Latest news with #VanessaParker
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A Bill Requiring State Prisons to Have Air Conditioning Has Passed
Marlin, TX (FOX 44) – The Texas House has passed a bill that would require state prisons to have air conditioning. The bill would require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to install air conditioning at each of its facilities by the end of 2032. The TDCJ will install climate control units in three phases, each covering around one-third of the facilities they control. Experts suggest that the lack of air conditioning in correctional facilities poses significant health and safety risks for inmates and staff because of the state's extreme heat conditions. In an exclusive interview only on Fox44 News, I spoke with an ex-inmate who served her time in Marlin's Hobby Unit. She says the summer months were deadly with no air conditioning. 'I'm upstairs, the top floor, and we're in a metal building, it's like extremely hot. It gets up to 150 degrees. They have little fans downstairs but not for upstairs. I mean we are criminals, but we are human. They treat us like dogs….and people are dying, they're killing us,'said former inmate Vanessa Parker. Each phase is expected to cost around $100 million with the first required to be completed by December 31, 2028. The second phase would be completed by 2030, with the remaining facilities being complete by dec. 31, 2032. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Westmoreland community rebuilds one year after deadly tornado
WESTMORELAND (KSNT) – One year ago today a powerful tornado tore through the town of Westmoreland. The storm leaving behind a path of destruction, and one person didn't survive. Early three dozen homes in total were either damaged or destroyed. 27 News was on the grounds in the aftermath of this tornado, our crews capturing the damages community having to pick up the pieces, changing lives forever. This town looked very different a year after the deadly tornado. 27 News spoke to people in the community about that day and how they are continuing to recover. On April 30, 2024, an EF3 tornado tore through this community, changing the lives of people in the town. Multiple first responders were quick to help the community that day. The support from the community has not stopped. Manhattan traffic light breaks in severe storm Over the course of a year Westmoreland has come together to rebuild. 'I think we're doing really well,' Westmoreland pharmacist Heath Eisenbarth said. 'You know, a lot of the houses, you know, I can't remember the exact number, maybe. 22 homes were completely destroyed. Something along those lines. Several of those have already been built. People were able to move back into their homes even before Christmas.' Despite the large amount of progress in reconstruction, the emotional toll that the community members face is still prevalent. 'We came together really good, worked together to clean it up and give emotional support as needed,' first responder Vanessa Parker said. 'Yeah, you'd be surprised what people do.' Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed and one person unfortunately, did not Miller, 58 of Westmoreland, lost her life that day. The town is planting a tree in memorial for her. Topeka Dream Home helps St. Jude patients across the U.S. 'She was a good friend and amazing community member, so we do miss her,' Eisenbarth said. 'She was a part of the community,' local business owner Nick Cooper said. 'It's a pretty tight knit community. Small town, so everybody knows everybody and don't want her memory to go away.' From 6;7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, the community is holding a town potluck at the Frank Memorial Shelter in the Oregon Trail RV park to remember that day and reflect on the progress they have made. Although there is still work to be done, this disaster represents the towns commitment to one another. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
