Latest news with #Rollo
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ontario wine sales surge after U.S. products pulled
Sales of Ontario wine have increased by over 60 per cent since the LCBO pulled American products off its shelves earlier this year, signalling a shift in buying habits among consumers in the province, the retailer says. "Ontarians are increasingly committed to buying local and Canadian products," an LCBO spokesperson said in a statement. "VQA wine (made from 100% Ontario-grown grapes) has seen a sales increase of over 60%, with VQA reds and whites seeing growth of 71% and 67% respectively, and VQA sparkling wine growing by +28%." From the beginning of March until early June, total wine sales dropped by 13 per cent, the LCBO added. In response to U.S. tariffs, the Ontario government directed the LCBO in March to implement restrictions on all U.S. beverage alcohol sales and related imports. Spirits, wine, cider, beer, ready-to-drink coolers/cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks produced in the U.S. were promptly pulled from the shelves of LCBO retail stores and convenience outlets. The move has been an "opportunity" for local wine makers, according to Del Rollo, former chair and current board member of Wine Growers Ontario. Rollo said Canadians have never been more passionate about supporting local and buying Canadian. "We're capitalizing on that as an industry and making sure that the shelves are full, and they're tasting the wines and they're loving them," Rollo said. Restaurants, wineries also seeing boost The shift toward sipping Ontario wine has also given a boost to local restaurants and wineries. At Kin Vineyards in Carp, sales have increase by about 25 per cent since the trade war began, according to retail manager Liam Mastersmith. Mastersmith's family owns the vineyard that he says is home to the northernmost Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in the province. The company sells most of its wine at the vineyard and through restaurants, and it's also available in select LCBO stores. "The Ottawa Valley has always been great at supporting local anyway, and so what we've seen is that more people from outside of the Ottawa Valley are coming in and trying our wines," Mastersmith said. Customer William Hordyk grew up near Ontario's renowned Niagara wine region and says supporting local producers has always been important, but now he's paying even more attention. "I'm more conscious about it now and definitely looking more closely at it to make sure I'm supporting the local Canadian and Ontario wineries," he said. Ontario wine sales also seem to have legs in local restaurants. Stephen Beckta, owner of Beckta Dining & Wine, Gezellig and Play Food & Wine in Ottawa, got a lot of attention when he publicly announced the removal of all American wines from his menus earlier this year. Since then, he said sales of Ontario wines in his restaurants have jumped about 30 per cent. Beckta said he wants the trade war to end, but customers have been very receptive to trying new Canadian and Ontario wines. "What we've seen is a greater confidence about supporting our own industries, and that is the wonderful byproduct that will be here regardless of when the trade war actually ends," he said. The LCBO said in addition to VQA wine, other Ontario-made wine categories such as international-domestic blends are experiencing modest growth, while Canadian wine has experienced strong growth in response to demand, up about 18 per cent.
Los Angeles Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Mary Lou Retton pleads no contest to DUI charge, vows to make ‘positive changes'
Gymnastics legend Mary Lou Retton pleaded no contest Tuesday to a DUI charge that stemmed from her arrest last month in her hometown of Fairmont, In a statement emailed to The Times, attorney Edmund J. Rollo said a Marion County judge fined his client $100. Rollo said that the amount is 'consistent with sentencing guidelines for first-time, non-aggravated offenses in this jurisdiction.' According to the Associated Press, Retton was pulled over on May 17 by police responding to a report about a Porsche being driven erratically. The 57-year-old former Olympic athlete is said to have smelled of alcohol, slurred her words and failed a field sobriety test. And officers said they observed a container of wine in the passenger seat. Retton reportedly refused a roadside breath test and a blood test. She was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs. Court records show Retton was released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $1,500. 'What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses,' Retton said in a statement released Tuesday by Rollo. 'To my family, friends and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry. I am determined to learn and grow from this experience, and I am committed to making positive changes in my life. I truly appreciate your concern, encouragement and continued support.' Retton became a household name during the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, when she became the first U.S. gymnast to win Olympic gold in the all-around competition and won five medals overall. On Oct. 10, 2023, Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, revealed that her mother had 'a very rare form of pneumonia' and was 'fighting for her life' in intensive care without being covered by medical insurance. An online fundraiser has raised nearly $500,000 to help cover medical costs for Retton, who was released from the hospital later that month. In a January 2024 interview with NBC News, Retton said she was 'not great yet' in terms of her recovery. 'I don't know how long I'll indefinitely need the oxygen,' she said while gesturing toward her nasal tube.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
AI Gun Video Of Nelson Councillor Campbell Rollo Sparks Warning For Voters
Article – Max Frethey – Local Democracy Reporter The councillor says voters should always look for an authorisation statement or something that's genuine. Nelson City councillor Campbell Rollo has condemned an 'AI-generated' video of him that was posted to social media. The video, which featured the first-term councillor shooting a military-style firearm, was uploaded to a Nelson community Facebook page on Friday, but was later taken down. It had been posted by an account called Nelson NZ Video Game Buyer, with a caption: 'This is who your [sic] voting for Nelson community! How shameful, encouraging violence!' Rollo said the video was generated by artificial intelligence and was 'quite taken back' when he saw the video online. 'The video was not real. It was generated by someone using my Facebook picture without my knowledge.' A watermark reading ' – a generative AI website – appeared in the corner of the video, and the backdrop and clothing being worn by Rollo in the video match his Facebook profile image. 'I literally had no idea where it had come from. I quickly went back and kind of scrolled over it; could tell quite quickly it was AI-generated,' he said. 'I really just think someone was having a wee bit of fun. But yeah, in hindsight, probably a bit too far.' He said it was worrying to see that some commenters had wondered if the video was real and urged residents to be 'very mindful' of online content, especially as the local election approaches. 'If you see something come up of a political figure or someone who's running for council, I would certainly be looking for an authorisation statement or something that's genuine.' Nelson Mayor Nick Smith echoed Rollo's concerns. He said it was a good thing the video was 'so fake' and that most people would be able to determine the post was made by 'somebody being mischievous'. 'However, it's a real warning, particularly as we go into the local elections, for people to be cautious of false claims being made to besmirch people and to influence how they vote.' Smith added that Rollo, the Tāhunanui liaison councillor, was 'very effective' in his role. 'He's done a great job for Tāhunanui and associating him with gun violence is very unfair.' After the video was taken down, Rollo found the outpouring of support from residents and his fellow elected members 'super humbling'. 'The amount of phone calls and messages I had from people just reaching out, making sure I was okay. It's quite cool,' he said. 'At the end of the day, we are humans that are trying to do the best we can for the community.'
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
AI Gun Video Of Nelson Councillor Campbell Rollo Sparks Warning For Voters
Nelson City councillor Campbell Rollo has condemned an "AI-generated" video of him that was posted to social media. The video, which featured the first-term councillor shooting a military-style firearm, was uploaded to a Nelson community Facebook page on Friday, but was later taken down. It had been posted by an account called Nelson NZ Video Game Buyer, with a caption: "This is who your [sic] voting for Nelson community! How shameful, encouraging violence!" Rollo said the video was generated by artificial intelligence and was "quite taken back" when he saw the video online. "The video was not real. It was generated by someone using my Facebook picture without my knowledge." A watermark reading " - a generative AI website - appeared in the corner of the video, and the backdrop and clothing being worn by Rollo in the video match his Facebook profile image. "I literally had no idea where it had come from. I quickly went back and kind of scrolled over it; could tell quite quickly it was AI-generated," he said. "I really just think someone was having a wee bit of fun. But yeah, in hindsight, probably a bit too far." He said it was worrying to see that some commenters had wondered if the video was real and urged residents to be "very mindful" of online content, especially as the local election approaches. "If you see something come up of a political figure or someone who's running for council, I would certainly be looking for an authorisation statement or something that's genuine." Nelson Mayor Nick Smith echoed Rollo's concerns. He said it was a good thing the video was "so fake" and that most people would be able to determine the post was made by "somebody being mischievous". "However, it's a real warning, particularly as we go into the local elections, for people to be cautious of false claims being made to besmirch people and to influence how they vote." Smith added that Rollo, the Tāhunanui liaison councillor, was "very effective" in his role. "He's done a great job for Tāhunanui and associating him with gun violence is very unfair." After the video was taken down, Rollo found the outpouring of support from residents and his fellow elected members "super humbling". "The amount of phone calls and messages I had from people just reaching out, making sure I was okay. It's quite cool," he said. "At the end of the day, we are humans that are trying to do the best we can for the community."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Olympian Mary Lou Retton Breaks Silence on Arrest for DUI Charge
Originally appeared on E! Online Mary Lou Retton is speaking out. The former Olympic gymnast shared a message owning up to her mistake less than a month after being arrested in West Virginia for driving under the influence on May 17. "I take full responsibility for my actions," Retton told People in a statement via her attorney, Edmund J. Rollo, published June 10. "What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses. To my family, friends and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry." The 57-year-old—who is mom to Shayla Kelley, 30, McKenna Kelley, 28, Skyla Kelley, 24, and Emma Kelley, 22, with ex-husband Shannon Kelley—also shared that she hopes to gain a new perspective from the incident. 'I am determined to learn and grow from this experience, and I am committed to making positive changes in my life," the 2018 Dancing with the Stars contestant said. "I truly appreciate your concern, encouragement and continued support." More from E! Online Bachelorette Star Jenn Tran and DWTS' Sasha Farber Break Up After Less Than a Year of Dating 1000-Lb Sisters: Tammy Slaton Unveils Transformation After Skin Removal Surgery Aaron Rodgers Reveals He's Married Retton, the first American female gymnast to win the all-around at the Olympics in 1984, was charged with one count of 'driving under influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs; penalties,' according to court records from the West Viriginia Magistrate Court system obtained by E! News at the time. She was issued a personal recognizance bond of $1,500 and paid it the same day, per the records. Retton appeared in court on June 10, nearly a month after her arrest, the filing noted, and ultimately entered a no contest plea to the non-aggravated DUI charge. She received a $100 fine, Rollo told People, which according to the West Virginia DMV website, is standard for a basic first offense DUI charge in the state. Rollo also shared with People June 10 that Mary Lou now "asks for privacy as she moves forward with her personal and professional life." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
