Latest news with #JoeJudge
Newsweek
19-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Two Hospitalized in Illinois Train Derailment
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A train derailment caused a chemical leak and sent two rail workers to the hospital in Wabash County, Illinois, on Friday night. A total of 24 cars derailed, Norfolk Southern said, with two of them damaged and leaking sulfur. The derailment triggered an emergency response involving local, state, and federal agencies, Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge told Newsweek in an email Saturday. Norfolk Southern told Newsweek in an emailed statement on Saturday that the workers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Newsweek has reached out to the Wabash County Sheriff, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Homeland Security via email during non-working hours Saturday for more information. Why It Matters Train derailments can be dangerous for a variety of reasons, and sometimes even deadly. The latest train derailment shut down roadways, airspace and required a Hazmat response, Judge told Newsweek. The potential impacts of being exposed to sulfur range from mild irritation to life-threatening conditions. This is not the first time a Norfolk Southern train has derailed, causing issues. In 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, derailed with 38 cars coming off the tracks, 11 of which were carrying toxic chemicals. The derailment sparked a large fire, sending toxic gases into the atmosphere and prompting the evacuation of nearly 5,000 people. What To Know Friday's train derailment between Browns and Bellmont near Illinois Route 15 resulted in a "significant hazardous materials spill," according to Judge. Crews on Saturday continued to remove damaged rail cars from the site, Judge told Newsweek. Hazmat teams determined that leaked substances included liquid sulfur and other chemicals. Witnesses said they observed white smoke rising from the area shortly after the derailment, local television station WFIE reported. The derailment drew crews from multiple fire departments—including Browns, Albion, Bellmont, Mt. Carmel, and MABAS 47, along with the Wabash County Sheriff's Department and Homeland Security. It also shutdown roadways in the area and prompted a no-fly zone, according to the mayor, who added that the roads have since been reopened. Residents near the derailment were advised to evacuate temporarily as a precaution, but authorities later noted there was no widespread evacuation order in place. The situation was "contained" as of 5 a.m. local time, according to Judge. A freight train loaded with shipping containers at an inland port, Perak, Malaysia, on July 6, 2024. A freight train loaded with shipping containers at an inland port, Perak, Malaysia, on July 6, 2024. Getty What People Are Saying Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge told Newsweek in an email Saturday: "Homeland Security are still on scene while damaged cars are removed for safety precautions." Norfolk Southern said in a statement emailed to Newsweek Saturday: "One of our trains traveling through Browns, Illinois, derailed shortly before 7:00 p.m. July 18. Initial assessments indicate 24 cars derailed, resulting in leaks from two cars carrying molten Sulphur. There is no danger to the public. Two crew members were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Our team is working closely with local first responders to safely manage and mitigate the incident." What Happens Next? The cause of the derailment has not yet been determined. Local authorities and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to conduct a full investigation as the site is secured, and clean-up concludes. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) continues to monitor air quality on-scene and no threat to the general public has been declared. Residents are encouraged to stay alert to official updates and follow all safety directives.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Where are they on that project: Mount Carmel Pool
MOUNT CARMEL, Ky. (WEHT) — The Mount Carmel Pool has been a staple in the community dating back to 1936. Now almost 90 years later the old pool is being demolished and a new pool is being built. Mayor Joe Judge says a big problem arose last year when the main filter bed imploded causing 35,000 gallons of water to leak a day. 'To keep the pool open last summer, we had to put a lot of chlorine in it at a very high expense and the state came in and said we would not be able to reopen in 2025, unless we made all the improvements they had been talking about,' said Judge. Those improvements include fixing electrical problems, becoming ADA compliant, upgrades to the chemical room, and everything else that had to be brought up to code. The city council took a vote making the decision that it would be in the best interest of the taxpayers to build a new pool. 'We told the engineering company we wanted something you know, iconic to replace the pool that we have and they've come up with something that we think will be a hit with not only our community, but with other communities in the area,' said Judge. While the final renderings have not been released, Mayor Judge says the new facility will have aquatic features not seen in the area. 'It'll have the six swim lanes for competition swim,' said Judge. 'It will have several aquatic features that no other pool in the area has, which we're pretty excited about…and you know, one of the big things everybody loves about you know, our iconic pool that we have, is the beach. You know, being able it's a bowl style and we will still have that functionality with the new pool.' Contractors arrived on site today and the entire process should only take up to 2025 days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
