Latest news with #CommunityProjectFunding
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Habitat for Humanity builds homes at old McKinley Elementary site
PEORIA, Ill (WMBD) — There's still time for low-to-moderate income families to apply to live in houses that will be built on the site of the former McKinley Elementary School. The South Peoria school, long vacant, was torn down in 2023 and could soon be the location of three new homes, built by Habitat for Humanity Greater Peoria. And that's just the beginning. Within five years, there could several more homes on that lot. Habitat for Humanity received a Community Housing Development Organization grant totaling $445,000 and a $500,000 Community Project Funding grant 'We're excited for the families. We have a lot of applications and it's going to be tough to, you know, to make decisions on who's going to be our first homeowners. But we're just really encouraged that the amount of interest in our houses,' said Lea Anne Schmidgall, the group's executive director. To apply, go to the group's website. The rebirth of the site, located at 1201 W. Adrian G. Hinton Ave., could be a boon for South Peoria. McKinley shuttered years ago and has largely sat empty. Past plans to renovate it fell through and the buildings deteriorated to the point where they were deemed unsafe. Although, final details on construction are still being worked out. The homes are built by volunteers and take anywhere from 18 to 21 weeks to complete, she said. And for those who are worried, Schmidgall says Habitat goes out of its way to make home ownership a quality, hassle-free, affordable experience for families searching for a home. 'A Habitat for Humanity Home is brand new. Everything is warranted. We stand behind it. You know that you're getting a safe, affordable home that's top quality made,' she said. First district Peoria city councilperson Denise Jackson shared a text message to WMBD about what this development means for the south side. 'We are excited about home ownership returning to that area. It is just the beginning of the redevelopment process that we hope will bring decent, affordable housing into the South Side of Peoria,' Jackson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
El Paso backs grant application to help fund I-10 deck plaza project
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso City Council voted on Tuesday, June 10, to formally support a grant application that could help fund part of the proposed Interstate 10 deck plaza. The multimillion-dollar plan is a major infrastructure project that would create a public space above the downtown stretch of the freeway. The application is for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), a federally funded, state-administered grant. If approved, it would help pay for some features of the deck plaza, such as trails, sidewalks, and green spaces. 'This is just one little puzzle piece,' District 8 Councilmember Chris Canales said. 'But I've said from the beginning, I'd support this project as long as the money comes from state, federal, or philanthropic sources.' The application is due this month, and a decision is expected in October. If awarded, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) would take the lead on construction, and the City of El Paso would assist with project management. 'If we are awarded, there are a lot of other steps that need to happen for the council to enter into an agreement to use that funding source, and that's something that would happen in the future,' Joaquin Rodriguez, director of grant-funded programs for the city, said. This isn't the only funding the city is pursuing for the deck plaza. In May, the council also submitted a separate request for $4 million through the Community Project Funding program, which goes through U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, office. That funding would help cover structural elements like retaining walls and utility infrastructure. City officials add that both funding requests are part of a larger effort to move the multimillion-dollar project forward with the goal of using outside money to make it happen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delaney requests $41 million for 6th District
CUMBERLAND — U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney announced last week that she has requested over $41 million of federal funds for local investments in Maryland's 6th Congressional district for the next fiscal year. Out of the 15 Community Project Funding requests made, seven would support a wide range of efforts in Allegany and Garrett counties, allocating over $7 million in Allegany County and over $8 million in Garrett County, according to a press release. 'I know how important it is to work hand-in-hand with local leaders to achieve real results,' McClain Delaney said in the announc ement. 'Since taking office in January, I've engaged with state and community officials to identify projects that will make the biggest difference and support those who need it most.' Many of the projects would restore water infrastructure, like replacing the water filtration system in Cumberland, which will cost $2 million. 'The existing plant is reaching the end of its useful life and is incapable of addressing emerging contaminants,' Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss said. 'This grant will allow the city to begin design work on a new Water Filtration Building that will utilize state-of-the-art membrane filtration, which is capable of removing disinfection byproducts as well as emerging contaminants.' About $1.3 million of improvements to Lonaconing's water lines were included in the requests as well. 'This investment in our Western Maryland community will aid in improving the quality of life by ensuring reliable access to clean and safe drinking water for our residents and providing peace of mind by reducing concerns about water quality or potential service disruptions,' Lonaconing Mayor Jack Coburn said. About $6.2 million would go toward other infrastructure projects in the two counties, including improvements on Oakland's water system, a sidewalk and crosswalk safety project in Grantsville and replacing a Potomac Fire Company No. 2 engine. 'Upgrading our aging water and sewer infrastructure will not only improve service reliability and water quality but also help prevent future system failures and environmental hazards,' Oakland Mayor Andrew Sauder said. 'This project is a critical step toward ensuring a sustainable and secure future for Oakland residents.' Among the requests, a $3 million expansion of the radiology and oncology department in Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland focuses on the expansion of medical resources. 'This funding, which supports the design and engineering phase of adding radiation oncology to our Cancer Center, means we will largely eliminate the need for cancer patients to travel to receive the care they need,' Mark Boucot, the chief executive of the center, said. Another project would contribute to educational resources, spending about $2.8 million on revitalizing the Frostburg State University Planetarium. 'The revitalized planetarium will not only enhance educational opportunities for a diversity of learners of all ages, but will also contribute to cultural and economic growth,' said Associate Professor of Physics Jason Speights. The remaining $26 million would go toward projects in the rest of the congressional district throughout Washington and Frederick counties. 'These community-focused investments will help foster growth and strengthen Maryland's 6th Congressional District,' McClain Delaney said.
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Skeletal remains posted to police 40 years ago identified as missing teacher
In a stunning discovery, skeletal remains have been identified four decades after they were sent to police as Kay Josephine Medin, who vanished from her home in 1987 The skeletal remains of a woman who vanished four decades ago have been identified, bringing a stunning end to a long-running mystery. Kay Josephine Medin, 48, vanished from her home in 1987 after husband Nickolas Medin reported she was missing when he returned from a business trip. Police frantically searched their home in Hyampom, rural Northern California, but they could find no signs of the teacher. The search hit a dead in despite multiple interviews with friends and family. 'She never showed up at school,' said Mike Fridley, a cold case investigator with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. 'They checked, they contacted her school, and they said that she seemed to be in good spirits and happy and didn't have any medical issues or anything. So that's what obviously made everybody wonder what the heck happened. Her stuff is still at the house. Her car's there. She just disappeared.' Kay's sudden disappearance from the quiet, rural community raised suspicions, reports Daily Record. However, a chilling twist came on November 25, 1987, when the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a disturbing package in the mail. Inside was a box containing skeletal remains and an anonymous letter that included a 'map leading to a location of more remains,' according to Fridley. The map pointed investigators toward an area near Ammon Ridge Road in Eastern Humboldt County. 'It's very straightforward and generic,' Fridley explained about the letter. Upon investigation, more remains were found in the location indicated on the map, and after forensic analysis, they were positively identified as Kay's, thanks to her dental records. The remains had not been buried. A death certificate for Kay was issued the following year, in 1988. To this day, the identity of the person who sent the letter remains a mystery. 'It could go either way,' said Fridley. 'It could have just been somebody that was deer hunting or didn't want to get involved, or it could be the killer. Who knows?' The case took another grim turn on February 16, 1993, when Fortuna Police discovered a partial skull on a beach near Trinidad Head, located around 150 miles from where Kay's remains were originally found. DNA testing was conducted and entered into both the California Missing Person DNA Database and the National Unidentified Person DNA Index, but there were no matches. In an effort to resolve the case, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received Community Project Funding from Congressman Jared Huffman's Office, which allowed them to clear the backlog of unidentified human remains cases. They sent the partial skull to a private forensic lab, Othram Inc., for genetic genealogy testing. Othram's analysis in September 2024 suggested the skull likely belonged to Kay. Investigators then reached out to Kay's daughter, obtaining a DNA sample from her. In early May 2025, the California Department of Justice confirmed that the skull did indeed belong to Kay. Now, Fridley is urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring closure to the case. 'I'm just looking for somebody that might have information that could help with the case,' Fridley said. 'Maybe somebody has some information that could get this case going again. And, you know, a lot of times as time goes by, people might come forward and talk to us that were reluctant to do that back then.' Nickolas Medin, Kay's husband, passed away in August 2018.
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Daily Record
Skeletal remains posted to police are identified as missing teacher who vanished 40 years ago
Kay Josephine Medin, 48, disappeared from her home in in 1987. The skeletal remains of a woman who vanished almost four decades ago have finally been identified after being sent to police, solving a long-running mystery. Kay Josephine Medin, 48, disappeared from her home in 1987. Authorities were alerted to her disappearance, when her husband, Nickolas Medin, reported that after returning from a business trip, his wife was gone. The couple's home in Hyampom, located in Trinity County, rural Northern California, was thoroughly searched, with authorities combing the surrounding woods and areas, but there were no signs of the missing elementary school teacher. Despite interviews with friends and family, investigators struggled to find any clues, and the case eventually hit a dead end. 'She never showed up at school,' said Mike Fridley, a cold case investigator with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. 'They checked, they contacted her school, and they said that she seemed to be in good spirits and happy and didn't have any medical issues or anything. So that's what obviously made everybody wonder what the heck happened. Her stuff is still at the house. Her car's there. She just disappeared.' Kay's sudden disappearance from the quiet, rural community raised suspicions. However, a chilling twist came on November 25, 1987, when the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a disturbing package in the mail. Inside was a box containing skeletal remains and an anonymous letter that included a 'map leading to a location of more remains,' according to Fridley. The map pointed investigators toward an area near Ammon Ridge Road in Eastern Humboldt County. 'It's very straightforward and generic,' Fridley explained about the letter. Upon investigation, more remains were found in the location indicated on the map, and after forensic analysis, they were positively identified as Kay's, thanks to her dental records. The remains had not been buried. A death certificate for Kay was issued the following year, in 1988. To this day, the identity of the person who sent the letter remains a mystery. 'It could go either way,' said Fridley. 'It could have just been somebody that was deer hunting or didn't want to get involved, or it could be the killer. Who knows?' The case took another grim turn on February 16, 1993, when Fortuna Police discovered a partial skull on a beach near Trinidad Head, located around 150 miles from where Kay's remains were originally found. DNA testing was conducted and entered into both the California Missing Person DNA Database and the National Unidentified Person DNA Index, but there were no matches. In an effort to resolve the case, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received Community Project Funding from Congressman Jared Huffman's Office, which allowed them to clear the backlog of unidentified human remains cases. They sent the partial skull to a private forensic lab, Othram Inc., for genetic genealogy testing. Othram's analysis in September 2024 suggested the skull likely belonged to Kay. Investigators then reached out to Kay's daughter, obtaining a DNA sample from her. In early May 2025, the California Department of Justice confirmed that the skull did indeed belong to Kay. Now, Fridley is urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring closure to the case. 'I'm just looking for somebody that might have information that could help with the case,' Fridley said. 'Maybe somebody has some information that could get this case going again. And, you know, a lot of times as time goes by, people might come forward and talk to us that were reluctant to do that back then.' Nickolas Medin, Kay's husband, passed away in August 2018.
