Latest news with #Lighthouses
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A look back at some notable action in the Legislature this week
The Maine Senate in session in the State House in Augusta. Feb. 25, 2025. (Photo: Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star) Following the establishment of the state reptile and amphibian last week, lawmakers took up the difficult question of whether the song 'Welcome Home' by Winter Harbor resident Gordon Thomas Ward should become the official state anthem. Despite lyrics like 'Cadillac and tourmaline, Lighthouses and LL Bean, hardest workin' folks you'll ever know,' senators rejected the committee recommendation to adopt the song (LD 373) by a vote of 12-17 though their colleagues in the House backed the tune 91-52. With a divided report, the issue will be back before senators next week. The House also saw a lengthy discussion about the preservation of Sears Island, which has been slated to be the new home of an offshore wind port (if that comes to fruition). Gov. Janet Mills signed emergency legislation (LD 966) passed by both chambers that will allow access by state agencies and hospitals to certain confidential probate court records if the access is in the public interest. Other votes of note: Senators voted Tuesday to confirm D'arcy Main-Boyington for appointment to the Gambling Control Board. Following engrossment in the Senate, the House almost unanimously passed an emergency measure (LD 466) to extend the law governing electric power and service residential rates for military veterans organizations. Rep. Randall Greenwood (R-Wales) asked for a roll call vote for the enactment of LD 100, 'An Act to Increase the Expenditure Limit for the Informal Bidding Process for the Selection of Professional, Architect and Engineer Services,' which had already passed both chambers. Greenwood argued the bill allowed the state to award contracts 'to friends and neighbors without going through a formal bidding process,' to which Rep. Sue Salisbury (D-Westbrook) replied that the bill was requested by the department to 'make it a more tenable process.' It was enacted by a vote of 72-68. After several speeches on the importance of conserving the beauty and cultural significance of Sears Island, the House voted 76-68 in favor of the Energy Committee's recommendation against LD 226, which would extend existing conservation easement protections to cover more of Sears Island, including a portion that has been reserved for development of an offshore wind port by the Maine Department of Transportation. Bill sponsor Rep. Reagan Paul requested a roll call, and encouraged her colleagues to support the bill saying it is not about offshore wind but rather about protecting Sears island. Paul said opponents of the bill had intentionally misframed its intent. A bill (LD 80) to establish the Seppala Siberian sleddog as the official state dog passed under the hammer. The House on Thursday unanimously passed an amended version of LD 48 'An Act to Update References to the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Contained in the Maine Revised Statutes,' which Rep. Shelley Rudnicki explained, is done every year 'to be in conformity with the federal government and make it easier for taxpayers.: Bills that were voted against under the hammer (without a roll call) included: LD 183, An Act to Cap Publicly Owned Land Area at No More than 50 Percent of Any County; LD 181, An Act to Modify the Calculation of Pupil Counts Used for Determination of School Administrative Unit Operating Costs; LD 927, An Act to Require Chaplains in School Administrative Units; 479, An Act to Facilitate Expansion of the State's Recycling Efforts Under the Beverage Container Redemption Program; LD 986, An Act to Eliminate the Crime of Felony Murder; LD 223, An Act to Amend the Mining Excise Tax Laws; LD 399, An Act to Amend the Laws Regarding the Retention of Proceeds from Municipal Foreclosures; LD 565, An Act to Amend the Definition of 'Homestead' Under the Homestead Property Tax Exemption Laws; LD 892, An Act to Expand Property Tax Relief for Veterans and Their Surviving Spouses, Minor Children and Parents; LD 909, An Act to Expand Property Tax Relief for Veterans and Their Survivors; LD 2, An Act to Allow Military Vehicles Purchased for Civilian Use to Be Registered and Operated on Maine Roads; LD 478, An Act to Reduce Maximum Speeds on Roads Close to Residences. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Shreveport's Highland Center becomes a beacon for disaster aid
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Highland Center in Shreveport is in phase two of transforming into a vital 'lighthouse' for supporting residents during weather disasters, with backup power, water, and emergency support through the Community Lighthouse project. The Highland Center is a nonprofit organization that offers free tax filing, emergency support, neighborhood wellness programs, career readiness programs, and more. 'We are working towards getting backup power and backup response in any kind of disaster. We've been working really closely with our partners at Caddo Parish North Louisiana Interface. So, part one is almost complete. We have our backup power, solar panels on, water roof up there, and today, we're doing part two, which is getting backup water through a water well,' explains the Highland Center's executive director, Madison Poche. The Highland Center's roof is lined with solar panels, providing backup power for the community. Additionally, Poche says the water well is 175 feet deep underground. Once operational, it will be available for residents to use during emergencies. She hopes the Highland Center's Lighthouse project is accessible to as many people as possible. 'So definitely our plan is to make sure that neighborhood-based Disaster Response Hub is in as many neighborhoods as possible. So right now we're starting with pilot projects to kind of the east and the west parts of town. But we want to make sure that anyone can be within a 15-minute walk or a 15-minute drive of basic power and water necessities,' says Poche. Galilee Church $500K funding measure postponed, Lighthouse Project The Highland Center shared on social media: 'About four years ago, as the snow was melting, water pressure was restored after some residents lost access to water for up to two weeks. We have been collaborating with partners to develop a better plan for future crises, which includes water wells at the 'Community Lighthouse' pilot project sites, Morning Star Baptist Church of Shreveport, and the Highland Center.' Poche says Community Lighthouses are essential for neighbors to help each other during natural disasters so that first responders can focus on more significant emergencies. 'Neighbors can be prepared to help other neighbors. So our first responders in a natural disaster, in a really big emergency, can, you know, prioritize 911 calls. We can be taking care of each other when small issues like keeping a medical device charged, or keeping your medicine cold, or just having clean drinking water, before these smaller issues become nine on one calls,' says Poche. 'So I hope it builds our capacity to take care of ourselves and take care of each other and to be a stronger part of our community, use the disaster response plan.' This project has secured vital support from the American Rescue Plan disaster response funds through Caddo Parish and substantial private backing from the North Louisiana Interfaith Coalition. Poche underscores the Highland Center's Water Well is currently not operational. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
