VIDEO: The BA.2 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant now makes up nearly a quarter of new COVID-19 infections nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Tuesday, up from around 1 in 10 new cases just a week prior. Since January, Omicron has made up virtually all new infections in the U.
- PUB DATE: 3/16/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CBS News

A proud night for a Wenatchee family who traveled a lengthy distance to see their daughter perform with the Gonzaga Symphony was nearly marred by tragedy two weeks ago. An article by the Spokesman Review reports that on Feb. 28, Luis and Sundi Perez were in the audience that night, eagerly waiting to see their 18-year-old daughter, Brooke, play violin with the school’s symphony.
- PUB DATE: 3/16/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: iFiberOne

Officials secured $22,798,291 in funding for nine projects, including $1,338,750 for a new fire station in Nashville.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – [Thursday, March 10], the United States Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations package, which contains $22,798,291 in Community Project Funding secured by Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) for projects in the First Congressional District of North Carolina. This critically needed funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in the First Congressional District. The Senate’s vote now sends the funding package to President Biden to be signed into law. 

“In addition to the funding I secured in this bill for the First Congressional District, this “Funding for the People” will positively impact North Carolina families and millions of Americans across the country, by helping working families with the cost of living, creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and caring for the vulnerable,” said Congressman Butterfield.

“I am incredibly proud to have voted for this bill which includes $22,798,291 in funding that will have a profound impact on North Carolina’s First Congressional District. These investments support underserved communities in eastern North Carolina and will foster economic development, making a real difference in the lives of so many in our communities. I am proud to have fought for this funding that will make our communities healthier, safer, stronger, and even more resilient.”

Congressman Butterfield championed funding for 9 projects that will directly benefit NC-01 residents. These include:

• $1,338,750 for a new fire station in Nashville
• $5,000,000 for renovations to the Northampton County Courthouse
• $1,500,000 for revitalizing the Highway 301 Corridor in Wilson
• $1,040,000 for replacing the roof of the Imperial Centre in Rocky Mount
• $3,000,000 for workforce housing in Northampton County
• $2,085,540 for housing for young adults transitioning out of foster care in Pitt County
• $3,437,000 for a Martin County water regionalization project
• $1,897,001 for improvements to the Town of Hookerton’s waste water treatment plant and sewer collection system
• $3,500,000 for the City of Henderson to upgrade the Kerr Lake Regional Water System

This is the first time in a decade that Community Project Funding has been included in a government spending bill. Taken together, the Community Project Funding for the First Congressional District and the funding increases for critical government programs will help reverse decades of disinvestment in our communities and strengthen our communities and our nation.

This legislation will be signed into law by President Biden later this week. A detailed summary of the bill is available here.

The fire chief is calling for full-time firefighters at the all-volunteer department due to an increase in calls, as well as a delayed response time to reach a fire that destroyed the neighborhood’s only grocery store last week. Toutle Fire and Rescue Chief Dustin Nunes said the first engine to arrive at Drew’s Grocery & Service on March 9 took 20 minutes, even though the department’s headquarters is located about 2,000 feet from the store.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2022 5:15:00 PM - SOURCE: The Daily News

Mount Desert voters approved a $1 million bond for living-quarters renovations to the Somesville fire station.

Also approved was public funding for the Northeast Harbor EMS Service. Officials say by the end of 2023, at the latest, the fire department should assume full EMS duty.

“Shall the Town of Mount Desert be authorized to issue general obligation bonds or notes of the Town in a principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000 to finance professional and technical services (including project management services) and construction costs associated with improvements to the Somesville Fire Station located at 1157 Main Street in the Town of Mount Desert (the ‘Project’), with said improvements being made to accommodate anticipated staffing, storage and equipment needs of the Town’s fire department, and with said improvements to include but not be limited to incorporating new staff sleeping quarters, a day room, a new shower and bathrooms and public lobby and other fire, ambulance, furnishings, appliances and personnel needs identified during the design process, all as generally described and illustrated in the concept sketches, and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to execute all things necessary or convenient to issue the bonds or notes of the Town, which may be callable, and to accomplish the Project?” the town writes on its website.