Lava flow could force evacuations
Compiled from news services
PAHOA, Hawaii — Lava creeping across roadways destroyed four homes and left dozens of others in the shadow of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano isolated Saturday, forcing more residents to plan for a possible evacuation.
Hawaii County Civil Defense said a fissure near the neighborhood of Lanipuna Gardens has been continuously erupting, releasing a slow-moving lava flow. If that lava threatens a nearby highway, more people will be told to prepare for voluntary evacuation.
On Friday, fast-moving lava crossed a road and isolated about 40 homes in a rural subdivision, forcing at least four people to be evacuated by county and National Guard helicopters.
Police, firefighters and National Guard troops were securing the area of the Big Island and stopping people from entering, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported.
First lady out of hospital
WASHINGTON — The White House said Saturday that first lady Melania Trump had returned home after spending almost five days at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center recovering from a procedure for a kidney condition.
In a statement, Mrs. Trump’s communications director, Stephanie Grisham, said the first lady was “resting comfortably and remains in high spirits.”
President Donald Trump, who visited the military hospital three times this past week, wrote on Twitter: “Great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House. Melania is feeling and doing really well. Thank you for all of your prayers and best wishes!”
Argument leads to shooting
JONESBORO, Ga. — One person was killed and another wounded when an argument led to a shooting outside a high school graduation ceremony Friday night in metro Atlanta, police said.
The incident happened as people headed to their cars, Clayton County schools’ safety chief Thomas Trawick said. He said he couldn’t provide details about the injuries and had no information about any suspects.
The shooting followed a ceremony for graduates of the Perry Learning Center, which prepares students for careers as an alternative to traditional high schools.
Chemical plant fire
HOUSTON — An emergency management official says nearly two dozen people suffered non-life threatening injuries in an explosion and a fire at a chemical plant near Houston.
La Porte Emergency Management Lt. John Krueger says a valve exploded Saturday at Kurary America Eval, causing burns similar to a severe sunburn, and other injuries.
The plant’s address is Pasadena, but is located in an unincorporated area between the Houston suburbs.
Lt. Krueger said all workers are accounted for and no chemicals were released.