Latest news with #GregJohnson
ABC News
21-05-2025
- ABC News
Repairs begin for headstones vandalised in Toowoomba Cemetery
Repairs have begun on nearly 150 headstones that were vandalised in Toowoomba nine months ago. Heavy stone monuments have been craned out in pieces from the Toowoomba Cemetery, while smashed marble plaques have been delicately plucked up and stored in boxes ready for repair. They are the first steps in a long recovery process involving tradespeople in Toowoomba and Brisbane, which could cost families about $300,000. Two boys have been dealt with under the Youth Justice Act over the matter from August last year. Community group Headstone Healing Project has been driving the collaborative restoration process. "When something like this comes along, you realise that all of the less-than-wonderful things that happen in the community can be quickly overcome by an act of kindness," spokesperson Greg Johnson said. "This issue belongs to all Toowoomba people and it's our responsibility to make sure this cemetery is back to where it was." In a cost of living crisis, the group had helped to offset the costs for people who could not afford to repair their loved one's memorials. Mr Johnson said about $12,000 had been raised so far. Stonemason Michael Wagner was one of the first people to discover the damaged graves when he came to visit his father's memorial. Operating a business across the road from the cemetery, he offered to volunteer his time to remove many of the damaged headstones. "We like everybody else have relatives and friends in the cemetery that we don't expect to be vandalised," he said. "For days after we had calls from clients trying to find out whether there was any damage to their memorials. Mr Wagner said there was no rhyme or reason for the vandalism. "It was just a few young people … they made some senseless mistakes," he said. "For people who are thinking about doing something silly, don't do it in a cemetery." The damaged memorials will be sent to TAFE Queensland's stonemason students for repair. TAFE Queensland's Stephen Gates said the college was honoured to be involved in the project. "Any chance we get to combine hands-on training with helping Queensland communities is one we will gladly take," Mr Gates said. He said it would give the apprentice stonemasons valuable experience and restore "the dignity of the owners of these tombstones". Mr Wagner hoped many of the original stone structures could be repaired and preserved. "In some cases, if inscription tablets or headstones are beyond repair, we'll look at replacing the tablet or doing a marker stone," he said. Many of the sites will also be reinforced to make sure they are more resistant to damage. "Back in the 1800s, in an area like Toowoomba, there wasn't the belief that people would knock over headstones," he said. "Now we have Australian standards set up for the upkeep, installation, and the construction of monuments. "It's never going to prevent [them] being knocked over, but it helps in a safety situation."
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Long Lost PASH Song Found
Press Release – Pash Band A recording thought gone forever in a studio fire has been discovered in a basement. Listen to/download the long-lost track here. Rocking 90s Auckland band Pash recorded the song 'All the Way' at Slab Studios the night it was infamously gutted by a fire. A smoldering cigarette is believed to have been the cause of the blaze which ignited after the band left the studio. The recorded track was thought to be completely lost in the fire, the loss of which started a downward spiral for the group. Much finger pointing and acrimony over who was at fault followed, and Pash disbanded just weeks later. A mislabeled DAT tape of the song, thought lost in the fire, has been discovered in mysterious circumstances, bringing joy to the surviving members, which is all of them. The good news has proved a catalyst to mend frayed relations between the members. They have come together and want to make the band's material available to the public for the first time in nearly 3 decades, starting with 'All the Way'. The song features Pash in full flight, with high powered rock'n'roll jets firing and an epic trumpet solo played by NZ music legend Greg Johnson. The band believe their music has stood the test of time and can help bring people some happiness. 'The world needs Pash right now' one friend said. A reunited Pash will play support for the Lemonheads May 28 at Double Whammy. 90's band Pash Pash were a fixture of the 1990s NZ music scene, with a string of songs on bFM and Channel Z, videos on Max TV and tons of shows across Auckland and countrywide. The band played Big Day Out, Summer Series, bFM Private Function, toured with Exponents and supported internationals such as Garbage, Ash and Veruca Salt. 'All The Way' releases this Friday May 23 on all streaming services.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Long Lost PASH Song Found
A recording thought gone forever in a studio fire has been discovered in a basement. Listen to/download the long-lost track here. Rocking 90s Auckland band Pash recorded the song 'All the Way' at Slab Studios the night it was infamously gutted by a fire. A smoldering cigarette is believed to have been the cause of the blaze which ignited after the band left the studio. The recorded track was thought to be completely lost in the fire, the loss of which started a downward spiral for the group. Much finger pointing and acrimony over who was at fault followed, and Pash disbanded just weeks later. A mislabeled DAT tape of the song, thought lost in the fire, has been discovered in mysterious circumstances, bringing joy to the surviving members, which is all of them. The good news has proved a catalyst to mend frayed relations between the members. They have come together and want to make the band's material available to the public for the first time in nearly 3 decades, starting with 'All the Way'. The song features Pash in full flight, with high powered rock'n'roll jets firing and an epic trumpet solo played by NZ music legend Greg Johnson. The band believe their music has stood the test of time and can help bring people some happiness. 'The world needs Pash right now' one friend said. A reunited Pash will play support for the Lemonheads May 28 at Double Whammy. 90's band Pash Pash were a fixture of the 1990s NZ music scene, with a string of songs on bFM and Channel Z, videos on Max TV and tons of shows across Auckland and countrywide. The band played Big Day Out, Summer Series, bFM Private Function, toured with Exponents and supported internationals such as Garbage, Ash and Veruca Salt. 'All The Way' releases this Friday May 23 on all streaming services.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Central IL farmers relieved by temporary tariff truce but want to see a lasting solution
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Earlier this week, the U.S. and China announced a temporary tariff truce for 90 days. The U.S. will lower its tariff rate for Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, and China will lower their tariff on American imports from 125% to 10%. Urbana woman targeted by 'brushing' scam USPS is warning Americans about China is the largest consumer of American soybeans, importing nearly one billion bushels a year, with a significant portion coming from farmers in Illinois. Total Grain Marketing in Champaign said this temporary agreement is a good sign, but with 150 days until harvest begins, the clock is ticking to find a lasting, and preferably tariff-less, solution. 'It's a good first step, but if nothing gets worked out from here and they leave the 10% tariff on, that's the bad news because that's a dollar a bushel tariff on our beans. And our beans aren't a dollar cheaper than South America. So that would effectively preclude us from selling beans to China this fall,' said Greg Johnson, the grain originator. Johnson said farmers would like to see no tariffs on exports and a soybean purchasing agreement with China. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Little Falls grapples with possible school closure amid budget shortfall
The Little Falls community is urging school administrators to reconsider closing one of the district's three elementary schools. It's the latest example of how budget shortfalls are plaguing school districts across the state. The main entrance to Dr. SG Knight Elementary School has turned into a campaign showing how deeply personal this is. The principal says it pulls at the heartstrings. The countdown until summer isn't an exciting one here. Jessie Martin has a 7 year old at Knight. If the school closes, the other options are at least 15 miles away. "My son loses relationships, loses friendships and might not get to see his friends on a daily basis," Martin said. "Hopefully you're not late. Hopefully you're not late to work. It means getting up earlier if you do have work. It's longer days for them." According to administrators at Little Falls Community Schools, it's been long days and nights grappling with what Superintendent Greg Johnson warns could be a $1 million shortfall in the next few years, and that's after the district's already cut $3 million last year. The issue isn't COVID money drying up, it's falling enrollment. There are 1,000 fewer students in the district now than there were 30 years ago, with the same amount of schools. "We can't sustain with the amount of students we have, inflationary concerns and state mandates that dictate our budget," Johnson said. He says he knows closing Knight will be painful, but it's not final. Other ideas the district is considering include merging the middle and high school and even transitioning to a four-day week, which Johnson thinks could even boost enrollment. "With more students coming in, we can generate more revenue with families," he said. Another option to raise revenue is through raising taxes, which will need to be put on the November ballot. The district conducted a survey of parents and community members and will share those results at a board meeting on Monday night. Johnson says the final decision could be made within weeks.
