Wider Oath Keepers conspiracy, alleged as feds add more charges in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Jessica Marie Watkins, third from left, and Donovan Ray Crowl, center, both from Ohio, march down the east front steps of the U.S. Capitol with the Oath Keepers militia group Jan. 6. (Jim Bourg/Reuters)

By Spencer S. Hsu and Rachel Weiner, Washington Post

U.S. authorities on Friday alleged a broader conspiracy to attack the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 among members and associates of the Oath Keepers, naming six new individuals charged in the case, all of whom appeared to be group members or associates.

One member posted on Facebook that 50 to 100 Oath Keepers planned to attend and that Jan. 6 would be “wild,” echoing then-President Donald Trump’s comment on Twitter rallying supporters to D.C.

A 21-page indictment alleged that the defendants “did knowingly combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with each other and others known and unknown” to force entry to the Capitol and obstruct Congress from certifying the election of Joe Biden as president in riots that led to five deaths and assaults on 139 police.

The nine-person indictment named three already charged military veterans — Jessica Marie Watkins, 38, and Donovan Ray Crowl, 50, both of Woodstock, Ohio, and Thomas E. Caldwell, 66, of Berryville, Va. The six new defendants include siblings Graydon Young, 54, of Englewood, Fla., and Laura Steele, of Thomasville, N.C. It also includes married couples Kelly and Connie Meggs, ages 52 and 59, of Dunnellon, Fla., and Bennie and Sandra Parker, ages 70 and 60, of the Cincinnati area.

On Dec. 22, Kelly Meggs wrote a Facebook message saying that Trump’s comment that Jan. 6 would be “wild” meant he “wants us to make it WILD. . . . He called us all to the Capitol. . . . Gentlemen we are heading to DC,” the indictment alleges.

Meggs added a few days later that there would be “at least” 50 to 100 Oath Keepers in attendance.

Steele allegedly emailed Meggs and Florida Oath Keepers on Jan. 3 at her brother’s suggestion, to expedite her application to join the group to participate in the events on Jan. 5 and 6.

“Trump said It’s gonna be wild!!!!!!! . . . He wants us to make it WILD that’s what he’s saying,” Steele allegedly wrote in an electronic message. “He called us all to the Capitol. . . . !!! SirYesSir!!! Gentlemen we are heading to DC,” the charging document stated.

Prosecutors allege that the group conspired to attend or schedule paramilitary combat training; recruited supporters online; and “coordinat[ed] . . . and join[ed] forces” with members of Oath Keepers and people from other regions to invade the Capitol in military-style camouflage tactical gear and in a single-file “stack” formation.

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NJ Gov. Murphy gets bill expanding infrastructure bank financing to cover aviation and marine projects

https://www.senatenj.com/uploads/nj-flag-520.jpg

Sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman (R-Somerset, the bill, A-5057/S-3190), was passed by the Senate today after clearing the Assembly in December. It now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.

“Just as it has done in the aftermath of severe storms like Sandy in the past, the NJIB can be an invaluable asset in mitigating the impact of the pandemic and protecting New Jersey,” said Bateman. “Coronavirus taught us that the State must be prepared to respond to emergencies of all types, and projects to control a viral outbreak are complicated and costly. Authorizing the NJIB to provide emergency relief or disaster loans in the event of a public health emergency or other crisis will help us maintain essential clean water and transportation projects.”

Currently, NJIB can disburse funds for emergency short-term loans to local government units for costs associated with environmental projects.

Under the bill, the Infrastructure Bank also would be authorized to finance the construction of aviation and marine infrastructure projects.

“This legislation will enhance NJIB’s ability to ensure workers are on the job and projects are moving toward completion,” said Bateman. “Projects financed in part by the Infrastructure Bank help strengthen our State and fuel the economy.”

The NJIB is an independent State financing authority that issues revenue bonds to finance low interest loans to finance the construction of environmental and transportation infrastructure improvements.

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Tourism business owners wary as first poles for new power line through western Maine are erected.

Poles went up at an existing corridor near The Forks this week, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s happy.

The first pole of Central Maine Power's controversial hydropower transmission corridor is prepared for installation Tuesday near The Forks. The pole was erected on an existing corridor that had been widened near Moxie Pond.

The first pole of Central Maine Power’s controversial hydropower transmission corridor is prepared for installation Tuesday near The Forks. The pole was erected on an existing corridor that had been widened near Moxie Pond. Associated Press/Robert F. Bukaty


BY GREG LEVINSKY, MORNING SENTINEL

Peter Dostie stood atop Johnson Mountain on Wednesday morning envisioning where the $1 billion New England Clean Energy Connect will run.

The owner of the Hawk’s Nest Lodge in West Forks Plantation, Dostie and six other locals were out on a back country snowmobile ride. During a break on a chilly morning, he reflected on the first poles go up on the controversial New England Clean Energy Connect.

“Right now they’re going down the side of the old powerline and the posts are higher than what they have told us,” said Dostie, who is also West Forks Planation’s Third Selectman. “They really shouldn’t be doing this.”

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The New England Clean Energy Connect is a 145-mile electricity transmission corridor. Poles went up despite the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delaying the construction of a new 53-mile section. The New England Clean Energy Connect, which would be fully funded by Massachusetts customers, runs from Mount Beattie Township on the Canadian border through Lewiston.

Construction on the electricity transmission corridor, also know as the CMP corridor, is technically halted due to legal action. However, workers began installing 829 steel poles on an existing corridor that is a part of the overall project earlier this week. According to a Central Maine Power spokesperson, 380 people are working on the project, including 275 Mainers. The court injunction holds up the first section of the project, but work continues in the second and third sections. The project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2023.

Russell Walters, president of Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort in The Forks, supports the project.

“I’ve certainly noticed increased activity, but haven’t seen any immediate impacts myself,” he said. “I’m happy to see the project get its start, and hopefully we’ll see the benefits of the renewable power. Time will tell.”

Ben Towle, owner of Maine Outdoor Sports in Caratunk, said he understands everyone’s concerns. His business manages the recreation clubs in the area and has a longtime relationship with Central Maine Power.

“Through this process we’ve had a lot of talks about improving the trail systems,” Towle said. “I have no personal issues with the project.”

Workers connect a section of the first pole of Central Maine Power’s hydropower transmission corridor Tuesday near The Forks. Associated Press/Robert F. Bukaty

According to a news release from the New England Clean Energy Connect, the workers are a mix of union and non-union laborers receiving an average salary of $38 per hour and other benefits. The spokesperson wrote in an email that those working on the project are stimulating the local economy, something that Towle also highlighted.

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Workers “are eating at local restaurants and buying gas at gas stations and convenience stores,” the spokesperson wrote. “Some of the workers are traveling from their homes, while others are staying at local inns while doing the work.”

The New England Energy Connect will provide up to 1,200 megawatts of hydropower.

In August, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court rejected a citizens’ initiative to propose a referendum on the corridor.

Elizabeth Caruso, the first selectman in the nearby town of Caratunk, said there is an “outrage” among locals. Caruso was an intervener in the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Public Utilities Commission proceedings. Although the year-round town populations in the area are under 100, there is a huge tourist population.

“There are thousands of snowmobilers, thousands of visitors that come to the area that they are trying to force this corridor in,” Caruso said. “There are thousands of vacation homeowners in the area right where they are clearing and forcing poles up, knowing full well all of the local communities that have voted oppose this project.”

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Some dropping opposition to PSEG’s nuclear subsidy

nuketour
PSE&G’s Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station cooling tower, Friday, Sept. 23, 2005, in Lower Alloways Creek Township Salem County.

From an Atlantic City Press editorial

Last spring, when the Board of Public Utilities first considered a $300 million a year state subsidy for New Jersey’s three nuclear plants, analysis by staff and experts suggested a smaller amount would be enough to keep the plants profitable and open.

That’s important for many reasons, among them because they generate 40% of the state’s electricity and 90% of its carbon-free power.

The BPU’s consultant, Levitan Associates, last year said plant owners PSEG and Exelon didn’t need the subsidies, a position in accord with that of the state Office of the Rate Counsel and the market monitor for the regional power grid. BPU commissioners nonetheless voted 4-1 to grant the subsidies, not taking a chance the plants might close. The plants employ 4,500 and PSEG says replacing their power with carbon-emitting natural gas plants would cost New Jersey residents billions more for their electricity.

Now Levitan has told the BPU the plants are no longer profitable. BPU staff has supported that position in a letter, according to NJ Spotlight. The staff said that even realistic revenue estimates — as opposed to the companies’ forecasts tilted low to favor subsidies — wouldn’t make the plants profitable.

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NJ State Senator Chris Brown is turning the page


By Michelle Brunetti , Atlantic City Press

State Sen. Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, will not seek reelection, he said Thursday.

Former Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian, who previously planned to run for Assembly in the 2nd District, will instead seek to replace Brown.

Brown, 56, who was expected to have a good shot at winning a second term, has been in the state Legislature for 10 years, including six as an assemblyman.

“This chapter in my life was a page-turner, particularly the story about our successful fight to defeat North Jersey casinos, which saved our industry and thousands of local jobs,” Brown said. “I’m grateful for those who helped me write all of the pages in this chapter.”

He said he has been realizing lately how short life is. His father died at 58, when Brown was 22. And Brown was activated to serve in Iraq at 26, when he was a third-year law student.

“Knowing the pages in the Book of Life turn quickly, I believe each chapter should be an adventure,” Brown said. “While this chapter of serving as a legislator is coming to an end, I am looking forward to the next chapter, which I’m sure will lead to another adventure for my family and me. I don’t know what that adventure will be, but I’m excited to find out.”

The unexpected opening means this year’s 2nd Legislative District race will be hard fought and expensive, predicted John Froonjian, executive director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University.

“I would be surprised if Assemblyman (Vince) Mazzeo did not run. He has shown in the past he was interested in the Senate seat in 2017, and had been rumored to be considering it this time,” Froonjian said of the Democrat.

That would mean both the state Senate and an Assembly seat would be open and candidates on both sides would line up to compete, Froonjian said.

Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, said Thursday he will make a decision soon.

“I’m certainly interested. I have a family and close friends to talk to, as well as staff members who have been with me,” Mazzeo said. “I’ll make a decision sooner rather than later. I’ve been 18 years in public office and have learned to be a little more patient with my decision making.”

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said no Democrat wanted to run against Brown.

“I will miss him. He served this area extraordinarily well,” Levinson said, citing Brown’s quiet demeanor and the respect everyone had for him. “We were lucky to have him as long as we did.”

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Remember when Philadelphia said it had stopped combining the disposal of trash and curbside recycling? Well, guess what?

A Philadelphian took a photo of recycling getting picked up with trash. The face of the city worker is obscured to protect their identity. (Jason Peters/Twitter)
A Philadelphian took a photo of recycling getting picked up with trash. The face of the city worker is obscured to protect their identity. (Jason Peters/Twitter)

By Hadriana Lowenkron, WHYY News

After months of issues surrounding trash and recycling pickup across Philadelphia, the city’s system is still not fully functioning — with an unknown percentage of recycling dumped into landfills along with trash pickup each day.

Following the 2019 discovery that Philadelphia deposited at least half of its recycling in an incinerator, the city pledged to continue recycling — even as the cost increased. But the pandemic added operational challenges to the economic ones.

Scott McGrath, the city’s environmental planning director, maintains that inconsistent recycling is not a money-saving strategy and that as soon as the Streets Department has the workers to consistently separate trash from recycling, it will revert to that practice.

“We have more than sufficient funds from a budget standpoint to handle the recycling,” McGrath told the Inquirer in November. “We’re going to do everything we can to keep collecting it.”

McGrath, on Wednesday, described the Sanitation Department as still struggling to regain its footing after the one-two punch of COVID-19, in which the pandemic both created a 30% increase in trash due to residents working from home and led to a decrease in personnel as some contracted the virus.

McGrath could not estimate how much recycling is getting mixed in with trash but confirmed anecdotal reports of a citywide problem without any geographical patterns.

He emphasized that everything collected separately as recycling gets processed at the Waste Management Recycling Plan in Northeast Philadelphia, but admitted that when trash and recycling are collected together, they both get deposited to landfills.

“We have had, more recently, some situations where to get the material off the street, they’ve had to combine the trash and recycling in some areas of the city,” he said. “As we move into the spring, we’re working very diligently to increase the size of our workforce and get our trash and recycling collections back on a stable, normal schedule.”

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Philly facing $450M budget shortfall; officials eye cuts, taxes, and privatization

On a recent morning, Hannah Kohut, a Fairmount resident, watched in shock as sanitation workers combined her trash and recycling onto one truck. Unaware whether this is a temporary move or a long-term policy change, she is calling for more transparency in the city’s decision-making processes. Shortly after submitting a 311 request to look into the matter further, she got a notification that it was resolved, despite noting that “it didn’t change anything.”

“You start to feel like, what’s the point of separating out my recyclables if they’re all just going to go in the trash,” Kohut said.

McGrath said that the city has created tools such as PickupPHL to ensure residents are able to see which routes are being collected and track impacts.

“One thing they tried to work hard to do is try to make sure that it doesn’t impact any particular area of the city more than another part of the city, so we’re trying to keep the service level as even as we can across the city,” he said.

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