Latest news with #Linhares
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Multiple proposals would ban new billboards in Worcester
A Worcester city councilor and a candidate running for city council have submitted two separate petitions that call for the banning of new billboards in the city. District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson and District 1 City Councilor candidate Keith Linhares both filed petitions to the City Council on the week of June 23 — the same week the city's zoning board of appeals voted against a permit for a proposed 75-foot-tall billboard near Indian Lake. Linhares's petition asks the city council to create an ordinance banning all new billboards in Worcester. He stated that billboards cause distractions for drivers on roads and that the lighting from the signs contributes to light pollution. 'I think I want to see our city make decisions that are more aligned with a positive for the environment are our local ecology,' Linhares said. 'The more that we continue to make these decisions that set us on a negative course like that, the worse off we will be.' Linhares told MassLive that he was inspired to write and submit the petition after hearing opposition from residents during the zoning board of appeals meeting on June 23 about the Indian Lake billboard. Linhares, along with Tony Economou — another candidate running for District 1 — both expressed opposition to the billboard. Mero-Carlson's petition asks City Manager Eric D. Batista to provide the council with a report on regulations relative to the installation of billboards in the city. The report would include information about current practices for installing advertisements on existing billboards and information about banning new billboards in the city, Mero-Carlson said. Like Linhares, Mero-Carlson said the opposition to the proposal for the new billboard near Indian Lake inspired her to submit her petition, and she believes billboards are an environmental and safety concern for city residents. Mero-Carlson, as well as District 2 candidate Robert Bilotta, were against the Indian Lake billboard. 'These types of billboards are destructive to the environment... affecting any type of wildlife,' Mero-Carlson said. The petitions sent to the city council, however, will have to wait until July 15, when the council holds its next meeting. Both Mero-Carlson and Linhares said that their petitions do not call for the removal of existing billboards in Worcester. On June 23, many residents gathered in front of the Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals to voice their opposition to the billboard proposal from Kenjoh Outdoor Advertising. 'We don't need another billboard,' said Worcester resident Diane Fratoni. 'I hope that you don't approve this sign.' Mark A. Borenstein, who works for the law firm Prince Lobel Tye LLP, represented Kenjoh at the meeting. He told the board that residents in the Indian Lake area would not see the sign and that the billboard presents an opportunity for public agencies, governmental agencies or non-profits to have visible signage. Borenstein also said the sign could be used for Amber Alerts. 'Certainly if a parent is concerned about a particular issue, it would be very fortunate to have that as an option,' Borenstein said. Still, the board rejected the permit to erect the billboard. Jordan Berg Powers, the chair of the board, acknowledged the broad opposition to the proposal during the meeting. 'When I talked to people, there wasn't anyone I talked to that felt that this was a good use of the property,' he said. New Central Mass. Big Y to officially open in October This Mass. city ranked among the lowest for public restroom access, cleanliness Vocational school admission change quietly dropped from state budget deal Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois recognized as 4th in country for solar energy capacity
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — 2024 was a banner year for solar energy, both across the country and in Illinois. Experts hope that momentum continues beyond National Solar Appreciation Day, on Friday, to have an impact far into the future. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) said that Illinois is ranked fourth for its solar energy capacity in the country. In 2024, about 2.5 gigawatts of capacity were installed in the state, which is about half of all the previously installed solar energy equipment. Champaign Park District recognized by national program SEIA credits legislative developments, including the 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act and 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, for Illinois' progress in clean energy. 'Illinois [has] had a track record now, over a decade, of focused commitment to growing its clean energy sector,' said SEIA Central Region Senior Manager Andrew Linhares. 'I would say that's a really important thing, is not just to pass the right policies and have a couple year run of investment, but to have an expectation that those policies will be around for an extended period of time.' More than 111,000 solar installations across the state created the power equivalent to almost 857,000 homes, according to SEIA. The Illinois solar industry supports about 6,000 jobs and is worth $8.8 billion as of last year. Linhares said going forward, it'll be important to prioritize energy storage to meet the growing demand and energy infrastructure. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Somerset mourns death of 'loyal' retired police K-9 Viepo. What made this dog so special?
SOMERSET — Somerset Police Department is mourning the loss of 'loyal and dedicated' Viepo, a retired K-9 unit and partner that served alongside now-retired Officer Jared Linhares. The German shepherd, which was introduced to the department and tasked with patrol work in 2015, died of natural causes on Feb. 13 at the age of 12. 'He was going to be 13 in May,' Linhares said. 'Overall, he was very healthy.' Viepo and his handler Linhares were first partnered when Viepo, who came from Slovakia, was 18 months old. The pair spent eight years working together on the department. Linhares said that Viepo was the first K-9 unit to join the police department in over 30 years. Linhares and Viepo completed 14 weeks of drug and patrol training together with the Boston Police Department training unit in July 2015. He joined the department in August that year. Ruff job: Somerset's new comfort dog Raider already a big hit around town Linhares said Viepo — whose 'intelligence,' 'strength' and 'unmatched courage' are lauded in a Somerset Police Department post on Facebook — was 'actually a very social dog.' Viepo was trained to track suspects and missing persons, protect Linhares and apprehend suspects, but 'had a switch,' Linhares said. When he was working, he was '1,000 miles per hour,' Linhares said. 'Once I hit the remote start in the driveway for the cruiser,' Viepo knew they were heading to work. 'He loved it just like I did.' Though Viepo resided with Linhares, he was considered by former Somerset Police Chief George McNeil as not only a good resource to fight crime, but also a 'town celebrity,' and a tool for community outreach expected to star in school demonstrations in Somerset. 'I could walk around the station with him,' Linhares said. 'He'd let people pet him. … He was great with people.' During their time together, Linhares and Viepo's bond led them to serve several agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, and 'assisted some fugitive units [when it came to] apprehending wanted persons,' Linhares said. By virtue of belonging to the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council as a K-9 unit, Viepo served numerous Bristol County agencies throughout his career. Linhares 'took pride in us always being available when the phone rang,' and recounted late-night calls that he and Viepo responded to. Honey: This pit bull lost a leg after being shot by Fall River police. The owners are suing. A well-attended memorial for Viepo took place on Feb. 14 inside Bay State Veterinary at 463 Swansea Mall Drive in Swansea, with officers lining up to pay their respects to Viepo for his dedicated years of 'service and sacrifice,' the Somerset Police Department Facebook post reads. The department thanked Auclair's Market for donating food for Viepo from the day he entered the line of duty to even after Viepo retired from the force a couple of years ago. Linhares thanked those who called and sent messages of sympathy for their 'heartwarming' gesture. 'He was definitely deserving,' he said, 'And not just because he was mine.' This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Somerset Police Department retired K-9 patrol dog Viepo dies
