Apollo Theatre Reopens

Apollo Theatre In Belvidere Begins New Chapter After Family ‘Put Their Heart And Soul’ Into Repairs

September 15, 2023 at 9:09 pm Updated: September 18th, 2023 at 9:44 am Kevin Haas

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By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — The Apollo Theatre began a new chapter on Friday, and it started with owner Maria Martinez delivering an emotional statement from the event space where the roof collapsed during a tornado more than five months ago.

“First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest condolences to everyone who was at the Apollo on night of the tornado,” Martinez said, pausing several times during her prepared remarks to gather her emotions. “I would like to ask that we pause and take a moment of silence for those who were injured, namely for Fred Livingston Jr. who tragically passed away during the disaster.”

Martinez and her family marked the relaunch of The Apollo Theatre, 104 N. State St., during a private event Friday night. On Saturday, the 101-year-old theater will host its first public event since an EF-1 tornado struck during a heavy metal concert March 31, injuring dozens and killing Livingston Jr. He was 50 years old.

Martinez said the work was paid for through insurance and personal funds.

“My entire family, especially my husband, Jesus, has put their heart and soul into cleaning, repairing, and restoring this beautiful historical building so that our community may continue enjoying events and celebrations here for a long time,” she said.

Her speech was met with a standing ovation from family, friends and supporters gathered at the theater Friday while she stepped away to tearfully embrace her family.

“Maria and her family has put not only their personal resources to it, but they put their heart and soul. This is part of their community and their life,” said Pamela Lopez-Fettes, executive director of Growth Dimensions. “This is not a venue that she looks to make a lot of money on. … She does this because this is where her heart is, and this is what she wants to do for her community.”

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The reopening came after the family quietly worked on the building for months. They haven’t conducted interviews or offered many public statements, likely to be careful with their words after several lawsuits have been filed by people injured in the collapse.

For people at Friday’s event, the work spoke for itself.

“They changed the colors. They’ve brightened it up a bit,” Lopez-Fettes said. “They’ve improved the overall atmosphere.”

There was also some character added to the second-story archways that flank both sides of the space above the stage. Jesus Martinez crafted decorative doors that covered some of the damage in a way that fit into the existing archway.

State Sen. Steve Stadelman, a Democrat from Loves Park, said that when he saw the facility the day after the storm, there was speculation that too much damage had been done and it could be torn down.

“It’s incredible. As someone who was here the day after the tornado moved through, and saw what this place looked like to where it’s at now,” Stadelman said. “I never would’ve believed that several months later they’d be holding a gathering here tonight and entertainment will soon be here again.”

The first public event is a free musical celebration Saturday coinciding with Mexican Independence Day. There are four bands and a DJ, and the event begins at 8 p.m. There are also concerts on the schedule for Sept. 29 and Oct. 6.

“When news of the tornado broke there were messages of concern from all over the country, probably all over the world as well,” Stadelman said. “You had people in Texas, California, other parts of the world that expressed their sympathies and were concerned about the future of this building. That’s the type of attraction it’s become in this region.”

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Full statement

Here is the full statement Maria Martinez delivered during Friday’s private event.

“First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest condolences to everyone who was at the Apollo on night of the tornado. I would like to ask that we pause and take a moment of silence for those who were injured, namely for Fred Livingston Jr. who tragically passed away during the disaster.

“My entire family, especially my husband, Jesus, has put their heart and soul into cleaning, repairing, and restoring this beautiful Historical building so that our community may continue enjoying events and celebrations here for a long time!

“Thanks to Country Financial insurance we were able to quickly begin the long process of restoring the Apollo. Unfortunately, there have been no disaster relief funds available from the state or federal level. The remaining work was completed using personal funds and made possible thanks to the work done by my family and friends. I thank the community and the city of Belvidere for helping to facilitate these efforts.”

 

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This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas

See the photos from this article by going to original at:  https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2023/09/15/apollo-theatre-in-belvidere-begins-new-chapter-after-family-put-their-heart-and-soul-into-repairs/

Day 1 Without Cash Bail

Day 1 Without Cash Bail: 27 Cases Heard, Including One Involving The Shooting Death Of A 10-Year-Old

September 18, 2023 at 10:31 pm Updated: September 19th, 2023 at 3:32 pm Kevin Haas

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By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Charges against a South Beloit man who police say left weapons unattended, leading to the death of a 10-year-old boy, were among the first that forced a judge to decide whether the defendant deserved to remain in jail while awaiting trial under the state’s new pretrial laws.

State’s Attorney J. Hanley argued that Jose Sandovaltenorio, a 30-year-old man who was charged with possession of weapons without a FOID card and child endangerment, should be held in jail before trial because he poses a potential danger to children and family members at home.

The defense countered that the fatal shooting was “an absolute tragedy,” but that there are no facts to suggest Sandovaltenorio would be a continued danger if released from jail given he has no criminal history, has lived in the area for more than a dozen years and is employed here.

The argument played out in a second-floor courtroom of the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center on Monday during a closely watched first day under the Pretrial Fairness Act in Illinois.

Sandovaltenorio’s case was among 27 called on the first day of the new initial appearance court, which replaces bond court after Illinois became the first state in the nation to end cash bail. His was among the first five cases called on Monday, and the second where prosecutors petitioned the court for the defendant to be held before trial.

Hanley told Judge Scott Paccagnini that Sandovaltenorio had two pistols and ammunition under a board in his bedroom. He and his wife had left two children, ages 9 and 10, alone at home while they went out to a festival in Beloit.

There were several realistic toy guns near the real guns, and it was easy to remove the board, Hanley said.

Under the old system, the judge would have set a bond and Sandovltenorio would have been released if he could post that amount — likely a couple thousand to a few thousand dollars given the charges.

In the new system, he could only be detained if he’s considered a danger to the public or at risk of fleeing before trial.

Paccagnini ultimately decided that while the shooting was tragic, it did not meet the standards for Sandovltenorio to be held in jail. He was released with the condition that he possesses no weapons. He’s due back in court Oct. 17.

Tracking Day 1

While the Rock River Current typically does not focus on crime or court proceedings, we observed the first day of initial appearance court in order to provide an understanding and a glimpse of how the new law is taking hold.

There were nine cases where prosecutors sought to detain the defendant before trial, the majority of which stemmed from domestic violence charges. Two of those cases were continued for hearings Tuesday morning after the first-day court call continued from 1:30 p.m. into the six o’clock hour.

In five cases, the judge denied the state’s motion to detain the defendant in jail. Paccagnini granted two motions to jail the defendant before trial, and both cases centered around domestic violence with a high risk-assessment score from pretrial services.

In four other cases, prosecutors moved to revoke a previously posted bond and detain the defendant in jail. Those cases are slated to be heard Tuesday morning.

The majority of the other 14 cases were not detainable offenses under the new law, including driving under the influence charges and Class B and C misdemeanors and petty offenses.

Zimmerman, the public defender, had argued in court that it is unconstitutional for defendants to be held in jail on probational offenses, such as Class A misdemeanors. Paccagnini ruled against that motion, but it could be appealed in the coming weeks.

“While feeling some uneasiness about the first day of initial appearance court, it generally went as expected and without any real surprises,” Hanley said. “The constitutionality question raised by defendants — particularly those charged with Class A misdemeanor domestic cases — will be revolved via appeal in the upcoming weeks, but that could have a significant impact on our ability to detain those charged with misdemeanor domestic cases.”

 

The courtroom was also filled Monday with volunteer court watchers, including local clergy and members of the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice.

That group rallied outside the courthouse on Monday before about 10 or so sat through portions or all of the first day of initial appearance court. They’ve argued that the new system restores the presumption of innocence and it’s more equitable because people won’t be held in jail simply because they can’t afford bail.

“We can do better than locking people up because they can’t pay their bills,” said the Rev. Matthew Johnson, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockford. “The influence of money in our system has eaten away at our ideals. What we’re doing today is bringing us back to a sense of putting people’s humanity here in the system.”

State Rep. Maurice West, who supported the passage of the law in Springfield, said that critics will look to blame the end of cash bail on any public safety issues in the state.

“Remember that monumental change is often met with push back, both good and bad,” West said. “I ask that each of us utilize the power that we all possess to decipher between the two.”

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This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas

Above is from https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2023/09/18/day-1-without-cash-bail-27-cases-heard-including-one-involving-the-shooting-death-of-a-10-year-old/

Boone County Clerk now on administrative leave

Rockford Register Star

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Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges

Story by Rockford Register Star •5h

The Boone County Clerk's office will host a coin flip Friday afternoon to determine the winner of the primary election for Alderman of Ward 2.© PHOTO PROVIDED

A Boone County official has been placed on administrative leave after she allegedly stole from the government.

Julie Bliss, the county clerk and recorder, was charged with theft of government property and official misconduct last month.

More: Rockford-area official arrested, charged with theft of government property

An investigation into Bliss began in April 2023 after an employee with the county clerk's office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.

Related video: Illinois county clerk arrested, charged with theft of government property (WQRF Rockford)

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Bliss was arrested and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The county has hired Sikich, LLP, an accounting firm, to assist the Illinois State Police in the investigation.

Bliss entered an agreement with the county on Sept. 5 to go on administrative leave.**

Theft of government property is a Class 2 felony while official misconduct is a Class 3 felony. Bliss faces up to 12 years in prison on the charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges

Above is from:  Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges (msn.com)

** BASEDS ON CHANNEL 13 NEWS this is paid administrative leave.

No Bail is almost here

Rockford Register Star

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The end of cash bail is coming. Here's how Rockford area court systems are preparing.

Story by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star •11h

The Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center is located at 650 W. State St. in Rockford.© MAX GERSH/ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR FILE

With a Sept. 18 deadline looming, the criminal justice system in the Rockford region and across Illinois is racing to prepare for the end of cash bail.

Illinois is the first state to legislate the elimination of cash bail as part of the Pretrial Fairness Act, upending a fundamental process of criminal courts and replacing it with something entirely new.

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The change means no more bond court. Instead, in Winnebago County there will be a courtroom reserved full time mornings and afternoons for initial court appearances and pretrial detention hearings. Similar measures are being made in Boone County where courts are adding a Monday morning court call for anyone arrested and held over the weekend.

There are other court calls being reserved for people cited with a "notice to appear," something that will become more common as more offenses aren't considered detainable.

Winnebago County Court Administrator Tom Jakeway said the result is that criminal courts and law enforcement are being forced to change how they operate.

"Come Sept. 18 we are still flying a plane, but the cockpit controls and preflight checklists are all different," Jakeway said. "The pilot and flight crew have new procedures to follow."

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More: Constitutional! Illinois Supreme Court's SAFE-T Act ruling ends cash bail for state

Big change coming

Money bonds will no longer be used to make sure defendants return to court for trial and hearings, a practice criminal justice reform advocates argued penalized anyone who couldn't afford bail. Instead, only those defendants arrested for detainable offenses including Class 3 felonies and above can be held in jail until trial.

Those accused of violent crimes, sex assaults, gun crimes and domestic battery among others are also considered detainable in jail before a trial. But to deny a defendant pretrial release, prosecutors must within 48 hours of their arrest show by clear and convincing evidence a defendant is a flight risk or a danger to specific people or the community.

Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley said the new law will take plenty of adjustment both in terms of staffing and approach.

In some cases, police will be asked to serve warrants, but instead of making an arrest they will issue a notice to appear in court. In other cases, they will have discretion on whether to issue a citation or make an arrest.

"That's a big change for law enforcement," Hanley said.

'That's frustrating'

There are also what Hanley said are frustrating aspects to the law.

Hanley said judges should have been given wider discretion over pretrial release.

"DUI is a non-detainable offense unless you pick up a second DUI while on pretrial release," Hanley said. "That’s frustrating to me. As we have been doing bond court, I am like 'how the heck can we not argue this person is a danger to the community?' This person has two or three prior DUIs. That to me is a hole in the law in that they have removed the judge’s discretion to detain someone pretrial in certain circumstances."

If a defendant is charged with injuring or killing someone while driving under the influence, they can be detained, Hanley said, but only if shown to be a danger to the community or a flight risk.

'Going to be a learning curve'

Although the new law will place a strain on his office because it will require more personnel, Winnebago County Public Defender Nick Zimmerman said he supports the changes.

"Right now, a person who could be the most violent person on Earth is charged with a crime and bond is set at $100,000, they can post that $10,000 and be released because they have money," Zimmerman said. "On the flip side, you can have someone who is not violent, but poor and is charged with something relatively minor, but doesn't have 100 bucks to get out. So they sit in custody even though they aren't violent. They are just poor."

It will mean plenty of changes for public defenders, Zimmerman said.

Public defenders usually meet their clients for the first time when they show up in bond court.

But the new rules means preparing an argument on why clients are not a flight risk or public safety danger.

Public defenders assigned to pretrial courts are going to spend much of their mornings meeting with those who were arrested the night before to get ready for a 1:30 p.m. first appearance and detention hearing.

"We hope the plan we have figured out will work and if it doesn’t, we will make adjustments as we go," Zimmerman said. "It's going to be a learning curve."

More: Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act on hold, but 'court watching' in full effect

Safety paramount

Boone County State's Attorney Tricia Smith said it's unclear how the new law will impact public safety. But she said the new system will upset work schedules and strain already short-handed staffs.

"Our main concern is public safety and the safety of victims," Smith said. "This is a new approach, and only time will tell whether we are able to maintain that safety."

Some prosecutors may have to rotate working Sundays or get a very early morning start to prepare for Monday morning detention hearings, Smith said.

"We are getting communications from the jail early in the morning — 4:30 or 5 o'clock in the morning. They are sending out emails so we can prepare for what the day is going to look like depending on what happened during the overnight hours," Smith said. "Because it's all new, we are going to see how it works for a few months and then make decisions."

Jeff Kolkey can be reached at  (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on Twitter @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: The end of cash bail is coming. Here's how Rockford area court systems are preparing.

Above is from:  The end of cash bail is coming. Here's how Rockford area court systems are preparing. (msn.com)

Diane Hendricks: the good and the bad?

Diane Hendricks Is the Richest Self-Made Woman — How Did She Do It?

As the richest self-made woman according to 'Forbes,' Diane Hendricks has a lot going on. What’s her actual net worth? Here's how she made billions.

BY RACHEL CURRY

FEB. 24 2023, UPDATED 4:52 P.M. ET

SOURCE: ABC SUPPLY

In this article

• What is Diane Hendricks' net worth?
• How many times was Diane Hendricks named the richest self-made woman by 'Forbes'?
• Diane Hendricks is self made, but what does that mean?
• How did Diane Hendricks get rich?

A decade and a half after roofing billionaire Ken Hendricks fell through a roof and died, Forbes recognized Diane Hendricks as the richest self-made woman in the world for five years in a row. Despite losing her husband, Hendricks has gone on to amass a major fortune. So, just how rich is Diane Hendricks today?

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According to Forbes, a self-made woman didn't come from inherited wealth. Get the scoop on Hendricks’ net worth, plus how she made her fortune before and after her husband’s early death.

DIANE HENDRICKS

Founder of ABC Supply

Net worth: $12.2 billion

Diane Hendricks' wealth fluctuates, but Forbes has kept her in the number one spot of the world's richest self-made women for five years running as of 2022. The pandemic-era housing and constriction boom has propelled her roofing business to new heights.

Birthplace: Wisconsin

Birth year: 1947

Spouse: Ken Hendricks (died 2007)

Education: Osseo-Fairchild High School

Number of Children: 7

What is Diane Hendricks' net worth?

SOURCE: HENDRICKS FAMILY FOUNDATION

In 2012, Hendricks had an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion. In 2021, that number had ballooned to $11.1 billion. Today, it’s even higher. According to Forbes methodology, Hendricks has a self-made score of nine out of 10, meaning she is primarily self-made but circumstantially received a helping hand. As of February 2023, Hendricks is reportedly worth $12.2 billion.

How many times was Diane Hendricks named the richest self-made woman by 'Forbes'?

In its 2022 iteration of America’s Richest Self-Made Women list, Forbes has put Henricks at the top for the fifth year running. During that same year, Hendricks found company in other major players, including Reese Witherspoon, who sold her production company Hello Sunshine to a Blackstone-backed group last year.

Hendricks founded roofing and building materials company ABC Supply in 1982 with her late husband. She continues to reside in Wisconsin, her home state.

Diane Hendricks is self made, but what does that mean?

Hendricks was born in 1947 to a pair of dairy farmers. One of nine sisters in her family, she eventually earned a high school diploma and got married, but divorced her first husband and married Ken 10 years later. For Hendricks, what started as a career selling custom-built homes turned into a fast-growing business venture on the backs of two married people.

Hendricks and her late husband launched ABC Supply on their own lines of credit. Today, ABC Supply is the largest wholesale roofing distributor in the U.S. (and one of the leading siding distributors, too).

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How did Diane Hendricks get rich?

Hendricks isn't a stranger to the Forbes list of wealthiest self-made women, but her net worth has grown a lot in recent years. In addition to ABC Supply, Hendricks also owns Hendricks Holding Co., whose portfolio includes companies in transportation, recycling, industrial, real estate, healthcare, and other sectors.

As for the husband's wealth, he had a net worth of $3.5 billion when he passed away and was the 91st richest person in the U.S. However, he was notoriously thrifty and retained his midwestern values. Hendricks has seven children with her late husband.

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Despite leading a somewhat frugal lifestyle, Hendricks has been known to donate to Republican political campaigns, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who incorrectly blamed the tampon shortage on transgender people.

Hendricks is also a philanthropist, supporting WisconsinEye, Beloit College, Stateline Boys & Girls Club, and more. She has poured a lot of money into Beloit, rebuilding entire blocks and bringing business into the state of Wisconsin, but maintains a philanthropy score of just one out of 10 according to Forbes.

The ABC Supply founder maintains her wealth despite past tax controversies, including failing to pay state income taxes for four years during the early 2010s. She also underpaid property taxes on a fraudulently assessed multi-million dollar home.

The above is from:  https://marketrealist.com/p/diane-hendricks-net-worth/

E-fuels the other answer to zero carbon producing cars

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Explainer: What are e-fuels, and can they help make cars CO2-free?

By Victoria Waldersee and Kate Abnett

March 22, 20233:10 AM CDTUpdated 6 months ago

Benz Group AG

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BERLIN/BRUSSELS, March 22 (Reuters) - Germany has declared last-minute opposition to a landmark European Union law to end sales of CO2-emitting cars in 2035, demanding that sales be allowed of new cars with internal combustion engines after that date if they run on e-fuels.

The EU rules would require all new cars sold from 2035 to have zero CO2 emissions, making it effectively impossible to sell new fossil fuel-powered cars.

The law - which Germany, alongside a majority of EU countries and lawmakers, previously supported - would not ban internal combustion engines (ICEs).

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But it is seen as a death knell for the technology because of a dearth of options that could enable ICE cars to operate without producing CO2.

Here's what you need to know.

WHAT ARE E-FUELS?

E-fuels, like e-kerosene, e-methane, or e-methanol, are made by synthesizing captured CO2 emissions and hydrogen produced using renewable or CO2-free electricity.

The fuels release CO2 into the atmosphere when used in an engine. But the idea is that those emissions are equal to the amount taken out of the atmosphere to produce the fuel - making it CO2-neutral overall.

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Germany and Italy want clearer assurances from the EU that sales of new ICE cars can continue beyond 2035, if they run on CO2-neutral fuels.

WHO MAKES THEM?

Most major carmakers are betting on battery-electric vehicles - a technology that is already widely available - as the main route to cut CO2 emissions from passenger cars.

But suppliers and oil majors defend e-fuels, as well as a number of carmakers who don't want their vehicles weighed down by heavy batteries.

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E-fuels are not yet produced at scale. The world's first commercial plant opened in Chile in 2021, backed by Porsche and aiming to produce 550 million litres per year. Other planned plants include Norway's Norsk e-Fuel, due to begin producing in 2024 with a focus on aviation fuel.

CAN E-FUELS CLEAN UP CARS?

E-fuels can be used in today's ICE vehicles and transported via existing fossil fuel logistics networks - good news for ICE component makers and companies which transport petrol and diesel.

Supporters say e-fuels offer a route to cut the CO2 emissions of our existing passenger car fleet, without replacing every vehicle with an electric one.

Critics highlight that manufacturing e-fuels is very expensive and energy-intensive. Using e-fuels in an ICE car requires about five times more renewable electricity than running a battery-electric vehicle, according to a 2021 paper in the Nature Climate Change journal.

Some policymakers also argue that e-fuels should be reserved for hard-to-decarbonise sectors such as shipping and aviation - which, unlike passenger cars, cannot easily run on electric batteries.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE EU LAW?

Days before the final vote on the EU law, which was scheduled for March 7, German Transport Minister Volker Wissing called into question Germany's support for it.

That has put one of Europe's core climate change policies on hold - and surprised other policymakers, because EU countries and lawmakers had already agreed the law last year.

Alongside Germany and Italy, countries including the Czech Republic and Poland have expressed concerns about the law, raising the possibility of enough support to block it.

But other EU lawmakers and diplomats warn that allowing one country to torpedo an already-agreed law would endanger other carefully negotiated deals on EU policies.

Free Democratic Party member Wissing said the use of e-fuels should remain possible after 2035, and a promised European Commission proposal on this was still missing.

In response, the European Commission has drafted a proposal, seen by Reuters, to allow carmakers to register new cars in the EU that can run on climate neutral e-fuels only. That could be a first step towards allowing their sale after 2035.

The draft proposal said vehicles must use technology that would prevent the car from starting if it used non-carbon-neutral fuels.

The International Council on Clean Transportation said it was doubtful technologies would be able to sense whether a vehicle is operating on pure e-fuels or a blend with fossil fuels - since e-fuels have very similar properties to the fossil fuels they are designed to replace.

An EU official told Reuters any new proposal would be made only after countries approve the combustion engine phaseout. Germany's Transport Ministry said it was examining the draft proposal.

WHAT DO COMPANIES WANT?

Big auto component suppliers in Germany such as Bosch, ZF and Mahle are members of the eFuel Alliance, an industry lobby group, as are oil and gas majors from ExxonMobil to Repsol.

Carmakers such as Piech, Porsche and Mazda are broadly supportive of the technology. Porsche holds a stake in e-fuel producer HIF Global.

BMW (BMWG.DE) has invested $12.5 million in e-fuel startup Prometheus Fuels, while also investing billions in battery-electric technology.

Other carmakers including Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) are betting on battery-electric vehicles to decarbonise. Volvo and Ford this week urged EU countries not to row back on the 2035 phaseout of new

Above is from:   https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/what-are-e-fuels-can-they-help-make-cars-co2-free-2023-03-07/

Supreme Court “guts” EPA and the Clean Water Act

The Cool Down

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Expert sounds the alarm after U.S. Supreme Court sides with couple wanting to build house at protected site

Story by Laurelle Stelle •6h

HAVE YOUR SAY

Poll: What do you think of the Supreme Court ruling?

Sacketts family prevails in Supreme Court battle with EPA© Provided by The Cool Down

Since the creation of the Clean Water Act in 1972, the federal government has had the authority to protect bodies of water throughout the U.S. from pollution. This traditionally included wetlands, which play a vital role in feeding open bodies of water like rivers and lakes.

However, thanks to a Supreme Court ruling in May, this federal protection has been removed from many crucial wetlands across the country, the Guardian reports.

What happened?

According to the Guardian, Michael and Chantell Sackett are Idaho residents who bought a half-acre lot in 2004 near Priest Lake, one of the state’s largest bodies of water. They intended to build a home there and started to fill in the marshy site with gravel.

The Sacketts didn’t know that the site was a protected wetland, which they would need a permit to fill in, the Guardian explains. The EPA stepped in to stop construction and issued serious fines for the work already done.

The Sacketts began a 15-year legal battle, which made it to the Supreme Court this year. The central question was whether the EPA had the authority to prevent the Sacketts from building on a wetland area.

The Supreme Court ruled in the Sacketts’ favor. It found that the Clean Water Act applied only to “wetlands with a continuous surface connection to bodies that are waters of the United States in their own rights.”

Why does this decision matter?

As the U.S. Geological Survey explains, wetlands are crucial to America’s water system and environment. They catch and filter water before it reaches rivers and lakes, keeping those sources clean for human use — even if the wetlands don’t have an obvious surface connection to those bodies of water.

Wetlands also absorb stormwater to prevent floods, protect coastlines from eroding, and provide food and shelter to wildlife that people rely on, including young fish and shellfish.

If the EPA doesn’t have the authority to protect wetlands, those areas may be polluted, filled in, or drained in ways that harm whole communities. The former wetland and the surrounding area would experience increased flood risks, and fish populations in nearby waters would drop. People who rely on those water sources for household use or crops would also see a decline in water quality and safety.

What’s being done about the change?

This decision came at a time when the Clean Water Act was being strengthened by the EPA and the Biden administration, so the federal government may take action to address the change.

Jim Murphy of the National Wildlife Federation also called on Congress and state governments to create new laws to protect the wetlands that have suddenly been left exposed.

“For 50 years the Clean Water Act has been instrumental in revitalizing and safeguarding drinking water sources for people and wildlife, wetlands for flood control, and habitats that sustain our wildlife heritage,” said Murphy. “The court’s ruling removes these vital protections from important streams and wetlands in every state. We call on both Congress and state governments to step in, plug the gap, and protect our threatened waters and the people that depend on them.”

Whales are ingesting up to 10 million pieces of microplastic per day: ‘Like training for a marathon and eating only jelly beans’© Provided by The Cool Down

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Expert sounds the alarm after U.S. Supreme Court sides with couple wanting to build house at protected site first appeared on The Cool Down.