Latest news with #Greentree
Ottawa Citizen
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
OHL names Spitfires' Greentree winner of Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy
Article content Liam Greentree wasn't just part of the turnaround, he led the way. Article content Greentree, the 19-year-old captain of the Windsor Spitfires, helped guide the team to a club record 52-point turnaround in the standings in 2024-25 while finishing third in league scoring. Article content On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings' first-round pick was awarded the Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy by the Ontario Hockey League. The award is given to the league captain that best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice with a passion and dedication to the game of hockey and his community. Article content Article content 'Honestly, it's something I really wanted and I think it's really cool,' said Greentree, who was a second-round pick by Windsor in 2022. 'I saw (Saginaw's Braden) Hache got it last year and I was looking for it this year. It wasn't my main focus, but it's something I'm really excited about.' Article content The award was created in 2009 in memory of former Spitfires' captain and Tecumseh native Mickey Renaud, who passed away in 2008 from an undetected heart condition. Greentree is the second Spitfire to win the award following Ryan Ellis in 2011. Article content Article content 'It means a lot,' Greentree. 'The award is named after a Spitfire and it's really cool to be a part of that group and to be known as a leader.' Article content The Spitfires named Greentree captain midway through the 2023-24 season as the club was sliding down the standings during a rebuild. The struggles still did not prevent him from finishing tied for 11th in league scoring with a team-leading 36 goals and 90 points in 64 games before being taken by the Kings in the first round of the NHL Draft. Article content Article content 'If you asked me today, they made the right decision,' said Spitfires' head coach Greg Walters, who was not with the team when Greentree was named captain. 'He was amazing form Day 1. He's an elite player, but he's also an elite person off the ice.' Article content But being a leader isn't simply about putting points on the board. Greentree continued to shine on the ice in 2024-25 and was third in league scoring with 49 goals and 119 points in 64 goals, but he also set the mental tone. Article content 'Every day, we had to kick him off the ice,' Walters said. 'He spent countless hours doing extra stuff on and off the ice. Again, that's why we had so much success. (Younger players) saw that commitment to get to that next level and Liam led the way every day.' Article content It wasn't just showing new players the ropes, but also making newcomers feel welcome with the Spitfires. A total of 15 players made their Windsor debut in 2024-25 and whether it was breakout star Ilya like Protas or rookie defenceman Grady Spicer, who made his debut in the playoffs, it was often Greentree being the first person to make contact and welcome them into the fold.
ABC News
01-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Locals slam council inaction as 24 properties go to auction in Queanbeyan over unpaid rates
A New South Wales family will bid at auction for a parcel of land they thought was part of their property, but is actually owned by a man who died more than six decades ago. The auction is part of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council's (QPRQ) crackdown on unpaid rates, with 24 properties to be sold. The council said the owners had failed to pay rates for at least five years. Among the lots is a slice of land in Charleys Forest, a rural area near Braidwood about two hours east of Canberra, which borders a farm owned by Gina Greentree and her husband. It measures about 10 metres wide and 400 metres long and is complete with pine trees and a boundary fence, which were added by a previous owner who, like Ms Greentree, had assumed it was part of their property. "But the gentleman that owned the property has been deceased now for 65 years, so it's just sat there idle over the years being assumed and treated as being part of the major parcel of land that we own now," Ms Greentree said. Council is selling off the land to recoup almost $20,000 in unpaid rates. But the value of the land is estimated to be much less — about $3,500 — creating confusion for Ms Greentree, who will be among bidders attempting to buy it. "It's somewhere between those numbers we think," she said. "Council has not given any guidance — they set the reserve." Delays drive up value The NSW government's public record of official notices show the council knew about unpaid rates on the property as early as 2013, but had failed to resolve the problem. "They haven't really conceded the fact that their inaction has caused not only the rates to accrue, but also the value of the land to increase substantially over time," Ms Greentree said. "It now means that for us to even purchase the land, compared to two or three years ago, it's doubled in price, and [compared to] five years ago, it's more than quadrupled in price. "Had they acted, or had we had notification back when they first say they started this process, we would have been able to mitigate a lot of the cost and also their costs," she added. The lot up for auction that border's Gina Greentree's property. ( Supplied ) QPRC said the amount in arrears will not impact the asking price. "If we sell the block and it's less than the rates outstanding, we will just have to write those rates off," QPRC general manager Rebecca Ryan said. She said the delay was because of a merger between the former Queanbeyan City and Palerang councils. "I think it was just a case of resources. We merged councils in 2016, this is the first sale for unpaid rates we've done since," Ms Ryan said. Errors advertising blocks Ms Greentree, who runs Angus cattle, horses, sheep, and chickens on her farm, is also worried about errors in the sale listing. A title search for the lot shows images of Ms Greentree's neighbour's property, "which is complete with cattle yards, horse round yards, shared water tanks, so it looks very attractive," she said. "Potentially someone's going to either be misled as to what the property is for or force the price up because they think they're getting $100,000 worth of infrastructure that they're just not going to get," she said. Council conceded there had been some confusion. "Council has met with residents that had concerns with the mapping to clarify the lot," a spokesperson said. 'None the wiser' Meeting minutes show council first considered the mass sell-off in June 2024, when 48 properties were eligible to be sold owing more than $1,135,500 in unpaid rates. Since then, many owners have ratified their rates payments, including one business that settled a debt of nearly $160,000 as late as Thursday. The remaining vacant properties are mostly in rural areas, many with title deeds dating back to the early 1900s. Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is auctioning lots over unpaid rates. ( Supplied ) "As the NSW Land Registry Services updates their mapping and online information, these little lots are then digitised and then discovered to have been missed," Ms Ryan said. Council said it had sent notices to affected owners via registered mail, letters to neighbours, advertised on its website and local publications, and door-knocked property owners. But Ms Greentree said she had never been contacted by council, and only discovered the lot was for sale when a council notice was re-shared to a community Facebook page. "Had I not had curiosity … and thought 'I wonder what that property is' … I wouldn't have even known," she said. "Someone could have … purchased that piece of land, and we would be none the wiser, which is really unfair." She said there should have been a more public consultation process, or public meeting, and more of an effort by council to contact her. Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council has defended its efforts to consult the public. ( ABC News: Ian Cutmore ) Ms Ryan said council had been "very proactive" in contacting neighbours and advertising. "While it was a shock, some people realised they had had no idea that their little block … actually hadn't been transferred when they purchased their property," Ms Ryan said. Ms Ryan said the auction was intended as a quick way to transfer title deeds for properties that had been missed in sales over generations. Auctioneers Ian McNamee and Partners advertised the properties for auction online this week, with it set to take place at the Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall on May 2.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Windsor Spitfires Forwards Liam Greentree, Ilya Protas, and AJ Spellacy Recalled To AHL
© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Windsor Spitfires forwards Liam Greentree, AJ Spellacy, and Ilya Protas are headed to the AHL after the Spitfires were eliminated in the second round of the OHL playoffs. Greentree will join the Ontario Reign, Spellacy the Rockford IceHogs, and Protas the two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears. Advertisement Protas was second in OHL scoring and led the Spitfires in goals (50) and points (124) in 61 games this season before adding five goals and 20 assists in 12 playoff games. A third round selection of the Capitals in 2024, Ilya is the younger brother of Washington forward Alexei Protas. Spellacy notched 18 goals and 37 points in 62 games this season and three points in five playoff games before suffering an injury. The 19-year-old was a third round selection of the Blackhawks in 2024. Greentree recorded 49 goals and 119 points in 64 games this season, finishing third in OHL scoring. He had 14 goals and 24 points in 11 playoff games. Advertisement The captain of the Spitfires for the last two seasons, Greentree was selected 26th overall by the Kings in the 2024 draft. The Reign are down 1-0 and the IceHogs are up 1-0 in their respective best-of-three first round matchups while the Bears have a bye into the Atlantic Division Semifinals. It remains to be seen how much of an impact each player will have in the Calder Cup playoffs but given their great combination of size and skill it would not be surprising to see Greentree and Protas play meaningful minutes. Spellacy will be an interesting decision given the injury he dealt with throughout the OHL playoffs. Advertisement Check out The Hockey News' Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, and Chicago Blackhawks sites for more insight on each team. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
New York Times
28-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Miami Hurricanes mailbag: Will the freshman WRs play? When will Carson Beck be ready?
The Miami Hurricanes are halfway through spring practices. The spring game is scheduled for April 12. You have questions. Let's dive in. Any chance the new freshman receiver trio of Joshua Moore, Daylyn Upshaw or Malachi Toney getting playing time this season? Been hearing praise for Moore and Toney! — Hassan K. Who are the Greentree All-Americans? — Thomas L. I sense a bit of sarcasm in your question, Thomas. There is no better time to bloviate on what guys look like in shorts and helmets with no opponents on the field. Advertisement I've watched one practice thus far (the first of the spring) and viewed probably 20 minutes of drills before the media was asked to leave. However, the 'special guests' who have been able to watch an entire practice have told me the freshman receivers — Moore, Upshaw and Toney — have looked very good. One onlooker whose opinion I highly respect told me he expects all three to be in the regular rotation along with sophomore Joshisa Trader and LSU transfer CJ Daniels (who is out this spring). Mario Cristobal referred to Toney as Baby Jesus after Miami's first practice. What a catch by Josh Moore 👀🔥 — Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) March 26, 2025 Personally, though, I learned long ago to stop buying into the preseason hype at Greentree. What happens during spring football — when many players are out recovering from surgery — is meaningless. Now, if I were to bet $100 on anyone being a legitimate All-American this fall, it would probably be right tackle Francis Mauigoa. Outside of Mauigoa, I'd go with defensive end Rueben Bain, if he's healthy and past the injuries that limited him last season. There may not be an individual All-American in Miami's secondary, but I believe it will be vastly improved. When will Carson Beck throw? Any chance he's actually leading the offense when camp opens in August? — Captain B. I'd be shocked if Beck is not throwing by this summer. It took San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who had the same Tommy John surgery, a little less than five months (139 days exactly) to get back on the field and throw the football in practice after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. There's no question, though, that Miami needs a capable backup quarterback ready to play in case Beck suffers any setbacks. Onlookers at practice have told me third-year sophomore Emory Williams has looked better than second-year freshman Judd Anderson, who at times has taken too long to release the ball in 11-on-11 drills. But neither guy, in my opinion, leads Miami to more than eight wins if Beck is unavailable. Advertisement Will this defensive unit be able to step up and live up to the program's reputation this season? — Anthony B. As I mentioned earlier, I think Miami's secondary will be vastly improved. The program spent a lot of name, image and likeness dollars to reel in Charles Brantley (Michigan State), Ethan O'Connor (Washington State), Emmanuel Karnley (Arizona), Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin) and Zechariah Poyser (Jacksonville State) from the portal. I expect that alone will help the Hurricanes improve from ranking 99th in passing plays allowed of 20 yards or more (43 total) to somewhere in the top 25. But let's not pretend that alone will fix what ailed the Hurricanes' defense last year. Miami's front featured an All-ACC first-team selection at defensive tackle in Simeon Barrow, edge rusher Tyler Baron, who led the team with 48 pressures, and linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, who led the team in tackles for a second straight season. All three must be replaced. Bain, Louisiana Tech transfer David Blay, sixth-year senior Akheem Mesidor and linebackers Wesley Bissainthe (26 career starts) and Jaylin Alderman (20 career starts) will provide plenty of veteran leadership in the front seven. But there's also a lot of young guys Cristobal is counting on to step up. Miami needs sophomore Justin Scott to live up to his five-star billing as a recruit. Second-year freshman linebacker Cameron Pruitt has to be as good as advertised. Same with Cole McConathy as a backup edge rusher. Miami's second- and third-year holdovers have to show us they're worth the hype. If not, all the money spent on the secondary will go to waste if opposing quarterbacks have all day to throw and no one upfront can stuff the run. Who is the most likely wide receiver to transfer to Miami? — Gacanefan Your guess is as good as mine, but it won't be someone currently in the portal. If Miami adds a receiver to the roster, it's going to be a proven commodity who is still on a Power 4 or Group of 5 roster this spring. There were rumors Jeremiah Smith might return home from Ohio State. That's realistically the only addition that would make a huge splash at the position. Advertisement Beyond that, I'd point to any player recruited by Miami or receivers coach Kevin Beard over the last two or three cycles who isn't getting the playing time or opportunity they thought they would get at their current school. How does the administration (Board, president, etc) feel about Cristobal and his time at Miami thus far? — Anonymous U. They're happy with the direction of the program. The first thing I was told this week when I spoke to someone high up at Miami was how happy they were to see all 32 NFL teams on hand for Miami's Pro Day. The next thing mentioned to me was how three years ago, the Hurricanes had only one player selected — defensive lineman Jonathan Ford — to keep the program's draft streak alive. Not only are the Hurricanes likely to have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft (Cam Ward), but they could have as many as 11 players selected. That's real progress. The program simply hasn't been producing talent like it used to. Yes, Miami has had 23 players drafted since 2018. But only four — Kam Kinchens, Tyrique Stevenson, Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau — were not taken on the last day of the draft (Rounds 4 to 7). That's basically on par with Pittsburgh (22 total since 2018, five first- or second-day picks) and North Carolina (22 total, eight first- or second-day picks). Pittsburgh won the ACC in 2021, and North Carolina played for the ACC championship twice over that span. If Miami starts producing NFL draft picks like Clemson has for the last seven years (35 total, 19 first- or second-day picks), it's only a matter of time before the Hurricanes win a conference title. That's at least the way the brass is thinking. Is this the most unique schedule Miami has ever had, where we don't leave the state until November? Can you think of any other time we've been set up with such a positive start to a season? — Jeffrey C. Miami plays three games out of state in the regular season — at SMU on Nov. 1, at Virginia Tech on Nov. 22 and at Pittsburgh on Nov. 29. The last time Miami played so many in-state games was in 2013 when it went 9-4 in Al Golden's third season. The Canes played their first out-of-state game on Oct. 17 at North Carolina and later played at Duke and at Pittsburgh. Advertisement This is a tougher schedule, though, than last season. Notre Dame played for the national title in 2024 and has an excellent coach. Florida is improved with DJ Lagway at quarterback. Louisville has been consistently good under Jeff Brohm. Florida State should be better. The trip to Dallas to face SMU on Nov. 1 will not be easy, and Syracuse beat Miami last year. Do you expect Samson 'Pancake' Okunlola or Tommy Kinsler to ever play significant snaps at Miami? — Jonathan O. Probably not. It's not because they're not talented or capable. But it feels like in today's portal era, most players spend two seasons at a school sitting on the bench before they look to transfer. Offensive line coach Alex Mirabal dropped Kinsler and Okunlola's names first last week when talking about the depth Miami has at the position. They've spent time developing and getting better behind the scenes. But it's rare to see anyone wait three years to get on the field. I think they will have to get into the rotation this year — whether through injury or not — to stick around. (Photo of Mario Cristobal: Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Beta Band to reunite after 20 years for UK and USA tour
Alt-rockers The Beta Band have spoken of their excitement at getting back together for a reunion tour across the UK and USA more than 20 years since the group split up. The band was formed in 1996 in St Andrews, Scotland, and went on to achieve top 20 albums as well as the support slot for Radiohead on two US tours. The group also famously featured in the movie High Fidelity when the actor John Cusack plays The Beta Band's song Dry the Rain in the film's record shop. But in 2004, financial difficulties saw the group split, with their final gig played at Edinburgh's Liquid Room on December 4, 2004. The new tour features the line-up of Steve Mason on guitar and vocals, bassist Richard Greentree, John Maclean on samples and keyboard and Robin Jones on drums. Mr Greentree, who is the only Englishman in the group and lives in Portsmouth, Hampshire, told the PA news agency: 'It seems this is a twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity for which I'll be eternally grateful. 'It was an incredible time. Over the last 20 years, I have been frequently asked if I miss it, which has always seemed like an incredible question to me because as if that's not obvious. 'It's just what I always wanted to do, so when it ended, it was a difficult thing to come to terms with. 'And you know, when I finally did come to terms with it was when the universe seemed to have given it back to me. So it seems to have come full circle, which I'm pretty pleased about.' The father of two left the music scene behind to focus on carpentry and bringing up his two sons for much of the time since the band ended. He said: 'One of the aspects is I'm really pleased with is that my kids are gonna get a chance to see me on stage, there's a constant battle between me and my two sons about old cool versus new cool – it's an opportunity for old cool to take the upper hand.' Describing the band's peak, he said: 'I think the highlight was probably the American tours, I can't deny it was the tours we went on with Radiohead. 'We got to play the most famous venues, the Madison Square Gardens and Hollywood Bowl and a lot of crazy venues.' He added: 'Some of the gigs when they really, really work, when they really gel together, it's just an unbeatable feeling, you just have that dynamic, it's not like anything else on Earth.' Mr Greentree said that the band had kept in touch over the years, and a photoshoot at Stansted House, near Emsworth, Hampshire, was an opportunity to reconnect. He said: 'Just like the musical side of stuff is gonna come flying back, like riding a bike, so do the in-jokes. 'It is a really good dynamic – I think it's essential, not to get on, but there has to be a dynamic in one way or the other. 'We're quite lucky that for us, when we're together, it's a lot of fun.' A deluxe vinyl reissue of The Beta Band's first release – The Three EPs – has been released to coincide with the reunion. The new tour has been welcomed by one of the band's most famous fans, the author Irvine Welsh. The Trainspotting writer said: 'The band were pivotal for me in terms of my own musical journey, in that they represented a gateway back into indie guitar music, which I'd basically given up since becoming obsessed with rave and acid house. 'The emotions they induced were a kind of throwback to school days when you were very pompous and prescriptive about what you liked and derisive towards non-believers. It's a testimony to the power of the music that they could take me to the raw state of the younger man.' The reunion tour starts at Glasgow's Barrowland in September, with tickets for sale to the general public from Friday, March 7.
