Latest news with #PublicRecordsAct
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Spokane Valley City Council to consider settlement with sitting member over public records lawsuit
Jun. 2—Spokane Valley's public records lawsuit against one of its sitting city council members could come to a close without a day in court if the council approves a settlement proposal this week. The Spokane Valley City Council will hear a settlement offer from Councilman Al Merkel Tuesday that would end the city's lawsuit against him — a monthslong legal dispute centered around the councilman's use of the social media platform NextDoor. The city opened an independent investigation into Merkel's NextDoor use last June following a complaint from Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger that he was using the platform as a form of city-related communication without keeping proper records of his activity. Rebecca Dean, a Seattle-based attorney who conducted the investigation, determined Merkel's use likely violated the state's Public Records Act and city code governing council members. Merkel has maintained that he does not believe his activity, whether posts, surveys or messages, constitute public records, and unsuccessfully appealed the investigation findings to the city's hearing examiner last fall. Citing a lack of compliance from Merkel following the investigation, and the hearing examiner's decision to uphold it, the Spokane Valley City Council voted to sue Merkel in February to force him to comply with open records rules. Merkel's fellow members on the city council voted unanimously to strip him of committee assignments, and to publicly censure Merkel — a formal condemnation for his actions — in a special meeting Dec. 19 following the appeal. The punishments are among the most severe available to the council when disciplining a fellow board member, and will remain in effect for the remaining three years of Merkel's term. The settlement offer, passed along by Merkel's attorney Patrick Kirby, comes just before the lawsuit was to appear before Spokane County Superior Court Judge Rachelle Anderson on July 18. If approved by the city council, the settlement would lead to the dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning the city could not refile the same claim down the road for events before the settlement took effect. The city would also cover all of Merkel's attorney fees past, present and future, "as they pertain to this dispute," according to meeting materials including in the agenda for Tuesday. Merkel is also requesting the city come to agreement with him on appointing an "independent master" to review his social media and determine what activity constitutes a public record, and to have the city cover the costs of the role. Merkel would only be legally obligated to produce social media posts the "master" determined to be public records, the settlement terms state. The city would pay for an attorney to serve as the "independent master." The city already has a staff that is trained in public record's law to fill records requests, and the city covered the costs of two independent experts already for the investigation and hearing examiner proceedings. The settlement would preempt a court from weighing in on whether, or to what extent, Merkel's activity on NextDoor is a public record. It would also preempt a court from directing him to provide those posts and to comply with state law and city policies moving forward, which is highlighted as a potential concern in the meeting materials. "Both determined Councilmember Merkel violated the Governance Manual social media policy and did not comply with his good faith obligations under Washington case law," the agenda item states. "Councilmember Merkel did not adhere to those determinations, and thus it would remain to be seen whether he would adhere to a third independent attorney's determinations in this regard when not in his favor." City Attorney Kelly Konkright will brief the council on the offer from Merkel at its regular 6 p.m. Tuesday meeting.
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Deemed Wild and Dangerous – But Fish & Game Can't Produce a Single Document or Respond to Our Records Request
LA MESA, Calif., May 21, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — On February 12, 2025, a formal Public Records Act (PRA) request was submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission seeking documentation to justify the classification of domestic ferrets as 'not normally domesticated in California' by The request specifically asked for any scientific studies, internal memos, environmental risk assessments, or correspondence used to uphold the ongoing prohibition of domestic ferrets under Title 14, Section 671 of the California Code of Regulations. As of today – more than 90 days later – no responsive records have been produced. We acknowledge and appreciate the professional efforts of Executive Director Melissa Miller-Henson and her staff, particularly Cynthia McKeith, who confirmed receipt of our request and committed to transparency. This is not a failure of staff, who were given an impossible task: to produce evidence that likely doesn't exist. 'We're not angry with the staff. In fact, we feel for them. Melissa Miller-Henson inherited a legacy of bureaucratic neglect. We're sorry she got stuck with this,' said Pat Wright, who submitted the request. 'But after 35 years of petitions being ignored or quietly denied without justification, we're done being silent.' The request asked for documents dating back to 1931, when the original mustelid regulation was enacted. The public has a right to know: was the ferret ban ever based on actual evidence, or has it simply persisted unchallenged? In the absence of records, this silence speaks volumes. The California Fish and Game Commission owes the public more than a stall – it owes an explanation. We remain committed to transparency, due process, and accountability in our campaign to legalize domestic ferrets in California. All responses, or lack thereof, will be documented publicly. For more information or to follow the ongoing effort, visit: MULTIMEDIA: Image link for media: Image caption: While the months fly by, we're still waiting for answers. Our Public Records Act request to the California Fish and Game Commission has gone unanswered—just like the last 35 years of silence. MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: Pat Wright [email protected] (619) 303-0645 NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets Keywords: Pets and Veterinary, ferret legalization, California Fish and Game Commission, ferret ban, domestic ferrets, ferret public records request, CPRA request, animal classification, Title 14 Section 671, mustela putorius furo, California wildlife laws, transparency in government, ferret advocacy, LA MESA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Legalize Ferrets) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126354 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Judge set to release settlement records in wrongful death case
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — The family of the man who died in the Realty Tower explosion last year has been denied their request asking that documents pertaining to their wrongful death lawsuit be sealed. In March, attorney Patrick McFarland, who represents the estate of Akil Drake, confirmed the family reached a settlement in the lawsuit that involved the owner of the building, the property management company, and the gas company. Drake died while working at the Chase Bank last May. The original lawsuit alleged negligence by those involved in construction work on the building that led to the explosion, alleging that the property owner and management company knew the work could be dangerous and failed to maintain the safety of those inside. A motion filed by the estate on April 11 in Mahoning County Probate Court Judge Robert Rusu Jr.'s court asks for the details of the settlement to be sealed, as well as 'each of the four proposed release of claims.' In the filing, the estate says that the incident 'which gives rise to the death of (Drake's) decedent involves continued litigation involving multiple lawsuits and hundreds of claimants' and that the motion was made to comply with agreed settlement terms. A hearing held last week dismissed the motion. Rusu cited the Public Records Act, which allows the disclosure of probate settlement records, and said they did not find that the parties 'met their burden of proof and did not exhibit by clear and convincing evidence.' Akil Drake's family has until Monday to appeal before making the settlement details available to the public. As of Sunday, they have not filed one. Several other plaintiffs are suing in relation to the explosion. Ohio Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy assigned retired Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge W. Wyatt McKay to the case. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 8. Kristy Regula contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
National Archives of India acquires private papers of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
The National Archives of India (NAI), the premier archival institution of the country, on Monday acquired the private papers of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. According to a press release, the collection comprises original correspondences and photographs, passport, Aadhaar and PAN cards, tour reports, and the lectures delivered by Kalam at various universities and organisations. The collection was donated by A.P.J.M. Nazema Maraikayar, Kalam's niece, and A.P.J.M.J. Sheik Saleem, Kalam's grandnephew. Arun Singhal, Director-General, National Archives, signed an agreement with Ms. Maraikayar. The ceremony was also attended by A.P.J.M. Jainulabudeen, Kalam's nephew, and A.P.J.M.J. Sheik Dawood, Kalam's grandnephew. The NAI is the custodian of the non-current records of the Government of India and holds them in trust for the use of administrators and researchers, as per the provisions of the Public Records Act, 1993. It plays a key role in guiding and shaping archival consciousness in the country. Apart from its vast collection of public records, the NAI also houses a rich and ever-growing collection of private papers of eminent Indians from all walks of life, who have made significant contributions to the nation, the release said.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 challenges to completing the Bob Jones Trail in SLO County
Stories by The Tribune journalists, with AI summarization The Bob Jones Trail extension project has faced multiple interconnected challenges, primarily centered around disputes with property owners and funding pressures. Key landowners, such as Ray Bunnell, have refused offers for easements due to concerns over compensation, liability, and property impacts. Alternative trail alignments have been proposed, including a new route along Highway 101, but these designs struggle with safety and feasibility concerns. Additionally, the county risks losing an $18 million grant if construction doesn't begin by early 2025. As efforts switch to a "bookend approach" bypassing holdout properties, community fundraising has emerged to address a $6 million funding gap for the expensive redesign, highlighting significant public and financial stakes in completing the popular trail. The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. The county risks losing millions of dollars if it can't reach agreement on plans for the missing link. | Published May 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Stephanie Zappelli The Tribune filed a Public Records Act request to find out who is fighting the project and who is cooperating. | Published October 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Stephanie Zappelli Chloe Shrager The county already paid Ray Bunnell $20,000, but that was for one-time, limited access to his property for environmental surveys. | Published October 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chloe Shrager Stephanie Zappelli Meanwhile, some property owners still refuse to sell to the county. | Published December 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chloe Shrager Stephanie Zappelli Now, with all approvals and funding in place, construction on the missing section can begin in 2026, the county said. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chloe Shrager Stephanie Zappelli This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.
