Latest news with #DepartmentofParksandRecreation
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Aloha payphones: Honolulu to remove ‘outdated' city accessories
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed a law that updates sidewalk regulations, as the city's Department of Parks and Recreation works to remove more than 100 payphones from the city. Bill 6 was introduced by Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam and eliminates long-defunct structures in city code such as freight elevators, freight chutes and more. According to the city, the targeted structures have not been used in years and are often targets of vandalism. 'No public value,' City looks to remove Hawaii payphones 'Our modern city deserves modern ordinances,' Dos Santos-Tam said. 'Each and every one of our payphones stopped working years ago, and freight chutes belong to another era. This bill is about making space to focus on the tools and technologies that serve the public today.' The DPR has worked to remove the payphones since 2024, while also working with local historians to preserve any notable elements of the old phones before they are demolished. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: Do community gardens have grace period on new rules?
Question : The city recently changed some of the rules at its shared gardens. Do you know how long we have to comply ? Some of us will have to substantially change our plots. Answer : Community gardeners have a one-year grace period to adapt their plots and common areas to the new rules, although that allowance does not apply to violations of rules that were in place before the revisions, according to Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation, which announced on May 14 that rules governing the Honolulu Recreational Community Gardening Program officially have been updated after four years of 'robust community outreach.' They were last revised in 1984, after being established in 1975. DPR said in a news release that 'plot permits may still be revoked during this (grace ) period for violations of any new rules that were part of the former rules and regulations. These include issues such as missed payments, failure to attend required meetings or cleanups, creating fire hazards, improper pesticide use, and violations of City or State laws.' You can review the updated rules on DPR's website, at. According to DPR, the rules aim to enhance garden safety, including by prohibiting roofing and imposing tree, fence and border height limits ; increase fairness and ease of plot turnover, including by requiring trees and woody plants to be in pots and not allowing garden spaces to be inherited ; reduce the burden on volunteers, including by modernizing communication and payment methods ; promote ecologically sound practices, including by prohibiting the use of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or soil amendments without prior approval and banning the use of Styrofoam ; and improve how the community garden program is run, with a transparent penalty process for rule violations. The city has 11 community gardens, with a total of about 1, 238 garden plots ; 300 people are on the waiting list, the news release said. Q : When will all the WEP /GPO cases be resolved ? I had to apply and have not received my past payment or a monthly payment moving forward. A : The Social Security Administration 'is helping most affected beneficiaries now, but under SSA's current budget, SSA expects that some complex cases that need to be processed manually could take up to one year to adjust benefits and pay all past due benefits, ' the agency said in an update to its website this week. SSA began adjusting benefits at the end of February and by June 6 had processed more than 2.5 million of about 3 million accounts affected by the Social Security Fairness Act, the website said. The agency also updated a warning not to fall for scams related to the SSFA or any other aspect of Social Security, saying : 'Unfortunately, bad actors might attempt to take advantage of situations when money is involved. SSA will never ask or require a person to pay either for assistance or to have their benefits started, increased, or paid. Hang up and do not click or respond to anyone offering to increase or expedite benefits. Learn more about Social Security-related scams, and how to report them to SSA's Office of the Inspector General, at /scams.' The Social Security Fairness Act repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which had reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for people receiving pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security. The repeal made claimants newly eligible for Social Security or increased the benefits they did receive. Mahalo Mahalo for the offer to cut the line at the Ala Moana post office. I am a kupuna who was carrying heavy packages but I am proud of my strength ! Still, it was kind of you, the man who looked like a tourist with two young daughters.—A reader------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Atlanta food program addresses students' nutritional needs over summer break
Parents and guardians in Atlanta who need help feeding their children have ways of accomplishing that close to home. The city of Atlanta kicked off its annual Summer Food Program Monday, which lasts through July 25. Hours vary by location. The program will serve lunch onsite to school-aged children in low-income areas up to age 18. The program is a joint effort between the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning's Bright from the Start program. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The program will provide meals to children at eight city outdoor pools, four Atlanta-Fulton Public Libraries and one splashpad. Locating a City of Atlanta summer meal food site is simple. Parents or caregivers can call 404-546-3122 or go online and enter their zip code to find the nearest service provider. A complete list of providers can also be found on the Department of Parks and Recreation's website. The city's Summer Food Program will continue the Mobile Feeding Program on Wheels for families without transportation. Camp Best Friends participants are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. Mayor Andre Dickens said some families depend on public schools for nutritious meals. 'This program is critical so that the city can stand in the gap during Summer Break,' he said. The federally funded collaboration between the City and Bright from the Start serves communities where food insecurity and accessibility can threaten children's well-being. This summer, the aim is to serve an average of 3,000 meals daily to Atlanta children, totaling more than 150,000 meals by the end of summer. TRENDING STORIES: Driver charged in crash that killed South Fulton police captain appears in court Driver pulls out knife on couple driving too slow in Kennesaw neighborhood, police say 'Black Mecca' no longer? Atlanta prices cause families to move out of the city [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: What will city do about mongooses and feral cats at Magic Island?
Question : Lately on my weekly walks at Magic Island, I've noticed many mongooses feeding on cat food left by well-meaning people. The rock jetty along the perimeter of Magic Island houses both mongooses and cats. How will C &C monitor or control this population, which seems to be increasing ? Answer : 'Our park staff are increasing their awareness of these feeding trays and will be removing them appropriately. Ala Moana Regional Park is not an appropriate place to feed animals. Particularly feral cats which have a known parasite in their fecal matter (that causes ) toxoplasmosis, which is detrimental to native marine life and some people, ' Nathan Serota, a spokesperson for Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation, said Wednesday in an email. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which many species, including cats, mongooses, pigs and chickens can carry—complaints about these animals proliferating in Oahu neighborhoods frequently cite health concerns. Cats are considered the definitive hosts because the parasite reproduces in their digestive tracts and spreads through their feces, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains at. Not all cats are infected. In Hawaii, spinner dolphins, monk seals and nene (Hawaiian geese ) have died of toxoplasmosis, presumably having ingested the parasite through contaminated water or prey, according to news reports. T. gondii oocysts shed in the feces of infected cats are not immediately infectious, but once they become so, they are hardy and can wash out to sea in storm runoff and infect marine life. This is one reason marine conservationists oppose the feeding of feral cats near shorelines. Humans also can carry the parasite ; more than 40 million people in the U.S. are infected, although those with healthy immune systems generally show no symptoms and don't spread the disease from person to person, according to the CDC. Pregnant women, their infants and immunocompromised people are more susceptible to severe disease, which might cause blindness or brain damage. Read more about preventing infection on the CDC website, at, which says not to undercook meat or eat raw shellfish ; to wash or cook fresh produce ; to wear gloves when touching soil or sand that may be contaminated with cat feces ; to wash hands with soap and water after touching anything that may be contaminated ; and, if you have a cat, to clean its litter box daily. 'Eliminate cat feces on a daily basis ; T. gondii oocysts require one to five days after being passed in the feces to become infectious, ' says the Companion Animal Parasite Council, a nonprofit organization the CDC refers cat owners to for more information about toxoplasmosis. Q : For the past few days I have heard heavy helicopters. They almost sound like military, although not quite that loud. Definitely not tourist, I don't think. I can't see them from my window. I live near Kamiloiki Elementary School. Do you know what this is ? A : Yes. Hawaiian Electric is using a helicopter to replace utility poles and upgrade related equipment in East Oahu, flying above Kamehame Ridge and Kalama Valley, according to the company's social media feeds. Flight paths avoid populated areas while carrying loads, but the noise can reverberate through nearby neighborhoods. The work is expected to continue through today. Mahalo In April, I passed out in the parking lot fronting Kahala Longs. A man and a woman came to my aid instantly. They both stayed with me until my husband arrived to assist me. God was watching over me and sent these wonderful strangers to my side. I'd like to send a great mahalo to them for caring for me and treating me like their ohana.—Aloha, S.T.------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New details emerging about Pittsburgh's Juneteenth celebration
11 Investigates has learned that the City of Pittsburgh is scaling back its Juneteenth celebration. It was just last year that the city pulled funding from a long-time promoter's popular festival and hired a marketing firm with ties to Mayor Ed Gainey to produce the first city-run event. The city still plans to hold a celebration this year, but the Department of Parks and Recreation is putting it together. And the one-day celebration will be the week before B. Marshall's popular Juneteenth Festival, which he's held for more than a decade. Marshall's celebration is the largest in the region. 11 Investigates has learned the city plans to hold a Juneteenth CommUnity Concert event at Allegheny Commons East Park on the North Side on June 14th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature musical performances, activities for children, vendors and a cookout. The city, this year, is declining to hire an event coordinator like they did for the first time last year. Instead, the city will rely on the Department of Parks and Recreation to organize the event. In a controversial move last year, Mayor Ed Gainey pulled city funds from long-time promoter B. Marshall. Mayor Gainey defended his decision at the time. 'We felt that at the end of the day we need to be more transparent,' said Mayor Gainey. Marshall fired back and said he felt betrayed by the city's first African American mayor. 'It's like a betrayal. It's like your brother doing something to sabotage you,' Marshall said. Instead, the city put it out for bid and awarded the $125,000 contract to Bounce Marketing, which had done work for the mayor before. At a news conference last year, the mayor introduced the owner of Bounce Marketing. She outlined her plans for the festival. 'We plan to bring the best in talent, art, fashion, food, music and dance right to the heart of downtown Pittsburgh,' Fantasy Zellars said. After public outcry, Pittsburgh city council reinstated Marshall's $125,000 in funding because it had already been promised to him. Marshall's three-day festival at Point State Park, Gateway Center and Market Square last year drew more than 70,000 visitors. Two weeks later, the city held its first-ever celebration known as FusionFest on Smithfield Street Downtown at the Greenwood Plan building. While the city is doing its own scaled-back celebration this year, Marshall is also gearing up for his festival from June 19th to the 22nd. 'This will be our 12th year of doing this event. This year will be inside of Mellon Spray Park,' Marshall said. Because of renovations at Point State Park, Marshall will be holding his festival at Mellon Park in East Liberty. And while the city isn't contributing any money this year, Marshall is getting support from other big names. 'We got the (Pittsburgh) Penguins that are going to be a part of our parade. We're so happy about that. We got Dollar Bank here. Dollar Bank helps us generate over $6 million in economic impact with our Juneteenth celebration,' Marshall said during a recent news conference at Mellon Park promoting his celebration. The Pittsburgh Penguins have partnered with B. Marshall for the past four years. Marshall told 11 Investigates he's still waiting for a final permit from the city. He's confident it will happen soon, and he says he's looking forward to the celebration. Marshall has a number of food and gift vendors, events and activities for youths and musical entertainers planned for the festival. The renowned funk and R and B band, Morris Day and The Time, will be the featured entertainer. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
