Latest news with #safetyimprovements
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Family, West Sacramento mayor say safety improvements are long overdue after two teens die in hit-and-run
The families of two teenage girls killed in a hit-and-run crash are calling for safety improvements on the road where their lives were tragically taken in West Sacramento on August 2. Layla Clemons and Jaea Chatman, both 17, were riding a bike on Jefferson Boulevard near Bevan Road when police say they were hit by driver David Walker, 71, who fled the scene. He was arrested the following morning. "It was a relief. We will get justice for the girls," Layla's mother, Melissa Vallejos, said of the arrest. She is brokenhearted by the sudden loss of Layla, one of her four children. "We're just taking it minute by minute right now. It's a lot of ups and downs. I want to feel strong for my baby, but I know it's gonna be a roller coaster," said Melissa. The two teens were dating and Layla's family described them as "inseparable." "He hit them. He knew he hit them and he fled. It's despicable," said Stephanie Vallejos, Layla's grandmother. West Sacramento's mayor tells CBS13 that the girls' deaths shine a painful light on longstanding concerns with Jefferson Boulevard. "The roadway was built when West Sacramento was a small rural community and falls short in support of the size and expanse of the city today. Short- and long-term plans have been in place to bring necessary safety upgrades but sadly, progress has not moved fast enough," Guerrero said. The stretch of road, a main thoroughfare through the Southport Community, stretches from a heavily trafficked shopping center down to the homes of thousands of people. Where the two girls were killed, Jefferson Boulevard has no street lights, no shoulder, no bike lane and is just one lane in each direction. Layla's uncle lived close by, and she was familiar with the area. "As Mayor, I am committed to accelerating improvements to Jefferson Boulevard to increase safety for residents who choose to drive, walk, or bike through the corridor to connect to other areas within and outside the city. We will pursue all avenues to expedite these long-overdue improvements," Guerrero said. In a recent traffic study, the city deemed Jefferson Boulevard a high-risk road. As part of the city's Vision Zero plan to cut down on traffic deaths, improvements have been proposed for trouble spots citywide. As part of the pending Yarbrough Project, a proposed 3,000-home development along Jefferson, the developer is required to widen and upgrade the road to accommodate new traffic. But the mayor says, they can no longer wait. "In partnership with the Yarborough Development, which is contributing to the area's future growth, we will work to identify resources to fund these critical infrastructure upgrades. Growth must be accompanied by meaningful investment in public safety," Guerrero said. In the meantime, Layla's family says they are pushing for those changes in her memory. "I would like for something to be done on that street, for people to be seen, pedestrians, sidewalk, something so this won't happen again," Melissa said. They want her to be remembered as a kind soul who wanted to study to become a nurse after she graduated from high school. She was in her senior year. "My grandbaby was a beautiful girl. She was full of life. If you knew her, she had the biggest heart. She loved everybody. She wanted to help everybody," Stephanie said. Walker is facing two counts of murder and two counts of hit-and-run causing injury or death. He will be arraigned on August 6. Layla's family is also in the process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
BBC News
23-07-2025
- BBC News
Headlines: 'Council home sell-off' and 'lakes drying up'
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories Bristol 24/7 have reported on the council's plans to sell off up to 180 council homes that are "challenging to maintain" to raise nearly £5m to reinvest in social Council says it has "initiated legal steps" to remove a group of travellers that have pitched up on Burnham-on-Sea's Road in Swindon is set to undergo improvement works to improve safety and stop vehicles skidding. Our top three from yesterday Major incident as more than 60 homes evacuatedSuitcase killer 999 call: 'There's blood coming out of the suitcase'Sex, murder and bodies in suitcases - who were the men involved? What to watch on social media Pictures appearing to show Chew Valley Lake drying up have sparked concerns about a potential hosepipe Rail says it is carrying out "major resilience work" between the Severn Tunnel Junction and Gloucester to improve safety and reliability of the Wildlife Hospital's post about a badger cub that was found emaciated and drenched has attracted a lot of attention - with many saying it has become all too common.
Travel Weekly
22-07-2025
- Travel Weekly
Waimea Canyon Lookout closed for safety improvements
The Waimea Canyon Lookout on the island of Kauai will be closed through December as it is undergoes construction for safety improvements, according to Hawaii's Division of State Parks. Additionally, visitors should expect traffic delays and limited parking at Waimea Canyon and Kokee state parks, as roadwork projects on Waimea Canyon Drive and Kokee Road are ongoing. "Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available," the parks division said in a news release. "We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing. Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks on weekends when most work will be suspended." CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report said the Waimea Canyon Lookout would remain open on some days during construction. It will not.
Travel Weekly
18-07-2025
- Travel Weekly
Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed weekdays for safety improvements
The Waimea Canyon Lookout on the island of Kauai will be closed on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as it is undergoes construction for safety improvements, according to Hawaii's Division of State Parks. The project is expected to last through December. Additionally, visitors should expect traffic delays and limited parking at Waimea Canyon and Kokee state parks, as roadwork projects on Waimea Canyon Drive and Kokee Road are ongoing. "Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available," the parks division said in a news release. "We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing. Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks on weekends when most work will be suspended."
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
APS board unanimously approves special election for building referendum
Jul. 14—In a unanimous vote, the Austin Public Schools Board on Monday night voted in favor of a two-question special election this November for a referendum to support building upgrades in the district. Voters will head to the ballot to answer the first question of the building referendum, which is not to exceed $54.7 million and that will be spread across eight buildings in the district. This money will go toward upgrades in each building that will include — among other things — safety, security and accessibility improvements. The second question authorizes $12 million for renovation of the 50-year-old Bud Higgins Pool at Ellis Middle School. This second question relies on the passing of the first question. In total, the district is asking voters to approve a total of $66.7 million. "I think if we can proactively take care of our buildings and make them functional and prepared for the next couple of decades, I think that would be a good investment on the community's part," said Board Chair Carolyn Dube. Board member Peggy Young agreed and added that this was the time to do it rather than kicking the can down the road. "The longer we postpone the more expensive it's going to be," Young said. "These are things that keep our buildings together. We have to be really good at telling folks that these repairs have to be done." READ MORE: APS considers possible referendum for November If passed, the impact to an average home worth $200,000 would increase by about $16. While board members were clearly in agreement about the need for the referendum, it didn't mean there weren't concerns ranging from the timing of bringing this election forward this year to how to get the word out. In particular, some board members referenced the current morale issues that have dominated discussions earlier this summer. "My concern is it's been a rough three or four months for the district, the board, the administration," said Board Member Don Leathers. "We need to do our darndest to win over the sliver of people that are a little bit mad at me and a little bit mad at you." Leathers also pushed for a unified effort to get the word out what the district was attempting to do, referencing a survey conducted early in the process that showed a willingness among community members to consider the questions. Cece Kroc on the other hand said she was worried about this being the only ballot item. "It could bring out more people that say, 'I don't want to pay any more,'" Kroc said. "I believe in the needed money, but there are concerns." However, conversations eventually returned to a will of avoiding postponing the referendum on the grounds of changing and likely rising costs of construction as well as a concern of what happens if the referendum doesn't pass. "My concern is if it doesn't pass we don't have $64 million sitting there in our general fund," Dan Zielke said, explaining that difficult discussions could arise in regard to possible cuts within the district. "If we have to spend this money, it comes from a different source." "What happens if this doesn't pass?" he added.
