Latest news with #StevenReed
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Montgomery opens drop-off box where parents can surrender infants
Montgomery opened the city's first Safe Haven Baby Box on May 29, an area designed for parents to safely and anonymously surrender infants. This is the 17th baby box in Alabama, said Caitlin Kelly, a representative with Safe Haven. Four infants have been surrendered this way throughout the state. Nationally, there are 347 baby boxes, where 59 infants have been surrendered. Montgomery's baby box is at the newly opened Fire Station 10, at 1920 S. Court St. The box allows parents to legally surrender infants younger than 45 days old. When someone surrenders an infant, an alarm goes off alerting the firefighters. The box is temperature-controlled. More: Prattville Safe Haven Baby Box Prattville fire station adds 'no shame' newborn drop-off box for babies In 2024, Safe Haven opened its first box in the state in Madison. A day later, the organization opened another in Prattville. "The Safe Haven Baby Box, now installed at Fire Station No. 10, represents our city's commitment to meeting people where they are, even in moments of fear, crisis or deep uncertainty," Mayor Steven Reed said. "This box provides a safe, anonymous and legal option for a parent who may feel they have nowhere else to turn. It offers a way forward when someone is overwhelmed and just doesn't know what to do and protects the life of a newborn who deserves love, care and a future." Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's education reporter. She can be reached at agladden@ or on Twitter @gladlyalex. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery opens site for parents to legally surrender infants
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Montgomery celebrates Sheridan Heights Community Center renovations
Mayor Steven Reed's father, Joe, was on the Montgomery City Council in 1986 when the Sheridan Heights Community Center initially opened. On May 6, Steven Reed gathered with city leaders and others to celebrate a re-launch of the center with more amenities, part of a larger project geared at helping the surrounding neighborhoods. "That's what investing in community looks like," Reed said outside the center. The renovations include a resurfaced pool and a resurfaced gym floor. The city also added an e-gaming room and a table tennis game. More: Chisholm improvements part of larger $10 million effort to renovate community centers The community center is part of a larger $10 million project the city is pursuing to renovate "five to eight" of Montgomery's community centers over 2025. City Council Member Marche Johnson said community centers are important to the surrounding neighborhoods they support. She announced an upcoming community day at the center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10. The celebration will offer face painting, line dancing, a petting zoo and a demonstration by the Montgomery Fire Department. The Sheridan Heights Community Center is at 3501 Faro Drive. Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's education reporter. She can be reached at agladden@ or on Twitter @gladlyalex. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery celebrates Sheridan Heights Community Center renovations
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tupelo officials take next step in Fairpark expansion
TUPELO — Following months of behind-the-scenes work and a silent public hearing, Tupelo officials have taken the next step in expanding the city's downtown Fairpark District. The Tupelo City Council voted unanimously among present members to approve an amendment to the city's urban renewal plan to include 17 acres south of the existing Fairpark District. This comes after months of discussion and a public hearing last month that saw no participation from the public. "What this does is adds an additional 17 acres of additional property … into the urban renewal area,' Assistant Attorney Steven Reed said, adding it made the property 'ripe for redevelopment.' The area is a 'pizza-shaped' wedge south of Fairpark, Reed said. The property sits between the Canadian National Railway line and the BNSF line on Elizabeth Street downtown. Officials said there were already prospective buyers for some of the land, but they have repeatedly declined to go into detail, calling it an economic development matter. The board has only discussed the potential development during closed-door meetings. The order also puts the acreage under the jurisdiction of the Tupelo Redevelopment Agency. The TRA owns a 5-acre lot on Fairpark Drive, a little over 4 acres with some parcels next to the 5-acre plot on Elizabeth Street and another parcel just under an acre north of the two. The process of expanding Fairpark began about a year ago. As part of the project, the council voted to enter into a contract with Tupelo-based firm Cook Coggin Engineers for engineering services related to the development project. It also contracted with Tripp Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow & Associates for a master plan for the property. The Tupelo Planning Committee previously recommended approval for the project in their meetings. The Fairpark District was established in 1999 with 50 acres designated for urban renewal development by the TRA. At the time, the city took out $22.7 million in bonds to accomplish the goal.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK rules out trade deals which undercut food standards
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will not sign trade deals with potential suppliers such as the U.S. that open the way for food imports that are produced in a way that would be illegal for the country's farmers, environment and farming minister Steven Reed said on Tuesday. "We will not undercut standards in trade deals. The previous government did that with the Australia deal to the fury of the sector and we have ruled that out," Reed told the National Farmers' Union's annual conference. Reed said the import of hormone-treated beef, for example, would not be allowed. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Both Britain and the European Union currently ban the import of beef produced using growth hormones which are given to cattle in some producing countries including the U.S. The European Union announced earlier this month it is planning tougher restrictions on imported crops treated with pesticides banned in Europe, a move that would impact suppliers including the U.S. "I know that if British farmers and producers compete on a level playing field they can win but if that playing field is unbalanced they are at a huge disadvantage," he said. Reed was asked about the import of sugar produced using neonicotinoid pesticides that are now banned in Britain. "We now need to go back and look at the trade deals because they need to line up with our commitment to not undercut UK producers," he said, adding it was a work in progress. NFU president Tom Bradshaw highlighted the issue during his speech at the conference. "What the previous government did with signing these early trade deals forcing us to compete against food produced to lower standards was unworkable and wrong," Bradshaw said. "This new government has the opportunity to set a new course.
Reuters
25-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
UK rules out trade deals which undercut food standards
LONDON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Britain will not sign trade deals with potential suppliers such as the U.S. that open the way for food imports that are produced in a way that would be illegal for the country's farmers, environment and farming minister Steven Reed said on Tuesday. "We will not undercut standards in trade deals. The previous government did that with the Australia deal to the fury of the sector and we have ruled that out," Reed told the National Farmers' Union's annual conference. Reed said the import of hormone-treated beef, for example, would not be allowed. Both Britain and the European Union currently ban the import of beef produced using growth hormones which are given to cattle in some producing countries including the U.S. The European Union announced earlier this month it is planning tougher restrictions on imported crops treated with pesticides banned in Europe, a move that would impact suppliers including the U.S. "I know that if British farmers and producers compete on a level playing field they can win but if that playing field is unbalanced they are at a huge disadvantage," he said. Reed was asked about the import of sugar produced using neonicotinoid pesticides that are now banned in Britain. "We now need to go back and look at the trade deals because they need to line up with our commitment to not undercut UK producers," he said, adding it was a work in progress. NFU president Tom Bradshaw highlighted the issue during his speech at the conference. "What the previous government did with signing these early trade deals forcing us to compete against food produced to lower standards was unworkable and wrong," Bradshaw said. "This new government has the opportunity to set a new course.
