Flower Shops Greenwood IN

Greenwood IN Press

Explosion at natural gas plant in Gibson kills 3, injures 2 others

As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, North Bayou Black Drive was reopened to motorists, but the 4700 block of Bayou Black Drive between Blanchard Bridge and Greenwood Bridge remains closed to motorists as firefighters work to extinguish the ongoing fire at the plant.</p><p>"As of now, there is no danger in the surrounding areas. Everything is contained to that site," State Police Troop C spokesman Evan Harrell said. "Don't have any worries about the smoke as it comes towards your direction. It's not an inhalation hazard at all."</p><p>At Bayou Black Elementary, about 1 1/2 miles east, students were ordered to remain in the building for several hours after the explosion.</p><p>"I got an automated call from the school and I came here once I got it," said Tara Blanchard, adding she was concerned about the safety of her two children and checked them out of school. Multiple other parents followed suit.</p><p>The school's enrollment is about 190 students in grades pre-kindergarten through six.</p><p>School officials rerouted their buses to get students who live in the area home from Evergreen Junior High, H.L. Bourgeois High and Gibson Elementary.</p><p>Cindy Brien, who lives across the bayou from the Williams plant, had been painting in the back of her house when she heard what she described as a big boom.</p><p>"I've lived here all my life, and I've never ever experienced this before," she said. "I mean, we've heard some little booms, but nothing like this. When I heard it, it was unbelievable. All I could see was smoke."</p><p>Cindy's daughter-in-law and next-door neighbor Kimmie Brien lives in a trailer house with her family. She was taking a nap when the explosion happened.</p><p>"I heard a big rumble. I got out of bed and woke up my husband, telling him, 'We gotta go,'" Kimmie Brien said. "My son's in school at Bayou Black Elementary my first thought was, 'I gotta get the kids.'"</p><p>"We're pretty much immune to the noises, all the pops and little stirs from there, so today we knew it was something serious," she said, adding that she has lived across the plant for 15 years but this was the first explosion that happened.</p><p>Steve Hebert, who lives behind Hughes, said he was born and raised in Bayou Black and could not imagine living anywhere else.</p><p>"I love living here," Hebert said. "(The worry) is always in the back of your brain, but you never expect it to happen. It's so quiet out here."</p><p>Two years ago, a similar explosion occurred at a Williams plant in Geismar where one person was killed. The company was required to pay a $36,000 penalty in addition to being charged with several violations of varying severity, according to OSHA.</p><p></p><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d13876.068380223382!2d-90.87609489999998!3d29.603189300000025!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xcdd2647b73396b4c!2sWilliams+Gas+Pipeline+Co.!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1444324659107" width="600" height="450" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>... http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20151008/NOTICE/151009740

Heath Spence

Rita and Robert “Spud” Austin of Mt. Ida; one brother, Erick Spence and wife April of Greenwood; and one sister, Cristy Peaslee of Fort Smith. Heath also leaves behind his uncle, Alfred Abshere of Lavaca. Heath will forever remain in the hearts of two grandmothers, Marianne Abshere of Greenwood and Sue Spence of Van Buren; as well as two precious nieces, Audrey Spence and Anna Spence. Heath was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Roy Lee Abshere and Lloyd Spence. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron. Heath asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Three Girls Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 1001, Shady Point, OK 74956 or you may make contributions online to their PayPal link: http://form.jotformpro.com/form acct. # 42637003824955. Heath fostered “Tilley,” who brought him so much joy and love. You may leave online condolences for Heath’s family at www.heritagememorialfh.com. http://swtimes.com/obituaries/heath-spence

Women Linking Women

Inn on the Square.  Themed around the SC Festival of Flowers, attendees will be “Building and Blooming Relationships.”  Hosted by Greenwood Family YMCA, Women Linking Women is a relaxed, guided networking event that helps women move beyond small talk. The event is inspired by similar programs in other communities, and attracts women from a wide range of industries. According to event chair Barbara Warner of Nurse Navigators 4 Integrative Healing, “If you’re wondering how to meet other dynamic women, like yourself, or if you are new to Greenwood, or just want to become connected to what’s happening and how you can make a difference…join us for this fun, yet focused, networking event!”    Participants will have the chance to meet up to 18 new women in various small groups. A facilitator will share open-ended questions and guide the groups through quality, professional conversations. Women Linking Women will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a brief continental breakfast, followed by the program from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.  Registration is $12 and payment is necessary to reserve a seat.  Seating is limited.  Contact the Chamber at (864) 889-9314 to make a reservation or email Info@GreenwoodSCchamber.org.  ... http://www.gwdtoday.com/main.asp?SectionID%3D16%26SubSectionID%3D287%26ArticleID%3D37540