Latest news with #Carmichael
CBS News
28-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Ancil Hoffman Park in Carmichael to temporarily close for safety upgrades
CARMICHAEL — A beloved park in Carmichael is temporarily closing for safety upgrades. Sacramento County said that Ancil Hoffman Park along the American River will start this temporary closure on Wednesday, May 28, so all of its roads can be repaved, resurfaced and restriped. "Driving in, I am sure you hit some bumps," said Sacramento County spokesperson Ken Casparis. "The roads just need to be repaved and so do the parking lots to hit some of those state and federal accessibility standards." During the closure, Casparis said that Ansel Hoffman Golf Course will stay open, and special events at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center will continue, including the Naturefest on June 8. Temporary parking lots will be set up for these activities. "During this temporary closure, we encourage all of the park goers to go and explore other parks along the American River Parkway," said Casparis. "Maybe even find a new favorite for yourself." Casparis said the work begins Wednesday and the closure could be up to two months, but they hope to have it reopened in July.
CBS News
27-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Person rescued from American River near Ancil Hoffman Park
A person has been pulled out of the American River near Ancil Hoffman Park in Carmichael and is being treated by first responders, officials say. The rescue started just after noon on Tuesday in the area between Rossmor Bar and Ancil Hoffman. Metro Fire of Sacramento officials say an air unit helped locate the person and a kayaker helped pull the person to the shore. Rescuers started treating the person after getting them out of the water. No details about the person's condition have been released at this time. This is a developing story.
The Courier
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Perthshire 'energy park' will turn ancient hillside into industrial complex, say locals
Locals are accusing a Danish renewables firm of planning an 'industrial complex' on a historic hillside between Perth and Crieff. Eurowind Energy Ltd says it wants to create a 100 megawatt 'energy park' at Meallbrodden. Opponents say the name is 'so bland as to be misleading'. And they're suggesting 'Meallbrodden Industrial Complex' is a more accurate description. Eurowind Energy intends to erect eight wind turbines, standing 200 metres (650ft) to the tip of their blades on the moorland. It also wants to install up to 60,000 solar panels, stretching over 34 hectares. And it says the site has potential for a battery energy storage system too. The company has told The Courier its plans are 'in the very early stages of development' and says residents will be consulted as they progress. The land sits behind Fowlis Wester, on the Abercairney estate. It takes its name from Meallbrodden Loch. The moor is also home to stone circles, standing stones, Roman remains, ancient forest and native species. Eurowind Energy says the project could generate more than 100 megawatts of electricity. It intends to launch the first phase of consultation in June. And the company says it will set up a community benefit fund, providing £5,000 a year for every MW of wind energy generated by the site, to support local initiatives. It predicts this could result in up to £280,000 a year for community projects. But residents are expressing grave concerns about the plans. And they warn the cumulative impact of this and other renewables developments nearby is changing the character of the area. EWE has submitted a 205-page scoping report to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit (ECU). It's Scottish Ministers who determine planning applications for electricity generating stations with capacity in excess of 50 megawatts. East Strathearn Community Council has been granted an extension to the time it has to respond after residents complained of delays in receiving letters notifying them of the plans. The group's secretary Tim Carmichael says the community response has been 'significantly negative'. And opponents are questioning why the project is being proposed now after two previous planning applications for similar developments were refused in 2005 and 2014. Mr Carmichael says locals have coined the 'Meallbrodden Industrial Complex' tag. He added: 'Many residents have raised concerns about the proposed scale and location of the development, particularly in relation to its visibility within Strathearn and the Sma Glen—areas valued for their natural beauty and significance to the local tourism economy.' Historic Environment Scotland is also warning of 'potential significant adverse impacts'. The agency says it's particularly concerned about the Fowlis Wester stone circles and standing stones. Eurowind Energy says residents will be able to view the plans and leave comments through a project website. It will also hold two public drop-in exhibition events. A second consultation phase, featuring updated plans, will follow later in 2025. A spokesperson told The Courier: 'We will be holding a full consultation with the local community, where they will be able to find out more about the project, meet the project team, and discuss any questions or queries they may have. 'Details of the public consultation will be announced in the coming weeks, and we will issue an updated press release to launch the consultation.'
Press and Journal
20-05-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
How Highlands and islands homes are braced for electricity meter switch-off problem as deadline approaches
Thousands of households across the Highlands and islands could face problems with their heating and hot water supply unless they replace their old-style electricity meters on time. The deadline for households to replace their Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meters is fast approaching with the phase out starting from June 30. This could leave many households across the country, particularly in the rural north and islands, with unreliable heating and hot water – and incorrect bills. Energy suppliers are working against the clock to replace the old equipment but face a challenge in Scotland, which accounts for a third of the total number in the UK. The most recent UK Government figures show around 139,000 RTS meters were still in use across Scotland as of March 7. By the end of April, 135,000 meters remained, suggesting the rate of replacement is not keeping up. Many households across the Highlands and islands are off the mains gas grid and are more likely to use electricity for hot water and heating. Ofgem figures from April 18, seen by the P&J, show there were still more than 18,000 households across the north waiting for replacement meters. Orkney and Shetland have among the highest number of RTS meters per capita. As of last month, there were 4,204 meters still needing changed in , 3,820 in , 8,148 in and 2,053 across the Introduced in the 1980s, RTS meters use outdated longwave radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates. Without replacement, customers risk being stuck on the wrong setting or moved onto a more expensive single-rate tariff. But some have faced difficulties arranging meter replacement appointments with their energy suppliers. Homes using RTS meters are typically in areas with no mains gas supply (often flats or in rural areas), and the property is usually heated using electricity or storage heaters. RTS meters have a transmitter or separate teleswitch box next to the electricity meter. It should have a 'Teleswitch' label on the outside. Energy suppliers can provide more information if a householder is unsure. Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland Alistair Carmichael has raised the problem affecting his constituents over the past two years. Now, with the deadline approaching, he is asking the UK Government to require energy suppliers provide full compensation for those worse off. He wants to see this awarded to those households who requested a replacement meter before the RTS shutdown but failed to receive one. Mr Carmichael said there are still 'far too many' households without replacement meters in place. 'They must not pay the price for the failures of the energy companies and Ofgem,' he said. The problem is being raised again in Holyrood by Lib Dem MSP for Shetland Beatrice Wishart today. Frazer Scott, CEO of Energy Action Scotland, said: 'The rate which RTS meters are being replaced is not going to meet the switch off target of June 30. 'We need government, suppliers and the regulator to ensure that those who are left with RTS meters after the switch off date are protected from harm, from loss of energy and from higher bills.' Ofgem said in recent weeks they have seen evidence of suppliers 'significantly' stepping up their activities in remote areas, including the Highlands and islands, and solutions to improve smart meter connectivity in the north have been launched. A spokesperson said 'We urge any customers who may have previously struggled to get their RTS meter replaced to please contact their supplier again to arrange an appointment. 'Ofgem has also demanded action plans from every supplier, which we are scrutinising on an ongoing basis to ensure that robust contingencies are in place to protect any customers who remain on RTS meters after the phased switch-off process begins.' A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: 'We demand that suppliers must meet their obligations to consumers and ensure that no one loses heating or hot water. 'This includes rapidly increasing the pace of replacements so that there is a smooth transition and consumers are protected. 'The government will do everything it can to ensure that all consumers are protected.'
Belfast Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Holders Lisburn keep up hot start to T20 Cup defence after sinking Muckamore
Sam Gordon's 56 (seven fours, one six) helped the Moylena side to a modest total of 123 for seven – two wickets apiece for Josh Manley, Nigel Jones and skipper Neil Whitworth. James Hunter thumped seven boundaries in a rapid top score of 40, sharing a fourth wicket partnership of 51 in seven overs with Whitworth who made 28, as did Indian professional Faiz Fazal, as they eased to victory in the 17th over despite three wickets for Jason van der Merwe. Instonians' Neil Rock and Cade Carmichael continued their recent run-fest, helping themselves to half-centuries in a convincing 82-run win at Waringstown. Rock followed up his record-breaking score of 173 in T20 cricket with a 40-ball 84 (six fours, seven sixes) as he and Carmichael shared an opening stand of 119 approaching the halfway stage. Shane Dadswell (45) added 84 with Carmichael, whose 68 included seven fours and three maximums in a whopping score of 238 for four. Waringstown in reply were never in contention – Matthew Halliday's 30 the best of their 156 – as James Lambert, Ben Rose and Cian Robertson each claimed two wickets. Jared Wilson and Francis Collins both made half-centuries as Cliftonville Academy beat North Down by 88 runs. Wilson cleared the ropes five times in a dominant 37-ball unbeaten 65, adding 83 in 40 balls with Hayden Melly (28no). Earlier, Collins (54) and professional Abhishek Raut (42) laid the platform for their total of 201 for two with a first wicket stand of 79. North Down were without injured duo Tyron Koen (shoulder) and Craig Young (hamstring) and were dismissed for 113. Wilson took three wickets in a fine all-round effort, while there were two apiece for John Glass and captain Matthew McCord.
