Washington
Farmers say proposed drinking water requirements would drive up costs • Washington State Standard
The state Department of Health is considering an update to how it exempts small farms from some drinking water requirements.
The department says it’s a simple fix to outdated and inaccurate language to what’s known as the “same farm exemption,” but farmers say the changes could be costly and burdensome – especially for farms with onsite housing for employees.
Under a 1995 state law, water systems with four or fewer connections, serving residences on the same farm and providing water to fewer than 25 people a day are excluded from some regulatory requirements that larger public water systems face.
The updated language would require those exempt farms to reapply every five years for the exemption. If at any point, the farms didn’t qualify, the Department of Health would have the authority to take away the exemption.
Jay Gordon, at the Washington State Dairy Federation, said proving that they fit the requirements every year could be expensive, unnecessary and go against what the Legislature intended when setting up the exemption in state law.
“We don’t actually know what’s going to be required as every well is somewhat different,” Gordon said. “But you’re asking a lot of people to prove they’re exempt from something that the Legislature already says they’re exempt from.”
Gordon said the changes could have broad financial implications on small farms that are already struggling. Testing water and reapplying could cost thousands of dollars, he said.
If a farmer owns multiple rentals on their property that they use to house workers temporarily, they’ll have to follow the new application process, Gordon said.
“Either the farmer eats that money or passes it off to employees or tenants,” Gordon said.
Roberto Bonaccorso, spokesman for the Department of Health, said the only change to current policy is requiring the five-year approval for the exemption, which allows the state to maintain safe and reliable drinking water for the employees of agricultural entities.
The five-year application would be similar to what businesses complete in a water facilities inventory form, which requires them to state their water system’s source and treatment as well as the number of connections it uses, Bonaccorso wrote in an email.
The department is proposing the change following a request from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to study unregulated public water systems in the lower Yakima valley, Bonaccorso said.
Some of those farms were claiming a same farm exemption, despite being a larger facility than what the exemption allows, in part because of the 1995 law, which the department said was unclear and needed to be updated. “This misunderstanding caused DOH to review the policy and update to clarify its implementation,” he added.
In a June letter to the Department of Health, Yakima County’s public services director Lisa Freund wrote that the department should keep local governments and their regulations in mind when finalizing the rule. Counties are the ones who have to implement the rules, Freund wrote, and the water monitoring standards vary across them.
There is a public comment period open through Aug. 26. Ben Tindall, executive director at Save Family Farming, said the department has been responsive to some of their concerns so far.
But there are still questions surrounding the cost of this change, how many people it could affect and why the change is being made, Tindall said.
“This is very much a step in the wrong direction, and it’s going to damage farms throughout the state,” Tindall said.
Gordon said another concern is that the department does not have the authority to change this policy in the way that they are doing it. He said the department should either go through a formal rulemaking process or leave it up to the Legislature to change the exemptions process as they are the ones who made the law in the first place.
“They’re proposing pretty broad changes, and we certainly don’t think they have the legal authority to do this,” Gordon said. “At a high level, this is really bad governance.”
Bonaccorso wrote that there has been a discussion about requesting legislation but that a policy update can be done in a shorter time frame and implemented accurately to address the concerns regarding unregulated public water systems.
“It is common to update internal policies,” he said.
Following the public comment period, the department will review the feedback and consider making changes to the draft policy, which will then be updated on their website. There is no timeline for implementation yet.
Spirit will welcome home six players from Paris Games
Washington, D.C. (08/15/2024) – The Washington Spirit will recognize the team’s six players returning from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris over the course of its next three home matches, the club announced today.
At this summer’s Olympics in France, the Spirit sent six representatives to compete for their respective home countries. Defender Gabby Carle was part of Canada’s gold medal-defending roster, newly signed midfielder Leicy Santos played for Colombia and forward Trinity Rodman and defender Casey Krueger were named to the United States’ final 18-player roster. First-year midfielders Croix Bethune and Hal Hershfelt made the trip as alternates for the U.S.
Sunday, August 18: Spirit vs. Arsenal
Prior to Sunday, August 18’s friendly against Arsenal, the Spirit will welcome back Carle and Santos from their Olympic appearances. This match will also represent Santos’ first match at Audi Field as she joined the Spirit this week after signing with the club in the spring. Carle and Santos will be recognized on the field before kickoff in a moment of celebration for their achievements as Olympians.
Sunday, August 25: Spirit vs. Kansas City Current / Arsenal vs. Chelsea
Next week, ahead of the doubleheader at Audi Field on Sunday, August 25, the Spirit will recognize its U.S. players in their return to DC after helping the U.S. Women’s National Team secure its fifth Olympic gold medal. In addition to an on-field recognition before the match kicks off, fans will be able to match Rodman’s iconic Olympic look by visiting a pink hair braiding station on the concourse.
Appearing in all six of the United States’ Olympic matches, both Rodman and Krueger had significant impact on the team’s path to victory. Rodman tallied three goals and an assist, including an extra time stunner to take down Japan in the quarterfinal. Bethune was named to the matchday roster for all three group stage matches and even made her Olympic debut late in the game against Australia.
Saturday, September 7: Spirit vs. Portland Thorns FC
The Spirit will hold a gold medal celebration ceremony at Audi Field when Sophia Smith, Sam Coffey and Portland Thorns FC come to town. Featuring special pyrotechnics and a presentation of the American flag on the pitch, this pre-match ceremony will give the Spirit’s world champions their flowers in front of the rowdy home fans at Audi Field.
Upon entry to the stadium, fans will receive a special giveaway to commemorate the historic United States gold medal. On the concourse before and during the match, fans will also be able to visit the face-painting station at Spiritville to get a patriotic makeover.
Beginning this weekend, the Spirit will return to action in the inaugural Spirit International Friendlies, hosting legendary English clubs Arsenal and Chelsea at Audi Field. The Spirit will take on Arsenal on Sunday, August 18 before a historic doubleheader the following week. On Sunday, August 25, the Spirit will return to regular season play and face Kansas City Current at noon EDT with a chance to jump into second place in the league before Arsenal and Chelsea square off in the English rivals’ first-ever matchup in the United States. Two weeks later, the Spirit will host Portland Thorns FC in another matchup between top NWSL teams. Tickets to these momentous events are available here. Fans can also purchase their own 2024 Spirit jerseys and merchandise at WashingtonSpirit.com/shop.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. In 2024, the Spirit drafted an epic class of rookies who are already breaking records and wowing fans. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Renting vs. owning a home: The pros and cons of both
When deciding whether to buy a home or rent, there are many things to consider.
Wochit, Wochit
The following deed transfers, for June 30 – July 7, 2024, in Washington County are public record in the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation office:
Residential:
- Tri State Property Buyer LLC to Travis Kelley, 339 S. Artizan St., Williamsport, $360,000
- Norman Rosemary Nissel to Marta Aguilar, 18023 Putter Drive, Hagerstown, $240,000
- Andrew Paul Branzell to AZM Clan LLC, 10116 St. George Circle, Hagerstown, $240,000
- Freedom Hill Homes LLC to Brian Howard Robertson, 13924 Patriot Way, Hagerstown, $350,000
- Teresa Serrano to Sundeep Davuluri, 20231 Capital Lane, Hagerstown, $350,000
- Mantua Homes LLC to Monika Thosani, 17612 Basalt Way, Hagerstown, $320,000
- Philip Callaghan to Daniil Naumenko, 12904 Nittany Lion Circle, Hagerstown, $490,000
- Ned Lucas to Aric Metzger, 13608 Rock Maple Court, Hagerstown, $462,500
- Fred and Bonnie Lowman to Linda Nahm, 9708 Lock Tender Lane, Williamsport, $460,000
- Roland and Deborah Baker to John Burgan, 14724 St. Paul Road, Clear Spring, $415,000
- Scott and Karen Hamilton to Carlos Gonzalez Guardado, 17916 Golf View Drive, Hagerstown, $290,000
- Nicholas Suggs to Christine Skeens, 13726 Patriot Way, Hagerstown, $390,000
- FB Real Estate LLC to John Strott, 119 E. Lee St., Hagerstown, $184,000
- Jeffrey and Michelle Short Sr. to Ronald Gaither, 1125 W. Irvin Ave., Hagerstown, $356,000
- Nancy James to Stefany Madai Amaya Fuentes, 1050 Matthew Court, Hagerstown, $228,000
- FL BJC LLC to Dremonarc Enterprises International LLC, 422 N. Locust St., Hagerstown, $280,000
- Rabia Khalid to Ludwin Vasquez Rivas, 749 Monet Drive, Hagerstown, $290,000
- Eric Barr to Dylan Altman, 12417 Cedar Ridge Road, Williamsport, $275,000
- Yardworx LLC to Christopher Achuenu, 735 Washington Ave., Hagerstown, $300,000
- Yardworx LLC to Christopher Achuenu, 737 Washington Ave., Hagerstown, $300,000
- Naveedullah Ayoub to Andrew Stuart Leon, 231 West Side Ave., Hagerstown, $239,000
- Francis Mwaura to Alander Paulette Ricketts, 1039 Dual Place, Hagerstown, $300,000
- NVR Inc. to Josephine Azonfack Djifack, 6 Patti Lane, Hagerstown, $435,860
- Jacqueline Gosche to Bruce Alan Whittenburg, 13105 Primrose Lane, Hagerstown, $400,000
- Ned Ardinger to Mark Gary Scialdone, 1012 Lindsay Lane, Hagerstown, $319,900
- Kenneth Grimm Jr. to Reel and Row Properties LLC, 16424 Leon Grimm Drive, Hagerstown, $1,200,000
- Kenneth Grimm Jr. to Reel and Row Properties LLC, 16428 Leon Grimm Drive, Hagerstown, $1,200,000
Non-Residential:
- EWS LLC to Julian Etches, 180 Eastern Blvd. North 188, Hagerstown, $1,375,000
- David Lyles Living Trust to 1145 Omega LLC, 1145 Omega Drive, Hagerstown, $2,300,000
- Lloyd Allen Wynn to Monsurat Akinsanya, 63 E. Antietam St., Hagerstown, $520,000
- Lloyd Allen Wynn to Monsurat Akinsanya, 65 E. Antietam St., Hagerstown, $520,000
Vote for the Student of the Week: Herald-Mail Student of the Week: See this week’s poll
Commissioners clash over taxes: Schools, roads, projects cost a lot. County officials disagree over how to pay for them
Washington
Burned body of woman found in Highbridge Park in Washington Heights; police investigating
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (WABC) — An active police investigation is underway after a burned body was discovered inside a park in Washington Heights on Wednesday.
NewsCopter 7 was over a wooded section of Highbridge Park, where police and FDNY personnel responded to reports of a small brush fire just after 4:30 p.m.
Once the fire was extinguished, it was discovered that it was a body of an adult woman that was on fire. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say it’s unclear if there were visible signs of trauma to the woman’s body, but the case is unusual enough that they are treating it as a potential crime.
The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
An FDNY K9 team also searched for signs of arson.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
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