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Courier-Mail
06-07-2025
- Courier-Mail
Yatala Prison inmate bites off finger: Aboriginal elder banned from visiting
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News. WARNING: Confronting details including self-harm Within South Australia's only maximum security prison, the G Division is the most notorious. This section is subjected to the highest and strictest security because it is home to the state's worst criminals — serial killers and rapists and white supremacists spend time here. It has been labelled 'hell on earth' by a former prisoner. One current inmate — isolated in G Division for more than 700 days — has become so distraught that he has chewed off his own finger. Robert William Junior Barnes, 39, 'chewed off his pinky finger down to the knuckle', according to two people who spent time with him in prison recently. Aboriginal elder Uncle Moogy Sumner, who visited him in G Division, told 'he chewed it right off'. Yatala inmate Robert William Junior Barnes chewed his own finger off after 700 days in isolation. Picture: Aboriginal Liaison Officer Melanie Turner, who also spent time with Barnes in G Division, also confirmed the grim details to Both said Barnes is suffering greatly while being confined to his cell 23 hours a day with 'no TV and no entertainment' and has attempted to take his own life on multiple occasions. Compounding the problem, they say, is a recent decision by the South Australian Department of Corrections to ban both Uncle Moogy and Ms Turner from visiting the inmate again. 'He's got a lot of problems. If you're in jail, you're not there for being an angel,' Uncle Moogy said. 'But he's got problems because of how he was getting treated.' That treatment, according to Ms Turner, could lead to another Aboriginal death in custody. Yatala inmate Robert William Junior Barnes. Barnes won't be eligible for parole until 2027. Ms Turner, who was employed by the Department of Corrections, has written a letter to David Brown, the Corrections CEO. In it, she expresses her 'deep disappointment and frustration' at being 'hindered in performing my role as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer at Yatala Labour Prison'. 'You may be aware of the recent ban on ALOs from accessing G Division, where prisoners are at their most vulnerable and require ALO intervention,' she wrote. 'This decision was made ... without consulting intervention staff, correctional officers or management. 'In the past few weeks, a long-term prisoner (Barnes) in G Division has self-harmed and attemped suicide twice. 'He pleaded ... to see me for ALO intervention. I emailed my manager to request permission to enter G Division to meet with this prisoner, with whom I have established a good rapport, but I was denied.' She says it was 'heartbreaking and soul-crushing' that she is unable to fulfill a role designed at preventing Aboriginal deaths in custody and that Barnes has not been told why she cannot visit him. 'This poor individual believes that his ALO support network has abandoned him,' she wrote. Uncle Moogy told Barnes 'is in a bad way mentally' and was benefitting from his visits. Yatala Labour Prison is South Australia's maximum security prison. 'I went up there to talk about culture, where he's from, the traditional ways. And I found out he's connected to my way, too,' he said. 'It was working out well. He enjoyed me going there, talking to him once a week. We're both connected to the Adnyamathanha people from the Flinders Ranges.' He is worried what Barnes will do now that he's stop visiting. The crime that landed Barnes behind bars at G Division was a violent one that involved throwing a cup of urine in the face of a prison officer at Port Augusta prison in 2021. The Adelaide Advertiser reported last year that Barnes was jailed for over a decade after a brawl that left his victim in hospital suffering a fractured eye socket and requiring surgery. Less than a month while at the Adelaide Remand Centre, Barnes attempted to bite off his own finger, the Advertiser reported, before a corrections officer pinned his arms. Barnes punched him to the left side of his body and ear, causing it to bleed and yelled 'I'm going to f***ing bite your ear off'. He reportedly used a metal pipe from a vacuum cleaner to hit an officer over the head three times. The outside of Yatala Labour Prison. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz Uncle Moogy Sumner has been banned from visiting Yatala Prison, he says. Picture: Brenton Edwards Barnes pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including causing harm with intent and assaulting an emergency worker. At his sentencing, District Court Judge Paul Slattery said Barnes was at 'extreme risk' of becoming institutionalised. 'Unfortunately, the combination of your criminal history, ongoing struggles with mental health and propensity to violent behaviour reveals a high risk of recidivism,' he said. He will not be eligible for parole until at least 2027. 'If he (takes his own life), he doesn't get out then,' Uncle Moogy said. He, along with Ms Turner, organised a meeting with the South Australian Attorney General Kyam Maher last week. Uncle Moogy said he was determined to advocate for Ms Turner to 'get back to her job'. 'I think it'd be good if she went back. She's got that boy on her mind the whole time.' has approached the South Australian Department of Corrections for comment. In a statement, a spokesperson said 'cultural support from Aboriginal staff ... continues to be part of the multi-disciplinary service to Aboriginal prisoners placed in the maximum-security unit. 'Aboriginal Liaison Officers perform their duties across the prison based on guidance by the General Manager and senior Managers. Where appropriate, this service includes seeing prisoners in the maximum-security unit. 'DCS values the contribution Elders make to our prisons, including site visits.' The spokesperson said prison officials had 'been seeking a meeting with Uncle Moogy to discuss his concerns and to make sure he can continue his important work and support'. The Department did not respond to specific questions about Barnes' self-harming or his suicide attempts. 'The Department cannot comment on individual prisoners under the Correctional Services Act,' they said. Originally published as South Australian maximum security inmate's grim act in isolation cell
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Health Dept utilises drones in anti-mosquito operation
Parvathipuram: The Parvathipuram Manyam district has taken a significant step in malaria control using advanced technology. District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) Dr S Bhaskar Rao said that. for the first time, drone-assisted anti-mosquito spraying was carried out in the remote tribal village of Gowduguda on Tuesday as part of the Anti-Larval Operation (ALO). The initiative was supervised by the DMHO along with programme officers. Large stagnant water bodies in and around the village were targeted during the spraying operation. A mixture of mosquito larvicide (Temephos) was loaded into drones and sprayed effectively over the breeding grounds to eliminate mosquito larvae. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhaskar Rao highlighted that drone technology enables large-scale mosquito control measures in a shorter time. He stated that this initiative was undertaken in response to earlier instructions from the District Collector. He further explained that while drone spraying would be taken up at larger mosquito breeding sites, traditional ALO and dry day methods will continue for smaller water accumulations. Dr. Bhaskar Rao also interacted with local villagers to collect health-related information and instructed medical staff to ensure the availability of fever diagnostic tests and medicines in the region. He later inspected the tribal welfare residential school in Tikkabai, reviewing students' health status and the condition of the hostel. He checked whether spraying had been properly carried out in the rooms and instructed staff to maintain an accurate Sick Register for students. District Malaria Officer Y Mani, Dr T Jaganmohan Rao, DLATO Dr Vinod, Medical Officer Dr Abhilash, Malaria Consultant Ramachandra and other medical staff have attended the programme.
Hans India
24-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
GHMC rolls out measures to swat mosquito menace in city
Hyderabad: In the wake of the rains, the GHMC took up extensive control measures to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Anti-larva operations (ALO) and fogging were being done in colonies and also at lakes, nalas and Musi riverbanks. The GHMC Commissioner, RV Karnan has instructed officials to intensify anti-larva operations aimed at controlling mosquitoes. On Monday, the Commissioner conducted a conference call and discussed mosquito control, sanitation, and ongoing court cases with the Additional and Zonal Commissioners, as well as the Heads of Departments from the relevant department. During the meeting, the Commissioner stated that it is recognized that the staff engaged in entomology within the respective zones have been given alternative responsibilities rather than focusing on the ALO programme. Consequently, he instructed the Zonal and Deputy Commissioners to implement measures that will ensure the staff prioritize ALO programmes. Furthermore, RV Karnan instructed the Additional Commissioner of Lakes and Health to extend the special sanitation initiative in the city for additional days. Additionally, he has mandated that a focused effort be carried out in the other colonies within the ward. During this meeting, the Commissioner requested an update from the Additional Commissioner regarding the advancements of the special drive. On this occasion, AC Sanitation Raghu Prasad informed that the special sanitation drive for the pre-monsoon season has successfully concluded in 120 wards, running from June 3 to June 25. During this period, a total of 3,900 tons of construction and demolition waste and 5,400 tons of garbage have been cleared. The Commissioner instructed the AC to take action if the remaining colonies in each ward are permitted an additional 20 days starting from June 26. RV Karnan also instructed that the primary attention should be on the court cases and that the Zonal Commissioners must promptly respond to these cases. He emphasized the need for a nodal officer to be designated at the Zonal Commissioner level specifically for handling court cases, ensuring that replies are sent periodically. He recommended that the Deputy Commissioner should submit the response to the court with the endorsement of the relevant Zonal Commissioner at the time of sending. The Commissioner directed the officers to reach out to the AC Legal at the head office for any required support. Meanwhile, on Monday, to tackle the mosquitoes menace and improve sanitation in the area, the GHMC took up the anti-larva operation in Shah Hatim Lake in Golconda. For the operation, GHMC deployed floating machines to remove the water hyacinth, and mosquitoes larvicide oil are being sprayed using drones. Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin along with GHMC officers inspected the operations.
San Francisco Chronicle
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Beloved Northern California music festival plans a comeback with new leadership, stellar lineup
After a year marked by uncertainty and loss, the High Sierra Music Festival is set to return for its 33rd edition over the Fourth of July weekend, bringing its mix of music and a renewed sense of community to the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds. The festival's future was cast into doubt following the death of founder and talent buyer Roy Carter in May 2024, compounded by financial pressures brought on by the post-COVID live event economy. But co-producer and longtime organizer Dave Margulies stepped in as lead curator, aiming to both honor the event's legacy and chart a new path forward. 'Our goal has always been to turn people on to new music and create space for magic to happen — not just on the big stages, but in the small, serendipitous moments,' Margulies said in a statement. 'From legacy acts to newcomers, the lineup is built to surprise and delight.' Scheduled for July 3-6, this year's festival will continue to showcase the signature experiences that have made High Sierra a favorite: multiple sets by featured artists, intimate sessions and spontaneous collaborations. Attendees can expect the usual eccentric touches — daily parades, late-night jam sessions, yoga classes and vendor villages — all set against the Sierra Nevada foothills. This year's bill features a diverse lineup of returning favorites and emerging talent, including Palo Alto native and bluegrass virtuoso Molly Tuttle, Bay Area jam-pop staples ALO, high-energy improvisational rockers Dogs in a Pile, genre-blending hip-hop pioneer Lyrics Born, and 17-year-old guitar prodigy Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge. Singer-songwriter Amy Helm plans to bring her Helm Midnight Family Ramble outside of Woodstock for the first time, and multiple members of the Trey Anastasio Band are expected to appear in a range of collaborative projects. 'High Sierra is a musical playground,' said artist-at-large Dan 'Lebo' Lebowitz. ' From intimate Troubadour Sessions to Playshops and full-stage sets, it's a convergence point where once-in-a-lifetime collaborations happen — and lifelong friendships begin.' New for 2025 are upgraded amenities, including the Lagniappe Lounge, a shaded indoor venue with lounge seating and cocktails, and The Happy Glamper, a premium, climate-controlled camping option. 'It's the most wonderful time of the year,' he said. 'People sparkling, singing, dancing, with hugs and parades and spontaneity. Just walking the grounds is an adventure. It feeds my soul.'
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kylie Jenner looks Cosmic in busty black top as she promotes new fragrance
was busting out all over as she promoted her latest fragrance, Cosmic 2.0, on Sunday. In sizzling social media posts, the 27-year-old influencer was seen in a plunging black top. Her make-up was flawless and she wore her dark hair in loose waves as she raved about the scent. The mother of two later flaunted more of her trim physique as she slipped into skin-tight ALO workout gear for a raft of racy snaps. Kylie once again showed off her assets as well as her toned abs in a skimpy black and white bralet with matching leggings that hugged every curve. She oozed confidence in front of the camera and soaked up the sun on a balcony overlooking lavish grounds. It comes just days after Kylie her soul about being 'lonely' and 'crying' over her hairstylist Jesus Guerrero, three months after his death aged 34. Jesus, whose celebrity clientele included Kylie and Jennifer Lopez, died at a hospital in Los Angeles shortly after working with Lopez in Dubai. His devastated sister Gris announced on February 22 that she had lost her brother 'very suddenly and unexpectedly' that day. At the start of this month, while his family were still waiting for autopsy results to come back, Gris shared he was diagnosed with gastritis in the months before he died. Now Kylie has shared her reflections on how she is coping with her grief - alongside a heartrending throwback video of her and Jesus in a hotel room last autumn. The video showed a curtain that looked as though it had been braided, as Kylie joked: 'Did you just do the curtain's hair?' and Jesus said: 'Yeah, I got bored.' The post was prompted by a recent episode of Kylie's Hulu series The Kardashians, in which her half-sister Khloe Kardashian told her she 'looked cute' at the CFDA Fashion Awards last October, and Kylie said: 'B****, I looked major.' As the moment went viral, Kylie looked back and found a clip of her hairstyling session with Jesus for the glamorous event. She dated the video October 28, 2024, and wrote: 'Found this video from that day. 'I thought I could get through today without crying, but the ache of missing you hit all over again. 'Grief isn't getting easier - it's just getting lonelier.' Kylie continued: 'I miss you so much. Why aren't you here. Every first without you hurts sm.' Scents & sensibility: Kylie looked gorgeous with flawless makeup and her dark hair in loose waves as she gushed over the scent
