February 2011 Archives

Expert witnesses for those opposed to a Thamesville-area wind farm leveled criticism at provincial reports on wind turbines during an Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal hearing in Chatham.  The Kent Breeze Wind Farm project, owned by Suncor Energy, is being challenged by appellants Katie Erickson and Chatham-Kent Wind Action Inc. on the basis that noise from wind farms can cause harm to human health, including sleep disturbance, psychological stress, inner-ear symptoms and headaches to those living near the structures.

New York environmental psychologist Dr. Arline Bronzaft testified and criticized the report titled Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects, an Expert Panel Review, prepared for the Canadian and American wind energy associations.  She said the report didn't include a full-range exploration of studies dealing with the impact of noise in human behaviour and performance.

Read more:  www.chathamdailynews.com.

A federal judge has refused to throw out a mother's lawsuit against the city of Jackson, MS, over the death of her son, who died in 2007 after a police officer jolted him with a Taser.  U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said he will not consider dismissing the suit until after Rafael Forbes' body is exhumed for a new autopsy.

Wingate said Patricia Forbes will be allowed 30 days from the date of former Jackson police officer Nick Brown's deposition to submit an expert report on excessive force.  The new testing was ordered following testimony by the family's medical expert questioning the findings of the 2007 autopsy performed by Dr. Steven Hayne for the Hinds County coroner's office.

Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/.