logo
Youths start fire at York nature reserve

Youths start fire at York nature reserve

Yahoo2 days ago
EMERGENCY crews have been called in after youths started a fire at a York nature reserve.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were called at 8.39pm on Wednesday (July 30) to Clifton Backies in Clifton.
A service spokesperson said: 'Crew from Acomb responded to a fire in woodland started by youths.
'They used a knapsack sprayer to extinguish a small fire consisting of leaves and branches.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

A19 crash victim named as 'crusading' councillor John Duggan who fought for road safety
A19 crash victim named as 'crusading' councillor John Duggan who fought for road safety

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

A19 crash victim named as 'crusading' councillor John Duggan who fought for road safety

A "crusading" former councillor in North Yorkshire has died in a car crash at a junction that he campaigned for as needing safety improvements. Ex district and county councillor John Michael Duggan died in a crash on the A19 just metres from his house in Riccall on Friday, August 1. His Nissan Juke was joining the A19 from York Road before crashing with a skip lorry. Mr Duggan was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary by air ambulance but was pronounced dead a short time later. North Yorkshire Police confirmed a 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the crash. He is assisting officers with their investigations. Meanwhile, news of Mr Duggan's tragic death has prompted tributes to flood in. READ MORE: 'My life was turned upside down on my birthday in disgusting Cape Verde resort' READ MORE: 'People are already moving out' say Sheffield residents amid concerns over who will live in new flats Councillor Stephanie Duckett, who first met John in the early 80s, has paid tribute to the former Labour Party councillor. She said: "He was a larger-than-life character, and as soon as he heard I was also from Riccall, that was it." In a Facebook post by his relative, they said that Mr Duggan had campaigned to improve safety at the junction where the crash happened. Campaigning was a huge part of his role as a councillor. Cllr Duckett described him as a "crusading councillor" who campaigned ferociously for the people of Riccall. "He just loved Riccall," she added. "He was absolutely fantastic at working hard for his residents. "He was a big union man, and he worked hard to improve working conditions for everybody. He got on with absolutely everybody." Cllr Duckett also said John was a big family man, adding: "He absolutely adored Katie, his wife, and his daughters. They were always out walking together, keeping fit together. He was a crusading local councillor. He was a union man, but also a quiet family man, and he was devoted to his girls." Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage or information to come forward. You can email MCIT@ or call North Yorkshire Police on 101. Please quote reference number 12250142803 when passing on information. Get all the latest and breaking North Yorkshire news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.

One taken to hospital after two-vehicle crash on County Durham road
One taken to hospital after two-vehicle crash on County Durham road

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

One taken to hospital after two-vehicle crash on County Durham road

One person has been taken to hospital after a two-vehicle crash on a County Durham road. Police and ambulance crews were called to Woodside Bank in Consett shortly before 12.30pm on Saturday (August 2). The road was partially blocked as emergency services attended the scene. One patient was taken to University Hospital of North Durham. Their condition is not known. The Northern Echo has contacted Durham Constabulary for more information. A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a two vehicle road traffic incident on Woodside Bank, Consett just before 12.30pm this afternoon. "We dispatched a double crewed ambulance and one patient was taken to University Hospital of North Durham."

Suit alleges fraud on Oklahoma's $2.5B Disney-sized theme park
Suit alleges fraud on Oklahoma's $2.5B Disney-sized theme park

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Suit alleges fraud on Oklahoma's $2.5B Disney-sized theme park

This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. The sole investor in the $2.5 billion American Heartland theme park and resort that failed to launch in Vinita, Oklahoma, has alleged fraud and psychological abuse from the developers, according to a lawsuit filed July 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. In the suit, 91-year-old Gene Bicknell, who once owned a large chain of Pizza Hut franchises, alleges that promoters Richard M. Silanskas Jr., Larry K. Wilhite and Stephen D. Hedrick of Mansion Entertainment Group stole $60 million and caused him severe distress that led to a stroke last year. The suit, which asks for the investment back along with other fees, includes texts and emails from Silanskas and Wilhite impersonating messages from God. 'Silanskas and Wilhite executed a predatory conspiracy of psychological manipulation — convincing Gene, through fraud and impersonation, that God himself was commanding him both to finance the park's construction and to grant Silanskas and Wilhite two-thirds ownership over the completed venture,' the lawsuit reads. Developer Mansion Entertainment Group announced in July 2023 designs for the 1,000-acre Americana-themed development, including roller coasters, an indoor water park, a 300-room hotel and an RV park. The footprint of the 125-acre theme portion would rival Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, or Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, in size. At the time, Hedrick commented publicly that Bicknell was the sole financial backer, per the suit. 'The plan was to use Gene's money to build the American Heartland Project and then steal it, paying themselves handsomely along the way,' the suit reads. 'Silanskas already had a record of involvement in failed theme park projects that left empty-handed investors in their wake.' The RV area was originally scheduled to open in spring 2025, followed by the theme park and resort in fall 2026. Indeed, the RV area broke ground in 2023 but nothing more has been built besides a fence and a gravel road, according to the suit. Developers claimed that their design team includes former Disney Parks builders and Walt Disney Imagineers, but that was also a lie, the suit alleges. 'The groundbreaking was essentially the beginning and the end of the construction work on the entire Project,' the lawsuit reads. 'Innocent people lost money by buying up land near Vinita with property values inflated by news of a theme park that would never exist.' This is not the first time the project has been sued. Canadian design firm Forrec and Columbus, Kansas-based Crossland Construction both filed claims in May 2024 alleging that they were not paid for their work. At least five lawsuits or arbitrations have been filed by vendors, according to Bicknell's suit. Mansion Entertainment Group did not respond to Construction Dive's request for comment on the lawsuit. Recommended Reading $2B Disney-sized theme park set to break ground in Oklahoma

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store