Latest news with #Kristopher
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
My XL Bully helped me cope after my son's death by drowning in Glasgow
Margaret Keely fell into a dark depression and no longer wanted to live after 24-year-old Kristopher Boyle drowned in the north bank canal in Possil. His body had been in the water for nine days as police officers, family and friends frantically searched the area. Kristopher left behind his beloved dog Subo, named after singer Susan Boyle, and Margaret took to caring for the pet, viewing it as the last connection to her son. READ NEXT: Glasgow man brutally attacked boy, 13, with knife on way home from mosque READ NEXT: We are unable to sell our Glasgow flats, this quay wall needs fixed Kristopher Boyle (Image: supplied) Margaret, 54, told the Glasgow Times: 'I was utterly broken with grief. I could barely get out of bed after I lost Kristopher, but Subo needed me and I kept going for her. She was all I had left of him I didn't want to let her down.' Sadly, after he son's death in August 2014, more upset was to follow a few years later when Subo started to become ill. Margaret explained: 'She wasn't herself and I took her to the vet, who diagnosed a number of cancerous tumours. I eventually had to put her to sleep as the vet said she was suffering. 'I was devastated, in a way it felt like losing my son all over again. The last link with him was gone and I didn't feel like I wanted to go on any longer. The grief came flooding back and I was utterly broken.' Floral tributes where Kristopher was found (Image: NQ staff) Her youngest son Harry realised the depth of his mum's despair and decided to find her a new puppy to give her a fresh focus. Margaret, from Possil, said: 'He placed Fudge in my arms and straight away she was licking my face and she placed her tiny paw on my leg as if she knew how upset I was. 'It felt like she was trying to comfort me. Looking after Fudge was like therapy, she gave me a purpose to keep going. I don't know how I would cope without her now, she means everything to me. She's so obedient, good as gold, the best of girls.' Sharon Collins and Margaret Keely with Fudge (Image: Gordon Terr) We previously told how Margaret is facing a legal battle to save her beloved dog from death row after she was unaware of the hurdles she would face around the timeline to meet the requirements of owning an XL Bully. The then-seven-month-old pet faced being put to sleep because she was too young to be spayed in line with the new legislation to manage the breed. READ NEXT: Glasgow woman takes fight to save XL bully to court Under rules brought into place last year, owners must register their dog for an exemption certificate, have them microchipped and make sure they are kept on a lead and muzzled in public, as well as being insured and spayed. Failure to comply with any of these rules mean that the dog can be seized and put to sleep at any point. She turned to lawyer Sharon Collins after missing the exemption deadline by just a one day. The solicitor, who is working on the case pro bono, has lodged a petition with the High Court of Justiciary to try and bring more flexibility around the laws and in turn give more protection for the breed and owners like Margaret. The pair were originally told that Fudge, now 19 months, had been given an extension but this was revoked, with the government saying it had been 'issued in error'. The penalties for not having an exemption for an XL bully mean that owners can face a significant fine or even a jail term. (Image: Glasgow lawyer Sharon Collins, left, with XL dog 'Fudge' who she saved alongside owner Margaret Keel) Margaret added: 'Fudge is so loving and gentle. She's not the stereotypical picture that is painted of an XL Bully, the one we read about in the media. 'I have nothing but sympathy for families who have suffered tragedies and attacks, but not every dog is the same. Fudge is now spayed and fully compliant with the requirements, she is well trained, in no way aggressive and interacts well with other animals and children, yet I could still lose her because she couldn't meet the law at the required time. 'I wish the judges could meet Fudge before they make a decision on her future. I cannot bear the thought of her being put to sleep through no fault of her own, basically because of red tape. The government's other option of surrendering her for £200 makes me physically sick.' A date has been fixed for the case to be heard in court on August 7. The action seeks to extend the deadline for XL Bullies to allow for discretion for dogs to be given their exemption certificates in circumstances like Fudge's. Sharon said: 'The lawlords have confirmed our case is competent and we will have a chance here to achieve something ground-breaking. Margaret has been through so much and we must do everything in our power to save Fudge.'
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
BraSkaap claims Councillor's Cup victory
A TOTAL of eight teams went head-to-head in the inaugural Councillor's Cup Tournament in Ward 33 on Saturday with BraSkaap emerging as the victors. The 7-A-Side Indoor Soccer Tournament, hosted by Stella Sports Hub, was held under the theme 'Safety vs Security'. The community-building initiative, driven by the Umbilo Community Police Forum and Ward 33 councillor Fran Kristopher, saw eight teams playing for a grand prize of R3500. The teams included local and visiting teams namely: New Beginnings, Umondli Security, Fidelity-ADT Security, Don's Legends, Durban Friends, Wentworth United, Late Bloomers and BraSkaap. The final game saw BraSkaap and Durban Friends playing for the grand prize with BraSkaap taking the trophy and the cash prize. Kristopher said she was delighted with the turnout for the event and how the day played out. Also Read: Great start to Classic season She said, 'It was a day filled with celebrating unity within our community. Events such as these promote healthier lifestyles and sports development in communities, together with safer environments for families to engage and spend quality time together. I look forward to future community events such as these as it was truly a day full of fun, sportsmanship and upliftment.' She extended her gratitude to sponsors who assisted in making the event possible as well as the referees and co-ordinators from Stella Sports Hub, the Umbilo CPF, photographer, and the teams which participated. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
The impact of displacing homeless Individuals on the Umbilo business community
The eThekwini Municipality recently conducted a clean up operation in Albert Park in Durban. Image: eThekwini Municipality The Umbilo Business Association (UBA) is concerned about the repercussions the removal of homeless people and drug addicts will have on the businesses and residential areas adjoining Albert Park. The eThekwini Municipality recently conducted a clean-up operation of the eyesore Albert Park and fenced off the area so that residents could reclaim the park and put it to good use. Drug addicts and homeless people had created makeshift shelters in the park - a problem that the municipality has been grappling with for more than a decade. Ian Campbell-Gillies, a representative of the Umbilo Business Association, said that over many years the SAPS and Metro pursued an 'unconscionable policy of chasing homeless/addicted/ criminal communities from one part of Durban to another'. 'It was not entirely their fault; the ANC's centrist policies have failed to provide funding and humane guidelines for first-world solutions to the problem. For the very first time, subsequent to enclosing various parks in the Umbilo area, Metro recognised the need for government policy and funding with respect to the homeless of Durban,' he said. Campbell-Gillies added that this was done by allowing a group to occupy a disused power substation on Khuzimpi Shezi Road in Umbilo. 'Someone finally developed a bit of Ubuntu humanitarian conscience within Ethekweni political structures. This is a step in the right direction only if the same recent convert to kindness realises that this must be very temporary as businesses cannot continue to trade and pay rates and taxes surrounded by hopeless and hungry individuals,' Campbell-Gillies said. Campbell-Gillies added that it remains to be seen whether municipality authorities have real courage and will follow through to complete the process to the satisfaction of both homeless and business interests in Umbilo. eThekwini ward 33 and DA Councillor Fran Kristopher said reports from residents and businesses were that a large number of displaced people have now resettled in places like Williams Road and Renaissance Park in Umbilo. Kristopher said these areas are now under immense pressure, with growing concerns about public health, safety, and the increasing presence of criminal elements that hide among homeless people. 'While Albert Park has been restored, the surrounding wards are now bearing the brunt of poor planning and lack of foresight. I have written to the municipality's safer cities department seeking answers on how the city is planning to mitigate homelessness,' she said. Kristopher said that the ongoing humanitarian crisis stemming from the displacement of homeless individuals across the municipality is concerning and he called for a holistic approach to tackle homelessness. 'The need to maintain public spaces and ensure the safety and cleanliness of our city is most welcome, but this cannot come at the cost of simply shifting the problem from one area to another. This situation lays bare the municipality's failure to provide a sustainable, humane, and coordinated response to homelessness. Homelessness is not a policing issue, it is a social crisis,' Kristopher said. Mdu Nkosi, IFP eThekwini leader, welcomed the turnaround strategy for Albert Park and called for the reprofiling of those around the park and railway lines. He said previous studies have shown that not all are homeless with some of them using it as a front for criminality and drug dealing. He also called for stricter law enforcement. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'They are there because of drug addiction and not listening to their parents. Some of them are well-educated and come from good homes and backgrounds. There are organisations feeding them and we appear to be too lenient and give them the impression that what they are doing is normal. The municipality needs all the support to find shelters to house the legitimate homeless people,' Nkosi said. The municipality will be set up a fan zone at Albert Park for the 2025 Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, 10 May. The municipality stated that there will be tight security, entertainment and family-friendly activities during the live broadcast at the fan parks.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Utah man sentenced for assault against federal employee
ST. GEORGE, Utah () — A 52-year-old man from Beaver, Utah was sentenced to a year in federal prison followed by a year of supervised release after he was found guilty of assaulting a U.S. Forest Service employee. In May 2023, Kristopher Edward Boger got into a violent confrontation with a federal worker over the repair of a USFS road. The victim, who worked as an engineer on federal forest land was examining the road that had been damaged from frequent traffic. The USFS engineer found the road repair, which was completed by Boger's brother, to be 'not consistent with a prior recommendation and remained deficient.' The engineer contacted Boger, his brother and the contractor for a meeting about the project. Police investigating after 'politically charged' anti-Trump banner hung on Ogden building 'According to statements and testimony at trial, the meeting turned violent when [Boger's brother] pushed the USFS engineer. Almost immediately after, Kristopher struck the USFS engineer on the side of his head and face with a hard hat,' federal prosecutors said in a press release. Kristopher was found guilty of then choking the engineer, saying, 'I am going to kill you.' The contractor intervened and separated the two men but prosecutors said Kristopher Boger pulled out a gun and fired it. The engineer and contractor then fled the scene and called law enforcement. As a result, Kristopher Boger was found guilty of simple assault against a United States employee. The one-year prison sentence was the maximum prison term for the charge. Boger's brother was found not guilty of assault after a trial. 'No one should fear for their life while doing their job to ensure road safety for travelers,' said Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. 'Choosing violence is never the answer and our office along with our law enforcement partners will continue to prosecute crimes that threaten public safety.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
