|
WASHINGTON - U.S. builders broke ground on fewer homes in April, one month after topping the 1 million mark for the first time since 2008. But most of the decline was in apartment construction, which tends to vary sharply from month to month. The Commerce Department said Thursday that builders started construction at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 853,000, a 16.5 percent drop from the March pace of 1.02 million. Associated Press/AP Online, May 16, 09:13 AM
|
May 16--Nearly 1.5 miles beneath Earth's surface, scientists have discovered pockets of water that have remained in isolation for more than a billion years. The ancient water bubbling up from the floor of a zinc and copper mine near Timmins in Canada's Ontario province looks crystal clear, but it would not make a cool refreshing drink. Scientists say it is warm to the touch and much saltier than seawater. Los Angeles Times, May 16, 12:34 PM
|
May 16--BOULDER -- The Boulder County Comprehensive Plan shouldn't explicitly state that the county thinks native wildlife species and ecosystems have the legal right to exist and thrive, county staff members have advised the County Planning Commission. During a Wednesday afternoon Planning Commission hearing, Longmont resident Ruby Bowman renewed her appeal that the document contain a sentence saying that "all naturally occurring ecosystems and their native species populations have a right to exist and flourish." But members of Boulder County's Land Use Department and Parks and Open Space Department and a representative of the county attorney's office told planning commissioners that a statement about "natural rights" or "the rights of nature" is a legal principal that a county government may not have the authority to promulgate. Daily Times-Call (Longmont, CO), May 16, 04:25 PM
|
LEWISTON -- The Twin Cities have all of the ingredients to turn Androscoggin River frontage into an engine of change and economic development. "So many of the ingredients you see in other communities, you have these ingredients here," speaker David Spillane told a crowd at a Great Falls Forum lecture Thursday. "It's remarkable what you have already done in the last 10 years, the festivals you have, the waterfront parks, Museum L-A, the remarkable things that are happening with the mills and the restaurants that are growing along the waterfront," Spillane said. "Sun Journal (Lewiston, ME)", May 17, 01:43 AM
|
May 17--The name isn't likely to leave riders' lips any time soon, but starting Friday the light-rail line that runs from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America won't be called the Hiawatha Line. The line is being rebranded as the Blue Line, Metro Transit spokesman John Siqveland said. As part of the change and to educate riders, transit agency officials will hold a launch party from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday at the 46th Street Station in south Minneapolis. Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), May 17, 03:15 AM
|
May 17--NEW LONDON -- The first new construction in Fort Trumbull since the area became the focus of a national fight over eminent domain was delayed Thursday after developers apparently were unable to demonstrate how they were going to finance the $24 million Village on Thames project. A closing to transfer the property to developer Riverbank Construction did not take place Thursday as planned, said Karl-Erik Sternlof, the RCDA's first vice president. Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio issued a statement shortly after the announcement, saying the city had fulfilled its obligations under the agreement with developer Robert Stillman, and "the responsibility now lies with the developer to provide adequate financial representations to proceed. Day, The (New London, CT), May 17, 04:22 AM
|
Northern Virginia housing advocates are worried that an unexpected decision by the Alexandria City Council last week to end a funding guarantee for affordable housing could result in fewer options for those who need it the most. The council, with little discussion, removed the guarantee that housing and open-space funds get a certain percentage of tax revenue when it voted on the fiscal 2014 budget May 6. "All of us are trying to find out what happened," said Michelle Krocker, executive director of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance. The Washington Post, May 17, 02:13 AM
|
The people of Cunduacan and Huimanguillo, which have a combined population of 300,000, will present a class action lawsuit against Pemex in June. "There have been several harmful effects; we have carried out tests on soils, sediments and water and we are about to receive the results," Marisa Jacott, the head of Fronteras Comunes (Common Borders), an environmental NGO, told IPS. Fronteras Comunes and the Asociacion Ecologica Santo Tomas (Santo Tomas Ecological Association) are providing legal advice to the local population, mainly small farmers and fisherfolk, who have incurred great losses due to oil spills and gas explosions. IPS - Inter Press Service, May 17, 03:28 AM
|
May 16--LIVERMORE -- A 120-year-old building that once helped link the city to the greater Bay Area and beyond via the Southern Pacific Railroad is itself moving on down the line -- if only a few blocks. The Livermore City Council in April approved using a $2.5 million grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to move the historic railroad depot on South L Street to a spot near the Livermore Transit Center and restore it to its original condition. "Being a historic structure, it's important to preserve this for the city," said Eric Uranga, Livermore's assistant community development director. Tri-Valley Herald (Pleasanton, CA), May 16, 06:30 PM
|
May 16--NASHUA -- After hearing hours of passionate testimony Tuesday night about a proposed asphalt shingle recycling and grinding operation on the property of Scrap Metals Inc., the city zoning board unanimously rejected the company's proposal. More than 150 residents, most of whom live in neighborhoods east of South Main Street from Beausite Drive and around the Nashua Country Club, packed the City Hall auditorium. The board's vote, which followed about 20 minutes of discussion between members, was unanimous, 5-0. Telegraph (Nashua, NH), May 16, 05:27 PM
|
May 16--Apopka plans to look for the money needed to take its eco-tourism plan for Lake Apopka from drawing board to reality, said Richard Anderson, chief administrative officer of Orange County's second-largest city. "We think it's time to press forward with the next phase of that," Anderson told the City Commission Wednesday night. At an environmental summit in February, city representatives unveiled a conceptual plan for the north shore of Lake Apopka that featured an "eco-village" to lure anglers, birders and other outdoor enthusiasts to the recovering freshwater lake. Orlando Sentinel, May 16, 05:17 PM
|
May 19--The Hamlet Depot & Museums celebrated the sixth annual National Train Day on Saturday, May 11. Many residents of Richmond and surrounding counties attended the event in celebration of the importance of trains and how they have impacted our nation. Museum Manager at Hamlet Depot & Museum Miranda Chavis was very excited about the community support. Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, NC), May 19, 08:53 AM
|
May 19--Q: The new MacArthur Road Bridge over Route 22 will accommodate a new acceleration lane on each side of 22. Anecdotally, it has been suggested that if Route 22 would be widened to six lanes, the bridge and interchange currently being constructed would be converted to a 'tight diamond' design, and the new acceleration lanes would become driving lanes. Will the new bridge be able to accommodate three driving lanes in each direction in the event Route 22 is widened, and if so, what will be the width of the driving lanes? Morning Call (Allentown, PA), May 19, 08:38 AM
|
May 19--When frack water can't be used anymore it has to go somewhere. Pending the next technological advance, producers are pumping it back into the ground in deep underground injection wells -- usually called UICs, for underground injection control. Fracking watchdogs typically raise two major concerns about UICs -- contaminated water migrating up to shallow water tables, and earthquakes. Dominion Post (Morgantown, WV), May 19, 06:36 AM
|
She originally had planned to connect in New Haven to a Shore Line East train to take her to New London. New Yorker Matt Southworth, who was on the same New Haven-bound train, told Tom Cleary, co-managing editor of the Register's Torrington Register-Citizen sister paper, in a tweet that he was pretty sure that the eastbound train derailed first. Visit the New Haven Register (New Haven, Conn.) at www.nhregister.com New Haven Register (CT), May 19, 06:34 AM
|
May 19--MODESTO -- Though it's not officially declared, we're in a drought, with less than a quarter of the normal Sierra snowpack. Even farmers in the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts -- normally water wealthy -- will get less for irrigation this year. The largest public works project in Modesto history is under way at the city's sewer treatment facility west of town. Modesto Bee (CA), May 19, 05:34 AM
|
May 19--First of two parts State environmental regulators determined that oil and gas development damaged the water supplies for at least 161 Pennsylvania homes, farms, churches and businesses between 2008 and the fall of 2012, according to a cache of nearly 1,000 letters and enforcement orders written by Department of Environmental Protection officials and obtained by The Sunday Times. The determination letters are sent to water supply owners who ask state inspectors to investigate whether oil and gas drilling activities have polluted or diminished the flow of water to their wells. Times-Tribune (Scranton, PA), May 19, 05:24 AM
|
John T. Comes was one of the finest architects practicing in Pittsburgh in the early years of the 20th century. Instead, Comes designed churches -- specifically, Roman Catholic churches and the parish houses, schools and convents that often came with them. His work was honored this past January when a Pennsylvania State Historical Marker commemorating him was placed outside one of his best churches, now known as the St. Agnes Center of Carlow University, on Fifth Avenue in Oakland. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (PA), May 19, 04:57 AM
|
May 19--Federal environmental regulators have proposed a range of options designed to reduce toxic pollutants discharged by certain power plants close to waterways. Power plants that generate electricity with steam -- like OG&E's Muskogee plant -- could be affected by the regulations being proposed. Steam-electric power plants account for more than half of all toxic pollutants discharged into America's streams, rivers and lakes. Muskogee Phoenix (OK), May 19, 04:52 AM
|
May 19--During eight years in office, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa staked much of his legacy on transportation. And, five years ago, he won voter approval of Measure R, the countywide half-cent sales tax expected to raise more than $30 billion over 30 years for a dozen new transportation projects. Mayoral contenders Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti view transportation much like Villaraigosa, as a key cog in the machinery of a well-planned city. Los Angeles Times, May 19, 04:42 AM
|
KATHMANDU, May 18 -- Decks have been cleared for Nepal Purbadhar Bikas Company (NPBC) for the development of the Kathmandu-Hetauda Tunnel Highway. A year after signing a preliminary project agreement (PPA), the government on Tuesday signed the final (concession) agreement with NPBC to construct the highway. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport is working to issue the letter of commencement soon asking the company to start project work. The Kathmandu Post, May 19, 03:19 AM
|
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Investigators will look closely at a broken section of rail to see if it is connected to the commuter train derailment and collision outside New York City that left dozens injured, as the focus begins to shift toward cleanup and rebuilding ahead of challenging times for travelers and commuters along the Northeast Corridor. Officials also said Saturday the incident was not the result of foul play. Data recorders on board are expected to provide the speed of the Metro-North trains at the time of the crash and other information, he said. Associated Press/AP Online, May 19, 03:10 AM
|
IT may not seem it to the thousands of us who spend hours crawling along in rush hour traffic, but the North's daily commute is getting faster. New figures from the Department for Transport show that in some parts of the region motorists could be shaving minutes off their journeys compared to six years ago. However, motoring campaigners say before we all start celebrating, the improvement could be because the economy is stuffed. Unknown, May 19, 02:52 AM
|
May 19--The owners of Curles Neck Farm say they want to preserve that sprawling property on the James River, home to nesting eagles and other wildlife.? --???Those are sweet words to conservationists, who have long worried that Curles Neck, in eastern Henrico County, 13 miles from Richmond, might soon harbor more people than animals. "Tommy and Bill are looking at maintaining the property as a working farm and functioning wetland, and I applaud them for that," said Leonard A. Smock, director of Virginia Commonwealth University's Rice Center, a research site along the James just east of Curles Neck. Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA), May 19, 02:34 AM
|
The Maryland Transit Administration's MARC trains, which run only on weekdays, are expected to start running between Washington and Baltimore on weekends this year. The agency is looking at adding "eight to nine round trips per day" between Washington's Union Station and Baltimore's Penn Station, said Terry Owens, a spokesman for the MTA. Passengers, businesses and others "have talked about MARC weekend service for years,", he said. The Washington Post, May 19, 02:13 AM
|
In February, the Virginia General Assembly voted to significantly raise taxes for transportation. That's why you saw six leading Republican state legislators hold a news conference at the Manassas Civil War battlefield recently to protest the McDonnell administration's proposal to spend more than $1 billion on the so-called North-South Corridor - better known as the Tri-County Parkway or "Western Bypass" - which many of us see as an unnecessary Outer Beltway. Meanwhile, commuters sit in gridlock every day on Interstate 66 and other major Northern Virginia roads. The Washington Post, May 19, 02:13 AM
|
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - A simple test could have alerted officials that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated, long before authorities determined that as many as a million Marines and their families were exposed to a witch's brew of cancer-causing chemicals. But no one responsible for the lab at the base can recall that the procedure - mandated by the Navy - was ever conducted. But experts say even this "relatively primitive" test - required by Navy health directives as early as 1963 - would have told officials that something was terribly wrong beneath Lejeune's sandy soil. The Washington Post, May 19, 02:13 AM
|
GOV. ROBERT F. MCDONNELL (R) said it best when he signed his name the other day to Virginia's landmark transportation bill, a $6 billion leviathan that fixed a funding shortfall a quarter century in the making. "The only bad thing from this bill," the governor said at a ceremony in Richmond, "is people will be complaining about construction rather than congestion." Mr. McDonnell campaigned four years ago on the premise that he could tackle the state's drastic transportation funding shortfall without resorting to tax increases. The Washington Post, May 19, 02:13 AM
|
Amtrak (800-872-7245, www.amtrak.com) offers rail passenger service nationwide as well as Amtrak Vacations packages (e.g., Canadian Rockies with Glacier National Park; 800-268-7252, www.amtrakvacations.com), the Auto Train to Florida, rail passes, multi-ride tickets (including unlimited travel in a month), multi-city tickets and Acela Express service. SmartFares offer 25 percent discounts on select one-way routes that change weekly. Amtrak offers WiFi service in select stations (for instance, Union Station, Wilmington, Del., and Baltimore's Penn Station) and on certain trains (Acela Express, Capitol Corridor, Carolinian, etc.) across the country. The Washington Post, May 19, 02:13 AM
|
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The commuter train derailment and collision that left dozens injured outside New York City was not the result of foul play, officials said Saturday, and a fractured section of rail is being studied to determine if it is connected to the accident. National Transportation Safety Board member Earl Weener said Saturday that the broken rail is of substantial interest to investigators and that a portion of the track will be sent to a lab for analysis. Seventy-two people were sent to the hospital Friday evening after the Metro-North train, heading east from New York, derailed and was hit by a train heading west from New Haven, Conn. Most have been discharged. The Washington Post, May 19, 02:13 AM
|
May 19--Some 5-6 million tons of cargo will be transported through a new railway section which linked Kazakh Bolashak and Turkmen Serhetyaka, spokesman for the Kazakh railways Elena Trifonova told Trend on Friday. "The forecast for 2015-2017 is 5-6 million tons of cargo, including export, import and transit," Trifonova said. This section is a part of the transnational rail corridor, which will connect Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran and allow the delivery of different goods to the Persian Gulf region. Trend News Agency (Azerbaijan), May 19, 01:47 AM
|
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Two commuter trains packed with rush-hour commuters collided in an accident that sent more than 60 people to the hospital, severely damaged the tracks and threatened to snarl travel in the congested Northeast Corridor. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said five people were critically injured and one was very critically hurt in Friday evening's crash on the Metro-North Railroad, which serves the northern suburbs of New York City. About 700 people were on board the Metro-North trains when one heading east from New York City's Grand Central Station to New Haven derailed about 6:10 p.m. just outside Bridgeport, MTA and Bridgeport officials said. "Sun Journal (Lewiston, ME)", May 19, 01:36 AM
|
Parts of the Mississippi River's Pool 12, located between Dubuque and Bellevue, Iowa, are getting the environmental equivalent of a face-lift first proposed in 2005. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, recently released the final report of the Pool 12 Overwintering Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project, a joint effort among the Corps, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the departments of natural resources in Illinois and Iowa. The overall Pool 12 project area is located along the left descending bank of the Mississippi River approximately 10 miles south of Dubuque, in Jo Daviess County, Ill., generally between the river's main channel and the railroad tracks that parallel the east bank. "Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque, IA)", May 18, 11:16 PM
|
May 18--FAIRFIELD -- Federal investigators have ruled out foul play in Friday's Metro-North Railroad crash and say a broken rail on the eastbound track is of "substantial interest." National Transportation Safety Board member Earl Weener said Saturday evening that teams of investigators are looking at everything from maintenance records of the rail cars to the medical history of crew members in the incident, in which a an eastbound trail derailed just after 6 p.m. and was hit by a westbound train. The derailment injured at least 60 people, including a Metro-North conductor named Helen, who officials say helped passengers even though she'd been hurt herself. New Haven Register (CT), May 18, 10:38 PM
|
May 18--In the debate over who controls Charlotte's airport, there's more at stake than just a place where planes take off and land. The facility could take advantage of a Panama Canal widening that some say will spur more shipping into East Coast ports -- and boost inland transportation centers such as Charlotte. Central Piedmont Community College President Tony Zeiss has been promoting Charlotte's intermodal facility as a source of not only logistics and transportation jobs but also potential manufacturing work, as companies look to ship locally-produced goods by train and truck. Charlotte Observer (NC), May 18, 09:39 PM
|
OliverMcMillan, a San Diego-based real estate development firm, and Capri Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm providing institutional capital for development and acquisition of urban commercial and residential communities, announced that construction is underway for The Lofts at 688 13th Street, with a two-year construction schedule. According to a release, The Lofts at 688 13th Street is planned as a five-story residential building fronting 13th Street between Market and G Streets in the East Village Arts District of downtown San Diego. "We are excited to be investing in San Diego, and to partner with OliverMcMillan in developing new high-quality residences for the burgeoning community," said Ken Lombard, Partner - Investments, of Capri Capital Partners. Unknown, May 18, 08:53 PM
|
In a release, Research and Markets noted that report highlights include: Even during the recent economic downturn, there are firms in the A/E industry that still report continued growth and increasing profits. Find out with the 2012-2013 Successful Firm Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning & Environmental Consulting Firms. Unknown, May 18, 08:52 PM
|
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - A simple test could have alerted officials that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated, long before authorities determined that as many as a million Marines and their families were exposed to a witch's brew of cancer-causing chemicals. The U.S. Marine Corps maintains that the carbon chloroform extract (CCE) test would not have uncovered the carcinogens that fouled the southeastern North Carolina base's water system from at least the mid-1950s until wells were capped in the mid-1980s. But experts say even this "relatively primitive" test - required by Navy health directives as early as 1963 - would have told officials that something was terribly wrong beneath Lejeune's sandy soil. Associated Press/AP Online, May 18, 08:25 PM
|
BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut -- Officials described a devastating scene of shattered cars and other damage where two trains packed with rush-hour commuters collided outside New York City, saying Saturday it's amazing that no one was killed. Authorities said the accident was not the result of foul play, but a fractured section of rail is being studied to determine if it is connected to the accident. The train was hit by a train heading west from New Haven to Grand Central on an adjacent track, Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Aaron Donovan said. Associated Press, May 18, 07:51 PM
|
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The commuter train derailment and collision that left dozens injured outside New York City was not the result of foul play, officials said Saturday, but a fractured section of rail is being studied to determine if it is connected to the accident. Seventy-two people were sent to the hospital Friday evening after a Metro-North train heading east from New York City derailed and was hit by a train heading west from New Haven. "All of the injured people described the really harrowing experience of having the train jolt to a stop, the dust, darkness, other kinds of factors that made it particularly frightening," said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who visited several patients in the hospital. Associated Press/AP Online, May 18, 07:24 PM
|
May 18--The Wythe County Board of Supervisors held public hearings Tuesday on the county budget, the school budget and the Virginia Department of Transportation's Six-Year Road Plan. However, the road plan drew more emotion than the hearings on the $78 million county budget, which includes a personal property tax hike and $9 million for capital improvements at two schools. The board plans to increase personal property taxes by 19 cents to $2.27 per $100 valuation. Wytheville Enterprise (VA), May 18, 04:50 PM
|
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Officials described a devastating scene of shattered cars and other damage where two trains packed with rush-hour commuters collided in Connecticut, saying Saturday it's fortunate that no one was killed and that there weren't even more injuries. Seventy-two people were sent to the hospital Friday evening after the crash, which damaged the tracks and threatened to snarl travel in the Northeast Corridor. "I feel that we are fortunate that even more injuries were not the result of this very tragic and unfortunate accident." Associated Press/AP Online, May 18, 04:37 PM
|
May 17--Orland officials are working to get more rail service to area business and trying to connect companies with financing firms, but do not have a direct marketing campaign in place. City Manager Pete Carr updated the Orland Economic Development Commission on his views of the business climate on Tuesday night. Carr added Mayor Charles Gee and a city staff member are going to a land-bridge meeting to learn about rail line opportunities as related to a new proposed line between Gerber and Eureka. Orland Press Register (CA), May 18, 02:24 PM
|
FAIRFIELD, Connecticut -- Officials described a devastating scene of shattered cars and other damage where two trains packed with rush-hour commuters collided in Connecticut, saying Saturday it's fortunate that no one was killed. Seventy-two people were sent to the hospital Friday evening after the crash, which damaged the tracks and threatened to snarl travel in the Northeast Corridor. About 700 people were on board the Metro-North trains when one heading east from New York City's Grand Central Terminal to New Haven derailed at about 6:10 p.m. just outside Bridgeport, transit and Bridgeport officials said. Associated Press, May 18, 02:23 PM
|
May 18---- Fate's new City Hall project moved a step forward this week with the city council's approval of a contract for architectural services. Other action involved compensation for the mayor and city council members, and increasing the city manager's salary and car allowance. During its Monday night meeting, the Fate City Council unanimously approved a professional services contract with Ron Hobbs Architects. Royse City Herald-Banner (TX), May 18, 02:23 PM
|
May 18--BRIDGEPORT -- Three people remain in critical condition after an eastbound Metro-North commuter train derailed near the Fairfield-Bridgeport line Friday night, colliding with a train heading in the opposite direction. Metro-North train service between New Haven and South Norwalk is indefinitely suspended, as is Amtrak service between New York and New Haven. The eastbound 4:41 p.m. train out of Grand Central Terminal in New York derailed just east of the Fairfield Metro station at 6:10 p.m., said Marjorie Anders, an MTA spokeswoman. The Hartford Courant, May 18, 01:13 PM
|
It could take weeks to get commuter rail service in Connecticut back to normal following the derailment of two trains Friday, the mayor of Bridgeport said. CNN said the impact of the crash was compounded by major construction on the only other commuter rail line serving Connecticut and New York. Many of the injured were treated and released, but about five people were admitted to hospitals with serious injuries, the Hartford (Conn.) Courant said Saturday. UPI, May 18, 09:55 AM
|
May 18--Most third-grade students can't spell "macroinvertebrates," but a group of them sure learned about the water-dwelling creatures and other moist topics Friday at the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute's 12th annual Watershed Festival. Moscow's McDonald, Lena Whitmore and Russell elementary schools sent 160 third-graders to the day-long festival at the PCEI Nature Center in Moscow. "It's very well-rounded," said Heather Huston, PCEI education outreach coordinator. Moscow-Pullman Daily News (ID), May 18, 09:25 AM
|
HARTFORD, Conn. - Officials in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office say the governor will meet with representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board and Connecticut's two U.S. senators at the site of a Metro-North Railroad crash that injured 70 people. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and other Connecticut officials will also participate in the tour, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. EDT Saturday near Bridgeport. The delegation will update journalists with the latest details of the crash after surveying the area. Associated Press/AP Online, May 18, 08:02 AM
|
The first 12 days of May were certainly one of the warmest and driest in recorded history across the Inland Northwest. Normal high temperatures at this time of year are in the low to mid-60s at Spokane International Airport. From May 6 through Mother's Day afternoon, high temperatures broke the 80-degree mark in Spokane. Unknown, May 18, 07:20 AM
|
May 18--A state board assigned to protect the environment is taking a second look at a controversial ruling it issued last year. The Illinois Pollution Control Board will revisit a ruling on groundwater protection at certain dump sites. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Republican leaders in the House and Senate and Gov. Pat Quinn's office have also raised objections to a decision that could endanger the public's health. Chicago Tribune, May 18, 06:12 AM
|
May 18--APTOS -- Valencia Elementary School is going green. For the past year, students, led by the sixth-grade Green Team, have been working to waste less and recycle more. The goal is to win a Green Ribbon, a national recognition for schools that implement sustainable practices and environmental education. Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA), May 18, 05:25 AM
|
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Two commuter trains packed with rush-hour commuters collided in an accident that sent more than 60 people to Connecticut hospitals, severely damaged the tracks and threatened to snarl travel in the congested Northeast Corridor. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said five people were critically injured and one was very critically hurt in Friday evening's crash on the Metro-North Railroad, which serves the northern suburbs of New York City. Passengers described a chaotic, terrifying scene of crunching metal and flying bodies when the two trains, carrying about 700 people, collided shortly after 6 p.m. Associated Press/AP Online, May 18, 03:03 AM
|
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Two commuter trains serving New York City collided in Connecticut during Friday's evening rush hour, sending 60 people to the hospital, including five with critical injuries, Gov. Dannel Malloy said. About 700 people were on board the Metro-North trains when one heading east from New York City's Grand Central Station to New Haven derailed about 6:10 p.m. just outside Bridgeport, MTA and Bridgeport officials said. The train was hit by a train heading west from New Haven to Grand Central on an adjacent track, MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said. Associated Press/AP Online, May 17, 11:56 PM
|
May 17--A large water pipe construction project west of the East Bay hills is ready for public review, with an environmental document awaiting public comment and several hearings scheduled in June. The West of Hills Northern Pipelines Project calls for construction of 8.5 miles of new 48- and 36-inch diameter water-transmission pipelines to ensure a reliable water supply to parts of North Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules, Rodeo, Crockett and other unincorporated communities of West Contra Costa, according to officials at the East Bay Municipal Utility District. A draft environmental impact report is available for public review at the following locations: Oakland Tribune (CA), May 17, 10:58 PM
|
FAIRFIELD, Connecticut -- Two commuter trains serving New York City collided in Connecticut during Friday's evening rush hour, sending 60 people to the hospital, including five critically injured and one very critically injured, Gov. Dannel Malloy said. The Metro-North Railroad, a commuter line serving the northern suburbs, referred in a news release to a "major derailment" near Fairfield. It said emergency workers were at the scene of the accident, which came shortly after 6 p.m. Associated Press, May 17, 10:07 PM
|
Photo Gallery: Construction continues on I 215 freeway expansion A $31.4-million program established by San Bernardino County's transportation planning agency in 2009 created 1,197 jobs and contributed to the completion of dozens of road rehabilitation projects throughout the region, officials said. San Bernardino Associated Governments, or SanBAG, received $128 million in federal stimulus funds in 2009 for the widening of the 215 Freeway through San Bernardino, from Orange Show Road to University Parkway. San Bernardino County Sun (CA), May 17, 08:15 PM
|
FAIRFIELD, Connecticut -- A New York-area commuter railroad says two trains have collided in Connecticut. The Metro-North Railroad says emergency workers are arriving at the scene of Friday's accident. Fairfield Police Officer Matt Panilaitis says 20 to 25 people were injured. Associated Press, May 17, 07:29 PM
|
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - A New York-area commuter railroad says two trains have collided in Connecticut. The Metro-North Railroad says emergency workers are arriving at the scene of Friday's accident. The railroad says the accident involved a New York-bound train leaving New Haven. Associated Press/AP Online, May 17, 07:25 PM
|
FAIRFIELD, Connecticut -- A New York-area commuter railroad says two trains have collided in Connecticut, and there are preliminary reports of injuries. The rail line referred to it in a news release as a "major derailment." The railroad says the accident involved a New York-bound train leaving New Haven. Associated Press, May 17, 07:15 PM
|
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - A New York-area commuter railroad says two trains have collided in Connecticut, and there are preliminary reports of injuries. The rail line referred to it in a news release as a "major derailment." The railroad says the accident involved a New York-bound train leaving New Haven. Associated Press/AP Online, May 17, 07:13 PM
|
May 17--The La Crosse County Board unanimously approved the sale of the long-idle Park Plaza site on Barron Island after a lengthy debate Thursday night. West Coast Development LLC will purchase the 5.7 acres for $800,000 but get $50,000 back on credit at signing. The tentative plan by West Coast Development calls for lots to hold 60 housing units for "mainly the empty nesters," those looking to downsize, Joe Van Aelstyn, a member of the development group, said earlier. La Crosse Tribune (WI), May 17, 07:12 PM
|
Magnificent' Portland landmark reopens The U.S. Custom House in Portland held an open house Thursday following an extensive renovation. Long ago in the building's Customs Hall, merchants paid taxes on imports and exports under the watchful eye of armed guards. Portland Press Herald, May 17, 06:25 PM
|
May 17--The eclectic collection of framed art hanging in a condo hallway was carefully chosen and included a mix of sketches, pictures of insects and a poster that simply said "cinema." "This is the couple that go to flea markets," said Lisa Simeone, principal and owner of Simeone Deary Design Group. The clients Simeone is referring to -- a couple with children who don't want to leave Chicago -- don't really exist. Chicago Tribune, May 17, 06:18 PM
|
May 17--Mayor Thomas M. Menino's victory lap -- 20 years in the making -- begins today as he unveils a new handicapped-accessible park in Charlestown that's part of a $1.8 billion parting kiss to Boston to upgrade buildings, roads and public spaces. Among the projects is a new park at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard that will be for "adults and children of all abilities." The mayor, who is not running for re-election, is rolling out the "capital spending plan" at a press conference today at the Navy yard. Boston Herald (MA), May 17, 06:14 PM
|
May 17--Transit officials in Berks County have come up with a list of goals for improving services and might start looking for some grants to help meet them. County planners and BARTA officials met with a small group of private and nonprofit transportation providers earlier this month to figure out how public and private transportation services in Berks could better serve the community. That's a prerequisite for BARTA and other transportation providers to apply for some federal grants aimed at expanding transportation options for people with disabilities, senior citizens and low-income commuters. Reading Eagle (PA), May 17, 06:54 AM
|
May 17--Pay attention, drivers.The state Department of Transportation finally seems on track to build a system of special optional highway lanes crossing metro Atlanta, if contracts are signed as planned in the coming months. The HOV lane that feeds into the HOT lane, however, does allow two-person carpools to travel for free, but no solo drivers at any price. No carpools will drive free in the I-75/I-575 express toll lanes that will meet up in Cobb County with the HOV lanes, if all goes as proposed -- just transit buses. Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA), May 17, 05:30 PM
|
A RAILWAY heritage centre is steaming ahead with a new attraction after its plans were formally approved. Sherwood Forest Railway intends to turn a disused farm building in to a locomotive and rolling-stock shed. It is part of improvements at the site, which runs one mile steam- train rides near Edwinstowe. Unknown, May 17, 05:27 PM
|
May 17--GREENSBORO -- The intersection of Benbow Road and Market Street is missing pavement markings. Aycock Street and Oakland Avenue could use low clearance signs. At Church Street and Friendly Avenue, there should be pavement arrows. News & Record (Greensboro, NC), May 17, 05:18 PM
|
Tokyo, May 17 (Jiji Press)--Japan's House of Councillors passed into law Friday a bill to oblige the government to craft a new plan to combat global warming. The law requires the government to come up with the new plan before this year's U.N. climate change conference takes place in November. The new plan will include measures that Japan will take starting in fiscal 2013 that began last month. Jiji Press English News Service, May 17, 05:14 PM
|
May 18--Some 13.37 million tons of cargo were transported by vehicles through the territory of Azerbaijan in January-April 2013, which is 0.01 percent more than in the same period of last year, the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee said today. According to the report, the export of goods for this period comprised 10.64 million tons and imports -- 2.73 million tons. During the first four months, some 10.64 million tons of cargo were exported by maritime transport, 850,840 tons by railway, 176,120 tons -- by automobile transport, 24,900 tons by air. Trend News Agency (Azerbaijan), May 17, 05:08 PM
|
May 17--BARTOW -- Polk County officials were invited Friday to become part of a Tampa Bay area transportation organization. Commissioners agreed to consider it, but want members of the Polk Transportation Planning Organization, which includes city officials, to provide input first. Legislation that created the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority in 2007 would have to be amended to include Polk County. Ledger (Lakeland, FL), May 17, 05:05 PM
|
May 17--NEW LONDON -- A last-minute change in how the developer would finance the first new construction in Fort Trumbull is the reason Monday's groundbreaking for the $24 million Village on Thames project was canceled. The executive committee of the Renaissance City Development Association voted Friday morning to reject the latest proposal, saying the agency could not certify to the state Department of Economic and Community Development that certain terms and conditions were satisfied prior to the scheduled closing, as required by the development agreement. During its regular meeting Friday, the RCDA said it was informed Tuesday that Riverbank Construction was no longer going to obtain financing from M&T Bank, which is headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., and instead was going to fund the project itself. Day, The (New London, CT), May 17, 03:12 PM
|
May 17--OHIO VALLEY -- Your tax dollars will be hard at work this summer as the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) launches one of the largest, most aggressive construction seasons to date with projects totaling approximately $2.3 billion. ODOT will begin or continue construction of nearly 1,000 projects statewide including $2.27 million in construction projects to be sold in Gallia County and $3.45 million in Meigs County. This season will also include Ohio's first-ever double roundabout interchange at U.S. 33 and Ohio 664 in Hocking County. Gallipolis Daily Tribune (OH), May 17, 01:23 PM
|
May 17--CHESAPEAKE -- The region may see as much as $10 billion in new transportation revenue during the next 20 years, but the prospect of tolls will continue to loom large over Hampton Roads' most expensive projects. In one scenario, the $3.5 billion project would receive $700 million each from the region, state and federal governments, and users of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel would pay a $2 toll. The presentation was one of several during a retreat of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization that focused largely on the landmark transportation package passed this winter by state legislators. Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), May 17, 01:41 AM
|
May 17--As Superstorm Sandy barreled toward the tri-state area, two of the nation's largest transportation agencies worked to safeguard their systems, moving buses and rail cars to areas they thought would be protected. Eleven MTA rail cars were damaged, compared with 342 pieces of NJ Transit equipment. When asked for communications regarding Sandy preparations, NJ Transit released a 3 {-page "Rail Operations Hurricane Plan" that was stripped of all information except for the title. Record (Hackensack, NJ), May 17, 11:32 AM
|
May 16--The Ventura County Transportation Commission intends to terminate a lease on Dec. 1 that allows the Fillmore & Western Railway, a private tourist attraction, to use the Santa Paula Branch Line. But the commission is prepared to negotiate a new lease if it can examine the railway's financial records, VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle wrote in a letter this week to Fillmore & Western President Dave Wilkinson. The commission requested the records in mid-April, but Fillmore & Western had not provided them as of Thursday. Ventura County Star (CA), May 16, 11:50 PM
|
May 16--FERNDALE -- Lummi Nation was on the verge of jump-starting major retail development along Slater Road but canceled the possible sale of 25 acres to a major retailer because the tribe and the city of Ferndale failed to reach agreement on how to divide sales tax revenue. The Lummis are applying for trust status for 80 acres of land east of Rural. The Ferndale City Council on Wednesday, May 15, approved a proposal to give the Lummis 25 percent of the tax the city would receive from retail sales on the 25-acre property. Bellingham Herald (WA), May 16, 11:37 PM
|
May 16--De Anza College's new Media and Learning Center has won a citation for energy performance from the San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. The Media and Learning Center was designed to provide flexible and highly tech-friendly classroom spaces for students and teachers. The building is on the northwest side of campus, next to the Flint Center parking garage. Sunnyvale Sun (San Jose, CA), May 17, 10:21 AM
|
May 17--Navy Pier, the highly commercialized tourist attraction jutting into Lake Michigan, will take on a more park-like feel under the first phase of redevelopment plans to be formally announced Friday morning. But it includes an array of upgrades aimed at making the state's most visited tourist attraction a place where visitors can splash in an interactive fountain that transforms to a skating rink in winter, stroll along a more heavily planted promenade that edges closer to the lake and rest on an undulating stairway that has unobstructed views of the lake and skyline. The revamp funding will come from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority's bond fund, which is supported by hotel tax revenue. Chicago Tribune, May 17, 10:14 AM
|
COLUMN: ALBERT B. SOUTHWICKWorld climate change may be the most dangerous challenge to mankind since the great Ice Age 20,000 years ago. If you want to know what is known and not known about climate change, get hold of a copy of Clark University's alumni magazine. It is natural that Clark, with its long emphasis on geography, should be engrossed by the threats and problems of climate change. "Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA)", May 17, 10:02 AM
|
BOSTON - State funding that will allow cities and towns to get to work on their annual road paving and sidewalk repair programs advanced a step Wednesday with the House approving a $300 million local road and bridge repair bill. While the measure includes a $100 million increase for local road projects over last year that was sought by Gov. Deval L. Patrick, delays in enacting the bill have forced some cities and towns to postpone the start of spring roadwork and paving. Worcester Public Works Commissioner Robert L. Moylan Jr. said while many cities and towns rely solely on state road funds for local paving projects, Worcester combines it with local funding. "Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA)", May 17, 10:02 AM
|
WASHINGTON - A Republican-controlled House panel moved Thursday to protect the Department of Homeland Security from the big cuts facing other domestic agencies under the party's budget slashing plan. The move came as the Appropriations Committee leadership privately circulated plans to drastically reduce spending for labor, education and health programs, foreign and housing aid, the Environmental Protection Agency and transportation. The Pentagon would be spared and a program that provides food aid to poor pregnant women and their babies is likely to escape cuts, but the effects on most agencies would be severe - in the unlikely event the recommendations were to make their way into law over the protests of President Barack Obama and Democrats. Associated Press/AP Online, May 16, 08:28 PM
|
May 16--After more than six years of costly, innovative and challenging work, Glacier National Park is closing in on the conclusion of a comprehensive rehabilitation project on Going-to-the-Sun Road. When a huge chunk of the road slumped near the West Tunnel in 1995, it got the attention of then-Superintendent Dave Mihalic, who was concerned that the road could catastrophically close itself some day. Since then, the Federal Highway Administration and the park have spent nearly $135 million on the road, a price that can largely be attributed to the difficult nature of the road job -- four-month work seasons, unpredictable harsh weather, falling rocks, avalanches, debris slides and the necessity to work in ways that allow visitors to continue using the road. Daily Inter Lake, The (Kalispell, MT), May 17, 07:23 AM
|
After baseball, my favorite TV watching is the government channel. Here I can see the local government in action or local government inaction. Sometimes I will hear a public official say something profound, but more often I hear statements revealing determined ignorance of the workings of the world. Evansville Courier & Press (IN), May 17, 01:18 PM
|
May 16--BELLINGHAM -- The public is invited to comment on the city's plan for transportation improvements over the next six years at a hearing before the City Council at 7 p.m. Monday, May 20. The three categories each receive about $1.5 million a year. The work, scheduled for next year, will enable freight trucks to use the bridge to access the redeveloped waterfront. Bellingham Herald (WA), May 16, 11:37 PM
|
May 17--We Energies customers won't have to foot the bill for pollution controls that will be installed at a Marquette, Mich., coal-fired power plant, under a plan approved Thursday. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission gave the utility the go-ahead to transfer ownership of part of its power plant in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to a Michigan electricity supplier. As a result, customers of We Energies, both those in Wisconsin and in Michigan, would be spared the expense. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI), May 16, 10:16 PM
|
May 16--Pedestrian safety, traffic on Blodgett Drive and water drainage remained the top issues raised during a public hearing Wednesday night before the Oneonta Planning Commission. About 20 people, not including engineers and city officials, attended the meeting, which marked the beginning of the formal review of the Environmental Assessment Form, part of the mandated State Environmental Quality Review of the project's impacts. The commission will continue its review of the developer's Environmental Assessment Form at a workshop session Wednesday night. Daily Star, The (Oneonta, NY), May 16, 09:54 AM
|
Bellefonte officials took a major step Wednesday toward a plan to sell the historic but roof-less, mold-filled theater on East High Street to a real estate magnate who would raze it to redevelop three downtown buildings that have been hollowed out by fires. The members of the Bellefonte Industrial Development Authority voted to accept Ara Kervandjian's workforce housing project proposal over a competing proposal from a group of 20 residents in the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association who promised to repair the building and return it to a theater. For the officials, rejecting Kervandjian's proposal for the Garman would have nixed the entire redevelopment plan, which calls for two apartment buildings, one in a renovated Cadillac Building and the other on the site of the Garman and Hotel Do De. Centre Daily Times (State College, PA), May 16, 07:22 AM
|
May 16--City officials seemed to be gaining support from business representatives Wednesday during a meeting about a new master plan for Odd Fellows Road. The Lynchburg Planning Commission, which is reviewing the proposal, postponed tvoting so the concerns could be vetted. The master plan calls for several roundabouts to be built on Odd Fellows Road to improve traffic flow at key intersections. News & Advance (Lynchburg, VA), May 16, 06:30 PM
|
May 16--MILLVILLE -- Local officials are developing a new transportation plan that they say will, if eventually implemented, make it easier and safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to travel around the city. A major part of the plan involves improving east-west traffic flow, primarily on Main Street, by creating alternate traveling routes and easing congestion at some downtown intersections. Local officials are waiting on a final draft of the plan, which City Engineer John Knoop called a mix of new and old ideas. Press of Atlantic City (NJ), May 16, 07:13 AM
|
May 16--For 30 years, land once occupied by a city landfill has sat unused, but that could be changing with plans for a solar farm at the site. Petra Engineering PLLC, a Huntersville firm, has approached Mount Airy officials with a proposal for developing the solar photovoltaic power plant which would involve paying the city $125,000 for use of the land on City View Drive. During a meeting today at 7 p.m., the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners will consider authorizing Mayor Deborah Cochran to execute a letter of intent for the solar project. Mount Airy News (NC), May 16, 06:57 AM
|
May 16--Make that two more coal plants to go cold and many more to follow -- all to the loud cheers of environmental groups that don't want fracking for natural gas, either. The shuttering is part of a settlement between NRG, which acquired the plant, and the states of New Jersey and Connecticut over plant's air emissions. Separately, NRG announced that it would cease operations at its Titus Station power plant in Cumru Twp., Berks County, by April 2015. Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA), May 16, 06:21 AM
|
May 16--Depending on how quickly another $3 million is raised to convert the former State Office Building to an International Bluegrass Music Center and Museum, an architect will eventually be hired to design the transformation. On Wednesday morning, the committee that will select an architect for the project got a long look at the designs created by university architecture students. What they saw they liked, for the most part. Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY), May 16, 05:25 AM
|
NEW YORK - Canada's prime minister says a controversial oil pipeline from his country to the U.S. Gulf Coast "absolutely needs to go ahead" and warns that the oil will be transported through one way or the other. The pipeline project carrying oil from Canada's tar sands would need approval from the U.S. State Department. Harper says "The only real immediate environmental issue here is, do we want to increase the flow of oil from Canada by pipeline or via rail?" Associated Press/AP Online, May 16, 02:46 PM
|
Although the Winery at Bull Run is steeped in history, Jon Hickox recently added a modern element to one of the buildings - a solar roof. Hickox, the winery president, said this made him more willing to install them, because it wouldn't detract from the historic farmhouse feel of the winery, which is adjacent to the Manassas National Battlefield Park. Hickox, who also owns a home remodeling business, installed the solar shingles on the roof of a new storage barn at the Centreville winery. The Washington Post, May 16, 02:13 AM
|
May 16--The time for campaigning is about to end. Now the hard work -- delivering on promises made to 80,000 daily CTA Red Line customers who will lose a vital transportation lifeline for five months -- is set to begin Sunday. CTA officials and Red Line South Ambassadors outfitted in bright red shirts are making the rounds at the nine rail stations that will temporarily close, in an attempt to reach riders in Chicago and the south suburbs. Chicago Tribune, May 16, 02:11 AM
|
AUGUSTA -- A $1.1 billion budget to pay for Maine's highways and other transportation expenses has been presented to lawmakers. The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/10G5my4 ) says Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt presented the budget to lawmakers on Tuesday. The highway fund budget is reviewed by the Transportation Committee. "Sun Journal (Lewiston, ME)", May 16, 01:43 AM
|
May 15--An award-winning architectural firm, Rossetti, is moving its headquarters from the suburbs into the historic Federal Reserve building in downtown Detroit. The building at Fort and Shelby is one of more than 20 buildings owned or controlled by Quicken Loans founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert through his umbrella firm Rock Ventures and his real estate arm Bedrock Real Estate Services. The move will take place in July when Rossetti's team of 60 architects, planners and designers will occupy the fourth floor, or 13,000 square feet of space, in the building. Detroit Free Press (MI), May 15, 11:20 PM
|