Latest news with #BarryRoss
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
West Midlands fans celebrate 'nerve-wracking' Lionesses victory
Football fans in the West Midlands have been celebrating a nail-biting Lionesses victory as the team clinched their place in the Euro 2025 final."It was electric, just proper bouncing," said Barry Ross, from Rubery, Birmingham, watching in the Stade de Geneve as Chloe Kelly scored a late winner on Tuesday in extra spectator Kevin Morris, from Hereford, agreed. "When we equalised at the last kick of the game in the 96th minute, it just went mental."England will face either world champions Spain or Euro 2022 runners-up Germany in the final on Sunday. Mr Morris and his family have been following the Lionesses around Switzerland in a camper-van and he said it was unbelievable to see them get so far."I thought we'd see the group games, as usually England would probably get knocked out in the quarter-finals, and then we'd do some travelling around Europe," he the van is due back in Hereford on Thursday, he is intending to leave his family in Switzerland and dash back in his car to rejoin them."We've had a great couple of weeks and I don't think we can miss the final now," he said. Birmingham City Women Supporters Group member Mr Ross had not planned to stay on either, so will try to catch the final on TV on a cruise ship off the coast of time in Switzerland had been "so much fun but very tiring", he said."We've been lucky to get where we are. The last couple of games haven't been brilliant but we've pulled through," he added. Watching from home, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton's former PE teacher Emma Heighway described the dramatic match as "another nerve-wracker"."Knowing Hannah, she kept herself really calm," she said. The Birmingham-born 24-year-old went to Erasmus Darwin Academy in Burntwood, Staffordshire, after growing up in Studley, Warwickshire."Her distribution is always really great in the game and she provided a lot of long balls and throws to be able to kickstart the game from the back, so I'm really proud of her."Former Birmingham City captain Kerys Harrop, who has played with Hampton, said the match was again won by the team's super subs, who have been instrumental in the squad's progress."[I'm] just buzzing for Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly because they obviously want to start the games but [they're] coming on and having just as much of an important impact," she said. Elsewhere groups of friends and colleagues gathered to watch the game while a big screen was put up to screen the game in Telford's Town & Wrekin Council cabinet member Angela McClements said fans were "really appreciative". She added: "It's a sense of community spirit and people coming together, and everyone loves football, don't they?"Rugby Borough Women took time out of their pre-season training to watch the Lionesses seal the deal at the Phoenix pub in Coventry."The whole team believed that it could be done," said assistant manager Sian Osmond, who admitted to nursing a few doubts as the second half wore on."The squad that they have and the way Sarina [Wiegman]'s utilised the whole group has been a bit of a masterclass from a management perspective." Additional reporting from Sarah Julian, Phil Upton, Malcolm Boyden and Paul Shuttleworth. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: Building more affordable housing is key to getting the homeless off downtown streets
To the editor: Columnist LZ Granderson rightfully says that removing encampments and getting people shelter are necessary to bolstering our downtowns ('Pushing more Americans into homelessness is no way to revitalize downtowns,' May 24). However, the current rate of getting people out of shelters and into homes is dismal because there is a lack of affordable housing. In my role as vice chair of the Buena Park Navigation Center Oversight Commission, I see that less than 15% of clients leave to go to stable housing in spite of extensive housing navigation support. The lucky few who are able to obtain housing are in the center for more than a year, a place designed for short-term stays. We need more creative strategies to ensure that safe places to call home are available for everyone. We need to build more housing and, while waiting five to 10 years for it to be built, we need creative solutions such as single-room occupancy spaces, tiny homes and shared-housing models. We also need more programs to prevent people from falling into homelessness in the first place, such as rental assistance, utility assistance, legal representation at eviction courts and support when a crisis hits and people are living check to check. Our state, county and city budgets and policies can support these strategies. Barry Ross, Santa Ana .. To the editor: It is really disappointing to see a Los Angeles Times opinion writer say that officials shouldn't be focused on "offering tax breaks to would-be developers" for building places for the homeless in downtowns. It shows that people don't have a basic understanding of why others are homeless. We have a skyrocketing homeless population because we don't have enough places for people to live. Changing the rules to build more homes is the best thing that politicians could do to help the homeless. Sure, the homeless might not move into all those new shiny downtown towers, but having people living in those new towers would free up more housing for the people who need it the most. Or we can just keep stalling on new housing and the rich will take the housing the poorer population currently has and the number of homeless people in downtowns will increase. Josh Albrektson, South Pasadena This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Building more affordable housing is key to getting the homeless off downtown streets
To the editor: Columnist LZ Granderson rightfully says that removing encampments and getting people shelter are necessary to bolstering our downtowns ('Pushing more Americans into homelessness is no way to revitalize downtowns,' May 24). However, the current rate of getting people out of shelters and into homes is dismal because there is a lack of affordable housing. In my role as vice chair of the Buena Park Navigation Center Oversight Commission, I see that less than 15% of clients leave to go to stable housing in spite of extensive housing navigation support. The lucky few who are able to obtain housing are in the center for more than a year, a place designed for short-term stays. We need more creative strategies to ensure that safe places to call home are available for everyone. We need to build more housing and, while waiting five to 10 years for it to be built, we need creative solutions such as single-room occupancy spaces, tiny homes and shared-housing models. We also need more programs to prevent people from falling into homelessness in the first place, such as rental assistance, utility assistance, legal representation at eviction courts and support when a crisis hits and people are living check to check. Our state, county and city budgets and policies can support these strategies. Barry Ross, Santa Ana .. To the editor: It is really disappointing to see a Los Angeles Times opinion writer say that officials shouldn't be focused on 'offering tax breaks to would-be developers' for building places for the homeless in downtowns. It shows that people don't have a basic understanding of why others are homeless. We have a skyrocketing homeless population because we don't have enough places for people to live. Changing the rules to build more homes is the best thing that politicians could do to help the homeless. Sure, the homeless might not move into all those new shiny downtown towers, but having people living in those new towers would free up more housing for the people who need it the most. Or we can just keep stalling on new housing and the rich will take the housing the poorer population currently has and the number of homeless people in downtowns will increase. Josh Albrektson, South Pasadena
Irish Post
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Post
Wildfire ‘tears through' Northern Irish conservation site
AN ONGOING wildfire which has been burning since the weekend has 'torn through' a Northern Irish conservation site. A third of Slieve Beagh, which straddles counties Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone, is estimated to have been damaged since the fire took hold, according to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir said the fire is 'another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage'. He added: 'The fire in Counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat. A wildfire has ripped through Slieve Beagh in Co. Tyrone 'With the current conditions set to last [in the days ahead] I plead with everyone to heed the elevated hazard warning issued, remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the Police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires. 'Once ignited, fire can spread rapidly, especially in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather. 'Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time putting life, property and wildlife at real risk. This activity must stop before someone is killed or injured.' Members of the NIFRS are still tackling the wildfire (Pics: NIFRS) The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has urged the public to remain vigilant as the warm dry weather continues this week. 'With the dry weather set to continue over the next few days we are asking the public to support their Firefighters by staying safe from fire in the countryside,' NIFRS Area Commander Barry Ross said. 'Dealing with wildfires is not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive for our Service and partner agencies,' he added. 'If you are enjoying the weather this weekend, please do so responsibly and follow our safety advice.' See More: Northern Ireland, Slieve Beagh, Wildfire
Belfast Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Minister urges public to remain ‘extra vigilant' as blaze rages through NI special area of conservation
Firefighters remain at the scene of a large gorse fire in the Ballagh Road area of Clogher which broke out on Wednesday afternoon. Ten fire appliances and approximately 50 firefighters are in attendance at the ongoing incident which has since spread to Co Monaghan. The blaze has since extended into a special area of conservation for the endangered species of Hen Harriers which nest in the blanket bog near Slieve Beagh. Minister Muir pointed to the 'extensive' damage caused being caused and called for the public to 'heed the elevated hazard warning' which was issued by the Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) and PSNI. The North Down MLA said: 'The current fire near Clogher is another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage. 'The fire in Counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat. 'With the current conditions set to last into the weekend and beyond I plead with everyone to heed the elevated hazard warning issued, remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the Police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires. 'Those who know the individuals involved must come forward and help us apprehend the culprits wreaking destruction across our countryside.' Minister Muir added: 'Once ignited, fire can spread rapidly, especially in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather. "Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time putting life, property and wildlife at real risk. This activity must stop before someone is killed or injured.' NIFRS Area Commander Barry Ross also urged the public to enjoy the warm spell of weather responsibly. He said: 'With the dry weather set to continue over the next few days we are asking the public to support their Firefighters by staying safe from fire in the countryside. "Dealing with wildfires is not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive for our Service and partner agencies. If you are enjoying the weather this weekend, please do so responsibly and follow our safety advice.' PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson added: 'Gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife, as well as threatening homes, farms and the people living in those areas. 'The unpredictability of fire can also mean that those causing them may be putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them. 'I would remind the public that deliberate setting of wildfires is a criminal offence and if you see anyone setting a fire you should contact us immediately. 'Anyone caught deliberately setting a wildfire will be prosecuted to the full extend that the law allows.'
