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EAST PALESTINE -- The East Palestine Train Derailment Health Research Program is working with the community to provide updates on research and also gather input from those affected by the 2023 derailment.
The program is hosting several events this month, with the public invited to attend a free community meeting on Monday.
The meeting will feature a health research update at the East Palestine High School Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 16.
The community will hear updates from researchers at the University of Kentucky, University of Pittsburgh and Yale University, plus a panel on lessons from Parkersburg, West Virginia's C8 Health Project that was featured in the movie Dark Waters.
The program is also hosting a Holiday Coloring Contest that is free and open to all ages, with prizes for each age group.
Age groups are 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 13-17 and 18 and up. Entries are due Friday, Nov. 13 and coloring pages can be picked up at The Way Station or East Palestine Memorial Public Library. The completed pages can be turned back in to these locations as well, with winners announced at the community meeting on Nov. 16.
Other events to be hosted this month include listening sessions for East Palestine and Pennsylvania residents as well as workers and volunteer firefighters, railroad workers, government workers, media, volunteers and anyone who worked at or near the derailment site.
"We want to hear, in people's own words, how the derailment has affected them," Misti Allison, Community Advisory Board Chair of the East Palestine Train Derailment Research Program, said.
Only registered participants are able to attend the sessions, with participants selected earlier this week.
The East Palestine and Pennsylvania listening sessions will take place on Monday in East Palestine and Pennsylvania and the worker and volunteers listening session will take place on Tuesday in East Palestine.