Mississippi News
Hattiesburg plant proposed as hazardous waste site
EPA looking to prioritize old Hattiesburg facility for hazardous waste clean-up
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to add a defunct chemical manufacturing plant in Hattiesburg to its priority list of hazardous waste sites around the country.
Hercules, Inc. produced hundreds of chemical products, such as paints, varnishes, and pesticides in the city from 1923 until 2009. Since its closure, multiple EPA inspections have turned up benzene and over a dozen other contaminants in the underlying groundwater.
After its most recent inspection in 2021, the agency proposed in March to add Hercules to its Superfund National Priorities List.
In 2016, the Delaware-based company, since bought by Ashland Global, settled a lawsuit with the City of Hattiesburg for $3 million after the city alleged that the factory “knowingly and improperly disposed of hazardous waste.” Two years before that, the EPA ordered Hercules to spend $1 million for groundwater remediation in the city.
After its 2021 visit, the EPA said that the groundwater contamination extends outside of the Hercules property line, underneath an industrial complex and into a residential area.
The City of Hattiesburg maintains eight drinking wells within two miles of the site. While the EPA hasn't found any impact to those wells, it said it will continue sampling the residential area, which includes several apartment complexes within a mile radius of the old factory.
The agency is receiving comments from the public until June 16, and will hold a public meeting on May 19 at the C.E. Roy Community Center in Hattiesburg at 6 P.M. The EPA will then take the comments into consideration as to whether or not to add the old Hercules site to its National Priorities List, or NPL.
Doing so would initiate an EPA-lead remediation process, after which the agency would work with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and local stakeholders to redevelop the site.
Hercules would become the second location in Hattiesburg to make the NPL. In 2000, the EPA added Davis Timber Company, a wood-preservation facility, after detecting contaminants from the company in dead fish at a nearby country club in the 1970s and 1980s.
The redevelopment effort there resulted in an animal shelter at the site that opened in 2013, joined a few years later by a dog park called Fields of Barktopia. The EPA finally removed it from the NPL in 2018.
If added to the NPL, Hercules would become the ninth current site on the list in Mississippi, all but one of which were either a wood or chemical product facility. The other eight are mapped below:
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Mississippi News
Three Northeast Mississippi players receive MHSAA Miss Softball honors
SUMMARY: The MHSAA announced the annual Miss Softball winners, with three recipients coming from Northeast Mississippi who are currently competing for a state championship. In the 3A category, Mantachie's Ramsey Montgomery won the award with impressive batting and pitching statistics. Lucy Cochran from East Union won the 2A award for the second consecutive season, showcasing exceptional pitching and hitting skills. Emma Mayer from Myrtle was recognized in the 1A category for her outstanding hitting performance this season. All three players have excelled in their respective categories and are contributing significantly to their teams' success in the playoffs.
The post Three Northeast Mississippi players receive MHSAA Miss Softball honors appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Humid next few days with storm potential at times – Home – WCBI TV
SUMMARY: An increase in humidity is expected in Columbus, Mississippi over the next couple of days, with storm chances likely on Wednesday night. Tuesday will be warm and breezy with a few showers and storms possible in the afternoon, some of which may become locally strong. Wednesday will see the potential for widespread showers and storms in the evening as a strong cold front moves through, with the possibility of severe weather. However, nicer weather is expected for the weekend with gradual clearing on Friday and drier conditions on Saturday, although isolated showers may return on Sunday into Monday.
The post Humid next few days with storm potential at times – Home – WCBI TV appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
JSU welcomes new Women’s Basketball coach
SUMMARY: Margaret Richards has been named the new head coach for the Jackson State Women's Basketball team, marking a new era for the Lady Tigers. Richards previously coached at Alabama A&M for eight years before joining Mercer's staff. She is excited for the new challenge and looks forward to meeting alumni and continuing the team's tradition and history. Richards replaced Tomekia Reed, who left to become the head coach for the Charlotte 49ers. She is eager to hit the ground running and build upon the success of the team.
The post JSU welcomes new Women's Basketball coach appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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