Latest news with #SharonDoyle
Dominion Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Dominion Post
Star City, MUB send utility takeover plan to public service commission
MORGANTOWN — With a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, the Morgantown Utility Board joined Star City Town Council in approving an asset purchase agreement and an operations and maintenance agreement that will allow MUB to take over Star City's water, sewer and stormwater utilities. The acquisition now heads to Charleston for a final review by the West Virginia Public Service Commission. If ultimately approved by the PSC, MUB will take complete ownership of all Star City water and sewer lines and facilities. As the state set up stormwater management as a municipal public work – not a public utility – the O&M agreement will make MUB the operational agent for the town's stormwater system. As of March, Star City had 945 water and sewer customers, 17 miles of gravity sewer lines and 10.5 miles of water main. There were 877 customers in Star City's MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). MUB was already the town's treated water provider and all sewer flows out of Star City are treated at MUB's riverside treatment facility, which is located in the town. While Star City officials initially hoped its customers could be taken in at MUB's 'Morgantown' rates, Star City customers will see their rates remain unchanged. The two sides began working publicly on the merger in March. At that time, a Star City customer was paying $13.20 more than a MUB customer for the same amount of water. On the sewer side, MUB customers were paying $3.68 more. MUB's stormwater fees were $7.58 (flat rate) and $3.03 (per 1,000 square feet). Star City's fees were $5.88 and $2.35 respectively. These numbers do not reflect increases that took effect on both sides as of July 1. 'Really, what it amounts to is Morgantown is higher on sewer than what Star City is. Star City is higher on water than what Morgantown is. If you put the two together, it's not a big difference,' Star City Mayor Sharon Doyle said. While Doyle said it's disappointing that Star City's customers couldn't be taken in at MUB's standard rates, the acquisition is still a tremendous net benefit to the town. 'This is something that we should have done a long time ago. We're a small town. We don't generate the revenue we need for large, capital improvements. So, in order to effectively serve our citizens and protect the water and environment, this is where we need to go.' Doyle continued. 'Our staff does what they can do and they do a great job, but we don't have engineers and the expertise and staffing that MUB can offer. It's going to be good for our public works staff to be able to focus on streets and our parks and other things they've had to put off because of working on the water and sewer systems.' Star City joins Westover, which will finalize MUB's acquisition of its systems once the Holland Avenue and Dents Run pump station projects are complete. MUB is currently operating Westover's water, sewer and stormwater systems via an O&M agreement. Under MUB, rate changes for Star City and Westover customers will go before Morgantown City Council.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Ticket demands surge to pre-Covid levels for Kennedy Summer School as sessions sell out
New Ross local and Festival Co-ordinator, Sharon Doyle commented on this year's demand: 'Audiences are clearly eager to experience everything the Kennedy Summer School has to offer this year. What has very much surprised us is the pace of ticket sales. In pre-COVID times, we would usually reach this level of demand around the August Bank Holiday weekend—but it has been years since sales moved at this pace.' " We are very much looking forward to welcoming all our audiences and guest speakers very soon. And if you're quick, you might still be able to join us for a Thursday or Friday evening session,' she added. The 2025 Kennedy Summer School will officially open on the evening of Thursday, August 28, with a special ceremony at St Michael's Theatre in New Ross. Esteemed broadcaster and Chair of the Kennedy Summer School, Eileen Dunne, will lead a fireside chat with President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns. Following the official opening, attendees are invited to a special film screening and panel discussion of From That Small Island – The Story of the Irish. This thought-provoking documentary explores the enduring global impact of the Irish diaspora. The post-screening discussion lead by Eamonn Hore promises to be a highlight of the evening, featuring insights from leading historians and cultural commentators including Professor Bríona Nic Dhiarmada, originator of the acclaimed 1916: The Irish Rebellion series; Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, a prominent historian of early modern Ireland; historian and author; and Colm Mac Con Iomaire, musician and storyteller whose work reflects the emotional texture of Irish identity. The programme continues on Friday morning with a centenary celebration of The Great Gatsby, marking 100 years since the publication of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic American novel. This special Schools Masterclass Session is designed to engage secondary students and the wider public with fresh perspectives on the novel's relevance today. The panel will feature leading International literature scholars — Professor Kirk Curnutt, Professor Sarah Churchwell, Professor Philip McGowan and Dr Martina Mastandrea — and moderated by Dr Brian Murphy, will unravel the magic, mystery and timeless charm of Fitzgerald's masterpiece. Later on Friday, attention turns to the scenic setting of the JFK Arboretum for the sold-out Speakers' Lunch, which will host Minister James Lawless TD as guest speaker. After lunch, the focus shifts back to St Michael's Theatre for a compelling panel on the role of local journalism in Irish society today. This discussion, moderated by Alan Corcoran of Southeast Radio, will explore how regional media continues to inform, connect, and hold power to account. Panellists include journalist and columnist Brenda Power, Wexford People reporter Jessica O'Connor, editor and broadcaster Dave O'Connell, and Bill Forry, editor of the Boston Irish Reporter, who brings an Irish-American media perspective. One of the most anticipated events of the summer school follows, which is the prestigious Noel Whelan Interview, named in honour of the school's co-founder and visionary political analyst. Introduced by Seamus Whelan, this year's interview will feature Colm Tóibín, internationally celebrated author of Brooklyn and The Magician, in conversation with Sinéad McSweeney. Their discussion is expected to explore themes of literature, identity, censorship, and the global reach of Irish storytelling. The evening concludes with a timely and provocative panel titled President Trump & Us, moderated by RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly. With the 2024 U.S. presidential election still reverberating globally, this session will include a diverse mix of insightful Americans and Europeans from the worlds of politics, business, journalism, economics and academia, who will assess the far-reaching ramifications for the world of the second Trump presidency. Contributors include economist Dan O'Brien, European affairs journalist Shona Murray, former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Latino political strategist Gilberto Ocanas, and Ukrainian political analyst Tanya Gordiienko. Their diverse perspectives promise a nuanced and wide-ranging conversation at the intersection of politics, diplomacy, and public sentiment. The 2025 Kennedy Summer School promises a dynamic and timely series of conversations and cultural events in the historic town of New Ross. With issues ranging from US politics to housing, Irish-America to literature, the programme continues the festival's mission to foster informed public debate. For further information and tickets, visit
Dominion Post
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Dominion Post
Area still feeling effects of brief Saturday evening storm
The Star City municipal building didn't open for business on Monday. It didn't have electricity. In fact, the entirety of Star City remained without power as of Monday afternoon, more than 40 hours after a very brief, but very violent, storm rocked Monongalia County and North Central West Virginia. 'The entire town is completely without power – residents, businesses, everything,' Star City Mayor Sharon Doyle said. 'Right now, the power company notification is saying it could be 11 p.m. [Tuesday] night. We're hoping it's sooner, but that's the only information we have to go on right now.' The powerful wind that blitzed through the greater Morgantown area was the result of a supercell thunderstorm – the kind of powerful storm with the capability to spin up tornadoes and drop powerful localized columns of straight-line wind called microbursts. It's the same kind of storm that peeled the roof of Hazel's House of Hope in May of 2022. The intensity of this most recent occurrence was evident in the mess it left behind. A cinder block dugout was toppled in Westover. The roof of a Star City apartment building was partially removed and placed on top of the former fire station a couple hundred feet away. An entire string of power poles were snapped on Collins Ferry Road. 'I just thought it was a typical thunderstorm. I never thought it would be so quick and so powerful,' Doyle said. 'I've never experienced that in my life in this area. We've had storms that have knocked out the power, but nothing like that. For all of Star City to be out for days, I've never seen anything like it.' Much of the damage, and power disruption, is the result of wind-blown trees either falling on property or pulling down utility lines. Downed power lines ended up sparking a brush fire in the area of Berry Hill Crossing Road Monday afternoon that resulted in volunteer crews at the scene putting out an all-county alert for available manpower. In Morgantown, a tree smashed through a fence in Krepps Park. In the county, another smashed through a cabin and damaged the lodge in Chestnut Ridge Park. Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee said city crews are working to clear approximately two dozen downed trees in the wake of the storm. The city reopened Arch Street around noon on Monday after displaced power lines were cleared. A portion of Riverview Drive remained closed as of this writing. 'We encourage our residents to report any storm damage, including downed trees, needed street sign/light repairs and other concerns within city limits by using the Morgantown 311 mobile app,' Riffee said. Granville Mayor Patty Lewis said she was amazed at just how localized the damage was, explaining she relaxed at home with the patio door open, unaware of what was going on just down the hill. 'We didn't get anything. It came through and we heard and saw nothing. We had a little breeze, a little shower and that was it. We didn't get the horrible wind that ripped through. It's like it funneled right down Main Street in Granville,' Lewis said, explaining a mobile home in Mona Park had its roof taken off and another suffered significant roof damage. 'Now, we did have significant damage to the roof of our social hall. We have a couple guys up there now trying to secure it. The social hall sits right behind town hall, and town hall is totally fine,' she said. 'But the social hall sits pretty much in line with the homes in Mona that got the most damage.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Area still feeling effects of brief Saturday evening storm
Apr. 21—The Star City municipal building didn't open for business on Monday. It didn't have electricity. In fact, the entirety of Star City remained without power as of Monday afternoon, more than 40 hours after a very brief, but very violent, storm rocked Monongalia County and North Central West Virginia. "The entire town is completely without power — residents, businesses, everything, " Star City Mayor Sharon Doyle said. "Right now, the power company notification is saying it could be 11 p.m. [Tuesday ] night. We're hoping it's sooner, but that's the only information we have to go on right now." The powerful wind that blitzed through the greater Morgantown area was the result of a supercell thunderstorm — the kind of powerful storm with the capability to spin up tornadoes and drop powerful localized columns of straight-line wind called microbursts. It's the same kind of storm that peeled the roof of Hazel's House of Hope in May of 2022. The intensity of this most recent occurrence was evident in the mess it left behind. A cinder block dugout was toppled in Westover. The roof of a Star City apartment building was partially removed and placed on top of the former fire station a couple hundred feet away. An entire string of power poles were snapped on Collins Ferry Road. "I just thought it was a typical thunderstorm. I never thought it would be so quick and so powerful, " Doyle said. "I've never experienced that in my life in this area. We've had storms that have knocked out the power, but nothing like that. For all of Star City to be out for days, I've never seen anything like it." Much of the damage, and power disruption, is the result of wind-blown trees either falling on property or pulling down utility lines. Downed power lines ended up sparking a brush fire in the area of Berry Hill Crossing Road Monday afternoon that resulted in volunteer crews at the scene putting out an all-county alert for available manpower. In Morgantown, a tree smashed through a fence in Krepps Park. In the county, another smashed through a cabin and damaged the lodge in Chestnut Ridge Park. Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee said city crews are working to clear approximately two dozen downed trees in the wake of the storm. The city reopened Arch Street around noon on Monday after displaced power lines were cleared. A portion of Riverview Drive remained closed as of this writing. "We encourage our residents to report any storm damage, including downed trees, needed street sign /light repairs and other concerns within city limits by using the Morgantown 311 mobile app, " Riffee said. Granville Mayor Patty Lewis said she was amazed at just how localized the damage was, explaining she relaxed at home with the patio door open, unaware of what was going on just down the hill. "We didn't get anything. It came through and we heard and saw nothing. We had a little breeze, a little shower and that was it. We didn't get the horrible wind that ripped through. It's like it funneled right down Main Street in Granville, " Lewis said, explaining a mobile home in Mona Park had its roof taken off and another suffered significant roof damage. "Now, we did have significant damage to the roof of our social hall. We have a couple guys up there now trying to secure it. The social hall sits right behind town hall, and town hall is totally fine, " she said. "But the social hall sits pretty much in line with the homes in Mona that got the most damage."
