Latest news with #NALC
BBC News
02-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Derbyshire council continues to face losses over leisure centre
A parish council is continuing to face financial losses due to a heritage and leisure centre, according to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act. Elmton with Creswell Parish Council has faced criticism for a "multitude of failures" in its governance due to the losses it has made on the heritage and leisure centre in centre operated at a loss of more than £230,000 last year and is on course to make losses of over £1m over the next three years, according to documents obtained by residents, which have been seen by the parish council said the overall deficit has reduced in real terms. The parish council took out loans of almost £3m from the government and Bolsover District Council to build the centre. But the cost of running the facility soon became a cause for concern and the council ordered an external investigation into its finances, which was published earlier this year. It said there were "large and systemic failure to follow basic legal obligations" that left councillors potentially liable to prosecution. A further investigation was then carried out by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).It did not find any evidence that warranted prosecutions, but estimated the running the centre and repaying the loans were costing the council £10,400 per week. The centre's income was just over £100,000 in the last financial year, which is roughly the same as its salary costs alone, according to documents released to residents under the Freedom of Information Act, which have been seen by the BBC. The documents also show the council's total spending on the centre was £200,000 in the last financial year and it needed to subsidise the facility to the tune of £70,000 each financial quarter.A repayment plan is also now in place to keep the council from defaulting on its debts. The problems with the leisure centre led the council to increase its council tax precept by 323% over the last two years, taking its charge to a Band D home from £172.05 in 2023/24 to £557.09 in 2025/ say the council has no choice but to increase its share of council tax bills because the leisure centre's income does not cover its running costs. The charitable trust set up to run the centre will soon be dissolved after officers concluded it was not "able to carry out the functions it was set up to perform". Day-to-day running is expected to be taken over by Bolsover District Council, which is expected to make a number of structural changes in an effort to bring down costs. There are currently no discussions between the two councils on offloading the centre to a third party operator, after NALC warned the move could incur costs for the parish elsewhere. A spokesperson for Bolsover District Council said: "Bolsover District Council and Elmton with Creswell Parish Council are currently discussing detail around day-to-day management of the Heritage and Wellbeing Centre. "The prime intention is to sustain facility access to the general public, with operating costs being met by the Parish Council." The chair of a local residents' group, Cris Carr, said that there is increasing anger among residents that they are being asked to "pay more and more with no meaningful way to challenge what's happening".He added: "The latest report suggests costs are continuing to spiral, and many now fear another rise in the precept is inevitable — even as living costs bite hard."Residents are struggling to understand how a Parish Council — traditionally responsible for Christmas lights and hanging baskets — could commit an entire village to millions of pounds in future liabilities without any form of democratic safeguard or community consent."Yet not a single Parish Councillor believes they've done anything wrong." The parish council said in a statement it "understands and shares residents' concerns" and is addressing them through "greater transparency, financial discipline, and community engagement"."For Quarter 1 of the 2025/26 financial year, the Heritage and Wellbeing Centre received a subsidy of £70,253.12, coming in under the budgeted figure of £80,485.00", it said."This marks the second year running in which the overall deficit has reduced in real terms, as part of the Council's active work to bring costs down."Our focus is on bringing down the precept and reducing the impact on council tax bills."
CBS News
25-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Dallas letter carrier dies after collapsing in 90-degree heat, highlighting Texas work safety risks
A Dallas mail carrier died Saturday after collapsing on his mail route on the first day of summer, highlighting the deadly risks of work in Texas' extreme heat. Jacob Taylor, 51, was a 28-year employee with the U.S. Postal Service. Last Saturday, he started his deliveries from the Brookhollow Post Office in Northwest Dallas. The temperature outside was in the 90s. The president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Brian L. Renfroe, spoke before the House Subcommittee on Government Operations on Tuesday, announcing that Taylor "died on the job last week" amid extreme heat conditions. "I was told that a customer saw him entering his mail together to make deliveries, all of a sudden, collapsed," said Kimetra Lewis, who represents members of the Dallas Union for Letter Carriers. There are 2,800 union members, and within the past two years, there have been two deaths. On June 20, 2023, Dallas letter carrier Eugene Gates Jr. collapsed and died on his mail route. The heat index that day was 117 degrees. His wife said the vehicle he was driving that day was not air-conditioned. OSHA fined the U.S. Postal Service more than $15,000 for not protecting Gates from the heat. The citation listed recommended measures, including earlier start times and a heat acclimatization plan. The U.S. Postal Service said it is "deeply saddened by the loss of life involving a Dallas letter carrier," and that the safety of its employees is a top priority, including the use of a National Heat Illness Prevention Program. The official cause of death for Taylor has not been released. "I'm hoping it's not heat-related, because it would put another scare for letter carriers, not just here, but everywhere," said Lewis. Safety and heat-related illnesses According to MedStar, prolonged and/or intense exposure to hot temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses. Heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses large amounts of water and salt through excessive sweating. This is usually through physical labor or exercise. The loss of essential fluids can disturb your circulation and interfere with brain function. Symptoms Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include muscle cramps, paleness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Children and the elderly are especially susceptible. Heat stroke Heat stroke is the more dangerous of the two. It is a life-threatening problem that occurs when the body suffers long, intense exposure to heat and loses the ability to cool itself. What are the signs? Some of the most common signs of heat stroke include confusion, vomiting, altered sweating, hot and flushed skin, rapid heart rate, decreased sweating, shortness of breath, decreased urination, increased body temperature, or even convulsions. If you see someone displaying the above signs, you are advised to immediately call 911. MedStar's tips Hydrate : Drink plenty of water during the day, especially if you are engaged in any strenuous activity. Sports drinks are a good choice if you're exercising or working in hot conditions, but water is a good way to hydrate as well. : Drink plenty of water during the day, especially if you are engaged in any strenuous activity. Sports drinks are a good choice if you're exercising or working in hot conditions, but water is a good way to hydrate as well. Ventilate : Stay in a place where there is plenty of air circulating to keep your body cool. If you are indoors and don't have access to air conditioning, open windows and use a fan. : Stay in a place where there is plenty of air circulating to keep your body cool. If you are indoors and don't have access to air conditioning, open windows and use a fan. Cover up : Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing to avoid absorbing the sun's light and trapping heat. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, but once you feel yourself getting warm, remove any items covering your head that can trap heat close to your body. : Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing to avoid absorbing the sun's light and trapping heat. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, but once you feel yourself getting warm, remove any items covering your head that can trap heat close to your body. Limit activity : Heatstroke can occur in less than an hour when you are participating in strenuous activity during a hot day. If you feel yourself getting hot or light-headed, stop your activity and rest in a cool place out of the sun. Be sure to drink water or a sports drink before, during, and after any strenuous activity. : Heatstroke can occur in less than an hour when you are participating in strenuous activity during a hot day. If you feel yourself getting hot or light-headed, stop your activity and rest in a cool place out of the sun. Be sure to drink water or a sports drink before, during, and after any strenuous activity. Check on loved ones: The elderly are especially vulnerable to heat-related emergencies. Many elderly residents are not aware of how hot it may get in their residence. Call on older friends and family members regularly to assure they are doing OK.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Community members reflect on Dan Workman who died on the job
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) – 59-year-old Dan Workman was delivering mail on his route in the neighborhood around the VA, Village Inn, and above North Avenue. Last Friday, he was found unresponsive near the intersection of 23 Road and Texas Avenue and died on the job. Workman was a postal carrier out of the Grand Junction location off of 4th Street. Eric Salazar, who is the president of NALC Branch 913, released a statement about Workman's passing, stating, 'Dan was highly esteemed by both his customers and colleagues. This devastating event has had a profound impact on our NALC and USPS community. Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with his family during this incredibly difficult time.' WesternSlopeNow went to Workman's route, speaking with a couple of residents in the area. One of them who wished not to be on camera says the neighborhood has placed black ribbons on their mailboxes in support of Workman. Cindy Gallagher, who lives on Workman's route, tell WesternSlopeNow how he was more than just your average mailman. 'He was a friend. I think I could speak for the entire neighborhood, that we all just loved him. We're gonna miss him,' Gallagher states. Gallaghar said, that despite his busy schedule, Workman always took the time to greet his neighbors and would walk around the block with a smile you can't forget. Salazar told WesternSlopeNow the Deputy Coroner stated to him, 'Currently, heat exposure is not considered the primary factor. It may ultimately be ruled as a contributory factor, just as any physical exertion may play a role in a cardiac event.' WesternSlopeNow spoke with Dr. Chris Boyd, a cardiologist with Community Hospital, broke down the steps when it comes to reacting to a cardiac arrest event. Boyd states, 'If you give a feeling that just something doesn't feel right, you're dizzy, you're lightheaded, you're having chest pain; call 911. Don't mess around.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive collects 12k pounds of food in Wayne County
GOLDSBORO, N.C. (WNCT) — The National Association of Letter Carriers held their annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive recently. Around 12,920 pounds of nonperishable food were collected by mail carriers on Saturday, May 10. They fell a little short of their goal, which was 15,000 pounds. This was the association's 33rd year holding the food. 'We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community,' said Stacy Sinyard, Vice President of NALC Branch 876 and local food drive coordinator. 'Every can, every hour volunteered, and every act of kindness has a ripple effect. We may not have reached our goal this year, but the impact is real—and we're already optimistic about coming back even stronger next year.' The food drive benefited the Community Soup Kitchen of Goldsboro, HGDC Community Crisis Center, The Salvation Army, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 4 Day Movement and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's CHIPP Program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nations largest single-day food drive returns to Tampa Bay for 33rd year
The Brief The 33rd Annual 'Stamp Out Hunger' event was held in Tampa Bay on Saturday. Residents across Tampa Bay left non-perishables in their mailboxes for letter carriers to pick up and bring to local food pantries. According to the NALC, food insecurity has reached a 'crisis level' in the nation with more than 44 million people unsure where their next meal will come from. TAMPA - The largest single-day food drive in the nation returned to the Tampa Bay Area on Saturday as the National Association of Letter Carriers held their 33rd Annual 'Stamp Out Hunger' event. Residents across Tampa Bay left non-perishables in their mailboxes for letter carriers to pick up and bring to local food pantries. Metropolitan Ministries and The Hope Villages of America were among some of the contributing food banks. Big picture view According to the NALC, food insecurity has reached a 'crisis level' in the nation with more than 44 million people unsure where their next meal will come from. Metro Ministries joined the event on Saturday for the eighth year and nine Bay Area post offices participated. What they're saying "This drive really helps us and boosts us, especially in the summertime. We start to see donations slip in the summertime. People are on vacation, the snowbirds go back," said Brensey Thompson, Director of Marketing & Communications. "We're super thankful for all of our volunteers who are helping us and very appreciative of the letter carriers. They are doing double duty today." Hope Villages of America in Clearwater collected more than 80,000 pounds of food. Melvin Thomas, Senior Vice President of Operations said, "We really depend on this because it's the largest food drive or us throughout the whole year." Thomas said the event couldn't have come at a better time. He said, "Our shelves were empty, as you can see, so this is crucial for us. Whatever we have on hand that day, that's what we're able to give out." READ: Pinellas County could bring Cross Bay Ferry service back by buying two of their own boats Thomas said so many families are facing roadblock after roadblock. "First, we had the hurricanes. We saw an increase after that. Now we have the loss of jobs with the reorganization of things." In addition to inflation. "The cost of groceries are going up so that's less that they can buy so the need is more," he added. What you can do For more information on how to get involved, you can visit their website. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
