In an era of escalating digital interconnectivity within industrial systems, ensuring the security of critical operations has become paramount. Recognising the vulnerability of industrial control systems to cyber threats, Bureau Veritas, a leader in testing, inspection, and certification services, offers its specialised expertise to UK companies operating in a complex supply chain landscape with IEC 62443 consultancy services.
Industrial control systems hold a pivotal role in managing essential operations, rendering them vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches. Addressing this concern, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) introduced the IEC 62443 series of standards as a proactive approach to safeguard cybersecurity for industrial automation and control systems.
The IEC 62443 family of standards emerges as this foundational framework, offering common language, methodologies, and requirements that facilitate collaboration across diverse industrial sectors. Notably, IEC 62443 has been adopted as the basis for various sector-specific schemes such as TS 50701 for railways and UR E27 for marine.
It provides organisations with a systematic approach to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure against evolving threats which requires assessment, testing, and certifying the cybersecurity of industrial environments, systems, and products.
Whilst IEC 62443 compliance is not mandatory, it is swiftly becoming the accepted standard for ensuring the resilience of these vital systems. The framework conformity is transitioning from a market differentiator to a market requirement, supporting organisations across sectors including power and utilities, energy distribution, oil and gas, chemicals, rail, mining, and other industrial automation domains.
The complexities of adhering to IEC 62443 standards however present distinct challenges for producers of industrial connected systems and components, solutions suppliers, and industrial asset operators. Recognising these challenges, Bureau Veritas extends expert consultation services to help navigate the intricacies of IEC 62443 certification.
Combining expertise, knowledge, and a global presence to provide dependable services. Its specialised team assists in overcoming key challenges, including:
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For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine.
Energy Global’s Autumn 2023 issue
The Autumn 2023 issue of Energy Global hosts an array of technical articles focusing on green hydrogen, wind installation technology, blade monitoring solutions, and more. This issue also features a regional report looking at some key renewables projects in Australia.
Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/special-reports/28092023/bureau-veritas-offers-consultancy-services-to-enhance-cybersecurity/
SPRINGFIELD – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, has filed legislation that would, for the first time in Illinois, authorize legislative staff to form a union and engage in collective bargaining.
House Bill 4148, creating the Legislative Employee Labor Relations Act, comes in response to a monthslong effort by Democratic staff in the speaker’s office to unionize and negotiate wages, hours and other working conditions.
“For a while now, I had some staff approach my office seeking voluntary recognition as a union,” Welch said in an interview Wednesday. “And my legal advisors advised me that Illinois law currently specifically prohibits that. So as someone who believes in workers’ rights, this legislation is my attempt to create a legal path for them to have that right.”
Last year, a group of workers in the speaker’s office formed the Illinois Legislative Staff Association, which has been seeking recognition as a union. Brady Burden, a member of that group’s organizing committee, said in an email Wednesday that the committee was scheduled to meet with management in the speaker’s office later that day.
“We are happy to see the Speaker file this bill,” Burden said in a statement after that meeting. “We look forward to working together in good faith and coming to an agreement.”
In Illinois, private-sector unions are governed by the National Labor Relations Board while public-sector unions are governed by the Illinois Labor Relations Board. But the law creating that board and outlining its powers specifically excludes employees of the General Assembly from the definition of “public employee.”
Last year, however, the General Assembly passed, and Illinois voters approved, a Workers’ Rights Amendment to the state constitution that that declares employees “shall have the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work.”
But Michael LeRoy, a labor law expert at the University of Illinois, said earlier this month that the wording of that amendment could be construed as vague, and it wasn’t clear whether it would apply retroactively to public employees that were already legally barred from unionizing.
As a result, the Illinois Legislative Staff Association had been asking Welch’s office to voluntarily recognize their union. Welch’s comments Wednesday indicated his legal advisors did not believe that was authorized under law.
HB 4148, however, would specifically authorize legislative staff to unionize and it would give the ILRB jurisdiction over collective bargaining matters for staff unions, including authority to conduct elections within employee groups seeking to unionize.
It would establish an Office of State Legislative Labor Relations to represent the General Assembly in collective bargaining with legislative staff. That office would have a director appointed by a Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services.
The bill provides that the General Assembly is not required to bargain over matters of “inherent managerial policy,” including the General Assembly’s budget, organizational structure, and hiring of new employees.
It also provides that any employee in a group represented by a union may be required to pay a “fair- share” fee to cover their proportionate share of the costs of collective bargaining, regardless of whether they choose to join the union.
Until 2018, Illinois government employees who benefitted from the bargaining of the AFSCME Council 31 public employee union were subject to such fair-share fees if they did not join the union. The state stopped collecting those fees in that year, however, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that the fees violated the First Amendment rights of individuals who did not want to join the union.
Welch said he intends to push for the bill’s passage in the upcoming fall veto session, which begins Oct. 24.
A spokesperson for Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
ATLANTIC CITY — Jerry Volpe, a purchasing consultant to the troubled Atlantic City Housing Authority, may get another increase in the amount of money he will be paid for his services at Thursday’s board meeting.
Volpe’s company Governance & Fiscal Affairs LLC has been paid more than $400,000 for a year’s work in handling procurement for the agency.
His work was criticized by former Housing Authority Executive Director Matt Doherty at a public board meeting last month, and two weeks later the board fired Doherty.
On Thursday’s agenda is a resolution for a change order on the contract with Volpe, presumably to increase the cap on how much he can be paid for his services. Currently it is capped at $460,000.
The authority has not provided a copy of the resolution after multiple requests, but Volpe is known to be approaching the maximum in his contract.
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Volpe declined comment on Thursday’s meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the All Wars Memorial Building at 1510 Adriatic Ave.
The agenda also says the authority board will consider a new management consultant contract for John Clarke’s Sunbelt Industries and outline plans for the future of Stanley Holmes Village, over which the authority is being sued by residents for poor living conditions.
Clarke was interim executive director under a previous contract with the board from August 2022 to May, when Doherty arrived. He stayed on as a consultant through Aug. 11.
It was during Clarke’s tenure that the city declared an emergency at Stanley Holmes Village due to lack of heat and hot water and the inability of the authority to provide basic services like trash pickup.
At the time, Clarke was also executive director of the New Brunswick Housing Authority and interim executive director of the Princeton Housing Authority. He spent much less time working for the Atlantic City authority than the minimum of 20 hours per week he had promised to spend in his contract.
An analysis of Sunbelt’s billing invoices revealed Clarke did not meet that threshold in 31 of the 38 weeks he served as interim leader. At least four of those weeks, he dedicated less than five hours to the Housing Authority, including one in which he logged zero hours.
Clarke recently retired from the New Brunswick job.
There also are resolutions to hire an auditor and a mold remediation company.
More than a week ago, Volpe had said he would hold a news conference within days to outline the fraud he has found at the authority, but that did not happen.
At the same time Volpe has been handling procurement, the authority has run into problems related to its procurement practices.
In June, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ordered the authority to stop using emergency contracts, which are awarded without competition. That required the stoppage of much of the work going on to fix problems with disintegrating gas lines, mold and pest removal, and other repairs.
Doherty, who started with the authority in May, was fired by the board in a 4-1 vote early this month. None of those who voted to oust him commented on why they did so, saying only that it was “for convenience.”
Doherty had said Volpe’s failure to go out to bid for an auditor, after saying he would do so, resulted in the authority missing a deadline for submitting an audit and being listed as “troubled” financially by HUD.
Asked about the failure to issue requests for proposals for an auditor, Volpe said he had asked for and never received specifications for what to require of an auditor.
Doherty also said Volpe had told him via email he would go out to bid on a new heat and hot water system for Stanley Holmes Village, where heat and hot water have routinely failed. But Volpe never sought those bids either.
Now, the old system will have to be used for another year, and more failures are likely.
Volpe has said the executive committee of the board told him not to go to bid on the new heat and hot water system.
Volpe has run Governance & Fiscal Affairs since 2002.
In 1999, he was barred from working with any federally insured credit union by a government agency responsible for regulating federal credit unions and protecting its members.
He was the former manager of the Jersey Metro Federal Credit Union in Passaic County when he signed a stipulation and consent order with the National Credit Union Administration, according to NCUA documents.
Volpe agreed to be “prohibited from further participation, in any manner, in the conduct of the affairs of any federally insured credit union.”
Asked about it recently, Volpe said he signed the order to end the cost of litigation, and denied wrongdoing.
“It was a civil matter, having nothing to do with the Housing Authority. It had nothing to do with purchasing,” Volpe said. “I uncovered monumental fraud, like I do at the Atlantic City Housing Authority. I am a whistleblower. I am whistleblowing at the ACHA.”
But the NCUA said it had information that penalties were in order.
“The NCUA, based upon information reported to it, is of the opinion that grounds exist to initiate an administrative prohibition/civil money penalty proceeding against Gerald F. Volpe,” said the order dated May 28, 1999. “Gerald F. Volpe denies that such grounds exist, but desires to avoid the time, cost and expense of such administrative litigation and, without admitting that such grounds exist, hereby stipulates and agrees to the following terms in consideration of the forbearance of the NCUA from initiating such administrative litigation against him.”
The order contains no details of what type of wrongdoing was suspected or found.
While leading the credit union, Volpe said he had helped put its former president and vice president in jail for fraudulent activities there. But he said the NCUA eventually took it over and then balked at paying Volpe the more than $1 million owed to him upon termination. It was part of a “golden parachute” he negotiated in his employment contract, he said.
The NCUA said Jersey Metro, once called SKD Federal Credit Union, is no longer in business.
The 1999 censure did not affect Volpe’s ability to get government work.
Volpe has been an adjunct professor at Rutgers University teaching procurement classes and municipal finance, his resume says, and worked for both the Passaic County and Hudson County sheriff’s offices. He also was the purchasing agent for Passaic County from 2001 to 2008.
Sierra Space secured some significant dough during its latest funding round. The company says it will now allocate these funds towards the development of its commercial space station and other orbital tech.
Sierra Space Corporation, a commercial space company that splintered from Sierra Nevada Corporation in 2021, announced on Tuesday that it raised $290 million in its recent Series B funding round. This latest influx brings the company’s total investments to a staggering $1.7 billion across two rounds, setting what Sierra Space describes as an “industry record for combined Series A and B raises,” according to a company press release.
The funding round was co-led by a Japanese strategic partnership, a group of companies that includes MUFG Bank, Kanematsu, and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, underscoring Sierra Space’s growing influence in Japan. The company’s CEO, Tom Vice, is understandably stoked about the strengthened ties, stating, “Sierra Space is excited to create a long-term strategic relationship with our Japanese investors and industry partners.”
The funds are earmarked for several ambitious projects. Sierra Space has been plugging away on a commercial space station for the past five years and expects to undertake full-scale testing by the end of 2023. According to the company, Sierra Space’s valuation now stands at $5.3 billion, a notable figure for a firm that has yet to send its Dream Chaser spacecraft to orbit.
Dream Chaser is an in-development spaceplane for missions to low Earth orbit, transporting crew and cargo to destinations like the International Space Station (ISS). Capable of carrying up to 12,000 pounds (5,443 kilograms) of cargo, the spaceplane requires ULA’s yet-to-fly Vulcan Centaur rocket for launches and will be capable of performing atmospheric reentry and runway landings, reminiscent of NASA’s Space Shuttle. Dream Chaser will come in three variants, catering to cargo transport, crewed missions, and national security space requirements.
Related article: Bezos’s ‘Orbital Reef’ Space Station Moves One Step Closer to Reality
The company is targeting early 2024 for Dream Chaser’s inaugural flight from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, under a supply mission contract with NASA to the ISS; the company is currently booked for several resupply missions to the orbital lab, which is set to retire in 2029. Sierra Space’s plans don’t stop at cargo, however; the company’s vision includes launches of crewed Dream Chaser missions to its proprietary space station, Orbital Reef—a project co-developed with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Crewed treks to space aboard Dream Chaser aren’t expected until the back half of the 2020s.
Sierra Space’s presence in Japan appears to be gaining momentum. The company is exploring Oita Airport as a potential landing site for Dream Chaser, in partnership with Oita Prefecture, Kanematsu, and Japan Airlines. Additionally, a growing collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries aims to develop a range of technologies for orbit and on-orbit operations.
The recent investment surge in Sierra Space comes amid adjustments in the space capital markets, following the 2021 SPAC frenzy. With $3.4 billion in active contracts and a clear vision for the future, Sierra Space seems well-positioned to achieve its lofty goals in the evolving and tumultuous space industry.
For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page.
A Lincoln-based company that helps farmers manage the use of nitrogen fertilizer has received a $2.5 million investment.
Sentinel Fertigation, which was founded by Jackson Stansell while he was a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, announced the seed investment Monday.
Jackson Stansell
The investment round was led by Homegrown Capital of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Grit Road Partners of Omaha; and Lincoln-based Invest Nebraska.
The company said it plans to use the money to expand the market presence of its N-Time nitrogen management software product as well as expand employment.
“With the seed funding from our aligned investors, we will advance N-Time’s capabilities, grow our Sentry Network of agronomic advisers, and ensure that more farmers can benefit from N-Time,” Stansell said in a news release.
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Sentinel Fertigation said in its news release that farmers who have utilized its software saved an average of $40 on nitrogen per acre and saw a 23% increase in yield per pound of applied nitrogen. In addition, 83% of growers utilizing N-Time during the 2022 season increased their profitability compared to their historical practices.
Other investors in this round of investment were Proven Ventures, Nebraska Angels, AgVentures Alliance, Black Hills Regional Angel Fund, Breakthrough 307, AgLaunch Farmers Innovation Fund I and Agri-Inject.
Invest Nebraska, the Nebraska Angels, Proven Ventures and AgVentures were among investors involved in a $1.2 million investment in the company last year.
“Our pre-seed investors have been instrumental in Sentinel’s success so far,” Stansell continued. “We are excited that several of these investors have decided to deepen their relationship with Sentinel and double down on their initial investment.”
“It’s been amazing supporting and watching Jackson and the Sentinel team take an academic solution solving a real problem and commercializing it through two very successful growing seasons,” said Ben Williamson, managing director of both Invest Nebraska and Grit Road Partners.
“We’re excited they’re continuing the momentum and now raising a significant round of capital to include existing investors and great new partners like Homegrown Capital.”
A look into ex-Lincoln police chief’s sudden resignation; LPS’ new cell phone policy a success; auto dealer says UAW strike not impacting Nebraska.
Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
About 25,000 fans return to watch the fourth quarter action between Louisiana Tech and Nebraska, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
The stadium lights at Memorial Stadium are reflected in the eyes of Nebraska’s Janiran Bonner as he walks off the field following the game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
Louisiana Tech’s Smoke Harris is held back by Nebraska’s Omar Brown while John Bullock goes flying past after missing a tackle in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (top) celebrates his touchdown against Louisiana Tech with teammate Henry Lutovsky on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Laney Choboy dives into the crowd to make a save in the second set against Ohio State at the Devaney Sports Center, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
Wahoo’s Sam Edmonds (center) celebrates his touchdown against Columbus Lakeview with teammate Barrett Lavaley during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Wahoo.
Everett Elementary School fourth graders Jai’lisea Williams (from left), Ariana Neemeyer, Jaqueline Lima Mellado and Matias Mendez Hernandez look from a panel blind, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon near Denton.
Lincoln East’s Mikhale Ford (first right) celebrates with his team after scoring a 51-yard interception return touchdown during the second quarter at Seacrest Field, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Lincoln.
Kay McGuire (left) holds up a small handmade notebook to show Grace Cooper (right) as they volunteer their time to create breast cancer care packages at Picnic Hill Create, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Lincoln. Volunteers at Picnic Hill Create, a Lincoln craft store, have been meeting three nights this month to prepare care packages for people who were recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Care packages include a handmade journal/notebook, handmade card, and other care items such as mints, lotion and a bookmark.
Muriel Graham, 94, talks with pilot Scott “Scooter” DeLong as she sits in a World War II-era Boeing Stearman plane at Lincoln Airport on Wednesday as part of Dream Flights, a program that takes veterans and their spouses to tour the sky. Graham’s first flight was in 1946 with her cousin, who used to fly with her near Springview where she taught at a one-room schoolhouse. “I’ve always wanted to be a pilot,” Graham said, “Married a sailor and I was left on the ground with three naughty girls and a dog and he was flying,” she said. Her husband, Marvin, served in the Navy for 26 years as a Navy aircraft mechanic onboard an aircraft carrier. Wednesday’s short flight took her to downtown Lincoln overlooking Memorial Stadium as well as the Capitol.
Woman of the Year Susanne Blue, recently retired director of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, speaks during the Inspire ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Sept. 20, 2023.
Lincoln Southwest’s Makenna Murphy (6) and Delaney Madson (10) dance before a game against Kearney on Sept. 19, 2023, at Doris Bair Complex.
Five-year old Jack Kountze of Omaha picks an apple at Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard during the AppleJack Festival on Sunday in Nebraska City. The annual festival is expected to draw nearly 80,000 people to the area by the time it ends Sept. 24.
Nebraska’s Derek Branch (left) and teammate Grant Tagge tackle Northern Illinois’ Dane Pardridge in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (left) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Bryce Benhart during the second half of the match against Northern Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northern Illinois’ Cade Haberman (left) and George Gumbs forces Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg to fumble in the first quarter, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Kwinten Ives jumps as he and his teammates run out from the Northeast tunnel before the game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s defense walks out of the new tunnel before the game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Norris players take the field as the sun sets in the west during the second quarter at Waverly High School, on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Waverly.
Nebraska’s Haley Peterson (left) is defended by Wisconsin’s Ashley Martinez in the first half Friday at Hibner Stadium.
Lincoln East’s Mikhale Ford celebrates with Owen Laessig (from left) after Laessig scored a touchdown during the second quarter at Seacrest Field, on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
Nebraska’s Alina Felix (26) gets under a pop-fly on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 during an intrasquad scrimmage at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln.
Runners charge forward during the Harold Scott Invitational on Thursday at Pioneers Park.
Omaha native Adam Murphy takes a stroll hand-in-hand with Kenzie Houser (from Riverton, Kansas) on Thursday at Sunken Gardens in Lincoln. “It’s my first time here,” Murphy said. “It’s gorgeous — just a great place to be.”
A bomb squad robot responds to a suspicious package at 200 S 21st, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Lincoln.
Tommy Blanton looks out the window while he sits at a booth with a drink during a Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana signature drive kickoff event at Duffy’s Tavern on Wednesday.
Nebraska softball head coach Rhonda Revelle shouts instructions to her players during practice at Bowlin Stadium, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023.
Lincoln Northwest High School senior Jack Duval places words of encouragement on a wall to promote Suicide Prevention Month on Wednesday at the school.
Lincoln local Aaron Wilson, 50, rides his skateboard on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 at the ramps in Lincoln’s Peter Pan Park. Wilson has been skating 37 years, but is a long-time user of this particular skatepark as well. “I’ve spent at least ten years right here in this exact spot,” he says. Wilson says he considers skating his “fountain of youth.” Doesn’t matter what I did the night before—I can come here, sweat it out, and all is forgiven,” he says.
An American flag is raised in front of the Nebraska Capitol during the Patriot Day ceremony on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023.
Nebraska’s Laney Choboy (6) celebrates a point during the match against Long Beach State on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 at Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. Nebraska was up 2-0 going into the third period.
Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders leads his team on to the field before the game.
Lincoln-local Philip Lass, 12, looks at a set of homemade LED-illuminated polyhedra during Make Lincoln at Turbine Flats on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. The free, annual all-ages event features hands-on workshops, vendor booths and demonstrations from local creators in robotics, electronics, woodworking, textiles, painting, 3D printing, and more.
Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims (7) scrambles out of the pocket as he is pursued by Colorado’s Shane Cokes (99) in the second quarter on Saturday at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
Colorado’s Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig celebrates after Nebraska misses a field goal on Saturday at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
Lincoln High’s Remy Chapman (11) attempts a pass on the run under defense by Omaha Central’s Ke’Von Newsome (20) at Beechner Athletic Complex in Lincoln. Omaha Central was up 35-0 going into halftime.
Long-time Lincoln local Ted Hollinger, 91, sits on a bench at Holmes Lake Park on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, and looks out over the water. “The last few years since I’ve retired, I probably come out here every day,” he says. “I hate to see summer coming to an end.”
Vehicles cross over the mostly dry Platte River on U.S. 34 near Grand Island on Friday.
Lincoln East freshman Lucy Barrett (left) and senior Lucy Barrett (right) pose for a portrait Thursday at Doris Bair Softball Complex in Lincoln. Though they are not relatives, they share identical first and last names, and are close friends.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Merritt Beason (top) spikes the ball past Creighton’s Destiny Ndam-Simpson and Ann Marie Remmes during the fourth set at the Devaney Sports Center, on Wednesday in Lincoln.
Lincoln East’s Kennedy Johnson (11) sets the ball against Lincoln North Star on Tuesday at Lincoln East. The Spartans won the match 3-0.
Katie Kelly sits in her late mother’s 1960 Lotus 7 sportscar as her husband Craig Sarachene fixes a sticker at the Tire Rack Sports Car Club of America Solo National Championships at the Lincoln Airpark, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.
Kayson Hanika, 6, and Emerie Wayne, 4, lie together on the sand on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at Branched Oak Lake in Lancaster County on Labor Day weekend.
Lincoln Southeast’s Dallas Washington celebrates a touchdown after out running Lincoln East’s Presley Hall in the third quarter at Seacrest Field, on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Lincoln.
Lincoln Southwest running back Ashton Traudt (2) runs the ball under defense by Columbus defensive end Caden Kapels (81) during the Silver Hawks’ game against Columbus on Friday at UBT Stadium at Lincoln Northwest. Southwest was leading 14-6 at halftime.
Seward local Garin Metzger (left) drives his pontoon boat on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 at Branched Oak Lake in Lancaster County during the start of Labor Day weekend. Pictured with him is his wife Linda Metzger (center-right), and their friends Shanda Laflin (center-left) and Pam Spicher (right).
Volleyball fans do the wave during a break in the action during the match between Omaha and Nebraska on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium.
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
DANVILLE — Having transportation to a needed medical appointment a good distance away can be an additional burden for some people.
That’s where LifeLine Pilots can help.
LifeLine Pilots, is a non-profit organization based in Peoria that coordinates free air transportation for people with medical or humanitarian needs. The pilots volunteer their planes, time and fuel to help people get where they need to go, at no cost to the people who need the transportation.
Local pilot Jeff Williams, who’s an information technology consultant and has a plane at the Vermilion Regional Airport in Danville, is a volunteer pilot with the organization.
He said some people might not know about this service, and it’s another benefit of having a local airport.
Williams learned to fly taking lessons from former Vermilion Regional Airport Manager Mike Potter about seven years ago. Williams got his license the following year.
“I’ve always been interested in aviation … ,” Williams said. But for a long time he just never fully pursued it, thinking he couldn’t afford it at the time.
Williams said he learned about LifeLine Pilots, which was started by Wanda Whitsitt of Champaign in 1981. As it grew, it moved to Peoria. Originally it was to cover needs in Illinois. Now it services a 10-state region. Flights are typically facilitated in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
It has more than 450 volunteer pilots and has completed 10,000-plus flights, or missions, covering over six million miles.
The free service can be for someone who can’t easily afford to travel and take a commercial flight or it’s a really long drive.
For example, someone may have to go to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for many medical appointments. Sometimes the organization has to coordinate multiple legs, such as to get someone from Tennessee or Arkansas to a destination.
There could be just one person or multiple persons, such as family or friends that need to go with them.
Williams learned about this and other organizations like this, including Angel Flight, online. The organizations can partner together, in the different parts of the country they cover.
“It’s basically all about getting people in need where they need to go,” he said.
Williams recently had a mission to fly someone who was coming from Southern Indiana to Waukegan for medical reasons. It would be a seven-hour drive to north of Chicago, but is about an hour and a half flight.
He’s piloted two flights through the service so far, as he’s also working on getting his commercial license. He flew from Danville to Southern Indiana to pick up the two different persons and brought them to the Waukegan.
A couple other possible trips, including to Minnesota, had plans change for the passengers, he said.
Williams donates his time and fuel. He said the passengers are appreciative of the service because it saves them time, and it’s a good experience for the pilots.
“It’s just good all the way around,” he said.
“I plan to do more once I get my commercial license done,” Williams said, saying that he’s focused on studying and practicing for that.
LifeLine Pilots’ service is available in this area, he adds.
to qualify
According to the organization, to qualify for a LifeLine Pilots flight, a passenger must meet the following criteria:
- Have a non-emergency medical or humanitarian need far from home (usually between 100-1,000 miles from home).
- Have a financial or medical need for assistance.
- Provide a doctor’s name & fax number for LifeLine Pilots to contact for a Physician’s Release.
- Be able to fly in a small, 4-6 seat, non-pressurized aircraft.
- Be able to board the aircraft with minimal assistance.
- Be able to sit upright in a standard aircraft seat.
- Be willing to sign a liability release form.
- Provide own transportation to and from the airport(s).
vision
LifeLine Pilots’ vision is: A world where every person has equal access to transportation for healthcare and humanitarian needs.
According to LifeLine Pilots, “every year, millions of Americans delay or go without medical care because they did not have transportation. People living below the poverty threshold had even greater odds of reporting a transportation barrier to receiving medical care. There are many initiatives that provide free bus/shuttle services for local transportation, but when people need to travel 100 or even 1,000 miles for treatment, those with limited incomes or living in rural settings go without.”
“With the generous help of volunteer pilots, LifeLine Pilots provides a free alternative for accessing healthcare far from home, therefore improving health outcomes for everyone, regardless of location or income. The people we serve are unable to access medical care because they live on a limited income, do not have a caregiver who can drive them, have medical issues prohibiting them from driving a long distance, or are unable to fly commercially due to medical issues,” according to the organization.
LifeLine Pilots coordinates the non-emergency air transportation. There is never a cost to fly and no limit to the number of times a passenger can travel.
Pilot requirements include: 21 years of age or older; minimum of 250 hours of pilot in command time; meet Federal Aviation Administration minimums regarding flight status; and provide updated information whenever reportable changes occur such as loss of privilege, contact, or aircraft insurance information.
LifeLine Pilots depends on donor support. It receives no government funding, relying on individuals, businesses and foundations to fund the facilitation of every flight.
The largest contributors are the pilots who fly the missions. They donate their time, expertise, and aircraft use and cover all the expenses necessary to ensure that people needing medical and humanitarian assistance are supported. These donations are significant, as the Federal Aviation Administration confirms that the operating costs of a small aircraft can range from $100 to $200 per hour. Their contributions make up nearly 85% of LifeLine Pilots’ overall budget.
Pilots are encouraged to join the team.
For more information, visit the website https://lifelinepilots.org.
The sites, which comprise a mix of 10 freeholds and one leasehold unit, are located in town and city centre locations across England and Wales and are being considered for sale either individually, in small packages or as a portfolio.
Savills director Paul Breen said: “These substantial and well-invested pubs are likely to appeal to a broad range of potential buyers.”
CBRE senior director Toby Hall added: “The pubs are all in long-established and proven trading locations, making them ideal for both existing pub operators and new entrants”.
JDW confirmed it has decided to sell 11 of its 822 pubs and added the pubs will remain open pending their sale.
A company spokesperson said: “JDW is continuing to invest in its business and has recently reopened the Square Peg in Birmingham and the Lord Palmerston in Southsea, after major refurbishment, costing approximately £1.5m.
“The company is also currently redeveloping and extending pubs in Wakefield, central Cardiff and central Glasgow at a total cost of approximately £8m.”
They also said JDW is also going ahead with plans for a number of new pubs and hotels, as well as major upgrades to existing pubs involving a total investment of around £100m.
Pubs to be marketed
The pubs JDW is selling are:
- Abertillery – the Pontolottyn
- Cardiff – the Ivor Davies
- Chesterfield – Spa Lane Vaults
- Doncaster – the Gate House
- Holywell – the Market Cross
- Kirkby in Ashfield – the Regent
- Moreton – the Mock Beggar Hall
- St Ives – the Hain Line
- Shipley – the Sir Norman Rae
- Swindon – the Sir Daniel Arms
- Todmorden – the White Hart
Earlier this month, JDW announced it would cut prices by 7.5% for a day to highlight how a permanent VAT reduction would be of immense benefit for the hospitality sector.
Prices were reduced on Thursday 14 September to mark Tax Equality Day and in Scotland.
JDW chairman also called on the chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt to create tax equality between pubs and supermarkets.
Vast disparity
He said: “The biggest threat to the hospitality industry is the vast disparity in tax treatment among pubs, restaurants and supermarkets.
“Supermarkets pay zero VAT in respect of food sales, whereas pubs and restaurants pay 20%. This tax benefit allows supermarkets to subsidise the selling price of beer.
“Pubs have been under fantastic pressure for decades, because of the tax disadvantages they have with supermarkets.
“Customers coming to JDW pubs on Thursday 14 September will find the price of their food and drinks to be lower than normal.”
DANVILLE — The Danville City Council Tuesday night approved a Midtown Tax Increment Financing District Redevelopment Incentive Program grant for facade and other improvements at the building that houses Aunt Martha’s on Gilbert Street.
The $50,000 grant will go toward the approximately $257,000 project by Stadium Club Joliet, LLC, Mel Yarmat, for rehabilitation costs at 610-622 N. Gilbert St.
Tenants in the 32,000 square feet retail strip center are Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center, Rent-A-Center and Industry Labs.
In other business, two Danville Fire Department firefighters were promoted: Lt. Ryan Allison to captain and Tom Darby to assistant chief to take the place of Brian Smith who retired.
Also Tuesday, the council heard from Corp. Counsel James Simon that the lawsuit regarding the casino is over, with the city winning.
Simon said there’s been no appeal nor request for reconsideration by the Mervis family, the time has run, he said. He also said the judge’s opinion noted the aldermen depositions in the case, appreciating their candor, knowledge of the situation and dedication in bringing a casino to Danville.
“I guarantee you your depositions, and some others, carried the day,” Simon said, about the depositions and documents in the case.
The aldermen also heard an audit report that included a 21 percent sales tax increase from the previous year as part of increased revenues, that didn’t yet include casino revenue but did include cannabis sales revenue; and also public safety pension payment headway. All the cannabis revenue goes to the pensions.
Aldermen also heard about the Oct. 6 First Friday Spooky Glow 5K Run and Walk downtown. More information can be found on the city’s website.
The council also approved:
- Authorizing changes in auditing service fees and approving the master services agreement and statement of work for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 financial statement audit with Clifton Larson Allen. The city is seeing a $43,500 increase in auditing services going up to $102,500 partly due to city delays with bank reconciliations, and the city’s utility billing.
- An update to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (including more minority, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses in purchasing) for the city in connection with the Federal Transit Administration grants, extending the ADA Paratransit service agreement with CRIS Rural Mass Transit, and authorizing execution and amendment of the downstate operating assistance grant agreement.
- Authorizing vacation of an alley at 433 and 435 N. Gilbert St. for Heartland Properties.
- Purchasing a tandem dump truck complete with plow and spreader, delivery included, for an amount not to exceed $275,000 through a government cooperative purchasing contract.
- Authorizing a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for Harrison Park Golf Course merchandise for resale and concessions.
- A $19,254 contract with R.C. Electric & Communications Inc. for Community Development Block Grant homelessness project at the Danville Rescue Mission, 834 N. Bowman Ave. This was the third time bidding on the project. City officials have been working with the mission to get the building up to code and rehabilitate its inefficient heating and air conditioning.
- Authorizing payments to Hoerr Construction Inc. for $52,554 for the sanitary sewer cured in place lining and $38,226 to Stark Excavating Inc. for sanitary manhole removal and storm sewer re-routing for emergency sanitary sewer lining and storm sewer rerouting at Mer Che Manor, 723 N. Oak St., and along Myrtle Drive.
- Amending the fiscal year 2023-2024 brownfield fund budget to start spending cleanup grant funding at the southeast corner of Vermilion and Fairchild streets.
Watertown City Council made what most of the Council agreed was progress at tonight’s meeting when they approved C-L Commercial Lake District revised ordinances and definitions of “Title 21 Zoning” and a Zoning Text Amendment to Campgrounds.
Mayor Ried Holien first prefaced the public and Councilmembers on how they would be combining all three separate agenda items in one discussion.
Mayor Holien announced a special meeting…
Mayor Holien said this “big deep dive” will more than likely be in November, but definitely before Christmas.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Heath VonEye states that “anything can be built there,” referring to what is available to construct…
As the Council transitioned to more of the revised ordinances and definitions, a familiar voice was heard when former Councilman/Deputy Mayor and recently announced S.D. Senator candidate Glen Vilhauer said he likes where the conversation is going….
Other Lake Kampeska residents spoke as they have in the past meetings, including Director Doug Modica, a neighbor of a rezoning request and on the Lake Kampeska Water Project District….
Director VonEye confirmed that the jurisdiction falls with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Councilman Bruce Buhler proposed some changes….
Mayor Holien mentions one of the biggest concerns has been apartment complexes, and voting yes is some progress.
Councilman Lynn Jurrens questioned if these changes are enough of a guardrail for future developments, including campgrounds, saying the residents have said there are enough campgrounds around the lake. He also references tiny homes as part of the forthcoming discussion and why he will vote No….
Councilman Kyle Peters comments on his upcoming vote….
Councilman Randy Tupper says the Council has taken pretty large steps….
Councilman Jurrens said, “I’m with Randy” on taking large steps, and residents don’t want another “Lake Okoboji.”
The Council approved all three items, but Councilman Jurrens voted no on the C-L Commercial Lake District revised ordinance.
The complete discussion was very detailed and lengthy; check out the article on mykxlg.com for a link to the entire meeting below.
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For business magnates like Apple (AAPL) – Get Free Report CEO Tim Cook and Alphabet (GOOGL) – Get Free Report CEO Sundar Pichai, a return to the office for their workers enables greater collaboration and, hopefully, more innovation through that collaboration.