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South Wales Argus
12 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly borough councillors on council and Bedwas coal tip
In a recent statement, the leader claims the council does *not* know the proposal's precise nature. This is remarkable, as ERI, the company involved, states it met senior councillors and officers multiple times to explain plans. FOI requests confirm CCBC-ERI correspondence since 2017. More concerning, ERI's proposals were discussed at cabinet meetings on March 28, 2018, and July 12, 2023, yet minutes remain sealed. If nothing to hide, why the secrecy? A site meeting was organised to ERI's Six Bells 'reclamation' site, for council officers and Bedwas ward members, but as neighbouring Ynysddu ward councillors, we were excluded. For a project of this scale and environmental impact, such selective involvement is deeply troubling. The council's 'Declaration of Interests' reveals the former Ynysddu councillor—and former CCBC leader—knew of the project in 2018, but said nothing to residents, despite being chair of the local community partnership. Whether a lapse or deliberate omission, the public was left in the dark. Despite years of meetings, lease discussions, planning consultations, and ongoing communication between ERI and CCBC, we're now told the council can't recall project details. Is this genuine institutional forgetfulness, or convenient selective memory? The truth is, Caerphilly Council is actively negotiating a lease for ERI to access publicly owned Bedwas Tips for rent. It also participated in the Pre-Application Consultation (PAC), outlining plans to extract coal using heavy machinery from two out of four Category D tips. Under Section 19, Schedule 1 of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017, this proposal clearly fits the legal definition of opencast mining. Our community banner referring to an "opencast mine" in Sirhowy Valley Country Park was accurate, not alarmist. The public deserves straight answers, not blurred language. The council may prefer softer terms like 'reclamation' (even though only 8 per cent of the tip, the coal content, will be removed) and 'rewilding' - (despite 92 per cent of the contaminated spoil being dumped on top of the Site of Importance for Nature Conservation at Mynydd y Grug). But let's be clear: this is a major industrial development near a cherished community green space. The stakes are too high for half-truths and secret records. It's time for full transparency, genuine public consultation, and honest communication. The people of Caerphilly are watching—and they deserve better than a council with a conveniently failing memory when it matters most. Thank you, Cllrs Reed and Jones
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Cwmcarn Forest Drive set for major upgrade with new plans
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) are seeking proposals to boost the area's recreational appeal. The popular spot currently boasts a picturesque drive, a visitor centre, lodges, play areas and camping facilities. The new plans, part of a collaboration announced in July 2024, intend to bring in a commercial developer to operate, fund, and construct more recreational facilities on the site. Steve Morgan, head of South East Wales Operations for NRW, said: "This is a really exciting opportunity for us to collaborate with CCBC and the private sector, to help build on and enhance the existing recreational features and shape the next chapter of Cwmcarn Forest Drive. "We know how important and well-loved Cwmcarn is to visitors and the local community, who have been fundamental in helping to shape the drive into what we see today." Global real estate advisor Avison Young has been tasked with marketing the opportunity and is now seeking proposals from interested parties. These proposals will need to be submitted via the Sell2Wales portal by midday on August 29. Applicants should demonstrate how their ideas will benefit the community and environment in the long term. Councillor Jamie Pritchard, deputy leader of CCBC, said: "This site offers a unique and exciting opportunity to create a landmark visitor destination for South Wales that will also attract people from across the UK. "With tourism in the region already generating over £134 million annually, this site is perfectly positioned for growth "We want to continue to transform Cwmcarn into a premier recreational hub, enhancing its appeal while driving further economic benefits for the area." The collaboration builds on CCBC's 2022 proposals which formed part of their UK Government 'Levelling Up' fund application.
Global News
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Lethbridge hosts annual Canadian College World Series
The tarps were out early at Spitz Stadium during opening day for the 2025 Canadian College World Series, but first pitch soon gave fans a reason to cheer. Eight teams from the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) have hit the field in Lethbridge, Alta., to decide the winner of the division. 'We look forward to it all year. All eight teams from the CCBC are here, it's the Canadian College World Series and so, a lot of fun for everybody who participates and a lot of fun for the families who come down to watch,' said Rob Jolley, father of Edmonton Collegiate Hawks player Brad Jolley. An initial rain relay caused the first game to be pushed back by 90 minutes, but the action soon ramped up as the bottom of the first inning saw a bases loaded situation, giving the fans plenty to be excited about. Story continues below advertisement 'Crowds are down from last year, but I would suspect as the weather goes along and we get closer to the weekend, that we're going to have a lot of people here watching and it's going to be a lot of fun.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Jolley and his family made the 10-hour round trip from Edmonton with a smile on their faces. 'This is probably (my son's) last year. Wouldn't miss it for the world.' However, the tournament wouldn't have been a go without the grounds crew. 'There's lots of people here working hard on the field, like we experienced this last year, same deal. It looks like it's going to be a bit better this year. It's not a great way to start the weekend, but we should be able to get through it alright,' said Justin Scott, a centrefielder for the Prairie Baseball Academy (PBA). For Josh Burgmann, the pitching coach of the PBA, rain or shine, it's always fun to watch baseball. 'Even if the weather is on the rainier side, there is coverage for people to come and watch, (Spitz Stadium) is a great place to watch a ball game.' Burgmann was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals out of high school, but opted for college instead. After his tenure at school, the Chicago Cubs selected him and he began his professional baseball journey. Story continues below advertisement However, injury cut his career short. Even so, he recognizes the importance of the Canadian College World Series as a potential jumpstart for players to reach the show. Related News Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs enter Canadian College World Series as top seed 'Throughout our conference season, there's scouts placed within the country and within the northwest of Canada. They're able to watch our (players) and have that opportunity to potentially be looked at by professional scouts.' But even without a career in the big leagues, Burgmann says baseball is worthwhile for everyone, including kids. 'As a hitter, you fail seven out of 10 times and you're a Hall of Fame hitter in the MLB. It teaches kids some things, like how to deal with those ups and downs of baseball and even in life down the road,' said Burgmann. It's why opportunities like the CCBC and PBA are so crucial for players. 'Even if you don't move on, you get to meet life-long friends and get to keep playing baseball. PBA is great for giving you opportunities to play past here, like going on to schools in the United States and different opportunities like that,' said Scott. The teams competing in the Canadian College World Series include Edmonton Collegiate, Okanagan College, PBA, Victoria Collegiate, University of Calgary, University of Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island University and Thompson Rivers University. Story continues below advertisement The tournament runs from May 15-18, 2025.
Technical.ly
24-02-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
A founder's vision comes alive at a showcase for Baltimore's student entrepreneurs
The celebration of student entrepreneurship inside the recently opened 4MLK building carried an emotional weight. Family members of Pava LaPere appeared to honor the late founder of prominent local startup EcoMap Technologies, whose name graces the grants awarded to regional university-based founders as part of last Tuesday's showcase. Pava's parents Frank and Caroline LaPere briefly reflected on her vision and motivation for making entrepreneurship more accessible in their daughter's adopted hometown. Pava, Frank said, 'wanted to build new entrepreneurs, because an entrepreneur creates several megacompanies in their pocket.' Reading from Pava's journals, he continued, 'I love Baltimore because, despite all of our challenges, our entrepreneurs have risen to meet them, and will continue to do so as long as our great city stands.' The Maryland Student Venture Showcase, hosted at the University of Maryland BioPark's newest facility, seemed to celebrate just that. Hosted by ecosystem nonprofit UpSurge Baltimore, the event blended networking with formal programming, highlighting the city's next generations of student entrepreneurs and inviting ecosystem movers and shakers. 39 ventures from across metro Baltimore's many colleges and universities were nominated to take part in the showcase. The nine winning student-founded companies were awarded $50,000 grants from the Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act of 2024. Signed into law last year by Gov. Wes Moore and administered by both Maryland-founded TEDCO and UpSurge, the legislation intended to celebrate and support student ventures in Maryland. The winners hailed from Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC); Loyola University Maryland; Johns Hopkins University; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); Towson University; and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Maryland Student Venture Showcase participants Meet the companies that presented, including several that committed to building and hiring in Maryland. DegreeMap (Towson): Andres Londoño and Matthew Dibbern cofounded DegreeMap to make navigating the college journey easier for students and academic advisors. They are already working with Towson University to pilot their product. Drio/WholeSite (CCBC): Hazel Geary (a 2023 RealLIST Connector) and Rachel McFadden designed hundreds of websites in the nearly 15 years they've been in operation. Now, they're building WholeSite, an AI-assisted platform to help small businesses establish a stronger online presence with sleek websites and curated content. Elastic Energy (UMBC): Cofounded by siblings Sam and Juliana Bendek, Elastic Energy seeks to create battery technology that can derive and store energy using tree sap. Fetal Therapy Technologies (Johns Hopkins): This company develops surgical tools and training models for the uterine environment, creating alternatives to how medical professionals currently conduct fetal surgeries. Luminova Beauty (Loyola): Founder Charles Engler, who came with a video and presentation reminiscent of a tech giant's reveal, started Luminova Beauty to create affordable skincare technology. RhizeUp (CCBC): Another ecological innovation, RhizeUp addresses phosphate runoff and minimizes algal bloom in our local waterways using an engineered rhizobium bacteria in soil. After a technically dense presentation, the crowd audibly gasped when cofounder and CEO Shumvobi Mitra mentioned that she and her fellow cofounder Ulysses Matricciani are both still in high school. SneakerSync Labs (Towson): After years of reselling sneakers, cofounder and birthday boy Hermes Bunch decided to build a platform that enables others to become sneaker resellers. It involves proprietary software offering sourcing automation. SneakerSync boasts significant usage and nearly $150,000 in annual recurring revenue. Somnair (Johns Hopkins): With over 10 years of surgery experience, Anders Sideris started Somnair to end invasive and ineffective treatments for sleep apnea by using an oral device that stimulates throat muscles. Somnair already boasts extensive trial data. Sustainabli (UMB): Baltimore's many healthcare and lab facilities consume massive amounts of energy, with machines running 24/7. Sustainabli tackles this waste by retrofitting common lab equipment with Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems, optimizing energy use without disrupting operations or safety. In addition to the winning student ventures above, some nominees came to share their products with the ecosystem. Several also won audience awards. Executive director Markus Proctor of Innovators of Progress, the sponsoring organization for the audience awards, announced those winners: Innovation beyond the business sector The evening additionally highlighted how the tenets founders embrace can also serve government agencies. Francesca Ioffreda, who Gov. Moore appointed the State of Maryland's chief innovation officer back in October, shared how her office — the state's first-ever innovation team — brings the very same principles of entrepreneurship into the public sector. 'I know innovation isn't just for business,' she said. 'It must happen in government too. In fact, public sector innovation is one of the most challenging and rewarding forms of entrepreneurship in government. The problems are complex, the impact is far-reaching and the responsibility to get it right is immense.' 'We're living in a time of historic challenge and uncertainty,' she added. 'But here in Maryland, we run towards big challenges — not away from them — and we do that together.'
