ADEQ meeting in Fort Smith

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will hold a meeting and public hearing in Fort Smith on Nov. 12, 2013 to provide an overview of the remedy being considered for the site and receive public input on a Remedial Action Decision Document (RADD) that outlines remediation plans for soil and groundwater contamination in and near the Whirlpool facility.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center, 2700 Cavanaugh Road. ADEQ staff will be on hand to provide an overview of the proposed remedies outlined in the RADD. A formal hearing will also be held to receive oral comments for the record.

The Whirlpool facility is at 6400 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith. The facility is approximately 153 acres and includes the main manufacturing building, adjoining warehouse and administrative offices, and approximately 21 acres of undeveloped land. Refrigerators were manufactured on the site before it closed in 2012. The manufacturing process included polyurethane foaming, metal fabrication, plastic thermoforming and assembly operations.

It is believed that constituents in the soil and groundwater identified in the facility investigation were the result of practices that took place prior to 1980. Before 1967, the facility used trichloroethylene (TCE) in the former degreaser building located near the northeastern corner of the main building. The use of TCE was discontinued in the mid-1980s. There are no records of spills or other releases from the degreaser building.

The Remedial Action Decision Document (RADD) describes remedies considered for the site along with ADEQ’s recommendation for the remedial actions to be implemented at the facility. The Department will ultimately choose which remedial actions will be used at the site.

Several remedies are proposed in the RADD. The document calls for covering the impacted soil on-site with asphalt and an impermeable coating. Any cover would be designed to prevent water from seeping through the contaminated soil. In addition, soil gas monitoring is recommended to ensure there is no vapor intrusion into indoor air.

The proposal also recommends treatment of on-site and off-site groundwater with a chemicaloxidant. Monitored Natural Attenuation will be conducted for the on-site and off-site plume, under the plan.
A copy of the RADD can be found online under the Hot Topics section on ADEQ’s homepage www.adeq.state.ar.us. The document, along with those used to develop it, can also be viewed during normal business hours at the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Public Outreach and Assistance Division, 5301 Northshore Drive, North Little Rock or at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith.

Oral and written comments on the proposed RADD will be accepted at the hearing, but written comments are preferred in the interest of accuracy. In addition, written comments will be accepted if received no later than 4:30 p.m. CST Nov. 18, 2013. Written comments should be sent to Tammie Hynum, Hazardous Waste Division Chief, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, 5301 Northshore Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317.

After reviewing the comments, ADEQ will make any necessary revisions to the RADD and it will become final.

Whirlpool will be required to begin remediation of the TCE plume within 60 days of the RADD’s effective date. The company will also be required to submit quarterly and annual reports. A technical review of the remedial activities would be conducted two years from the effective date of the RADD and a decision will be made to continue or modify the selected remedy.

Up to 23 rabies cases in Garland County

A bat collected on Friday from Creekview Court, within the City of Hot Springs, was confirmed positive for rabies by the state lab today, bringing Garland County’s total number of confirmed animal rabies cases so far this year to 23. There were no human exposures to the disease.

Pet owners are reminded to vaccinate all dogs and cats at least four months old against rabies. To report any unusual daytime activity by nocturnal creatures such as skunks or bats, contact Animal Services at 262-2091 in Hot Springs and Animal Control at 922-6547 in Hot Springs Village.

Melinda's ribbon cutting Thursday

As promised, I am back for a few minutes this morning.

Melinda's

Coffee Corner

 Ribbon Cutting

& Open House 

Sample Gourmet Food and Coffee
Thursday, October 17 at 3:30-5:30 p.m.

  

Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police taps Hot Springs Police Chief for regional V.P.

Hot Springs Police Chief David Flory was recently elected Southwest Regional Vice President of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP).

Other officers elected were: Chief Montie Sims of Dardanelle, President; Chief Gary Sipes of Jacksonville, First Vice President; Chief J.R. Wilson of Hope, Second Vice President; Chief Jackie Davis of Cabot, Secretary/Treasurer; Chief Russell White of Alma, At Large Representative; Retired Chief Kyn Flory of Clarksville, Retired Chiefs’ Representative; Chief Gary Kelley of Marion, Northeast Regional Vice President; Chief Greg Tabor of Fayetteville, Northwest Regional Vice President; Assistant Chief Ronald Scott of Helena-West Helena, Southeast Regional Vice President; and Chief Percy Wilburn of Lake Village, Past President.

A member of the association since 2011, this is Flory’s first time serving on the executive board.  He also serves on the association’s Best Practices Policy Development Committee and Law Enforcement Recognition Program Committee.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy with criminal justice degrees from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX and Tarrant County College in Hurst, TX, Flory is also a certified firearms instructor and licensed paramedic.  He carries 35 years of law enforcement experience and was appointed Hot Springs’ police chief in 2011.  His current mission is to make the Hot Springs Police Department the best police agency in the State of Arkansas.

Homicide investigation in Hot Springs

On October 12, 2013, at approximately 9 a.m., officers from the Hot Springs Police Department responded to the 300 block of Quapaw St. in reference to a possible deceased person. Once officers arrived, they observed a black male, lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound.  Lifenet along with the Garland County Coroner Stuart Smedley was on scene where the subject was pronounced deceased.

The subject was later identified as Christopher Howard, 21 of Mt. Pine, Arkansas.

Detectives are conducting interviews and following up on this homicide.

Pets of the week at the animal shelter

Sarah is a spayed female; Manchester Terrier mix. Sarah is 12 weeks old, will be medium size.  Sweet, compliant, friendly puppy (has 2 sisters just like her!)

Abby is a spayed female, domestic medium hair four year old brown tabby; friendly, loves petting - owner couldn't care for her anymore; great housecat/lapcat.

To adopt a forever friend call the Animal Welfare League at 915-9337.

Ballet Arkansas Nutcracker Banquet at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Ballet Arkansas Nutcracker Banquet
November 17
12 p.m. – Magnolia Room/Welcome Center
Back by popular demand! Last year's banquet was a sold-out success! Join us for a fun luncheon with the dancers from Ballet Arkansas cast of The Nutcracker. The characters from The Nutcracker, in full costume, will present a short performance and read a portion of the ballet for all to enjoy. Lunch is included in the ticket cost of this event. Make sure you bring your camera—this is a photo opportunity you won’t want to miss.

$35 members
$45 non-members
$25 children
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance reservations and pre-payment are required and space is limited. Call 510-262-9300/800-366-4664 to reserve your spot today. All proceeds benefit Garvan Woodland Gardens and Ballet Arkansas.

Garvan Woodland Gardens workshop

Gardening 101 Workshop: "Creating Interest with Green Plants"
October 18
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Magnolia Room

Join Jim Shults from Shults Greenhouse of Hot Springs to learn how to create interest in your garden by using green plants. Different textures, shapes and shades are all simple ways to bring your garden to life. After the presentation, a stroll in the Gardens will allow you to see many examples.

Free members/regular admission non-members. Advance registration required. Call 501-262-9300/800-366-4664 to register.

Enjoy a docent tour at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Saturday Docent Tours Are Back!
Now through November 16

Looking for something relaxing and fun to do on Saturday mornings? Do you want to show off one of the best attractions in the area to friends and family when they visit? Garvan Woodland Gardens now has the perfect way to do either. Beginning on October 5, every Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m., specially trained volunteer docents will be leading groups through the Gardens’ most beautiful landscapes, bringing attention each week to areas that are at peak for your visit.

Learn about the history of the Gardens and Lake Hamilton, interesting plants you can grow at home, and about the wonderful woodlands that grace our state. Come often and you’ll see the progression of the seasons as you’ve never seen it before. Or, as an added bonus, get some exercise in one of the best places around for walking. You might even make some great new friends.

The walk is included with your admission. Beginning October 1, the admission rates for non-members will be: all adults $10, children ages 6-12 $5, and free for 5 and under. Groups are limited to 20 people.