Latest news with #ravaged
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
NJ man accused of starting Pine Barrens fire blamed ‘Mexicans'
The New Jersey man charged with sparking a wildfire that ravaged parts of the Pine Barrens in Ocean County attempted to deny responsibility, blaming it instead on two 'Mexicans' he could not name, police said. Joseph Kling and a second suspect, identified only as a 17-year-old male, both 'gave misinformation to law enforcement about' the origins of the blaze they are accused of starting on April 22, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. The flames were first spotted within the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust's Forked River Mountain, after the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower reported a large column of smoke in the area of Jones Road and Bryant Road in Ocean Township. In the weeks since, firefighters have struggled to contain the wildfire, which has burned through more than 15,000 acres of land. On Tuesday, crews confirmed the blaze was about 90% contained, thanks in part to the weekend rainfall. Kling was arrested last month and has been charged with counts including arson, aggravated arson and hindering apprehension, according to authorities. On, Friday, officials announced a second arrest in the case, a juvenile suspect who is facing the same charges. Prosecutors say the pair gathered up wooden pallets from Sonny's Recycling Center and then took them to a wooded area off Jones Road, where they allegedly started a fire using gasoline. Billhimer said an 'investigation revealed Kling was the individual responsible for setting wooden pallets on fire — and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished.' He added that authorities later determined a 'juvenile assisted in setting the wooden pallets on fire and also left the area without the fire being fully extinguished.' During subsequent interviews with law enforcement, both suspects said they saw a pair of 'Mexicans' in the woods before the fire started, according to NJ Advanced Media. Judge Pamela Snyder scolded Kling during a court appearance on Monday for lying to police. Despite a push from prosecutors to keep him behind bars, Snyder released Kling with an ankle monitor and ordered that he remain under home confinement until his next court appearance, ABC 6 reported. Kling's attorney, Joseph Compitello, has acknowledged his client was at the bonfire, noting that there were 'at least four or five other carloads of individuals at this location.' 'This bonfire is apparently somewhat common,' he told NBC Philadelphia. 'There's going to be culpability to be extended to others.' Kling is due back in court on May 19. If convicted on the arson charge, he faces up to a decade in prison.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Satellite images reveal how Earth's surface moved during deadly Myanmar earthquake
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Earth-observing satellites reveal significant ground shift in central Myanmar following the devastating earthquakes that ravaged the area in March. The European Space Agency's (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-1A satellite captured radar images of the country just one day before a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on March 28. The Sentinel-1C satellite revisited the site a few days later, capturing the aftermath of the seismic event. "Using satellite radar images, scientists can map the extent of ruptures and identify areas of increased seismic risk," ESA officials said in a statement. ESA's Sentinel-1 mission includes two satellites positioned 180 degrees apart in orbit above Earth, enabling them to collectively scan the entire globe every six days. Sentinel-1's advanced radar imaging capabilities, including Terrain Observation with Progressive Scans and burst overlap interferometry, allow for precise measurement of ground motion in both east-west and north-south directions. By comparing the satellite data collected before and after the Myanmar earthquake (a method called synthetic aperture radar interferometry), scientists were able to create a detailed map illustrating ground movement, also known as an interferogram, along the Sagaing Fault — one of the most active strike-slip faults in Southeast Asia, running north to south through the center of Myanmar. RELATED STORIES: — Turkey earthquake opened 190-mile-long fissure, satellite images show — Satellites reveal how deadly Morocco earthquake moved ground (photos) — Earthquakes seem more intense after cosmic ray strikes. Scientists say this is why. The earthquake rupture, which is the sudden break and movement along a fault, extended approximately 342 miles (550 kilometers) along the Sagaing Fault — one of the longest documented surface ruptures ever recorded for a strike-slip fault. The interferogram revealed 63 inches (160 centimeters) of ground displacement along the fault line, indicating significant movement on either side of the fault. This data provides critical insight on the earthquake, which can aid in disaster response efforts. "These data are a game-changer," Dirk Geudtner, ESA's Sentinel-1 System Manager, said in the statement. "They enable faster, more accurate assessments after disasters, and help us to improve earthquake models globally."
Los Angeles Times
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
CEOs Giving Back to Los Angeles While Taking the LPGA Tour to New Heights
Shirley and Walter Wang imagined transforming the LPGA using a simple-yet-radical idea – to use their backing of the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro as a vehicle to improve the lives of the women who compete. So, how did the women of the LPGA respond when the Wangs doubled the tournament's purse, gave them more than $100,000 in prizes to aid in their travel, and also provided them with complimentary accommodations? They selected the trailblazing tour stop as the 2024 LPGA Tournament of the Year. With those tournament perks in place for the championship's return in April, Walter and Shirley foresee the event growing deeper in its purpose. It won't just be a change agent for the athletes who compete, but also an outlet for the community that has been forever changed by the catastrophic wildfires which have ravaged Los Angeles. 'We need to bring some joy, happiness in the midst of all these tragedies,' Walter said about helping his community. 'With the LPGA tournament, it can encourage people to come and find some joy in seeing the passion and energy of the players in the sport and people coming together.' The Wangs call the Los Angeles area home and luckily have been spared of any damage to their personal residence and their businesses. Walter, the CEO of JM Eagle, and Shirley, the CEO of Plastpro, say that all of their employees have been fortunate to keep their homes. But 'everyone knows somebody that lost their home,' Walter adds. And Walter and Shirley are no different. Their friend returned from vacation to find that his home had been destroyed, his father's priceless World War II relics turned to ash. The Wangs needed just a single word to describe the impact the wildfires have had on them personally. 'Devastating,' they each said, echoing the pain suffered by their community. Sandwiched between the Palisades and Eaton Fires sits El Caballero Country Club in the San Fernando Valley, which in April, will host the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro. The course was designed in 1957 by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and was unscathed by the fires. El Cab, as it's affectionately known, will host the LPGA this season while Wilshire Country Club, the tournament's prior home, is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. Walter and his wife, Shirley, hope local residents can look forward to attending their tournament and will see it as an escape from the trauma they've endured over the past couple of months. On behalf of JM Eagle, those affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires will have the opportunity to receive complimentary grounds tickets during tournament competition rounds, April 17-20 (up to four tickets per family). All first responders and military members and their families will receive complimentary admission as well as receiving exclusive access to hospitality at the SERVPRO Hero Outpost. 'God doesn't want you to just freeze. He wants to keep on going on and continue on with life,' Shirley said about providing a mental escape for first responders at the tournament. 'The LPGA and all these events, they're something to bring joy to people, a reprieve from this.' In addition, juniors under the age of 17 will also enjoy free entry to the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro. In 2024, nearly 1,000 children from organizations across the Los Angeles area were provided transportation to the tournament to attend a clinic led by the LPGA's Maria Fassi and Emma Talley. Again this year, Saturday of the tournament week will be designated as Junior Golf Day. It's one of the ways that the Wangs are trying to grow the LPGA's fan base. 'It's like planting a seed, right? It will grow and prosper if you take care of it, you make sure you water it, you fertilize it the right way,' Walter says about exposing children to the game of golf. 'Give kids the incentive and motivation.' It's the same way Walter and Shirley have nurtured the growth of their golf tournament - by doubling the purse to $3.75 million they were able to watch their event blossom, which resulted in more than 100 grateful athletes turning out for their pro-am party in 2024. Then, they observed how their strategy pollinated across the LPGA's schedule. Since Walter and Shirley initially doubled the purse of the JM LA Championship presented by Plastpro to $3 million for the 2023 event, they've seen 11 tournament sponsors follow suit and increase their purses, too. 'We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish and that is to lead by example,' Walter said of his goal of transforming the LPGA. 'It worked. And I think we'll continue to grow.' So, how can the tournament that's considered the best on Tour get even better? Walter and Shirley say their priority is to further grow the LPGA's fan base, to get more residents to attend their tournament, and to utilize influencers to grow their social media presence. They're hopeful that the tournament's relocation to El Caballero Country Club in 2025 will create an opportunity to expose a whole new demographic within Los Angeles to the LPGA Tour. El Cab is about an hour drive northwest of where Wilshire Country Club is being renovated and where Walter's company, JM Eagle, has donated all the irrigation, drainage, and water pipes for the project in addition to the electrical conduit. Just as Walter and Shirely have led by example in transforming the LPGA, they're doing the same within their community in its dire time of need. Walter and JM Eagle have pledged to donate a total of $6.5 mil to fire relief and recovery efforts, with individual donations going to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and the Los Angeles Police Fund. 'We feel we need to be a responsible citizen in our own community, take care of your own community first,' Walter said about giving back. 'Then, you have the strength to go outside of your community and do things for others.'
NBC Sports
20-03-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
Walter and Shirley Wang giving back to LA and taking LPGA to new heights
Walter and Shirley Wang planted seeds of possibility when they took over the title sponsorship of the LPGA's annual tour stop in Los Angeles three years ago. The couple imagined transforming the LPGA with a simple, yet radical idea – to use their backing of the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro as a vehicle to improve the lives of the women who compete. So, how did the women of the LPGA respond when the Wangs doubled the tournament's purse, gave them more than $100,000 in prizes to aid in their travel and also provided them with complimentary accommodations? They selected the trailblazing tour stop as the 2024 LPGA Tournament of the Year. With those tournament perks in place for the championship's return in April, Walter and Shirley foresee the event growing deeper in its purpose. It won't just be a change agent for the athletes who compete but also an outlet for the community that has been forever changed by the catastrophic wildfires, which have ravaged Los Angeles. 'We need to bring some joy, happiness in the midst of all these tragedies,' Walter said about helping his community. 'With the LPGA tournament, it can encourage people to come and find some joy in seeing the passion and energy of the players in the sport and people coming together.' The Wangs call the Los Angeles area home and luckily have been spared of any damage to their personal residence and their businesses. Walter, the CEO of JM Eagle, and Shirley, the CEO of Plastpro, say that all of their employees have been fortunate to keep their homes. But 'everyone knows somebody that lost their home,' Walter adds. And Walter and Shirley are no different. Their friend returned from vacation to find that his home had been destroyed, his father's priceless World War II relics turned to ash. The Wangs needed just a single word to describe the impact the wildfires have had on them personally. 'Devastating,' they each said, echoing the pain suffered by their community. Sandwiched between the Palisades and Eaton Fires sits El Caballero Country Club in the San Fernando Valley, which in April, will host the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro. The course was designed in 1957 by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and was unscathed by the fires. El Cab, as it's affectionately known, will host the LPGA this season while Wilshire Country Club, the tournament's prior home, is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. Walter and his wife, Shirley, hope local residents can look forward to attending their tournament and will see it as an escape from the trauma they've endured over the past couple of months. Golf Channel Staff, On behalf of JM Eagle, those affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires will have the opportunity to receive complimentary grounds tickets during tournament competition rounds, April 17-20 (up to four tickets per family). All first responders and military members and their families will receive complimentary admission as well as receiving exclusive access to hospitality at the SERVPRO Hero Outpost. 'God doesn't want you to just freeze. He wants to keep on going on and continue on with life,' Shirley said about providing a mental escape for first responders at the tournament. 'The LPGA and all these events, they're something to bring joy to people, a reprieve from this.' In addition, juniors under the age of 17 will also enjoy free entry to the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro. In 2024, nearly 1,000 children from organizations across the Los Angeles area were provided transportation to the tournament to attend a clinic led by the LPGA's Maria Fassi and Emma Talley. Again this year, Saturday of the tournament week will be designated as Junior Golf Day. It's one of the ways that the Wangs are trying to grow the LPGA's fan base. 'It's like planting a seed, right? It will grow and prosper if you take care of it, you make sure you water it, you fertilize it the right way,' Walter says about exposing children to the game of golf. 'Give kids the incentive and motivation.' It's the same way Walter and Shirley have nurtured the growth of their golf tournament. By doubling the purse to $3.75 million, they were able to watch their event blossom, which resulted in more than 100 grateful athletes turning out for their pro-am party in 2024. Then, they observed how their strategy pollinated across the LPGA's schedule. Since Walter and Shirley initially doubled the purse of the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro to $3 million for the 2023 event, they've seen 11 tournament sponsors follow suit and increase their purses, too. 'We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish and that is to lead by example,' Walter said of his goal of transforming the LPGA. 'It worked. And I think we'll continue to grow.' So, how can the tournament that's considered the best on Tour get even better? Walter and Shirley say their priority is to further grow the LPGA's fan base, to get more residents to attend their tournament and to utilize influencers to grow their social media presence. They're hopeful that the tournament's relocation to El Caballero Country Club in 2025 will create an opportunity to expose a whole new demographic within Los Angeles to the LPGA Tour. El Cab is about an hour's drive northwest of where Wilshire Country Club is being renovated and where Walter's company, JM Eagle, has donated all the irrigation, drainage and water pipes for the project in addition to the electrical conduit. Just as Walter and Shirley have led by example in transforming the LPGA, they're doing the same within their community in its dire time of need. Walter and JM Eagle have pledged to donate a total of $6.5 million to fire relief and recovery efforts, with individual donations going to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the Los Angeles Police Fund. 'We feel we need to be a responsible citizen in our own community, take care of your own community first,' Walter said about giving back. 'Then, you have the strength to go outside of your community and do things for others.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Six years after major fire, Loudon County Courthouse set to reopen
LOUDON, Tenn. (WATE) — Nearly six years since the historic Loudon County Courthouse was ravaged by fire, the building is ready to reopen to the public. The 147-year-old courthouse was damaged in a fire on April 23, 2019. The fire took several hours to extinguish and led to over $1 million in damages. The county is set to hold an official open house for the building on April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bill allowing Knoxville stadium to sell liquor, wine passes Tennessee General Assembly 'It's been a long and somewhat bumpy road to get here but once you see the amazing interior and some of the changes made for efficiency, aesthetics, and safety, I think you will agree that it was worth the wait and every penny spent. It's going to be an amazing unveiling,' wrote Mayor Rollen 'Buddy' Bradshaw on Facebook. The Loudon County Courthouse was built in 1872 by J. Wesley and Ira Napolean Clarke of Sweetwater for a cost of $14,200, according to the Loudon County TNGenWeb Project. In May 2019, Bradshaw said plans were in the works to rebuild and restore the courthouse to its former glory. He added that the bones of the structure would be used in its rebuilding. In November 2019, the stabilization phase began to make it safe for crews to get inside the building as they work toward refurbishing and reopening the courthouse. Veteran aims to rebuild home washed away by Helene as mortgage company seeks payment City of Loudon Fire Chief Mike Brubaker said the official cause of the fire was undetermined, however, based on witness interviews, photos before firefighters arrived, and electrical problems within the building before the fire, it 'most likely' started due to electrical issues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
