Latest news with #cityofficials
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Plainfield, N.J. flood victims to get some relief, thanks to benefit concert. Here's more on how you can help.
Two devastating storms earlier this month wreaked havoc on communities in Plainfield, New Jersey. On Sunday, a benefit concert was held to help flood victims. City officials say the money will help those who have lost their homes and have no insurance. The sounds of music at Plainfield High School was uplifting and a much-needed tune as people filed in with their hearts full of warmth and their wallets open. City officials say so far they have raised more than $65,000 for victims of the July 3 and July 14 storms and flooding that killed four people and left a path of destruction, inundating homes and streets and taking down trees. With that came the arduous process of cleaning up and the strain on the city workers tasked with doing it. Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp didn't have an estimate how much damage was caused, but said city leaders are getting ready to pass an emergency resolution to get $5 million to reimburse the city for expenses incurred. "So much damage, and so, there's a lot to be made. And we know that the flood insurance isn't gonna cover most of the damage. And in some cases, most people don't have much choice, and that's why we need to have these kinds of people and the legislation that sends them to know that is local, local, right, local legislation," Mapp said. Those who showed up to help weren't just from Plainfield but from all parts of New Jersey and even Pennsylvania. There were current residents and even some who have moved away but came back to lend a hand. "Insurance doesn't cover everything. I've never been in a studio where there was a death. Funerals are expensive, so if I can help by giving a couple of dollars to help the family, even though I don't live here," former Plainfield resident Renee Sterling said. The concert was scheduled to end at 8 p.m, but you can still donate after on the city's official website.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Dutch Elm Disease spreading in Regina
WATCH: Dutch Elm Disease is spreading in Regina, with city officials confirming 18 new cases in the past two weeks. Wayne Mantyka reports.
CBC
3 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Dutch elm disease detected in north Edmonton as city battles deadly tree fungus
Social Sharing A devastating and highly contagious tree fungus has been detected in north Edmonton, the latest case of a deadly disease that puts Edmonton's vast canopy of urban elms under threat. In a statement this week, city officials confirmed that a new case of Dutch elm disease has been detected in Edmonton. The infected tree in the north Edmonton neighbourhood of Alberta Avenue, as well as any elms within a 20-metre radius, will be removed as part of ongoing efforts to contain the spread. The infected tree was recently spotted by city crews along the boulevard. A positive result was received from a provincial lab on Wednesday, marking the sixth confirmed case of the disease since it was first detected in Edmonton last August. The contagious fungal infection — spread by elm bark beetles and spores from infected wood — pose a major risk to other elm in the vicinity, the city said. Extensive additional testing in the area is underway. City officials have been monitoring the infection in partnership with federal officials since it was first detected in the city last summer with case numbers expected to rise. According to a statement Friday, a total of 369 elms have been removed in the city to date as part of ongoing containment efforts. The total includes two destroyed so far in Alberta Avenue. "This additional confirmed case does not change our approach as we continue assessments, removals and testing in co-ordination with the province and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency," said Mark Beare, Edmonton's director of infrastructure operations, in a statement. "While any positive test is disappointing, we remain confident that this collaborative approach is helping to limit the spread of the disease." Urban forests under threat Dutch elm disease poses a threat to all species of elm in Alberta. The fungus, caused by microfungi that infiltrate a tree and clogs its water-conducting systems, has killed millions of elms in North America over the past century and has begun to proliferate across Prairie cities. In Edmonton, the potential losses are particularly acute. The capital region is home to more than 90,000 city-owned elms, accounting for more than 22 per cent of Edmonton's urban forest canopy. The city has been bracing for years for the potential arrival of the destructive fungus as it crept west across the country, devastating urban forest canopies. An action plan, now being implemented to limit the damage, was first developed in 2020. In an effort to slow the spread, crews have been conducting routine inspections along Edmonton's tree-lined streets and boulevards, watching for signs of infection. More than 55,000 trees citywide have been assessed for signs of infection. Any elms that appear sickly – with telltale wilting yellow leaves – are tested, and trees believed to be infected are immediately destroyed. An ongoing program to remove deadwood in elms is also necessary to reduce the habitat of the beetles, which may spread the fungus, the city said. "City arborists, urban foresters and the pest management team remain vigilant as we continue implementing the established Dutch elm disease management plan, including intensified surveillance of elm trees," Beare said. The infection has to date been detected in northeast Edmonton in the Killarney and Yellowhead Corridor East neighbourhoods. Enhanced monitoring and assessments of trees within a one-kilometre radius of the infected trees remain in place, the city said. Edmontonians are encouraged to report any signs of infestation to 311. Infected trees may have dead branches or browning leaves. Their trunks may have holes or sawdust on the bark from burrowing beetles. The city is also reminding Edmontonians not to bring firewood from elsewhere, to properly prune elms during the colder seasons and properly dispose of any deadwood or clippings at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Spraying begins in Northern Colorado due to increase in West Nile infected mosquitoes
Officials in Northern Colorado are planning to spray for mosquitoes due to an increase in the number of mosquitoes with West Nile Virus. According to the city of Fort Collins, higher numbers of mosquitoes with the virus were trapped in the area earlier in July. City officials said the West Nile infection rate in mosquitoes is currently 11 times higher than the historical average, and four times higher than it was in 2023. Mosquito spraying is scheduled to take place on July 17 and July 20 in southern Fort Collins from Taft Hill Road to Zeigler Road between Horsetooth Road and Trilby Road. The city said portions of the Westchase and Ketcher Farm neighborhoods south of Trilby Road will also be sprayed. Fogging trucks will begin spraying around 8 p.m. and will finish by approximately 2 a.m.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Massachusetts town increases firefighting staffing after fatal nursing home blaze
City officials in Fall River, Massachusetts are adding more firefighters to each shift after a fire at an assisted-living facility killed nine and hurt dozens.
