Latest news with #Holroyd
CBC
7 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Boaters, paddlers push back on Alberta's watercraft pass idea
Province tests waters on annual boating fee for kayakers, paddleboarders, sailors 13 hours ago Duration 2:04 Social Sharing The provincial government made a big splash with water recreation groups on Friday, when it launched a public survey looking for feedback on a potential new watercraft pass. The annual fee's purpose, the province said, would be to keep invasive mussels, like zebra or quagga mussels that can devastate aquatic ecosystems, out of Alberta. It would apply to watercrafts like kayaks, canoes, motorboats and jet skis, and is open until August 25. The province said it's interested in hearing from the public about how much the pass should cost and how it should be applied, including whether it should be used on a per-boat or per-operator basis. But boaters and paddlers around Alberta have raised concerns with the idea, said Alberta Whitewater Association executive director Mike Holroyd. WATCH | Province floats annual boating pass: Province tests waters on annual boating fee for kayakers, paddleboarders, sailors 13 hours ago Holroyd said his group has worked with the province on invasive species prevention in recent years, but the survey took them by surprise. "What they're really after is trying to stop the mussels from coming into the province, which is from the east and the south, and instead they're going with this shotgun approach that's kind of all over the province, which doesn't make a lot of sense," said Holroyd. More engagement with key stakeholders would be better before a public survey, Holroyd said. He added he believes motorboats or sailboats entering Alberta are likely the bigger problem the province faces with invasive mussels. "Our boats, recreational small boats, they're in the water for maybe a couple hours and then they're out of the water," said Holroyd. "It seems unlikely that that's going to spread things more than say fishing gear or people playing by the water." Zebra and quagga mussels currently aren't found in Alberta. But in the province's announcement of its new survey, it said there's an increasing risk of these mussels around North America. "Zebra mussels alone cause up to $500 million annually in damages to power plants, water systems and industrial water intakes in the Great Lakes region," said the Office of the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas in an emailed statement on Monday. "No decision has been made on next steps. We will look forward to hearing Albertans' thoughts before determining how to move forward." Revenue from a potential watercraft pass would fund prevention, monitoring and education efforts, including inspection stations and mussel-sniffing dog teams, the province said. If the new pass is implemented, Holroyd said he'd like to see some of the revenue it generates go toward improving access to Alberta's lakes and rivers. Earlier this year, Alberta implemented mandatory watercraft inspections for every boat entering the province from its eastern and southern borders. In 2024, 15 watercrafts were confirmed positive for invasive mussels in Alberta. Increased rental, lesson costs The cost of an annual pass could place greater strain on local businesses, which in turn would drive up the price of lessons and equipment rentals, said Rocky Mountain Paddling Centre owner Mark Taylor. He said the added cost could make the sport less accessible "It's like a blank check for the province. You know it seems like another money grab," said Taylor. "We already pay to access the provincial parks now, we already pay to go into the backcountry. Paddling was supposed to be a free sport once you bought all the equipment, and now it's turning into another expensive thing that makes it harder for people to access." While the province mandates boats entering Alberta to stop at an inspection station, Taylor said the stations aren't open 24 hours per day and aren't always located close enough to the provincial borders. Setting up inspection stations so boats entering the province must immediately be cleaned to ensure they're not bringing mussels in, would better serve Alberta, Taylor suggested, adding that a fee hitting boats travelling within the province instead, misses the mark. "Fish swim, water moves, but the mussels and things like that, the invasive species as it were, if they're not here, then there isn't a risk of transporting them from place to place," said Taylor.
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Senior Dog Has Adoption Event After 1,000 Days in Shelter—No One Shows Up
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A senior Lurcher who has spent over 1,000 days in kennels had an open day arranged just for him—but nobody turned up. Despite being ready and willing to meet potential adopters, Flash, the 9-year-old dog, was led back to his kennel in Dogs Trust Darlington in England. Nikki Holroyd, the shelter's manager, told Newsweek: "It was sad but he enjoyed a lovely day out of his kennel having fun with staff. He is a very playful lad." Despite being much-loved at the shelter by staff, he has been forced to celebrate another birthday without a place to call home. Flash sitting on the sofa and smiling with his mouth open. Flash sitting on the sofa and smiling with his mouth open. Dogs Trust The staff recently threw him a birthday party with presents, playtimes and snuggles, marking his third birthday in kennels. They say they want to make sure he turns 10 with a family of his own. "Flash is a gorgeous boy who the entire team adores, so we are struggling to understand why he has yet to find his special someone having spent nearly three years in our care," said Holroyd in a statement. "In this time, he has only met one prospective adopter. He has many friends and admirers here at the rehoming center, but we need to find an admirer willing to offer him the forever home he deserves." She describes him as a "playful, goofy, loving, and quick as a flash when enjoying off-lead zoomies." "He has learnt many tricks with our training team, which he is happy to show off. He loves enrichment toys and games and laps up all the fuss and affection he can get from his canine carers," Holroyd said. "Without fail, he makes us smile every day, and he has so much to offer as a four-legged best pal." While he does need ongoing medical care, Flash refuses to let age slow him down. He was recently invited to a staff members home for a sleepover and they were not only impressed with his calm demeanor in the car but also in their home. "He enjoyed a sleepover with a member of our team, and he was the perfect house guest," Holroyd said in the statement. "Flash loved the companionship and was especially fond of snoozing on the sofa. "We are confident he will soon adapt to life in a home, so we appeal to anyone looking for a fun-loving four-legged friend to please get in touch and come and meet our boy Flash." Flash is classed as one of Dogs Trust's "Underdogs," a term used for dogs waiting more than six months for a home. Staff say he would do best in an adult-only household as the only pet, with a garden to stretch his legs and time to get to know his new family before moving in. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
South Wales Guardian
01-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthenshire residents in courts across Wales and England
The five defendants were accused of offences including speeding, being threatening and abusive towards a police officer, failing to report a crash, and having a knife in public. Their cases were heard in Merthyr Tydfil, Bradford, Slough, and Swindon. Here's a round-up of the cases. CHRISTIE MYLAN, 39, of Bryn Hafod in Tycroes, was caught doing more than double the 20mph speed limit. Mylan was driving a Ford Transit on the A4102 Swansea Road in Merthyr Tydfil on June 10 last year when he was clocked doing 42mph by a speed camera. The defendant pleaded guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Combined Court Centre on March 26. Mylan must pay £200 in costs, a £162 fine, and a £65 surcharge, and was also handed six penalty points. LUKE HOLROYD, 37, of Heol Y Banc in Bancffosfelen, was found guilty of failing to report a crash in Yorkshire. Holroyd was alleged to have been involved in a crash with another vehicle on Station Road in Elland, and failed to give his name and address or report the crash. The defendant was found guilty at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court on March 20. Holroyd was fined £180, had seven points added to his licence, and must pay £110 in costs and a £72 surcharge. BRADLEY PROTHERO, 32, of Charlton Walk in Windsor, admitted being threatening and abusive towards a police officer. Prothero, previously of Gorslas, was charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour against a police officer at Maidenhead Police Station on January 12 with the intent of causing harassment, alarm or distress. He pleaded guilty at East Berkshire Magistrates' Court in Slough on January 27. Prothero was ordered to pay a £450 fine, £85 in costs and a £180 surcharge. MONTGOMERY JENKINSON, 27, of Rhosmaen Street in Llandeilo, was found in possession of a lock knife. Jenkinson was charged with having a bladed article in a public place after he was found with a lock knife without good reason or lawful authority in Swindon on December 29. He pleaded guilty on February 5, and was sentenced to a one-year community order on February 27. As part of this, he must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Jenkinson must pay £85 in costs and a surcharge of £114, and the court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife. ROBERT JONES, 49, of Llanfynydd, has lost his licence after he was caught speeding in Yorkshire. Jones was driving at 36mph on the 30mph limit A660 Otley Road in Leeds on August 5. He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to pay a £76 fine, £110 in costs, and a £30 surcharge at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court on April 2. Jones also had three points added to his licence, and was disqualified for six months for accumulating too many points.
