Latest news with #Flannigan
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Halton's most wanted: One arrested, one still on the run
One of Halton's most wanted suspects has been arrested in Montreal, while another remains at large, according to Halton Regional Police. On June 4, officers from the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), with assistance from Montreal authorities, arrested Raffaele-Giulio Draicchio, 26, who was initially charged in February 2024 in connection with an auto theft investigation in Oakville. At the time, Draicchio and three other individuals were arrested after being found in possession of two stolen Toyota 4Runners, along with various tools and devices commonly associated with high-tech auto theft. Draicchio was charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 (three counts), possession of break-in instruments, possession of an automobile master key, and possession of a device to obtain computer services. He was later released on bail, but failed to appear in court in May 2025. As a result, police laid an additional charge of failing to re-attend court. He was transported back to Halton following his arrest and was held for a bail hearing. His arrest comes as part of the HRPS's Halton's Most Wanted program, which launched on Jan. 20, 2025. The initiative aims to publicize the names and faces of the region's most dangerous offenders in an effort to generate investigative leads and bring them to justice. Despite this recent development, police say Matthew Flannigan, 33, remains outstanding and is considered dangerous. On July 22, 2023, Flannigan was stopped by an officer on Plains Road East in Burlington. Police allege the officer had grounds to arrest Flannigan under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, but a violent struggle ensued. The officer sustained a broken leg, and Flannigan fled the scene at high speed. He has not been seen since. Flannigan is wanted on multiple charges, including unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order (two counts), and possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition. He is described as 33 years old, 170 pounds, five-foot-nine, with brown eyes, long brown hair that may be braided, a scruffy beard, and tattoos of skulls on both forearms, as well as the letters 'ABG' on the side of his neck. Police advise the public not to approach Flannigan if spotted. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777, ext. 2316. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at . A cash reward of up to $2,000 may be available for information leading to an arrest. Photos and additional details about both individuals can be found at Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Calgary Herald
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
Wildfires erupt near northern Alberta oil well sites
Article content Hot weather sparked a string of wildfires around Alberta over the weekend, including some near oil and gas wells operated by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and others. Article content Article content Three out-of-control fires were burning in Alberta at noon Monday, including a 1,606-hectare blaze that prompted an emergency alert for the town of Swan Hills. That fire, burning eight kilometres from the town, is less than half a kilometre away from a CNRL-operated well site and within 20 kilometres of separate well sites operated by CNRL and other companies. Article content Canadian Natural didn't respond to a message seeking comment left late Sunday. Alberta Wildfire didn't respond to a phone call seeking comment. Article content An evacuation notice has been issued for Swan Hills, with residents in affected areas advised to prepare for a possible evacuation by gathering pets, important documents, medication and enough food, water and supplies for at least three days as well as adding fuel to vehicles. Article content This is an Alberta Emergency Alert. The Town of Swan Hills has updated a wildfire alert. A wildfire is burning 8 km North of the Town of Swan Hills. A one hour evacuation notice has now been put in place for the Town of Swan Hills. Everyone in the affected area should prepare… — Alberta Emergency Alert (@AB_EmergAlert) May 26, 2025 Article content Earlier this month, the province cancelled a planned Emergency Alert test due to increased wildfire activity. The alert has been used frequently to announce fires and evacuations in northern Alberta communities including Sturgeon County, Yellowhead County, Athabasca County, Parkland County, Hamlet of Fawcett and the Summer Village of Larkspur. Article content Article content Other communities, including the Village of Boyle and Thorhild County, issued local state of emergencies in May as a result of fast-moving and out-of-control fires. Article content Wildfire expert and professor at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, Mike Flannigan, has warned that Alberta's expected dry, hot summer increases potential for a busy fire season. Article content 'The forecast can be wrong, but right now it's supposed to be a hot, dry summer, especially in the south of Alberta,' he said, adding that a hot, dry summer generally means more fire. Article content The Bow Valley or Kananaskis Country is overdue for a big fire at some point, he said. Article content 'I'm not saying it's going to be this year, but I'm saying it's been primed for some time and one of these days we are going to see a big fire in that corridor,' said Flannigan. Article content Last year's fire in Jasper has experts fearing for a similar catastrophe in Banff. Article content 'It's just so primed to burn, you can't stop it — I don't think Banff has time,' Cliff White, a former Parks Canada forestry scientist, said last summer. Article content A wildfire in the area would be devastating, dwarfing the mega costs of the 2024 Jasper wildfire. Economic devastation would be amplified due to the Bow Valley's much larger population and visitor numbers. Article content That would also mean an increased chance of injuries or deaths of people, along with a bevy of negative impacts on the environment, wildlife, tourism, insurance rates, transportation and commerce, since vital rail lines and the Trans-Canada Highway run right through the area. Article content Wildfires present a regular threat to the province's oil and gas production, typically from March through October. Fort McMurray, the largest population center near Alberta's massive oilsands operations, was heavily damaged by a blaze in 2016 that forced thousands to evacuate and temporarily shut more than one million barrels of daily oil output.
Edmonton Journal
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Edmonton Journal
Potential for a busy fire season in southern Alberta, says wildfire expert
Article content The Bow Valley or Kananaskis Country is overdue for a big fire at some point, he said. 'I'm not saying it's going to be this year, but I'm saying it's been primed for some time and one of these days we are going to see a big fire in that corridor,' said Flannigan. In the spring, southern Alberta tends to get plenty of grassfires, but fire season in the south usually peaks in the summer, said Flannigan. In 2017, the Kenow fire in Waterton began in September and last year's Jasper fire started in July. Across Alberta, indicators suggest it could potentially be an active season, said Flannigan. Flannigan advised Albertans to observe fire bans and other advisories, and follow common-sense FireSmart principles, such as keeping no flammable materials within 1.5 metres of a home or structure. 'That's really important, because fire typically enters a community through embers. The fire generates these billions, trillions of embers, the wind carries them, they land on something flammable beside your home, it catches fire and then they catch your house on fire.'
Calgary Herald
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
Potential for a busy fire season in southern Alberta, says wildfire expert
Conditions are set up for a potentially active fire season in southern Alberta, says a wildfire expert. Article content Article content Mike Flannigan, a professor at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, said Tuesday it's already dry in southern Alberta, from about Calgary and the Bow Valley south to the U.S. border. Article content 'The forecast can be wrong, but right now it's supposed to be a hot, dry summer, especially in the south of Alberta,' he said, adding that a hot, dry summer generally means more fire. Article content Article content 'I'm not saying it's going to be this year, but I'm saying it's been primed for some time and one of these days we are going to see a big fire in that corridor,' said Flannigan. Article content In the spring, southern Alberta tends to get plenty of grassfires, but fire season in the south usually peaks in the summer, said Flannigan. In 2017, the Kenow fire in Waterton began in September and last year's Jasper fire started in July. Article content Article content Across Alberta, indicators suggest it could potentially be an active season, said Flannigan. Article content Flannigan advised Albertans to observe fire bans and other advisories, and follow common-sense FireSmart principles, such as keeping no flammable materials within 1.5 metres of a home or structure. Article content 'That's really important, because fire typically enters a community through embers. The fire generates these billions, trillions of embers, the wind carries them, they land on something flammable beside your home, it catches fire and then they catch your house on fire.' Article content Article content The website shows that numerous fire advisories, as well as a few restrictions and bans, have been enacted in southern Alberta. Article content Article content Heath Wright, Lethbridge County's regional manager of emergency services, said current moisture levels are 'quite good' and the risk is low in the area, but added fire officials always have concerns in southern Alberta. Article content 'You never know with the inconsistency with the winds and how much moisture we're going to get,' said Wright. 'It's always on high alert with us.' Article content 'There were indications that it might get out of control but our crews managed to hold of it,' he said, adding rural firefighters in the local departments are well trained in how to tackle grassfires and 'know how to pump a lot of water in a short period of time.'
BBC News
10-02-2025
- BBC News
Three men in court following £1m cocaine seizure in West Lothian
Three men have appeared in court following the seizure of cocaine with an estimated street value of £ Flannigan, 56, Ryan Akinlami, 35, and Brandon Sampher, also 35, were arrested following searches of properties across West Lothian last squad detectives recovered 21.5kg of cocaine and seized about £80,000 in cash during the raids in Fauldhouse, West Calder, Polbeth and men made no plea during the brief, private hearing at Livingston Sheriff Court. They were charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and being involved in serious and organised men, who all gave West Lothian addresses, were committed for further examination and remanded in are expected to make a second court appearance within the next eight days to be fully committed for trial.A 54-year-old woman, who was also detained as part of the "Operation Silhouette" investigation led by Police Scotland's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, was released pending further inquiries.
