Latest news with #Waynesboro
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Westinghouse Lays Groundwork to Build 10 New Nuclear Reactors
The US energy industry's long nuclear winter may finally be giving way to spring. None other than Westinghouse, the firm responsible for the only two nuclear reactors built in the US in the past three decades, is among those leading the charge. The company has announced plans to begin construction on 10 reactors in the US by 2030. Hopefully, Westinghouse has learned some lessons from its previous projects. READ ALSO: Ethereum Treasuries Boom as Companies Look Beyond Bitcoin and Goldman's 'Midas Touch' During Turbulent Quarter Delivers Record Trading Results Wishin' We Were Fission Westinghouse has changed hands a bit since completing its last nuclear reactors, both at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia. That's because the Georgia project proved something of a disaster. Not 'Three Mile Island' disastrous, mind you, but some seven years and $18 billion over budget. That proved enough to tip the company into bankruptcy in 2017. It re-emerged the following year and was acquired in 2023 by Brookfield Asset Management and Canadian uranium mining company Cameco. This time around, the company is following the lead of the White House, which hopes that a series of executive orders issued earlier this year will kickstart a nuclear rebound. The extra gigawatts would come in handy as extreme weather stresses the US energy grid; on Wednesday, heat advisories issued across the eastern US prompted an emergency alert from major grid operator IJM Interconnection. Worsening the country's energy woes are the massive and power-hungry data centers — especially those powering artificial intelligence — that are increasingly coming online. Fittingly, one of the tech titans building those data centers is helping Westinghouse turn its nuclear dreams into reality, possibly on time and on budget: On Tuesday, Westinghouse announced that it would team with Google, using the tech company's AI tools to turn the construction of its AP1000 reactors into an 'efficient, repeatable process.' Each of those 10 reactors can generate enough electricity to power more than 750,000 homes, creating as much as $75 billion in economic value across the country, interim Westinghouse CEO Dan Sumner said on Tuesday. Alphabet Soup: Helping out Westinghouse is just one part of Google's plans to support the energy demands of its growing AI ambitions. On Tuesday, the company also announced that it would invest $25 billion in data-center and AI infrastructure, including plans to upgrade two hydropower plants in Pennsylvania. Microsoft, too, is getting in on the action, announcing Wednesday a partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory to use its AI tools to speed up licensing and permitting of nuclear projects. The challenge will be not using too much AI while trying to make sure the grid gets upgraded so they can use more AI. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter.
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Georgia-Based Shed Builder, Oakland Structures, Joins ShedHub
WAYNESBORO, GA, UNITED STATES, July 7, 2025 / / -- Oakland Structures, a Georgia-based manufacturer of custom portable buildings, has joined ShedHub, an online platform that connects shed buyers with manufacturers and dealers across the United States. Founded in 2008 by Ryan Keller, Oakland Structures manufactures storage buildings at its facility in Burke County. The company builds a range of structures including A-frame sheds, garages, barns, cottage-style buildings, porch models, carriage houses, playhouses, and gazebos. Each structure is built to order by in-house craftsmen using pressure-treated lumber and LP® SmartSide® with SilverTech® siding. Roofing options include 30-year architectural shingles and 29-gauge metal panels. Standard construction includes pressure-treated 4x4 runners, floor joists spaced 12 inches on center, and LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier Sheathing, which is designed to reduce attic temperatures by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Customers may choose from a range of siding and color options, including an upgrade to James Hardie® siding and 16 standard paint colors. All buildings are primed and painted using Madison Premium Paint, a 100% acrylic latex product. Oakland Structures also provides a rent-to-own (RTO) program with 24-, 36-, and 48-month terms. The program does not require a credit check or loan approval. Customers may purchase the building at any time during the rental period without penalty. Delivery is included for locations within 25 miles. A Liability Damage Waiver (LDW) may be included in rental agreements and, if the account remains in good standing, can release customers from responsibility for damages caused by fire, flood, or other natural disasters. The company includes a five-year manufacturer's warranty on its buildings. Roofing warranties extend to 30 years for shingles and 40 years for metal. Oakland Structures delivers all buildings using its own transport team and maintains dealer locations in Rock Hill, South Carolina; Statesboro, Georgia; Baxley, Georgia; Eastman, Georgia; Hiltonia, Georgia; and Keysville, Georgia. Owner Ryan Keller said the company's mission has remained consistent since its founding: to provide portable buildings built with care, at a competitive price. 'We strive to exceed customer expectations and support our dealers by being responsive and committed to quality,' Keller said. To view their listings on ShedHub, visit About Oakland Structures Oakland Structures is a manufacturer of portable storage buildings based in Burke County, Georgia. Founded in 2008 by Ryan Keller, the company specializes in custom-built sheds, garages, barns, and other outbuildings designed to meet residential and commercial storage needs. Oakland Structures constructs each building using pressure-treated materials and offers options such as architectural shingles, and radiant barrier sheathing. The company delivers its own buildings and maintains a network of dealer locations in Georgia and South Carolina. About ShedHub ShedHub is an online marketplace that connects buyers with shed manufacturers and dealers across the United States. The platform enables customers to browse portable buildings and provide information such as size, style, location, price and other specifications, and contact sellers directly. The company works with independent builders and multi-location dealers to expand access to locally made sheds and portable structures. Oakland Structures Oakland Structures +1 706-554-5135 [email protected] Visit us on social media: Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
ACSO: Infant injured, Waynesboro man charged with child abuse
A Waynesboro man suspected of injuring an infant was recently arrested by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. Bryce Cowett, 34, is charged with one count of felony abuse and neglect of a child, a press release said. On April 17, the sheriff's office was contacted regarding an infant who had suspicious injuries, including numerous rib fractures and a broken arm. An investigation, in conjunction with Child Protective Services (CPS), was then initiated. The sheriff's office said that medical personnel and family members were interviewed in an effort to determine whether the infant's injuries were the result of an accident or abuse. On June 16, Cowett, the child's father, was arrested. He is being held at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona without bond. More: Democrats select nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general in down-to-wire races More: Stone Ledge Cider breaks ground in Augusta County Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: ACSO: Infant injured, Waynesboro man charged with child abuse
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Waynesboro woman charged with manslaughter has case sent to grand jury
WAYNESBORO — A Waynesboro woman accused of driving in excess of 70 mph as she was about to enter a school zone, killing one and injuring three others in a February crash, had a charge of involuntary manslaughter certified to the grand jury at a preliminary hearing held on June 17. Brianca E. Estes, 31, is charged in the killing of Brittany J. Comer, 31, of Waynesboro. Estes, who was driving her wife, is suspected of being behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Tahoe the morning of Feb. 25 when she crossed a double-yellow line on Hopeman Parkway in Waynesboro near Evershire Street to pass a motorist. Instead, Estes' SUV slammed into Comer's oncoming Honda CR-V near Kate Collins Middle School. Comer, who had two young children in her vehicle, one of them her daughter, died instantly. Comer, who had two daughters, was killed on the morning of her 31st birthday, her obituary said. The crash took place near a 25 mph school zone that Estes was about to enter as she drove westbound. A black box in her SUV showed the impact speed was 72 mph, Waynesboro Commonwealth's Attorney David Ledbetter said at a prior bond hearing. At the preliminary hearing, held in Waynesboro General District Court, Aaron Mabe, a witness, said he was driving in the same direction as Estes when she overtook his vehicle at a high rate of speed before slamming into Comer's Honda. Mabe said after the crash that he tended to the injured girls, one who had a broken leg and the other who had facial lacerations. One of the girls was "yelling for her mom," he said. Comer's body, still in the Honda, was motionless, he testified. Ledbetter said Comer's cause of death was listed by the medical examiner's office as blunt trauma. A nearby resident's Ring camera recorded the crash, which was played for Judge Christopher M. Billias. Sgt. Micah Holmes, of the Waynesboro Police Department, who noted the injured children each had a broken arm as well, testified that Estes' wife suffered a head injury and was taken to UVA Health in Charlottesville. She has since been released and, after undergoing rehabilitation, is "doing OK," he said. Asked about Estes' demeanor at the scene, Holmes said she told him she couldn't remember the crash. Holmes said he felt she was also possibly impaired. "She was shaking. Manic would be a way to describe it," he said. More: 'Long and difficult journey': Family of injured National Guard soldier sets up GoFundMe Questioned by Holmes several hours later after being hospitalized, Estes, who reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder, admitted to using fentanyl at 4 a.m., less than fours hours before the fatal crash, according to Holmes' testimony. The sergeant said Estes told him she was an everyday fentanyl user and was only doing enough to stave off sickness and detox. Holmes said she also admitted to using methamphetamine the night before as well. Blood tests showed the amount of meth in her system was four times the legal limit allowed in Virginia, according to evidence. She also had THC in her system. During her police interview, Holmes said Estes was "still manic," and said she continually opened and closed her jaw. At the preliminary hearing, Estes rocked back and forth nearly the entire hearing while quietly sobbing at points. Billias found probable cause and certified the involuntary manslaughter charge to the Waynesboro grand jury. In March, Ledbetter said he was contemplating upping the charge to aggravated involuntary manslaughter, which carries the possibility of up to 20 years in prison. "There are certainly more charges coming," the prosecutor said at the time. Estes, who is being represented by Jessica Armstrong of the Staunton Public Defender's Office, remains at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona. She is being held without bond. More: Virginia Health officials investigating potential measles exposure in Northern Virginia Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Waynesboro woman's manslaughter case heads to grand jury
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect spared prison in Waynesboro shooting after witnesses skip court
WAYNESBORO – A man accused of shooting at three people in the parking lot of the Waynesboro Walmart on Lucy Lane in 2023 saw most of his charges go by the wayside last week after the case lost steam when two victims of the shooting were previously no-shows for a jury trial. In a plea agreement in Waynesboro Circuit Court that was reluctantly accepted by the judge, on June 20, Justin R. Harvey, 37, of Waynesboro, was sentenced to five years in prison with all five years suspended after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a non-violent felon. Three other felony charges were not prosecuted. Harvey was accused of firing a gun one time at a vehicle with three people inside, two men and a woman, on Dec. 10, 2023. No injuries were reported. Waynesboro Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney John Baber said there was video surveillance of the incident, but noted footage did not catch the actual shooting. Baber said the case stalled when two witnesses failed to show for Harvey's jury trial in March. A third witness died as Harvey awaited trial, he said. In sentencing Harvey, Judge Paul Dryer ordered him into an 18-month drug rehabilitation program and placed him on three years of probation. Dryer told Harvey he had to complete the program and warned him not end up back in court in front of him. "Don't expect any mercy because I'm not going to give it to you," Dryer said. Court records show that one of the witnesses of the alleged shooting was jailed for two months for skipping court and the other was given one month behind bars. Despite the outcome of last week's case, Harvey remains jailed. Last year, on Nov. 18, he was suspected of causing an eight-vehicle pileup in Fishersville. Wanted at the time in Waynesboro on charges related to the 2023 Walmart incident, Harvey reportedly fled when an Augusta County deputy spotted him failing to yield the right-of-way at the intersection of Ramsey Road and Tinkling Spring Road. According to the sheriff's office, he allegedly sped away at a high-rate of speed, north on Tinkling Spring Road and then onto Jefferson Highway. The brief pursuit ended at the intersection of Long Meadow Road and Jefferson Highway, where the speeding Harvey reportedly rear-ended another car, resulting in an eight-vehicle crash. The vehicles were waiting at a red light. Multiple people were taken to Augusta Health in Fishersville for treatment, with one victim sustaining serious injuries, a report said at the time. Attorney Jessica Sherman-Stoltz, who represented Harvey in the Waynesboro case but is not his lawyer in the Augusta County case, told the court it was her understanding that he is going to plead guilty in the county case. Harvey remains jailed on Augusta County charges that include driving while intoxicated, felony eluding, possession of a Schedule I or II drug, and a probation violation. His next court appearance is set for July 3, court records show. More: Waynesboro woman charged with manslaughter has case sent to grand jury More: Staunton man enters plea in case involving dead baby Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Waynesboro shooting suspect spared prison
