Pennsylvania

‘No one is coming to save us’: residents of towns near toxic train derailment feel forgotten

Published

2 years ago

March 5, 2023

‘No one is coming to save us’: residents of towns near toxic train derailment feel forgotten

As a dense cloud of poisonous smoke descended throughout Darlington in western Pennsylvania, Patrick Dittman knew that the catastrophic prepare derailment throughout the state line in East Palestine might additionally pose a hazard to his household.

The 30-year-old bartender lives and works only a few miles from East Palestine, Ohio, the place the Norfolk Southern’s 1.7-mile-long freight prepare carrying a hotchpotch of harmful chemical compounds partly derailed and caught fireplace on 3 February.

Three days later a billowing smoke plume and the stench of burning plastic blew east into Pennsylvania after crews carried out a managed burn of the vinyl chloride onboard the derailed prepare to nullify the danger of a probably lethal explosion.

The poisonous cloud engulfed Darlington Township, a small rural group with 1,800 residents, coating lawns, crops and automobiles in black soot.

“We wished to get away although we stay outdoors the evacuation radius, however had nowhere to go. Over this manner we’ve not been informed something in regards to the implications – it’s very regarding,” stated Dittman.

Regulators overseeing the clean-up in East Palestine have pledged to make the multibillion-dollar railroad firm foot the invoice, however neighbouring communities really feel forgotten.

Dittman forked out $300 on non-public lab assessments to examine for unstable natural compounds together with vinyl chloride and benzene, carcinogenic chemical compounds leaked from the prepare, in his backyard soil and nicely water.

He was relieved when these got here again clear, however is now awaiting outcomes from considerably costlier assessments amid rising fears in regards to the chemical byproducts of vinyl chloride resembling dioxins, which environmental well being specialists warn are very poisonous and long-lasting, and may accumulate in soil and water ingested by grazing animals and crops.

“I’ve a seven-month-old daughter so I’m doing every thing I can to verify she is secure. Nobody is coming to save lots of us so now we have to stay up for ourselves,” stated Dittman.

Map of the East Palestine space

Norfolk Southern, which reported $3bn in income final yr, has dedicated $11.8m to East Palestine and stated it can assessment particular person requests from these outdoors the city’s zip code.

“Nobody actually cares about this facet of the state line. We’re not as affected as East Palestine, however we’re affected,” stated Max Knechtel, 26, a patron on the Greersburgh Tavern watching information protection of the political fallout from the prepare catastrophe which introduced Donald Trump and the transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, to East Palestine final week.

“My home is 50ft from the rail tracks, my children play outdoors, my canine has gotten sick. If we don’t get assessments now, down the road once we begin getting well being issues, the corporate will attempt to blame it on every thing else however the prepare,” added Knechtel.

Darlington is a small rural group the place looking deer, fishing and planting vegetable gardens are frequent actions for residents, who depend on non-public water wells which they, not regulators, should monitor for high quality.

Like East Palestine, folks listed here are livid and wish Norfolk Southern to be held accountable, however at the start they need clear data and steerage on how finest to guard themselves and their households from long-term well being issues.

“I used to be doing my job, and hope that I don’t find yourself in my grave faster due to this,” stated a Darlington police officer who was amongst dozens of first responders from Pennsylvania despatched to the scene.

The 149-car prepare was labeled as a common merchandise prepare, not a high-hazard flammable prepare, and due to this fact native officers didn’t instantly know what toxins the primary responders and residents had been uncovered to when 50 automobiles derailed or caught fireplace.

The officer, who spoke to the Guardian on the situation of anonymity as he was not authorised to debate the matter, lives 20 miles east of East Palestine, the place the black poisonous cloud additionally swamped his group. “Fishing and deer looking is a large a part of our life, and there’s numerous cows and horses, so we’re all frightened about our soil and water. I’ve had a relentless headache however we’ve been absolutely forgotten on this facet of the state line.”

Federal and state officers insist that Norfolk Southern, which has spent tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in marketing campaign contributions and lobbying Washington to oppose tighter laws, will likely be held accountable for the environmental and well being prices ensuing from the catastrophe which was “100% preventable”.

The Environmental Safety Company (EPA) took management of the clean-up operation amid mounting criticism about poor management, blended messaging and insufficient testing.

There was a rising refrain of calls to broaden its testing to incorporate dioxins and PFAS, the perpetually chemical compounds contained in firefighting foam, that accumulate in water, soil, vegetation and animals, and which environmental well being specialists warn characterize the best dangers to human well being.

On Thursday the company ordered Norfolk Southern to check the catastrophe website for dioxins – a household of carcinogenic compounds probably unfold by the plume that would find yourself in distant floor water (rivers, streams, creeks) and groundwater sources and within the soil ingested by grazing cows, horses and deer, and so they could possibly be absorbed by greens and different crops eaten by people. PFAS contamination ought to be restricted to the firefighting foam space, however it might additionally linger for many years as soon as it’s absorbed into the soil and water.

Residents are annoyed. “I’m not very frightened proper now as a result of the toxins haven’t settled but, however we are going to want our nicely water examined and nobody has come right here to speak to us about what we should always do,” Carli Borato, 48, stated as her goddaughter and German shepherds performed within the muddy yard 5 miles from the derailment.

Carli Borato in Darlington, Pennsylvania, is frightened in regards to the long-term impression of the chemical burn on her nicely water within the aftermath of the prepare derailment. {Photograph}: Nina Lakhani/The Guardian

“Within the instant aftermath, regulators had been completely proper to be most involved in regards to the acute toxicity of contaminated air and water sources. However now they have to flip their consideration to areas probably contaminated by the plume and check for dioxins to guard folks with grazing animals, crops and vegetable gardens,” stated Betsy Southerland, former director of science and expertise on the EPA’s workplace of water. “They have to additionally clearly talk to personal nicely homeowners which contaminants they should monitor and when. Folks want clear solutions – their issues shouldn’t be blown off.”

Contaminated floor soil ought to be changed by clear earth earlier than planting season, nevertheless it might take months for dioxins to finish up in water wells, added Southerland.

The Guardian spoke to a number of residents in East Palestine and Darlington who’ve spent tons of of {dollars} on lab assessments with out a clear understanding of what they need to be testing for and when.

The data hole is fueling worry and misinformation.

Sherry Anderson, 57, who lives simply 2.6 miles from the catastrophe website, drives to East Palestine to select up instances of bottled water donated by native companies. They’re stacked on pallets within the car parking zone of the Chevrolet supplier as freight trains carrying poisonous and flammable supplies chug previous.

“I personal a 60-acre farm and don’t know if we will plant a backyard this yr. I don’t know if my floor is secure. I don’t really feel secure ingesting the nicely water,” stated Anderson, who grows tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, broccoli, lettuce and peppers for her household, whereas her father-in-law commercially farms beans, wheat and hay.

Amid mounting concern from Pennsylvanians, the Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, opened a useful resource centre in Darlington Township on Wednesday the place residents can join water testing and get recommendation on well being issues and meals and animal security by way of 10 March.

It’s an vital step, however issues in regards to the long-term impacts are spreading throughout the sprawling Ohio valley, the place many communities are already polluted by heavy industries.

Justice Slappy runs an urban garden in Steubenville, Ohio, where residents are worried about the environmental toxins created by the East Palestine disaster — Justice Slappy runs an city backyard in Steubenville, Ohio, the place residents are frightened in regards to the environmental toxins created by the East Palestine catastrophe {Photograph}: Nina Lakhani/The Guardian

“We’re already coping with a lot air pollution, and the Black group is usually the final to find out about well being dangers,” stated Justice Slappy, who runs an city backyard in Steubenville, a small metropolis south of East Palestine the place a special Norfolk Southern prepare, this one carrying rubbish, derailed in November.

Consultants say Steubenville, which attracts its water from the Ohio River, is just too distant to be immediately affected by the chemical burn, however the determination to ship among the poisonous waste to an industrial incinerator situated between the town and East Palestine in East Liverpool has completed little to calm fears.

Slappy stated: “Everybody deserves clear water, soil and air. The group backyard is the one place some folks can get contemporary produce – is East Palestine going to destroy what we’re doing right here?”

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Pennsylvania

Death of Democratic lawmaker leaves Pennsylvania House deadlocked at 101-101

Published

3 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Death of Democratic lawmaker leaves Pennsylvania House deadlocked at 101-101

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is stuck in a 101-101 partisan divide following the sudden death of one of its Democratic members, leaving the chamber deadlocked until a special election is held.

Rep. Matt Gergely, a Democrat representing part of Allegheny County, died on Sunday at the age of 45, the House Democratic caucus announced.

The cause of his death is unclear, but Gergely had been missing from the chamber since the New Year due to a “medical emergency over the holidays requiring hospitalization,” Beth Rementer, the House Democratic caucus spokesperson, shared at the time. They were not expecting him to return “for some time.”

House Democrats clinched a one-seat edge over the Republicans during November’s election. Gergely’s death brings the chamber to a stalled split until a special election is held to fill his vacant seat representing the largely Democratic district that includes Pittsburgh.

Sudden vacancies had plagued the House Democrats during the last two-year session, often delaying the lawmaking process.

Speaker Joanna McClinton, a Democrat representing Philadelphia, will announce a special election at a later date, House Democrats said in their statement.

“Matt will be desperately missed in Harrisburg and we know his passing is a tremendous loss to his communities in Western Pennsylvania. Please join us in keeping his wife and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this tragic time,” their statement said.

With Post wires

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Football: Top 10 Overall Candidates in 2026 – P7

Published

10 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Pennsylvania Football: Top 10 Overall Candidates in 2026 – P7

Who are among the candidates for our top 10 high school football players overall in the Class of 2026?

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Top 10 Overall Candidates in 2026

Part One – 1/13

Part Two – 1/14

Part Three – 1/15

Part Four – 1/16

Part Five – 1/17

Part Six – 1/18

Part Seven – 1/19

Top Returning Players in 2025 on Offense

Delaware Valley – 1/13

Eastern Pennsylvania Lehigh – 1/14

Eastern Pennsylvania Monroe – 1/15

Eastern Pennsylvania Northampton – 1/16

Heartland I – 1/17

Heartland II – 1/18

Heartland III – 1/19

Bicentennial

Central

Ches-Mont American

Ches-Mont National

Colonial-Schuylkill A

Colonial-Schuylkill B

Colonial-Schuylkill C

Top Players by Position in 2026

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Fullbacks

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Kickers

Punters

Offensive Centers

Offensive Guards

Offensive Linemen

Offensive Tackles

Defensive Ends

Defensive Linemen

Defensive Tackles

Inside Linebackers

Linebackers – 1/13

Middle Linebackers – 1/14

Outside Linebackers – 1/15

Free Safeties – 1/16

Safeties – 1/17

Strong Safeties – 1/18

Defensive Backs – 1/19

Top Returning Players in 2025 on Defense

Bicentennial

Central

Ches-Mont American

Ches-Mont National

Colonial-Schuylkill A

Colonial-Schuylkill B

Colonial-Schuylkill C

Top Players by Position in 2028

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Fullbacks

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Kickers

Punters

Offensive Centers

Offensive Guards

Offensive Linemen

Offensive Tackles

Defensive Ends

Defensive Linemen

Defensive Tackles

Inside Linebackers

Linebackers

Middle Linebackers

Outside Linebackers

Free Safeties

Safeties

Strong Safeties

Defensive Backs

Defensive Athletes

Offensive Athletes

Athletes

Database

Top 10 LB Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top Players by Position in 2027

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Fullbacks

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Kickers

Punters

Offensive Centers

Offensive Guards

Offensive Linemen

Offensive Tackles

Defensive Ends

Defensive Linemen

Defensive Tackles

Inside Linebackers

Linebackers

Middle Linebackers

Outside Linebackers

Free Safeties

Safeties

Strong Safeties

Defensive Backs

Defensive Athletes

Offensive Athletes

Athletes

Database

Top 10 OL/DL Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 WR Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 RB Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 QB Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top Players by Position in 2025

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Fullbacks

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Kickers

Punters

Offensive Centers

Offensive Guards

Offensive Linemen

Offensive Tackles

Defensive Ends

Defensive Linemen

Defensive Tackles

Inside Linebackers

Linebackers

Middle Linebackers

Outside Linebackers

Free Safeties

Safeties

Strong Safeties

Defensive Backs

Defensive Athletes

Offensive Athletes

Athletes

Database

2024 Conference Previews

WPIAL A Tri-County South

WPIAL AA Allegheny

WPIAL AA Century

WPIAL AA Midwestern

Suburban One Continental

Suburban One National

WPIAL A Big 7

WPIAL A Black Hills

WPIAL A Eastern

Philadelphia Public Liberty

Philadelphia Public National

Pioneer Liberty

Pittsburgh City

Suburban One American

Philadelphia Catholic Blue

Philadelphia Catholic Red

Philadelphia Public American

Philadelphia Public Independence

WPIAL AAA Allegheny 6

WPIAL AAA Interstate

WPIAL AAA Western Hills

WPIAL AAAA Big Seven

WPIAL AAAA Greater Allegheny

Mid-Penn Commonwealth

Mid-Penn Keystone

Mid-Penn Liberty

Northern Tier Large

Northern Tier Small

WPIAL AAAA Parkway

WPIAL AAAAA Allegheny Six

WPIAL AAAAA Big East

WPIAL AAAAA Northeast

Lancaster-Lebanon 3

Lancaster-Lebanon 4

Lancaster-Lebanon 5

Laurel Highlands

Mid-Penn Capital

Mid-Penn Colonial

Lackawanna 1

Lackawanna 2

Lackawanna 3

Lackawanna 4

Lancaster-Lebanon 1

Lancaster-Lebanon 2

WPIAL AAAAAA Tri-County Five

Wyoming Valley 3A-A

Wyoming Valley 4A

Wyoming Valley 6A/5A

York-Adams 1

York-Adams 2

York-Adams 3

Heartland II

Heartland III

Heritage

Inter-Academic

Inter-County North

Inter-County South

Colonial-Schuylkill Red

Colonial-Schuylkill White

Delaware Valley

Eastern Pennsylvania North

Eastern Pennsylvania South

Heartland I

Bicentennial

Central

Ches-Mont American

Ches-Mont National

Colonial-Schuylkill Blue

Colonial-Schuylkill Gold

Top 10 LB Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 WR Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 RB Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Recent Top Returning Players in 2024 in Defense

Northern Tier Small

Philadelphia Catholic Blue

Philadelphia Catholic Red

Philadelphia Public American

Philadelphia Public Independence

Philadelphia Public Liberty

Philadelphia Public National

Top Returning Players in 2024 in Defense

Laurel Highlands

Mid-Penn Capital

Mid-Penn Colonial

Mid-Penn Commonwealth

Mid-Penn Keystone

Mid-Penn Liberty

Northern Tier Large

Pioneer Liberty

Pittsburgh City

Suburban One American

Suburban One Continental

Suburban One National

WPIAL A Big 7

WPIAL A Black Hills

Lackawanna 3

Lackawanna 4

Lancaster-Lebanon 1

Lancaster-Lebanon 2

Lancaster-Lebanon 3

Lancaster-Lebanon 4

Lancaster-Lebanon 5

WPIAL A Eastern

WPIAL A Tri-County South

WPIAL AA Allegheny

WPIAL AA Century

WPIAL AA Midwestern

WPIAL AAA Allegheny 6

WPIAL AAA Interstate

WPIAL AAAAAA Tri-County Five

Wyoming Valley 3A-A

Wyoming Valley 4A

Wyoming Valley 6A/5A

York-Adams 1

York-Adams 2

York-Adams 3

Colonial-Schuylkill White

Delaware Valley

Eastern Pennsylvania North

Eastern Pennsylvania South

Heartland I

Heartland II

Bicentennial

Central

Ches-Mont American

Ches-Mont National

Colonial-Schuylkill Blue

Colonial-Schuylkill Gold

Colonial-Schuylkill Red

Top Returning Players in 2024 in Offense

Northern Tier Small

Philadelphia Catholic Blue

Philadelphia Catholic Red

Philadelphia Public American

Philadelphia Public Independence

Philadelphia Public Liberty

Philadelphia Public National

Laurel Highlands

Mid-Penn Capital

Mid-Penn Colonial

Mid-Penn Commonwealth

Mid-Penn Keystone

Mid-Penn Liberty

Northern Tier Large

Pioneer Liberty

Pittsburgh City

Suburban One American

Suburban One Continental

Suburban One National

WPIAL A Big 7

WPIAL A Black Hills

Lackawanna 3

Lackawanna 4

Lancaster-Lebanon 1

Lancaster-Lebanon 2

Lancaster-Lebanon 3

Lancaster-Lebanon 4

Lancaster-Lebanon 5

Heartland III

Heritage

Inter-Academic

Inter-County North

Inter-County South

Lackawanna 1

Lackawanna 2

Heartland III

Heritage

Inter-Academic

Inter-County North

Inter-County South

Lackawanna 1

Lackawanna 2

WPIAL A Eastern

WPIAL A Tri-County South

WPIAL AA Allegheny

WPIAL AA Century

WPIAL AA Midwestern

WPIAL AAA Allegheny 6

WPIAL AAA Interstate

WPIAL AAA Western Hills

WPIAL AAAA Big Seven

WPIAL AAAA Greater Allegheny

WPIAL AAAA Parkway

WPIAL AAAAA Allegheny Six

WPIAL AAAAA Big East

WPIAL AAAAA Northeast

WPIAL AAA Western Hills

WPIAL AAAA Big Seven

WPIAL AAAA Greater Allegheny

WPIAL AAAA Parkway

WPIAL AAAAA Allegheny Six

WPIAL AAAAA Big East

WPIAL AAAAA Northeast

WPIAL AAAAAA Tri-County Five

Wyoming Valley 3A-A

Wyoming Valley 4A

Wyoming Valley 6A/5A

York-Adams 1

York-Adams 2

York-Adams 3

Bicentennial

Central

Ches-Mont American

Ches-Mont National

Colonial-Schuylkill Blue

Colonial-Schuylkill Gold

Colonial-Schuylkill Red

Colonial-Schuylkill White

Delaware Valley

Eastern Pennsylvania North

Eastern Pennsylvania South

Heartland I

Heartland II

Top 10 OL/DL Candidates in 2026

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 WR/TE Candidates in 2026

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 RB Candidates in 2026

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 QB Candidates in 2026

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 K/P Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 DB Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 LB Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 DL Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 OL Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 WR/TE Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Top 10 RB Candidates in 2025

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball, Pick 2 Day results for Jan. 18, 2025

Published

18 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

14-31-35-64-69, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Day: 4-8, Wild: 3

Evening: 1-2, Wild: 3

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Day: 4-5-0, Wild: 3

Evening: 7-1-7, Wild: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Day: 9-0-4-3, Wild: 3

Evening: 5-0-9-1, Wild: 3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Day: 3-5-3-9-8, Wild: 3

Evening: 5-6-3-2-3, Wild: 3

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

04-21-22-25-41, Cash Ball: 01

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

04-09-19-20-38

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

02-04-06-16-20

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

01-05-08-15-24-32

Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

07-34-40-48-57, Powerball: 17

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.

When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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