping them at an arm's length away from the body. Children under 12 should remain under adult supervision and safer alternatives should be considered, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers.
Over a third (38%) of the people in the ER last year for fireworks-related injuries were there for burns.
4. Never make your own fireworks
According to the CPSC report, the parts of the body most often injured by fireworks in 2022 were hands and fingers (29%), head, face and ears (19%), legs (19%) and eyes (16%).
Other safety tips included:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
In addition to following your state and local laws around fireworks, here's what else the Department of Homeland Security recommends:
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
- Never place a part of your body directly over a firework or hold a firework in your hand when lighting.
- Only light one firework at a time.
“We want everyone to have a fun and safe celebration,” Hoehn-Saric said.
Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY, contributed to this report. | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/fireworks-safety-demonstration-mannequins-heads-hands-blown-off/70370441007/ | 2023-06-30T17:13:24 | 0 | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/fireworks-safety-demonstration-mannequins-heads-hands-blown-off/70370441007/ |
People have died from rip currents in Volusia. Are locals doing enough to warn visitors?
Lakeland mom Lori McElligott couldn't recall seeing any warning signs about rip currents before her longtime partner and fiance died in Volusia County.
She didn't see anything posted at her hotel about the rip current risk, she said in an interview in June. She didn't notice the warning signs posted on the beach. And she hadn't heard about the Volusia Beaches app ― which provides beach information such as conditions and where lifeguards will be.
"We didn't know there was any danger," she said at the time. "There was nothing posted. There were no signs posted."
Volusia County has seen at least three apparent rip-current-related deaths in recent months, and lifeguards have made hundreds of rip-current-related rescues this year. And at Panama City Beach on the Gulf Coast, seven died over nine days this month, according to the National Weather Service.
Despite the county's efforts to educate people on the dangers through signage and advertising, it's not clear how well-prepared visitors are when they go to the beach.
'If you panic, that's when you can get hurt'
Visitors from Lakeland, Orlando and other areas ― including a few New York-to-Florida transplants ― lounged on the beach and played in the surf near the Beach Safety headquarters in Daytona Beach around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
More than a dozen people took an informal quiz from the News-Journal about their rip-current knowledge. Several of them said they didn't know anything or much at all about rip currents or how to survive them. Some shared only a vague idea of what to do, while others were more knowledgeable.
"You're supposed to, like, swim to the sides, right?" one man asked.
"If you panic, that's when you can get hurt," another said.
Becca Monopoli, of Lakeland, put it like this: "Kind of let it go ... let it take you and go out to the sides to get out of it. The harder you fight, the worse it gets."
No one who spoke with the News-Journal had downloaded the county's beaches app and few could recall having seen a warning sign along the beach, though the county posts them.
The county describes a rip current as a "fast-moving" channel of water that can pull people offshore, regardless of their swimming expertise.
Here are Volusia County's tips for dealing with rip currents:
- If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm and do not fight the current. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim to the shore.
- If you are unable to swim out of the current, calmly float or tread water. If you are unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving or yelling for help.
- If you see someone in trouble, don't become a victim too. Throw the person something that floats. Get help from a lifeguard or call 9-1-1."
More tips:How to stay safe in the ocean when risks are high
It's also critical that people swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower.
Another reason to check the Volusia Beaches app is to find out where the staffed lifeguard towers are. The locations change based on expertise from Beach Safety.
But once a tower is opened for the day it stays open until all the towers close at 6 p.m.
"When lifeguards go on break, another lifeguard will staff the tower until they return," according to the county. "The only time a lifeguard would not be visible on a staffed tower would be they are responding to an incident."
The county pulls unstaffed towers away from the water, moves them toward the seawall and turns them to face away from the ocean.
Statistics and warning signs
Four people have drowned in Volusia County this year, according to the county. Here are some other statistics from county officials:
- Beach Safety has performed 1,305 ocean rescues so far this year. Of those rescues, officials know that 741 were rip-current related. The number of rip-current-related rescues is probably higher.
- In 2022, Beach Safety reported 2,175 ocean rescues. At least 1,297 of those were related to rip currents.
The county has rip-current information signs available, and Beach Safety has reached out to officials with the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County to let them know.
"Staff has delivered many to hotels that request them at no charge," according to the county.
The county has rip-current warnings on walkovers and beach-condition flags at every beach ramp. Toll workers also provide a Beach Safety brochure to beach drivers that includes information about rip currents.
Bob Davis, president and CEO of the Lodging and Hospitality Association of Volusia County, said he forwards safety information to member hotels and other people in the industry, including information about rip currents.
He said he didn't have information on how many hotels share warnings to guests about rip currents. But he said that most of them probably do.
"Why not protect our guests? We want them to return," he said. | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2023/06/30/volusia-lifeguards-have-made-hundreds-of-rip-current-rescues-thihundreds-of-people-from-rip-currents/70321584007/ | 2023-06-30T17:13:25 | 1 | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2023/06/30/volusia-lifeguards-have-made-hundreds-of-rip-current-rescues-thihundreds-of-people-from-rip-currents/70321584007/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Fireworks are a Fourth of July tradition, but not every city welcomes them with open arms.
Some cities have banned the big bangs and flashing sparks, or only allow them in certain areas.
The City of Portland said more fires are reported on July 4 than on any other day of the year in the United States, and nearly half of them are caused by fireworks.
In March of 2022, the Portland City Council permanently banned the sale and use of all consumer fireworks, including things like sparklers, for Independence Day.
The city said exploding fireworks are dangerous and can be traumatizing for children, pets, and war veterans.
Portland’s fireworks ban was implemented after three people died and several were injured in an apartment fire caused by fireworks in Northeast Portland on July 4, 2021.
Portland Fire & Rescue will investigate all fires that have a connection to fireworks and plan to hold people responsible.
Instead of using fireworks in the city limits, the city of Portland encourages the public to attend a professionally-operated fireworks display in the city or nearby.
Portland city officials ask the public to not call 911 to report fireworks use. This is to help ensure the 911 system is available for reporting active fires and serious medical emergencies and crimes.
Fireworks are also illegal within Vancouver city limits. Violators could be fined $500 or more for using fireworks within the city.
The city of Vancouver encourages people to call 360-597-7888 to report the illegal use of fireworks. Be sure to share the nearest cross streets of the location where the fireworks are being discharged.
The Vancouver City Council banned fireworks in 2015 and the ordinance went into effect in October 2016. Other regulations apply to anyone who lives outside Vancouver city limits. | https://www.koin.com/local/heres-where-fireworks-are-banned-on-the-fourth-of-july/ | 2023-06-30T17:14:22 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/heres-where-fireworks-are-banned-on-the-fourth-of-july/ |
Massive Berkley warehouses on brink of approval. But neither side is happy — Here's why
BERKLEY — The Planning Board will likely approve the special permit for a controversial proposal to build a pair of massive warehouses on Myricks Street — even as the decision will not leave either side entirely satisfied.
On June 27, Planning Board attorney Mark Borowski presented the board with a draft decision and guided them line by line through every condition on the draft permit and the conditions proposed by traffic and sound engineers, the abutters and the Planning Board itself regarding the proposal to build two warehouses on 58.9 acres of open land at 107 and 111 Myricks Street between County and Church streets.
The board could approve the plan as early as July 18.
The discussion revealed that the most relevant condition addressing abutters' noise concerns is that the applicant and tenants may not operate dock equipment from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
But tenants will be allowed a 24/7 operation within the warehouses.
Applicant concerned about limited dock hours
Borowski said that the petitioner's representative Josh Berman of MP Properties said in response to this condition that he will give himself six months to see if he can find a lessee that will be able to abide by the limited warehouse dock hours. Borowski said the petitioner will then have two years to begin construction.
As the Planning Board meeting adjourned, Berman said, "I really enjoyed working with the town on putting this permit together. I appreciate the board's thorough process."
But within the meeting itself, Berman indicated that permitting a 24/7 operation outdoors and indoors would better attract tenants for a warehouse use.
Which S-B workers made the most?Here are the top 11 for 2022-2023
Neighbors react to likely approval
The neighbors also were left unsatisfied.
Melinda Paine-Dupont, member of a Facebook group calling itself "Free Berkley" that has mounted a concerted effort to oppose the plan, said the abutters' concerns about this warehouse facility moving into their neighborhood were not being totally answered with these conditions. The abutters will still be unhappy.
"I think they have not been adequately addressing the concens of the residents of Berkley," Paine-Dupont said in an interview after the meeting, "especially the direct impact on neighbors."
"They've glossed over more things that should have been addressed. The right façade is not about color. It should match the neighborhood. The town needed the warehouse for the money we were getting from the company. Now we're getting less. The warehouse should be off the table."
Which Berkley employees made the most?Here are the top 10 highest earners in 2022
Likely conditions if plan is approved
Other draft permit conditions include, the applicant will:
- Make a one-time donation of $425,000 within 30 days of receiving a building permit for Phase One and pay normal assessed taxes
- Agree to one loading dock per 4,000 square feet of building area and one trailer storage spot per 2,500 square feet of building area
- Grant an easement to the town for a sidewalk or walkway from Church to County streets
- Work with the Planning Board on an "agreeable" color scheme for the front façade
- Not remove tree lines that border abutters
- Install an earthen berm on the north, south and west sides to minimize noise
- Direct truck traffic to head north only
At the meeting's conclusion, Borowski said he plans to have the next draft of permit conditions ready by July 4, with the possibility the board will make the final approval vote on July 18.
One warehouse building would measure 154,500 square feet, the other 162,500 square feet, with an "office component" that will cover approximately 10% of the buildings' floor space. | https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/berkley-ma-myricks-street-warehouses-planning-board-yes/70370060007/ | 2023-06-30T17:20:34 | 1 | https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/06/30/berkley-ma-myricks-street-warehouses-planning-board-yes/70370060007/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/local-developers-see-potential-in-former-homeless-encampment-near-fair-park/3287732/ | 2023-06-30T17:22:20 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/local-developers-see-potential-in-former-homeless-encampment-near-fair-park/3287732/ |
Police in Royse City are investigating an active shooter call where no injuries have been reported.
NBC 5 has learned there was a report of an active shooter at the Royse City Medical Lodge at 901 W. Interstate 30.
In a statement, police confirmed, "A shooter is in custody," the scene is secured and no one was injured in the incident.
Royse City Police have not shared any other details about the incident or the person taken into custody.
The Royse City Medical Lodge is a single-story medical facility specializing in short-term rehab, post-hospital recovery and long-term care. The building is located along the I-30 frontage road, adjacent to Anita Scott Elementary School.
Check back and refresh this page for the latest update. As developments unfold, elements of this story may change. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/one-in-custody-after-active-shooter-call-in-royse-city-no-injuries-reported/3287710/ | 2023-06-30T17:22:26 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/one-in-custody-after-active-shooter-call-in-royse-city-no-injuries-reported/3287710/ |
NORMAL — The Normal Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police in a campaign to urge motorists to stop speeding through the month of July.
According to an NPD news release, patrols will be stepped up in Normal and across the state from July 6 to 31.
“Speeding is dangerous and a direct cause of accidents,” Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli said in the release. “Our officers will be actively enforcing speed violations in an attempt to create public awareness to the dangers of speeding and to reduce traffic accidents in our community”
This campaign is made possible through federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT.
Photos: Emergency crews train on air disaster readiness at Bloomington airport
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Contact Drew Zimmerman at 309-820-3276. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DZimmermanLee | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/normal-police-to-join-speeding-enforcement-campaign-in-july/article_62817980-1761-11ee-b798-77c809390a71.html | 2023-06-30T17:22:38 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/normal-police-to-join-speeding-enforcement-campaign-in-july/article_62817980-1761-11ee-b798-77c809390a71.html |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/kids-shot-after-basketball-game-at-delco-park/3595973/ | 2023-06-30T17:24:45 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/kids-shot-after-basketball-game-at-delco-park/3595973/ |
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The Lineup | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/the-lineup/putting-the-ketchup-debate-on-ice-the-lineup/3595826/ | 2023-06-30T17:24:51 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/the-lineup/putting-the-ketchup-debate-on-ice-the-lineup/3595826/ |
Three children were hurt -- one critically -- as gunfire erupted following a basketball game in Delaware County Thursday night.
It wasn't immediately clear what led to the triple shooting at Yeadon Community Park around 10:30 p.m., Yeadon Police Chief Henry Giammarco Jr. said.
A basketball game had wrapped up and some people were shooting hoops when they heard gunshots, Giammarco said.
Three children -- police didn't give their ages -- were struck by bullets. Two were treated at the hospital and released, while a third remained hospitalized in critical condition Friday, Giammarco said.
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Police said they spoke to witnesses and recovered a gun at the scene as they continued to investigate.
Yeadon police asked anyone with information of who has video of the shooting to give them a call at (610) 623-1500.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/yeadon-basketball-court-shooting/3595999/ | 2023-06-30T17:24:57 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/yeadon-basketball-court-shooting/3595999/ |
KING COUNTY, Wash. — An "improvised explosive device" was discovered by a man Thursday evening while driving on the freeway, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) confirmed.
WSP District 2 PIO Rick Johnson shared a tweet Friday morning that the driver of a truck had called 911 after discovering a tennis ball with a fuse in it. The person's truck had a window smashed prior and the driver was on his way to get an estimate on the damage.
Bomb technicians arrived on the scene and determined that it was a "dangerous Improvised Explosive Device." Johnson said the device could have caused great harm or death if it had gone off. No additional information was given on what the device consisted of.
The technicians eventually declared the device safe, and no one was injured.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/improvised-explosive-device-tennis-ball-truck/281-60b0b830-c586-40c8-ae7a-c2ae8a348ee3 | 2023-06-30T17:28:23 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/improvised-explosive-device-tennis-ball-truck/281-60b0b830-c586-40c8-ae7a-c2ae8a348ee3 |
ATHENS, Pennsylvania — It was a champion's welcome home in Bradford County.
Izaak Hobday was paraded through the streets of his hometown after winning gold and silver medals in this year's Special Olympics held in Berlin, Germany.
"One of them is a 5K, for a 5K for second place, then the 1,500 first place with 5:26," Izaak said.
Two of Izaak's biggest fans are his father, Kenneth Ball, and grandmother Denise Hibbard.
The two say the medals hanging around Izaak's neck show that anyone can accomplish anything if they work hard enough.
"They're all here to show support to the kid that not only earned it but went above what anybody could've expected him to do and accomplish a goal that he set," Ball said.
"And when he was on the podium, he was congratulating, and he made sure he shook everybody's hand, and he did that even off the podium for events he wasn't involved in," Hibbard said.
The parade ended at Athens Area High School, where community members like Mike Henrich spoke about what it's like to see Izaak back home.
"Yes, this parade is for Izaak, but in a big part, it's also for the community to celebrate his success," he said.
At the end of the ceremony, Izaak was presented with a certificate from the Athens Township Board of Supervisors that will cement his accomplishments for decades to come.
Now Izaak says it's time for a new goal, representing the USA at the Special Olympics in 2027.
There’s a wonderful place that you really should see called The Land of Hatchy Milatchy. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/bradford-county/champions-parade-held-for-special-olympic-champion-izaak-hobday-athens-bradford-county-wnep/523-f5b41629-5172-46fd-8b84-d25f3bf22787 | 2023-06-30T17:29:04 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/bradford-county/champions-parade-held-for-special-olympic-champion-izaak-hobday-athens-bradford-county-wnep/523-f5b41629-5172-46fd-8b84-d25f3bf22787 |
YOUNGDALE, Pa. — A man could spend up to 14 years behind bars for shooting a dog in Clinton County.
In January, Clinton County SPCA workers found a dog with gunshot wounds in Wayne Township.
Through calls to the shelter, police found the dog belonged to James Standridge, who admitted to shooting it.
He pleaded guilty to charges related to animal cruelty.
The dog was later adopted from the shelter.
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Want to see what Newswatch 16's newscast was like in 1976? Head on over to WNEP's YouTube. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/clinton-county/man-sentenced-for-shooting-dog-in-clinton-county-james-standridge-wayne-township-wnep-animal-abuse/523-b0798afa-79c4-4512-867a-3c71155bf94a | 2023-06-30T17:29:04 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/clinton-county/man-sentenced-for-shooting-dog-in-clinton-county-james-standridge-wayne-township-wnep-animal-abuse/523-b0798afa-79c4-4512-867a-3c71155bf94a |
TAYLOR, Pa. — Crews are working to repair a water main break in Lackawanna County.
Officials with Pennsylvania American Water say the break happened on a 6-inch main around 3:30 p.m. Thursday along Keyser Avenue in Taylor.
A dozen homes and businesses are affected by the break.
Repairs are expected to be completed overnight in Lackawanna County.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/repairs-underway-on-water-main-break-in-taylor-lackawanna-county-keyser-avenue-pennsylvania-american-water/523-4a6f8811-1a8a-4f79-b92c-fa862dda911f | 2023-06-30T17:29:05 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/repairs-underway-on-water-main-break-in-taylor-lackawanna-county-keyser-avenue-pennsylvania-american-water/523-4a6f8811-1a8a-4f79-b92c-fa862dda911f |
COLONIAL BEACH — From the rooftop of his new townhouse, Duke Dodson certainly doesn’t mind the fine view of both the Potomac River, a few blocks to the east, and, in another direction, Monroe Bay, where he and many other locals keep their boats.
From his bird’s-eye vantage point, he also can see his complex’s swimming pool and putting green – as well as the work crews and heavy machinery constructing another 10 townhomes.
The development, School Hill Townes, is a work in progress — part of a major, $25 million development in various locations around Colonial Beach — much like the town itself, which is trying to recapture some of the magic of its long-ago glory days when steamboats made regular stops and tourists flocked here.
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“A well-kept secret,” said Dodson, of the town he has known since he was a kid, visiting with his father.
The project is headed by Dodson’s Richmond-based company, Dodson Development Group. It includes residential and commercial – besides the townhomes, a wine-and-cheese shop and co-working space are also already open — that will be completed in phases through 2025.
This all started when the town put up a dozen parcels for sale in early 2020 – some longtime vacant lots, others with charming old buildings – that allowed for the potential of significant and complementary development. Dodson, whose company has been involved in numerous projects around Richmond, was attracted to that possibility, but he also was drawn by a more personal aspiration.
He and his wife, Jessica, had been scouting around for a second home near the water for their young family, and Colonial Beach checked the boxes: it’s on the water, less than a 90-minute drive from their home in suburban Richmond and it’s still affordable. It’s also hardly secluded, as some places on the water can be, and is a comfortable small town – about 4,000 full-time residents -- where many people get around on golf carts.
“So we felt there are other people like us that wanted the same concept,” he said.
Rebounding after 'economically stale decades'
Dodson, 43, also had a bit of history with Colonial Beach, having come there as a kid with his father, a recreational boater who loved being on the water and gravitated to Colonial Beach the same way his father had.
Colonial Beach was incorporated in 1892 as a summer resort town for those who lived in Washington, a 40-mile boat ride away, which launched the first era of “glory days” for Colonial Beach, according to Mayor Robin Schick.
In the summers, steamers deposited thousands of D.C. residents in Colonial Beach, which became known as the “Playground of the Potomac.” The town developed a thriving boardwalk area, hotels and other amenities, though the arrival of the automobile led to the decline of steamboats and a downshift in tourism.
Come the 1950s, Colonial Beach returned to prominence when Maryland legalized slot machines, and entrepreneurs took advantage of the fact Maryland owned most of the Potomac River, within a few feet of the Virginia shore, and erected wharves from the Virginia side of the river to small casinos built on piers in the Maryland part of the river.
Tourists flocked again to Colonial Beach, but that era also was short-lived as Virginia officials convinced the Maryland legislature to amend its slot machine law in 1958, making slot machines illegal in casinos unreachable from Maryland soil. In the years since, Colonial Beach has gone through what Schick says were “economically stale decades.” It wasn’t helped by things like a marina fire in 2002 that destroyed 50 boats and 100 slips and Hurricane Isabel that devastated the town in September 2003.
In the 1980s, with an eye toward redevelopment, the town reclaimed a number of properties in its boardwalk and downtown area, but nothing came of the plans, she said.
“I think everybody who comes to Colonial Beach can see what a gem and what potential it has,” said Schick, noting among other attributes the town has the second-largest public beach in the state behind Virginia Beach, “but it wasn’t getting there.”
Entering into a development agreement with Dodson in 2020 kick-started what had been contemplated decades earlier. It was a move, Schick said – the developed property ultimately will be owned by Dodson’s company with the new businesses and residents providing vital tax revenue – that “needed to happen in order (for the town) to survive.
“This is the most significant development I’ve seen in my lifetime,” said Schick, who grew up in Colonial Beach and served on the town council before being elected mayor.
Town manager India Adams-Jacobs said the development marks “a transformational period for our town” that will revitalize the boardwalk and downtown “for generations to come.”
Besides School Hill Townes, which is built on the site for a former school that was leveled by fire more than a decade ago, the various pieces of development include:
- Condos, apartments, retail space and a pair of restaurants along the waterfront;
- The renovation of one of the town’s iconic structures, a lovely old bank building constructed more than a century ago, into co-working space, event space and a short-term rental apartment (the old vault is a conference room);
- A boutique hotel, planned for a later phase, and will be located near Riverboat on the Potomac, an existing event space, gambling and off-track betting site that is, like the casinos in the olden days, extends into the Potomac and is technically in Maryland.
Next door to the bank is the recently opened Circa 1892, a wine, cheese and gourmet food shop that its owner-operators, Susan Mack and Edward Hart, says is unlike any place nearby and have a good feeling about their chances for success.
“I think it’s the right time with the development that’s going on,” Mack said a few days before Circa 1892 opened in late June. “We have people who live here full-time and people who have second homes here, and a lot of people are looking for these kinds of items to add to their kitchens.”
She added with a laugh. “And we have lots of friends who promise to keep us in business.”
'Wonderful little town'
Mack and Hart are transplants to Colonial Beach. Mack, a former licensed clinical social worker, and her husband, Bryon, lived in Chesterfield before buying a weekend home in Colonial Beach, where they moved full-time six years ago. Hart, who retired from a career with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and his husband, Eric, relocated from Northern Virginia.
“It’s a really eclectic, wonderful little town,” Mack said.
She noted Colonial Beach enjoyed a resurgence during the pandemic when people from cities discovered the town.
“People came during COVID and felt safe here,” she said. “I felt so lucky to be living here. I could take a walk around the block and look at beautiful water and osprey and herons, while people (in big cities) were stuck in apartments and were afraid to go down the elevator.”
There is much to commend Colonial Beach, Mack and Hart said, from its numerous annual festivals – Potomac River, Osprey and others – to its regular “sip and stroll” events where visitors can walk around the downtown area and beach with wine, cocktails or beer. Just down the block is the recently restored, 1950s-retro Riverview Inn and numerous other lodging possibilities. There are two breweries, two coffee shops, a number of restaurants and an ice cream shop. The Bell House, the summer home of Alexander Graham Bell, is across Irving Avenue from the beach.
As far as the town’s growing popularity, Hart said, “People spend a weekend here and buy a house.”
Reid and Lindsey Martin sort of did that.
The Ashland couple, friends of Dodson, had been looking for a river home for their family of five and completely fell for Colonial Beach when they visited and wound up acquiring one of the School Hill Townes townhouses.
“It’s very close to Richmond, less than an hour from our house and there’s so much to do,” said Lindsey Martin, who runs a photography business.
The family visits on weekends and also rents out their place as an Airbnb. They’ve had visitors from Maryland and Williamsburg, and everyone seems to appreciate Colonial Beach for its central location and its small-town feeling, she said.
At the moment, Colonial Beach is “a town under construction this year,” said Schick, the mayor. Besides the redevelopment project, the town is putting in new water and sewer lines. Despite the commotion, Schick is hoping visitors will come for a day or a weekend or longer to see what the town has to offer.
“I just want to invite people to rediscover Colonial Beach,” she said. | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/development/colonial-beach-dodson-development-group/article_a7df52c4-167e-11ee-92ca-4f7933ff6387.html | 2023-06-30T17:29:11 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/development/colonial-beach-dodson-development-group/article_a7df52c4-167e-11ee-92ca-4f7933ff6387.html |
A former teacher at Hungary Creek Middle School has been indicted on charges of sexual acts between an adult and a teen.
Henrico authorities charged Megan Pauline Jordan, 25, of Chesterfield, with eight counts of carnal knowledge/statutory rape and two counts of indecent liberties.
Henrico County police in a statement said they were made aware in early June of potentially inappropriate acts between an adult and student. The incidents are believed to have occurred during the 2022-23 school year, police said.
Police collaborated with the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and gathered enough information to seek indictments against Jordan, officials said.
Jordan appeared in court Friday and remains in the custody of the Henrico County Sheriff's Office without bond. Police say no additional details will be made available as the investigation remains active.
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Laws taking effect Saturday to bring change to Virginians' daily lives
Messages left with the school principal and district superintendent were not immediately returned Friday.
Henrico Police are asking anyone who may have been affected or has additional information to contact Det. Grant at (804) 501-7700 or make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
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From the Archives: Richmond buildings that are no longer around
This January 1946 image shows Forest Lodge, completed in the early 1880s by Confederate Army scout John Cussons. The six-story resort hotel stood on 1,000 acres in Glen Allen on Mountain Road and boasted more than 100 rooms. It never became the success that Cussons envisioned, and after changing hands and purposes several times, it was razed in 1992. The cupola was saved and can be seen at Mountain Road and Old Washington Highway.
Staff photo
Shown in December 1957, this building at 1600 Chamberlayne Parkway and several others behind it - the former plant of Valentine's Meat-Juice Co. - were slated to be torn down after being sold to the Noland Co. Valentine's Meat-Juice was marketed as a tonic, used for such maladies as cholera and typhoid. It gained attention after Mann S. Valentine Jr. created it in order to cure his wife, Ann Maria Gray Valentine, from wasting away in 1870.
Staff Photo
In September 1961, about 25 alumni of Richmond’s old John Marshall High School demonstrated against a plan to demolish the building. After protesting there, the group went to City Hall to discuss the matter with City Council. Despite their efforts, the high school was razed that fall.
Staff photo
In April 1982, preparations for construction of the Richmond Convention Center were underway along East Broad Street downtown. Among businesses that were torn down to accommodate the new facility were Swatty’s Men’s Shop and the Greyhound bus station.
Lindy Keast Rodman
This January 1953 image shows houses on Belvidere Street in Richmond, as seen near Rowe Street, which were to be taken by the city for a proposed war memorial. The row formed the western boundary of a block that city officials were preparing to acquire. The Virginia War Memorial was dedicated in February 1956.
Times-Dispatch
This May 1953 image shows the First Market building, which was razed in 1961. This site now houses the 17th Street Farmers Market, but its history as a public gathering place and market dates to the 1700s. Over time, it hosted Confederate soldiers, Union troops, political speeches, a police station and religious revival meetings in addition to farmers’ wares.
Times-Dispatch
This October 1948 image shows the northeast corner of Third and Franklin streets downtown, where demolition soon made way for the new Times-Dispatch mechanical plant that opened in 1950. In the late 1990s, the site was fully renovated, and The Times-Dispatch building, which had fronted Grace Street, was given its current address of 300 E. Franklin St. 10-1-1948: Building at Third and Franklin to be razed for newspaper mechanical plant. ORG XMIT: RIC1311011539563729
RTD Staff
The Azalea Mall in 1970.
Staff photo
03-22-1962 (cutline): These buildings will be razed for construction of modern ones. Latest in downtown improvement plans announced today.
Staff photo
03-26-1959 (cutline): Home of Maj. Myers, 515 W. Franklin St., before it was razed.
Staff photo
09-15-1959 (cutline): These buildings, in the Pearsall block, bounded by Ninth, Clay, 10th and Leigh Streets, are being torn down to make way for the new Richmond Department of Public Safety Building, the first unit of the Civic Center. The M&M Wrecking Co. has contracted with the city to demolish the buildings and remove all combustible materials by December in return for such materials as it can salvage. When the property is cleared, the city will decide on further use of the area pending construction of the new building. One possible use; parking.
Staff photo
Published Caption Richmond News Leader: Down She Goes - With the rest of the church already knocked down, workmen began yesterday demolishing the Gothic tower of the former All Saints Episcopal Church building in the 300 block West Franklin St. An apartment building is planned for the site, where the church stood for 60 years. Published Caption Richmond News Leader 2-21-91: The All Saints Episcopal Church building at 316 W Franklin St was sold for $85,000. The tower was the last part demolished.
Staff photo
In May 1977, this 150-foot smokestack came down. The smokestack stood behind what used to be Broad Street Station in Richmond; the demolition was part of a contract with the state for removal of the stack and several buildings in the area.
Don Pennell
This October 1964 image shows a set of buildings at the corner of 13th and Main streets in Richmond that were due to be demolished to make way for a parking lot. The lot, which was scheduled to be completed in February, was designed to handle about 40 cars.
Staff photo
11-29-1963 (cutline): Downtown traffic--Both pedestrian and vehicular--is heavy despite rainy skies. Pace picked up as rain slackened on traditional first day of Christmas shopping. The Atlantic Life and May Co. building were demolished in the early 2000s.
Staff photo
June 21, 1963 (Photograher Carl Lynn) (cutline) "These houses in the 800 block of West Grace St. are to be razed for a high-rise apartment building in Richmond Va.
In October 1961, a crane swung a wrecking ball against the portico of the old John Marshall High School in downtown Richmond as a nostalgic crowd watched. The building was being razed to make way for development of the new Civic Center; the new high school opened in North Side the previous year.
Times-Dispatch
In May 1954, buildings in the 500 block of Marshall Street in Richmond were soon to be razed to make way for additional parking.
Staff photo
In September 1982, a section of the former Pinnell’s boat and bicycle shop on lay in ruins after demolition the day before. The store was razed to make way for a 3-story medical office building - the new $24 million structure was built between Grace and West Broad streets, close to Richmond Metropolitan Hospital. Today the building serves as a Virginia Commonwealth University dormitory.
Clement Britt
This 1957 image shows Pratt’s Castle, built as the Richmond private home of William Abbott Pratt in the 1850s. Pratt used all of his fortune to construct his castle, which was modeled after the estates of his Scottish relatives. The castle sat on the southern tip of Fourth Street on Gamble’s Hill, overlooking the James River. It was demolished in the late 1950s to make way for the headquarters of what became Ethyl Corp.
Times-Dispatch
In September 1954, owners of the old Richmond Tobacco Exchange building at 13th and East Cary streets announced that it would be razed the next year to make way for a parking facility. The exchange opened in 1858 -- formerly, officials inspected tobacco at many warehouses all over the city, and the new building aimed to centralize the process.
Staff photo
This August 1972 image shows the Virginia State Penitentiary, then located along Spring Street in Richmond. At the time, the state was considering options to replace the old and cramped pen, with one plan calling in part for a facility in the Green Springs area of Louisa County. Today the site is largely occupied by Afton Chemical Corp., a united of NewMarket Corp.
P.A. Gormus | https://richmond.com/news/local/crime/hungary-creek-middle-school-former-henrico-county-middle-school-teacher-charged-with-crimes-involving-minor/article_d7df56f4-1755-11ee-872c-aba39426c4ef.html | 2023-06-30T17:29:17 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/crime/hungary-creek-middle-school-former-henrico-county-middle-school-teacher-charged-with-crimes-involving-minor/article_d7df56f4-1755-11ee-872c-aba39426c4ef.html |
AVOCA, Pa. — Smoky skies meant Marty Wachna couldn't fly home as planned. He was in the area for business this week, and his flight from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to Chicago was canceled.
"I had to quickly find a place to stay. Because of Peach Fest, all the hotels were booked. Fortunately, I was able to get a spot in a hotel. Went back to the hotel, had to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning to get back home this morning."
The smoke is just one issue in the air this holiday weekend.
Another possible problem could come Saturday when wireless companies roll out their new 5G networks.
Not all planes have installed updated equipment that protects against interference from the 5G signals.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned airlines that planes without this equipment won't be allowed to land in bad weather or in poor visibility.
When Elizabeth Femmer found out about this, she was relieved she was getting out before the rollout on Saturday. She doesn't anticipate any problems on her trip to Myrtle Beach.
"This is a routine trip for me. I do this a couple of times a year."
Jeanne Hannivig-Jones is hoping for a problem-free flight too. She was visiting her father in Carbondale.
"I hope so because I have a cocktail party to get to in Florida, so hopefully, it all goes well."
Even though Wachna's trip home was off to a rough start, his attitude is positive.
"It is what it is. It's summertime, it's Fourth of July weekend, and the smoke from Canada is just affecting everything now."
Everything out of the airport in Luzerne Count Friday morning was on time.
Check the status of your flight with the WNEP Flight Tracker HERE.
Get the complete Stormtracker 16 forecast HERE. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/5g-rollout-could-impact-air-travel-over-holiday-weekend-wilkes-barre-scranton-international-airport-cancellations-delays/523-8b959aec-32e0-4bef-a1d8-a7a75f16c11b | 2023-06-30T17:29:21 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/5g-rollout-could-impact-air-travel-over-holiday-weekend-wilkes-barre-scranton-international-airport-cancellations-delays/523-8b959aec-32e0-4bef-a1d8-a7a75f16c11b |
PITTSTON, Pa. — The Fourth of July holiday weekend is getting off to an early start in Luzerne County.
This was the opening night for the Pittston Township Fire Department's Picnic.
A parade stepped off on North Township Boulevard before ending at the fairgrounds.
There was fun for the whole family, with plenty of rides, drinks, and food cooked by the firefighters themselves.
"We just moved here from New York, so it's six months in Pittston, but we're loving it though," said Star Andoh, Pittston.
The Pittston Township Fireman's Picnic runs until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and ends at 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/firemans-picnic-opens-in-pittston-township-pittston-township-fire-departments-picnic-wnep/523-00f3739b-27e3-4076-8fa1-00d37ca44a6f | 2023-06-30T17:29:27 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/firemans-picnic-opens-in-pittston-township-pittston-township-fire-departments-picnic-wnep/523-00f3739b-27e3-4076-8fa1-00d37ca44a6f |
PITTSTON, Pa. — Many high school students spend their time off from school at a summer job.
Anthony Basilio of Wilkes-Barre is ready to get to work.
He is one of four blind and visually impaired high school students working at Pittston City Hall this summer. This is more than just a job to him.
"I'm actually blind in my right eye. So I think by working in this program, I get to show people that even if you are blind, you can do anything, said Basilio.
It's orientation day for the "My Work" Program. A collaboration with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services and Northeast Sight Services.
"They are going to be working with us for four weeks, Monday through Friday doing various activities throughout the city, explained Sara Peperno, President/CEO of Northeast Sight Services.
City officials say they already have some ideas for how to incorporate the students' skills into their jobs.
"Their main skill level is technology, So they are going to help us with websites, social media, and hopefully, a podcast is coming soon for the City of Pittston," said main street manager Mary Kroptavich.
"It gives them an opportunity to learn some of the things they like to do, but also things in the community that they can help with, so we are giving them an opportunity to try new things and get the experience for when they are ready to work," said Peperno.
The students tell Newswatch 16 they're excited.
"The experience to meet new people and work on lots of projects, helping the community, specifically in the technology side of things, and just getting out of the house," said
Their first day on the job is Monday, July 10th.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/more-than-just-a-summer-job-for-students-in-pittston-luzerne-county-anthony-basilio-sara-peperno-mary-kroptavich/523-73dcb31a-a2b8-49a9-9a12-06978741ecb3 | 2023-06-30T17:29:33 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/more-than-just-a-summer-job-for-students-in-pittston-luzerne-county-anthony-basilio-sara-peperno-mary-kroptavich/523-73dcb31a-a2b8-49a9-9a12-06978741ecb3 |
LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Work on a bridge project in Luzerne County will affect traffic again overnight.
Crews have been closing Interstate 81 during the night near the Suscon Road bridge project.
PennDOT will close the southbound lanes of I-81 Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday.
The following detours will be in place:
- From Interstate 81 northbound, take Exit 175 (Dupont/Pittston) to Route 315 to the Interstate 81 on-ramp in Avoca.
- From Interstate 81 southbound, take Exit 178 (Avoca) to Route 315 to the Interstate 81 on-ramp in Dupont/Pittston.
PennDOT officials have not said if there will be highway closures on Friday night.
Check real-time conditions with the WNEP Traffic Tracker.
PennDOT updates are available HERE.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/penndot-plans-interstate-81-closure-thursday-night-suscon-road-bridge-detour/523-27bcc114-2be5-4ea8-8095-72321a106fd4 | 2023-06-30T17:29:39 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/penndot-plans-interstate-81-closure-thursday-night-suscon-road-bridge-detour/523-27bcc114-2be5-4ea8-8095-72321a106fd4 |
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Think twice before you pick a parking spot in the city of Wilkes-Barre.
"People are going to start getting tickets when they park where they shouldn't," said Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown.
Wilkes-Barre is using new technology from a company called Municipal Parking Services. They're called "safety sticks," and there are ten of them scattered around the city.
"They are in spots that are high-violation areas, safety issues, fire hydrants, handicapped meters. Also, there are some that are lanes of traffic where people have a tendency to park," said Rob Sliker, with the city's parking enforcement.
"We do have parking enforcement officers, people out five days a week, but they can't hit every place, so this will be an addition to the parking enforcement officers that are out there," the mayor explained.
The safety sticks are installed and monitored by the company at no cost to the city. The sticks do all the work; cameras inside take time-stamped photos when a car parks and when it leaves.
"That info is then sent to the cloud, which goes to an office in Boston where it's reviewed, and if everything is OK, a citation is mailed out to the vehicle owner," Mayor Brown said.
City officials say that every month they'll get a report of citations issued at each safety stick location.
For every $25 parking ticket issued, Municipal Parking Services gets a $2 cut.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/safety-sticks-snag-parking-scofflaws-in-wilkes-barre-enforcement-violations-tickets/523-efd2a4b9-46a0-4da4-9901-b73ecd634d46 | 2023-06-30T17:29:45 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/safety-sticks-snag-parking-scofflaws-in-wilkes-barre-enforcement-violations-tickets/523-efd2a4b9-46a0-4da4-9901-b73ecd634d46 |
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — It's a sure sign that summer is here, the opening of farmers markets across northeastern and central Pennsylvania.
Dozens of farm stands, food trucks, and other vendors set up shop at the farmers market in Public Square.
People stopped by to pick up fresh produce and other locally made items.
Despite the weather being a bit all over the place this year, there are plenty of fruits and veggies available.
"In the beginning there, it was dry, then in the past week or so, we got all that rain, and that picked everything up, and everything just shot," said Chris Dymond, Dymond Farms.
The farmers market is open every Thursday through November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/wilkes-barre-farmers-market-opens-for-season-luzerne-county-public-square-vendors-stands/523-7b6e09dc-46a5-42fc-8c9d-58a97b937efd | 2023-06-30T17:29:51 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/wilkes-barre-farmers-market-opens-for-season-luzerne-county-public-square-vendors-stands/523-7b6e09dc-46a5-42fc-8c9d-58a97b937efd |
MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — Police in the Poconos are looking for a missing man.
Daniel Martinez, 62, was last seen at his residence in Price Township, outside of Cresco, in the late evening hours of Wednesday.
Troopers say Martinez suffers from numerous health issues and left the residence to walk to a local store without his cell phone.
Martinez is approximately 5'2" tall, 145 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black polo jacket, white t-shirt, light blue jeans, and black shoes.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact 911 immediately.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/monroe-county/man-reported-missing-in-the-poconos-price-township/523-141dfbf5-ef56-49b4-95c2-16ab8339c36a | 2023-06-30T17:29:57 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/monroe-county/man-reported-missing-in-the-poconos-price-township/523-141dfbf5-ef56-49b4-95c2-16ab8339c36a |
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