Latest news with #DerekLee
CBS News
02-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
White Earth Nation opens cannabis dispensary in St. Cloud with plans for more across state
See the newest recreational marijuana shop to open in Minnesota See the newest recreational marijuana shop to open in Minnesota See the newest recreational marijuana shop to open in Minnesota A new cannabis dispensary in a central Minnesota city was met with sizable crowds and plenty of anticipation on Wednesday. "It's been busy," said Derek Lee, retail director for Waabigwan Mashkiki dispensary. "We had a line around the block to start." The Waabigwan Mashkiki dispensary can exist in St. Cloud because Gov. Tim Walz signed a tribal-state compact back in May, allowing the White Earth Nation to sell cannabis outside tribal lands. It is the tribe's second such cannabis dispensary. Their first opened in Moorhead in May. St. Cloud was chosen for its central location in Minnesota, Lee said. It's been almost two years since pot became legal in Minnesota. Selling it, on the other hand, has been another story. "I'm very excited," said Courtney Haedt from St. Cloud. "This has been needed for a long time. I'm a medical professional, so I've been an advocate for this for a long time." Product safety testing is the same at Waabigwn Mashkiki as state-licensed business guidelines. The product sold is grown in Mahnomen, and they are ready to keep up with demand, Michael Fairbanks, chairman of White Earth Nation, said, with a half dozen more locations to come, as allowed under the compact. "I'm just excited that it's here, excited that adult use is finally available to the customers," Lee said. Employees said plans are in the works for a Rochester dispensary that could open later this summer. Fairbanks hopes to also open locations in Mankato and Brooklyn Center. "It means that people are going to have what they need, I mean, medical marijuana and marijuana in general is a beautiful thing for people to be able to utilize," said Haedt.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Early-season heat grips B.C.'s South Coast, raising health concerns
British Columbians are bracing for an early-season stretch of summer heat with temperatures on the South Coast and parts of Vancouver Island forecast to reach the high 20s and low 30s this weekend. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement about the heat, which is expected to persist into early next week, particularly in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and parts of Vancouver Island. "We are anticipating a strengthening ridge of high pressure over southern B.C.," said Derek Lee, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. "We're forecasting uninterrupted sunshine with temperatures building through the weekend." Lee says Sunday and Monday could see daytime highs around 29 C for inland areas and 23 C near the water. He added that while such heat events aren't unusual, they've arrived earlier than normal this year. "For some individuals, early-season heat may be challenging as their bodies are not acclimatized," he said, adding that people with respiratory illnesses and older adults are most at risk. Health authorities are encouraging people to prepare now. Fraser Health says this is not yet classified as a heat warning or emergency, but it's the season's first stretch of high temperatures. "Early-season heat events can affect people more than expected because we're not [ready] yet," said Dr. Emily Newhouse, a medical health officer with Fraser Health. "People haven't put in place all of their summer plans to make sure that they stay cool." She says it's a good time to put a heat plan in place and suggests keeping a thermometre handy. Health officials say indoor temperatures over 26 C can pose health risks for vulnerable people, while temperatures above 31 C may be dangerous. Newhouse also noted that electric fans don't effectively cool the body, and recommends using air conditioning or visiting cooling centres during the hottest parts of the day. "They might feel nice, but your body can still be overheating. A space with air conditioning is much more effective," she said. In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, the non-profit Whole Way House is taking steps to support vulnerable seniors and veterans who may not have access to air-conditioned spaces. "We make sure we get our educational posters up…tips on hydration, how to beat the heat," said president Jenny Konkin. "If someone doesn't have A/C, they can come down to one of our chill zones." Konkin says staff do visual checks on residents every 24 hours and distribute water or Gatorade to those who may be hesitant to leave their rooms. "We've seen people start to overheat. Just today one of my staff noticed someone whose face was turning red," she said. The B.C. SPCA is also urging caution for pet owners. Kaila Wolf, senior director of communications, says dog owners should be wary of walking their pets on hot pavement. "Dogs don't have shoes on, so their feet are directly touching that pavement," she said, suggesting walks be moved to early mornings or evenings. Wolf also warns people against leaving their pets inside parked cars, adding that the B.C. SPCA has already received 164 calls this year about animals left in hot cars. Last year, that number reached 841. "If an animal is panting excessively, looks disoriented or has a vacant stare those are signs of heat distress," she said. Meanwhile, in northeastern B.C., wildfire smoke is affecting air quality. Environment Canada has issued advisories for Fort Nelson and the Peace River region. The agency recommends keeping windows closed and using air purifiers or properly filtered ventilation systems to maintain indoor air quality. The agency says to prioritize keeping cool during "extreme heat" events that coincide with times of poor air quality.
CBC
08-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Early-season heat grips B.C.'s South Coast, raising health concerns
Social Sharing British Columbians are bracing for an early-season stretch of summer heat with temperatures on the South Coast and parts of Vancouver Island forecast to reach the high 20s and low 30s this weekend. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement about the heat, which is expected to persist into early next week, particularly in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and parts of Vancouver Island. "We are anticipating a strengthening ridge of high pressure over southern B.C.," said Derek Lee, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. "We're forecasting uninterrupted sunshine with temperatures building through the weekend." Lee says Sunday and Monday could see daytime highs around 29 C for inland areas and 23 C near the water. He added that while such heat events aren't unusual, they've arrived earlier than normal this year. "For some individuals, early-season heat may be challenging as their bodies are not acclimatized," he said, adding that people with respiratory illnesses and older adults are most at risk. Health authorities are encouraging people to prepare now. Fraser Health says this is not yet classified as a heat warning or emergency, but it's the season's first stretch of high temperatures. "Early-season heat events can affect people more than expected because we're not [ready] yet," said Dr. Emily Newhouse, a medical health officer with Fraser Health. "People haven't put in place all of their summer plans to make sure that they stay cool." She says it's a good time to put a heat plan in place and suggests keeping a thermometre handy. Health officials say indoor temperatures over 26 C can pose health risks for vulnerable people, while temperatures above 31 C may be dangerous. Newhouse also noted that electric fans don't effectively cool the body, and recommends using air conditioning or visiting cooling centres during the hottest parts of the day. "They might feel nice, but your body can still be overheating. A space with air conditioning is much more effective," she said. Non-profit brings chill zones to at-risk residents In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, the non-profit Whole Way House is taking steps to support vulnerable seniors and veterans who may not have access to air-conditioned spaces. "We make sure we get our educational posters up…tips on hydration, how to beat the heat," said president Jenny Konkin. "If someone doesn't have A/C, they can come down to one of our chill zones." Konkin says staff do visual checks on residents every 24 hours and distribute water or Gatorade to those who may be hesitant to leave their rooms. "We've seen people start to overheat. Just today one of my staff noticed someone whose face was turning red," she said. Tips for pet owners The B.C. SPCA is also urging caution for pet owners. Kaila Wolf, senior director of communications, says dog owners should be wary of walking their pets on hot pavement. "Dogs don't have shoes on, so their feet are directly touching that pavement," she said, suggesting walks be moved to early mornings or evenings. Wolf also warns people against leaving their pets inside parked cars, adding that the B.C. SPCA has already received 164 calls this year about animals left in hot cars. Last year, that number reached 841. "If an animal is panting excessively, looks disoriented or has a vacant stare those are signs of heat distress," she said. Wildfire smoke adds layer of concern Meanwhile, in northeastern B.C., wildfire smoke is affecting air quality. Environment Canada has issued advisories for Fort Nelson and the Peace River region. The agency recommends keeping windows closed and using air purifiers or properly filtered ventilation systems to maintain indoor air quality. The agency says to prioritize keeping cool during "extreme heat" events that coincide with times of poor air quality.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Springfield City Council approves updated development code
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — City Council has adopted a new Community Land Development Code for Springfield at Monday's meeting after the updates were unanimously recommended by The Planning & Zoning Commission. The updated code passed 8-1, with Councilman Derek Lee being the sole opposing vote. The development code's last major update was in 1995. The City of Springfield says the new land development code updates focus on zoning code and subdivision regulations as part of the City's Forward SGF plan. 'Forward SGF was an immense community engagement process that involved significant input from neighborhoods, businesses, as well as historical, environmental, and cultural interests,' said Steve Childers, Planning and Development director. 'The vision set out by Forward SGF established a bold new direction for the City of Springfield, one that required an update to the City's zoning code.' Greene County sees surge in delinquent taxes after tags bill Some of the more notable changes to the code include, but are not limited to: Shifting administration of the Land Development Ordinance to the director of Planning and Development Establishing two tiers of rezoning – open, or straight rezoning and rezoning with a site plan Establishing two tiers of site plan modifications – minor (administrative), and major (P&Z). P&Z approves conditional use permits, with an appeal to the City Council Implementing street design types city-wide, based on context Flexibility in code-compliant public improvements and parking requirements Allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs, a.k.a. accessory apartments, secondary suites or 'granny flats') in all single-family districts, subject to design and operation conditions Enhancing neighborhood design standards by context Focus on frontages and streetscapes and basic building and site design standards Broadening and simplifying non-residential design by context Defined parameters for permitted modifications or reductions, with criteria Prioritizing street trees as infrastructure The full updated zoning codes can be found here. Childers says the city will focus on updating Springfield's official zoning map before the new code is implemented in Spring 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
