A D.C. lawmaker is calling for new leadership at the District’s embattled Department of Forensic Sciences, which had its accreditation to perform forensic testing withdrawn and remains the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.
In an exclusive interview with WTOP Tuesday morning, Ward 6 D.C. Council member Charles Allen said he no longer has confidence in Dr. Jenifer Smith, a longtime FBI DNA expert, who was appointed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to lead the independent agency in 2015.
“I think it’s clear we need new leadership,” Allen said. “So whether that comes in the form of Dr. Smith resigning to make way for new leadership, or whether that’s through any other action, I think what’s clear is Dr. Smith is unable to lead the agency at this point. What we need is to be able to restore the faith in DFS and restore the ability to have an independent and accredited agency. That just does not happen with Dr. Smith, and we’re going to have to have new leadership
April 30, 2021
Natalie St. Denis
YouTube beauty influencer Jeffree Star and his friend, Daniel Lucas, were hospitalized after a car crash in Wyoming April 16. Star was driving a Rolls-Royce when it hit black ice and flipped three times.
Both Star and Lucas were admitted to Wyoming Medical Center. Star updated his followers saying he would have to wear a brace for a few months to heal his broken back. Lucas had some internal issues because of his previous battle with stage three colon cancer.
Rumors spiraled concerning the car accident. Many people were accusing Star of faking or exaggerating the impact of the accident in order to publicize his latest product line. The cannabis-themed line, the Star Lounge, was set to be released just a few days later April 20.
THE FUTURE of Christchurch’s Druitt Hall remains uncertain, with some councillors calling for a replacement for the building. The community hall in central Christchurch, which was discussed at Christchurch Town’ Council’s recent Community Committee meeting,is in need of repairs to its windows and roof, costing in excess of £240,000. The buildings surveyor states that repairs could add another 30 years onto the building’s longevity. A statement was prepared by Adam Elcock, chartered building surveyor at Elcock Associates, and read out in the online meeting, held on Friday April 23, by town clerk Daniel Lucas. It said: “Subject to the building being maintained, then I would suggest 30 years is still feasible.
Over 1.4m hectares of forest cover now under gazetted village reserves
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Over 1.4m hectares of forest cover now under gazetted village reserves
A record of over 1.4 million hectares of forest cover have been turned into Village Land Forest Reserves (VLFRs) across the country hence engaging villagers to directly manage such resources sustainably.
Villagers taking tree measures to ascertain the level of carbon credit as part of CBFM training.
Under Community Based Forest Management (CBFM), the villagers take full ownership and management of such forests and thus prevent random deforestation. Tanzania Forest Management Community Network’s Northern Zone Coordinator, Daniel Lucas said last week that they have trained villagers in Kilindi district of Tanga region.