Latest news with #publicfacilities
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Associated Press
A Canadian city orders all 5,000 residents to leave as a wildfire approaches
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — A Canadian city in Manitoba has ordered all 5,000 residents to leave due to an approaching wildfire. Residents of Flin Flon were told Wednesday they should flee south with their essentials and aim to be out by midnight. The fire began Monday in the neighboring province of Saskatchewan and has exploded in size. Crews struggled early on to contain the fire as water bombers were grounded due to a drone flying nearby. The central Canadian city already had been sending high-needs hospital patients out ahead of the fire, which was threatening the region from the north. Earlier in the day, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said public facilities, like recreation centers, may be asked to open their doors to help out as shelters. Canada's wildfire season runs May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023. It choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anger over frequent closure of vandalised toilets
Residents say it is "disgusting" that the last remaining toilets in a town in Nottinghamshire are often closed. The block at King George V Recreation Ground recently became the only toilet provision in Arnold after the closure of the Wood Street toilets because of "lewd behaviour". Tara Blencowe, 51, uses the park and said there was a recent situation where an elderly man needed to be helped because the toilets were locked. Councillor David Ellis, portfolio holder for public protection on Gedling Borough Council, said the facility was frequently vandalised to an "unusable and unsafe" condition which necessitates its closure for repairs. Ms Blencowe, who brings her grandson to the park, said: "It's totally put me off coming because there's no toilet facilities or baby changing facilities that I can access." She visited the park on Monday and said she had to walk half-a-mile (800m) to use a supermarket toilet instead, which she said would be problematic in emergency situations. "People will be put off visiting unless [the council] say 'yes we are going to open these toilets' and stick to their word," she said. Denise, 53, brings her great nieces to the park after school. She says being forced to pay to use the toilet at nearby coffee shops makes her visits "expensive". "I think [the closures are] a bit heavy-handed because it's caused by a minority," she added. "I know they have had problems here but I think it's unfair to the rest of the people." Her eight-year-old great-niece Kairah says it makes her feel "upset" when the toilet is closed. "Last time we went there [when it was open] it was filled with drink bottles and it didn't flush," she said. Ellis acknowledged that people "aren't getting their money's worth" because of the frequent closures. He said the toilet and sink had been designed to resist damage, however, vandals were instead blocking them with paper and starting fires inside the toilet bowl. Regarding its status as the last public toilet in the town, he said the council would fight to keep it open despite the rise in maintenance costs. "The council does as best as it can to try and keep them clean, tidy, and open, but sometimes it's an uphill battle," he said. "We know young people want to get out and do things, but vandalising a public toilet causes lots of inconvenience to everybody." Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. 'Lewd behaviour' sees toilet block closed Gedling Borough Council
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Anger' as Arnold's last public toilets often closed
Residents say it is "disgusting" that the last remaining toilets in a town in Nottinghamshire are often block at King George V Recreation Ground recently became the only toilet provision in Arnold after the closure of the Wood Street toilets because of "lewd behaviour".Tara Blencowe, 51, uses the park and said there was a recent situation where an elderly man needed to be helped because the toilets were David Ellis, portfolio holder for public protection on Gedling Borough Council, said the facility was frequently vandalised to an "unusable and unsafe" condition which necessitates its closure for repairs. Ms Blencowe, who brings her grandson to the park, said: "It's totally put me off coming because there's no toilet facilities or baby changing facilities that I can access."She visited the park on Monday and said she had to walk half-a-mile (800m) to use a supermarket toilet instead, which she said would be problematic in emergency situations."People will be put off visiting unless [the council] say 'yes we are going to open these toilets' and stick to their word," she said. Denise, 53, brings her great nieces to the park after school. She says being forced to pay to use the toilet at nearby coffee shops makes her visits "expensive"."I think [the closures are] a bit heavy-handed because it's caused by a minority," she added."I know they have had problems here but I think it's unfair to the rest of the people."Her eight-year-old great-niece Kairah says it makes her feel "upset" when the toilet is closed."Last time we went there [when it was open] it was filled with drink bottles and it didn't flush," she said. Ellis acknowledged that people "aren't getting their money's worth" because of the frequent said the toilet and sink had been designed to resist damage, however, vandals were instead blocking them with paper and starting fires inside the toilet its status as the last public toilet in the town, he said the council would fight to keep it open despite the rise in maintenance costs."The council does as best as it can to try and keep them clean, tidy, and open, but sometimes it's an uphill battle," he said."We know young people want to get out and do things, but vandalising a public toilet causes lots of inconvenience to everybody."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How accessible are New Rochelle's city buildings? NYS comptroller releases audit
New Rochelle was one of 20 municipalities included in a recent state audit of accessibility in public, government-owned facilities, and the only one in the Lower Hudson Valley. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and the New York State Division of Local Government and School Accountability identified 171 accessibility components in New Rochelle city buildings that needed improvements. They released their report May 6. The state recommended updating items like interior signs with raised lettering and Braille, wheelchair accessible lavatories in restrooms, elevator doors that reopen automatically when obstructed by an object or person, and more. Physical accessibility has been an important aspect of public facilities since the federal Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990. Title II of the ADA banned discrimination based on disability by state and local governments, including in their buildings. In 2010, when the ADA Standard for Accessible Design was released, it established a set of requirements for newly designed local government facilities and accommodations. Structures built on or after March 15, 2012 had to comply with the regulations, further underscoring the importance of having accessible public facilities that accommodate people with disabilities or limited mobility. The state report used the Standard for Accessible Design to 'help identify where New Rochelle city officials could consider taking additional steps to increase physical accessibility to programs and services.' Overall, the state recommended 171 accessibility improvements out of a total 895 physical accessibility components that were examined across these four city-owned locations in New Rochelle: The Hugh A. Doyle Senior Center located at 94 Davis Ave. Fire Department Headquarters located at 90 Beaufort Place City Court and Police located at 475 North Ave. City Hall, located at 515 North Ave. New Rochelle has reviewed the 171 improvements recommended by the state and said the city plans to start making updates right away. Things like adding Braille to signage and replacing door knobs could be updated 'immediately,' City Manager Wilfredo Melendez said in a letter responding to the report. 'The city of New Rochelle is committed to improving accessibility at all city-owned facilities,' Melendez said in the letter. 'We will continue to advance strategies for identifying and addressing potential accessibility barriers and make necessary changes to comply with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.' The city said it plans to use the state's findings to continue making accessibility improvements in the coming years. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New Rochelle NY's city buildings need accessibility upgrades: state
