Latest news with #BoardOfSupervisors
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Riverside County promises more funding and staff for animal shelters
Riverside County leaders boldly pledged to hire more staff and add more funding to animal shelters to help them become "no-kill" facilities. Currently, over a thousand dogs lack the space to comfortably live while waiting to find loving homes. "When there's overcrowding like that, there's high stress. The barking levels go up," said Daylin Valenica, a programs manager at the Riverside County Department of Animals. "It limits the staff's ability to maintain a safe, enriching, caring environment for the animals." Valencia said the county's shelters are 220% over capacity, meaning four or more dogs are forced to be housed in kennels meant for just one or two. "We really need the community to help us with volunteering, with fostering, with adopting," he said. Without the help, some of the dogs would be euthanized. The county said it's a last resort they're desperately trying to avoid by temporarily waiving adoption fees and extending shelter hours. "Save more lives," Valencia said. "That's the goal. That's the ultimate goal." To alleviate the situation, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution committing to the goal of becoming a no-kill community for shelter animals. The department is expected to ask the county for $5 million for more staff, space and programs. The main issue is the disparity between adoptions and abandoned pets admitted into shelters. Valencia said it's critical for people to give shelter dogs, who have already been through a lot, time to acclimate to their new environment and relax into their personality. "They have the ability to love again and trust again," he said.
New York Times
3 days ago
- General
- New York Times
San Francisco Leader Faces Recall After Drivers Lost Their Great Highway
An elected leader in San Francisco will face a recall for helping to turn a major thoroughfare into a beachside park, a move that some voters consider a grievous mistake. The city's Department of Elections announced on Thursday that an attempt to oust Supervisor Joel Engardio from office had qualified for the ballot, and that a special election would be held on Sept. 16. Forget party politics. Mr. Engardio fell victim to park politics in a city that remains fiercely divided over the shutting down of the Great Highway and its conversion into a coastal playground known as Sunset Dunes this year. The park won rave reviews from visitors who run along the Pacific Ocean and lounge in hammocks there. But it angered residents who relied on the roadway to shave time, and others who said that neighborhood streets were now clogged with would-be Great Highway drivers. Those detractors now want to remove Mr. Engardio because he led the park conversion effort. It marks San Francisco's third recall election in less than four years, the latest sign of a restless electorate that remains dissatisfied with its city leaders over quality-of-life issues. Mr. Engardio is one of 11 members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, which is akin to a city council. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Fourth of July parade in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania, back on, weeks after being canceled
The Fourth of July parade is back on in Whitemarsh Township, weeks after officials said the tradition would be canceled in 2025 due to an "unnecessary risk to the community." On Thursday night, the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors approved a vote to hold the Fourth of July Parade on Germantown Pike on Friday, July 4. Registration for the parade will open next week, according to the township. "Whitemarsh wants this tradition and deserves this tradition," Supervisor Vice Chair Fran McCusker said in a statement on the township's website. "As we said earlier, safety is our top priority and we are confident that we are taking steps that will allow the community to safely celebrate our nation's birthday with family and friends." The Board of Supervisors voted at a second special meeting on Thursday to discuss the parade's cancellation due to safety concerns. After listening to residents at a meeting last week, the Board of Supervisors asked township staff to identify options for holding a new parade in July. The township and community members then worked together to plan a parade with enhanced security, the township said, with additional steps that will be in place for future Fourth of July parades in Whitemarsh Township. The township says that additional details about the 2025 Fourth of July parade will be announced next week on its website, social media and weekly newsletter.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
LA County offering free soil testing for residents near Eaton Fire burn scar
Thanks to a new program through Los Angeles County's Department of Public Health, residents near the Eaton Fire burn scar can get their soil tested for lead for free until the end of the year. "This soil testing program is free, convenient, and will provide residents accurate information about the environmental health of their soil," said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the communities affected by the wildfire. The Department of Public Health provided instructions on how to collect soil samples. After retrieving the dirt, residents can drop off their samples at the One Stop Permit Center, 464 W. Woodbury Road, Suite 210, in Altadena, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Public health staff will return the results within 7-10 business days via email. The program will run through December 2025. Depending on the demand, the free service could be extended. "Los Angeles County is committed to being responsive to the needs of our residents impacted by the Eaton Fire, which is why we're providing timely soil testing resources and support to ensure residents can make informed decisions about their health," Barger said. The Board of Supervisors approved the $3 million program in April after a preliminary study commissioned by the public health department heightened concerns about elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals. "The overall percentages of lead in the 30 or 40% range would not be necessarily surprising in an urban setting, but what we see here are levels of exceedances downwind of where the main burn area is," principal scientist at Roux Inc., Adam Love, said in April. "We see the percentages of lead in those samples that are 70% up to 80% of the soil samples exceeding the screening levels." Scientists believe the higher-than-anticipated levels of lead could be linked to burned homes. Lead-based paint was common in houses before the federal government banned it in 1978. A Caltech study found that 90% of the homes in Altadena were built before 1975. "Wildfires can stir up lead that's been trapped in older building materials, paint, pipes or surrounding soil," said DPH Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Nichole Quick in April. "When those materials burn or when ash and dust are disturbed, lead particles can become airborne or settle on surfaces where children play and people live their daily lives." However, the further screening showed that lead levels were below the California Department of Toxic Substances Control guidelines of 80 parts per million and much lower than the Environmental Protection Agency's threshold of 200 ppm. Additionally, test results for heavy metals showed that they were below state and federal regulations.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- CBS News
San Mateo County Sheriff Corpus' complaints against county CEO have "no merit," report finds
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has released an independent report that says most of the allegations by Sheriff Christina Corpus against county executive Michael Callagy have no merit. The board commissioned the report from the Oppenheimer Investigations Group in response to allegations Corpus made in 2024, accusing Callagy of abuse of power and inappropriate practices. The release of the report comes as the board is moving forward with plans to remove Corpus from office. Allegations from Sheriff Corpus detailed According to the report, Corpus brought three separate complaints against Callagy. The first was on September 22, 2024, in a letter to the then Board of Supervisors President Warren Slocum. The second complaint was filed in December 2024 with the county. Finally, in February 2025, Corpus filed a complaint with the State of California's Civil Rights Department. The report investigated the following accusations: Did Callagy direct Corpus to inform him of when and whom she dated within the county? Did Callagy negatively interfere with Corpus's negotiations with cities for police services? Did Callagy negotiate double overtime with the Deputy Sheriff's Association without discussing the decision with Corpus? Did Callagy block the firing of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan? Did Callagy publicly release Retired Judge LaDoris Cordell's investigation via Instagram? Was Corpus treated differently because of her race and/or gender? The investigators interviewed Callagy and 12 additional witnesses regarding the allegations. The report also includes official county emails and at least one whistleblower report. After reviewing the interviews and evidence the investigators determined "a preponderance of the evidence does not support" five of the six allegations. The investigation found only one of the claims to be sustained: that Callagy blocked the firing of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan. "A preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that Callagy blocked Monaghan's termination," the report stated. "A preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that Callagy did so because of his concerns about legal liability due to a potential retaliation claim on the part of Monaghan." Corpus's decision to fire Monaghan set off a dispute between the sheriff and the deputies' union. The firing is being reviewed by the San Mateo County Attorney's office for possible retaliation against Monaghan because of his involvement with an investigation into the sheriff's office. Corpus facing possible removal from office In March voters passed Measure A, granting the supervisors temporary power to remove the sheriff on grounds such as violation of any law related to the sheriff's duties, neglect of sheriff's duties, or misappropriation of public funds. Corpus has maintained her innocence and has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the county alleging discrimination and harassment. CBS News Bay Area reached out to her office for a statement on the report.
