Latest news with #Summers
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Action taken against Leaf Services contract, potentially safeguarding bread prices in SA
In an era where economic pressures are acutely felt, the decision by Minister Steenhuisen to revoke the Leaf Services contract is a shining example of government responsiveness to industry concerns, potentially safeguarding the accessibility of affordable bread for millions of South Africans. Image: Simphiwe Mbokazi / Independent Newspapers. In a significant move that has resonated across the South African baking industry, the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen officially revoked a contentious contract with Leaf Services, a decision met with relief from stakeholders including Pick n Pay, the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), Grain SA, and the Chamber of Baking. The original agreement, proposed in 2016, faced fierce opposition from various parties who argued that the appointment of Leaf Services would impose unnecessary financial burdens on an industry already grappling with slim margins. The CGCSA successfully challenged this contract in court in 2021, but the Department of Agriculture had previously submitted what Pick n Pay's CEO Sean Summers described as a 'new equally unreasonable business model,' which continued to raise eyebrows. Summers shared concerns regarding the appointment of an assignee that forced the industry to fund a service that had historically been provided for free by the Department. 'We accepted and supported that pan bread was legally regulated under the APS Act, yet we couldn't understand the need for Leaf Services at all,' he said. The CEO's concerns resonated a sentiment shared within the industry that compliance with food safety regulations has always been under the purview of the producers, millers, and retailers. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading In his detailed critique, Summers pointed out that the proposed inspections by Leaf Services were not focussed on food safety but merely on the composition of the bread. 'The methodology proposed would have necessitated three annual inspections at each of our 920 stores. This would have led to duplication in sampling, raising significant logistical and financial concerns,' he said. He highlighted that over the years, Pick n Pay successfully baked and sold billions of loaves of bread without encountering compliance issues, showcasing a longstanding commitment to quality. The imposition of such a stringent inspection regime would add an estimated R10-million a year to their operational costs, a burden Pick n Pay deemed unwarranted. Meanwhile, the potential impact on wider industry members was equally alarming. Grain SA estimated that had the proposed R4-per-ton fee been implemented as intended in 2016, it would have cumulatively cost its members more than R600-million by now. Such expenses would unduly contribute to increasing the price of staples, particularly concerning given the economic strain many South Africans face. Summers concluded with a strong affirmation of the decision to revoke the contract, expressing gratitude that the Minister listened to the collective concerns from the industry and took decisive action that prevented an unconscionable waste of resources. 'This decision not only protects our industry but ultimately ensures that basic bread remains affordable for those who need it the most,' he said. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
The Irish Sun
15-06-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
‘About to get very warm' alert with 28C heat to blast Ireland in DAYS as Met Eireann promise ‘a lot of dry weather'
IRELAND is set for a complete weather switch in just days as 28C or "higher" heat is set to blast the country. Weather chiefs have promised extreme heat and dry weather after a stormy few days of weather warnings. 3 Tomorrow will see temperatures already in the 20s Credit: Meteologix 3 Temperatures will near 30C later in the week Credit: Meteologix Before a change to true summer conditions, the weather will remain unsettled with a mix of some sunny spells amid the odd shower. Today will be cloudy with patches of light rain and drizzle to start before a switch to brighter conditions in the afternoon. Just a few showers will follow from the west this evening but overall a mostly sunny day with temperatures up to 19C. Tonight will be dry once again before some cloud and drizzle builds over the west and north in 13C temperatures. READ MORE IN NEWS More of the same to start the week tomorrow with a mix of sun, cloud and drizzle. Met Eireann said: "It'll be mostly cloudy at first on Monday with a few patches of light rain and drizzle in the morning, mainly for Connacht and Ulster. "Otherwise there'll be plenty of dry weather with some bright or sunny spells mainly in the east and south. "In the evening cloud will increase from the west with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle moving in to western parts of Connacht and western parts of Ulster. Most read in Irish News "Highest temperatures of 17C to 21C in moderate to fresh south to southwest winds." And looking to the forecast for the upcoming days Met Eireann promised a midweek turn revealing: "Wednesday will be a fine Summers day." Ireland waiting almost WEEK before warm weather return as Met Eireann forecast thunder and cloud Met Eireann added: "High pressure will continue to steadily build near Ireland for the week ahead, leading to a lot of dry weather overall with sunshine too, and just the odd shower at times. "Becoming warmer later in the week too." Meteorologist Cathal Nolan also weighed in adding that temperatures could soar to nearly 30C. Posting on Ireland's Weather Channel on Facebook he said: "The good news, if you like it hot anyway, is that we're about to experience to highest temperatures of the year so far this coming week as high pressure establishes itself once again across the country. "This change towards drier, more settled weather starts to happen through tomorrow Monday, and by Wednesday high pressure just to our northeast will allow for a plume of very warm air to push northwards across Ireland, leading to a spell of very settled weather and with rather high temperatures. 'IT'S GETTING HOT' "Just how high? Some of the longer range models are hinting at temperatures in the region of 27 to 28 degrees Celsius across some of the warmer parts of the country. "Perhaps even higher in reality as the higher resolution models become available by early next week. "It's safe to say however it's getting hot." And the weather expert issued some key advise for farmers amid is forecast. He urged: "This of course will come as music to the ears of farmers with the advice being… CUT IT MONDAY!" 3 Dry weather and sunshine are on the cards for most of next week Credit: Getty Images
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Monticello approves $7.5M Oberheim Park contract
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — A major multi-million dollar project is officially on track to start in Piatt County. The Monticello City Council passed a contract agreement with an Illinois-based construction company at Monday night's meeting. PREVIOUSLY: Plans moving forward for estimated $8 million Oberheim Park in Monticello It'll start building Phase One of the Oberheim Park complex as soon as next month. It would go in an open field by Route 47 and Green Apple Lane. The price tag came out to $7.5 million, and it officially gets the project to the start coming from the city's general fund and reserves. 'Getting a shovel in the dirt has been a long time coming,' said City Administrator Terry Summers. Now that ground-breaking has a start date, the 35-acres on the west side of Monticello will soon be home to Oberheim Park. '[It'll include] two baseball/softball fields, four youth soccer fields and a multipurpose field,' Summers added. Monday night's city council meeting approved a $7.5 million dollar agreement to break ground by July 1st of this year. The original agreement was for $7.1 million, but the board amended it on Monday to also pay for replacing the plan's asphalt with concrete. SEE ALSO: Monticello moves forward with Oberheim Park plans The board says it came down to getting more bang for their buck in the long term. 'Whereas concrete is going to be a little more upfront in cost, a little longer to install, harder to repair, but it's going to be more pivotal down the road,' said Alderman Ryan Woodham. And it could just be the start for the park. Summers said the city has the flexibility to add further phases and amenities into the future. 'I think the residents want to see some movement out there,' Summers said. 'And I think once you start to see the improvements and start utilizing those improvements and those quality of life amenities, I think there'll be more interest in the park and more interest in possible future phases.' The approval Monday night is expected to fast-track this project, with construction beginning next month and aiming to be mostly complete by next summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Press and Journal
10-06-2025
- Press and Journal
Driver banned after being found slumped at wheel when ketamine kicked in mid-journey
A driver has been banned from the roads after he took ketamine and then drove along a main road to Aberdeen. Kaden Eddie, 20, was ordered to pull over by police between Stonehaven to Aberdeen after his car was spotted swerving across the A92 road during the early hours of the morning. When police approached Eddie's vehicle, they found him slumped over the wheel and unable to answer questions. His solicitor told the Aberdeen Sheriff Court that Eddie had ingested the drug ketamine at a friend's house but had decided to drive home when he hadn't felt any effects. Mid-journey, however, the drug kicked in. Sheriff Willam Summers told Eddie he shouldn't have been 'anywhere near a car'. Fiscal depute Lindsay Shields told the court that at around 4am on May 11 this year, police were on mobile patrol on the A92, near Portlethen, when they came across Eddie's black Seat, which was swerving from side to side. As Eddie manoeuvred the car into another lane, the police requested that he pull over to the side of the road, which he eventually complied with. Exiting their vehicle, the officers approached Eddie's car and found him in the driver's seat, slumped over the steering wheel with his eyes open and his pupils 'pin-pricked'. 'The accused was unable to answer basic questions and his speech was slurred,' the fiscal depute said, adding that, when he was taken out of the vehicle, Eddie was also 'unable to walk unattended'. Eddie was made subject to a roadside test, which produced a negative result for alcohol – he then volunteered to the officers that he had 'taken Ket'. He was then given a roadside drugs swab and gave a positive reading for cocaine and cannabis. Later, at Kittybrewster Police Station, Eddie refused to provide a urine sample for analysis. In the dock, Eddie pleaded guilty to one count of being in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit to drive due to drink or drugs. He also admitted a second charge of failing to provide a urine sample to police. Defence solicitor Graham Morrison told the court that his client was telling the truth when he told the officers he had taken ketamine that morning. 'It hadn't affected him in the house, and he thought he would be okay to drive but when he got into the car and started off it immediately started to affect him.' Sentencing Eddie, Sheriff Summers told him: 'It's clear from what's been said that you were driving while severely impaired. 'It's obvious to me that you should not have been anywhere near a car and there's no other sentence I can impose other than a significant period of disqualification.' Sheriff Summers banned Eddie, Gairsay Road, Aberdeen, from driving for 16 months and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tornado Warnings and Watches issued across southern West Virginia
GHENT, WV (WVNS) — The National Weather Service has issued multiple tornado warnings and watches for counties across southern West Virginia. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning in McDowell County. Tornado watches were also issued for the entire WVNS region in southern West Virginia. The watches include Mercer, Greenbrier, Raleigh, Fayette, Summers, Pocahontas, Monroe, Wyoming, and McDowell Counties. Tazewell County, Virginia is also under a tornado watch. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALERTS McDowell County Extreme Tornado Warning Fri, May 30, 2025, 1:17 PM EDT The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a * Tornado Warning for… Southeastern McDowell County in southern West Virginia… * Until 145 PM EDT. * At 117 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near War, or 10 miles northwest of Tazewell, moving east at 35 mph. HAZARD…Tornado. SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. * This dangerous storm will be near… Gary around 120 PM EDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Elbert, Cucumber, Jenkinjones, and Anawalt. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. && TORNADO…RADAR INDICATED; MAX HAIL SIZE…<.75 IN Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
