Latest news with #publicinfrastructure
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Georgia's recovery: Over $377M in federal aid approved post-Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby
The Brief FEMA has approved over 402,000 applications for disaster assistance in Georgia, including $12 million in rental aid for displaced families. More than $629 million in Public Assistance has been authorized for Georgia's public infrastructure, aiding debris removal and emergency management. Survivors are encouraged to engage with FEMA for housing solutions and explore available resources like free legal assistance and economic injury disaster loans. ATLANTA - Federal emergency officials say recovery efforts remain underway in Georgia following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, with more than $377 million in federal aid approved for survivors to date. What we know As of June 20, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved over 402,000 applications for disaster assistance. That total includes more than $12 million in rental assistance to more than 4,960 Georgia families, and housing arrangements—temporary and long-term—have been secured for nearly 365 displaced households. Federal aid has also extended to Georgia's public infrastructure. FEMA has authorized more than $629 million in Public Assistance to help communities with debris removal and emergency management costs. To date, more than 40.1 million cubic yards of storm debris have been cleared. What they're saying "FEMA remains committed to helping survivors recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby," said FEMA spokesman Mario Boone. "Survivors are reminded that FEMA is still on the ground in Georgia to assist with your recovery needs." What you can do FEMA is contacting eligible survivors by phone to discuss long-term housing solutions. Boone urged residents to answer calls, even those from unfamiliar area codes, as they may contain important updates or assistance opportunities. Farmers and ranchers who suffered uninsured or underinsured losses are encouraged to reach out, as they may qualify for help replacing essential work-related tools, equipment, and supplies. Low-income survivors affected by the storms may also be eligible for free legal assistance through FEMA's Disaster Legal Services (DLS) program. Services include help with home repair contracts, landlord disputes, insurance claims, and FEMA appeals. More information is available at The deadline to apply for economic injury disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration is June 30. For general questions, residents can visit or check their assistance application status at The Source FEMA provided this update on Hurricane Helene relief in Georgia.
Irish Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Not a runner
Sir, – I agree with Kathy Sheridan about the social scourge of inconsiderate and selfish behaviour by some cyclists ( 'The aggressive speed and silence of cyclists is a cultural problem that needs tackling in Ireland' ). The same problem is evident with the etiquette, or lack of, shown by large groups of runners in social running clubs using pavements in our cities. To witness huge groups of people running abreast on our pavements at rush hour or at weekend mornings may be an indication of wholesome mild activity, granted. However, replicating vast herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the Serengeti, while barging into or obstructing pedestrians entitled to use public infrastructure is not acceptable. Cop on. – Yours, etc, ULTAN Ó BROIN, Dublin.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Council votes to draft 'bubble bylaw' to curtail protests near 'vulnerable' sites
Ottawa city councillors voted on Friday to draft a bylaw creating 80-metre buffer zones to limit demonstrations around sites and facilities considered "vulnerable public infrastructure." If enacted, a so-called "bubble zone bylaw" could restrict protests near institutions such as schools, hospitals and places of worship. It would be aimed at preventing harassment and hate speech. A joint meeting of council's Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services and Public Works and Infrastructure committees voted 14-2 in favour of the motion, after Coun. Allan Hubley proposed modifications to Coun. David Hill's original draft. Hubley's modifications aimed to mitigate concerns that Hill's original motion contained terms such as "nuisance demonstration" and "intimidation" that were considered too subjective and risked giving police too much discretion in enforcing the bylaw. The amended motion proposed a more "narrowly tailored" bylaw to prohibit demonstrations "during operational hours or specific high-risk periods" within 80 metres of "vulnerable social infrastructure." The motion specifically exempts protests over labour disputes or negotiations, as well as demonstrations not specifically directed at a protected site. Embassies, city hall and Parliament would still be fair game for demonstrations, even if those buildings contain educational facilities, clinics or other care services. City entering 'area of risk,' councillor warns In bringing the motion, Hill insisted "common sense prevails." "What we're looking for is a made-in-Ottawa solution for Ottawa," he said. After the vote, Hill told CBC the ultimate goal is to introduce "a bubble zone bylaw that will help keep our community safe while allowing for peaceful protest." But Coun. Sean Devine, who alongside Coun. Jessica Bradley voted against the motion, said he worried the city had "chartered into an area of risk." "We may have also kind of cleaved away at some fundamental rights and freedoms," he told CBC after the vote. Devine said he's concerned "legitimate, grounded and reasonable protest" could be restricted by the bylaw. "Protest is dialogue, protest is exchange, and we need dialogue, we need exchange as a means of trying to bring about necessary change sometimes," the Knoxdale-Merivale councillor said. Devine, who was earlier outvoted in a separate motion to defer the plan, said he fears the city is rushing ahead unnecessarily. "We are not the experts on these kind of constitutional matters," he said. A lively debate The motion followed two days of lively debate and personal testimony from Ottawa residents, some strongly in favour and others strongly against the proposed bylaw Members of Ottawa's Jewish community spoke of feeling particularly under threat since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and Israel's military response, both of which have sparked demonstrations in Ottawa. Ted Cohen, the CEO of Hillel Lodge, a long-term care home on Broadview Avenue housing several Jewish residents including Holocaust survivors, described a loud protest outside a nearby Jewish community centre last fall. "Protesters arrived with signage, flags, banners, bullhorns, loudspeakers and drums. Most had their faces covered. The protest was loud, forceful and unrelenting," Cohen said, adding that speakers used during the demonstration were so powerful that vibrations could be felt inside the home. "Staff reported residents asking repeatedly, 'What's happening? Why are they yelling? Are we in danger?'" Cohen continued. He'd like demonstrations around nursing homes to face restrictions. At the same time, several people who urged councillors to vote against developing the bylaw invoked separate demonstrations last year targeting so-called "gender ideology" outside Nepean High School. Those demonstrations inspired counter-protests that participants and supporters said allowed them to feel safer and exercise their own Charter rights. If a bubble of 100 metres was imposed between protests and protected sites, as some have recommended, "I'm still going to be putting my body between these people and my children," said Katy de Sousa, a parent of a child attending school in the area. On the other hand, "if I cross to 99 metres, [there's a fear] I'm going to be slammed with a ticket that's going to change my livelihood," she said.
