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New affordable housing project coming to Harrisburg community [Video]
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New affordable housing project coming to Harrisburg community [Video]

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Funding from a state program will help transform empty lots in the Allison Hill neighborhood into homes and businesses. The Gateway Project has plans to develop affordable housing units and commercial spaces on five vacant lots on Market Street near 13th Street. Wildheart Ministries is the nonprofit organization behind this inaugural []

1 year after devastating Leominster flood, repairs still ongoing [Video]
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1 year after devastating Leominster flood, repairs still ongoing [Video]

One year after extreme flooding caused catastrophic damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure in Leominster, Massachusetts, the federal government has provided millions in disaster relief funding but only for certain kinds of damage. More than nine inches of rain fell in the city on Sept. 11, 2023, causing sinkholes, washed-out roads, and extensive property damage.One significant sinkhole opened on Pleasant Street, where pipes under the road were exposed and much of a home’s front yard was washed away. Several cars at a Cadillac dealership were engulfed in another sinkhole. Flooding washed away the ground beneath the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks near Hamilton Street, temporarily leaving the tracks dangling over a ravine carved out by the water.Numerous basements were flooded and many homes had to be evacuated, including a mobile home park. Crews used boats and large military vehicles to help the residents out of the area. Steve Fini said his Federal Emergency Management Agency check arrived last week and he hired a contractor to start repairs on his home in the Meadowbrook Acres Mobile Home Park a few days ago. He said that the flood brought about six inches of water into one room and when the contractor tore up the floor, the wood underneath was still wet.Recovery efforts in the immediate aftermath of the floods included clearing debris and repairing damaged infrastructure, including the train tracks. Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella has said the city suffered at least $30 million in public property damage from the storm. Video below: Leominster’s progress 1 week after floodingResidents and city leaders faced setbacks in February when FEMA originally denied both public and individual assistance funding for Leominster. The individual assistance was eventually approved in May for residents, but the denial of $30 million for public assistance stood. At this point, city officials said that FEMA has provided more than $4.5 million to more than 800 homeowners and business owners in the city.

Revere teacher hurt trying to break up fight in Mass. high school [Video]
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Small Business Funding

Revere teacher hurt trying to break up fight in Mass. high school [Video]

For at least the second time during this new school year, a Revere High School staff member was hurt on Wednesday during a fight among students.The teacher’s arm was bloodied Wednesday morning after being scratched on a locker while they tried to intervene in a fight, according to Revere Public Schools. The superintendent declined to provide additional details.Revere police said in a statement that no weapons were involved in the fight. Students who witnessed the incident said the altercation escalated quickly. “They were pushing each other at first, and they were arguing and yelling,” sophomore Dina Elfathy said.Michelle Ervin, co-president of the union, tearfully recalled the fear she felt during the incident. “I was very scared,” Ervin said. “I dont know if I was scared for myself, but I was definitely just scared. After it all happened, I was angry that this is still happening.”This latest altercation follows another violent event during the first week of school, where the assistant principal was taken to the hospital after being injured in a fight that resulted in the expulsion of 12 students.Some students at the high school said they are becoming desensitized to the frequent disruptions. “I was kind of not even shocked by it because of how many fights have been happening lately,” one student said. Junior Santo Martell said the ongoing violence is wearing on him. “I love this building with my heart and soul, but when it gets like this, I really don’t want to be here anymore,” Martell said. “Id rather be home.”Reveres mayor, the school superintendent and the police chief announcing new changes, including conflict training for teachers, additional mental and emotional health resources for students and an additional resource officer.”Theres no one in our entire district administration that doesnt want to have the healthiest, happiest, and safest schools,” Revere mayor Patrick Keefe said Thursday.Some parents say its not enough.”Those are good steps, but bringing in one person is not going to solve the problem,” Tim Watson said. ” How are they going to get from one end to the other when theres a fight on both ends?”Teachers went to a Revere City Council meeting on Monday to demand action on safety and funding issues.Members of the Revere Teachers Association have said the district requires investment in multilingual social workers, reasonable caseloads, and an incident reporting system.Teachers in Revere are working without a contract amid ongoing negotiations with the city.Video below: Union demands changes after school fight