Latest news with #BoulderCity
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Boulder City latest to criminalize homelessness with anti-camping ordinance
Boulder City Council, from left: Council Member Steve Walton, Mayor Pro Tempore Sherri Jorgensen, Mayor Joe Hardy, Council Member Cokie Booth, Council Member Denise Ashurst. (Boulder City Council meeting screengrab) Boulder City is the latest community in Nevada to enact an anti-homeless camping ban, which took effect in June. Susan Reams, a Boulder City resident who is currently experiencing homelessness, filed a lawsuit in late July seeking to make the ordinance 'more humane' and prevent the law from being enforced, especially in the triple digit heat. 'Because of rising rent costs and (the) unemployment rate, a lot of people, including myself, are unhoused,' Reams said. 'I just think there's more that Boulder City could be doing. There's nowhere for people to go. Boulder City doesn't have safe camping zones or even a shelter.' In an email to Nevada Current, a city spokesperson said it couldn't comment on the lawsuit because it had not yet been served with it. The council unanimously passed the ordinance May 27 that prohibits camping, sleeping, and storing personal property in a public place. Violating the ordinance is a misdemeanor and people could face up to six months in jail. City Attorney Brittany Walker told council members in May that the bill would 'provide the city with the tools it needs in order to ensure that individuals aren't camping in the public places and are seeking services.' Boulder City joined Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson and Sparks along with Clark, Washoe and Nye counties in being among localities across the state that have passed or expanded various punitive measures in recent years to restrict where those experiencing homelessness can sleep or camp. Multiple decisions out of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, whose jurisdiction includes Nevada, ruled in recent years that ordinances were unconstitutional if cities didn't have adequate shelter space for people who were sleeping in public places. Some cities, including the City of Las Vegas, tried to circumvent the federal court's ruling by adopting bans on sleeping and sitting in public rights of way that would only go into effect if shelter space was available. The legal landscape changed in June 2024, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled local governments are not violating the 8th Amendment's restriction on cruel and unusual punishment if they criminalize people experiencing homelessness for sleeping outside, even if there aren't other adequate accommodations. More than 200 municipalities across the country have adopted anti-homeless camping bans since last year's high court ruling, according to the National Homelessness Law Center. Increased statutory criminalization comes as homelessness has spiked across the country, including in Nevada. The state saw a 17% increase in homelessness last year, according to a December report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Southern Nevada's 2024 Point-in-Time Count, an annual snapshot of homelessness on one particular night, showed a 13-year high in the number of people experiencing homelessness. The data is likely an undercount. Among the number of those entering into homelessness is Reams, who was evicted last year. 'I didn't realize that you could be evicted even though your rent was paid,' she said, adding that her eviction stemmed from having two dogs in the apartment. Though she has been able to get an occasional room at weekly motels, most of the time she has been finding discreet spots to sleep around Boulder City. 'There is a Boulder City emergency aid, but their hours are limited along with their finances,' Reams said. Though she has signed up to be on waitlist for housing assistance through Boulder City and other nonprofits, she hasn't had any luck. In an email to the Current, the city said in 2022 it created a community resources liaison position at the Boulder City Hospital to help address needs of unhoused individuals. The liaison declined to be interviewed. In the email the city said the liaison has connected unhoused individuals to services, including recently several unhoused people who were reunited with families out of town. 'Our first response will be referrals to the Community Resources Liaison rather than issuing a citation,' the city said in an email. 'The new ordinance provides a legal mechanism for the city to approach unhoused people in our parks and help connect them with available resources.' The city told the Current they have tallied 12 unhoused people in the city. In a staff report from the May 27 council meeting, officials said that 'a growing number of individuals are occupying public places in Boulder City and storing personal property and belongings in public places in a manner causing concern for City staff.' Speaking to council members at the May meeting, Boulder City Police Chief Tim Shea said some of the unhoused people officers have talked with have said they were told by law enforcement in the Las Vegas area to come to Boulder City. Boulder City Councilwoman Denise Ashurst said she believed the city needed an ordinance 'because if you don't have something in place, then you don't have anything to lean on if you do need something.' Camping will still be allowed with a permit, said Walker, the city attorney. Walker also said it was her understanding that 'there has never been a conviction under Las Vegas or Henderson ordinance for such a violation.' However, data previously reported on by the Current showed that the Henderson Police Department issued 150 citations or arrests among 99 people for camping or sleeping in a public right of way from August 2023 to September 2024. Shea said his department would use discretion before issuing a citation or making an arrest. In the meantime, Reams said she is making repeated appeals to get the council to make the ordinance more humane, and has called for a town hall in order for city officials to better understand the homeless crisis. 'I find this is a big issue in Boulder City, and I don't think it's going to get any better,' she said. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Granite and Contri JV chosen for SNWA's Paradise Hills CMAR Project
Granite, a construction and construction materials company, in collaboration with Contri Construction, has announced the selection of its joint venture (JV), Southern Nevada Construction Partners (SNCP), by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). The JV has been picked to carry out the preconstruction phase of the Paradise Hills Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Project. The CMAR Project is part of SNWA's Horizon Lateral Program aimed at enhancing water delivery and system reliability. The project will see the installation of nearly 22,000 linear feet of 120in steel water pipeline, including trenchless crossings beneath existing infrastructure comprising a 108in waterline, Interstate I-11, and Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The pipeline will allow for future connections to Boulder City and other key areas. Additionally, a new pumping station with a capacity of 65 million gallons per day is to be constructed, featuring civil grading, access roads, perimeter security, and desert-compliant landscaping. The development will feature a single-level pump building with mechanical, electrical, and disinfection systems and surge protection infrastructure, as well as advanced instrumentation and control systems. As the lead of the JV, Granite will handle various construction tasks, including clearing operations, concrete structures, and the installation of pump station structures and equipment. Granite's estimated value for the construction contract stands at $240m. Contri Construction will focus on the installation of the 120in pipeline and its components. Granite area manager Don Sawyer said: 'This project showcases our joint venture's local expertise and collaborative strength. Through SNCP, we're delivering a high-value, future-ready water infrastructure solution that supports the long-term needs of Southern Nevada.' Construction is scheduled to commence on 4 January 2027 and be completed by January 2030. This May, Granite secured a $26m contract from San Francisco International Airport to upgrade certain taxiways. "Granite and Contri JV chosen for SNWA's Paradise Hills CMAR Project" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
RNZ News
02-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Six people injured in 'targeted' attack in Boulder, Colorado
A bomb squad team at a staging area, following an attack on a pro-Israeli demonstration, in the US city of Boulder, Colorado, on 1 June. Photo: AFP/ Getty Images - Chet Strange A man reportedly set people on fire in the US city of Boulder, Colorado, leaving multiple individuals injured, the city's police chief said, as people gathered for a 'peaceful' pro-Israeli demonstration. A suspect is in custody and police are investigating what FBI officials immediately called "a targeted terror attack" - though the local authorities said it was too early to define the attack. "When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims ... with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries," Boulder police chief Stephen Redfearn said on Sunday (US time). The man threw bottles that apparently contained flammable liquid that hit the ground and exploded in flames, multiple law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation told CNN, noting the exact number of bottles was unclear. The reported attack took place at the Boulder Run for Their Lives event, the Anti-Defamation League said on social media. The weekly gathering of Jewish community members is meant to support the hostages taken during the 7 October attacks in Israel, in 2023. The ADL noted that the incident happened ahead of the holiday of Shavuot, according to the ADL - a Jewish holiday which celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai. Six victims, ranging in age from 67 to 88, were injured in the Sunday attack, according to the FBI. One victim was "very seriously injured," according to Redfearn. Four victims were taken to Boulder Community Hospital. Two victims were airlifted to the Denver metro area, the chief said. All six victims are still being treated. "Our thoughts are heavily focused on their recovery," he added. "We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza," Boulder's Jewish community said in a joint statement to CNN. CNN reported that Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was the suspect in the attack and reportedly used what authorities called "a makeshift flamethrower". "This attack happened at a regularly scheduled, weekly peaceful event," FBI Denver Special Agent-in-Charge Mark D Michalek said during a news conference on Sunday. "Witnesses are reporting that the subject used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd." It is unclear if Soliman has an attorney at this time. Authorities said Soliman was injured during the attack and was taken to a hospital. "The FBI shares in the sorrow of the Boulder community, especially to those who have family or friends injured in this tragedy," Michalek said. "At this point, we do not believe that there is an additional suspect at large," Police Chief Redfearn said. When asked if there was evidence the suspect acted as part of a "greater network" or specific group, Michalek said, "Not at this time." "The subject is in custody, but this will be a thorough and complete investigation, and those checks are ongoing," Michalek said. A witness to the attack described seeing a "big fire go up", they told Colorado TV station KUSA. Brooke Coffman said she was on the phone with her mother during her lunch break, approximately 100 to 150 feet away from the Boulder courthouse, when she "saw some flags moving around," "people wrestling," and "like someone was getting beat up or something." When she saw the flames, Coffman said she hung up on her mother, ran over to the area and called 911. "There was a kid yelling, 'Call 911,'" she recalled. "People on the street were just yelling, 'Call 911.' People were running." Coffman told KUSA she jumped over a small fence to get to two women who were "rolling around a bit" on the grass and in their underwear from stripping off their pants. She asked how she could help and saw how extensive their burns were. "They have really bad burns all up on their legs," she said. One of the victims was screaming and "was wrapped in a flag." "It just wasn't a good scene and she was, definitely needed help," she said. "It was just not obviously a good thing to see." Police at a roadblock, Boulder, Colorado. Photo: AFP/ Getty Images - Chet Strange FBI agents and federal prosecutors are reviewing the circumstances of the incident to determine whether the individual will be charged with terrorism or under other possible federal criminal statutes, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN. The source stressed potential mental health concerns had not yet been ruled out, which could factor into any charging decision. "Department of Justice agents with local law enforcement are investigating the tragic attack in Boulder, Colorado," a Department of Justice spokesperson said in a statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by this needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans. We will follow the facts and prosecute all perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law." FBI director Kash Patel said in a social media post that "we are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available." We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available. @FBI FBI deputy director Dan Bongino added: "We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence." Colorado Governor Jared Polis is "closely monitoring the situation," he said in a statement on Sunday. "Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation. More information will be provided as it becomes available," Polis added. President Donald Trump was briefed on the attack, a White House official has told CNN. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the suspect had "illegally overstayed" a tourist visa. "He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa," Miller wrote in a post on X. "In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit." Miller characterized the suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, as an "illegal alien." Law enforcement sources previously told CNN that the suspect had applied for asylum and been rejected for a visa in 2005. It was unclear how and when the suspect entered the US. CNN has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE for information about the suspect's immigration status. The Boulder attack comes a little over a week after the fatal shooting of two staffers at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. The accused gunman, Elias Rodriguez, faces several federal murder charges, after authorities say he shot Sarah Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, as they left an event at the Jewish Museum. Rodriguez reportedly shouted "Free Palestine" as he was arrested. The US Department of Justice is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Both attacks come amid heightened tensions in the US during Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Speaking at Sunday's news conference after the Boulder attack, the FBI's Michalek said, "Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country." "This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across our nation." The New York Police Department said its presence has been increased at synagogues and other religious sites throughout New York City for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, following Sunday's anti-Semitic attack in Boulder. That included "high visibility patrols and heavy weapons terms," the Department announced in a post on X. Shavuot began Sunday evening. Increased NYPD patrols have been sent to synagogues and mosques on multiple occasions since the start of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, on 7 October, 2023. New York state is home to the largest population of Jews outside of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while also boasting one of the country's largest populations of Arabs and Muslims. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security had previously reported increased reports of anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, and anti-Arab threats following the start of the war. - CNN
