Latest news with #ChrisAustin
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ffos-y-Fran: Mine planning application 'the ultimate betrayal'
Neighbours of the UK's last opencast mine say they have been betrayed by new plans to restore the operators Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd were originally granted planning permission in 2011 to restore the 285 hectares of land site above Merthyr Tydfil once they stopped mining for coal. But those plans have been changed and campaigners are now worried the site, which was forced to close in 2023, will be unsafe for the Welsh government said it was working with Merthyr Tydfil council and other regulators to ensure the best possible outcome for local people. If approved, the new application will now see steeper sided slopes by the main site of excavation, with land fenced off to prevent livestock and Chris Austin, who live on the edge of the site, said the plans would be the "ultimate betrayal"."We could see this coming when we sat in the public inquiry in 2004," Alison said. "We thought 'this is never ever going to go back'."We've suffered the noise, the dust, and the only thing we were going to get out of it has been taken away from us." The Ffos-y-Fran site closed in November 2023 after its appeal to extend its operational time was refused by Merthyr Tydfil council.A year after the site's permit to mine for coal ran out 115 staff were made mine was responsible for 86% of the UK's total coal output before it closed. Chris said the couple have previously written to the Welsh government to try and encourage them to change the regulations."We've been making representations to the local authority for years to put in stronger securities to ensure we don't end up in this position," he said."We could see it coming, and we couldn't get the local authority to act on this.""They had a second chance to do this in 2015, when the mining company operating there now bought the operation out," Chris added."They didn't take the opportunity to strengthen those guarantees." Under new "low level" plans yet to be discussed by council planners, one mound or coal tip in the north of the site would be reduced in height, and grass said sections of exposed rock on the mound would be maintained, to provide "possible habitats for breeding birds".Two other mounds or tips would remain largely untouched, with only their lower slopes grass seeded, and trees the plans, a natural lake of groundwater formed in the main void would be kept with shallow banks and its surrounding slopes "re-profiled" and planted with a mixed woodland. Ffos-y-Fran is officially classed as a "land reclamation scheme", meaning the site close to homes and businesses in Merthyr Tydfil was to be restored to green hillside for the benefit of the year residents became increasingly concerned over rising water levels within the mining coal, which was extracted over 15 years, built up at the site after Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd said "insufficient funds" were set aside to restore the site as planned. Emails shared with BBC Wales in April last year show Merthyr Tydfil council believed a revised restoration proposal would include a body of feared the community would be left with a "dangerous" and "contaminated" lake if the giant pit was not filled in as was originally the time, the mine's operator said ground water levels were being continually monitored as it worked on updated plans for the site's restoration. The Coal Action Network has described the plans as a "proposal to do as little as possible in a final betrayal" of the restoration promised to Merthyr Tydfil residents."Merthyr Tydfil residents are understandably concerned by that in light of the recent coal tip slip in Cwmtillery, and the destablising effects of climate change," a Coal Action Network spokesperson Welsh government said: "We are working with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and other regulators as part of a technical working group to ensure the best possible outcome is achieved for local people."Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Merthyr (South Wales) Limited, Merthyr Holdings Limited, and Richards, Moorehead and Laing Ltd have all been asked to comment.
USA Today
27-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to watch Portland Pilots vs. Pepperdine Waves: Live stream info, TV channel, game time
How to watch Portland Pilots vs. Pepperdine Waves: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | February 27 The Pepperdine Waves (10-19, 4-12 WCC) will be looking to halt a three-game losing skid when hitting the road against the Portland Pilots (11-18, 6-10 WCC) on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Chiles Center. It airs at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN+. In its previous game, Portland beat Pacific 81-73 on the road, with Chris Austin (24 PTS, 7 REB, 4 STL, 69.23 FG%, 2-4 from 3PT) and Vukasin Masic (16 PTS, 60 FG%, 2-5 from 3PT) leading the way. Pepperdine lost to Loyola Marymount 93-82 on the road in its last game. Its top scorers were Moe Odum (26 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST, 68.75 FG%, 3-6 from 3PT) and Dovydas Butka (25 PTS, 11 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 69.23 FG%). To prepare for this matchup, here's what you need to get ready for Thursday's college basketball action. Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll Portland vs. Pepperdine: How to watch on TV or live stream Game day: Thursday, February 27, 2025 Thursday, February 27, 2025 Game time: 10:00 PM ET 10:00 PM ET Location: Portland, Oregon Portland, Oregon Arena: Chiles Center Chiles Center TV Channel: ESPN+ ESPN+ Live Stream: ESPN+ - Watch NOW Watch college basketball on ESPN+! Pilots vs. Waves odds and spread Spread Favorite: Pilots (-3) Pilots (-3) Moneyline: Portland (-160), Pepperdine (+135) Portland (-160), Pepperdine (+135) Total: 156.5 points College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 9:33 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Watch college basketball on ESPN+!
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Pepperdine at Portland odds, tips and betting trends
The Pepperdine Waves (10-19, 4-12 WCC) will visit the Portland Pilots (11-18, 6-10 WCC) after losing three straight road games. The contest tips at 10:00 PM ET on Thursday, February 27, 2025. In this article, we dig into the Portland vs. Pepperdine odds and lines ahead of this matchup. The matchup between the Pilots and the Waves currently has no line set. Portland has a 14-13-0 record against the spread so far this season compared to Pepperdine, who is 12-15-1 ATS. The Pilots have a 17-10-0 record hitting the over, while games involving the Waves have a record of 15-13-0 when it comes to hitting the over. Portland is 6-4 against the spread and 5-5 overall over its past 10 contests, while Pepperdine has gone 4-6 against the spread and 3-7 overall. To prepare for this college basketball matchup, here is what you need to get ready for Thursday's action. Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll Portland vs. Pepperdine prediction Portland 76, Pepperdine 75 Against the spread Portland has put together a 14-13-0 ATS record so far this year. Pepperdine has won 12 games against the spread this year, while failing to cover or pushing 16 times. The Pilots score just 3.9 fewer points per game (72.2) than the Waves give up (76.1). When Portland scores more than 76.1 points, it is 7-1 against the spread and 9-1 overall. Pepperdine is 6-4-1 against the spread and 7-5 overall when giving up fewer than 72.2 points. The Waves put up 7.9 fewer points per game (72.8) than the Pilots allow their opponents to score (80.7). Pepperdine is 8-2 against the spread and 8-3 overall when it scores more than 80.7 points. Portland has an ATS record of 4-1 and a 6-1 record overall when its opponents score fewer than 72.8 points. Players to watch Portland puts up a team-high 6.2 rebounds per contest. He is also averaging 13.6 points and 2.3 assists, shooting 39.9% from the floor and 35.8% from beyond the arc with 2.6 made 3-pointers per contest. Chris Austin averages 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, shooting 45.1% from the field. Pepperdine Stefan Todorovic is putting up a team-best 18.4 points per contest. And he is delivering 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists, making 44.2% of his shots from the field and 38.4% from 3-point range, with 2.0 triples per contest. Moe Odum is recording a team-best 7.1 assists per contest. He's also delivering 12.2 points and 3.1 rebounds, making 44.3% of his shots from the field, and 37.1% from 3-point range resulting in 1.5 treys per game. Boubacar Coulibaly leads the Waves in rebounding (7.1 per game), and produces 9.5 points and 1.0 assists. He also averages 0.9 steals and 1.8 blocked shots.
