Latest news with #TitleV
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Culture of non-compliance': Erie Coke pleads guilty to pollution with fine at $700,000
The Erie Coke Corp. has agreed to pay a $700,000 fine to end its criminal prosecution over the illegal release of air pollutants at its now-defunct plant at the foot of East Avenue along the Lake Erie shoreline. Erie Coke and the U.S. Attorney's Office both recommended the $700,000 fine as part of the deal that accompanied Erie Coke's guilty plea to two felony counts in U.S. District Court in Erie on Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter accepted the guilty plea on behalf of Erie Coke as a corporate defendant. She set sentencing for Oct. 7. Erie Coke was indicted on eight felony counts of environmental fraud in November 2022. The corporation faced a fine of up to $500,000 on each count. The corporation pleaded guilty to the lead count of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act from October 2015 to December 2019, when the plant closed. It also pleaded guilty to one count of violating what is known as a Title V permit requirements, referring to the type of environmental permit the plant needed to operate. Erie Coke "fostered a culture of non-compliance," the prosecutor, Pittsburgh-based Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole A. Vasquez Schmitt, said in court. A lawyer for Erie Coke, Rodney Personius, of Buffalo, entered the guilty plea. He said Erie Coke agreed to the plea deal and recommended fine. The plant, whose owners are based in Buffalo, was accused of deliberately bypassing air-pollution monitors at the 137-employee plant as it made coke — a derivative of coal produced by heating coal in sealed ovens at temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the indictment. Erie Coke no longer owns the 182-acre site of the plant, the focus of government-funded environmental cleanup. The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority acquired the property in early 2024, and the Port Authority and the Erie County Development Authority plan to redevelop the site. The Erie Coke site had been used for industrial manufacturing since 1833. The site had been coke plant since 1925. This is a developing story. Return to for updates. Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@ or 814-870-1813. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Coke pleads guilty in pollution case, agrees to pay $700,000 fine
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marlboro County School District looks for solutions to $6.8 million budget shortfall
MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The Marlboro County School District is dealing with a loss of millions of dollars of federal funds that could lead officials to close and consolidate some schools, an official told News13. School Board Chairman Michael Coachman said cuts to federal Title I, Title II, and Title V programs left the district with a $6.8 million shortfall. As a result, just before spring break, board members asked Superintendent Helena Tiller to look at possible solutions. The Title I program provides financial assistance to support low-achieving students, especially those in high-poverty schools; Title II programs aim to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders; and Title V programs give states and districts more flexibility to target federal funds to programs and activities that most effectively address the unique needs of states and localities. 'We asked her to come up with some options, and she brought the options back to us to look at and for us to choose from,' Coachman said. They were presented to board members at a lengthy meeting Monday night, but no decision was made. Option A would cut assistant principals, bookkeepers and receptionists from 240 days to 220 days, elementary and middle-school guidance counselors from 240 days to 210 days. In addition, 14 positions would be allocated from federal funds instead of the district's general fund, saving the district $1.5 million. Option B would include the staff reductions as Option A, but also include the consolidation of Bennettsville Intermediate School and Clio Elementary. Option C would include the same staff cuts as Options A and B, but would consolidate schools to include: McColl Primary School, grades pre-K-2; Blenheim Elementary, grades 3-5; Wallace Middle School, grades 6-8; and Marlboro High School, grades 9-12. Option C also would include savings from employee attrition and other school and division budget cuts. Board members heard concerns from parents at Monday night's meeting. 'The concerns of the parents in the Wallace area and McColl area, not to lose their middle school and consolidate, and moving their children all around the district, and some parents having multiple children at multiple schools, so we understand that,' Coachman said on Tuesday. 'We are taking all of that into consideration, and we are listening to them, and it's not falling on deaf ears. That's why the decision was so tough on us last night.'The school board will meet again on Monday to try to develop a budget plan ahead of the June 30 deadline to approve a balanced budget. * * * Eric Cooper is a multimedia journalist at News13. He joined the team in September 2024 and covers stories in the Pee Dee. He is a native of Cades in Williamsburg County and a proud graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and Benedict College. You can read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBCC fall enrollment deadline incoming
May 22—MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College's last day for new students to sign up for new student enrollment sessions is June 10. For those still deciding on what they would like to study, Big Bend has recently expanded their programs with the addition of new bachelor's degrees. "Big Bend has a long history of building and sustaining collaborative relationships with local employers and developing educational programs that prepare students for local employment," said Dr. Bryce Humpherys, Vice President of Learning and Student Success. "The BAS degrees the college is offering are a continuation of the college's efforts to provide higher education programming that addresses local employment demands." Anne Ghinazzi, the director of Title V and Other Grants at BBCC was the one to kick start the push for the new bachelor's programs being the Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management and the Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Health. These BAS degrees were created in response to the needs of students as well as the needs of companies that needed more educated workers in the area. "The bachelor's degree was a way for us to provide that next level of education and have it be available locally, so students aren't needing to leave their jobs or the community," said Ghinazzi. The BAS program builds on any associate degree and supports students who have completed workforce programs like welding, automotive technology, medical assistant, and early childhood education, she said. This also gives the opportunity for those who have already completed an associate's degree with the college to return if they would like to earn their bachelor's. The BAS-Management program was launched in the Fall of 2021 and has allowed for working students, students with limited financial resources and those coming from workforce education programs to get their bachelor's degree without the need for transfers. This program has had local employers assisting with ensuring that students receive on-the-job training and can apply what they learn in the classroom to the workplace. "We really were intentional about making sure that the program was going to provide students with the workforce skills that they would need to go into local management positions," said Ghinazzi. The bachelor's in behavioral health is set to launch this Fall and is currently enrolling for its first cohort of students. This program will directly address the behavioral health workforce shortage in North Central Washington and improve the availability of local services. "That degree is going to be offered in partnership with Wenatchee Valley College," said Ghinazzi. "We'll be admitting a full cohort of 30 students and those students will be split evenly between the two colleges for our inaugural cohorts this fall." BBCC programs of major industries in the area, such as health, agriculture, and manufacturing, will benefit from the addition of the BAS degrees and have seen increasing support from local organizations. Those currently undecided on classes can earn an associate in these programs to create a bridge toward the bachelor's programs. Students wanting to enroll in BBCC's nursing and other health care programs will have to focus on completing their prerequisites first, said Katherine Christian, director of Allied Health Programs at Big Bend. BBCC provides detailed degree maps on its website for choosing what classes to enroll in based on degree. "We're just getting ready to see our next incoming group," said Christian. "Our current cohort will be finishing up this summer, and those people will be working in doctors' offices and clinics around the Basin." Graduates from the nursing program at BBCC have a high success rate in finding employment in their first year out of college and have consistently received positive feedback from employers, she said. BBCC's agricultural programs have seen steady growth in the past couple years and have become a sustainable program, said Dr. Aaron Mahoney, head of Agriculture and Chemistry programs at Big Bend. He said most students in the program were individuals who had prior agricultural experience when he first started teaching but have recently seen an increase in interest from people who have never had any experience wanting to get into the industry. "That's been really interesting because it's a fun and unique experience to be able to pivot that type of education for our program," said Dr. Mahoney. Mahoney said because of this around 20 labs have been created across the six courses that he teaches in the program. BBCC recently added a greenhouse learning center where they can work on year-round crop production and crop research education as well as a raised bed project that will allow for the use of irrigation, soil fertility and pest and disease management. The Manufacturing and Process Technology program is also relatively new to the school and has been building steady enrollment, said Justin Henley, head of the Manufacturing & Process Technology department. This program was created from combining the curriculum and skills learned from the industrial systems, electrical, mechatronics, automation and maintenance programs. They have also been increasing their relationships with industry partners and companies in the community to get them involved and receive direct input for the students "For those students that are looking to get into electrical apprenticeships like with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, previously they were coming in and doing a two-year degree," he said. "Now we have the majority of that focused in that first year so that students can get certificates of accomplishment in the areas of electrical and electronics and be able to put that on their application to get into those union apprenticeships without having to do a two-year degree."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Three candidates vie for two Bourne Select Board seats. Here's who's running.
Bourne Select Board has three candidates running for two open seats. Incumbent Peter Meier has been on the board since 2011. Sandra Goldstein is running as a challenger for the fourth time. Melissa Ferretti has served one term. They will face off at the annual town election on May 20. Select Board members serve for three years. The board has five members. Bourne has 116,475 registered voters and eight precincts. The Times asked the candidates for biographical information and answers to three questions. The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. AGE: Will turn 57 on Election Day LENGTH OF RESIDENCE IN BOURNE: 40 years WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Self-employed Realtor, executive operations, back office bookkeeping/consulting. EDUCATION: Some classes at Cape Cod Community College; continuing education, as I am a lifelong learner. CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Tribal Council; several committees (mostly environmental, watersheds) and appointed by the Governor to the Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the Energy Transformation Board. Bourne's strategic location at the gateway to Cape Cod makes it a vital hub. The Bourne and Sagamore Bridges are essential, but their replacement is a critical infrastructure priority. Bourne's coastal environment is both a strength and a challenge. Our Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) is designed to protect our waterways, but implementation requires careful planning and funding. The updated Title V regulations will impact septic systems. Bourne, like much of Cape Cod, faces a housing crisis, with rising costs and limited availability. Cape bridges replacement and traffic management – ensuring the timely replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges while minimizing disruptions. Environmental protection and wastewater management – implementing the CWMP to safeguard water quality and comply with updated Title V regulations. Housing and sustainable growth – addressing the housing crisis by supporting responsible development while preserving Bourne's character and environment. Cape bridges replacement and traffic management: As the host community I will advocate for federal and state accountability, work with transportation officials to ensure clear communication and mitigation strategies and push for local input in the planning process. I am committed to ensuring that the transition is as smooth and minimally disruptive as possible for residents and businesses. Environmental protection and wastewater management: work with state and local leadership to implement CWMP initiatives, including nitrogen reduction strategies and compliance with Title V septic system regulations, while ensuring homeowners have affordable solutions. Housing and sustainable growth: support zoning reforms that encourage housing near transportation hubs, explore affordable housing initiatives and ensure that development aligns with environmental conservation efforts. I bring a deep understanding of Bourne's infrastructure, environmental challenges and housing needs along with a commitment to collaborative leadership and the importance of balancing growth with conservation. My diverse background in public service, operations management, finance and environmental advocacy has equipped me with the ability to problem-solve, engage with the community and drive meaningful change. Additionally, my experience as chair of the Tribal Council has strengthened my ability to navigate complex governance issues, advocate for community needs and lead with both vision and practicality. Tribal leadership requires diplomacy, resilience, and a deep respect for tradition and progress, all of which I bring to this role. My life skills – adaptability, strategic thinking and a deep-rooted commitment to service – shape my approach to leadership ensuring that Bourne remains a thriving, sustainable, and welcoming place for all residents to live and raise their families. AGE: 'not relevant' RESIDENCE: Cataumet since 2003 and Pocasset 1993-2003. WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Teacher, middle school science and elementary schools and teacher training on Massachusetts' South Shore. EDUCATION: Bridgewater State University, bachelor's and master's degrees in education, Advanced Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston, in critical and creative thinking in science and technology. CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Bourne: Planning Board, Historic Commission, Cataumet Civic Association, president, Canalside Task Force; Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod. Why she is running for Select Board a fourth time: 'I say to people who ask that question that you elected other people, some new and some longtime members. How's that working for you?' Bourne is a beautiful community with waterfront area – bays, ponds and canal. People are friendly and passionate about the town. It's a balancing act to create a peaceful environment. It can be very busy with thousands of vehicles crossing the threshold. Challenge is managing the growth and development and the location. Clean water and sewer. Wastewater and sewage and dealing with the state mandate on those. Grappling with the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan on which way to go – watershed permit or upgrade systems – and looking carefully where the pollution is coming from. Budget and taxes. Town's tax rate is among the highest. How to manage and balance competing agendas: sewage, environmental, housing crisis, the budget and aging infrastructure. On balancing the conflicting agendas, prioritize the issues. One idea is to do a values assessment for all the people in the whole town to find their priorities and values, not just property or religious values. Include everybody. I'm curious. I reflect on my own thinking a lot. I recognize biases easily. I seek feedback. I listen deeply, wait my turn to talk. I ask questions and self-reflect. I'm contemplative and open-minded and I listen to understand, and I have empathy. I read constantly about topics that are related to my daily work. My final statement: 'The most valuable math you can learn is how to calculate the future cost of your current decisions and policy. Think about that.' AGE: 53 TOWN RESIDENCE: Lived in Bourne since birth. WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Public Servant. EDUCATION: Bourne High School graduate,1989, attended Cape Cod Community College and Stonehill College. CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Bourne: Planning Board and Housing Authority from 1996-2011; Select Board since 2011; Historical Society board, numerous building committees. The Cape Cod Canal is its greatest asset. It brings tourism to our area, which helps area businesses. Partnerships with Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School and Bourne Public Schools within the community make our community well-rounded and welcoming too, especially to our business community. Our AA+ bond rating gives us a chance to negotiate a favorable interest rate when going out to finance short- and long-term bonds. This is because of the financial plans we have in place. We need to do a better job of recruiting more commercial businesses to Bourne. Having the right commercial taxbase will bring more revenue and offset the residential tax burden. The Comprehensive Wastewater Management plan, the Sagamore and Bourne bridges replacements and a robust capital facilities program. I'll address the canal area bridge replacement projects by having regular town hall meetings and updates, making sure of clear information on relocation assistance and support services, advocating for traffic management plans to minimize disruption and making sure we have business support initiatives to mitigate economic impact. By prioritizing communication and community engagement, the project can be implemented in a way that balances regional needs with local concerns. Also establishing a more extensive facilities department to maintain new and existing buildings, including the fire station and library, can help extend the lifespan of the structures, prevent costly repairs and deferred maintenance and ensure the town's investments are protected and well-maintained. By prioritizing both the fire station's construction, library replacement and the facilities department's capabilities, the town can provide reliable services and maintain its infrastructure effectively. With nearly 30 years of elected experience, I have developed a deep understanding of the town's needs and governance. My passion for serving the community and willingness to continue contributing to the Select Board's work shows that my dedication, love and commitment for Bourne residents is always my first priority. My experience can provide valuable insights and stability to the board's decision-making process. Susan Vaughn writes about transportation and other local community issues affecting Cape Cod residents and visitors. She can be reached at smharris@ Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Bourne town election: Here are the candidates running for Select Board
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Murray Hill neighbors speak out against suspected chemical plant odor at town hall
Murray Hill residents fed up with an odor they believe is coming from a local chemical plant gathered Thursday night to weigh in on the plant's pending permit renewal with the Department of Environmental Protection. Neighbors fed up with a lingering odor they believe is coming from International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. made their voices heard in front of officials. 'It is an extremely pungent odor,' said Murray Hill Resident Cindy Mathieson. 'I want you to imagine every household cleaner mixed in a bucket and then multiply it by ten.' Mathieson, who has lived in Murray Hill for 5 years, says the smell has been constant and it's affecting her health. 'I have woken up in the morning with sinuses that were severely clogged and migraine headaches from the odor that was produced overnight,' said Mathieson. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Action News Jax has been reporting about the complaints for years- it led to lawsuits, then a 'stink study' that put IFF in a compliance plan with the city to stop the smell. But as recently as January, we reported that neighbors could still smell it... and said private investigators were trying to convince neighbors to sign documents saying there was no bad smell. In a statement to Action News Jax about Thursday's meeting, IFF wrote in part: 'IFF remains in full compliance with our Title V air permit…We look forward to continuing to work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection throughout the permit renewal process.' Read: Jacksonville leaders optimistic permit renewal will help alleviate chemical plant odor issues 'I don't want people to lose their jobs. I don't want the plant to close. I want IFF to do a better job at what they do,' said Mathieson, In addition to the DEP's town hall, neighbors have until May 22nd to submit their comments and concerns to the agency. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
