August 20, 2014 NNSS Waste Program and Emergency Responders Team Up Southern Nevada emergency responders, local and state government, and federal officials are demonstrating their ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness in the event of a transportation accident involving low-level radioactive waste.  During a series of ongoing meetings and tabletop exercises, these organizations are walking through a hypothetical accident scene together, identifying actions relating to scene assessment and response, notifications, mutual aid, and follow-up investigations.  An upcoming tour will allow emergency responders to get a first-hand look at the destination for low-level waste shipments—the Nevada National Security Site's Area 5 Waste Management Complex.  "These joint activities benefit everyone in the room," said Clark County Hazmat Coordinator, Richard Brenner.  "It gets all entities talking… what are your procedures when it comes to responding to a radiological incident?  How can we work together to assist one another?" The National Nuclear Security Administration's Nevada Field Office engages in numerous local emergency response trainings throughout the year. Nevada Field Office Manager Steve Lawrence continues to emphasize the site's commitment to addressing stakeholder concerns while boosting agency collaboration.  "We're members of this community, and we want to work together in an open and transparent manner," Lawrence told the group.  "However we can help leverage communication between local, state, and federal entities, we're here to do that."  During a July tabletop, Jeffery Packett of Hittman Transport explains that Hittman trucks are equipped with a sophisticated tracking system to provide real-time location and status information.  Meeting participants included Nevada Highway Patrol, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Clark County Fire Department, Nevada State Health/Radiological Control, the Nye County Southern Hazmat Team, Lincoln and Esmeralda County Emergency Managers, and local hospitals. Visit us at www.nv.energy.gov

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U.S. EPA and SF Environment recognize Quesada Gardens Initiative for environmental work in San Francisco’s Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the San Francisco Department of the Environment (SF Environment) presented an Environmental Award to the Quesada Gardens Initiative in recognition of the grassroots organization's decade of work to address environmental issues in the San Francisco Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. "The Quesada Gardens Initiative has transformed an ordinary neighborhood street into community food gardens and neighborhood gathering spaces," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "EPA's Environmental Awards recognize people and groups like Jeffrey Betcher and Quesada Gardens who are committed to protecting public health and improving our communities." EPA and SF Environment presented the award to Jeffrey Betcher, co-founder of the Quesada Gardens community organization. Quesada Gardens began more than 10 years ago on the 1700 block of Quesada Avenue in San Francisco's historically underserved and environmentally challenged Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. Mr. Betcher, a neighborhood resident, worked with his neighbors to transform the street into a series of community food gardens, public art displays and gathering spaces. "Thanks to the leadership of Jeffrey Betcher, and through the hard work and dedication of the Quesada Gardens Initiative community, Bayview families are enjoying the beauty and bounty of community gardens," said Debbie Raphael, SF Environment's Director. "Jeffrey is a leader who nurtures social connections and community relationships. His hard work is helping families thrive while building a vision of a greener Bayview." The Initiative has engaged several hundred volunteers in garden projects, involving thousands of volunteer work hours. These gardening and beautification efforts have not only improved the neighborhood, but have also helped build relationships among neighbors and strengthen the local community. This is evident in the Bayview Footprints online newsletter, which serves as an online community hub for the neighborhood. "I am grateful that scrappy neighbors in the heart of Bayview are being acknowledged for joining together to change a place many had given up on," said Jeffrey Betcher, Quesada Gardens Initiative's Executive Director. "This award is evidence our friends in the environmental movement understand that the physical and social environments are fundamentally linked, and that improving one requires attention to the other." Quesada Gardens includes the Baybloom Backyard Gardens projects, the Bridgeview Teaching and Learning Garden, the "Bayview Is…" mural and Quesada Gardens Community Mural and Gathering Space. Mr. Betcher was nominated for the environmental award by Dr. Toye Moses, Executive Director of the Southeast Community Facility Commission. Learn more about Quesada Gardens at: http://www.quesadagardens.org/ # # # EPA Region 9 in California:  http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-california Twitter:  https://twitter.com/EPAregion9 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EPAregion9 Newsletter: http://www.epa.gov/region9/newsletter/index.html # # #

Michigan Home Health Agency Owner Pleads Guilty to Participating in $22 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

A greater Detroit-area owner of three home health agencies pleaded guilty today for his role in a $22 million home health care fraud scheme. Muhammad Aamir, 43, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, admitted that, beginning in 2008 and continuing through January 2013, he conspired with others to bill Medicare for home health care services that were not actually rendered.

by via DOJ HHS

Blood Transfusions May Cut Risk of 'Silent' Stroke in Kids With Sickle Cell

Study found children who got monthly infusions were less likely to suffer another attack

by via DOJ HHS

Two Men Indicted for Defrauding 60 People of $6.5 Million Through Real Estate Investment

— Cleveland

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Concord Township Man Indicted for Defrauding Cleveland Credit Union of $2.3 Million

— Cleveland

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Pharmacy Store Employees Plead Guilty in Scheme to Defraud Health Care Benefit Programs

— Baltimore

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Starr Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges

— Columbia

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Wisconsin Man Arrested for Federal Drug and Money Trafficking Violations

— Dallas

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Former Saratoga County Deputy Sheriff Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge

— Albany

by via DOJ HHS