Opponents suspect environmental racism in pipeline project
Robinson's land is coveted by Valero Energy and Plains All American Pipeline, and their joint venture, the Byhalia Connection. โItโs just not fair.โThe Byhalia Connection would link the east-west Diamond Pipeline through the Valero refinery in Memphis to the north-south Capline Pipeline near Byhalia, Mississippi. Opponents suspect environmental racism โ the practice of placing toxic factories, landfills and other polluters in minority neighborhoods and indigenous areas, where voiceless residents only realize the danger after people get sick. Byhalia Connection spokeswoman Katie Martin said the comment doesn't reflect the company's views. Byhalia Connection representatives say the pipeline will make refineries along the artery more efficient and poses no threat to the aquifer.
Flood of donations after toy theft means 1,600 underprivileged San Antonio kids get toys instead of 60
SAN ANTONIO โ As cars snaked past the San Antonio Housing Authority office Wednesday to be loaded with presents, it capped off a San Antonio holiday story fit for a movie. We became Whoville, or the North Pole -- whatever,โ said SAHA Director of Community Development Initiatives Joel Tabar with a chuckle. The piles of toys handed out to children living in SAHA public housing properties were there, ironically enough, because of a theft, which ignited the cityโs generosity in a big way. The donations included $17,000 in monetary contributions, he said, and SAHA was able to invite families at all of its public housing properties to register to get toys for their kids. Looking over Wednesdayโs distribution event, Nieto called it โa blessing.โโThe character of the city is what happened here,โ Nieto said.