Latest news with #DEP
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield eyes additional demolition phases
BLUEFIELD — Two additional phases of demolitions could be planned for Bluefield's future. The Bluefield Board of Directors voted earlier this week to proceed with phase seven of the city's demolition program, which involves the removal of four structures. But city officials also are mapping out two additional demolition phases for the future involving 55 additional structures. The phase seven project involves the demolition of four buildings at a total cost of $158,000, according to City Code Enforcement Director Mika Bargo. The city board voted unanimously Tuesday to issue a notice to proceed on the phase seven demolitions to Empire Salvage. City Manager Cecil Marson said phase seven of the demolition program will involve properties on Pulaski Street, View Avenue, Commerce Street and Giles Street. 'All we are doing now is giving them the notice to proceed and start,' Marson said. The demolition program has been funded through the Department of Environmental Protection's REAP program. Bargo said the city to date has completed 154 demolitions through the use of $2.1 million in DEP funds. 'Currently we are working on phase seven, which is four problem structures in the city at a total of $158,000,' Bargo said. 'This will be the last of the current REAP money. We do however have two more phases we are looking at.' Bargo said the proposed phase eight would involve the removal of 10 additional structures at an estimated cost of $128,500. 'We also have a phase nine that we are looking at which would probably be an estimation of around a million dollars,' she said. 'It's 45 structures, several of those large commercial structures that we would like to get down and something like that would open up some space in the city for businesses.' Bargo said the city's code enforcement office is still looking at additional properties and mapping out the future phases. The city also would need to secure additional state funding for the future demolition phases. Similar demolitions have been ongoing on the county level through the DEP REAP program. Earlier this month, a two-story building in Matoaka was torn down through the use of remaining DEP funds. Since 2023, the county has spent a $1.5 million grant clearing up blight. Another $750,000 grant was awarded to the county in January 2024 through the DEP for demolitions. Of that grant, approximately $87,000 was still remaining earlier this month. Lori Mills, the county's Dilapidated Structures Officer, said in an earlier interview that the county does intend to apply for additional DEP funds for future demolitions. 'Money-wise, this is the last one for now,' Mills said. 'But should we get additional funding, yes, there are several more that could come down.' More than 300 dilapidated structures have been removed on the county level to date. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Philadelphia weather: Code Orange Air Quality Alert issued ahead of Thursday heat, haze
The Brief A Code Orange Air Quality Alert for ozone is being declared for Philadelphia and Southwest Pennsylvania for Thursday, officials said. Thursday is forecasted to be the hottest day of the year, so far, and with wildfire smoke from Canada combined with moderately high humidity and a southwest wind, conditions will feel oppressive. PHILADELPHIA - Thursday is likely to be the hottest day of the day, so far, and with hazy, hot and humid conditions, officials have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone. Those sensitive to uncomfortable humidity or with respiratory issues should take care to stay inside a cooler location. What we know The forecast for Thursday across the region is calling for hazy, hot and humid conditions. Temperatures could exceed 90 degrees in many locations in the Delaware Valley, while dew points will head into the 60s, which can feel uncomfortable. Additionally, winds will blow out of the southwest from 10 to 15 mph, which also creates uncomfortable conditions and wildfire smoke from Canada is continuing to blow into the region. The combined circumstances prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to issue the alert for the Delaware Valley and in the Pittsburgh region. What you can do Sensitive groups, including the elderly, children, and people with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, should limit outdoor activities. Otherwise, in order to reduce ozone air pollution, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily participate in one or more activities: Driving less by carpooling or using public transportation Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips Limiting engine idling Refueling cars and trucks after dusk Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use For more on Philadelphia's heat guide, visit the Extreme Heat Guide website, here.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Worker who leaked plans to build golf courses in Florida parks files whistleblower suit
A former worker who leaked information about plans by Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration to build golf courses and hotels in Florida state parks has filed a whistleblower lawsuit. James Gaddis alleges that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection retaliated against him for sharing details of the proposals, which caused bipartisan outrage and sparked protests. Ultimately the plans were scuttled. A spokesperson for the department declined to comment, saying the agency does not do so with pending litigation. Alleged orders to conceal destructive park plans Gaddis, who was a consultant in DEP's Office of Park Planning, says he was directed to draw up "secret maps" to build golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts in nine parks. Park staffers were ordered not to talk to any colleagues about the proposals, which in Gaddis' view amounted to destroying "globally significant" environments. The experience felt like "mapping out a future crime scene," according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Leon County. Leak leads to firing and legislative action Gaddis copied documents onto a flash drive and shared it with an unnamed intermediary, the lawsuit says, and the next day the Tampa Bay Times wrote about the plans. Gaddis says he was called into a meeting by a supervisor and asked if he shared the documents, which he admitted to. He was put on administrative leave and later fired, and the suit says that amounted to disparate treatment and retaliation. The complaint seeks damages of at least $100,000. The Republican-dominated state Legislature has since passed a bill banning development in state parks, and DeSantis signed it into law. Gaddis started an online fundraiser to help cover expenses, with an initial goal of $10,000. As of June 11, it had brought in more than $258,000.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Worker who leaked plans to build golf courses in Florida parks files whistleblower suit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A former worker who leaked information about plans by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration to build golf courses and hotels in Florida state parks has filed a whistleblower lawsuit. James Gaddis alleges that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection retaliated against him for sharing details of the proposals, which caused bipartisan outrage and sparked protests. Ultimately the plans were scuttled. A spokesperson for the department declined to comment, saying the agency does not do so with pending litigation. Gaddis, who was a consultant in DEP's Office of Park Planning, says he was directed to draw up 'secret maps' to build golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts in nine parks. Park staffers were ordered not to talk to any colleagues about the proposals, which in Gaddis' view amounted to destroying 'globally significant' environments. The experience felt like 'mapping out a future crime scene,' according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Leon County. Gaddis copied documents onto a flash drive and shared it with an unnamed intermediary, the lawsuit says, and the next day the Tampa Bay Times wrote about the plans. Gaddis says he was called into a meeting by a supervisor and asked if he shared the documents, which he admitted to. He was put on administrative leave and later fired, and the suit says that amounted to disparate treatment and retaliation. The complaint seeks damages of at least $100,000. The Republican-dominated state Legislature has since passed a bill banning development in state parks, and DeSantis signed it into law. Gaddis started an online fundraiser to help cover expenses, with an initial goal of $10,000. As of June 11, it had brought in more than $258,000. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Toronto Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Worker who leaked plans to build golf courses in Florida parks files whistleblower suit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A former worker who leaked information about plans by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration to build golf courses and hotels in Florida state parks has filed a whistleblower lawsuit. James Gaddis alleges that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection retaliated against him for sharing details of the proposals, which caused bipartisan outrage and sparked protests. Ultimately the plans were scuttled. A spokesperson for the department declined to comment, saying the agency does not do so with pending litigation. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Gaddis, who was a consultant in DEP's Office of Park Planning, says he was directed to draw up 'secret maps' to build golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts in nine parks. Park staffers were ordered not to talk to any colleagues about the proposals, which in Gaddis' view amounted to destroying 'globally significant' environments. The experience felt like 'mapping out a future crime scene,' according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Leon County. Gaddis copied documents onto a flash drive and shared it with an unnamed intermediary, the lawsuit says, and the next day the Tampa Bay Times wrote about the plans. Gaddis says he was called into a meeting by a supervisor and asked if he shared the documents, which he admitted to. He was put on administrative leave and later fired, and the suit says that amounted to disparate treatment and retaliation. The complaint seeks damages of at least $100,000. The Republican-dominated state Legislature has since passed a bill banning development in state parks, and DeSantis signed it into law. Gaddis started an online fundraiser to help cover expenses, with an initial goal of $10,000. As of June 11, it had brought in more than $258,000. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
