Date: 11/18/2008
By KRISTIN M. HALL
Associated Press Writer
A soldier’s wife has been charged with setting a fire at their Kentucky Army base home that killed her two young children.
Billi Jo Smallwood, 35, also faces a federal charge of attempting to destroy a residential facility for members of the U.S. Army that caused the death of two minors, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
The May 2007 fire at Fort Campbell killed 9-year-old Sam Fagan and 2-year-old Rebekah Smallwood, and injured her husband, Army Spc. Wayne Smallwood. The Smallwoods’ infant daughter, Nevaeh, was not injured.
Billi Smallwood, of Brunswick, Ga., who is in federal custody, could face execution or life in prison if convicted. She does not have an attorney, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney said.
The fire broke out in a two-story housing unit where six families lived in a housing development called Lee Village that dates to the 1940s and was in the process of being torn down. About 10,000 family members live in housing on the sprawling base that straddles the Tennessee-Kentucky state line, according to the most recent Fort Campbell fiscal report.
The federal grand jury indictment said Smallwood planned to set the fire with the intention of causing a person’s death. The U.S. attorney did not say who she was targeting and the full indictment was not yet available.
Cathy Gramling, a spokeswoman for Fort Campbell, said Smallwood’s husband is still assigned to the base but had no further comment.
Dawn Masden, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Paducah, said Smallwood was scheduled to appear for a hearing Tuesday afternoon, but was unsure if a judge would decide then whether she would remain in custody.
She also has an arraignment scheduled before a U.S. magistrate judge on Dec. 10.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Brown cloud back above Phoenix as temps drop
Date: 11/14/2008
PHOENIX (AP) _ Cooler weather has created ideal conditions for the return of the seasonal brown pollution cloud over the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Visibility was rated as poor Thursday by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality although pollution levels did not climb high enough to trigger a health watch or warning.
State air-quality officials issued a health watch Tuesday after a weekend cold front stirred up dust and other particulates and trapped them over the Phoenix area.
“We are going to see much more of this as we head into the winter months, especially in the mornings and evenings,” said Holly Ward, spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
Pollutants such as dust, vehicle exhaust and particles from wood-burning fireplaces accumulate in the air and get trapped there by a temperature inversion.
An inversion occurs when a layer of cooler air develops close to the ground, beneath a warmer layer. The warm air acts like a lid and keeps the cool air and the pollutants in it from mixing and dispersing.
Such inversions are common in Phoenix during the winter.
Particulates pollute the air year-round but become more noticeable and more of a health risk during the winter months when inversions occur.
Maricopa County officials have devised a plan to reduce particulate pollution and have submitted it to federal regulators. If the region continues to exceed federal pollution limits, it could lose billions of dollars in transportation funding.
The particulate alerts, which differ from the ozone alerts issued during warmer months, usually become more frequent as temperatures fall, especially as more people use wood-burning fireplaces.
If pollution levels climb too high, the county will declare a no-burn day and ask residents not to build fires.
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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
PHOENIX (AP) _ Cooler weather has created ideal conditions for the return of the seasonal brown pollution cloud over the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Visibility was rated as poor Thursday by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality although pollution levels did not climb high enough to trigger a health watch or warning.
State air-quality officials issued a health watch Tuesday after a weekend cold front stirred up dust and other particulates and trapped them over the Phoenix area.
“We are going to see much more of this as we head into the winter months, especially in the mornings and evenings,” said Holly Ward, spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
Pollutants such as dust, vehicle exhaust and particles from wood-burning fireplaces accumulate in the air and get trapped there by a temperature inversion.
An inversion occurs when a layer of cooler air develops close to the ground, beneath a warmer layer. The warm air acts like a lid and keeps the cool air and the pollutants in it from mixing and dispersing.
Such inversions are common in Phoenix during the winter.
Particulates pollute the air year-round but become more noticeable and more of a health risk during the winter months when inversions occur.
Maricopa County officials have devised a plan to reduce particulate pollution and have submitted it to federal regulators. If the region continues to exceed federal pollution limits, it could lose billions of dollars in transportation funding.
The particulate alerts, which differ from the ozone alerts issued during warmer months, usually become more frequent as temperatures fall, especially as more people use wood-burning fireplaces.
If pollution levels climb too high, the county will declare a no-burn day and ask residents not to build fires.
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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Study: Calif dirty air kills more than car crashes
Date: 11/13/2008
By TRACIE CONE
Associated Press Writer
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) _ Lowering air pollution in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley would save more lives annually than ending all motor vehicle fatalities in the two regions, according to a new study.
The study, which examined the costs of air pollution in two areas with the worst levels in the country, also said meeting federal ozone and fine particulate standards could save $28 billion annually in health care costs, school absences, missed work and lost income potential from premature deaths.
The price tag amounts to $1,600 annually per person in the San Joaquin Valley and $1,250 in the South Coast Air Basin.
Researchers at California State University-Fullerton sought to assess the potential economic benefits that could be achieved by reducing air pollution to levels within federal standards.
“For decades there has been a tug of war over what to do about air pollution,” said Jane Hall, lead author of the study at Cal State Fullerton. “We are paying now for not having done enough.”
To illustrate its point, the study noted that the California Highway Patrol recorded 2,521 vehicular deaths in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast Air Basin in 2006, compared to 3,812 deaths attributed to respiratory illness caused by particulate pollution.
Studies have indicated a relationship between ozone and particulate pollution and asthma and other respiratory problems, including chronic bronchitis. They also have connected particulate pollution with an increase in cardiovascular problems.
Hall and colleague Victor Brajer analyzed ozone and fine particulate concentrations across the two basins in 5-by-5 kilometer grids from 2005 through 2007. The researchers applied those numbers to the health affects they are known to cause, then assigned peer-reviewed economic values to each illness or death that could result.
“It may be tempting to think California can’t afford to clean up, but in fact dirty air is like a $28 billion lead balloon on our economy,” Hall said.
The findings were released Wednesday as the California Air Resources Board considers controversial new regulations to reduce diesel truck emissions, a move that could cost 170,000 business owners $5.5 billion. According to a board staff report, the savings in health care costs would be $68 billion by 2020 if the regulations were adopted next month.
The Cal State Fullerton study says that particulate pollution levels must fall by 50 percent in both regions for health and economic benefits to occur, something they acknowledged would be “very difficult to achieve.”
If pollution levels were to improve to federal standards, the study says residents of the two air basins would suffer 3,860 fewer premature deaths, 3,780 fewer nonfatal heart attacks and would miss 470,000 fewer days of work annually. School children would miss more than 1.2 million fewer days of school, a savings of $112 million in caregiver costs. There also would be more than 2 million fewer cases of upper respiratory problems.
“As a society we make decisions to spend money on things such as railroad crossings or air traffic control — things that improve safety,” Brajer said. “There are a lot of ways society spends money to make things safer, and that’s what we’re trying to get at.”
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
By TRACIE CONE
Associated Press Writer
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) _ Lowering air pollution in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley would save more lives annually than ending all motor vehicle fatalities in the two regions, according to a new study.
The study, which examined the costs of air pollution in two areas with the worst levels in the country, also said meeting federal ozone and fine particulate standards could save $28 billion annually in health care costs, school absences, missed work and lost income potential from premature deaths.
The price tag amounts to $1,600 annually per person in the San Joaquin Valley and $1,250 in the South Coast Air Basin.
Researchers at California State University-Fullerton sought to assess the potential economic benefits that could be achieved by reducing air pollution to levels within federal standards.
“For decades there has been a tug of war over what to do about air pollution,” said Jane Hall, lead author of the study at Cal State Fullerton. “We are paying now for not having done enough.”
To illustrate its point, the study noted that the California Highway Patrol recorded 2,521 vehicular deaths in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast Air Basin in 2006, compared to 3,812 deaths attributed to respiratory illness caused by particulate pollution.
Studies have indicated a relationship between ozone and particulate pollution and asthma and other respiratory problems, including chronic bronchitis. They also have connected particulate pollution with an increase in cardiovascular problems.
Hall and colleague Victor Brajer analyzed ozone and fine particulate concentrations across the two basins in 5-by-5 kilometer grids from 2005 through 2007. The researchers applied those numbers to the health affects they are known to cause, then assigned peer-reviewed economic values to each illness or death that could result.
“It may be tempting to think California can’t afford to clean up, but in fact dirty air is like a $28 billion lead balloon on our economy,” Hall said.
The findings were released Wednesday as the California Air Resources Board considers controversial new regulations to reduce diesel truck emissions, a move that could cost 170,000 business owners $5.5 billion. According to a board staff report, the savings in health care costs would be $68 billion by 2020 if the regulations were adopted next month.
The Cal State Fullerton study says that particulate pollution levels must fall by 50 percent in both regions for health and economic benefits to occur, something they acknowledged would be “very difficult to achieve.”
If pollution levels were to improve to federal standards, the study says residents of the two air basins would suffer 3,860 fewer premature deaths, 3,780 fewer nonfatal heart attacks and would miss 470,000 fewer days of work annually. School children would miss more than 1.2 million fewer days of school, a savings of $112 million in caregiver costs. There also would be more than 2 million fewer cases of upper respiratory problems.
“As a society we make decisions to spend money on things such as railroad crossings or air traffic control — things that improve safety,” Brajer said. “There are a lot of ways society spends money to make things safer, and that’s what we’re trying to get at.”
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Vent Pipe to Blame in SD Carbon Monoxide Deaths
Date: 11/10/2008
BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) _ Authorities in Brookings think a missing vent pipe was to blame in the apparent carbon monoxide poisoning deaths of a man and his daughter found in their home early Sunday.
The victims are Grant Holmstrum, 54, and Janna Holmstrum, 21.
Police Capt. Jeff Miller said the call came in shortly after 2 a.m. At first, police didn’t know what happened to the victims and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on them for some time, he said
The carbon monoxide affected some officers as well, Miller said. “Four officers also were taken and admitted to the hospital for exposure,” he said. “They were treated and released later that morning.”
Carbon monoxide has no detectable odor. Early symptoms such as headache, nausea and fatigue often are mistaken for the flu. It’s the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S.
People should consider getting their heating system checked out, Miller said.
“Especially, I guess, if you have an older furnace, it’s something that would be a good idea to have it periodically checked and certainly put in a carbon monoxide detector in your home,” Miller said.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) _ Authorities in Brookings think a missing vent pipe was to blame in the apparent carbon monoxide poisoning deaths of a man and his daughter found in their home early Sunday.
The victims are Grant Holmstrum, 54, and Janna Holmstrum, 21.
Police Capt. Jeff Miller said the call came in shortly after 2 a.m. At first, police didn’t know what happened to the victims and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on them for some time, he said
The carbon monoxide affected some officers as well, Miller said. “Four officers also were taken and admitted to the hospital for exposure,” he said. “They were treated and released later that morning.”
Carbon monoxide has no detectable odor. Early symptoms such as headache, nausea and fatigue often are mistaken for the flu. It’s the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S.
People should consider getting their heating system checked out, Miller said.
“Especially, I guess, if you have an older furnace, it’s something that would be a good idea to have it periodically checked and certainly put in a carbon monoxide detector in your home,” Miller said.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Worker on barge traveling near New Haven dies
Date: 11/8/2008
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) _ The Coast Guard says a 52-year-old barge worker has died after being found unresponsive on the ship as it traveled near New Haven Harbor.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Ellen Phillips says it appears that John Campagno died of carbon monoxide poisoning. An autopsy is planned.
Crew members on the barge tried to revive Campagno, but he was pronounced dead Saturday morning at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Authorities say his identifications listed addresses in North Carolina and Florida.
The Coast Guard says Campagno apparently worked and slept in a poorly ventilated section of the barge that contains a generator and heating unit.
The barge is owned by Burnham Associates Dredging & Marine Contractors of Salem, Mass.
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Information from: The Day, http://www.theday.com
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) _ The Coast Guard says a 52-year-old barge worker has died after being found unresponsive on the ship as it traveled near New Haven Harbor.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Ellen Phillips says it appears that John Campagno died of carbon monoxide poisoning. An autopsy is planned.
Crew members on the barge tried to revive Campagno, but he was pronounced dead Saturday morning at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Authorities say his identifications listed addresses in North Carolina and Florida.
The Coast Guard says Campagno apparently worked and slept in a poorly ventilated section of the barge that contains a generator and heating unit.
The barge is owned by Burnham Associates Dredging & Marine Contractors of Salem, Mass.
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Information from: The Day, http://www.theday.com
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Families settle with utility over Texas wildfire
Date: 11/8/2008
By ANGELA K. BROWN
Associated Press Writer
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) _ An attorney says more than 100 families have settled a lawsuit with a utility whose damaged equipment sparked a devastating wildfire.
Attorney Bill Altman says the last of five settlements with Oncor was finalized this week. He says the total is “substantially” more than $5 million.
The 2006 fire in the ranching town of Ringgold burned about 40 homes and all but a handful of buildings on Main Street. Eleven people were injured.
The state fire marshal says the blaze started after failing supports on a telephone pole allowed electric lines to ignite dry grass below. The blaze was deemed accidental.
Oncor declined to comment on the specifics of the settlement but insists it was not responsible for the fire.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
By ANGELA K. BROWN
Associated Press Writer
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) _ An attorney says more than 100 families have settled a lawsuit with a utility whose damaged equipment sparked a devastating wildfire.
Attorney Bill Altman says the last of five settlements with Oncor was finalized this week. He says the total is “substantially” more than $5 million.
The 2006 fire in the ranching town of Ringgold burned about 40 homes and all but a handful of buildings on Main Street. Eleven people were injured.
The state fire marshal says the blaze started after failing supports on a telephone pole allowed electric lines to ignite dry grass below. The blaze was deemed accidental.
Oncor declined to comment on the specifics of the settlement but insists it was not responsible for the fire.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Restaurant fire likely started by cigarette
Date: 11/1/2008
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) _ A fire that destroyed the Golden Corral restaurant here Wednesday was likely started by a cigarette or a match that was thrown in the trash, authorities said.
Doug Bennyhoff, fire marshal for Great Falls Fire/Rescue, said investigators determined the fire started in an area where employees regularly smoked. He said it was unknown who was in the area right before the fire started, and investigators will not try to determine who might be responsible for the blaze.
“We had numerous people out there,” he said. “We have no way to tell who (might have started the fire).”
The fire was detected at about 10:35 a.m. It spread quickly, and the building is considered a total loss.
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Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) _ A fire that destroyed the Golden Corral restaurant here Wednesday was likely started by a cigarette or a match that was thrown in the trash, authorities said.
Doug Bennyhoff, fire marshal for Great Falls Fire/Rescue, said investigators determined the fire started in an area where employees regularly smoked. He said it was unknown who was in the area right before the fire started, and investigators will not try to determine who might be responsible for the blaze.
“We had numerous people out there,” he said. “We have no way to tell who (might have started the fire).”
The fire was detected at about 10:35 a.m. It spread quickly, and the building is considered a total loss.
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Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.