Meteor flies over Victorian sky
We're sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We're working to restore it. Please try again later.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
Sinéad O'Connor's former home in Bray sells for €1.295m
The seafront Victorian style house was put on the market by estate agents, HJ Byrne last December Sinéad O'Connor's former Wicklow home has been sold for €1.295m, according to figures from the Residential Property Price Register. The seafront Victorian style home at Bray was put on the market by estate agents, HJ Byrne last December with a guide price of €1.295m. A 'sale agreed' sign was erected at the Montebello property in March and now an official entry on the Property Price Register has confirmed that the sale closed on July 16 and €1.295m was the purchase price - meeting the guide price put in place last December. At 3,713 sq ft, 'Montebello' is well over three times the size of an average family home and includes six bedrooms and three bathrooms. Sinead's former home in Bray News in 90 Seconds - August 15th The €1.295m sale is one of nine €1m+ residential property sales to take place in the much in-demand seaside town of Bray to date this year. The move to put the property on the market came five months after An Coimisiún Pleanála refused planning permission to convert the property into five apartments. A number of local residents opposed the planned apartment scheme and ACP refused planning permission after finding that the proposal would result in an incongruous structure in terms of design. ACP - in dismissing its own inspector's recommendation to grant planning permission - found that the scheme would adversely affect the architectural character of the seafront area. The property holds major significance for the late star, who lived in the property for 15 years. O'Connor died at the age of 56 on July 26th 2023 of natural causes at her London home. In August 2023, mourners left flowers outside the home as thousands of people gathered on the seafront outside Montebello to see Ms O'Connor's funeral cortege make its way to a private burial. Fans returned to the seafront home last year from as far away as New Zealand to pay homage to the 'Nothing Compares to U' singer. The seafront building has been in the public eye ever since the late star bought it at the height of the property boom in 2007, for €1.7m, only to slash the asking price to €950,000 when she put it back on the market in 2021. The 1860's double-fronted six bed house facing the promenade later sold for €1.04m in November 2021.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
America's Best Small Towns of 2025
Like apple pie and ice cream, what's more American than a small town? Sure, there's no doubt big cities have their draws: the electric buzz of New York City, the palm tree-lined streets of Los Angeles, and the glittering sunshine of Miami. But with their slower pace of life and wistful air of nostalgia, there's just something about small towns. And let's be honest—there are some misconceptions about these gems scattered across the country. Small towns certainly don't have less to offer than their more populous siblings. You don't need to book a plane ticket to your nearest major city to see a brilliant modern art exhibit or to stock up on the latest fashions. In fact, you can do it all while enjoying a sandy beach day by the sea, a soak in historic hot springs, or a quick adventure on the lake. This year, the Travel + Leisure team rounded up 10 of the most exciting small towns across the U.S. and divided them into categories to best suit your next getaway. We hope these small towns inspire you to hit the road and explore the little places on the map that help make our country the special place it is. Best Small Beach Town Asbury Park, New Jersey Bruce Springsteen's album "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." put the town on the global music map in 1973, and for years, only die-hard music fans made the trip to Asbury Park in hopes of scoring tickets to shows at legendary venues like the Stone Pony. But in the early aughts, the LGBTQ+ community invested heavily in the town, restoring its Victorian colonial homes. 'Their investments in real estate and business start ups helped fuel the rebirth which we see exploding today,' says Deb Masco, an employee at the Asbury Ocean Club hotel. The historic boardwalk has been completely reimagined and rivals the coolest street in Brooklyn. 'The diversity is incredible,' says Clinch. 'You can walk down the boardwalk and see gay, straight, black, white, tattooed, conservative, you name it, types of people,' he says. The diverse community has fostered creativity that extends beyond music, to the arts, food, and design scenes. 'There's a raw, creative energy that's hard to describe unless you've spent time here,' says Shauna Lagala, complex hotel manager at the Asbury Collection. 'It's weird in the best way—a mix of old-school Jersey, artists, punks, surfers, and people who just don't want to live anywhere typical. It's the kind of town where you can grab a cold brew at a café run by someone in a band, then walk five minutes and end up in a tattoo shop or an art gallery.' Explore Asbury Park Best Small Mountain Town Boone, North Carolina Rising from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Boone, North Carolina, hums with a renewed spirit. The North Carolina town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to several buzzy boutique hotels; the Horton Hotel will unveil eight brand-new luxury suites this fall, and the 1850 Hotel opened its doors in March 2025 right on historic King Street. In 2023, Rhode's Motor Lodge awakened from its kitschy slumber, its mid-century charm restored. And Boone's culinary landscape blossoms with bold flavors and unexpected pairings, from rising Asian eateries like The Happy Persimmon and CoBo Sushi Bistro to local vineyards coaxing crisp bubbles from mountain grapes. Long summer days invite you to chase sun-dappled hiking trails, while autumn ignites the mountains in fiery reds and golds, the air rich with the scent of woodsmoke and earth. 'I love the size of it,' says Andy Long, chef and co-owner of Over Yonder, 'small enough to know your neighbors, big enough to have a vibrant dining and music scene. When you talk to people here, it feels like you've known them forever.' From immersive new exhibitions like Jack Boul: Land, City, Home at The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum to events like the iconic Tweetsie Railroad's Heritage Weekend in August, this year offers rich new ways to explore Boone's fusion of historic charm, modern creativity, and deep-rooted traditions that garnered it the moniker, 'Heart of the High Country.' Explore Boone Best Small Lake Town Ogallala, Nebraska 'Not Your Ordinary Town!' boasts a mural on East 1st and North Spruce, marking the entrance into downtown Ogallala, Nebraska. They're right: despite a population of 5,107 spread over barely five square miles, the 'Cowboy Capital of Nebraska' is brimming with history, culture, and Western flair. The town, which derives its name from the Oglala Sioux tribe, was originally a cattle drive stop along the Union Pacific Railroad. Today, it's a charming destination just minutes from not one, but two lakes. At Lake McConaughy—affectionately known to locals as 'Big Mac'—you'll find over 100 miles of soft white sand and clear waters that attract fishers, kayakers, and scuba divers. McConaughy's little sister to the east, Lake Ogallala, may not be as impressive in size, but its sedate, wind-protected waters and winter eagle-viewing facility have their own unique draw. As Ogallala continues to flourish, the town has big plans for the future: Lake Mac Casino Resort, a casino complex that includes a horse racetrack, 180-room hotel, and event space, is expected to complete construction as soon as 2027, with a temporary casino slated to open in the meantime. Explore Ogallala Best Small Desert Town El Centro, California El Centro is the type of town that takes you by surprise. You might expect to pass right through—only to end up spending the better part of an afternoon discovering awesome indie boutiques, stellar tacos, and a warm, creative community. Just over two hours east of San Diego and 15 miles north of the Mexican border town of Mexicali, El Centro has both grit and charm. 'Five cars is considered traffic in El Centro,' jokes Mark Silva, owner of the new Gateway Gallery in nearby Ocotillo. 'The town constantly seems to be on the verge of emerging.' The region's first hotels have popped up in the past year, including an Insta-worthy hot springs hotel midway between San Diego and El Centro, and a handful of makers and chefs are setting up shop in town. The annual Bombay Beach Biennale, a word-of-mouth gathering of creatives, will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, and a shocking amount of musicians come through this remote desert area. This desert town's gems don't jump out. You need to be looking to discover the cool vintage and vinyl stores, craft beer bars, and artisanal coffee spots. It's fresh off its first-ever restaurant week and given its proximity to the border, the Mexican food is sensational. Plus, hot springs, hiking trails, and funky public art installations are all just a drive away. Explore El Centro Best Small Arts + Culture Town Sewanee, Tennessee 'Sewanee looks like a sleepy college town lost in the Tennessee woods, but there is something unusual happening [here] just about every day and throughout the year,' says Woody Register, professor of history and director of the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation at the University of the South. 'Throughout its 170-year history, Sewanee has been very much entangled in the hopes, dreams, conflicts, and contradictions of the world around it.' Set atop Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, the town is a place that continues to support artistic self-expression and exploration in all forms—books, poetry, music, architecture, dance, theater. It's also a case study in how culture is forged by diversity, religion, history, tradition, and authentic human relationships. From publishing the The Sewanee Review, America's oldest continuously published literary quarterly, to hosting the historic Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Sewanee is, and has always been, a space for ideas to form and take root. Explore Sewanee Best Small Food + Drinks Town Bardstown, Kentucky If you're new to the whiskey world and are just dipping your toe into distillery tours, Bardstown, Kentucky, might be one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it towns you pass on your way to Lexington or Louisville. But to connoisseurs, it's known as 'Bourbon Capital of the World,' and for good reason: there are 11 distilleries within a 16-mile radius of downtown Bardstown. Even if you're not big into brown spirits, there's plenty to tempt your taste buds here. During spring, summer, and fall, Bardstown hosts a robust farmers market and farm-to-table dinners. Throughout the year, buzzy events like Bardstown Burger Week and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival draw crowds. Any time you swing by, you can fuel up at a variety of seasonally-focused restaurants with bountiful bourbon selections (naturally), Kentucky-made beers, and seriously impressive wine lists (Oak & Ember, for instance, has a level-three sommelier on staff). 'The fact that Bardstown is not a big metro area is part of its charm,' says Kentucky native Norma Smith, a bourbon butler at The Trail Hotel, a newly-opened luxury boutique hotel . 'Folks can come here, learn about bourbon's history, explore local businesses, and not have to feel the hustle-bustle of a large city. Bardstown is a small town with plenty of awesome things to do—and taste!' Explore Bardstown Best Small Spa + Wellness Town Mineral Wells, Texas An hour west of Fort Worth, Mineral Wells, Texas, is a small town steeped in wellness history. It began in 1877, when James Alvis Lynch moved his family and livestock to the area, dug a well on their property, and discovered the water had a funny taste. After testing it on their cattle with no side effects, they began drinking the water themselves, and soon, James and his wife, Armanda, who both suffered from rheumatism, started feeling better. It's said the mineral waters here have a higher concentration of lithium, which helps treat a range of mental and mood disorders. Word spread like wildfire, and tourists from around the world flocked to Mineral Wells in the early 20th century to experience these healing waters. By 1920, the town had 400 mineral wells and was touted as the 'South's greatest health resort.' A century later, Mineral Wells—now the official Wellness Capital of Texas—is seeing a resurgence as locals rally together to revitalize historic properties and honor its wellness theme. Stop into town and you'll feel the slower pace of life and small-town charm coupled with that buzzy aura of rebirth and opportunity. Here, you'll realize there really is just something in the water. Explore Mineral Wells Best Small Retirement Town Panama City Beach, Florida With 320 days of sunshine, plenty of parks, and no state income tax, Panama City Beach (PCB) is an affordable small-town gem (population 19,393) on Florida's Panhandle that's increasingly capturing the attention of retirees. I've called this place home for over three decades, and each morning I take a walk along the soft, powdery white sand before joining water aerobics classes at Frank Brown Park—a perfect blend of gentle exercise and community connection. The laid-back town offers natural beauty alongside an active lifestyle, where you can fish, paddleboard, hike scenic trails, and spot bottlenose dolphins in the emerald Gulf waters. The fresh local seafood, annual wine festival, and host of new attractions add to the allure. 'We moved down here, and I just fell in love with this place,' says artist and Beach Arts Group founder Helen Ferrell. 'It's a great place to live, to raise kids—and people treat you well. They embrace everybody: the military, the tourists, the locals.' Daniel Pratt, the owner of Panama City Coffee Co., shared a similar sentiment. 'People stop and say, 'Hey, how are you doing?' There's a community feel here you just don't find everywhere.' Explore Panama City Beach Best Small Family Town Frankenmuth, MI Walking down the tidy Main Street of Frankenmuth, Michigan, it would be easy to mistake the town of roughly 5,000 for a Bavarian village, albeit without the alpine terrain. Flowers cascade from window boxes, almost too full of life to be contained. Common Bavarian architecture—large murals, steep roofs, ornate trim, and wooden balconies—is present in each and every building. Old-fashioned light posts brighten the picturesque two-square-mile town, adding another touch of historical decoration. The narrow Cass River meanders through town, very slowly at just one mile per hour on a good day. As a lifelong Midwesterner and toddler mom, I can't help but appreciate such a warm and welcoming environment that's perfectly suited for multigenerational trips. This walkable town is perfectly set up for family fun, with a gnome hunt, mural finder, family-style chicken dinners, multiple water parks, a slew of eateries, and festivals all year long. With easy access from multiple metro areas, including the Detroit airport, Frankenmuth proves it packs a punch when it comes to accessible fun for the whole family. Explore Frankenmuth Best Small Shopping Town Taos, New Mexico In northern New Mexico, where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rise above the desert, the town of Taos unfolds. It's one of the few places where everything from shopping to dining feels like an authentic interaction with the people, the culture, and the land. The town is especially known for its handmade Southwestern art, jewelry, and pottery, much of which can be found in the Taos Plaza, the storefront-lined center of the Taos Historic District. The plaza's expansive history dates back to 1796, when the king of Spain granted the land to 63 families in the Taos area. The following settlement became a place where merchants traveled to display their wares—just as they do today. 'This town isn't just special, it's sacred. The pace, the people, the land—it heals you if you let it,' said Maria Valdez, the owner beloved local restaurant La Luna @ La Fonda, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. 'Taos is a crossroads of cultures, histories, and landscapes. You feel it the moment you arrive.' Explore Taos Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Solve the daily Crossword
Herald Sun
3 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Steve Price: Brad Battin needs to show some Jeff Kennett showmanship
Filling in on 3AW back in the early 1990s I upset Premier Jeff Kennett so badly he stormed into my office and demanded an apology. My crime was replacing Kennett, on air, with Opposition Leader John Brumby. Jeffrey was on holiday but guarded his regular weekday half-hour spot on the Neil Mitchell show like it was one of his children. The Premier was a lot more volatile back then, during his eight-year reign in the top job, and to say we almost came to blows is not an exaggeration. The pair of us have laughed about it subsequently. He was also, prior to defeating Labor's Joan Kirner in 1992 as Victoria wore the 'rust-bucket state' tag, an exceptional Opposition Leader. John Cain Jr, the predecessor to Kirner, and Labor had driven Victoria into the ground and Victorians were fleeing in great numbers to places like Queensland. Back then the Herald Sun ran a page one that was just black, signifying how bad things had got in the state. Basically, a funeral notice. Kennett was like a dog attacking a bone and he was a daily presence in media whether it was on AW with Mitchell, arguing with the ABC or shovelling dirt at journalists when he finally became premier. Hardly a night passed without Kennett appearing on the nightly news. Kennett was a showman admired and despised in equal parts. Compare that brand of retail politics from a career advertising man with the bland versions of Opposition Leaders Victoria has had to endure through the tortured decade of Labor leaders Daniel Andrews and now Jacinta Allan. Think about this — the Victorian Liberals have been through Matthew Guy twice, Michael O'Brien, John Pesutto and now Brad Battin. Talk about navel gazing and self-destruction. Surely it can't be that hard to find a suitably aggressive, media friendly alternative to two of the most despised political leaders we have ever experienced. It hasn't happened and as steady a hand as he has been, Brad Battin is just not cutting through. Let me prosecute the case that it's not entirely Battin's fault. I'm currently presenting the Peta Credlin Sky News TV program five days a week for five weeks. This week we contacted the Opposition Leader's office to request a live on-air chat about a loosening of the laws around self-protection if someone breaks into your house in the middle of the night armed with a machete. The response from his media team was to suggest we talk instead with David Limbrick of the Libertarian Party. Offered a prime-time spot to prosecute the case that Premier Allan was ruling over a state of lawlessness so bad that people were arguing we should be able to arm ourselves with baseball bats and fight back, instead we were pushed towards an Independent, not even a Liberal. This was not an isolated case, indeed last week we asked the same office to interview Battin about Jacinta Allan's vote grabbing delusion that she would legislate to make it law you can work from home two days a week. Same response. Sorry, Brad's not available. I was prompted to check when the last time Victoria's Opposition Leader had appeared on Sky's top rating four day a week Credlin show and found, according to our records, it was five weeks ago. I present the Friday version of Credlin and can't remember the last time he appeared with me either. Now Battin and his team can choose to appear in the media and with whomever they choose. But to suggest he has a high profile as Opposition Leader is ludicrous. Most Victorians would struggle to even name him. It's a problem the conservative side of politics, both state and federal, struggle with. The NSW Liberal Opposition leader is a bloke called Mark Speakman who as late as this week was facing a leadership challenge over a net-zero bungle. In South Australia a bloke even I have never heard of leads the Liberals – Vincent Tarzia. Vincent took over after former leader David Speirs was forced to resign after pleading guilty to two drug charges and a video showed him snorting a substance from a plate. The best known Liberal Opposition leader in Australia would be WA's Basil Zempilas, who has been in the job five months. Basil, of course, is best known for his football commentary on the Seven Network not for his politics and he leads a team of just seven members of the lower house. Then of course we have the newly minted Federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley who when a poll was taken to identify who she was by showing members of the public a photograph of her, not one person knew who she was. One thought she was Gina Rinehart another a bank executive and to be fair not everyone knew who even Anthony Albanese was. Liberals around the country are searching for leaders that can connect with wider Australia. Ley deserves her shot at the top job and given the Coalition will be in Opposition for the next four years she has plenty of time to get known. Brad Battin doesn't have the luxury of time with a state election just 14 months away and Victorians deserve better than an alternative Premier being hidden away. Unlike most state and federal politicians, he has a work history as an ex-police officer and prison guard – ideal for prosecuting the case in a lawless state overrun by violent crime. Someone needs to tell him to accept every media opportunity offered to him. He should take a leaf out of Kennett's playbook where he insisted on live in-person interviews so he couldn't be edited. Victoria had and still has a love-hate relationship with our most successful recent Liberal Premier, but one thing is for sure you couldn't ignore him. So, media savvy was he that after being confronted by a barbecue wielding union protester out the front of the old AW studios in Bank St he made one more big demand. He asked us to install a landline into his office to conduct live interviews from there. We did it only to regret the decision as Jeff kept dialling in to go on air like some sort of media commentator. At least Victorians knew who he was. Dislikes • Convicted drug and gun criminal Snoop Dogg as the Grand Final entertainment – how does that fit the AFL's family image. • Anthony Albanese promising to recognise a Palestinian State. • Cowardly masked neo-Nazis marching through Melbourne in the dead of night. • ACTU pushing for a four-day week at Canberra's economic roundtable next week. Likes • Reserve Bank cut interest rates for the third time this year. • EV drivers look like being slugged a road user tax – about time. • Ageless Magpie Scott Pendlebury at age 37 going around next year. • Donald Trump doing what our leaders should do cleaning up Washington DC of homeless criminals and drug dealers. Steve Price Saturday Herald Sun columnist Melbourne media personality Steve Price writes a weekly column in the Saturday Herald Sun.
